A look ahead to politics in 2026
The Politics Show
The New Statesman
4.2 • 1.5K Ratings
🗓️ 3 January 2026
⏱️ 53 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
It’s New Year’s celebrations, part 2!
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ben Walker to discuss the political climate of 2026.
From the 10 year anniversary of Brexit and the UK’s relationship with the US, to our ageing population and SEND Reforms, here’s what to expect from next year.
If you missed part one of our “Look ahead”, where we discussed the May elections and what’s in store for our political parties, you can find that in the previous episode on your feed.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The New Statesman. |
| 0:06.1 | It's New Year's Celebrations Part 2. I'm Anoushekelian and I'm joined again by my colleague Ben Walker. |
| 0:12.8 | Hello, Ben. |
| 0:13.4 | Hello. |
| 0:14.0 | If you miss part one of our Look Ahead to 26 where we discussed the May elections and what's in store for each of our political parties. |
| 0:23.4 | You can find that in the previous episode on your feed. |
| 0:29.0 | But today we wanted to look at some longer term trends that might be shaping the year ahead in politics. |
| 0:35.3 | And we couldn't not start with the fact that it is 10 years since the EU referendum vote in June. |
| 0:37.9 | An exciting anniversary, Ben. Do you have any plans? |
| 0:39.2 | Yeah, I'll be doing. Any celebrations? |
| 0:40.2 | Yeah, I'll be doing lots. |
| 0:41.6 | I'll be having massive parties. |
| 0:42.9 | I'll be going. |
| 0:45.6 | No. |
| 0:47.4 | What were you doing? |
| 0:49.0 | Do you remember what you were doing on the day or the night of the referendum? |
| 0:53.1 | Oh, my God. |
| 0:54.5 | I remember that day quite well. |
| 0:57.0 | It was a sunny day in rural North Yorkshire, as you do. |
| 1:02.2 | And living on a farm at the time, I cycled. |
| 1:05.0 | God, why is this so idyllic? |
| 1:08.4 | Who knew Remain England was so idyllic? |
... |
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