Voting Opens for 2026 Political Podcast Awards | People’s Choice Poll Now Live
The UK’s thriving political podcasting scene is gearing up for its biggest celebration of the year as public voting officially opens for the 2026 Political Podcast Awards People’s Choice category. Organised by iNHouse Communications and supported by YouTube, the award invites listeners from across the country to champion their favourite political shows.
This year’s public vote—considered the most competitive category of the awards—will remain open for one month and closes at midnight on 9 January 2026. The winner will be revealed on 28 January 2026, during the ceremony held in Westminster, the heart of UK political life.
Political podcasts have cemented themselves as a mainstay of modern media, providing on-demand analysis, behind-the-scenes insights and personality-driven commentary that traditional formats often lack. According to iNHouse Communications, the medium has experienced another strong year of listener growth, driven by increased political engagement and the rise of multiplatform podcast distribution via YouTube, Spotify, global news outlets, and independent creators.
Katie Perrior, Chair of iNHouse Communications and Founder of the Political Podcast Awards, highlighted the growing importance of the sector:
“Every day, more people are turning to political podcasts to stay informed about Westminster and beyond. What was once a niche format is now an essential part of the national conversation.”
What Is the People’s Choice Award?
The People’s Choice Award stands apart from the other categories because the public—not the judges—decide the winner.
Listeners can vote from a shortlist of 25 podcasts, selected from across nine professionally judged categories. These include:
Best Newcomer
Best Comedy Moment
Best Interview
Best Original Format
Best Presenter
Best Producer
Rising Star
Best Story
Best Student Podcast
This broad range reflects the diversity of the UK’s political podcasting landscape and the number of new voices emerging each year.
A Ceremony Featuring Major Media Personalities
The 2026 ceremony will be hosted by:
Gyles Brandreth – celebrated broadcaster, author and political commentator
Anthony Scaramucci – former White House Communications Director and US-based political voice
Their pairing represents the Awards’ increasingly international outlook, acknowledging the global audience political podcasts now attract.
YouTube Continues Sponsorship as the Medium Surges
YouTube returns as the headline sponsor for the People’s Choice category, reinforcing its commitment to the UK’s political podcasting ecosystem.
Alison Lomax, YouTube’s UK Managing Director, said:
“Political podcasts are more popular than ever and play a major role in the news agenda. As one of the UK’s leading podcast platforms, we’ve seen remarkable growth in viewership.”
She noted that last year’s People’s Choice contest was among the most fiercely fought categories and expressed excitement to see who claims the 2026 title.
Why Political Podcasts Have Entered the Mainstream
Industry analysts point to several factors behind the medium’s explosion in popularity:
✔ On-Demand Convenience
Podcasts allow listeners to consume political analysis anytime—during commutes, workouts, or at home.
✔ Unfiltered Perspectives
Hosts often offer longer, more candid discussions than traditional broadcast media.
✔ Diverse Voices
Students, journalists, policy experts, comedians, activists, MPs, and independent creators all contribute to a vibrant, competitive landscape.
✔ Multi-Platform Growth
Shows now thrive across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels and Spotify, reaching younger and more varied audiences.
Shortlisted Podcasts for the 2026 People’s Choice Award
The following 25 shows are officially in the running for the public vote:
Chopper’s Political Podcast (GB News)
Electoral Dysfunction (Sky)
Gettin’ Rowdy with the Gaudie (The Gaudie Student Newspaper)
Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future (Boxlight)
Newscast (BBC)
Page 94 (Private Eye)
People and Politics (David Reilly Media)
Political Currency (Persephonica)
Political Fix (The Financial Times)
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson (BBC)
Politics at Sam and Anne’s (Politico and Sky)
Politics Unpacked – PMQs (Times Media)
Politics Weekly UK (The Guardian)
Quite Right! (The Spectator)
Rachel Johnson’s Difficult Women (Global)
The Conversation Cabinet
The Daily Telegraph Podcast (The Telegraph)
The Feminist Files (Gender Agenda)
The General and the Journalist (Times Media)
The News Agents (Global)
The PoliticsJOE Podcast (PoliticsJOE)
The Rest is Politics (Goalhanger)
The Simple Politics Podcast (Stripped Media)
The State of It (Times Media)
Westminster Insider (Politico)
The shortlist features many of the sector’s most influential voices—from established mainstream broadcasters to rising independent creators pushing innovative formats.
How to Vote
Voting is open now across the UK. Listeners can cast their vote through the Political Podcast Awards website, with the shortlist also promoted on X (formerly Twitter) and partner platforms.
The organisers encourage voters to support shows that:
Informed their political understanding
Helped them navigate major national events
Provided clarity, humour, or fresh perspectives
Championed unheard voices
Fostered constructive debate
This year’s competition is expected to be the most hotly contested yet, following a surge in listener engagement last year that brought thousands of votes.
What the Awards Mean for the Industry
The Political Podcast Awards now serve as:
A barometer of public sentiment
Which shows voters choose may reflect the changing political interests of the country.
A platform for emerging talent
Winning or even being shortlisted can significantly boost visibility for smaller podcasts.
A celebration of digital democracy
Political podcasts give ordinary listeners direct access to policy discussions, expert commentary and alternative perspectives.
A Sector on the Rise
As the UK approaches major political moments in 2026, interest in political podcasts is projected to increase even further. Industry analysts predict that 2026 could become a record year for subscriber numbers, streaming hours and new show launches.
The Political Podcast Awards play an important role in highlighting excellence while celebrating the diverse voices shaping political dialogue today.
