Oh God, What Now?
562 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 70 ratingsMaking sense of our political hell every Tuesday and Friday! Oh God, What Now? is the no-bulls**t politics podcast, making the unbearable bearable with top quality guests and analysis, plus poor quality jokes.
Regulars include: Dorian Lynskey, author of The Ministry Of Truth: A Biography of Orwell’s 1984 and host of Origin Story • Alex Andreou, writer, commentator, cook, actor, secret agent • Writer and commentator Ros Taylor • Rachel Cunliffe of the New Statesman • Writer and host of This Is Not A Drill Gavin Esler • Hannah Fearn of the i paper • Comedian Matt Green • New Statesman policy and politics corresponent Zoë Grünewald • Group Editor Andrew Harrison • Journalist Marie Le Conte • Podmasters Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis
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Oh God, What Now? is a Podmasters production
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Episodes
Election Night Live in London Part 1: Scorn on the Fourth of July
July 07, 2024 03:00 - 53 minutesCome with us back into the misty before-times… Election night, when we didn’t yet know the result. LBC’s James O’Brien joins Dorian, Ros and Alex for Part 1 of a nail-biting evening. Which Portillos are they expecting? How many seats do the audience think the Tories will get? And Matt Green brings his good friend the Rt Hon. Geoffrey Geoff-Geoffrey to celebrate fourteen glorious years of Conservatism. It’s dramatic irony overload! Part Two coming tomorrow. Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ...
Election Aftermath 🌹 At Long Last, Victory
July 05, 2024 16:50 - 1 hourWell, we got the bastards. Dorian Lynskey, Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison gather in awe before the scale of Labour’s historic achievement. How did Starmer pull it off? What will Labour’s new era of service mean? And did we get the Portillos we wanted? Sure, there are some flies in the ointment – Farage, Corbyn, some tight victories – but this is a good-vibes-only zone. Stay for the end. It gets emotional. Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ↣ https://nordvpn.com/ohgodwhatnow. It’s risk-free w...
🚨 The Oh God, What Now? Election Marathon on YouTube is about to start 🚨
July 04, 2024 20:00 - 1 minuteALERT! Get yourself over to the Oh God, What Now? YouTube channel right now for all-night second-screen coverage of the election with all your favourite presenters. Coverage starts just before 10pm and runs til late… or early? And if you’ve got questions, Tweet them to us at @OhGodWhatNowPod. The panel will answer as many as they can. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Election ’24: The Calm Before The Starm
July 04, 2024 11:14 - 54 minutes• Watch our FREE all-night Election Livestream on YouTube from 10pm til early on July 4. • Watch our Election Night Live Special on Zoom when you back us on Patreon. It’s the end of an error! In the final edition of Oh God What Now of the whole nightmare Conservative age… What have we learned about Britain, politics, campaigning and the merits of waterproofing Prime Ministers during the longest and most gruelling election campaign ever? And how will it feel to watch what could be the actual d...
What if… the Tories won the Election?
July 03, 2024 15:41 - 35 minutes• Watch our FREE all-night Election Livestream on YouTube from 10pm til early on July 4. • Watch our Election Night Live Special on Zoom when you back us on Patreon. It couldn’t happen… could it? Everything points to a Labour landslide but regulars Jonn Elledge and Rob Hutton join Andrew Harrison for a journey into a nightmare parallel reality where Sunak somehow scrapes it. What happens? Does Starmer have to quit? Is ReformUK defanged or empowered? And what does a knackered Tory party do wit...
Election ‘24: Sunak’s Last Gasp
July 02, 2024 03:00 - 1 hour• Don’t forget our Election Night live show, streaming to Patreon backers. Rishi Sunak told Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday that life in Britain is better now than it was in 2010. Is his campaign more delusional now than ever, or is there still time for a late Jude Bellingham-esque comeback for the Tories? The panel unpacks the weekend’s drama just days before the general election. Plus, is Marine Le Pen and her far-right National Rally party on the verge of history in France after taking a lead ...
Election Week 5: The Beginning of the End – with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor
June 28, 2024 14:43 - 20 minutesIn our latest bonus edition, Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler talk us through another week on the campaign trail. What was the point of the debate? Who cares about the tabloids? Why can’t we just reach polling day already? We are streaming LIVE on election night! Come and join your favourite panellists from Oh God, What Now?, The Bunker and Paper Cuts on YouTube from 10pm on Thursday 4th July as we react to the results live – you won't want to miss it. Visit https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow...
