Who are the new ministers now running our country? | The News Agents

Now that PM Sir Keir Starmer has assembled his first cabinet, the first Labour cabinet in 14 years - who are the people now running the country? What will they do?
Just hours after becoming the Official Opposition, the Tories turn to their next task - who will be their next leader? Contenders have already started to hit the airwaves.
And the second round in France as the far-right National Rally edge closer to parliamentary power.
#uk #keirstarmer #labour #labourparty #conservatives #ukprimeminister #ukpolitics #ukparliament #cabinet #cabinetmeeting #farright #frenchpolitics #france #News #Politics #NewsAgents #EmilyMaitlis #JonSopel #LewisGoodall
Download The News Agents with Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall from 5PM every weekday on Global Player: www.globalplayer.com/podcasts...
Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall - three of the UK’s top journalists - host a brand-new daily news podcast: The News Agents.
They’re not just here to tell you what's happening, but why. Expect astute analysis and explanation of the day's news - and a healthy dose of scepticism and the ability to laugh at it all when needed!
Episodes are available every weekday afternoon.
The News Agents is a Global Player Original podcast.

[@alayneperrott9693]

I like the fact that Sir K chose his top team several months ago and has encouraged them to become familiar with their departments and their civil service teams, way ahead of the transition to power.

[@ryan_aex]

Farage getting into parliament might just be his downfall. When you think about it, he’s not going to be spending time in Clacton or care about keeping a library open, he won’t like the fact he can’t use it as a platform every week to spout his lies and he won’t like the fact he has to be transparent regarding funding and donations….

[@bestboy1986]

My thoughts exactly. He thinks he’ll be the loudest voice in the room, when in reality he’ll be overpowered by literally every other party.

[@manjitbhangra464]

@@bestboy1986I think he’s going to be annoying at every opportunity in Parliament, it’s all about the drama with him, Clayton was just his stepping point in getting elected because anywhere else would have been more of a challenge in getting elected.

[@benjones3466]

My prediction of what his strategy will be going forward: He'll probably successfully peel away some Conservative MP's, especially if the leadership contest is especially brutal. Might just be a handful but it'll be effective in supporting a paradigm of Reforms rising star. He'll also always be guaranteed a slot on tv interviews even if he's not able to dominate in Parliament. News loves controversy after all. His other main focus will be on never shutting up about how Reform 'deserves' to be the third party rather than Libdems due to their higher vote share & make electoral reform a key part of their narrative. He'll of course attack Labour on immigration and likely fearmongering over prison reform. My fear is that he's always been an effective manipulator of the media and in shaping narrative, regardless of his actual power. If he's going to suffer any losses I think it's more likely to come from his other MP's & party members.

[@direnova6284]

I was so anti Starmer but I've got to say he's done nothing but impress me since he gave his speech, I pray this continues, please prove my original doubts wrong.

[@opctpos.]

What exactly did Starmer do to impress you…talk?…Wow…what an achievement. FFS the bar with lefties and wet Tories is so embarrassingly low.

[@bookie5667]

​@@opctpos.Let's start with Starmer appointing experts in his cabinet rather than cronies and cretins like the previous Tory administrations

[@haaaaaay]

@@bookie5667like Jacqui Smith? She was incriminated in the expenses scandal, hardly an ‘expert’. She’s precisely a bent cronie who said herself that she shouldn’t receive a peerage, disgusting quite frankly

[@kathleenswift7979]

@@opctpos. 🤣🤣🤣

[@bookie5667]

@@haaaaaay is that the best you can do? How sad

[@ascgazz]

I’m genuinely impressed with Labour and Starmer in particular so far. Professional, compassionate, quietly confident. Excellent. I couldn’t be happier to be backing Labour through this first term. They must still earn the second. My blood pressure feels like it went down too. 😂🎉🎉❤ MORE OF THIS!!

[@alayneperrott9693]

I don't think most people who voted Reform for broadly social reasons, or out of cynicism and despair about the state of British politics, have any idea that Farage's economic policies are basically Liz Truss's repackaged. Labour needs to keep saying this.

[@benjones3466]

Unfortunately I think a great deal of them may be quite happy to believe/ easily persuaded that her policies weren't the problem. I worked in a recruitment company during Truss' term and it wasn't rare to hear our apparently business savvy recruiters talking positively about her policies even while they were crashing the economy, which of course had a terrible impact on the recruitment industry. When even that kind of person can be mistaken I think a lot of people who are prepared to put unquestioning trust in Farage will be unreachable by rational arguments. Not that the argument shouldn't be made though.

