Keir hunters: will Britain’s PM go?

About this episode

<p>After catastrophic local-election results, Britain’s prime minister <a href="https://www.economist.com/britain/2026/05/08/nigel-farages-triumph-is-not-quite-what-it-seems?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sir Keir Starmer</a> is fighting for his political life. One airline has folded and others may follow: <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2026/05/07/airlines-are-grappling-with-dwindling-supplies-of-jet-fuel?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">jet-fuel prices</a> are crimping carriers the world over, but the pain is not spread evenly. And could <a href="https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2026/04/30/the-caribbean-island-that-calls-colombia-a-coloniser?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">San Andrés</a>, a popular Colombian tourist island, ever declare independence? </p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Owen Winter, Britain political correspondent</li><li>Simon Wright, industries editor</li><li>Claire McQue, Americas writer</li><li>Rosie Blau co-host of “The Intelligence”</li><li>Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered: </p><ul><li>Britain elections, Keir Starmer, Reform UK, Labour </li><li>Airlines, jet fuel, oil price, Strait of Hormuz</li><li>San Andrés, Colombia, Caribbean</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</em></a></p><br><p><em>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our </em><a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>our video</em></a><em> explaining how to link your account. </em></p><p><br></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>