Newscast: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Newscast Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
Israel-Gaza: Six months of war
Apr 7, 2024
Laura, Paddy, and Jeremy Bowen, chew over the day's news.
Iran attacks Israel: How will the world respond?
Apr 14, 2024
Israel says the confrontation is 'not over yet'.
Tory MP Suspended!
Apr 20, 2024
A Tory MP has been suspended. And, Josh Widdicombe on how he tried, and failed, to become a journalist.
The Art of the US/Ukraine Aid Deal
Apr 21, 2024
Laura, Paddy, and Newsnight political editor Nick Watt discuss the US congress vote and Laura’s interview with Claire Coutinho.
Rail Britannia
Apr 27, 2024
Adam and Alex talk to shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh about Labour’s plans to renationalise nearly all passenger rail services. And we hear from comedian Michael Spicer abo
28/04/2024
Apr 28, 2024
Laura and Paddy, along with Henry Zeffman chew over the week’s political news.
No Interest to Cut Rates… yet!
May 10, 2024
Adam Fleming and Chris Mason look at whether the UK economy has 'turned a corner' and, if so, why interest rates were kept the same. Twenty-four hours on from the shock defection o
12/05/2024
May 12, 2024
Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell, along with Henry Zeffman, chew over the week’s political news.
Starmer's Six Steps!
May 16, 2024
Keir Starmer reveals the “first steps” Labour would take if they won the general election. And find out how Rishi Sunak got on when he braved the panel on ITV’s Loose Women.
Electioncast: IT’S ON!
May 22, 2024
Rishi Sunak has called the UK General Election for the 4 July. Adam is joined by Laura Kuenssberg, Faisal Islam and Alex Forsyth to discuss the surprise announcement by the Prime M
Electioncast: Rwanda... Slogans... and No Farage!
May 23, 2024
Rishi Sunak confirms that no deportation flights to Rwanda will set off before the general election. Plus Nigel Farage says he will not run to be a MP.
Electioncast: Michael Gove Votes to Leave
May 24, 2024
Today, we look at Keir Starmer kicking off his party’s Scottish campaign, and Jeremy Corbyn confirming he will stand as an independent candidate in Islington North. Plus, a surpri
Electioncast: How Many More MPs Will Quit?
May 25, 2024
Laura and Paddy are back in the Newscast studio as the party leaders spend the weekend campaigning. Rishi Sunak met with veterans in his constituency in North Yorkshire as Sir Kei
Electioncast: Labour's Tax Plan + Rishi Wants You
May 26, 2024
Today, Laura, Paddy, and Adam discuss Labour’s tax pledge and the Conservative plan to bring back mandatory national service. Rachel Reeves says there will be no rises in income ta
Electioncast: Pebbledash Semis and Dribbling
May 27, 2024
Today, Adam and Chris discuss Keir Starmer’s first major speech of the general election campaign and the latest on Rishi Sunak’s plan to bring back national service for 18-year-old
Electioncast: Tory Pension Pledge
May 28, 2024
Today, we look at the economic election battle, with spending announcements from the Tories and Labour. Plus, Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner will face no police action in the
Electioncast: What’s Going on with Diane Abbott!?
May 29, 2024
Today, we look at the confusion around whether Diane Abbott can stand as a Labour candidate in the general election. Keir Starmer has denied Diane Abbott has been barred from stan
Electioncast: Conservative Defects Again (Again!)
May 30, 2024
Adam, Chris, and Laura are joined by Jo Coburn, Politics Live presenter, to discuss the latest defection by a former Conservative MP. They also look at the ongoing argument within
Trump Trumps Over Today’s Campaigning
May 31, 2024
How will Trump impact the UK election? And Diane Abbott is allowed to stand as Labour candidate.
Electioncast: What is Labour Doing Abbott Candidate Selection?
Jun 1, 2024
Newscast looks at how fighting within the Labour Party over who should be their general election candidates is only the latest turn in a long-running battle between its different p
Electioncast: Read My Lips... Migration and the NHS Back on the Agenda
Jun 2, 2024
Laura Kuenssberg has been talking to the health secretary and the shadow home secretary, as the Conservatives promise more GP surgeries, and Labour promises less immigration. Sir
Electioncast: Farage Runs (Again)
Jun 3, 2024
Nigel Farage to stand in election, and become leader of Reform UK.
Electioncast: Sunak v Starmer (How Do You Win a TV Debate?)
Jun 4, 2024
The Newscast guide to the first debate of the election campaign.
Electioncast: Sunak v Starmer (The Debate Unpacked!)
Jun 4, 2024
Adam, Chris, Alex & Dharshini analyse the first TV debate of the campaign.
Electioncast: Starmer Uses the L Word
Jun 5, 2024
Starmer says Sunak lied during the TV debate.
Electioncast: Argy Bargy in Basildon and Billericay
Jun 6, 2024
Today, the election campaign quietened down as political figures took part in D-Day commemoration events. Adam, Chris and Laura discuss Lord Cameron’s visit to Normandy, how candid
Electioncast: The Big BBC Debate (Analysis!)
Jun 7, 2024
Today, we look at the first BBC election debate, where leading figures from the seven main parties take part.
Electioncast: How did Sunak's D-Day Blunder Happen?
Jun 8, 2024
Adam, Laura, and Henry on Rishi Sunak’s week.
Electioncast: Manifesting Manifestos
Jun 9, 2024
Today, Laura is joined by Faisal Islam and James Cook to talk about what we can expect in manifestos this week, and how parties say they’ll pay for policies. They chat about th
Electioncast: The Lib Dem Manifesto
Jun 10, 2024
Today, we look at the Liberal Democrat manifesto launch, and the first of a series of BBC leadership interviews - starting with Rishi Sunak. Speaking at a launch in London Lib Dem
Electioncast: The Conservative Manifesto
Jun 11, 2024 · 26 min
Today, we look at the Conservative manifesto launch as Rishi Suank promises a further cut in National Insurance. Unveiling the party’s plans from Silverstone race track, the PM sai
Electioncast: Sunak v Starmer (Part 2)
Jun 12, 2024
Today, we look at the Sky News leaders’ event where the two main party leaders were quizzed on their plans for government. Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer were interviewed by Beth Rig
Electioncast: The Labour Manifesto
Jun 13, 2024
Today we look at the Labour Party Manifesto launch and get an update into what the Undercover Voters have been seeing on their social media feeds. Adam speaks to Laura Kuenssberg
Electioncast: Welcome to the Manifestival!
Jun 13, 2024
Looking at a week of manifesto launches, rounding up what pledges have been made by the parties so far. Plus, what happened when Jason Donovan met Ed Davey?
Electioncast: Your Voice Your Vote Q&A
Jun 14, 2024
Today, we answer your election questions. Laura, Chris and Paddy are together answering questions on housing, boundary changes and much more as part of Your Voice, Your Vote.
Electioncast: How SUPER is a Supermajority?
Jun 15, 2024
Today, we’re looking at warnings from Defence Secretary Grant Shapps about a big Labour majority. Adam, Paddy and Laura also look at Reform UK, which one poll put a point ahead of
Electioncast: A National Health (Service) Check
Jun 16, 2024
Today, we look at what the parties are offering for the NHS and social care, and how they’re going to pay for it. Laura’s been speaking to shadow health secretary Wes Streeting abo
Electioncast: Labour Uses the B-Word
Jun 17, 2024
Today, we look at Labour’s plans for business and the Reform Party’s “contract with voters”. Keir Starmer has been speaking about Brexit and a “National Wealth Fund” on the campai
Electioncast: Billionaire Backs Labour
Jun 18, 2024
Today, we look at a billionaire former donor to the Conservative Party who has told Chris Mason he will vote Labour for the first time in his life. John Caudwell, the entrepreneur
Electioncast: The SNP Manifesto & Live in Birmingham
Jun 19, 2024
Today, we look at the SNP manifesto launch, where John Swinney focuses on future independence talks with the UK government. Adam is in Birmingham with Newsnight’s Victoria Derbysh
Electioncast: Election Timing Betting Allegations
Jun 20, 2024
Adam, Jo and Laura look at the investigation into election timing betting. Also, discussions on the SNP manifesto, which focuses on Brexit and rejoining the EU, and what Nigel Fara
Electioncast: Q+A with AF+LK
Jun 21, 2024
Today, we answer your election questions. Adam and Laura answer your questions on PR, election fatigue and much more as part of Your Voice, Your Vote.
What’re the Odds? Alleged Election Betting and Undecided Punters!
Jun 22, 2024
Today, in this podcast recorded live on Radio 4, we’re looking at claims about betting on the election date, and Laura’s been given an internal Labour memo to candidates with warni
Electioncast: Rwanda Policy Is 'Crap’, Says Tory Candidate
Jun 23, 2024
Today, Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss how the government is responding to comments from a Tory candidate made at a private event in April, describing the Rwanda policy as ‘crap’.
Electioncast: Taxation Trilemmas
Jun 24, 2024
Today, we look at the Conservative Party’s internal betting inquiry and whether the main parties have “ducked” addressing stark choices over public finances. Adam, Chris and Alex
When It Hits the Fan x The Today Podcast x Newscast
Jun 25, 2024
Three podcasts, one question: How influential is the media on the election? Newscast, The Today Podcast and When It Hits The Fan are coming together for a special election episode