It Could Be Said artwork

It Could Be Said

185 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago -

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Luke Middup talk about whatever they damn well want to. But usually the latest developments in the whacky worlds of British and International Politics

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Episodes

It Could Be Said #232 ...Which Means You've Probably Lost Your Remote Control

February 26, 2024 10:00 - 2 hours - 119 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling, and Dr Luke Middup return to discuss the latest developments in British politics. Before that however they discuss Notts County's current fortunes in the football league, Zone of Interest, and The Wild Men. They then discuss the chaos in parliament over the SNP's motion about Gaza, Lee Anderson's Islamophobic remarks, and the broader situation in Israel/Palestine. 

It Could Be Said #231 The Rematch More Than A Century In The Making

January 05, 2024 14:00 - 2 hours - 94.6 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to look ahead to the election that we're all dreading; the rematch between Presidents Biden and Trump. We marvel at how Trump has managed to destroy his primary opposition and explain why the Democrats can't quit Joe! Luke then gives an update on Palestine/Israel and Ukraine.

It Could Be Said #230 It's A Wonderful Keir

December 18, 2023 12:00 - 2 hours - 99 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to discuss the year in British politics. They look at how Rishi Sunak has been brought crashing down to earth both by the Tory Party's crushing unpopularity and his own mistakes before considering how Sir Keir Starmer's Labour and the other political parties are seeking to capitalise.  This podcast was recorded on the 11th December. 

It Could Be Said #229 Davros Is Not For Turning

November 21, 2023 19:00 - 2 hours - 101 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling, and Dr Luke Middup return to talk about a lot! We discuss Doctor Who's latest Davros retcon, the theological problem of moral evil, what bits of All Out War are still relevant in 2023, and the return of David Cameron to Government. 

It Could Be Said #228 We Recorded This Last Night...OKAY!!!

November 13, 2023 10:00 - 2 hours - 91.6 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to not discuss the reshuffle because that happened after this podcast was recorded. We instead discuss whether Donald Trump could become President again, the chaos that has engulfed the House of Representatives, the impact of climate change on South and East Asia, and the conflict in the Middle East

It Could Be Said #227 Don't Ask Suella, Assume She's Useless

October 02, 2023 08:00 - 2 hours - 93.3 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to talk about the Department of Work and Pensions latest attempts to promote disability inclusion and Suella Braverman's recent comments about immigration and multiculturalism. They  then close with thoughts on classical music, comic books, and controvesial referee decisions in football. 

It Could Be Said #226 Sunak Over There, Sunak Over Here, Sunak Everywhere

September 24, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 76 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to recap a crazy week in British politics as they touch upon the beginning of the Lib Dem Conference, Liz Truss's latest comeback, Rishi Sunak trying to prove himself an Action Man by explaining why we can't do things, whether he actually is Scrooge McDuck and what the future holds for Sir Keir Starmer

It Could Be Said #225 And Now We Turn To The Mitterrand Position

September 03, 2023 23:00 - 2 hours - 95.8 MB

We're back from our summer holidays as Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup do a tour of various news stories including the mini-reshuffle, the state of Britain's schools, whether the death penalty should be brought back, what the future holds for Nadine Dorries, and why Labour are destined to disappoint us. 

It Could Be Said #224 FOOTBALL'S BACK! MORALITY ISN'T!

August 05, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 64 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup surpass themselves by not getting past the introductions in this 90minute podcast! After looking forward to Notts County, Ipswich Town and Leicester City's new season we discuss Tottenham Hotspur trying to sell a player to a Russian player and whether we're all being too quick to condemn players for going to Saudi Arabia. We then close with looking at the future of the Commonwealth Games after another host has dropped out. 

It Could Be Said #223 NHS & UKRAINE WINNING HERE!!!

July 18, 2023 00:00 - 2 hours - 104 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup talk about the NHS, Ukraine, Ben Wallace, University Admissions, and By-Elections and at no point do they say Keir Starmer is a wrong-un for his pro-child poverty policy.  Well he is you know, and the mainstream media, such as It Could Be Media, won't tell you. So make sure you don't listen to these corporate sellouts, and oppose *Sir* Keir Starmer's attempt to make a Labour Government increase child poverty. But don't let tory bastards like Simo...

It Could Be Said #222 ASHES REVIEW PT. 1 - Bairstow Stumping, England Bouncing, Aussies Winning

July 04, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 79 MB

Will Cooling is joined by Liam F. Doom and Chris Linay to discuss the first two tests of the men's Ashes. We discuss the controvesial stumping of Johnny Bairstow, some bizarre performances in the field by England across both Tests, the forthcoming chances to both line-ups ahead of the third test, and whether England can keep the series alive up until the Oval. We then look at The Women's Ashes, the schedule for the 2024 summer, and finish by considering who is likely to emerge from the World...

It Could Be Said #221 Another Promise Bites The Dust! And Another Promise Gone and...

June 16, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 74.5 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup are somehow able to still podcast after the shocking revelation that Boris Johnson lied to someone. They look at his bizarre resignation, the brual condemnation delivered to him by the House of Commons Priviledges Committee, and what the future holds for him. They also talk Nadine Dorries's non-resignation and Caroline Lucas planning to stand-down at the next election. The podcast does start on a sombre note, as the three of us, all of who graduat...

It Could Be Said #220 ASHES PREVIEW - Can't Sleep! Aussies Will Eat Me!

June 13, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 45.1 MB

Will Cooling is joined by Liam Doom to discuss The Ashes! We break down the big outstanding issues with England's line-up as we ponder whether Moeen Ali is the right replacement for Jack Leach, could Ben Stokes open or Ben Foakes squeezed in, and who should bowl at Edgbaston. We then look at how THE WORLD CHAMPIONS line-up before making our predictions for the series. We end with brief thoughts about the state of Irish cricket. We'll be doing another Ashes podcast in a couple of weeks, but i...

It Could Be Said #219 So Are You A Protestant A.I, or a Catholic A.I?

June 02, 2023 12:00 - 2 hours - 96.5 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke  Middup emerge blinking from their silo to discuss things that may go mad without enough sunlight. We look at the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence and what it might me for the future of war, politics and pop culture. We then look at the Northern Ireland Local Elections where nationalists became the largest designation for the first time in the province's history, and what that might mean for the province's future. Finally we look at the lat...

It Could Be Said #218 Zodak The Priest Has Been Arrested By The Met

May 21, 2023 21:00 - 2 hours - 112 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling, and Dr Luke Middup return to talk the coronation of Notts County as a football league club once again, the impending coronation of Leicester City as a football league club once again, the coronation of environmentalist protestors as silly boys, the coronation of everyone other than the Tories as the winners of the local council elections, and the likely coronation of Keir Starmer as Prime Minister in the next eighteen months. Oh and also King Charles had a big part...

It Could Be Said #217 Maybe Nicola Won Bully's Special Prize

April 28, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 69.3 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return from their holidays to discuss politicians behaving badly. We look at the crisis that has engulfed the Scottish National Policy with several senior officials arrested as the police investigate their expenses and the party scrambles for a new auditor. We then turn to Dominc Raab being forced to resign after being identified as having bullied several civil servants, and Diane Abbot having the whip withdrawn after sending an anti-semitic lette...

It Could Be Said #216 Trump's Going To NYC & All He'll Get Is This Lousy Indictment

March 31, 2023 23:00 - 2 hours - 96.4 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to talk about Humza Yousaf's new Scottish Cabinet, when the next election will be, the future of Jeremy Corbyn as a MP, and whether Donald Trump is going to prison. We will also talk the Tetris movie, old politics documentaries, and Alan Clark being a terrible human being. 

It Could Be Said #215 The Blessed Ratio Takes Scotland

March 27, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 60.3 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to talk SCOTLAND! We break down/gloat about the SNP Leadership Election Results, which have settled nothing after a bitter and unedifying leadership contest. We look at what the future holds for the two candidates who have a future, and where this leadership election ranks in the list of most destructive and most fun leadership elections. 

It Could Be Said #214 OF COURSE!?! WE SHOULD RUN A BAR!

March 06, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 74.7 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling, and Dr Luke Middup return to discuss the newly reformed and rebranded Northern Ireland Protocol. They cover what it means for both Northern Ireland and Great Britain, including whether this is proof that Rishi Sunak is on the comeback trail. We then talk who Isabel Oakeshott shivved harder by taking Matt Hancock's WhatsApp Messages to The Daily Telegraph; Hancock himself or News International. They then finish by talking about Sue Gray joining the Labour Party as K...

It Could Be Said #213 SASSENACHS ASSEMBLE

February 20, 2023 10:00 - 2 hours - 102 MB

Will Cooling, Simon Alvey and Dr Luke Middup assemble to discuss the latest goings on in Scotch politics. They consider whether it was problems within or outwith the SNP that prompted Nicola Sturgeon's shock resignation, and what the future holds for Scotland and the cause of Scottish Independence. 

It Could Be Said #212 She's Still Spinning...Spinning Wrong Way Round

February 06, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 50.2 MB

Liz Truss is back in the news! Dominic Robb is still being investigated! No one knows who's running CCHQ. Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup try to make sense of it all, but fail, because the Tory Party is a headless chicken that we're all strapped too. ARRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHH!

