PM Starmer has just arrived in Washington to meet President Biden for the first time.

Arguably at a time when Biden needs Starmer more than Starmer needs the US president.

He’s there to talk NATO - and our commitment to Ukraine. But questions about our own defence spending will pursue him.

We’ll talk to the shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell about Sir Keir's first week and the Tories last (in government for now). What lessons are his own party gleaning from their election defeat?

And we reflect on billionaire brexiteer household appliance maker James Dyson’s fortunes as he fires a thousand people.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

A tale of two thinktanks - you lucky things.

Jon has spent the day at the Tony Blair Institute and Emily has been with the Popular Conservatives (PopCons), Liz Truss' former parish.

After the worst result in their history, how does the Conservative party rebuild?

And what lessons are those on the right of the party taking away from Thursday night's defeat? Lewis talks to former party treasurer and donor, Lord Michael Spencer, about the direction for the party now.

Later, crunch time for Joe Biden - will his own party really seek to remove him before the week is done?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Yuce & Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Last night the final exit polls of the French election were revealed to a collective stunned gasp.

The far-right RN party of Marine Le Pen - and Jordan Bardella - is in third place.

Macron's centrist grouping is in second place - but the dominant bloc emerging is a collective of radical left parties - with the controversial figurehead of Jean-Luc Melenchon at its helm. Macron's PM has stayed on -for now - as caretaker.

But there is a collective political fog over the shape of France’s next parliament. Has Macron's gamble paid off? Macron will argue he kept fascism at bay - but for how long?

Later, what will Labour's planning changes mean for young people trying to buy houses? Can it work?

And how does the Speaker of the house learn 334 brand new MP's names... by next week?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Yuce & Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents