Episode notes
Today, we look at the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras by-election, which Green leader Zack Polanski is standing in. We look at how big a gamble a resurgent Labour makes the vote for him, and what happens if he underperforms. Laura and Paddy also discuss the Green conference - happening now - and a row over the party’s position on Israel. And, after diesel prices rose above £2 a litre for first time in the UK, we look at the geopolitical forces at play. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart…
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Newscast
The BBC's daily news podcast, Newscast dives into the day's biggest news stories so you're never out of your depth. Newscast picks the brains of BBC News experts so you're ready if someone picks yours, covering the latest news, developments in politics in Westminster and beyond.
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In this bonus episode, Adam speaks to Rhun ap Iorwerth, the first minister of Wales about his first few months in office, Welsh independence, and why he's asking Andy Burnham for a 'New Deal' for Wales. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480. New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more…
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7 Oct 2026 · 36 min
Kemi Badenoch's Battle of Ideas
Today, Kemi Badenoch made her closing speech to Conservative party conference. The Conservative leader said a “battle for the soul of the nation” is coming, before pitching her vision for her party’s rebrand. She pledged a much-briefed adjustment on inheritance tax - but stopped short of abolishing it altogether. And she had a lot to say about her political opponents. Adam, Alex and Chris are in Birmingham to unpack how the speech went down inside the conference centre, and what it might mean for voters across the country. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to…
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6 Oct 2026 · 37 min
Will The Tories Make A Pact With Reform?
Today, Chris has been speaking to Kemi Badenoch as she limbers up for her speech to the Conservative party conference tomorrow morning. Adam and Chris discuss what she had to say, including her predictions for the next election and why she says she won’t do a deal with Reform. Plus, the US says it is closely watching the death of a Russian scientist who works at a plague research centre in Siberia. Adam is joined by Vitaly Shevchenko, chief analyst for BBC monitoring and Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading to get to the bottom of what’s…
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5 Oct 2026 · 38 min
Is RAF Fairford Safe?
Today, after the US withdrew its bombers from RAF Fairford, the UK government has insisted the military base is safe. Our security correspondent Frank Gardner explains why the Americans moved the planes back to their home stations. It comes a week after a major incident when police were alerted to three "suspicious vehicles" near the airbase and six arrests were made. Plus, housing protests in Spain have lead to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez calling a snap election. And in France, student protests over the condition of school buildings and staffing have led to clashes with police. Spain…
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4 Oct 2026 · 36 min
Are The Public Ready To Vote Tory Again?
Today, we look at whether opposition leader Kemi Badenoch can lead a Conservative comeback. Polls have suggested the party’s popularity was at historic lows in 2025 and early 2026, but they’ve been slightly more favourable recently. So, after partygate and Liz Truss’ mini budget, are the British public ready to vote for the party again? We also look at Badenoch’s plans to build 50,000 new prison places in England and Wales, and the government’s rollback on jury trials. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It…
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2 Oct 2026 · 35 min
The Week: Andy Burnham’s Big Speech And First Own Goal?
After a strong week at Labour Party conference has the Prime Minister made his first foul? Downing Street has said Manchester City are not "above the rules" after Andy Burnham was criticised for his comments about the club's breaches of Premier League financial rules. Adam, Chris and Joe are joined by the FT’s Whitehall editor and host of “Political Fix” Lucy Fisher to unpack the backlash, plus Andy Burnham’s big speech to conference. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can…
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1 Oct 2026 · 37 min
What Happened In The Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight Attack?
Today, after Wednesday’s dramatic event in which a pilot stabbed another pilot and tried to take over a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, we look at what happened in the moments and hours after. Adam is joined by BBC Verify’s Thomas Copeland to help piece together the details of the story, and Jane Corbin who assesses the political reaction and how it’s going down in Israel. Faisal has been speaking to the governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, about the good and bad sides of the AI boom. He warns it could trigger market shocks. He also discusses the rise of deepfakes – AI-made…
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30 Sep 2026 · 36 min
Could The UK Really Rejoin The EU?
Today, Andy Burnham has said rejoining the EU is one of the options the government could examine when looking at the UK’s long-term relationship with Europe. The Prime Minister also told Chris there are ‘strong indications’ that ‘Iran played a part in what happened’ at RAF Fairford, and weighed in on Manchester City. Adam, Chris and Faisal discuss the interview, which happened one day after conference after he announced plans to ‘amend’ the pensions triple lock. Plus, BBC Sport News Correspondent Laura Scott is on the line to bring us up to date on what exactly Man City have been found…
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29 Sep 2026 · 37 min
Andy Burnham's Battle Of Ideas
Today, Andy Burnham delivers first his speech to the Labour Party conference as Prime Minister. During an emotional address, the prime minister outlined plans for a ‘National Care Service’ which would be free at point of use, funded in part by proposed changes to the triple lock" from 2030. He also talked about reforms to the electoral system and housing, and the water system. The Prime Minister received a long standing ovation when he teared up speaking about his late father, who died just a few weeks ago. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say…
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28 Sep 2026 · 29 min
Is The Triple Lock Toast?
Today, Adam and Chris interview the Chancellor John Healey at Labour party conference following his first speech in the role. In his speech, the chancellor announced £6bn of new contracts for British shipyards, which he said would help defend the UK in the long term, and emphasised the need to reindustrialise Britain and get more young people into work. But amidst a tough global economic picture, the chancellor is under pressure with UK diesel hitting an all-time high price. Plus, could the triple lock pension pledge be scrapped to help fund other things? Adam and Chris break down what he…
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