The Capitalist
Business & Finance
About
The Capitalist is the podcast that champions free markets, fresh ideas, and thoughtful solutions. Join sharp minds from business, politics, and beyond for intelligent debate and optimistic conversations about building a brighter, market-driven future for Britain. Brought to you by the team behind CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Despatch: Andy Burnham is overrated
Andy Burnham is heading for a leadership bid, and he's arrived with a big idea: Manchesterism. Apparently a form of business-friendly socialism, it's built on borrowing, backed by the Manchester skyline, and presented as a credible alterna…
- Kallum Pickering: The bond markets will decide Britain's PM
Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life. The bond markets are watching — and they have a long memory. Kallum Pickering, chief economist at Peel Hunt and columnist for The Telegraph, joins CapX editor Marc Sidwell for a lucid diagno…
- Despatch: Why the old parties aren't dead
From fractured local elections to the rise of Reform and the Greens, British politics increasingly feels unstable, fragmented and unpredictable. Yet in this essay, Lee David Evans of the Mile End Institute argues that while the old politic…
- Why aren't we investing our money?
When a business raises capital, it buys equipment, expands its operations, and hires people. That’s how investment becomes jobs. But the United Kingdom has ranked in the bottom quartile of advanced economies for private capital investment…
- Live: Palantir and the AI race
Britain may have stumbled almost accidentally into one of the best positions in the world to win the AI race. The question is whether it has the wit and will to press on. Recorded live at the Margaret Thatcher Conference in London, Charlot…
- Despatch: Should the government run supermarkets?
As grocery prices rise and political pressure mounts, radical solutions are back on the table – including state-owned food stores. In this essay, Jimmy Nicholls, writer of Poke the Bear and host of The Right Dishonourable podcast, examines…
- The left stole feminism – let’s take it back
Zoe Strimpel discusses her argument that capitalism provides the most reliable path to female autonomy, contrasting this with contemporary feminism's anti-capitalism, which she believes is detrimental to women. She explores historical tren…
- Despatch: A smarter path to Net Zero
Dr. Gerard Lyons argues that Britain's current approach to Net Zero is detrimental to its economy, increasing costs and vulnerability to international shocks. He proposes treating the energy transition as long-term infrastructure, financed…
- Is Britain really broken?
Sam Dumitriu, head of policy at Britain Remade, and CapX editor Marc Sidwell examine the structural economic issues contributing to Britain's perceived decline. They identify the planning system as a key factor affecting infrastructure, ho…
- Despatch: Get Britain off the benefits treadmill
John Penrose argues that the official definition of poverty, set at 60% of median earnings, is flawed and creates a permanent wealth-redistribution system within the welfare state, failing to address the root causes of poverty.
- Adrian Wooldridge: How centrists fight back
Adrian Wooldridge, author of "Centrists of the World Unite!", analyzes the current crisis facing liberalism, arguing it has been betrayed rather than exhausted. He discusses the potential for its reinvention, drawing parallels with histori…
- Steve Davies: The Great Realignment
Historian Stephen Davies argues that recent political upheavals signify a major structural shift from economic to existential divides, centered on national identity versus cosmopolitanism. He contends that "populism" is a misnomer and that…
- Despatch: Driven to blackouts
In 1973, Britain faced severe energy shortages, leading to blackouts. Dr Lawrence Newport compares this crisis to current vulnerabilities, noting declining North Sea output, low gas storage, and high import dependency. He argues that succe…
- Tyler Goodspeed: You're wrong about recessions
Dr. Tyler Goodspeed argues that the prevailing narrative of recessions, which suggests booms cause busts, is historically inaccurate. He posits that recessions are caused by unpredictable shocks and that the stories humans tell about them…
- Despatch: Same mistakes, same results
Reem Ibrahim of Reason Magazine critiques economic policies proposed by Rachel Reeves and Zack Polanski, arguing that despite identifying issues like Britain's productivity slowdown and high youth unemployment, their proposed solutions lik…
- How the Tories win again
James Cowling of Next Gen Tories argues that the Conservative Party
- Despatch: Economic nationalism is a myth
This episode examines the concept of economic nationalism, debunking common arguments that privatization harmed Britain and that state ownership would have prevented economic issues. It posits that the country's real economic weaknesses ar…
- Tim Leunig: Let's tap the North Sea for energy
Former economic adviser Tim Leunig argues for increased North Sea oil and gas extraction as a hedge against price volatility and geopolitical risks, rather than relying on imports. He proposes a strategy combining North Sea production, ren…
- Despatch: How to beat Zack Polanski
This episode discusses how the Green Party, led by Zack Polanski, has shifted focus from environmentalism to economic issues and identity politics, attracting young voters with policies that may worsen their problems. It contrasts this wit…
- Pierre Poilievre: Why free markets work
In this episode of The Capitalist, Pierre Poilievre discusses how money printing has led to inflation, making housing unaffordable for younger generations. He advocates for restoring sound money, dismantling barriers to home building, and…
- Despatch: Farage v. Polanski?
