It's Bloody Complicated - A Compass Podcast
183 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 5 hours ago -Hear from the widest range of voices in the progressive movement. Every week, host Neal Lawson, speaks with progressive thinkers, writers and politicians from the UK and beyond about current affairs and how to build the Good Society. Visit compassonline.org.uk to learn more about Compass.
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Episodes
Garden Mind with Sue Goss | Ep.17
July 17, 2020 12:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBThis week we were joined by Sue Goss, long-time friend of Compass and author of Open Tribe. Sue has been writing and thinking about politics, local government, and democracy for over 30 years and we feel incredibly lucky to have her on the podcast. Off the back of her new report Garden Mind, we spoke to Sue about how we should think about society through the framework of gardening, and how this approach should inform our decision making and actions. "It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded ...
Garden Mind with Sue Goss | Ep.17
July 17, 2020 12:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBThis week we were joined by Sue Goss, long-time friend of Compass and author of Open Tribe. Sue has been writing and thinking about politics, local government, and democracy for over 30 years and we feel incredibly lucky to have her on the podcast. Off the back of her new report Garden Mind, we spoke to Sue about how we should think about society through the framework of gardening, and how this approach should inform our decision making and actions. "It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded ...
North-South Inequality - with Andy Burnham | Ep.16
July 10, 2020 13:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBThis episode we're joined by former cabinet minister and now Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Andy knows Westminster politics from the perspectives of both government and opposition, but he also knows what’s it’s like to operate outside that bubble as the mayor of one of Britain’s largest cities. As a staunch supporter of devolution and advocate for the North, we talk to Andy about how a decade of austerity has left communities in the north much more exposed and vulnerable to eff...
#BuildBackBetter: what does it mean? - with NEF Chief Exec Miatta Fahnbulleh | Ep. 14
July 02, 2020 18:00 - 57 minutes - 39.3 MBThis week we were joined by writer, political scientist and commentator Miatta Fahnbulleh. Miatta Fahnbulleh is a British economist and Chief Executive at the New Economics Foundation. She is also a key partner in our 350-strong coalition of civil society leaders demanding the Government to #BuildBackBetter, from unions to faith groups to NGOs. Our society can't afford for #BuildBackBetter to be a hollow proposition. With Miatta we dig into what a new social and economic settlement could ...
#BuildBackBetter: what does it mean? - with NEF Chief Exec Miatta Fahnbulleh | Ep. 15
July 02, 2020 18:00 - 57 minutes - 39.3 MBThis week we were joined by writer, political scientist and commentator Miatta Fahnbulleh. Miatta Fahnbulleh is a British economist and Chief Executive at the New Economics Foundation. She is also a key partner in our 350-strong coalition of civil society leaders demanding the Government to #BuildBackBetter, from unions to faith groups to NGOs. Our society can't afford for #BuildBackBetter to be a hollow proposition. With Miatta we dig into what a new social and economic settlement could ...
Epochal change - with openDemocracy co-founder Anthony Barnett | Ep. 14
June 26, 2020 14:00 - 49 minutes - 33.7 MBThis week we talk to the distinguished writer and campaigner for democracy, Anthony Barnett. Anthony is co-founder of Open Democracy, a website for political writing which tirelessly challenges power and encourages democratic debate. He is also author of The Lure of Greatness, an unflinching analysis of the devastating loss of trust in political institutions that cleared the way for Trump and Brexit. Anthony has just published a must-read analysis of how Covid-19 has already changed the w...
Episode 13: A Labour of Learning - In Conversation with Lisa Nandy MP
June 18, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBJoin us in conversation with Labour MP and Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy. Lisa’s been working tirelessly as an MP for 10 years now, but rose to prominence this year as a contender in the Labour leadership election. Before that, she held a range of shadow cabinet roles, and founded the Centre for Towns. We discuss community responses to the crisis, being 'porous' and learning from 'the other side', Labour leadership, and hope for the future. "It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded ever...
