Ayesha Hazarika

Guangzhou, London

Presenter, Weekend Drive at Times Radio

Broadcaster. Times Radio Weekend Drive (4-7pm). The Power Test. Columnist. Author. Speaker. Stand up. Ex Labour adviser. Baroness Hazarika of Coatbridge.

Articles

Rachel Reeves has united the Labour Party

Oct 31, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Ayesha Hazarika

Trying to get a seat in the House of Commons to watch Rachel Reeves deliver the Budget was the equivalent of bagging a ticket to Taylor Swift. As a new member of the House of Lords, I discovered that there’s a special gallery we can sit in to watch proceedings. I had no idea it would be that packed. I found myself squished in between Harriet Harman, Jeffrey Archer and the Duke of Wellington. Every nook and cranny of the Chamber was bursting and there were as many Tories present as Labour.
The local elections are a warning for Labour about what lies ahead

May 3, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Ayesha Hazarika |Heather Saul

These days, Labour having a good night at local and by-elections is so commonplace, it’s become almost boring. We know that the Tories will get a kicking and that Labour will enjoy some sort of record swing. And yet the media (of which I am a member) must find some mild peril. Otherwise, it’s just dull.
There’s nothing right-wing about cracking down on antisocial behaviour

Apr 11, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Ayesha Hazarika

With the local elections coming up, there are plenty of five-point plans fluttering around. Labour has just announced its own for breathing life back into British high streets, which is a good thing. The decline of town centres and high streets the length and breadth of the country is genuinely depressing. It’s hard to have pride in your community when all the nice shops have gone and what’s left are charity, gambling or pawn shops, or units just sitting empty.
Labour's new secret weapon: Boris Johnson

Mar 28, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Ayesha Hazarika

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner praised Boris Johnson’s vision of levelling up (Photo: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)Look it’s not the biggie we all hoped for, but the upcoming local elections are not to be sniffed at. People are very dismissive of local government but that’s where most people’s day to day lives collide with politics.
'If Labour wins, how does it actually deliver change voters are crying out for?'

Mar 12, 2024 | labourlist.org | Ayesha Hazarika

The Labour Party is having to get comfortable being in a position it’s rarely used to. Just a year ago, a long shadow lingered over its ability to win the next general election. Now people talk of a big stonking majority. The Budget, and Labour pulling out another two points in the polls since, just shows nothing much is changing – nor likely to over the next few weeks and months.
Ignore George Galloway at your peril, Keir Starmer

Mar 1, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Ayesha Hazarika

Ayesha Hazarika writes: ‘Galloway will electrify the chamber in a sickening way at a tinder box moment’ (Photo: Phil Noble/Reuters)Yes. He’s back with a bang. Let’s not rehearse how he got there – Labour messed up and nature abhors a vacuum. Enter stage (hard) left George Galloway. Like a political heat seeking missile, Gorgeous George rocked up with his uniquely ugly political charms. His ability to use Muslim communities to personal advantage is unrivalled.
Ditching the £28bn green pledge won't hurt Labour's chances

Feb 9, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Ayesha Hazarika

‘There is a legitimate and sensible argument that since the announcement was made by Rachel Reeves back in 2021, many material factors have changed’ (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty)Everyone knew it was coming, but there was a gnawing sense of anxiety about how it was being handled – the numerous briefings really helped with that. Well done everyone involved.
Rishi Sunak's cruel trans jibe has shown us who he really is

Feb 7, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Ayesha Hazarika

Brianna’s mother, Esther Ghey, meets with Labour Party leader Keir Starmer in the House of Commons (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images)Sunak was someone we (my naive self included) hoped would bring some decency back to Downing Street, but he has made us look like idiots. Thanks for that. First, we had the grotesque spectacle of Sunak and Piers Morgan betting £1,000 over flights taking off to Rwanda.
Business can't get enough of Labour – it's like Corbyn never existed

Feb 1, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Ayesha Hazarika

Keir Starmer, speaks at the Labour Business Conference (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)If you want proof (other than the polls) of how much Labour has changed, look no further than its relationship or love-in with business. There is so much mutual admiration and affection that Labour politicians even sound like junior executives giving a presentation at an investor relations away day. There is a distinct corporate feel to Labour under Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves.
The Rwanda bill has turned into the political equivalent of Fyre Festival

Jan 18, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Ayesha Hazarika

Rishi Sunak may have scraped his Rwanda bill over the line, but that doesn’t stop this being a disaster of a policy – and a symbol of his political inexperience and weakness. Who knew the hardmen of Brexit, so quick to punch down on the vulnerable, would crumble and abstain from the vote because – as former Tory party deputy chairman Lee Anderson explained in the aftermath – the “Labour lot” were “giggling” at them? As has been said, “not so much 30p Lee but 30p flee”. Bless.