23 episodes

Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman present The Power Test, a weekly political podcast for those of us crying out for a new government and a new start, exploring what Labour should do to win and change Britain for the better.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.

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

The Power Test Podot

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    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman present The Power Test, a weekly political podcast for those of us crying out for a new government and a new start, exploring what Labour should do to win and change Britain for the better.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.

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

    Levelling Up: Substance not slogans?

    Levelling Up: Substance not slogans?

    As Labour announces its plans to reclaim 'Levelling Up', Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika are joined by Ed Balls to discuss the dual challenges of tackling economic and regional inequality and going for growth
    Boris Johnson’s claim to end the North-South divide has been a spectacular disaster in terms of going from a box office slogan to something of any substance at all. Councils across the UK are on the brink of collapse and bankruptcy and economic equality across the country has never been more entrenched.
    So what happens now? Can the agenda move into reality and what would an actual Levelling Up plan look like? Are people going to buy it anymore without any tangible progress to show for it, and ultimately what is the role of Westminster vs local authorities and regional mayors.
    Tackling regional inequality is not only an end in itself but also a means in going for growth - an absolute imperative for the next government. Both Labour and the Tories have said they want to deliver growth, but what is the path for delivering it? It has to be a key priority for the next Prime Minister, as part of a central growth drive, working with and not against business, championing open markets and consumers as well as a comprehensive backing for combined authorities with devolved powers.
    Ed also speaks to Sam and Ayesha about podcasting with George Osborne, Labour’s workers rights package as well as never being invited to give the Mais lecture. He is also the first guest to face our new Power Questions section - where he calls for Keir Starmer to grasp the theme of Global Britain and be confident about the UK’s outward facing role in the world, how Jo Cox’s legacy can help heal divisions in politics and ultimately, how the party should be willing to say when it thinks other parties have done good things that it will continue in government.

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

    • 41 min
    Full Fat Ermine

    Full Fat Ermine

    In this first episode of 2024, the duo discuss the news that Ayesha will soon become Baroness Hazarika of Coatbridge in the County of Lanarkshire and the role of the House of Lords in legislating before focusing on the current political landscape and the challenges and opportunities ahead for Labour as the party prepares for its return to government.
    Notes:

    Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika return to the airwaves as The Power Test - the weekly political podcast with a purpose exploring how Labour should govern to really change Britain for the better - gears up for this election year.in this first episode of 2024, the duo discuss the news that Ayesha will soon become Baroness Hazarika of Coatbridge in the County of Lanarkshire and the role of the House of Lords in legislating before focusing on the current political landscape and the challenges and opportunities ahead for Labour as the party prepares for its return to government.A 'torturous holding pattern' is seeing people more and more assured that Keir Starmer will be the country's next Prime Minister, and the party is quickly being treated as the next government - yet, it is still not clear exactly what inheritance it will be gifted by a Conservative Party burning down the house on its way out of the door.So what does that mean for Labour and what it hopes to achieve in government?Can the party really even get a head start before it is derailed by circumstances far from its control? Does its junking of key landmark policies and its commitment to Tory fiscal rules to strengthen its reputation for security hinder or help its aspirations for governing? Will Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves suddenly change tack once they walk down Downing Street and what can the party do to really deliver economic growth?Sam and Ayesha chew the fat and set out the big issues and themes which they will dive into throughout the next few weeks and months alongside some extra special expert guests as we move forward towards the election and review the party's plans for a "decade of national renewal" in more detail.The podcast continues weekly wherever you get your pods. Send in your reactions, questions and ideas on how Labour can change Britain at thepowertest.co.uk - become a member and get involved in our growing community.

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

    • 31 min
    On the brink of power: a year of change?

    On the brink of power: a year of change?

    Keir Starmer's former chief of staff Sam White and The Guardian's Political Editor Pippa Crerar are two figures who have arguably played as big a role as any in turning around Labour's electoral chances. Pippa broke the Partygate story that engulfed the Tory party for many months, while Sam was working behind the scenes to make Labour look like a government in waiting. Sam and Pippa join us in the studio to talk about partygate, if there's a path back for the Conservatives, Labour's strategy, and how Keir Starmer hopes to govern.
    The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
    Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
    Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
    Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
    Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
    For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
    The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com

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

    • 52 min
    Reconnecting To The World: Can a Labour Foreign Policy Make Any Difference?

    Reconnecting To The World: Can a Labour Foreign Policy Make Any Difference?

    Labour's former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw joins Sam and Ayesha to talk about the UK's standing in the world and how it could be restored under a Starmer premiership. What influence does the UK still have on the world stage? Is there such a thing as an ethical foreign policy? How might Labour work with populist leaders whilst keeping the party base happy? What would a second Trump term mean for the world? Olivia O'Sullivan of foreign policy think tank Chatham House, and Matthew McGregor, CEO of 38degrees, also provide analysis.
    The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
    Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
    Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
    Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
    Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
    For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
    The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com

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

    • 56 min
    Can Labour deliver, Fair, Green Growth?

    Can Labour deliver, Fair, Green Growth?

    Sam Freedman quizzes Ed Miliband live on stage at London's Inclusive Growth Conference in partnership with the Centre For Progressive Policy. The former Labour leader talks about how Labour's green agenda can deliver growth that benefits all parts of the country. Giles Wilkes, the former aide to Theresa May and Vince Cable, and Charlotte Alldritt, CEO of the CPP, join Sam for analysis.
    The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
    Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
    Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
    Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
    Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
    For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
    The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com

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

    • 46 min
    Working The Machine: Whitehall Under Labour

    Working The Machine: Whitehall Under Labour

    This week Sam and Ayesha explore how a Labour might operate the machinery of government following a successful election. With expert insight from Dr. Hannah Wright, CEO of the Institute for Government, and former Political Secretary to Tony Blair, Baroness Sally Morgan.
    The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
    Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
    Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
    Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
    Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
    For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
    The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com

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

    • 58 min

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