Europe’s security wake-up call

Political Currency

Persephonica

Business, Economy, George Osborne, Westminster, Politics, News, Money, Ed Balls

4 • 855 Ratings

🗓️ 27 February 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

As Keir Starmer meets with Donald Trump for the first time since the latter’s re-election, international order appears to be fragmenting around us. George Osborne and Ed Balls ask, are European leaders having to face up to a painful truth that their security is now at the whim of Trump’s? Could other countries even come close to providing the kinds of military forcepower the Americans can provide?

All the same, Starmer made a big splash this week ahead of his momentous trip to the White House by announcing increased defence spending - and a slashing of the aid budget. The pair consider how this massive strategic shift will recast Britain’s role on the world stage. And what does it say about Starmer’s grip on his Cabinet?

Plus, pure podcast gold as George and Ed take a look at the latest Elon Musk amplified conspiracy: that the US’s reserves in Fort Knox might be missing. Why is gold of such political and economic importance, and how do the optics of Musk and Trump's pronouncements remind us of Gordon Brown's sale of reserves - or even the ‘Pasty Tax’?

Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Or, join Political Currency’s KITCHEN CABINET to enjoy early and ad-free listening, access to live EMQs recordings, and exclusive Political Currency merch.

Producers: Jarek Zaba, Miriam Hall and Rosie Stopher

Technical Producer: Danny Pape

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Subscribe now on Patreon

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

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	This episode of political currency is brought to you by British Airways.
0:03.3	Now, we've been very lucky to travel a lot in our lives, both on holidays, but also because of our work.
0:08.5	That's right. And the places we go, the people we meet make that journey unique to each of us.
0:13.5	And we're delighted that some of you have shared some of the travels that you've taken, how they shaped you, because everywhere we go makes us everything we are. That's right. Now we'll be sharing some of those stories later in the show today from Finland to Namibia.
0:25.3	Difficult to think of two more different places.
0:27.8	So whatever your reason for travel, British Airways will take care of you over a lifetime
0:31.8	of journeys.
0:32.9	Book your next flight at British Airways.com.
0:35.8	This episode is brought to you by EDF, Britain's biggest
0:40.0	generator of zero carbon electricity. At EGF, they say they're not just generating zero carbon
0:45.6	electricity, they're helping you save cash and carbon. You could take EDF's Sunday saver challenge,
0:52.5	shift your weekday peak usage by 40%, and you could earn up to 16 hours of free electricity
0:58.5	to use the following Sunday.
1:00.6	When you install solar panels and a battery with EDF, you could pay zero for your electricity.
1:06.4	EDF say they're leading the charge in zero carbon electricity.
1:10.5	They generate more British wind,
1:12.2	nuclear and solar electricity than anyone else. And if you drive an EV or electric vehicle,
1:17.3	you can charge it overnight for under 10 pounds. That's good for your wallet and for the planet.
1:21.8	Ready to save cash and carbon? As EDF say, change is in our power. Find out more at edfenergy.com. This podcast is brought
1:31.1	to you by Spex savers home visits. You know, politics might divide us, but good vision is something
1:36.4	we can all agree on, particularly when it comes to taking care of loved ones. Absolutely,
1:40.9	especially as not everyone can get out and about easily, which is why services like
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Persephonica, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Persephonica and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.