Bonus episode.

Join Caroline and Steve on the plane with the prime minister. Why did he end speaking to journalists from a loo? What's it like to travel with a PM? And how can Starmer balance concerns about espionage and human rights with the UK's business interests?

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Caroline Wheeler, political editor, The Sunday Times

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

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 MPs are saying about the decision to block Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. It creates a new D-Day for Keir Starmer: 26th February.

On Labour's left wing, it's Operation Stop Streeting.

Meanwhile, the prime minister's off to China but can he make the case to voters that getting closer to China will make everyone feel better off?

And Gabriel reveals something startling about Starmer's recent phone call with Donald Trump.

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Caroline Wheeler, political editor, The Sunday Times

Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times

Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

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.

The extraordinary tale of how the Chagos deal went down in Number 10.

Plus, how long can Keir Starmer maintain his softly, softly approach to Donald Trump?

With the news that China's mega embassy has been approved, we hear about Gabriel's attempts to get his hands on a note sent by Boris Johnson to the Chinese embassy. And who else is heading into the arms of Reform UK?

Caroline Wheeler, political editor, The Sunday Times

Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times

Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

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.