In this essay, William Atkinson discusses a Green by-election victory in Greater Manchester, interpreting it as a sign of Britain's traditional party system fragmenting and identity-driven politics rising, which could lead to a more volati…
- Build, baby, build
Bryan Caplan, author of “Build Baby Build”, joins Marc Sidwell on The Capitalist to discuss the global housing crisis. Caplan argues that deregulation is key to building more homes and examines the political and economic challenges involve…
- Despatch: Generation Unemployed
Andrew Griffith argues that Labour
- If we don't own AI's future, China will
James Pethokoukis discusses the transformative possibilities of AI, how its risks can be managed, and why a more optimistic outlook may be warranted, noting public anxiety about the technology
- Despatch: Thatcher's ownership revolution isn't over
Harry Scoffin argues that reforming leasehold housing is a continuation of Thatcher
- Is small-state conservatism ready for a comeback?
John Penrose, founder of the Centre for Small State Conservatives and former MP, joins Marc Sidwell to discuss the case for small-state conservatism. He argues for practical policy ideas to address contemporary challenges such as an aging…
- Could Keir Starmer be replaced?
This episode of The Capitalist features Benjamin Wilson and Henry Hill discussing the political future of Keir Starmer. They analyze Labour's internal dynamics and the broader challenges facing governing parties in the current political an…
- Despatch: Build up, not out
John Penrose, Chair of the Conservative Policy Forum, proposes granting homeowners the right to build upwards rather than outwards to increase housing density. This, he argues, could lead to millions of new homes, improve urban aesthetics,…
- Special: Lessons from the Lawson boom
Mervyn King and Terry Burns reflect on the Lawson boom, discussing its economic and political factors including inflation, tax reform, and monetary policy. They argue against the sole attribution of the boom to the 1988 Budget, highlightin…
- Despatch: Should we ban rich people?
Tim Worstall critiques 'limitarianism', a philosophy proposing a cap on personal fortunes. He argues that extreme wealth is often a result of innovation that benefits many and that banning wealth could negatively impact society.
- Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg: It's time for a Tory-Reform pact
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg joins Marc Sidwell on The Capitalist to discuss the political landscape following Robert Jenrick's move to Reform UK. Rees-Mogg advocates for a pre-election pact between the Conservative and Reform parties, drawing para…
- Despatch: More Tory turmoil?
Joseph Dinnage analyzes Robert Jenrick's defection to Reform UK, examining the implications for Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative party's power dynamics. The episode discusses the role of ambition, loyalty, and timing in political shifts.
- Will Trump strike Iran?
In this episode of The Capitalist, Joseph Dinnage speaks with Mani Basharzad about the recent protests in Iran. Basharzad shares personal insights into the internet blackouts and violent crackdowns, discussing the potential for regime chan…
- Despatch: Is Britain sacrificing a generation to unemployment?