[@jessehopper8996]

All this meticulous planning and curation. Its almost like they're competent... who would have thought

[@jaisriram295]

How do you know they are competent they haven't even started their work yet...😂😂😂

[@blazzz13]

@@jaisriram295 Where have you been the past 5 days? Rwanda gone, met devolved nations, Streeting already directing billions to GPs and not the Mones of this world..... In 5 days they have shown an urge to make things better than the Tories did in 14 years.

[@catherinemartin6258]

What a difference it actually feels like we are being governed by a government that actually wants to make things better.

[@chriswatson3464]

He'll do great damage to our country.

[@opctpos.]

@@catherinemartin6258 You’re an embarrassment. If you voted Labour not only are you an embarrassment you’ve deliberately contributed to the ruination of this country.

[@christinefiedor3518]

But the proof of the pudding is still in the eating! Time will tell

[@blazzz13]

@@chriswatson3464 Still an improvement from the Tories then

[@chriswatson3464]

@@blazzz13 wait and see

[@CityOfTinyLines]

So far I'm really enjoying this fine ming vase we've just received.

[@stephfoxwell4620]

You meant minging.

[@weswheel4834]

@@stephfoxwell4620 Aw, maybe next time, eh?

[@Tom_murray89]

So do I. It really feels like starmer and Co want to work on behalf of us instead of against us

[@vilebrequin6923]

​@Tom_murrayy89 Yes, it's an alien concept, indeed!

[@vincehammond1282]

🤩 I would say I’m jealous but I’ve just had one delivered myself . Love your comment 🤩

[@matthewscott8947]

On the appointment of James Timpson. As a former Operational Manager within HMPPS, I absolutely endorse Timpson's view on Prisons and Criminal justice and welcome his appointment. We use prisons incorrectly in this country, and in doing so fail everyone.

[@john_mega]

I am sick to the back teeth of the constant FARAGE, FARAGE, FARAGE enough already

[@weswheel4834]

"Air Force One? Oh sorry, I was looking for Westminster Tandoori. Still working out how to use this thing."

[@weswheel4834]

("...and of course, I'm hoping to build a very special relationship with their takeaway service.")

[@michaelstanley3961]

Does it do-liver........

[@PaulOnGuitar67]

@@michaelstanley3961what about take away?

[@jeanmyers1787]

😂

[@TrevorBarre]

Savour this moment after 14 years of incompetence.

[@chriswatson3464]

No we are in for something worse or if we are lucky, things will remain bad.

[@Altashheth08]

@@chriswatson3464what are you talking about?

[@chriswatson3464]

@@Altashheth08 Starmer is a Stalinist, an idiot, deeply unpopular, boring and surrounded by idiots.

[@stevenwilliamson6236]

​@@chriswatson3464very hard to argue that it will be worse, unless you are an imbecile.

[@annishilcock4587]

His statement about being called Prime Minister by the Civil Service was to illustrate they serve the office, not the man, the country, not the indivdual holding that office. A distinction from a Johnson or aTruss who were simply serving themselves

[@weswheel4834]

@@annishilcock4587 Also I got the impression that they could call him Keir if they wanted, just that he understood if they preferred to make clear they were serving the office.

[@jonathanfell688]

Quiet, competent, clean determined government. What fkg relief.

[@robertlocock5636]

If only the media would stop grandstanding Forage.

[@bustedfender]

Wow, is this what fresh air smells like?

[@vilebrequin6923]

Yes, now the incipient stench of the rotting cadaver we've just dragged out, is dissipating....

[@richardpaling600]

Meticulous planning. Something this country has been missing for 14 years, music to my ears.

[@kathleenswift7979]

Very impressive, release thousands of prisoners, build a million homes for illegal immigrants, and give the green light for hundreds of thousands more to come and sponge off tax payers, how wonderful.

[@vilebrequin6923]

Hear, hear❤

[@Tom_murray89]

It feels our country is going to be treated with respect by the government unlike the tories

[@ChickenNugNugz2]

It's nice to have in government people who seem like normal honest people and not just members of an Eton school reunion

[@EnquiringMinds-vx8gb]

You think Kier Starmer is honest lol Even his biggest fans know he’s a pathological liar

[@Altashheth08]

@@EnquiringMinds-vx8gbseriously?

[@stevenwilliamson6236]

​@@EnquiringMinds-vx8gbAgain, a worse liar than Bojo? Hard to believe.

[@EnquiringMinds-vx8gb]

@@stevenwilliamson6236 Both of them are pathological liars. Imagine that? Two things can be right at the same time.