Election ’24: Starmer – A New Hope?
June 27, 2024 12:33 - 1 hour• Don’t forget our Election Night live show, streaming to Patreon backers. Have Tory governments depleted all of our optimism – or could a Starmer government restore hope in politics? The panel discusses whether things really can only get better post-Sunak. And our special guest today is award-winning journalist Peter Kellner, who has served as president of YouGov and previously worked on BBC Newsnight. He joins the panel to discuss polls, Farage, and everything in between. And in the Extra ...
Election bonus: Can we trust the polls? – with special guest Prof. John Curtice
June 26, 2024 15:01 - 28 minutesIn our latest bonus edition, polling guru Professor John Curtice talks Jacob Jarvis through the latest numbers – and tells us how much faith to have in what they’re predicting. What would the result be even if they were epically wrong? And what has made them shift? Plus, he gives his advice on staying awake on election night… We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Tom Taylor. ...
Election ’24: The Wagers of Sin
June 25, 2024 03:00 - 48 minutes• Don’t forget our Election Night live show, streaming to Patreon backers. What are the ODDS the Conservatives would be in the woeful position they are right now? How serious is this betting scandal for Sunak? Meanwhile, even though the election winner is all but confirmed, the press has to pump up the drama. What stories have been overdone and what potential drama is still to come? The panel discusses all that, plus this week's heroes and villains. (Apologies for Andrew’s sore throat. He’l...
Election Week 4: Sunak’s bringing tetchy back – with guest John Crace
June 21, 2024 13:57 - 31 minutes• Watch our Election Night Live Special on Zoom when you back us on Patreon. • Keep an eye out for daily editions Tue-Fri in the run-up to the Election. It’s Week Four sum-up time! There’s only 13 days to go and as the news worsens for the Conservatives their friendly papers are losing their minds. Guardian political sketchwriter John Crace takes Jacob Jarvis through the week’s highlights and many, many lowlights. Who would bet on an election date? Is “you backed Corbyn” the gotcha line the...
Election '24: Electric Landslide
June 20, 2024 14:11 - 1 hourAccording to Grant Shapps, Labour is in danger of winning a “supermajority” - which means literally nothing in British politics. We prefer ‘mega-landslide’, but realistically what would a win as big as is projected mean for British politics? Plus, no one is talking about Brexit in this election cycle, even Nigel Farage – WHY?! And in the Extra Bit for subscribers when it comes to the broadcast media, who’s on cue with election coverage and who just hasn’t got a clue? We’re on YouTube!: http...
Election ’24 Update – Stella Creasy on Labour’s tightrope walk
June 19, 2024 11:13 - 47 minutesIn our latest Election update: If Labour are set for a massive majority, why are they still so cautious on policy? Labour’s Stella Creasy tells Andrew Harrison why the party refuses to over-promise – why Starmer won’t talk about rejoining the EU – where she stands on the controversial two-child benefit cap – plus Gaza, Sunak, Farage and how to get people believing in politics again. Don’t miss our Election Night Live Show, streaming on Zoom for Patreon backers. • “I don’t want us to promise ...
Election ’24: Three Liars on a Shirt
June 18, 2024 03:00 - 1 hour• Watch our Election Night Live Special on Zoom when you back us on Patreon. • Keep an eye out for daily editions Tue-Fri in the run-up to the Election. The manifestos are out (OK, not everyone’s lying but we couldn’t resist the headline). What’s in Labour’s, what’s not and what’s cutting through for ‘normal people’? Does it matters what the Tories offer? And what the Farage is in Reform UK on about? Plus, step away from the Britain Elects Twitter… are we over-polling this election? And are ...
Election Bonus: The Shakespearean Tragedy of Rishi Sunak – with guest Steve Richards
June 14, 2024 15:13 - 29 minutesPolitics podcast presenter Steve Richards talks to Jacob Jarvis about the Shakespearean downfall of Rishi Sunak, the gilded youth who finds he’s not up to this titanic task. Plus: Is appearing as brutal as the Conservatives the right strategy for Labour? The weakness of Starmer’s language. And the patronising futility of TV debates. • “Sunak has tried on so many guises, he doesn’t know who he is now.” • “In Grimsby Sunak just looked crushed… It must be tormenting him that he’s leading his p...
Election ‘24: No Dish Rish
June 13, 2024 15:30 - 1 hourSky-deprived youngster Rishi Sunak announced the Tory manifesto at Silverstone on Tuesday, claiming that the UK economy “is turning a corner”. Even if it is (it’s not), is his manifesto in pole position or does it simply have 4 flat tyres? And as Ed Davey hops on another rollercoaster, whose election campaign is going well and who’s just taking us for a ride? Former Labour Party advisor and co-author of Punch & Judy Politics, Tom Hamilton, joins the panel to discuss all of that. And in the Ex...
Saving Private Lyin’
June 11, 2024 10:45 - 58 minutesRishi Sunak’s gaffe over last week’s D-Day memorial service may not be the last big event he leaves early. How badly will this impact his election hopes? Could he even quit the race? Plus, what did we learn from the seven-way second election debate, apart from how much hairspray Penny Mordaunt can use in one go? Join the panel for all that plus this week’s heroes and villains. Come to our election night live show at The Tabernacle, London. https://www.thetabernaclew11.com/events We’re on Yo...
Election ’24: The UK Farage Revival
June 07, 2024 03:00 - 56 minutesChief milkshake-wearer and wannabe MP Nigel Farage is making the Tories think hard. Has his decision to run trapped Sunak and his party? Plus, Labour is likely to win in July, but it’s a party full of unknown candidates. Who should you be getting familiar with? And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, what’s the state of patriotism today? We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Seth Thevoz, Marie Le Conte and guest R...
Election Debate Reaction: The Great British Shout Off
June 05, 2024 12:37 - 24 minutesThe first Sunak vs. Starmer TV debate was as enraging as you might expect. Sunak shouted about tax, while Starmer was more polite – but also too slow to pull the PM up on his bullsh*t. Andrew Harrison and Jacob Jarvis give their reaction to the spectacle. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Video production by Kieron Le...
Election ’24: What’s the story? Mourning Tories
June 04, 2024 03:00 - 1 hourCome to the OGWN Election Night LIVE special at The Tabernacle, London W11. Tickets here. Genny Lex 2024 is heating up as Starmer and Sunak hit the campaign trail. The Labour leader has been talking nukes whilst Sunak focuses on culture wars (no surprise there then). And, [sighs] Nigel Farage is back in politics. What does his return mean for the Tories and the impending election? Plus, is anyone actually looking forward to the TV debates? Or are they just a massive waste of time? We’re on Y...
Is Rishi No-Mates the Tories’ human shield?
May 31, 2024 03:00 - 1 hourRishi Sunak is clearly terrible at politics, as the Election campaign is showing. Will his lack of ability give the Tory Party a smokescreen for their awful record? Plus, Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn were once Labour stalwarts – but now the left wingers are clashing heavily with Starmer. Could Corbyn win as an independent? Plus, in the Extra Bit for subscribers, why is Britain so obsessed with private schools? We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodw...
Bothers in Arms – the national service fiasco
May 29, 2024 07:48 - 1 hourRishi Sunak says he’ll bring back national service for all you IDLE YOUTH in his latest raft of randomly selected policies. Will putting teenagers in the military turn it around for the Tories come July? Doubtful. Plus, international trade! As yet more Brexit turkeys come home to roost we welcome back global commerce megabrain Dmitry Grozoubinski – author of Why Politicians Lie About Trade... and What You Need to Know About It – to update us on matters of import. And export. Buy Why Politicia...
Election ’24 Update: Sunak and Starmer Square Up
May 24, 2024 14:17 - 27 minutesIt seems like a lifetime ago that Rishi Sunak called the General Election – even though it’s only been a couple of days. So, how has it gone in the aftermath of that rainy day in Downing Street? Ros Taylor joins Jacob Jarvis to talk about the state of the race so far in the first of what we’re sure will be many bonus podcast updates. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more. ...
Election 2024: Things Can Only Get Wetter
May 23, 2024 05:29 - 55 minutesRishi Sunak has only gone and done it – a General Election will finally happen on July 4. Why now? In a super speed podcast put together in the aftermath of the rainiest Number 10 announcement on record, we discuss the new hottest date on the British political calendar. Plus we talk about the colossal scandals where justice has either been delayed or denied. And in the extra bit – it’s the end of Newsnight as we know it, what does the panel think to the BBC’s cost cutting? We’re on YouTube!: ...
Live in London Part 2: Who was the worst PM of the last 14 years?
May 22, 2024 13:16 - 1 hourAnd here’s Part 2 of our live show in London. Strap in as the panel discuss the thorniest question in politics – who was REALLY the worst PM of the modern Tory era? – and then take some of your questions. It’s live entertainment at its best! Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more. Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor, Alex Andreou and Jan Ravens. Live audio by Simon Williams, production by Robin Leeburn. Zoom livestream by Chri...
Live in London Part 1 with special guest Jan Ravens
May 21, 2024 13:31 - 56 minutesJoin the regulars plus our special guest, doyenne of impressionists Jan Ravens, for OGWN: It’s Grim Up North London at the King’s Head Theatre in Woke Islington. In part one: After the last election we thought there wouldn’t be another Labour government for decades. How can things change so fast in five years? And Jan reads from great political works by Liz Truss and Nadine Dorries. Part Two coming tomorrow… Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shir...
Cleaning up the Commons, driving out the loons
May 17, 2024 03:00 - 57 minutesIs Parliament’s vote to ban alleged sex pest MPs the first step towards restoring some respect to the Commons? Plus the Tories are spouting conspiracies again – this time it’s Maria Caulfield and 15-minute cities. What is she on about and what even are 15-minute cities? And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, Apple destroys the tools of creativity in its new iPad advert and no-one is impressed. Do our panel hate it too? Want more from the House of Podmasters? Origin Story Season 5 is out now! ...
“Vote for me or it’s World War 3”
May 14, 2024 03:00 - 59 minutesRishi Sunak’s speech on Monday was one step short of giving the British public a very dreary ultimatum – vote Tory or else. But with Natalie Elphicke defecting, Nadhim Zahawi stepping down, and Dominic Cummings and Matt Goodwin wanting to create their own parties - can any message Sunak sends to the public give him a chance at the next election? Plus, Keir Starmer announced his plan to tackle immigration last week – what’s in it, and ultimately how does the UK feel about immigration right now...
Starmer vs. The Green Machine
May 10, 2024 03:00 - 1 hourTory failure at the locals was obvious – but the rise of Greens and independents was less clear in advance. What does this mean for Labour and the general election? Plus, it’s 30 years since John Smith died, is he the best Prime Minister Britain never had? Historian and editor of the Tides of History project, Anthony Broxton, joins the panel to discuss. And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, the panel discusses the controversy around Baby Reindeer. • “To what extent are the people moving ove...
The Wrath of Khan
May 08, 2024 03:00 - 46 minutesThe Tories got trounced at the locals – we unpack the winners and losers. Plus, we question how the media covered the races, including those who said Susan Hall might do better in London than she did… And with Monty Panesar standing for George Galloway’s party – didn’t have that on our 2024 bingo card – we ask about celebs and sports people going into politics. What are the dos and don’ts? • “Susan Hall basically stood there spitting fire about why she lost and how it wasn’t fair.” – Jonn E...
Extra: A taster of American Friction
May 05, 2024 03:00 - 8 minutesThe brand new podcast from the makers of The Bunker. Bewildered by the US Presidential Election? Don’t worry, American Friction has got you. Every Friday Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez of Rolling Stone join expert special guests to count down to America’s most rancorous election in generations. Get the full episode and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major platforms. Follow us on social media: Twitter Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Chris Jones, ...
Emergency Localcast – How bad was it for Sunak?
May 03, 2024 13:40 - 20 minutesAs Labour takes Conservative seats across the UK and in the Blackpool South constituency, Ros Taylor joins Jacob Jarvis to work out what it all means. Is it really the Tories’ worst local elections performance in 40 years? Are there any scraps of comfort for Sunak – or is he doomed? Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more. Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music by Cornershop...
Scorn in the USA – The Biden-Trump countdown begins
May 02, 2024 13:25 - 1 hourThe US Election is just six months away. How come snoozy Trump still leads in several states, even though he’s in court every day? We’re launching a brand-new US election podcast American Friction and its regular panelist Nikki McCann Ramírez joins OGWN to scope out American’s Final Countdown. Plus, last-minute speculation on the local elections. Are our devolved local institutions really “a hot mess”? And in the Extra Bit for Patreon people: Following the fall of Too Nice Guy Humza Yousaf, w...
Who’ll stop the Rayner?
April 30, 2024 03:00 - 1 hourThe right wing press’s feverish attempts to take down Angela Rayner seem to be failing. What’s the secret of Rayner’s appeal and what does the future hold for Labour’s combative Deputy Leader? Plus, the SNP in turmoil as Humza Yousaf’s powerplay against the Greens goes badly wrong, forcing him to quit as Scotland’s First Minister. Scottish writer Gerry Hassan unpacks it for us. And how misty-eyed nostalgia accounts sneak hardline culture war dogwhistles into your mum’s Facebook feed. Final ti...
Rwanda endgame, Local Elections: The Tory collapse is here
April 26, 2024 03:00 - 1 hourSunak is still adamant his Rwanda plan will ‘stop the boats’. Will it? We unpack the latest in Tory failure and cruelty. Plus, the local elections are just around the corner and some Tory councillors are literally begging Sunak to stay clear of their constituencies. What should we be looking out for come May 2nd? Then in the Extra Bit for backers, are we heading for a future where all our politicians are weird and wealthy, as Tony Blair puts it? Or are we already there? • “It will cost more ...
Sunak Pulls a Sickie
April 23, 2024 03:00 - 1 hourRishi Sunak has found a new target to pick on – the sick. He claims Britain needs to get rid of its ‘sick note culture’ and he wants work and health professionals to issue the fit notes instead of GPs – what could possibly go wrong? And Starmer might be popular now, but if he’s elected as PM his popularity will likely dwindle and fast. How will he and his party handle that? • “There is a lazy ignorance here born out of not hanging out of hanging out with anyone who has used the benefits sys...
Liz Truss: Tip of the Iceberg
April 19, 2024 03:00 - 1 hour• Join us for OGWN: It’s Grim Up North London live in Islington on Mon 20 May. Tickets onsale now. Liz Truss’ new book 10 Years To Save the West certainly isn’t a boring read but neither is it a good one. Actor and impressionist Jan Ravens joins the panel to pick through how Truss thought her 45 days of office went compared to reality and all her other ludicrous claims in between. Plus: Sunak’s cigs ban. Is it fair to create two tiers of adult, one blissfully smoke-free and one battering the...
Iran/Israel – What can Britain do?
April 16, 2024 03:00 - 1 hourThe Middle East is on the verge of all-out war after Iran fired missiles and drones into Israel. Where does Britain stand on this latest escalation – and would we be ready if things get worse? Labour has outlined its hopes to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP – but is that enough? CEO of Chatham House and host of the Independent Thinking podcast Bronwen Maddox talks to Ros Taylor. And it’s a But Your Emails special! Are there any good right-wing podcasts? And what would you replace the...
Reform UK – Inside the fear factory
April 12, 2024 03:00 - 1 hourReform UK’s candidates have proven to be controversial, to say the least. But, unfortunately, the party seems to be doing ok in the polls. What does Tice’s group actually stand for and what are Reform’s policies? And in the second part, why are we so obsessed with the end of the world? Dorian Lynskey’s new book Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell about the End of the World explores that very idea – and the panel quizzes him over his latest work. And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, Netfl...
Sunak: The Errors Tour
April 09, 2024 03:00 - 57 minutesBritain is the second most powerful country in the world… according to Sunak’s latest desperate brag anyway. You probably saw the weird collage the Tories posted on Twitter — but is there any truth to the party's claims? Or is this just another bizarre fantasy? Plus, Brexit is about to rear its ugly head even higher with new food import charges. What are they and why could they damage consumers and small businesses alike? • “A chair would be a much more impressive communicator than Sunak.” –...
A Federation of Ungovernable Cults
April 05, 2024 03:00 - 52 minutesWhat have fourteen years of Conservative rule done to Britain?, asks Sam Knight in that mega-piece by the New Yorker’s baffled readers. You might well ask, say our panel, who discuss what the world thinks of Britain’s weird experiment on itself. Plus, our special guest the political economist Will Hutton is here to talk about Labour’s options on the economy and his new book This Time No Mistakes: How to Remake Britain. And in the Extra Bit: Which books shaped our panelists’ politics? • “It f...
Turn That Crown Upside Down
April 03, 2024 03:00 - 1 hourThe Royal Family are experiencing their worst year in decades. Is it time we wound down the Monarchy not just for our sake but for their sake too? Or are things best left the way they are? Plus, Boomers (not all of them we’ll add) are “used to having everything its own way”, says the Economist, but times are changing. Has the time of the Millennials finally come? • “The Monarchy doesn’t provide a service like the BBC or the NHS but I think it’s rational, because it’s been there for such a lo...
Taster: Best of Paper Cuts!
April 01, 2024 03:00 - 31 minutesWhile you wait for the next episode of Oh God, What Now? Why don't you give our sister podcast PAPER CUTS a try? PAPER CUTS is the modern press review. We're out Monday to Friday, Miranda Sawyer and guests look at what’s behind the biggest stories, and bring you the weirdest headlines, the biggest scoops and the most astonishing manifestations of mass newspaper neurosis. Guests include Marcus Brigstocke, Rosie Holt, Jon Ellege, Scottee, Jason Hazeley, Daniel Foxx and the BAFTA nominated Grái...
They're mad as hell and we don't want to take it anymore
March 28, 2024 17:00 - 56 minutesWhat on earth were they thinking? The Conservative Party’s weird, dystopian, GOP-style attack ad on Sadiq Khan shows just how much the party has lost its mind. The panel unpack what was wrong with it and why the Tories might have thought this was a good idea at all. And Jeremy Hunt says £100k a year “doesn’t go far” – is he right? Or is he just massively out of touch? Plus, in the extra bit for subscribers what could replace the Labour Party’s ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ ring-walk tune for t...
Here comes The Sun, Little Starmer
March 26, 2024 04:00 - 48 minutesIs The Sun newspaper starting to pivot towards supporting Keir Starmer? Will any of the rest of the Tory press follow suit? And does political endorsement from a newspaper even matter any more? Plus, double outrage as shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledges that Margaret Thatcher was, you know, quite a big deal. Was she right to do so and why can't we stay level-headed around the Iron Lady? • “I think there’s an acknowledgment from the papers that you can’t ignore Labour anymore.” – Rac...
Failure to Relaunch
March 22, 2024 04:00 - 1 hourRishi Sunak is going for yet another relaunch. Will it work? (Probably not…) Plus, plucky newcomer Vladimir Putin has won the Russian presidential election with a massive landslide of 87% which is DEFINITELY legitimate. What have we learned from this sham election and what does it mean for Russia? Dr Ben Noble is an associate professor of Russian politics at UCL and chats with Alex Andreou. And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, will Aaron Taylor-Johnson kick ass as the new James Bond, or will...
Banging Your Head Against a Red Wall
March 19, 2024 04:00 - 55 minutesWhy are we so obsessed with ‘The Red Wall’? What does it mean and are the Tories about to lose all of those seats in the North? Plus, new research shows the government’s levelling-up project has not worked… at all. Only 10% of the approved fund has been spent by councils. Why? And were the government’s missions ever achievable? • “The red wall are actually voters who should’ve been Tory for quite a long time.” – Marie Le Conte • “It was more of an F YOU to the whole system.” – Hannah Fearn ...
The End of the Tories as We Know Them (and I Feel Fine?)
March 15, 2024 04:00 - 52 minutesAs the Tories face another racism row, we imagine a world where the Conservative Party simply didn’t exist. Would that be for the best for everyone? Plus, according to new research, only Uzbekistan is more miserable than the UK. What does this tell us about the British psyche? And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, is Kate Middleton just bad at Photoshop or is there a darker conspiracy at play? (PS. It’s definitely the first one.) • “There are certain trends that are making Conservative MPs r...
30p Lee: You Can’t Fire Me, I Quit!
March 12, 2024 04:00 - 1 hourLee Anderson has thrown a strop and joined Reform UK. What is this political journeyman trying to do – other than seek a load of attention? And, the budget hasn’t managed to win hearts and minds for the Tories. In fact, it made the dial creep in the wrong direction. What will they try next? • “If the Tories choose to radicalise, then I’m sure Lee Anderson could find a home back within the party.” – Hannah Fearn • “Talking up the numbers of defectors is just a way of spooking the Tories.” – ...
Kicking the Budget
March 08, 2024 04:00 - 55 minutesJeremy Hunt’s budget has arrived. We unpack the good, bad and ugly – and ask: “Are we all going to be much richer now?” Short answer: No. Also, the BBC’s first-ever disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring joins the panel to discuss her new book Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland, how she wards off online hate – and why social media is so rife with conspiracy theorists. Buy Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland through our affiliate booksh...