iPX Directory

Directory News

Electoral Dysfunction

Listed, no subscribers yet · Politics

Paste it into any podcast app or feed reader to subscribe.

Political powerhouses Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. Each episode examines who holds influence, what politicians are really saying, and the forces driving decisions behind closed doors. With authoritative insight and candid conversation, they assess who is rising, who is falling, and who is heading for Electoral Dysfunction. For audience questions and comments, message the team on WhatsApp: 07934 200444

Latest episodes

Has Polanski’s Green bubble burst?

No matter how they try to spin it, it's been a difficult week for Zack Polanski's Green Party. The party leader didn't win the by-election to become the MP for Holborn and St Pancras (Sir Keir Starmer's former seat), losing to Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali, in the week his party faced huge criticism over a motion passed at their autumn conference. So how does the Green's "Zionism is racism" motion affe

9 Oct 2026 · 38 min
Andy Burnham draws his battle lines

Andy Burnham set out his stall during an emotional speech at the Labour Party conference – pledging to scrap the triple lock, create a national care service, and reform the first-past-the-post voting system. Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman discuss whether he can deliver on his promises, and if the odds of an early election have just shortened. And has he inadvertently given Kemi Baden

2 Oct 2026 · 47 min
Can Andy Burnham make Britain believe again?

Can Andy Burnham bring back hope - or is he all style and no substance? Following the prime minister's meeting with Donald Trump in New York, Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman discuss whether Mr Burnham's leadership has brought about a sense of change in the Labour Party - and the country - and make their predictions ahead of the party conference next week. Plus - are the Liberal Democr

25 Sep 2026 · 42 min
Is the government doing anything to stop AI killing us all?

The government needs to step up and properly regulate AI - that’s what Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the podcast - saying we can expect to hear more about it soon. She’s on the podcast this week talking to Beth after we’ve heard warnings that AI “could kill us all by the end of the decade”. Lisa Nandy also reflects on the online safety act - are the tech companies taking the UK government seri

18 Sep 2026 · 56 min
Why did Andy Burnham choose Israel for his biggest moment yet?

Ed Milliband made a bold statement in the Commons this week - UK government sanctions on Israeli settlements. But is there more to the timing of this? Harriet makes the case for why it's principled rather than political, and Beth, Ruth and Harriet dig into another question underneath the policy - is this a rebuke of Keir Starmer, and did his government simply not move fast enough? And the response

11 Sep 2026 · 51 min
What changes if Zack Polanski is an MP?

Could Zack Polanski win in the St Pancras and Holborn by-election – and how crushing would a loss be to the Green Party’s momentum? Harriet Harman, Ruth Davidson and Beth Rigby discuss – and mull over whether the whole thing will be an early headache for Andy Burnham, or a chance to prove he can regain the confidence of young left-wing voters. Plus – Harriet responds to criticism from Kemi Badenoc

4 Sep 2026 · 39 min
'A bloodsport': Were journalists to blame for Keir Starmer’s downfall?

Do lobby journalists bear some responsibility for the collapse of the Starmer Government – or was it down to poor polling and a loss of authority? Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman discuss whether the chaos around Keir Starmer turned into “a game” for the media - and unpack what it’s like to cover a Prime Minister’s last days in office. Plus – the panel answer more of your questions, in

28 Aug 2026 · 43 min
How ‘mega-donors’ are buying political influence... and your algorithm

How are our political parties funded – and is it time for a cap on donations? Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman pull back the curtain on political donations – and discuss whether bots astroturfing social media are rapidly becoming a major threat to democracy. Author and journalist Peter Geoghegan joins the pod to explain how we got here and what exactly is going on online, while former Attorney Gen

21 Aug 2026 · 47 min
What does Nigel Farage’s win in Clacton actually prove?

Nigel Farage is an MP once again as he was victorious in the Clacton by-election, winning 63% of the vote and overcoming his main competitor - Count Binface. But has the vote left us with more questions than answers? And why didn’t Farage go to the count? Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman are joined by pollster Luke Tryl, executive director of More In Common, to dissect Farage’s victory. Plus, Harr

14 Aug 2026 · 40 min
'I hated it': Jess Phillips on life inside Keir Starmer's government

Hear from Jess Phillips regularly on our Tuesday members episode, subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction Jess Phillips joins Beth Rigby to reflect on her time as a minister under Keir Starmer. And she asks whether Andy Burnham can fulfil the Labour manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Are disinterested government departments to blame for slow p