[@anthonysullivan3238]

Great start, let's hope it continues.

[@rebusak47]

Feels like the grown ups have taken over.

[@colincampbell4261]

Fash Garage conman plc - will now have to disclose his earnings.

[@chandi58]

Love this podcast. You three are the best!

[@user-qf1zg4zz8j]

As a journalist I had previously respected Emily Maitliss but watching her face and the look of disgust as KGM asked Jeremy Corbyn reasonable interview questions, was an eye opener and somewhat disturbing. How would Emily explain that reaction.

[@SabotsLibres]

I have been so used to such comments over the past few years that I totally misread the title as “ruining” rather than running!!!

[@philmcelhinney]

You talk about Reform, the independent MPs but disappointed you made no mention of the 4 Green Party MPs

[@owencrompton3713]

the media circus is all about farage

[@DellaWilliams-vo3ez]

I assume this isnt Emily's own personal view, but frustrating to hear her say "Oh there go Labour, soft on crime again" when last time, they reduced crime by 45%. Not to mention Tories releasing possibly unsafe prisoners early due to overcrowding, and incarcerating protestors for protesting 😏

[@imaca6538]

Politics is actually something of hope again instead of despair

[@TerriObrien-mi5rx]

Impressive I always thought Keir Starmer not comfortable in opposition but more suited for a leadership role,really optimistic about the future ❤❤

[@R-11034]

The Labour cabinet look normal, look competent and seem to be onto there briefs as ministers. The idiots in a procession of Tory ministers always failed to impress and were incompetent in the extreme.

[@razabadass]

Thanks

[@anastasiabeaverhausen5467]

Thank you Sopel!! Can we stop talking about skilled immigration and illegal immigration like it is some amorphous mass of people?? It isn’t.

[@bryanhicks7046]

I was in the middle of watching the item on the French election and it’s disappeared. Where’s it gone, why. Credibility?

[@raquetdude]

“Managerialism” is a major issue that increased substantially during Blair’s era especially with the NHS with targets.

[@caroloriordan6168]

Over 80% of the voting public voted to the left of Reform, but you wouldn’t know it by the coverage. It will be interesting to see how the media’s love of drama and personality politics will have to change if Labour continue to project a down to earth workmanlike attitude instead of ‘palace intrigue’ and infighting that they are used to relying on for news.

[@ansa336]

I dare hope this new government will behave as a sovereign government when dealing with the US.

[@owencrompton3713]

sovereignty never paid the bills mate

[@stevenwilliamson6236]

​@@owencrompton3713sovereigns did.

[@user-qc3yk2gd5p]

Curious how many more “you knows” were slipped into the discussion today, as if the trio weren’t so sure of what they wanted to say. The situation is full of unguessables, but I expected them to have them most of them sewn up.

[@robertallardice8119]

Hope the party keeps an eye on Jacqui Smiths expenses!

[@AH-te5gs]

For a minute there I read "ruining" instead of "running."

[@katiedowding-lees9416]

I'm British and I loved the West Wing 😂

[@user-xl6bk2gd3f]

I think one of the reasons behind the poll that said reform voters wouldn't vote tory if reform weren't standing isn't about what the policies are but more about the competence and character of the tories over the last few years (because they don't pay enough attention to know Farage is the same). Those voters would move back to the tories if people thought they were worthy of the job even based on the 2024 manifesto

[@alanbarker2279]

Not just the same - he represents their worst qualities x10, repackaged in a way that appeals to a certain element of the electorate... Unfortunately they are not the sharpest knives in the drawer and will fall for the Daily Mail and Telegraph BS everytime!

[@zigowl1193]

The new cast of our fave series "Government". Waiting to see if it's finally going to be something different from a tragic comedy this season.

[@userengland8360]

Most people are pro-high skilled immigration. The problem is we are importing huge numbers of unskilled, low wage culturally incompatible people who weaken societies, don’t integrate and generally worsen areas in which they live in. We are importing cheap labour rather than investing in bringing further efficiencies and automating many manual processes.

[@silversteel6312]

Emily doesn’t do the food shop then. Can’t help but trip over a Timpson at supermarkets……👀

[@stephenpalmer9375]

two of the bigger hypermarkets where i live have them

[@user-qg6dz1wq2p]

What on earth is the argument against providing training in the skills that are needed in the uk? I don’t understand why we can’t, and why it’s a case of choosing between lots of immigration and a serious shortage of qualified people! It doesn’t make any sense to me at all!

