Electoral Dysfunction

Following allegations Tory MP Mark Menzies misused campaign funds, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips, and Ruth Davidson examine the fallout for the government and for the politician who has been suspended from the parliamentary party. He denies all the claims. And after the Commons votes to ban anyone born after 1 January 2009 from buying cigarettes, the trio ask whether the policy is "unconservative" as suggested by some MPs.     As David Cameron meets G7 foreign ministers in Italy, what makes a good foreign secretary?     Plus, Beth, Jess, and Ruth talk about Liz Truss's new book, Ten Years To Save The West, and wonder if she's going to make a bigger comeback.    In response to the suspension of Mark Menzies, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: "There's a process in place. He has had the whip withdrawn.  "There's further information that the chief whip I understand became familiar with yesterday and actions being swiftly taken on the basis of that further information.   I think it is important to stress that the MP in question here denies the allegations and so on basis of sort of fairness and proper justice, I think it's important to mention that."Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.

As the fall-out from the Westminster honeytrap scandal continues to unravel, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips and Ruth Davidson explain why contacts are so valuable in Parliament and ask what William Wragg’s resignation tells us about Rishi Sunak’s leadership.   And, with Labour riding hight after two major polls predicted landslide victories at the upcoming election, should Keir Starmer be worried about voter complacency?  Plus, Beth, Ruth and Jess talk about the impact of Dr Hilary Cass’ review into gender identity services for under-18s in England.   Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.           Warning: some strong language.       We recorded this episode before Greater Manchester Police said it'd invesitgate claims that Angela Rayner may have broken electoral law over she information she gave a decade ago.

Why do politicians never answer the question?’ It’s something Beth Rigby, Jess Philips and Ruth Davidson get asked all the time; so, this week they’ve dedicate the whole episode to answering your questions.     From why back-benchers ask seemingly pointless questions at PMQs, to the importance of Instagram for the next general election, and where to get the best cup of tea in Westminster, Ruth, Jess and Beth have got it covered.     Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.           Warning: some strong language.

While the Royal family have faced a challenging few weeks, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips, and Ruth Davidson explore the points where royalty and politics meet, and what the family will say publicly about the state of cancer care following the King and the Princess of Wales' diagnoses.    Plus, is deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden someone likely to be feeling on top this week after calling out China-backed cyber-attacks and announcing sanctions against two individuals and a company? Beth, Jess, and Ruth discuss the extent of the Chinese threat.    And they go through more of your messages and questions.  Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.           Warning: some explicit language.

As the prime minister tries to shake off rumours of a Tory coup and faces more delays to his Rwanda legislation - Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Jess Phillips discuss where his leadership is at.  What could happen if the local elections on May 2nd end badly for Rishi Sunak?  Although he's standing down, they think Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar is having a better week – was this a good time for him to go?    And two politicians answer a listener question about why politicians never answer the question.  Email Beth, Ruth, and Jess at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.         Warning: some explicit language.

Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, Labour's Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, look at some of the big politics stories of the week. They say it's Tory donor Frank Hester who's had an "electoral dysfunction" this week after he apologised for comments he made about MP Diane Abbott. Almost a day after the revelations, the prime minister said they were "racist and wrong" - but hasn't suggested returning the £10m to the businessman. Mr Hester insists he is not a racist. The Reform Party will be the ones feeling "on top" after Lee Anderson left the Tories to join them – but Jess, Beth and Ruth discuss how much momentum that will really give the party in an election.   Plus, Electoral Dysfunction listeners get advice on how to engage young people in politics, and where would you even get started if you fancied a political job?   Email Beth, Ruth, and Jess at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.    Warning: some explicit language.    

The fall-out from the Budget, Donald Trump at Super Tuesday and whether Westminster is paying enough attention to your local council’s financial woes; all are up for discussion in this week's episode of Electoral Dysfunction. Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, Labour's Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, look at the political figures who've got on top this week – and where there's a total dysfunction. Email Beth, Ruth, and Jess at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444. Warning: some explicit language.

Following the Rochdale by-election, Sky’s political Editor Beth Rigby, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, Jess Phillips and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson discuss what George Galloway’s win means for parliament. They examine the fall out of the by-election and ask why politics is not working for many people. They also look ahead to the budget – predicting what Chancellor Jeremy Hunt might pull out of the bag. A thought-provoking conversation with a healthy dose of fun. Email Beth, Ruth, and Jess at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, Tweet Beth @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444. Warning: some explicit language.