A Labour of Learning - with Lisa Nandy Labour MP | Ep.13
June 18, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBJoin us in conversation with Labour MP and Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy. Lisa’s been working tirelessly as an MP for 10 years now, but rose to prominence this year as a contender in the Labour leadership election. Before that, she held a range of shadow cabinet roles, and founded the Centre for Towns. We discuss community responses to the crisis, being 'porous' and learning from 'the other side', Labour leadership, and hope for the future. "It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded ever...
Communities and Councils - with Mike Wilson and Steve Reed Labour MP | Ep.12
June 12, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MBOur new Deputy Director Frances Foley talks communities, local government, and 45 Degree change in the time of Covid-19 with Steve Reed MP (Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary) and Mike Wilson, (Executive Director of Pembroke House). Pembroke House is a centre for social action which has set up a food distribution hub to respond to the crisis. What have community groups and Local Government learnt about working together, and how can we build on the lessons so far? It's Bloody...
Episode 12: Communities and Councils - In Conversation with Mike Wilson and Steve Reed MP
June 12, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MBOur new Deputy Director Frances Foley talks communities, local government, and 45 Degree change in the time of Covid-19 with Steve Reed MP (Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary) and Mike Wilson, (Executive Director of Pembroke House). Pembroke House is a centre for social action which has set up a food distribution hub to respond to the crisis. What have community groups and Local Government learnt about working together, and how can we build on the lessons so far? It's Bloody...
Episode 11: Justice, Leadership & Identity - In Conversation with David Lammy MP
June 04, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBThis week we’re in conversation with Labour MP for Tottenham, shadow frontbencher, author, and activist David Lammy MP. From Windrush to Grenfell, and beyond, David is a notoriously dedicated and tireless campaigner for social justice. Now, as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, David is continuing to hold the government to account over the deep inequalities which run right through our society. He has recently written a brilliant book, Tribes: How Our Need to Belong Can Make or Break th...
Justice, Leadership & Identity - with David Lammy MP | Ep.11
June 04, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBThis week we’re in conversation with Labour MP for Tottenham, shadow frontbencher, author, and activist David Lammy MP. From Windrush to Grenfell, and beyond, David is a notoriously dedicated and tireless campaigner for social justice. Now, as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, David is continuing to hold the government to account over the deep inequalities which run right through our society. He has recently written a brilliant book, Tribes: How Our Need to Belong Can Make or Break th...
Episode 10: Universal Basic Income - In Conversation with Guy Standing
May 28, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBThis week we talk to Guy Standing, Professor of Development Studies at SOAS, founding member and honorary co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network and author of Battling Eight Giants: Basic Income Now. The idea of a universal basic or guaranteed income has been advocated for centuries. Thinkers from Tom Paine in the 1790s to social reformers in the 1890s argued that it was the duty of the state to ensure a minimum income for all citizens. With inequality, climate change and automati...
Universal Basic Income - with Professor Guy Standing | Ep.10
May 28, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBThis week we talk to Guy Standing, Professor of Development Studies at SOAS, founding member and honorary co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network and author of Battling Eight Giants: Basic Income Now. The idea of a universal basic or guaranteed income has been advocated for centuries. Thinkers from Tom Paine in the 1790s to social reformers in the 1890s argued that it was the duty of the state to ensure a minimum income for all citizens. With inequality, climate change and automati...
'Left Unity' Book Launch - with Clive Lewis, Paul Mason and Molly Scott Cato | Ep.9
May 21, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBIn this episode we co-launch, with Policy Network, Marius Ostrowski’s new book Left Unity: Manifesto for a Progressive Alliance, with Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, Paul Mason, writer and journalist and Molly Scott Cato, former Green MEP. As Marius wrote in a recent blogpost for Compass, “Being on the Left means aspiring to a society built on cooperation, solidarity, and the common good. Yet when it campaigns for this society, the Left movement can be strangely reluctant to pract...
Episode 9: 'Left Unity' Book Launch
May 21, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBIn this episode we co-launch, with Policy Network, Marius Ostrowski’s new book Left Unity: Manifesto for a Progressive Alliance, with Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, Paul Mason, writer and journalist and Molly Scott Cato, former Green MEP. As Marius wrote in a recent blogpost for Compass, “Being on the Left means aspiring to a society built on cooperation, solidarity, and the common good. Yet when it campaigns for this society, the Left movement can be strangely reluctant to pract...
Episode 8: The Challenge of Collaborative Politics - In Conversation with Layla Moran MP
May 14, 2020 14:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBIn Episode 8 we talk to Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon and party Spokesperson for Education. Layla has been an MP since 2017, before which she was a teacher, and is now competing in the upcoming Liberal Democrat leadership election. After a disappointing result at last year’s general election the Liberal Democrats have been reflecting on what went wrong and where the party goes from here. We chat to Layla about what she wants for the party, how we end the very...
The Challenge of Collaborative Politics - with Layla Moran Lib Dem MP | Ep.8
May 14, 2020 14:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBIn Episode 8 we talk to Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon and party Spokesperson for Education. Layla has been an MP since 2017, before which she was a teacher, and is now competing in the upcoming Liberal Democrat leadership election. After a disappointing result at last year’s general election the Liberal Democrats have been reflecting on what went wrong and where the party goes from here. We chat to Layla about what she wants for the party, how we end the very...
Episode 7: Imagining a Bold Future - In Conversation with Caroline Lucas MP
May 07, 2020 13:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBThis week we talk to our friend Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion and twice leader of the Greens. As the coronavirus crisis rumbles on, with huge implications for communities, society and our economy, we chat to Caroline about what we can do now and how we make sure that we build back better. Known all over the world as a staunch advocate for environmental and progressive issues, Caroline has spent the last decade in Parliament as the only Green MP supporting radical and import...
Imagining a Bold Future - with Caroline Lucas Green MP | Ep.7
May 07, 2020 13:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBThis week we talk to our friend Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion and twice leader of the Greens. As the coronavirus crisis rumbles on, with huge implications for communities, society and our economy, we chat to Caroline about what we can do now and how we make sure that we build back better. Known all over the world as a staunch advocate for environmental and progressive issues, Caroline has spent the last decade in Parliament as the only Green MP supporting radical and import...
Episode 6: Designing a better Britain - in Conversation with Hilary Cottam
April 30, 2020 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBHilary Cottam is many things: a designer, progressive thinker, acclaimed author and social entrepreneur to name a few. Her latest book Radical Help was described by the Guardian as "a publication that would transform Britain". Through it she explores the new forms of thinking, working and organising we need to navigate the twin challenges of climate change and technology driven socio-economic change. This week, we welcome Hilary to discuss just that. "It's Bloody Complicated" is recorde...
Episode 6: Designing a Better Britain - In Conversation with Hilary Cottam
April 30, 2020 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBHilary Cottam is many things: a designer, progressive thinker, acclaimed author and social entrepreneur to name a few. Her latest book Radical Help was described by the Guardian as "a publication that would transform Britain". Through it she explores the new forms of thinking, working and organising we need to navigate the twin challenges of climate change and technology driven socio-economic change. This week, we welcome Hilary to discuss just that. "It's Bloody Complicated" is recorde...
Designing a Better Britain - with Hilary Cottam | Ep.6
April 30, 2020 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBHilary Cottam is many things: a designer, progressive thinker, acclaimed author and social entrepreneur to name a few. Her latest book Radical Help was described by the Guardian as "a publication that would transform Britain". Through it she explores the new forms of thinking, working and organising we need to navigate the twin challenges of climate change and technology driven socio-economic change. This week, we welcome Hilary to discuss just that. "It's Bloody Complicated" is recorde...
Episode 5: In Conversation with the Guardian's John Harris
April 23, 2020 21:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBThis week we speak to John Harris: Guardian columnist and co-creator of the brilliant "Anywhere but Westminster" series. For more than 10 years now, John has been helping tell the stories of people outside the Westminster bubble. In the era of coronavirus, he's continuing this work and his latest films on the impact of lockdown on jobs and home life are essential viewing. John joins us to discuss how this crisis is experienced by people from different walks of life, and what it says abou...
What the Crisis says about Britain - with the Guardian's John Harris | Ep.5
April 23, 2020 21:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBThis week we speak to John Harris: Guardian columnist and co-creator of the brilliant "Anywhere but Westminster" series. For more than 10 years now, John has been helping tell the stories of people outside the Westminster bubble. In the era of coronavirus, he's continuing this work and his latest films on the impact of lockdown on jobs and home life are essential viewing. John joins us to discuss how this crisis is experienced by people from different walks of life, and what it says abou...
