PoliticsJOE Podcast

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This is PoliticsJOE's podcast - the only explicitly anti-nonce podcast in the UK. Reporting on British politics with a sense of humour, the podcast is a recorded version of the conversations we have after work. So pull up a stool, pour yourself a cold one, and laugh through the misery alongside us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PoliticsJOE


    • Dec 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 43m AVG DURATION
    • 550 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from PoliticsJOE Podcast

    Labour Minister slates Tories for failing grooming gang victims | Josh MacAlister interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2025 26:14


    We sat down with Children's Minister Josh MacAlister to hear about the government's launch of a new Child Protection Authority. In a wide-ranging conversation, MacAlister tells us about his role, the mess the Labour government inherited from the Conservatives, and how to properly address the needs of victims.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ian Hislop reviews the chaos of 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2025 45:42


    As another year draws to a close, we are joined for another therapy session by none other than Ian Hislop.The editor of Private Eye took time out of his busy schedule to run through the insanity that has been the year in politics.From the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform and Zack Polanski's Green Party, to the complete and utter collapse in support for Keir Starmer's Labour government, this year in British politics gives ample ground for Ian to reflect on the year that has been.Elsewhere the royals have had a year to forget with Andrew losing all of his titles for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Another Epstein link had Britain's Ambassador to the US lose his job, even though Peter Mandelson certainly had a mutual friend with Donald Trump through his meetings with the New York financier.Ian also gives his take on how the fiasco that was the founding of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's Your Party, and how Donald Trump has managed to alienate the globe by throwing the might of the White House around on the world stage.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Pressure piles on Starmer as strikes go ahead | PoliticsJOE reacts to PMQs

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2025 25:44


    Welcome to the final PMQs podcast of the season! Today Keir Starmer came under fire for two ongoing strikes: The resident doctor strikes set to go ahead in the run up to Christmas, and the ongoing hunger strikes in British prisons.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Reacting to Keir Starmer at the Liaison Committee

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2025 32:22


    Yesterday, Keir Starmer defended his record in government before the Liaison Committee. Ava and Laura check his report card.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is Bonnie Blue Reform's next MP?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2025 28:08


    Join Ava and Laura on Facetime as they react to Bonnie Blue's endorsement of Reform UK. Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rayner v Streeting: The fight to oust Starmer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025 28:06


    After an impassioned defence of the Employment Rights Bill in the Commons on Monday, Angela Rayner is back in the Labour limelight. She rivals only Wes Streeting, the supposed faithful, for number of rumours swirling about a leadership bid. Laura and Seán get to the bottom of things.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PMQs reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2025 44:30


    Ava and Laura react to one of Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch's sharper exchanges in recent weeks, and hear questions from Rachael Maskell, Ed Davey, and Sojan Joseph.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Going deep on the new nationalised trains

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2025 30:01


    Author, journalist, and train nerd John Elledge joins Ava to talk Labour's nationalisation of rail under the freshly unveiled Great British Railways.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What I didn't get to say on the BBC

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2025 39:01


    Ava comes back from her slot on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg and gave us the lowdown on what was missing from the debate on the BBC yesterday.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Answering your questions about Your Party conference

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2025 46:48


    We asked the lovely people of the PolJOE Patreon to ask us everything they wanted to know about Your Party conference. From the office floor, Laura, Ava, and Seán endeavour to answer those questions. Hear about the Corbyn-Sultana feud, rumours of expulsions and boycotts, and all the behind-the-scenes gossip.Take part in the discussion:patreon.com/PoliticsJOESubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    OBR fallout and scrapping jury trials | PoliticsJOE reacts to PMQs

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2025 45:22


    Another week at the despatch box, but this time Keir Starmer had to fight off attacks from the opposition on the fallout from the budget which led to the resignation of the head of the OBR over the weekend. Safe to say Kemi Badenoch made great hay off the decision.Grace Blakeley interview: https://youtu.be/LFVgYXfegkQClive Lewis interview: https://youtu.be/qc1E_t68ehsSubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    A budget for Nick, 30 ans

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2025 41:07


    Live from a new studio, Laura and Seán reflect on Rachel Reeves' autumn budget and the controversy surrounding the OBR.Watch our Paul Collier interview here: https://youtu.be/f51urcvWmsMSubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Your Party conference recap, from the train to London

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2025 30:57


    Ava and Laura come to you from the long and arduous journey back to London from Liverpool, where the future of Britain's newest political party was decided over the weekend.If you'd like to watch Ava's explainer video find it here: https://youtu.be/5WnxZFg_J9USubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    We have become slaves to Silicon Valley | Cory Doctorow interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2025 45:50


    Noah East of Northstar Politics is joined today by author and Journalist Cory Doctorow to discuss his new book Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It. Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What's going on at Your Party conference?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2025 13:33


    Ava and Laura are on the ground at Your Party conference in Liverpool, where day one of the inaugural conference has been thrown into disarray after founding member Zarah Sultana decided to boycott the first day. We've got the scoop from the inside for you.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Economist spells out how Labour's Budget helped the super rich | Grace Blakeley interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2025 25:26


    Laura was joined by Grace Blakeley to make sense of the Budget, and find out who the real winners and losers were.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Economist unpicks Rachel Reeves' Budget | Richard Murphy interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2025 30:47


    Today Ava is joined by Richard Murphy to break down Rachel Reeves' Budget, what it means for workers, and debunks the idea that the Chancellor has just delivered a traditional Labour budget.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PoliticsJOE reacts to the Budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2025 33:55


    We were outside the mother of Parliaments this afternoon on College Green with our instant reaction to the Budget, which was conveniently leaked an hour before the Chancellor Rachel Reeves took to the despatch box. Ava and Laura are joined by Labour MP Natalie Fleet and SNP MP Stephen Flynn who give their instant reaction to the goings on in the chamber, and what it means for the rest of the country.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Would Zarah Sultana defect to the Greens?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2025 19:51


    Ava and Laura discuss rumours that Zarah Sultana, co-founder of Your Party, considered defecting to the Green Party. What's going on with the British left, and what might come next?Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Are Labour about to scrap the two-child benefit cap?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2025 36:26


    On Laura Kuenssberg yesterday Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hinted that Labour might scrap the two-child benefit cap in Wednesday's budget. Mel Stride was not happy about this revelation. Ava and Seán discuss.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bob Vylan on his Glastonbury set, the rise of the far-right, and Palestine

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2025 84:52


    Ava is joined by artist and activist Bob Vylan to discuss his music, politics, and the controversy surrounding the group since their Glastonbury set this summer.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Lisa Nandy: How Labour can solve the men's mental health crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2025 13:46


    We were joined by Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport Lisa Nandy to discuss the government's plans to tackle a crisis in male loneliness through greater support for those who need it most.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/690c814368055f905c9893ec Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PMQs reaction (with Noah of Northstar Politics)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2025 50:11


    You asked, we delivered. The old PMQs format returns, and Noah from Northstar Politics joins Ava and Laura to break down another blockbuster PMQs bout.Check out the JOE pub quiz here: http://joe.co.uk/quizliveSubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/690c814368055f905c9893ec Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Labour move even FURTHER right on asylum seekers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2025 47:06


    Shabana Mahmood is set to announce today plans to rejig Britain's asylum system that wouldn't look out of place in a Conservative manifesto. We break down the plans.We also touch on the news from the United States of a special relationship between Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.Subscribe to how to rebuild the left now: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/690c814368055f905c9893ecSubscribe to How to Rebuild the Left now: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/690c814368055f905c9893ec Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to save Your Party from itself | Oliver Eagleton interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2025 33:20


    Oliver Eagleton is a journalist and author, and joined us to discuss his new book Your Party: The Return Of The Left.Today, Oliver and Ava discuss the latest fallout surrounding the new party, the alleged clashes between the two founding members, and whether the movement can survive a tumultuous start.Buy Your Party: The Return Of The Left: https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3579-your-party?srsltid=AfmBOoqmWetzi3hDcsG-Exj0tUN-qi56U-UgU6s4qP3AhbkiioresOK6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How cost of living could break Labour (with Sam Alvis of the IPPR)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2025 17:07


    Sam Alvis of the the Institute for Public Policy Research joined us at JOETowers to talk about why Labour must bring down energy bills, and how. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PMQs live reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2025 29:01


    A rumoured leadership challenge on the day of PMQs, you say... Hear Ava and Laura react live from the PolJOE dungeon to what was another blockbuster bout in the Commons between Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Can a mental health strategy fix Britain? (with Professor Green)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2025 30:46


    Stephen Manderson, better known as Professor Green, joined us in the PolJOE dungeon for a powerful conversation about men's mental health, class, and the material realities shaping people's lives.Watch Movember's fireside chat here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcSOQJNDJGI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is the BBC finished?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2025 24:12


    Tim Davie stepped down as the BBC Director General on Sunday along with the head of BBC News amid a scandal surrounding a Panorama package where Donald Trump's January 6 speech was clipped without any signposting. We chat about the fallout, and what it means for national broadcasting in the future.Subscribe to our new podcast How to Rebuild the Left new: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/642d7a0cfe7063001135a38f Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ed Miliband on Climate Change, Nigel Farage, and the future of Britain

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2025 25:00


    Today we are joined by Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and former leader of the Labour party, Ed Miliband. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Deputy PMQs live reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2025 47:07


    It's deputy day at PMQs. With Keir Starmer in Brazil for COP, David Lammy faces off against Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge. Ava, Ed, and Laura reacted to the exchange live. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rachel Reeves doesn't rule out tax hikes

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2025 30:50


    Rachel Reeves was on the airwaves this morning bracing the country for tax hikes, and dudes are rocking. What can we expect from her budget at the end of the month? Ed and Oli discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Andrew Mountbatten Windsor loses his titles

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 65:26


    The king is apparently working with the government to strip his brother of his last few titles. Ava and Seán break it down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How Britain became complicit in Israel's destruction of Gaza | Peter Oborne interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2025 52:19


    Seán is joined by Peter Oborne to discuss his new book Complicit, and break down the complicity of Britain, the media, and the international community in Israel's genocide in Gaza.Complicit By Peter Oborne can be bought here: https://orbooks.com/catalog/complicit/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    EXPLAINED: What's going on with Your Party?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2025 10:32


    The drama surrounding Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's new party refuses to let up. Ava is here to fill you in on what has been going on this week, including a new custodian of a massive sum collected from supporters of the movement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rachel Reeves' housing scandal

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2025 31:12


    It's another housing scandal for a senior Labour minister, as it emerged last night that Rachel Reeves broke the law by renting out her family home without a licence. Keir Starmer met with his ethics advisor last night and appears to be satisfied with the Chancellor's apology, but is she in the clear? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PMQs live reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2025 36:14


    Live from the PolJOE dungeon, Seán and Laura react to another blockbuster Prime Minister's Questions. Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch face off once again, this time on the economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Going deep on the Zarah Sultana interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2025 44:19


    Laura's interview with Zarah Sultana has sparked a discourse inferno, and she joins Oli and Seán to break it down clip by clip. In the absence of many concrete Your Party policies, Sultana's thoughts on NATO, Zelenskyy, landlords, and Polanski's Greens will weigh heavily on the future of the project and the British left. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is the Left back?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2025 43:39


    Plaid beat Reform in Caerphilly, Laura spent the morning with Green New Deal Rising, Ireland have elected a socialist president, and Zohran Mamdani is set to win the New York mayoralty next week. All of which is to say, is the Left back? Laura and Seán discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    British politics is about to change forever. This is how | Zarah Sultana interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2025 35:12


    Zarah Sultana came by to chat to Laura and set out a bold vision for a new radical politics of the left. One that challenges the Labour Party's shift to the right and offers a genuine voice for Britain's working class. Sultana explains why Your Party was formed: to rebuild a politics rooted in solidarity, equality, and economic justice, and to stand up to both Labour's establishment drift and the rise of Reform UK's divisive populism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The crisis of performative males

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 52:30


    Today, Ed and Laura discuss the phenomenon of the performative male, and Ed spends 50 minutes denying he is one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why Labour's comms aren't working

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 47:00


    After yesterday's antics, Ava, Ed, and Seán are back to discuss transport costs, the AWS outage, and what's wrong with Labour's comms strategy. From Keir Starmer's disposables to their messaging ahead of a precarious Caerphilly by-election in Wales, nothing seems to be landing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Maccabi Tel Aviv and Prince Andrew gives up titles

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 67:23


    It's Monday. Ava, Ed, and Seán are talking Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Israeli football club set to play Aston Villa on November 6th, and Prince Andrew's relinquishment of his titles ahead of the release of Virginia Giuffre's memoir. Keir Starmer recently criticised West Midlands police for their decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv from watching the game in Birmingham, inciting a discourse frenzy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How politicians destroyed the working class | Darren McGarvey interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2025 39:38


    Darren McGarvey discusses his explosive new book Trauma Industrial Complex, a searing examination of class, power, and inequality in modern Britain. Known for his fearless social commentary and sharp political insight, McGarvey pulls no punches as he breaks down the class dynamics that continue to shape every aspect of British life — from politics and the media to education, housing, and mental health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How I conquered the manosphere (as an Onlyfans model) | Farha Khalidi interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2025 33:57


    Farha Khalidi swung by the JOE studios to unpack online misogyny and how she subverts traditional understandings of how gender dynamics operate online. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Yo-Yo homes: The Thatcherite invention that ruined the housing market

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2025 29:00


    Today Ava is joined by Greg Barradale from the Big Issue to talk about Yo-Yo Homes. Following a report in the magazine this week, there was outcry over the apparent moneyspinning involved in buying back right to buy homes that were sold off for a song under Thatcher. Greg gives us the lowdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How I became a millionaire in 90 days (with Oobah Butler)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 43:37


    The great Oobah Butler swung by JOETowers to talk to Ava and Seán about his new Channel4 documentary How I Made a Million in 90 Days, as well as his attempts to swindle Wall Street and create a legal sweatshop in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PMQs live reaction (with Elliot Steel)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 62:21


    PMQs returns. Comedian Elliot Steel joins Ava and Laura to break it down in real time.Much has been amiss in Westminster of late. In Rachel Reeves' first interview since seeing a draft of the OBR's report revealing he size of the fiscal black hole she has to fill, she confirmed she'd be looking at both tax hikes and spending cuts in the Autumn budget. Also, hear Kemi Badenoch grill Starmer on the Chinese spy scandal, a case that the Tories insist Labour dropped to appease Beijing and not discourage their investment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to save the world from a fascist takeover | Yanis Varoufakis interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2025 35:47


    Yanis Varoufakis joined us in studio on the launch of his new book, Raise Your Soul: A Personal History of Resistance. Varoufakis reflects on the growing wave of authoritarianism and right-wing populism sweeping across the world, from Europe to the United States and beyond, and offers a radical diagnosis of how we got here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Your Party launches and Gaza protests continue

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 41:32


    London's streets were filled once again by protesters from the Palestine Coalition, even after the first steps of Trump's plan for peace were implemented over the weekend. Oli and Seán ask how long protests will continue, and whether Israel's occupation of Gaza, and the British state's complicity in it, has radicalised a generation. Also, Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana have made up, putting on a united front at the Your Party launch last Thursday. But have Zack Polanski's Greens stolen their base? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is social media the new mainstream? (with Ipsos)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 34:17


    Chief Client Officer at Ipsos in the UK Richie Jones joined us to discuss exclusive polling about where Britain gets its news, who responds to different styles of communication, and how a global media landscape is changing local societies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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