Is this the election that makes Nigel Farage unstoppable?
Electoral Dysfunction
Sky News
4.4 • 764 Ratings
🗓️ 17 April 2026
⏱️ 51 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Are voters about to hand Nigel Farage his biggest win yet? Reform are polling in second place in Scotland, and while Farage’s party might not win in May, could the result change politics in the UK as we know it?
This podcast was recorded on Thursday morning before the news that Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting.
Beth, Ruth and Harriet dive into what’s really driving this moment for Reform and whether it’s a protest vote against Scottish independence or something more permanent. And Beth reports back on her trip north of the border with Farage this week, which is part of a series of interviews she is conducting with all the leaders.
Plus, pollster Luke Tryl from More in Common is back with a focus group of voters to help us understand what could happen across the board in the May elections and what it means for Labour, the Conservatives, and the future of two-party politics.
For a list of all candidates standing in your area, check the Electoral Commission website: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information
Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Sky News, the full story first. |
| 0:09.0 | I don't think they'll ever get in power ever. |
| 0:22.8 | Oh, he's a bit of a weak one, isn't he? |
| 0:25.7 | He's not going to last an ex-elextra, I'm going to be honest. |
| 0:35.1 | I know it's not the ex-factant, but you know, you've really got to have that likable sense as a person. |
| 0:44.1 | Hello and welcome to Electoral Disfunction with me, Beth Rick B. |
| 0:45.5 | Me Ruth Davidson. |
| 0:47.0 | And me, Harriet Harmon. |
| 0:49.4 | I have to say, it's fantastic to have you back, Beth. |
| 0:52.1 | I mean, Harriet and I tried to hold the fort by ourselves, |
| 0:55.3 | but it is always nice to have the Three Musket Hounds back to base. I have to say, as someone that actually knows quite a bit about Kanye West, |
| 1:01.3 | because I have actually really loved his music for quite a few years, I've really enjoyed |
| 1:06.8 | you talking about, I really enjoyed listening to you to talking about Kanye West. |
| 1:11.7 | I mean, I've never felt like a more out of touch Tory Baroness than saying, |
| 1:16.4 | oh, let's talk about this popular rapper. I mean, never have I felt less qualified to talk about |
| 1:21.9 | the subject in my life, I have to say. It was great, but it's very nice, It's very nice to be back and I'm very rested. |
| 1:29.9 | But you've not just been on your holidays though, have you? You've come back in with a bang. |
| 1:34.3 | Well, I haven't just been on my holly, but I was on my holly bobs. And then yes, I went up to |
| 1:39.2 | Scotland on Monday with Nigel Farage and we did a piece, an interview with him and watched a rally with |
| 1:48.6 | him. And it's sort of blowing my mind the idea that reform are likely to become the official |
| 1:57.3 | opposition in Scotland post-May. |
| 2:00.9 | I still can't quite believe I'm saying it, |
... |
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