Economist Damian Pudner contends that Britain is experiencing a slow-burn recession, evidenced by surging youth unemployment and a decline in entry-level positions, potentially impacting the economy long-term.
- The Rage of Party with George Owers
This episode of The Capitalist features historian George Owers discussing his book "The Rage of Party," examining 18th-century British political turmoil and its connections to contemporary issues.
- Special: Sir Malcolm Rifkind on Margaret Thatcher
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, a former Foreign Secretary, discusses Margaret Thatcher's leadership during economic challenges and industrial unrest. He shares insights into her conviction-led approach and its lasting impact on Britain.
- Forecast 2026: Has Nigel Farage peaked?
This episode of The Capitalist features Marc Sidwell and Joseph Dinnage forecasting the political and economic landscape of 2026. They examine the UK's multi-party political situation, economic challenges, and the US political scene.
- Is the political centre breaking?
This episode of The Capitalist discusses the fragmentation of British politics, with Labour faltering and Reform UK surging. It also examines Donald Trump's second term and its impact on the global trading order. The discussion covers why…
- Despatch: Education needs more scrutiny
In this essay, John Penrose, Chair of the Conservative Policy Forum, argues that Britain’s education and careers system is quietly wasting talent. He proposes reforms focused on better outcome information, stronger careers advice, and smar…
- Is the Online Safety Act doomed?
Free speech lawyer Preston Byrne joins The Capitalist to discuss the GRANITE Act, a proposal that would allow American companies to sue foreign regulators for damages. The conversation explores the potential impact of this act on global on…
- Despatch: All parties should be subjected to the OBR
Joseph Dinnage, deputy editor of CapX, proposes that all political parties should face economic scrutiny from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). He argues an upgraded OBR, similar to the Dutch system, could increase transparency a…
- Sir Malcolm Rifkind on the future of the Conservatives
Former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind joins Marc Sidwell to discuss the Conservative Party's future, Margaret Thatcher's legacy, and Britain's political direction, offering insights on regaining control and confidence.
- Despatch: Labour need a new strategy
James Price argues that Rachel Reeves's Budget for Britain lacks a pro-enterprise strategy, focusing instead on party management. He contends that Labour has no credible plan for growth, tax reform, or supply-side economics, leaving the ec…
- Budget Day with Jeremy Hunt
Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt shares an insider’s view of constructing a Budget under pressure, detailing the challenges of fiscal policy and economic growth. Hunt argues that welfare reform, rather than increased taxation, is essential fo…
- Despatch: Can Britain escape its economic doom loop?
Ewen Stewart outlines a plan for The Capitalist to cut UK spending and taxes, simplify the tax system, and promote private enterprise to combat economic decline and achieve prosperity. The proposal involves shrinking the state and freeing…
- Is Britain at war with wealth?
Henry Hill discusses the political allure and economic illusion of a wealth tax in Britain, examining the risks of capital flight and the debate around fairness versus prosperity, ahead of an interview with Jeremy Hunt and Rachel Reeves' b…
- Despatch: Could trillionaires actually save the world?
James Price, Senior Fellow at the Adam Smith Institute, argues in this essay that visionary entrepreneurs with extreme wealth could accelerate progress by reinvesting fortunes in projects beyond government capacity, such as AI-driven educa…
- Can the BBC survive its biggest crisis yet?
The BBC faces a crisis stemming from an editing error, leading to executive departures and legal threats. This episode explores the impact on public service broadcasting, political polarization, and the media landscape, questioning the BBC…
- Despatch: Tax treachery will cost us
Reem Ibrahim, Head of Media at the Institute of Economic Affairs, argues in this essay that raising income tax in Britain would be a grave economic mistake. She warns that such a move would punish aspiration, stifle growth, and could lead…
- Special: Decoding the Chancellor’s pre-Budget signals
Rachel Reeves' speech suggests impending tax rises. The episode explores the fiscal puzzle created by Labour’s manifesto commitments, which ruled out increases to income tax, National Insurance, or VAT, and discusses the limited options av…