Christmas is just days away now, so Ed Balls and George Osborne are getting into the season by reflecting on Christmas-time political emergencies that have interrupted the festivities over the years.

Meanwhile, Claudia Winkleman makes a guest appearance to ask the pair to weigh in on important matters: Should one read the joke first or place the crown after pulling a Christmas cracker? She also asks – mince pies or ice cream? And, of course, traitor or faithful?

The pair also consider which political figure they would want to cover in a political biography. And George reveals whether he and Theresa May still exchange Christmas cards …

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producer: Rosie Stopher, James Shield and Miriam Hall

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

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

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

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

David Cameron is revealed as our very special guest on Inside No 10: David Cameron - The First Six Months, out 30th December.

Follow us wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you don’t miss this incredible conversation about what it really takes to run the government.

📺: Watch the trailer now!

Plus: An alleged spy scandal that reportedly ensnared Prince Andrew has Ed Balls and George Osborne asking: is it as bad as it looks? Isn’t spying – which the Chinese national in question strongly denies he was doing – just a fact of life? We consider how to balance counterespionage with attempts to build a stronger economic relationship with China.

Meanwhile, with 2024 drawing to a close, we review the party leaders’ performance. How worried should Keir Starmer be about the polls? Has he made a rod for his own back in handling the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) compensation matter? And how’s Kemi Badenoch doing in her new role as Tory leader?

And George and Ed hand out their awards for the political highs and lows of the year. Who had the worst speech? Whose was the best? And we review the most memorable moments of 2024, for both the right and the wrong reasons…

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producers: Miriam Hall, James Shield and Rosie Stopher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

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

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

This week, George Osborne and Ed Balls consider: should economic decisions be confined to the Treasury and the Prime Minister? Or is the room for wider cabinet discussion?

Meanwhile, Lyanne Nicholl, the CEO of 50:50 Parliament – an organisation dedicated to driving more female representation in government – asks Ed and George to share their most positive words of wisdom for someone weighing a career in politics. The pair reveal the women they’ve encouraged to go into the government game, and where they think barriers persist.

They also mull the costs Britain would face were it to join the customs union – and is a Welsh referendum ever going to be a reality?

Plus, they share when mishearing something has led to some political awkwardness all round …

You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free!

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.

Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency

Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

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

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

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