The News Agents

Is it sexist to call Kamala by her first name? What happens to the election if Trump loses? Who’s the best president America never had? 

After a full on crazy week in America we answer your questions.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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...

It was an act of supreme selflessness. And one of utmost urgency. Joe Biden acknowledged both things in his speech to the nation last night confirming he wouldn’t seek re-election. His rhetoric was rousing. But his speech faltering. He confirmed for many why he had to go, and left questions as to what happens in this final stretch of his presidency.

Later, why are some Labour candidates accusing the Independent “pro Gaza“ MPs of running “toxic” electoral campaigns?

In response to our interview with Heather Iqbal, The Workers Party said:

"The Workers Party was...

Keir Starmer has faced down his first rebellion by removing the whip from 7 Labour rebels who voted with the SNP to end the cap on child benefits for families of more than two children.

Did Starmer overreact? Or does it look decisive? And is this really the policy he wants to hold out on? A decade old policy of Osborne austerity.

We speak directly to one of the rebels who lost the whip and ask what happens now.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor...

Kamala Harris raised a hundred million dollars in the day and a half since Joe Biden announced he wouldn't be standing for re-election.

She has now passed the delegate threshold to stand as the candidate - and as we record no one else has thrown their name into the ring.

Republicans are meanwhile having to accommodate the new reality of having the oldest candidate in the race.

Later, we look at the UK broadcasting landscape with Ofcom regulator Melanie Dawes. Does Ofcom have teeth? And will it use them?

Editor: Tom...

There is a dizziness to American politics right now - Vice President Kamal Harris raised 49 million dollars in the first twelve hours following Joe Biden's announcement that he would exit the race.

She spent ten hours hitting the phones to garner Democratic support and is insisting she must 'earn' the votes of the delegates. But is the race already sewn up? Or might other candidates throw their names in the mix? And how well do we really know the figure who could be America's first female president?

We talk to Ambassador Tony Gardner - a...

Chaos reigns in the Democratic party. In a virtually unprecedented move President Joe Biden has stepped aside from the presidential race weeks before he was due to become the Democrats’ candidate at their national convention in Chicago.

Biden has endorsed his VP Kamala Harris. But is she assured of the crown?

In a hastily assembled emergency podcast Jon, Emily and Lewis discuss the implications for the Dems, the election and the rest of the world.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Al...

This week on The Sports Agents, Gareth Southgate resigned following England's Euro 2024 final defeat, and the world's best golfers tee'd it up for the 152nd Open Championship...

The man who hired Gareth, former FA Managing Director Martin Glenn, joined Gabby & Mark for an insight into the process of finding his replacement and The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke joined us in the studio to help assess the leading candidates.

After Rory McIlroy defended his own caddie ahead of his first appearance at a major tournament since his US Open collapse, we were also joined by caddies Billy...

Lewis is joined in the studio by one of the most senior women in British political history, former Labour Deputy Prime Minister, Harriet Harman.

Two weeks into a new Labour government, she joins us for an extended conversation about her political life and journey, her memories of working alongside Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, and her advice to her successors in the party.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global...

It feels like the walls are finally closing in on President Biden. His closest political allies, the leaders of the Democratic Party in Congress, are abandoning him.

Every interview he does poses more questions than it answers. How long can he fight on? Jon, Lewis and Emily discuss.

Talking of Emily - have you ever thought she might need to get her head examined? Kari Lake, the Republican candidate for Senate in Arizona, thinks so. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage thinks she has no friends.

Listen to both interviews to reveal all.

Editor...

Keir Starmer promised "national renewal" in today's King's Speech, where he outlined his policy plans for the next parliament.

So did we get our first glimpse of what Starmerism might look like? Is the state back? And do we now have the most interventionist government for decades?

Later in the show we return to Milwaukee and the Republican Party National convention. Emily is there speaking to senior party figures and asking where all the traditional Republicans have gone, as Trump and his acolytes take over the GOP.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior...