uk politics

As votes the continue to be counted Amol and Nick give their take on where the election results leave both the Tories and Labour.

Pollster James Kanagasooriam, chief research officer with Focal Data who sits on the board of centre-right think tank Onward, is back with some expert analysis.

And find out how you can come along to a special recording of The Today Podcast: Live!

Regular episodes of The Today Podcast land on Thursdays. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hazel Morgan and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery and digital production from Elliot Ryder.

How big a social change will Rishi Sunak’s smoking bill prove – and why does he want this to be his legacy?

On this week’s podcast Amol and Nick look at what the plan to end smoking for the younger generation – which passed its first parliamentary hurdle this week – says about the direction of the Conservative Party and the control Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has over his MPs.

They’re joined by Sir David Davis, known for his campaigning on civil liberties, who explains why he believes the smoking bill is the right side of “nanny statism”.

And chef, novelist and judge of the Great British Bake Off, Dame Prue Leith, pops into the studio to provide her view on whether similar action is needed to tackle obesity - and to share her moment of the week.

Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hazel Morgan and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Dafydd Evans. Digital production from Elliot Ryder.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.

On today's podcast:

(1)  Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said there is no rush to lower interest rates, emphasizing that recent economic data warrants delaying or reducing the number of cuts seen this year.

(2)  JP Morgan's chief global equity strategist warned clients on Wednesday that they could be “stuck on the wrong side” of the momentum trade when it eventually falters, and he encouraged them to consider diversifying their holdings and thinking about risk management in their portfolios.

(3) Ozempic could be profitably produced for less than $5 a month even as maker Novo Nordisk charges almost $1,000 in the US, according to a study that revives questions about prices for top-selling treatments for diabetes and obesity.

(4) Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she expects insurers’ payouts to help cover some of the costs of rebuilding the Baltimore bridge that collapsed earlier this week.

(5) The huge scale of the spending demands facing the next UK government is laid bare in a new report by the head of an influential parliamentary committee.

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There's only one poll that counts and that's the actual election and that's not today. We know that, we get it, but the latest numbers from YouGov are worth looking at to see a direction of travel that might be staring us in the face.

Tonight's poll for The Times puts the Conservatives on 19 percent and Reform Party just behind them on 15. Is it conceivable that they overtake today's party of government at the general election?

And what is the demographic that is propping up the newcomer Reformistas?

Later, why is the Rwanda bill being pushed back if there is - according to the PM - a 'migrant emergency'?

And we answer the question on everyone's lips - where is Jon's favourite Amish town - and what's it called..

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The Times Briefing for the morning of Friday 16th January.

For more on these stories throughout the day tune into Times Radio - on DAB, online, through your smart speaker or on the Times Radio app.

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Will Liz Truss’s “PopCon” undermine Rishi Sunak?

On Tuesday Tory right-wingers gathered in Westminster for the launch of “Popular Conservatism”, a new political group spearheaded by Liz Truss, who was joined by the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg, Lee Anderson and Mark Littlewood, formerly of the IEA.

Rachel Cunliffe and Freddie Hayward attended the launch and join Anoosh Chakelian on the podcast to discuss what the new group hopes to achieve and whether they pose a threat to Rishi Sunak’s beleaguered – and increasingly gaffe-ridden – premiership.

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This week's disposable vape ban follows a generational ban on smoking and an XL Bully ban. Is this Rishi Sunak's legacy? 

The Conservatives are typically against a "nanny state" but low-cost, high-impact interferences into personal choice seem to be Rishi Sunak's bread and butter. 

Anoosh Chakelian, Freddie Hayward and Rachel Cunliffe discuss the decision-making behind the bans and impact on the nation.

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