A 'painful' Budget awaits this autumn and things will get 'worse before they get better', Sir Keir Starmer warned this week. But is Labour taking a risk projecting such a gloomy outlook? Political Fix host Lucy Fisher is joined by regulars Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley, as well as FT economics editor Sam Fleming, to consider how the new government might fund the fiscal black hole it claims the Tories left behind – and find a message of hope. Plus, the group analyses who’s ahead and who’s falling back in the Tory leadership race. Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Stephen @stephenkb, Robert @robertshrimsley, Sam @Sam1Fleming Want more?   Wealthy households and businesses brace for tax rises after Starmer speech Starmer warned he cannot sidestep Brussels in bid to reset UK-EU relations Eurozone inflation falls to 2.2% in August JD Vance urges billionaire Peter Thiel to help bankroll Trump campaign Pubs hit out at UK plans to ban smoking in outdoor areas Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.  Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Tamara Kormornick with Leah Quinn. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound engineering by Jean-Mark Eck with original music by Breen Turner. Broadcast engineering by Andrew Georgiades and Rod Fitzgerald. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.