The Guardian’s Brexit Means ...
We delve into the nitty gritty of Brexit and try to make some sort of sense of it, bringing you episodes as and when you need them. We’ll be hearing from Britons and Europeans, leavers and remainers, politicians and ordinary people, economists, businessmen, lawyers, researchers, campaigners and many more about what Brexit means for them, for the UK and for the EU, how it might work – and how it might not. It's a podcast that can’t get enough of experts ... and we want to hear from you too
Episodes
Weekend: episode two of a new podcast
Ease into the weekend with our brand new podcast, showcasing some of the best Guardian and Observer writing from the week, read by talented narrators. In this episode, Marina Hyde looks at the new additions to Downing Street (2m00s), Hadley Freeman interviews Hollywood actor Will Arnett (9m56s), Sirin Kale tries her hand at quiz show Mastermind (26m32s), and David Robson examines why we’re so stressed about stress (41m08s). If you like what you hear, subscribe to Weekend on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
01/04/22•49m 39s
How did the UK-EU trade talks kick off? Brexit Means ... podcast
Our panel discusses what happened during the first round of negotiations on the future relationship
06/03/20•36m 58s
What's our exit strategy? Brexit Means... podcast
With less than three weeks to go before the UK (almost certainly) leaves the EU, Jon Henley looks at what changes 31 January will bring. He’s joined by Jonathan Lis, deputy director of British Influence, Georgina Wright of the Institute for Government, and the Guardian’s Jennifer Rankin
14/01/20•42m 22s
Post-election clarity – Brexit Means... podcast
Now that Boris Johnson has the decisive parliamentary majority he wanted, Jon Henley asks if it will be plain sailing for his Brexit bill. He is joined by Jennifer Rankin, the Guardian’s Brussels correspondent, Anand Menon, of the UK in a Changing Europe thinktank, and Joe Owen, the director of the Brexit programme at the Institute for Government
17/12/19•39m 40s
Is a deal in sight? - Brexit Means ... podcast
Days before the crunch EU summit, Jon Henley asks whether Boris Johnson can secure a Brexit deal. He is joined by the Guardian’s Brussels correspondent, Jennifer Rankin, and opinion writer Rafael Behr, and by Georgina Wright of the Institute for Government
15/10/19•47m 39s
What options are left for Johnson? – Brexit Means podcast
With a no-deal Brexit blocked and no snap election in sight, is there any way out for the PM?
16/09/19•47m 58s
Enter Boris Johnson – Brexit Means podcast
Will the new Tory leader and prime minister be able to deliver on his Brexit promises?
23/07/19•44m 45s
Can the next prime minister deliver Brexit? – Brexit Means podcast
As Tories choose their next leader, we ask if he stands any better chance than May did
18/06/19•40m 10s
European elections loom large – Brexit Means podcast
As the UK unexpectedly finds itself voting in the European elections, we discuss what effect that might have on Brexit - in Britain and Europe
14/05/19•43m 53s
Brextension, no deal, revoke? – Brexit Means podcast
With just two days until Britain leaves without a deal, will the EU grant an extension?
09/04/19•45m 35s
Parliament takes back control – Brexit Means podcast
As parliament grabs the steering wheel of the Brexit process, could a solution finally be in sight?
26/03/19•43m 47s
The Malthouse compromise: mission impossible for May? – Brexit Means podcast
As Theresa May jumps on the Eurostar once more in a last-ditch attempt to resuscitate her Brexit deal, is she doomed to failure?
05/02/19•45m 42s
A New Year but no new deal – Brexit Means podcast
With Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement looking no closer to winning the support of MPs, what other possible scenarios lie ahead?
08/01/19•40m 33s
Chaos in Brexitland – Brexit Means podcast
May pulls the meaningful vote, Tory rebels mount a leadership challenge, and Europe looks on in disbelief. What next in the Brexit saga?
12/12/18•38m 53s
Squeaky-bum time for May – Brexit Means podcast
The Brexit negotiations are reaching what EU diplomats are calling squeaky-bum time. Can Theresa May pull a deal out of the bag?
06/11/18•41m 9s
Inside the campaign to stop Brexit – Today in Focus podcast
The Guardian has just launched Today in Focus, a daily news podcast that takes you behind the headlines. In this episode, we ask: who are the people trying to stop Brexit? We hear from James McGrory, the director of the People’s Vote campaign. Plus: a week on from the synagogue shootings in Pittsburgh, Hadley Freeman reflects on the drivers of antisemitism in the United States
05/11/18•23m 36s
Can Brexit ever happen? Brexit Means… podcast
Brexit Means… is back with a recap of what has – and hasn’t – been happening
02/10/18•40m 57s
Showdown at Chequers – Brexit Means… podcast
We weigh up Theresa May’s chances of bridging the divide between cabinet leavers and remainers at the Chequers away day, and ponder what twists and turns the Brexit saga might take over the summer
04/07/18•25m 3s
Big business, bargaining and, of course, the border - Brexit Means... podcast
As Theresa May fights fire from big business, marching pro-Europeans and disgruntled Brexiters, how much longer can she survive?
27/06/18•27m 30s
May's parliamentary ping-pong – Brexit Means… podcast
Ahead of next EU27 summit, Jon Henley and the team discuss Theresa May’s parliamentary slugfest, the Brexit dividend and security cooperation
20/06/18•27m 53s
How ready is Whitehall? – Brexit Means … podcast
From the outside it looks pretty obvious that nobody in government has much of a clue what things will look like in March 2019. But what’s the view of civil servants? And, returning to the problem of the Irish border, what will the government’s backstop arrangement look like?
13/06/18•28m 46s
What will Britain's withdrawal look like? – Brexit Means … podcast
With three weeks until a key EU summit, will parliament finally pass a Brexit bill?
06/06/18•28m 8s
Britain and EU's ongoing war of words – Brexit Means … podcast
With a month to go until a crunch EU summit in Brussels, things are becoming heated
30/05/18•27m 31s
The Irish border problem – Brexit Means … podcast
Are we anywhere near a solution to Brexit’s most concrete problem?
23/05/18•23m 50s
The cabinet deadlock – Brexit Means … podcast
With the cabinet in open war and the talks with the EU at a standstill, is there any way forward?
16/05/18•24m 14s
The customs union explained – Brexit Means … podcast
All you ever wanted to know about the defining issue of Brexit, but were afraid to ask
09/05/18•25m 25s
A new Home Secretary and the House of Lords rebellion – Brexit Means ... podcast
Jon Henley and the team discuss the House of Lords rebellion, the sudden departure of Amber Rudd and the thorny issue of the customs union
02/05/18•28m 49s
EU citizens' rights and the shadow of Windrush – Brexit Means ... podcast
Will EU nationals find themselves treated in similar fashion to the Windrush generation? Jon Henley and the team discuss
25/04/18•33m 7s
Can Brexit be reversed? Brexit means ... podcast
Jon Henley and the team look back at the past few weeks of Brexit and ask: can it be reversed?
18/04/18•24m 37s
One year to go – Brexit Means… podcast
With a year to go till the Brexit deadline, we look at where we stand and what the future might hold
04/04/18•29m 20s
Citizens' rights – Brexit Means... podcast
Jon Henley and the team look at where both UK citizens abroad and EU citizens in the UK stand and what is likely to happen now that we are a year away from Brexit
28/03/18•33m 49s
The transition deal – Brexit Means ... podcast
What does the new transition deal resolve and is it all pointless anyway? The Brexit Means team tries to figure it out
21/03/18•29m 55s
Are the EU's draft trade guidelines reasonable? Brexit Means… podcast
We take a look at what amounts to first outline of what the future relationship between the US and the UK might look like – as far as the EU is concerned
14/03/18•24m 36s
A tale of three speeches – Brexit Means podcast
Including Theresa May’s long-awaited intervention that was supposed to reveal what ‘Brexit means Brexit’ actually means
07/03/18•36m 43s
Brexit Means ... the EU's draft treaty and Labour's options
We join the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast to discuss a pivotal week for Brexit
01/03/18•34m 55s
Is the government backpedalling and where does Labour stand? Brexit Means ... podcast
This time, it’s a tale of three speeches, a letter, a potentially explosive chinwag at Chequers – and a bit of a bombshell
22/02/18•23m 1s
What does France want from Brexit? Brexit Means ... podcast
Jon Henley examines what France makes of the UK’s decision to leave the EU: what’s their strategy for dealing with it and is it the case that they – perish the thought – hope to benefit from it?
14/02/18•36m 6s
Figuring out what the UK wants after Brexit: Brexit Means … podcast
The debate this week has revolved mainly around the customs union – or, if you prefer, a customs union, or a customs arrangement or even a customs partnership. What kind of relationship does the UK want with the EU after Brexit?
07/02/18•23m 33s
What does Germany want from Brexit? Brexit Means ... podcast
This week, we discuss Germany in the second of our occasional series on how different EU27 countries view Brexit – what they make of Britain’s decision to leave and why, how they are responding, and what they want from a final deal
02/02/18•39m 49s
Should the UK stay in a customs union with the EU? Brexit Means... podcast
The Brexit Means… team look at the staying in the customs union and what we learned from Emmanuel Macron visit
25/01/18•24m 56s
What does Poland want from Brexit? Brexit Means ... Podcast
This week we’ll be discussing Poland as part of our new series looking at how some of the EU27 states view Brexit: which factors influence their position, whether their interests might affect talks on the future trading relationship between Britain and the bloc – and maybe help, or hinder, UK efforts to achieve a more favourable, even a bespoke, deal
17/01/18•46m 9s
What next for Brexit in 2018? Brexit Means … podcast
After last year’s rollercoaster, Jon Henley and the team discuss what the next few months may hold
10/01/18•27m 41s
How will the UK's tech sector fare outside the EU? Brexit Means … Podcast
We’re looking at Britain’s booming, youthful tech sector. Many in the industry are worried that Brexit will make it harder to reach EU customers; harder to find and employ the necessary talent; harder to attract investment from abroad, including from the European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund; and harder to convince international companies to operate in the UK at scale
27/12/17•37m 43s
The big moments of 2017: Brexit Means … Podcast
For this, our final episode of the year, we thought it might be an idea to take stock of the past 12 months and look forward to the next. What were the key Brexit turning points this year, and what – as far as anyone can tell, of course – is 2018 likely to bring?
20/12/17•33m 52s
What can we learn from the latest Brexit deal? Brexit Means ... podcast
Confused about what just happened in Brexitland? It’s time for the Guardian podcast to shed some light. Join me, Dan Roberts, and two of our top experts, Lisa O’Carroll and Jennifer Rankin, for a special edition that dives into the meat of Friday’s divorce agreement and unpicks what will be left after Christmas
13/12/17•19m 32s
What exactly went wrong during that crucial Brexit lunch? Brexit Means ... podcast
An urgent call from Arlene Foster interrupted Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker’s lunch date. We take a look at what went wrong and why, and forward to where on earth things might go from here
05/12/17•20m 12s
Countdown to the EU summit deadline – Brexit Means … podcast
With less than a week to go before the deadline set by Donald Tusk, the European council president, for Britain to come up with an acceptable offer on the financial settlement and a credible solution for the Irish border if it wants to move on to the second stage of Brexit talks by mid-December, things are starting to get a little bit squeaky …
29/11/17•28m 18s
Scotland's future: Brexit Means... podcast
Libby Brooks and Catherine Stihler join Jon Henley to look at how Brexit might affect remain-voting Scotland
21/11/17•31m 48s
A news-packed look at the past two weeks – Brexit Means ... podcast
In this week’s Brexit Means ... podcast we’ll be looking at three standouts from the past couple of weeks – the increasing weakness of the UK government, the Irish border and the EU getting increasingly fed up with us
15/11/17•21m 6s
NHS at centre of storm: Brexit Means … podcast
This week we’re talking health. Leaving the EU was meant to be about giving the NHS £350m extra a week. Instead it has become a major threat to the health service’s existence, thanks to a staffing crisis. Dan Roberts, our health team and the head of the Royal College of Nurses discuss what happens next
09/11/17•27m 52s
What would no Brexit look like? Brexit Means... Podcast
We ask whether it is possible for Britain to change its decision to leave the EU and, if so, how might it happen?
01/11/17•22m 42s
What will become of food and farming? Brexit Means … podcast
We ask how farming and food production industry will be affected by UK’s departure from European Union
25/10/17•41m 39s
Have we come to the end of the negotiations road? Brexit Means … podcast
There’s no point beating around the bush. It is time for the Brexit means podcast to talk about the dreaded ‘no deal’
18/10/17•19m 37s
Where do Labour and the Conservatives now stand on Brexit? Brexit Means … podcast
As the next round of Brexit talks get under way amid few signs of a breakthrough, and with the main party conferences behind us, this week we look at what is known about where the two main parties stand on the big Brexit issues, and how far their positions might, or might have to, shift
10/10/17•31m 17s
Are things likely to get moving anytime soon? Brexit Means … podcast
This week we’ll be talking harsh words – in both Manchester and Strasbourg – and asking whether, behind the rhetoric and the seemingly immovable positions, anything at all may be shifting
05/10/17•20m 31s
Six months on: what has happened so far? Brexit Means... podcast
Jon Henley and team attempt to shine a light through the fog that has fallen since article 50 was triggered on 29 March
27/09/17•39m 36s
What is Boris Johnson playing at? – Brexit Means ... podcast
Jon Henley and guests discuss the foreign secretary’s exaggerated and occasionally downright inaccurate picture of the ‘glorious’ future awaiting Britain
20/09/17•19m 54s
How will leaving the EU affect universities and research? Brexit Means ... podcast
Jon Henley and guests discuss the potential impact of Brexit on higher education, from lecturers to students to funding
13/09/17•42m 56s
Is Britain expecting the impossible? Brexit Means... podcast
‘Nobody said it would be easy,’ says David Davis. We discuss what has been making life difficult for the Brexit secretary this week
07/09/17•18m 42s
Is a frictionless Irish border 'magical thinking'? – Brexit Means... podcast
After Brexit, the 310-mile boundary between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic will become the only land border between Britain and the European Union – with potentially major consequences for the movement of large volumes of goods and people, and for the survival of the 20-year-old peace process that followed the Good Friday agreement
01/09/17•40m 5s
Seven policy papers in seven days: Brexit Means ... podcast
Discussing the customs union proposals, civil judicial cooperation, dispute resolution, data mining and what’s going to happen in the third round of talks is our trusted Brexit Means ... team
25/08/17•19m 45s
How will Brexit affect the environment? Brexit means podcast
The topic we’re looking at this week is a big one, and a fundamentally important one, encompassing the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat. Jon Henley is joined by an expert panel to try to figure out what on earth Brexit will mean for our environment
16/08/17•35m 49s
The three ‘whats’ of leaving the EU – Brexit Means podcast
The team look at what kind of transition Britain wants, what might be in the government’s position papers and what size of divorce bill Brexiters are willing to pay
08/08/17•26m 24s
Are we in for a fishy deal? – Brexit Means podcast
Jon Henley and his team of experts dive into the murky waters of the UK fishing industry, one of the loudest voices for the leave campaign. What is the future of fisheries now that just over half of us voted out of the EU? Could we go it alone or are we heading for a fishy deal?
04/08/17•38m 0s
Brexit negotiations really get going - Brexit Means podcast
This week Dan Roberts and Jennifer Rankin try to figure out what on earth is going on in this first round of Brexit negotiations, especially now that the UK appears in disarray, with the Conservative party riddled with infighting
19/07/17•19m 45s
What can we expect as the Article 50 talks begin?
