The Politics Show

Labour overtaking Reform in opinion polls for the first time in over a year, travel chaos for government ministers and the controversial grave of Dobby the house-elf.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Oli Dugmore to discuss the stories of the week.

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Sorry about all the bangs, things got a little crazy at Clacton Leisure Centre.

After a long and fairly ridiculous night, Nigel Farage has been reinstated as MP for Clacton. What happens now? Could it be another by-election?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journailst and Labour councillor, Ben Walker.
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Clacton is heading for a by-election on Thursday, triggered by Nigel Farage, amidst the Reform leader's financial scandals.

Anoosh Chakelian spends the day in Clacton, getting the perspective of locals.

READ
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/08/hes-made-us-look-like-right-plonkers-clacton-prepares-for-more-farage
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Andy Burnham’s vision – to reground the Labour party in a sense of place, tradition and belonging – began over a decade ago, rising from the rubble of the Blair and Brown years.

Off the back of the party’s 2010 defeat, figures now key to his government argued that Labour had become too centralised; too detached from working class voters.

Now, Burnham wants to revive “community” as both a value and a means of reforming the UK.

Is this the era of “Woke Blue Labour”?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by editor-in-chief Tom McTague.

Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/08/are-we-living-under-woke-blue-labour
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Is supporting North Sea drilling an extremist position? Does Jeremy Clarkson have the right to ask benefit claimants for a thank you note? And should you grass on naughty neighbours breaking the hosepipe ban?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Oli Dugmore to discuss some of the biggest questions of the week.

📚 READ

Supporting North Sea drilling is an extremist position
https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2026/07/north-sea-drilling-is-an-extremist-position

The road to Nowhereville
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/07/the-road-to-nowhereville
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