Electoral Dysfunction

Health Secretary Wes Streeting speaks exclusively to Beth as pressure on the Prime Minister to resign continues to rise.
Streeting tells Beth that people should “give Keir a chance” after he claimed it “has not been the best week for the government”, and recognises there is a “febrile” atmosphere.
It comes after a weekend of briefing around how Wes Streeting is connected to Peter Mandelson over the weekend – and in this podcast, Wes Streeting exclusively reveals his Whatsapp messages with Beth, over the period that Mandelson was ambassador in Washington.
But is he at risk of suffering from ‘revisionism’? Harriet thinks commentators need to be careful when remembering what went on with Peter Mandelson.
Plus – how much weight does Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar’s comments have? He's called on Starmer to resign today, saying that “the situation in Downing Street is not good enough”.
We’ll be back on Friday with our usual weekly episode.

Keir Starmer is fighting for his career amid one of the biggest political scandals of the century. Harriet thinks the prime minister could be brought down after he appointed Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador, despite knowing about his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
So can Starmer find the strength to turn a corner, reset his whole team and admit he was wrong? Or is it too late? Harriet thinks his tone this week made him look "gullible and naive".
And what does the whole fiasco say about politics and the establishment as a whole? Beth, Ruth and Harriet explain how Peter Mandelson created a network of people he relied upon in politics and the media.
Peter Mandelson denies any wrongdoing and has apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email [email protected].
And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

Beth joins the Prime Minister on his historic trip to China, where he has met the country's president Xi Jinping. It’s a trip that has sparked debate back in the UK, amid worries over espionage and security. But has it helped reset relations? And what does Starmer really hope to achieve from his visit?
Beth, Harriet and Ruth discuss.
Plus, Beth brings us all the behind-the-scenes gossip from the trip - including what it was like on the PM’s plane and what gift Starmer bought for Xi.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, listeners have been sending in their questions about the recent Conservative defections to Reform UK. Has Nigel Farage managed to quieten his critics, now his party includes experience of government?
And with the Tory right increasingly jumping ship, how has Kemi Badenoch handled the growing number of defections? Harriet and Ruth tackle your questions.
You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email [email protected].
And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

Andy Burnham came across as "entitled", according to Harriet Harman, when he went on social media after Keir Starmer blocked him from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. So what actually happened behind the scenes?
This mini episode is your quick guide to the political chaos of the past 48 hours. Why did Mr Burnham try to get back into parliament and why did Labour’s leadership move to stop him? What does it mean for Starmer's authority, the looming by-election, and Labour's battle with Reform?
Plus, as we go into the studio to record, there's another major Conservative defection - former home secretary Suella Braverman - to Reform. What's going on in the Conservative Party? And do Ruth Davidson and Andy Street have the answer?
You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email [email protected].
Remember, you can also watch Beth, Harriet and Ruth on YouTube.

Should social media be banned for under 16s? After a dramatic vote in the House of Lords, Beth, Harriet and Ruth dig into what a ban would really mean and what impact it will have on young people, and they hear from some of them.
And on the world stage, Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland and tariffs have rattled allies and forced an uncomfortable reckoning about the strength of the transatlantic relationship. With Davos dominated by power plays and a hard-hitting speech from Canada’s Mark Carney, the trio ask whether the rules-based world order is already breaking, and where that leaves Britain.
You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email [email protected].
Remember, you can also watch Beth, Harriet and Ruth on YouTube.