Ahead of our first proper Electoral Dysfunction next week, we thought it’s time to share what Beth, Jess and Ruth have been up to in rehearsals. In this special teaser, they explain what the title is all about and what they’ll be trying to do on every episode. And, they get down to the nitty gritty of examining the leaders and their policies – digging deep into what Conservatives might think of their future. There’s a bit of agreement that one of the strongest candidates for the next Tory leader is more obvious than a lot of people may have realised. Jess says the person in question has been “ploughing the furrow” and Beth reckons someone else going “tonto” has really helped them out.Email Beth, Ruth, and Jess at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk

Beth Rigby. Jess Phillips. Ruth Davidson. With polls suggesting trust in politicians is low, three political powerhouses unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.Every week, they will examine our political leaders and their policies – how they’re written, and how they’re sold to voters – as we prepare for a general election. With so much at stake, they will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction – and what it all actually means for you.Starting on Friday March 1st 2024.Email us: electoraldysfunction@sky.uk

Young mother and former GB youth swimmer, Alexis Quinn, agrees to enter NHS England psychiatric care following a family tragedy. She could never imagine that her three-day admission will turn into a three-year ordeal. Then undiagnosed with autism, and often the subject of 24-hour surveillance as well as long periods in solitary confinement, Alexis descends to the darkest reaches of locked-in, psychiatric care. There, she encounters the kind of threat she never could have imagined in a secure mental health hospital. In a bid to break free, Alexis plots a daring escape. Making it back to her daughter, however, will pit her against some of the most powerful institutions in the State, including the police.This series contains discussions about sexual assault.Narrated by Nicholas Pinnock (Top Boy, Django, For Life). To hear all episodes now, follow Patient 11 on your favourite podcast player.

Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby is joined by Iain Anderson – the chair of LGBT rights charity Stonewall. They discuss issues including how trans and women's rights interact, culture wars and trans people in sport. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk

Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby is joined by editor of the Health Service Journal, Alistair McLellan as the NHS turns 75. This week Beth has sat down with Health Secretary Steve Barclay and Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting to discuss how their respective parties intend to tackle the issues facing the NHS, from strikes to waiting times. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk

Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby is joined by Daily Mirror political editor John Stevens to analyse the week's big stories. From former Health Secretary Matt Hancock's appearance at the Covid Inquiry, the Court of Appeal ruling the government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful and more fallout from the privileges committee report into Boris Johnson and partygate. Plus, Beth interviews Trainspotting author, Irvine Welsh. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk.

Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby analyses the week's big stories - including the pressure piling on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to get inflation under control. And speaks to filmmaker and chair of the Elton John AIDS foundation, David Furnish, about the work the foundation is doing in Ukraine, and the irony of Russian President, Vladimir Putin being an Elton John fan. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts on the week's stories at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk.

Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby analyses the week's big stories - why former PM Boris Johnson has been accused by MPs of “deliberately” misleading parliament over partygate, and the consequences of his resignation for Rishi Sunak. She hears from Johnson-backer Jacob Rees-Mogg for his thoughts on the prospect of the former-PM having his parliament pass revoked. Plus, Beth interviews Dame Wendy Hall, a professor of computer science at the University of Southampton about Artificial Intelligence and how it might impact our lives. Beth is joined by politics producer Mollie Malone. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts on the week’s stories at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk.

Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby and guests analyse the week’s big stories – how Home Secretary Suella Braverman handled a speeding offence and net migration figures hitting a new high.Nigel Farage tells Beth the Tories have 'betrayed' Brexit and should accept worker shortages to cut immigration. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper says a "points-based system is the right approach following Brexit". Daily Mirror political editor John Stevens, and Caroline Wheeler, political editor at the Sunday Times, look at the other big stories. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk.Audio credit: ITV This Morning

Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby is in Japan this week as the leaders of the G7 nations meet in Hiroshima to discuss the war in Ukraine. She sits down with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to ask about new sanctions being placed on Russia, as well as questioning him on his party’s stance on immigration and his reaction to Conservative losses at the local election. Plus, Beth is joined by producer Mollie Malone to talk about what else the G7 leaders have been discussing in Japan. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk to get in touch.

As the fall-out from the local elections continues, Keir Starmer refuses to rule out going into coalition with the Liberal Democrats. The Labour leader tells Sky's political editor Beth Rigby that the local elections were a success for his party despite projections showing they would not win an outright majority at the next general election. Beth also travelled to Paris this week to sit down with former Russian state TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova to discuss her decision to protest on live TV against the invasion of Ukraine, and how she believes Putin can be stopped. Plus, Beth and her producer Mollie Malone reflect on some of the week's other big stories. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk to get in touch. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth

Lord Simon McDonald was permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office during Dominic Raab’s time there. He’s told Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby he thinks the former deputy prime minister, who resigned from Government after a report upheld two bullying claims against him, should apologise for his behaviour.On the podcast this week, Beth also talks football, as she is joined by Aston Villa’s chief executive Christian Purslow with the future of the Premier League and a new government regulator for football among topics discussed. Plus, Beth and her producer Mollie reflect on some of the week’s other big stories following the Diane Abbott racism row. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Paul Stanworth – editor