As Brexit negotiations get underway, the Guardian Brexit team discuss the first items on the agenda – and how the recent UK elections may affect the talks
19/06/17•33m 33s
What does 'no deal' actually mean? – Brexit Means podcast
Forget ‘Brexit means Brexit’ and ‘strong and stable’ – the government has a new mantra. Jon Henley, Dan Roberts and Jennifer Rankin discuss what ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’ might entail for the UK
31/05/17•18m 18s
EU agrees negotiation guidelines and terrorism hits Manchester – Brexit Means podcast
Join Jon Henley and Daniel Boffey as they discuss the EU27’s directives for the first phase of Brexit negotiations and whether, in the light of the attack in Manchester, security and intelligence sharing will be a factor in those talks
24/05/17•21m 31s
How will the general election affect Brexit? Brexit Means podcast
Jon Henley and Dan Roberts discuss what a new crop of Tory MPs could mean for Brexit as well as Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel’s new friendship
17/05/17•18m 59s
Macron defeats Le Pen in French election – Brexit Means podcast
This week Jon Henley and Jennifer Rankin discuss what the French election result means for Europe and Brexit
10/05/17•16m 11s
Brexit turns sour before talks even begin - Brexit Means podcast
Dan Roberts and Dan Boffey discuss what that frosty dinner between Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker means for Brexit negotiations
03/05/17•15m 12s
The rights of EU citizens in Brexit - Brexit Means podcast
Lisa O’Carroll joins Jon henley to discuss the question of rights for both EU residence in the UK and UK residents in the EU, in light of recent events.
26/04/17•12m 8s
What does Brexit have to do with the election? - Brexit means podcast
With the sudden news of a snap general election this morning, Jon Henley speaks to the Guardian’s Brexit policy editor Dan Roberts to discuss what this has to do with Brexit and how it affects the negotiations..
18/04/17•11m 54s
Britain starts the Brexit countdown – Politics Weekly podcast
Anushka Asthana is joined by Alex Salmond, Ian Duncan, Gina Miller, Natalie Nougayrède and Graham Brady at the end of an historic week in British politics in which Britain triggered the EU exit clause and the Scottish parliament voted for a new independence referendum
31/03/17•1h 6m
Triggering article 50 – Brexit podcast
Jon Henley is joined by Jill Rutter, Daniel Boffey and Dan Roberts in the week that Britain formally invokes article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – the EU’s exit clause. How quickly can a deal be done? What will be covered in the talks? And what will be the main sticking points?
28/03/17•36m 4s
The rights of UK citizens in the EU – Brexit podcast
Jon Henley is joined by Jane Golding and Jennifer Rankin to discuss the rights and status of UK citizens living in other European Union countries after Brexit
02/03/17•35m 29s
The role of the EU parliament – Brexit podcast
Guy Verhofstadt, the EU parliament’s chief negotiator tells us that Britain will not be allowed to get a better deal than it currently has from the EU in the coming Brexit talks. Plus Labour MEP Richard Corbett and our Brussels bureau chief Daniel Boffey describe how the EU parliament will hope to shape Brexit
15/02/17•33m 53s
Brex and the City – Brexit podcast
Jon Henley is joined by Vincenzo Scarpetta, Jill Treanor, Dan Roberts and Anthony Browne to discuss how Brexit will affect Britain’s multibillion-pound financial services industry. Plus we hear from the European financial centres hoping to capitalise if London falters
27/01/17•44m 26s
Theresa May's Brexit speech in full - audio
In the most important speech of her premiership to date, the prime minister, Theresa May, outlines her vision of Brexit. Listen to the speech in full
17/01/17•42m 7s
The rights of EU citizens in the UK – Brexit podcast
Jon Henley is joined by Lisa O’Carroll, Nicolas Hatton, Andrew Tingley and Jakub Krupa to discus the future rights of EU citizens currently living in the UK in the build up to this year’s Brexit negotiations. Plus we hear from former Vote Leave chair Gisela Stuart who calls on the government to act now to guarantee residency rights for EU nationals in Britain
16/01/17•41m 16s
Deciphering Article 50 – Brexit means... podcast
Jon Henley is joined by Jolyon Maugham, Philip Syrpis, Jennifer Rankin and Owen Bowcott to discuss the legal challenges to the government’s use of Article 50, and how the EU will interpret the Lisbon Treaty’s exit mechanism in the coming negotiations
20/12/16•37m 28s
The Story So Far – Brexit Means... Podcast
Introducing ‘Brexit Means ...’ our new in-depth Brexit podcast with the Guardian’s European affairs correspondent Jon Henley. In this first episode we look back at the brief history of Brexit: from David Cameron’s fateful promise to hold an ‘in/out’ referendum to Theresa May’s tautologous mantra that ‘Brexit means Brexit’
06/12/16•18m 37s