The UK’s leading political podcasts were celebrated at a packed awards ceremony for the 2026 Political Podcast Awards in Westminster last night.
Underdog favourite Simple Politics won the People’s Choice award, while former political rivals Ed Balls and George Osborne were named Political Podcast of the Year for Political Currency
Presented by iNHouse Communications and sponsored by YouTube, the event brought together many of the biggest names in political audio, media and broadcasting.
Guests were entertained by an unexpected double act, pairing broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth with former Trump Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci.
Scaramucci delivered the keynote speech, reflecting on his time in the White House and its impact on political media.
He told the audience he had been encouraged to push boundaries, before adding that while Donald Trump “sucks at just about everything”, he had undeniably boosted interest in political podcasting.
Political Currency, hosted by former Chancellor George Osborne and former Cabinet minister Ed Balls, was recognised for its twice weekly analysis of major political stories and its popular audience question segments.
The podcast has built a reputation for combining insider experience with accessible discussion, despite the pair’s history on opposing sides of the Commons.
Simple Politics, hosted by Diane Daniels and former teacher Tatton Spiller, secured the People’s Choice award after mobilising its large online following.
While it operates largely outside the Westminster bubble, the podcast reaches a wide audience through clear explanations of political processes and events, supported by more than a million followers across social media platforms.
Sky News dominated several categories, with Electoral Dysfunction picking up multiple awards. Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson were recognised for Presenter of the Year, with the judges praising the trio’s balance, chemistry and ability to challenge each other while remaining engaging.
The podcast also won the award for Funniest Comedy Moment, following a candid interview with Wes Streeting discussing his relief at avoiding a reshuffle.
Rigby’s Sky News colleague Sam Coates, alongside Politico’s Anne McElvoy, won Most Original Format for their daily morning podcast, which judges said had become part of many listeners’ everyday routines by setting the political agenda early each day.
Further awards went to Spectator editor and former Cabinet minister Michael Gove, whose new podcast Quite Right! was named Best Newcomer, and to Jimmy McLoughlin’s Jimmy’s Jobs, which won Interview of the Year for an episode featuring Sir Tony Blair discussing mental health and leadership.
Story of the Year was shared between Global’s The News Agents and the Financial Times’ Political Fix for their investigation into the leak of files relating to Afghan allies resettling in the UK, which the judges described as defining journalism that demonstrated the power of long form audio storytelling.
Accepting his award, George Osborne joked about his unlikely partnership with Balls, saying that a former political enemy had become both a co-host and close friend.
Behind the scenes talent was also recognised, with Political Currency producer Ellie Clifford named Producer of the Year, and PoliticsJOE’s Laura Beveridge winning the Rising Star award.
A new Student Podcast of the Year category was claimed by The Feminist Files, produced at the University of Cambridge.
Katie Perrior, founder of the Political Podcast Awards, said the strength of entries showed how political podcasts continue to innovate and connect with audiences despite wider media challenges.
YouTube UK and Ireland Managing Director Alison Lomax added that political podcasts had become central to the news agenda, with rapid growth in audiences on the platform.
The judging panel was chaired by Anne Alexander and included politicians, advisors and media figures from across the political spectrum, underlining the broad support for the growing influence of political podcasting.
THE POLITICAL PODCAST AWARDS 2026 WINNERS IN FULL
Best Newcomer: Quite Right! (The Spectator)
Comedy Moment of the Year: Electoral Dysfunction (Sky)
Interview of the Year: Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future (Boxlight)
Most Original Format: Politics at Sam and Anne’s (Politico and Sky)
Presenter: Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson – Electoral Dysfunction (Sky)
Producer: Ellie Clifford – Political Currency (Persephonica)
Rising Star: Laura Beveridge – The PoliticsJOE Podcast (PoliticsJOE)
Story of the Year: Political Fix (The Financial Times) and The News Agents (Global)
Student Podcast of the Year: The Feminist Files (Gender Agenda – University of Cambridge)
People’s Choice: The Simple Politics Podcast (Stripped Media)
Podcast of the Year: Political Currency (Persephonica)
