Sophy Ridge On Sunday

Today, something different – we're bringing you the trailer of an exciting new podcast from Sky called Electoral Dysfunction.

Beth Rigby. Jess Philips. Ruth Davidson.

With polls suggesting trust in politicians is low, three political powerhouses unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.

Every week, they will examine our political leaders and their policies – how they’re written, and how they’re sold to voters – as we prepare for a general election. 

With so much at stake, they will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction – and what it all actually means for you.

Here's the trailer. For more, follow Electoral Dysfunction now wherever you listen to podcasts.

It's Sophy Ridge's final time presenting Sophy Ridge on Sunday, but she doesn't go quietly.

On this week's episode she interviews former Prime Minister Tony Blair and business secretary Kemi Badenoch who is in New Zealand negotiating Britain's biggest trade deal since Brexit.

Plus, in the studio is programme editor Scott Beasley, political correspondent Sam Coates, as well as Sophy's successor, Trevor Phillips.

They discuss the political interviews this week, the highlights of Sophy's interviews during the past six years, the impact of the podcast, and what is to come in Trevor's new show in September.

She could be the most powerful woman in Britain if the election goes her way. Joining Sophy on the podcast is the shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, who explains more about her vision for Britain, and why she’s not a big fan of Just Stop Oil.

For the Government, financial secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins, defends the Prime Minister’s aim of halving inflation, and answers Sophy’s questions about a mural for child asylum seekers that was painted over by the Home Office because it was deemed too welcoming.

Joined by Sky’s political correspondent Liz Bates, and show editor Scott Beasley, Sophy analyses those interviews and sets up the upcoming week in politics.

Producer: David Chipakupaku
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Host Sophy Ridge interviews Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who has criticised junior doctors, accusing them of "walking away" from talks over pay and conditions.

For teachers, Labour's shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson tells Sophy that giving teachers a pay rise is a "complicated issue".

Joined by Claire Ellicott, deputy political editor of the Mail On Sunday, and show editor Scott Beasley, Sophy analyses those interviews and sets us up for the upcoming week in politics.

Producer: Soila Apparicio

With the Bank of England trying to bring down inflation, interest is now at 5%, its highest rate since April 2008.

The Government is now urging people to "hold their nerve", as Rishi Sunak put it. But Britian may be headed for another Summer of Discontent, with one Treasury minister unable to commit to a public sector pay rise live on Sky News.

On this week's Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, hear Trevor Phillips' interviews with the Conservatives' John Glenn, Labour's shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy, and the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf.

Plus, analysis from Trevor, the communications advisor Laura-Emily Dunn, and the show's editor, Scott Beasley.

You can watch Trevor's new documentary, Windrush and Us, here.

Producer - David Chipakupaku
Editor - Dave Terris

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has called a new leaked partygate video "terrible" - and says the fact the event went ahead is "indefensible".

The footage appears to show Tory staff drinking, dancing and joking about "bending" COVID lockdown rules in December 2020.

On this week's Sophy Ridge On Sunday podcast, hear Mr Gove's reaction to the clip - and the views of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

They also discuss the mortgage market, Scottish independence and the green transition.

To analyse those interviews, Sophy is joined on the podcast by political correspondent Liz Bates and programme editor Scott Beasley.

Plus, hear Sophy's exclusive broadcast interview with former Tesco boss John Allan, who was forced to step down over misconduct allegations. Speaking to Sky News, he insisted he was "completely innocent", but admitted making an "ill-judged remark".

After an explosive weekend, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resigned as an MP, taking supporters Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams with him in exiting the Commons, with whispers that more may follow.

It's left his eventual successor, Rishi Sunak, with an almighty by-election-related headache, as Westminster rolls towards the summer break.

Sir Keir Starmer says the country now needs a snap general election, with Mr Johnson's resignation overshadowing a major u-turn in Labour's £28bn flagship "green prosperity plan", and yet another MP being suspended from the Party, pending investigation.

