As Reform rolls its tanks onto Labour’s lawn across the old Red Wall and the Greens set their sights on London, Starmer braces for a bruising set of local elections.

Has David Lammy given up on London? And Steve reveals Reform's antagonistic campaigning slogan...

Meanwhile, with the economic toll from the Iranian conflict unfolding, we explain how it might take Gabriel a little longer to find his daily packet of Quavers.

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture credit: Getty Images

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

• Inside the negotiations between the government and the doctors' union, the BMA. Why is Keir Starmer putting himself front and centre of this rather than leaving it to his health secretary, Wes Streeting?
• Even though the Green Party's spring conference this weekend descended into chaotic rows, their leader Zack Polanski has a plan to win over the unions, and it might just work. We have some exclusive words from him.
• Scoop: what exactly is going wrong with the small boats talks between Britain and France?

Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture credit: Getty Images

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

• We reveal what happened when Morgan McSweeney lost his phone, and what it means for the Mandelson files.
• As Angela Rayner looks like she's preparing to challenge Keir Starmer, other senior Labour MPs are jostling for position.
• What is the government willing and able to do to help in the Strait of Hormuz? Spoiler: not much.
• And as the questions about Britain's economy and place in the world get harder, are fewer Labour politicians interested in asking, let alone answering, them?

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times

Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture credit: Getty Images

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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