May elections

Friday

Patrick Gibbons

Green surge: could Labour lose London?

15 min listen

Deputy political editor James Heale and deputy editor of The House magazine Sienna Rodgers join Patrick Gibbons to discuss the challenge the Greens pose to Labour in London. James’s political column this week explains how the shockwaves of the Gorton and Denton by-election have reached the capital. Could Labour’s ‘strongest heartland’ fall to the Greens through their coalition of ‘urban professionals, young Muslims and the economically disaffected’? Plus: as Sienna reveals Zack Polanski’s podcast tastes – in an exclusive interview for The House‘s cover (out Monday) – we extend an interview to the Green Party leader to join us on Coffee House Shots. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Green surge: could Labour lose London?

Friday

Katy Balls

Do May elections hint at faster lockdown easing?

The news that the local elections will go ahead as planned on 6 May has increased optimism in the Conservative parliamentary party about the roadmap out of lockdown. Despite rumours that the vote could be postponed on the grounds that Covid restrictions would prevent them from effectively campaigning, UK Constitution Minister Chloe Smith has said it will go ahead on the grounds that ‘democracy should not be cancelled because of Covid’.  But MPs aren’t just pleased because the vote is on. Several are taking it as a sign that the lockdown will be eased sooner rather than later. The Cabinet Office announcement said they were able to commit ‘with confidence’ to the elections going ahead