Is Keir Starmer in the last chance saloon?

After avoiding an ethics inquiry in the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal, what can Keir Starmer do to get the government agenda back on track? James Lyons, former director of communications in Number 10, joins the podcast team to assess the prime minister's options as the days count down to a big set of big local and devolved elections.

For lessons on relationship rebuilding – and delivering the positive vibes – perhaps the PM should turn to King Charles? The monarch is over in the US, where he seems to be doing a good job of flattering Donald Trump. So is the special relationship special again?

Plus: Children’s social care. A new IfG report has dug into a system in crisis, weighed up the government’s reforms, and come up with – what we say is – a better plan.