New Times,
New Thinking.

Are politicians obsolete?

Armando Iannucci meets grassroots campaigners to explore whether people or politicians are better at making change happen.

By Anoosh Chakelian and Armando Iannucci

The legendary writer, satirist and broadcaster, Armando Iannucci, returns to the New Statesman podcast to co-host five more special episodes. In these shows Iannucci explores parts of British public life he believes to be broken, and is joined by guests from both inside and outside Westminster to discuss how politics could be better.

In this episode Iannucci and Anoosh Chakelian examine whether people or politicians make change happen – and ask whether activists are letting the government off the hook.

They are joined by special guests Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a grassroots campaigner raising awareness of the health problems caused by air pollution, and Gary Stevenson, an economist and former interest rate trader who now campaigns about wealth inequality.

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, photo by Hollie Adams/AFP via Getty Images

They discuss single-issue campaigns, how to spread a message and whether change happens despite politicians, not because of them.

Podcast listeners can subscribe to the New Statesman for just £1 a week for 12 weeks using our special offer. Just visit newstatesman.com/podcastoffer.

How to listen to Westminster Reimagined

1. In your browser

You can use the player above to listen in your browser right now. If you’d like to hear more from the series, all four episodes of Westminster Reimagined are available to listen to on-demand. Visit the mini-series homepage here.

2. In a podcast app

Westminster Reimagined is published directly into the main feed for the New Statesman podcast, available on all major podcast apps including Apple PodcastsSpotifyAcastGoogle Podcasts, and more. Search ‘Westminster Reimagined’ in your favourite podcast app to see the episodes.

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