7 Aug 2026 · 35 min
‘Intensely unpopular’: Was Keir Starmer doomed from the start?

Beth Rigby and Harriet Harman dive into what went wrong for Sir Keir Starmer – and why the public turned against him so quickly. And Harriet asks if the Labour party might, in retrospect, have been able to ride out those disastrous local election results without changing its leader. Plus – why has the Labour party waited so long for a female leader, and is a woman-only shortlist the answer? We’ll

31 Jul 2026 · 43 min
Is the Burnham government starting to feel like The Traitors?

In appointing his new cabinet Andy Burnham has removed many of Keir Starmer's faithfuls, including previously key figures like Rachel Reeves and Darren Jones. And critics feel 'traitors' who had tried to destabilise the recently departed PM are being rewarded for their disloyalty. Former Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for Starmer to go back in February. Now he's off to the Lords for a

24 Jul 2026 · 45 min
Did a "difficult woman" upset Andy Burnham's cabinet plans?

We didn't get details of Andy Burnham's top team until most people had gone to bed... so why did it take so long? Beth, Jess, Harriet and Ruth discuss whether some ministers negotiated for different jobs – and whether nobody wanted to be justice secretary. Harriet also has stern words for "bitter" former cabinet ministers who are criticising the new government from the sidelines. If you would like

22 Jul 2026 · 38 min
Has Starmer done Burnham any favours?

We're in a transition as Andy Burnham becomes Labour leader three days before he becomes Prime Minister. In Ukraine, Beth Rigby asks the outgoing PM, Keir Starmer, about why he chose to see President Zelenskyy on his final foreign trip. Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman hold the Electoral Dysfunction fort back home. They weigh up whether Burnham should favour ability over popularity in his new cabi

17 Jul 2026 · 45 min
Could Farage's by-election plan backfire?

Rachel Reeves says if Nigel Farage wants to "spend the summer arguing with a bin" then that's up to him. The Reform leader triggered a by-election by resigning this week. He is standing again to fight for the seat. Count Binface is one of those planning to stand against him in Clacton but the main parties won't be there. Beth, Ruth and Harriet dig into whether there are cracks in Farage's plan to

10 Jul 2026 · 42 min
Will women get a seat at Andy Burnham’s table?

The New Labour band might be getting back together around Burnham’s cabinet table. Good for nostalgia, but the women have other thoughts if there are set to be two Milibands in the great offices of state and no women. This week, Harriet tells Beth and Ruth this week that trust is broken between female Labour MPs and the top of the party, and now they’re expecting hard proof from Burnham that he se

3 Jul 2026 · 42 min
Can Andy Burnham really govern without an election?

Andy Burnham is closing in on Downing Street as Nigel Farage endures a tricky political week. But does Burnham actually have a mandate to be Prime Minister? Or should we have a general election? Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman give their takes on what Burnham's first 100 Days could look like and who might be in his cabinet, including the all-important role of chancellor. Harriet says

26 Jun 2026 · 49 min
Keir Starmer resigns. What’s next?

The prime minister has resigned after less than two years in Downing Street. In this extra episode, Beth Rigby and Harriet Harman react to a dramatic morning in Westminster and ask the question now hanging over Labour: has the party failed, or is this the reset it desperately needed? And could Andy Burnham be the answer? Beth takes listeners inside the final hours of Starmer's premiership, from ca

22 Jun 2026 · 20 min
‘Andy Burnham is going to be Prime Minister’

Andy Burnham is coming back to Westminster – is he about to become prime minister? And could Sir Keir Starmer be in denial? After a stunning victory in the Makerfield by-election, Burnham has gone from mayor of Greater Manchester to Labour MP, instantly kickstarting the speculation about a challenge to Starmer's leadership. So is this the beginning of the end for Starmer and will his MPs turn agai

19 Jun 2026 · 40 min
Introducing our first members' episode

Find out how to subscribe to our members' club, Sky News Insider, here: https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman, Jess Phillips and Ruth Davidson are back early this week with details of the first ever Electoral Dysfunction members’ only episode. To listen to the full podcast, follow the link above for all the information. In her first podcast back with the ED gang since

16 Jun 2026 · 3 min