The far right could be on the brink of it's first election victory in Germany. Brandenburg, close to Berlin, has been governed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) ever since German reunification. But two million voters are heading to the polls today for a tightly fought regional election that Alternativ für Deutschland (AfD) stands a chance of winning.

Plus, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accepted tens of thousands of British pounds in gifts, hospitality and tickets to events since becoming Labour leader. This includes nearly £66,000 over the last year for accommodation, clothes and "multiple pairs of glasses".

UK & Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Ryan Bridge the PM has now said his top team won't accept any more clothing.

LISTEN ABOVE

The far right could be on the brink of it's first election victory in Germany. Brandenburg, close to Berlin, has been governed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) ever since German reunification. But two million voters are heading to the polls today for a tightly fought regional election that Alternativ für Deutschland (AfD) stands a chance of winning.
Plus, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accepted tens of thousands of British pounds in gifts, hospitality and tickets to events since becoming Labour leader. This includes nearly £66,000 over the last year for accommodation, clothes and "multiple pairs of glasses".
UK &amp; Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Ryan Bridge the PM has now said his top team won't accept any more clothing.
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Gavin Grey: UK & Europe correspondent on far right heading for election victory in Germany & UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accepts tens of thousands of pounds worth of free gifts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cba93c5d-0be7-4d47-a0df-b1f301525be6/transcript

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15 September.

Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15 September. 
Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 15 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/78ace574-9620-4e77-8296-b4c5012ac629/transcript

So, the past week has seen immigration policies come to the force.

New Zealand First is signalling a tougher immigration stance, longer waits for residency and citizenship, a referendum to cap new residency approvals at 20,000 a year, and a 30-year population plan tying migrant intake to infrastructure capacity. 

Labour is also tightening its settings, extending residency qualification to four years and promising a Government Policy Statement.
  
But as economists like Bernard Hickey point out these policies miss the real immigration pressure.

New Zealand issues more than 230,000 temporary work visas annually.  

Largely for lower-paid roles on our farms in our kitchens and even in our beauty salons.
 
The temporary workers aren't here forever. But when they go, they're replaced but other temporary visa holders. 

This quarter of a million of temporary visa holders is still driving population growth, straining infrastructure, and suppressing wages.  

They come with problems that no-one is addressing.

Not for the first time politicians can't see the wood for the trees and not for the first time they then release policies that are primarily designed to get votes but not to address the issues.

So, the past week has seen immigration policies come to the force.
New Zealand First is signalling a tougher immigration stance, longer waits for residency and citizenship, a referendum to cap new residency approvals at 20,000 a year, and a 30-year population plan tying migrant intake to infrastructure capacity.&nbsp;
Labour is also tightening its settings, extending residency qualification to four years and promising a Government Policy Statement. &nbsp;&nbsp; But as economists like Bernard Hickey point out these policies miss the real immigration pressure.
New Zealand issues more than 230,000 temporary work visas annually. &nbsp;
Largely for lower-paid roles on our farms in our kitchens and even in our beauty salons. &nbsp; The temporary workers aren't here forever. But when they go, they're replaced but other temporary visa holders.&nbsp;
This quarter of a million of temporary visa holders is still driving population growth, straining infrastructure, and suppressing wages. &nbsp;
They come with problems that no-one is addressing.
Not for the first time politicians can't see the wood for the trees and not for the first time they then release policies that are primarily designed to get votes but not to address the issues.

Andrew Dickens: Politicians are missing the real immigration problem

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bd11023e-8d6f-4252-bc81-b4c5012aae72/transcript

A Russian drone has hit a train near the Ukraine-Poland border, moments after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other top European security officials had been present.

No one died in the attack, and all passengers were safely evacuated.

Johnson had been passing along the same line on a different train, returning from a conference in Kyiv.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there's plenty of speculation behind the motives of the strike, with Ukraine claiming Johnson's train was the intended target.

LISTEN ABOVE

A Russian drone has hit a train near the Ukraine-Poland border, moments after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other top European security officials had been present.
No one died in the attack, and all passengers were safely evacuated.
Johnson had been passing along the same line on a different train, returning from a conference in Kyiv.
UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there's plenty of speculation behind the motives of the strike, with Ukraine claiming Johnson's train was the intended target.
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Russian drone striking train behind Boris Johnson and other dignitaries near Ukraine border

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ebdcd00a-c4cc-4990-b8fd-b4c40164b979/transcript

Gavin Grey: UK & Europe correspondent on far right heading for election victory in Germany & UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accepts tens of thousands of pounds worth of free gifts

In 1 playlist(s)

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips