In this episode of Political Business, hosts Nathan Parsad-Wyatt and Kevin McKeever unpack a week dominated by economic speeches and shifting political strategies.

📊 Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, has set the scene for what’s being called “the most significant Budget in a generation.” With a £40 billion gap to fill, Reeves is preparing the public for tax rises across all demographics — a politically risky move that could breach Labour’s key 2024 manifesto pledges. Nathan and Kevin explore how the Treasury’s new “no surprises” communications strategy is designed to reassure markets while managing expectations across Westminster.

💷 Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has made a surprising pivot — stepping back from populist spending promises and moving towards a Thatcher-style focus on fiscal discipline and pro-business reforms. From City briefings to a renewed focus on credibility, Reform UK is repositioning itself as the new voice of the centre-right.

🏙️ And in London, Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Oxford Street Development Corporation takes a major step forward with the appointment of Scott Parsons as Chair. The hosts explain what this means for businesses, investors and developers — and why this apolitical, delivery-focused appointment signals a new phase for regeneration in the West End.

Plus, they discuss the rise of the populist left following Zohran Mamdani’s shock victory in New York, and what it could mean for London’s 2026 mayoral race.

🎧 Subscribe to Political Business for sharp insights and actionable advice on how politics, policy and business intersect in modern Britain.

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Labour has fallen to its lowest ever level of support in a new YouGov poll — just 17%. The Green Party, under new leader Zack Polanski, has now overtaken the Liberal Democrats.

In this week’s Political Business, Nathan Parsad-Wyatt and Kevin McKeever break down what the numbers really mean for the Labour government, the opposition, and the shape of politics in 2025.

We also unpack the government’s emergency intervention in London’s housing crisis, cutting affordable housing requirements to kick-start development — and debate whether this move helps or hurts Labour ahead of next May’s local elections.

Plus:

💷 How public affairs professionals can actually influence the Budget

🏗️ What Labour’s new housing measures mean for developers and councils

🌿 Can the Greens sustain their surge — or is this a temporary protest vote?

📉 Why 50% of last year’s Labour voters now say they’d switch sides

Stay tuned for our “Three Points of Advice” on how to navigate the political and corporate landscape this week.

👉 Subscribe to Political Business for weekly insight, strategy and straight-talk on the intersection of politics, policy and public affairs.

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The UK government’s borrowing has hit record levels — £99.8 billion in just six months — while inflation holds steady at 3.8%. With the Budget looming, Rachel Reeves is trying to frame the economic challenge by blaming Brexit and promising a £6 billion blitz on red tape.

In this episode, Nathan Parsad-Wyatt and Kevin unpack the numbers, the politics, and the strategy:

– Why borrowing is spiralling — and what it means for the Treasury.

– Whether Reeves’ “Brexit blame” approach can work politically.

– The real impact of the West Midlands Investment Summit.

– What the Caerphilly by-election tells us about Reform UK’s rise and Labour’s struggles.

– Is Britain heading for another age of austerity?

– Can Rachel Reeves rebuild fiscal credibility while blaming Brexit?

– Has Labour already lost the communication war to Reform UK and Nigel Farage?

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