Episode 4: Pandemics do discriminate - the poverty and inequality of COVID-19
April 16, 2020 13:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBIf this crisis reveals anything, it's the structural depths of inequality that scar our country and the lives of millions of people. Yes, COVID-19 impacts on everyone – but it impacts us differently. This week, our feature guest is Ruth Lister. Ruth has put the fight against inequality at the heart of her political life, from running the Child Poverty Action Group to campaigning for asylum and refugee rights. From her seat in the House of Lords we hear Ruth's take on the present crisis...
Pandemics do discriminate - with Ruth Lister | Ep.4
April 16, 2020 13:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBIf this crisis reveals anything, it's the structural depths of inequality that scar our country and the lives of millions of people. Yes, COVID-19 impacts on everyone – but it impacts us differently. This week, our feature guest is Ruth Lister. Ruth has put the fight against inequality at the heart of her political life, from running the Child Poverty Action Group to campaigning for asylum and refugee rights. From her seat in the House of Lords we hear Ruth's take on the present crisis...
Episode 3: Labour's new leadership and the (post-pandemic) Good Society
April 09, 2020 14:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBIn what would normally be a front-page news story, on April 4 the Labour Party finally elected a new leader after a protracted campaign. A campaign that started in a bygone age when our biggest crises centred on Brexit and a historic election loss. This week, our feature guest is Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham. Jon joins us to explore what the new leadership of the Labour party will mean for progressive politics in the UK and progressive responses to the fallout of the co...
Labour's new leadership and the (post-pandemic) Good Society - with John Cruddas Labour MP | Ep.3
April 09, 2020 14:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBIn what would normally be a front-page news story, on April 4 the Labour Party finally elected a new leader after a protracted campaign. A campaign that started in a bygone age when our biggest crises centred on Brexit and a historic election loss. This week, our feature guest is Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham. Jon joins us to explore what the new leadership of the Labour party will mean for progressive politics in the UK and progressive responses to the fallout of the co...
The Ethics and Emotions of the Coronavirus Emergency | Ep.2
April 02, 2020 17:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBThese are unprecedented times and we need to rise to the new and enormous challenges we now face. The crisis isn’t just forcing us to think differently, but behave differently. On March 31st, we hosted a conversation with Compass members on The Ethics and Emotions of the Coronavirus Emergency. Tune in to hear our panel and members discuss the big questions: How do we relate to each other socially and politically now? What are the right emotions and tone to adopt? Our guest speakers this ...
Episode 2: The Ethics and Emotions of the Coronavirus Emergency
April 02, 2020 17:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBThese are unprecedented times and we need to rise to the new and enormous challenges we now face. The crisis isn’t just forcing us to think differently, but behave differently. On March 31st, we hosted a conversation with Compass members on The Ethics and Emotions of the Coronavirus Emergency. Tune in to hear our panel and members discuss the big questions: How do we relate to each other socially and politically now? What are the right emotions and tone to adopt? Our guest speakers this ...
Episode 1: In Conversation with Clive Lewis, MP
March 09, 2020 16:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBIn our first all-members call of 2020, Clive Lewis (Labour MP for Norwich South) shared his ideas on how Labour can map out a new plan for the future. Clive’s manifesto for the Labour Party created waves when he launched it and it is packed full of Compass ideas. During the call, Clive will share his analysis on how Labour can chart a road back to power not only for the party, but for the whole progressive movement. “I’m fed up with the top-down style of politics, where real debate and dis...
It's Bloody Complicated - with Clive Lewis Labour MP | Ep.1
March 09, 2020 16:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBIn our first all-members call of 2020, Clive Lewis (Labour MP for Norwich South) shared his ideas on how Labour can map out a new plan for the future. Clive’s manifesto for the Labour Party created waves when he launched it and it is packed full of Compass ideas. During the call, Clive will share his analysis on how Labour can chart a road back to power not only for the party, but for the whole progressive movement. “I’m fed up with the top-down style of politics, where real debate and dis...