Labour v The Unions

In this episode, the hosts discuss a contentious situation within the Labour Party involving Angela Rayner and Sharon Graham, the leader of the Unite union. The union has voted to suspend Rayner's membership and questioned their relationship with the Labour Party as a financial backer. The disagreement escalated over the unresolved bin strikes in Birmingham, where Unite accuses Rayner of not helping to negotiate a solution, leading to charges of betrayal from union members. The episode garners insights from George Eaton, who explains the increasingly political stance of unions under the current Labour government.

The conversation also touches on the financial implications of this rift, as Unite contributes significantly to Labour's funding. The hosts reflect on how Labour's capacity to resolve these disputes is critical to their relationship with the unions moving forward and consider potential leadership dynamics involving Rayner.

As the episode unfolds, attention shifts to a tragic Air India crash, revealing stark details from a preliminary report. The cockpit voice recordings suggest pilot-related issues concerning the cutoff of fuel supply to the engines shortly after takeoff. The Indian government calls for patience, emphasizing the importance of not jumping to conclusions while investigations continue. Lastly, the episode previews upcoming discussions on new Ofcom regulations aimed at protecting children from online harm and features notable guests.