[@colincampbell4261]

It is cheaper for international companies to poach overseas skilled workers than to spend 4 years training up UK workers in modern apprenticeships or sponsoring university students.

[@weswheel4834]

@@colincampbell4261 Also even if they decide to train someone for 4 years, doing that takes several years…

[@MabDarogan2]

The Americans just have to say 'special relationship' and the English turn to putty. It's truly pathetic.

[@mrmarmellow555]

#WEIRD 🎉🇬🇧🌅🤔🇺🇸🍵

[@alanbarker2279]

What we need is a nice hit piece documentary on Farage which portrays him in his true light - after that he would be lucky to achieve even 5 to 10% of the vote. There is a lot of scope without any fear of a successful defamation suit...

[@jmonkeysf]

Why do Jon and Lewis make it seem like the Gaza ‘issue’ will be magically resolved by next election? Not like it appeared out of thin air. Whether people still care about our response to the war on Palestine is entirely dependent on what Kier’s government does.

[@kevinmcguire1049]

The Conservative Party couldn't get immigration to ridiculously small numbers! Lets get real, the immigration numbers were 15 plus times what they talked about. They didn't miss it ,they had no intention of hitting the numbers they talked about. If you really want to deal with legal migration, do what the Americans do. They have visa categories with set numbers, once the visa for that year are issued that's it. Getting those numbers agreed would be a bun fight in Parliament because we are incapable of having a grownup debate about the benefits of immigration and setting those numbers..... Ultimately that's the solution, but people like Farage (and others) use immigration to blame others, just like they did with the EU, then it was the ECHR. So much for Global Britain!

[@MrBibi86]

*Lewis is really cute and so smart*

[@IsaMutlib]

Prefer watching the pod on YT.

[@jamesanthony9316]

What happened to the video you had on the French elections yesterday?

[@nickwalters5380]

Biden sounded remarkably compos mentis. Nice.

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

I think he needs to step down BUT he's not as bad as what the debate showed. His problem is he's fine if he's talking normally but if he has to talk - ad libbed - for 2 hours+ - whilst spending weeks memorising stats and figures - it can confuse him. Happens to me at work too - my memory is fine (I'm only 42) but I can't remember stats, figures, percentages or 100 people's names, I have to write it down - because every day I work with thousands of numbers (like biden does).

[@Barralet58]

How do you know it was him? Maybe a voice double 🤪🤪🤔

[@boofuls]

😮​@@Barralet58

[@alanbarker2279]

Yeah, it's truly amazing how far AI has come...😛

[@colincampbell4261]

​@@Barralet58AI

[@hugh3712]

That opening of the video😂…now when can we have Hugh Grant for PM…

[@ascgazz]

Matt Vickers seems to still be tripping on particularly strong copium.

[@honved1]

Matt vickers, a Tory, complaining that Labours majority will have terrible consequences for the country. 😂

[@Peterc-sk6xm]

what the blazes are you doing to your hair Lewis?

[@weswheel4834]

He’s excited about the new government! :D

[@agcwoodham]

Industrial quantities of Elnet.

[@vilebrequin6923]

That's root lift, my dear. Let us just marvel at the majesty of it.

[@clarissagafoor5222]

ahhhhhhhhhhh - the US and its little pooddle puppy the UK! so sweet!

[@kdot4102]

AI Biden, the white house needs to release the footage of the call 😅

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Calm down tin foil hat brigade.

[@suhailski]

Lewis, are you calling this a TikTok government?

[@colincampbell4261]

Nah - Fash Garage plc is tiktok man

[@simondb99]

@25:10 Naughty naughty, it's not illegal immigration.

[@williama-d6]

ok the Rwanda plan is gone?

[@jamieparry6420]

Biden sounded surprisingly lucid in that phone call.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

Because he had more time to recover from that flu that was so bad he forced the doctors to test him for COVID because he was convinced that was what he had...

[@sajjadtariq5689]

The puppet calling his master.

[@weswheel4834]

It would be a very hard sell for Starmer to sell the idea of more immigration, but he needs to concentrate on fixing the other stuff, and sort the small boats out.

[@westcommonroom9737]

Stop talking about the papers - the rest of us have.

[@suewardastrologer]

Please. Can you stop with the vote share nonsense? Please.

[@Adrian-jk4kx]

Had enough of them already. ....complete rabble.

[@Altashheth08]

Ffs

[@GazGaryGazza]

Why do you keep using Tory language of illegal migration when referring to people seeking asylum ?

[@terry9819]

Liz Kendall was quick in picking up the Tories "we hate disabled people" baton.