On this week's Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, hear interviews with the energy secretary Grant Shapps, and Labour's Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Pat McFadden.

Former Downing Street Director of Communications under Mr Johnson, Guto Harri, gives an insight into what his former boss might do next. Plus, hear analysis from the Sun on Sunday's Kate Ferguson, and the Guardian's Peter Walker.

Producer - David Chipakupaku
Editor - Paul Stanworth

MPs return to parliament this week after recess amid some headache headlines for the government surrounding the COVID inquiry and Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages when he was prime minister.

Meanwhile, immigration minister Robert Jenrick reckons many more migrant boats have been intercepted in the English Channel after "landmark deals" with France.


On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, hear interviews with Mr Jenrick and Labour's shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who's asked about the party's response to serious allegations involving Geraint Davies MP, who's been suspended under investigation.

On the podcast today, Daily Mirror's political editor John Stevens joins Sophy for analysis and discussion.

Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer
Paul Stanworth - editor

As Home Secretary Suella Braverman faces criticism over claims she asked civil servants to help her avoid completing a driving awareness course alongside other motorists, the Prime Minister is under pressure to launch an investigation into accusations of impropriety in his government.

On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, hear Sophy's interviews with Environment minister Thérèse Coffey, Conservative Mayor for the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Plus, Sophy is joined by Sky's political correspondent Liz Bates and programme editor Scott Beasley to analyse those interviews.

The fallout from local election results, where the Conservatives lost more than 1,000 councillors and 49 councils, is hitting home for the Tories as Rishi Sunak faces criticism from his own party.

Plus, Brexit is back. Energy Secretary Grant Shapps says Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wants to "re-open" the Brexit settlement while Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg tells Sophy Ridge that Brexit stopped the Ukraine invasion from succeeding.

On the Sophy Ridge On Sunday podcast, hear Sophy's interviews with Jacob Rees-Mogg, Grant Shapps, as well as shadow business secretary Jordan Reynolds.

Plus, Sophy's joined by Sky's political correspondent Liz Bates and programme editor Scott Beasley to unpick and analyse those interviews.

The Tories suffering a “hammering” in the local elections, losing more than 1,000 councillors and 49 councils. Sky News analysis also suggested Labour would become the largest party in Westminster in a general election - but short of an overall majority.

And Saturday’s coronation has prompted questions over the police response to the anti-monarchy protests following arrests.

On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, hear Sophy’s interviews with the Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting, the Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer and Lib Dem Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper.

Joining Sophy on the podcast this week for analysis and discussion: Sky’s deputy political editor Sam Coates and James Heale, The Spectator’s political correspondent.

Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer
Paul Stanworth - editor

As campaigning ahead of this week’s local elections in England ramps up, so is the expectation management from both Labour and the Conservatives.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper says his party expects to lose 1,000 seats on Thursday and Labour Leader Keir Starmer defends his party’s personal attacks on PM Rishi Sunak. Plus, are governments prepared for the impact of AI on our economy, artificial intelligence expert Stuart Russell says they aren’t.

Political Editor at the Daily Express, Sam Lister joins Sophy Ridge to unpick all those interviews and look ahead to the week in Westminster.


Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott
Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth

Days after former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab's resignation, Sophy Ridge talks to the new man in the job, Oliver Dowden.

They discuss if he believes Dominic Raab is a bully, the upcoming local elections, and whether Tory scandals are distracting from court backlogs.

Plus Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Lib Dems, tells Sophy about the party "gaining momentum" and his thoughts on the Raab bullying report.

To discuss these interviews in-depth, Sophy is joined by The Guardian's deputy political editor Jessica Elgot, as well as programme editor Scott Beasley.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Philly Beaumont

Chairman of the Conservative Party Greg Hands admitted the party could lose 1,000 seats at the forthcoming local elections on May 4. Speaking to presenter Trevor Phillips on Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Hands said that the party was “fighting really hard”.

Plus, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended his party’s recent controversial advertising campaign, saying “the figures speak for themselves”.