It Could Be Said #211 It's A Pot Luck Lightning Round

January 16, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 73.6 MB

Simon Santos, Will Santos, and Dr Luke Santos try something different on this podcast as they do a POT LUCK Lightning Round. That's right - with no one story dominating the headlines, they each bring two news stories that they spring upon their unsuspecting co-hosts. This is tacking not preparing before speaking to bold new heights. In less than two hours we discuss the violent scences from Brazil, the constitutional arguments of Scottish Gender Recognition Act reforms, China's evolving stan...

It Could Be Said #210 Is There Anything To Be Said For Another Vote for Speaker

January 08, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 65.7 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to discuss Will's surprisingly controvesial article on Northern Irish politics, Rishi Sunak's uninspiring pledges on public services and Kevin McCarthy long, dark (repeated fourteen times) night of the soul

It Could Be Said #209 Can't Catch An Infectious Disease Through Podcasting

December 31, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 65.6 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling, and Dr Luke Middup ring in the New Year by looking back at their christmas and the big British political stories of the year. 

It Could Be Said #208 Ronaldo Didn't Get Selected For This Either

December 11, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 49.1 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup decide not to talk politics but instead discuss the football as they prepare for the big England game. They discuss Notts County, Football Manager, big England matches and much more!

It Could Be Said #207 What's More Christmassy Than Participating In The Census?

December 05, 2022 02:00 - 2 hours - 90.9 MB

A High Anglican, Cultural Methodist and A Recovering New Atheist walk into a podcast to discuss the latest census results, make fun of Sam Bankman Fried, the forthcoming public sector strikes and the mess that the Scottish National Party has found itself in it. We also discuss INTERGENERATIONAL FAIRNESS!!!

It Could Be Said #206 Who's Afraid Of Talking About Rishi Sunak?

November 22, 2022 15:00 - 2 hours - 115 MB

Like guests at a dinner party with an argumentive couple, the podcast keeps trying to change the subject. Simon Alvey, Will Cooling, and Dr Luke Middup explore why they feel so unenthused about the change of Prime Minister and its efforts to repair the damage caused by Liz Truss. After tangents that included Barrack Obama, Alec Douglas-Home and Lincoln's steep hill they officially change the topic with looks at the recent problems facing Twitter, Sam Bankman-Fried and FIFA. 

It Could Be Said #205 Future of Yimbyism, Fall of Truss, Farce of Johnson

October 23, 2022 17:00 - 2 hours - 110 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to talk about how Will correctly predicting that Liz Truss would have resigned by the next podcast. Well done Will. They also touch upon how Simon was very early to highlight George Canning's record as shortest reigning Prime Minister. Bravo Simon. Luke then talks about what he got wrong about Liz Truss. Very of honest of you Luke.  We also discuss how to get more houses built in Britain, the last days of Liz Truss's premiership, and the o...

It Could Be Said #204 Fuck Off Liz

October 17, 2022 00:00 - 2 hours - 102 MB

Look...what do you want us to say? She's shit, she's not going to do anything of any use, she can't smile convincingly let alone string a sentence together, she should have the self-awareness and common decency to resign.  Before Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup state the obvious to everyone accept the Libyan lobbyist in Number 10 they talk the scandal that has engulfed Sir Nick Clegg and fun facts about Prime Ministerial history.  Then we all talk about the grotesque freak tha...

It Could Be Said #203 Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Truss

October 10, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 79.4 MB

The It Could Be Said chapter of the Anti-Growth Coalition meets in their virtual townhouse to pour over a grizzly conference for Liz Truss. Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup discuss why the new government is struggling so badly and what might happen next. 

It Could Be Said #202 Truss Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

October 01, 2022 17:00 - 2 hours - 88.4 MB

Liz Truss's terrible, no good, awful week provokes Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup to alternate between righteous indignation and hysterical laughter for two hours 

It Could Be Said #202 Truss Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

October 01, 2022 17:00 - 2 hours - 88.4 MB

Liz Truss's terrible, no good, awful week provokes Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup to alternate between righteous indignation and hysterical laughter for two hours 

It Could Be Said #201 Pardon My Mini-Budget

September 27, 2022 00:00 - 2 hours - 101 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to finall  talk the arrival of our new Trussian overlord! We look at the formation of her new Cabinet and her initial appearances. We then move to the courageous mini-budget of her new Chancellor that seems to have backfired spectacular. 

It Could Be Said #200 Three Men Walk Into A Podcast

September 20, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 80.9 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling, and Dr Luke Middup return for their 200th episode spectacular. After manipulating the episode schedule all summer to celebrate 200 episodes with breaking down the election of a new Prime Minister...we don't talk about that. Instead we look back on five years of podcasts, complete a quiz, and look back on the week of national mourning for The Queen. Thank you to everyone who has listened over the years and here's to many more fun if meandering conversations about po...