[@briandelaney9710]

Kendall is terrible

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Labour is going to go after anyone who cannot work due to mental health or disability. Watch them become the new scapegoats for the sclerotic state of the economy as the focus turns away from immigration when the numbers go down as expected.

[@rolandrothwell4840]

Labour's programme lacks lustre and timid. It's not going to be radical to really be transformational for the country. Optics is fine, but that's not enough

[@colincampbell4261]

Money is tight. But there could be some reforms that don't cost much.

[@sarahp007]

First lols

[@sherlockgnomes8971]

Child

[@sarahp007]

It’s been I thing on here for a while. It’s called a bit of humour.

[@user-vy4hh4ot2h]

Who are the new ministers? You should know you’ve been their activists and campaigners for years.

[@faffer1073]

Dry your eyes mate

[@user-vy4hh4ot2h]

@@faffer1073 I will if you open yours

[@stevebell6057]

Things have gone downhill since Labour came to power - Sir Keir should resign.

[@dh1380]

😂

[@stephfoxwell4620]

What are you on about? England won the Soccer ball. Sir Mark Cavendish won a Tour stage and Sir Lewis the Woke won the British Grand Prix. Only 3 days in. I reckon we might ace the Olympic Circus

[@user-xl6bk2gd3f]

@@stephfoxwell4620 but we're out of Wimbledon!

[@stevebell6057]

@@stephfoxwell4620 I stand corrected.

[@stephfoxwell4620]

Shocking. Putting unelected favourites into both the legislature and the executive. Another nail in the coffin of UK democracy.

[@Barralet58]

Maybe remember what the Tories did? Boris ennobled his own brother.

[@Infermity]

This is typical behavior in most democracies, where they appoint experts into government. The US does this heavily as their system doesn't have the outdated requirements to appoint lordship for minister appointments.

[@mikepost8965]

Never hurts to have an expert.

[@weswheel4834]

How are they "favourites"?? It's not like Jonathan Ashworth got put in the Lords the day after the election.

[@david030491]

They are Red Tories.

[@daftgowk1]

Ssssh, the Tories let thousands die while stealing billions. There is no comparison

[@weswheel4834]

Except that they’re not. Look at their manifesto, look at what they’ve started doing. The Tories do have a party with a very similar personality now, and that party’s name starts with an R.

[@dh1380]

Yawn

[@david030491]

@@weswheel4834 I did look at their manifesto, they’ve committed to exactly the same tax and spend commitments as the Tories. Some platitudes about “reform” and keeping the 2 child cap.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@weswheel4834 Explain the differences between two neoliberal parties. Labour accepted Thatcherism under Blair, the red Tories are the Labour right and the cabinet completes the Blairite ascendancy. The left has been purged even though it has ideas and intellectual underpinning to provide a route map out of the mess. Privatisation, low tax for the rich, anti trade union laws, shrinking the state, balanced budgets ruling out borrowing to invest- these are all key tenets of neoliberalism that both parties agree on, notwithstanding partial renationalisation of rail over a decade.

[@chriswatson3464]

Starmer won't last 5 years.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Ok mystic meg.

[@chriswatson3464]

@@hawsrulebegin7768 let's see, get the popcorn ready.

[@frankcarter6427]

Biden 'Hey Mr Pope, congratulations on .. er er er er , lawn mowers, and er er er the , you know , with 3 legs - dogs , yes DOGS , that go oink oink - don't they.....'

[@venenareligioest410]

That was a mistake Keir, using long words like ‘fortuitously’ to Americans 🥸

[@briandelaney9710]

And of course , Biden’s part is all written out for him

[@ardalire651]

I've taught at US and UK universities, and American students are by far more intelligent. Stereotypes are the mark of a weak thinker.

[@venenareligioest410]

@@ardalire651 I doubt that that is the case, however it doesn’t mean Mom and Dad are bright! America: where 3.7m people say they have been abducted by aliens, 60% have seen a ghost, 51% believe there is a Bigfoot and 38% believe the world is 6000 years old and reject evolution, 27% don’t accept heliocentrism (the way the earth and planets move around the sun) and 61% don’t accept the ‘big bang’ theory. Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe that the Bible holds the answers to all or most of life's basic questions, yet only 45% of American adults can name the four gospels and 37% of American ‘Christians’ cannot name the first book of the Bible and only 39% knew who Job was. Ref: Pew Research.

[@AlphaMonkey357]

​@@ardalire651and yet that didn't stop you stereotyping both?

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

@@AlphaMonkey357??