The Daily Mirror’s political editor John Stevens and programme editor Scott Beasley join Trevor to analyse this week’s interviews.

Podcast producers: Rosie Gillott and Soila Apparicio
Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth

It's been a busy few weeks for the Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

There's been the damning report into London's Metropolitan Police, questions over the Government's plans to reduce crossings in the Channel, and just as schools begin to break-up for the Easter holidays, back-to-back queues are affecting the Port of Dover.

The Home Secretary speaks to Sophy about all these issues, plus her plans to introduce a new legal duty for people working with children to report "signs or suspicions" of sexual abuse.

For Labour, shadow housing and communities secretary Lisa Nandy tells Sophy why she believes the Government hasn't properly prepared for a post-Brexit Britain.

Plus, the employment minister and Conservative MP for Hexham, Guy Opperman, tells the programme why he wants better maternity care, and support for parents who experience child loss.

For a midweek political hit, why not try subscribing to the Beth Rigby Interviews... podcast?

Programme Producer: Lucy Bishop
Programme Editor: Scott Beasley
Podcast producer: David Chipakupaku
Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth

On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, Sophy speaks to levelling up secretary Michael Gove about measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, banning nitrous oxide - widely known as laughing gas - and an undercover sting by anti-Brexit campaign group Led by Donkeys, targeting MPs including former Tory ministers Matt Hancock and Kwasi Kwarteng.

Plus, Sophy interviews Labour’s shadow culture secretary, Lucy Powell. And there’s analysis with Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates.

After the government said it was working on starting its deportation flights to Rwanda by the summer, Sophy Ridge speaks to Oliver Dowden, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, about ministers' plans to reduce small boat crossings to the UK and asks him if his party is avoiding scrutiny on the policy. Sophy also speaks to Miguel Berger, the German ambassador, about the UK's improved relationship with the EU under Rishi Sunak.

She is joined by Sam Lister, the Daily Express's political editor, to dissect the interviews and look ahead to Boris Johnson's appearance before MPs on the Privileges Committee over accusations he deliberately misled Parliament about partygate this week.

Programme Producer: Scott Beasley
Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Despite a big week in politics looming, the row over Gary Lineker’s controversial tweet and subsequently stepping back from presenting Match of the Day is dominating headlines this weekend.

But that’s not all that’s happening. Just days ahead of the Spring Budget Sophy Ridge speaks to the Chancellor of Exchequer Jeremy Hunt as well as Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves. They talk about their own party spending techniques as well as their opposing views on the Lineker row.

Plus, ahead of the Sky News Scottish Leadership Debate – Sophy asks candidate Ash Regan some quick-fire questions.

On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, Sophy is joined by political correspondent Liz Bates to analyse all the interviews.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Philly Beaumont

New small boat crossings legislation will be “very black and white”, the Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said.

Speaking to podcast host Sophy Ridge, he said the new laws will mean that people who come to the UK illegally will be banned from claiming asylum.

We also hear from former Chief of the General Staff Lord Dannatt, who said sending weaponry to Ukraine “almost certainly” depletes the UK's defence capability but that it's important to support the country in its war with Russia.

Our political correspondent Liz Bates and programme editor Scott Beasley join Sophy to analyse this week’s interviews.

Podcast Producer: Soila Apparicio
Editor: Philly Beaumont

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab reckons the government is on the 'cusp' of an agreement to change the Northern Ireland protocol - the agreement, negotiated during Brexit talks, which allows goods to move across the border between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland without needing checks.

On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, we also hear the thoughts of Mark Francois, who chairs the European Research Group (ERG) of Conservative Eurosceptic MPs. Also, we hear from Mr Raab on the bullying claims made against him, tougher rules for transgender prisoners and the courts backlog in England and Wales.

Plus, Sophy interviews former US presidential candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders.

On the podcast joining Sophy with analysis of this week’s interviews is senior associate editor at the New Statesman, Rachel Cunliffe, and programme producer, Scott Beasley.

Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer
Paul Stanworth - editor