It Could Be Said #R Death of the Queen

September 11, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 71.8 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to look back at the death of Queen Elizabeth II. They look back at her life and impact, the initial rollout of King Charles III, and the implications of a historic week

It Could Be Said #199 The Truss Is Out There

August 28, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 73.8 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to talk the ongoing energy crisis and even more volatile tory leadership election. In between those discussions, Will half-argues with everyone about Ukraine and Covid. 

It Could Be Said #198 The Return Of Football & Donald Trump Scandals

August 14, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 74.8 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return with an unusually chilled out podcast as they talk about the first two weeks of the football season and Donald Trump's latest bout of legal troubles 

It Could Be Said #197 Down & Out in Westminster, Barcelona & China

August 08, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 68.2 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to discuss the latest infighting within both major political parties, the scary winter that may be coming for the UK, the chaos in Barcelona FC and the warning signs from China

It Could Be Said #196 Whenever, Whereever Rishi's Gonna Pander

July 31, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 64.5 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to welcome our soon to be Trussian overlord. We review the rather funny slow motion car crash that is Rishi Sunak's campaign, as he becomes ever more desperate to turn the tide. Then we talk the Labour Party latest cries for attention before discussing Joe Manchin and Shakira. 

It Could Be Said #195 It Ain't Half Hot Luke

July 19, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 69.1 MB

Simon Alvey and Will Cooling return to talk the latest in the Tory Leadership Election plus tangents on climate change, the Forde Inquiry, Sir Alex Douglas Home, Bangladesh, and much more.

It Could Be Said #194 It's Not Balls, It's Brown

July 14, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup are joined by Cllr Lewis James Brown to discuss the Tory Leadership Election. They look at the first two rounds of voting, the remaining runners and riders, and what the future holds.

It Could Be Said #193 The Blueful Eight

July 12, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 61.4 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to look at the latest developments in the Tory Leadership race. They discuss the rules of the leadership election, the candidates who failed to make it to even the first round, and what is annoying both of us about the leadership election. We also briefly talk about Sir Beer Karma not only evading Durham Police but also his one mistaken call for a VONC. 

It Could Be Said #193 The Blueful Eight

July 12, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 61.4 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to look at the latest developments in the Tory Leadership race. They discuss the rules of the leadership election, the candidates who failed to make it to even the first round, and what is annoying both of us about the leadership election. We also briefly talk about Sir Beer Karma not only evading Durham Police but also his one mistaken call for a VONC. 

It Could Be Said #192 Was That The Week That Was?

July 09, 2022 12:00 - 2 hours - 109 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to talk the implosion of Boris Johnson's Government in the craziest week in British political history. We look ahead to the Tory Leadership election before ending on Elon Musk and Shinzo Abe.

It Could Be Said #191 He's Going To Need A Bigger Zelenskyy

July 05, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 74.1 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to talk what seems to be the latest piece of Boris Johnson escapology as he is still standing after his Chancellor and Health Secretary resigning due to his mishandling of the economy and the Chris Pincher allegations. We look in detail at a weird day in British politics, and what may happen next. 

It Could Be Said #191 He's Going To Need A Bigger Zelenskyy

July 05, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 74.1 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to talk what seems to be the latest piece of Boris Johnson escapology as he is still standing after his Chancellor and Health Secretary resigning due to his mishandling of the economy and the Chris Pincher allegations. We look in detail at a weird day in British politics, and what may happen next. 

It Could Be Said #190 Irish Troubles, American Woes, and A British Idiot

June 27, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to discuss Will's article on the Northern Ireland Protocol in City A.M, the Supreme Court overturning its prior decisions on Roe vs Wade and Case to end the federal right to abortion in America, and two by-election defeats that would be chastening for anyone other than Boris Johnson 

It Could Be Said #190 Irish Troubles, American Woes, and A British Idiot

June 27, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MB

Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup return to discuss Will's article on the Northern Ireland Protocol in City A.M, the Supreme Court overturning its prior decisions on Roe vs Wade and Case to end the federal right to abortion in America, and two by-election defeats that would be chastening for anyone other than Boris Johnson 

It Could Be Said #189 It's Just A Flesh Wound, He's Just A Cun....

June 07, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 62.8 MB

Simon Alvey, Will Cooling and Dr Luke Middup to run the rule over the second half of the Platinum Jubliee weekend including Will's thoughts on Paddington, Luke's love of the Coronation Ceremony and Simon's contemporary music knowledge. Then they look at Boris Johnson suriviving a snap Vote of No Confidence and what the future holds for him and his government. 

It Could Be Said #188 Simon Says Platty Joobs

June 04, 2022 21:00 - 2 hours - 106 MB

Simon Alvey,  Dr Luke Middup and Will Cooling return to talk the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and the worth and future of the monarchy. Before that they take a detour into discussing the media landscape in Britain and afterwards the look at what the future holds for Boris Johnson.