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


    • Oct 17, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 43m AVG DURATION
    • 505 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from PoliticsJOE Podcast

    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.

    Robert Jenrick wants political judges and only white faces?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 31:56


    Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick had to answer for a resurfaced remark about 'not seeing another white face' in Birmingham at Tory conference over the past few days, and Oli became embroiled in the discourse too. Ava joins him to talk private members clubs, political judges, and NHS prescription prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is there a left wing argument for leaving the ECHR? (with Freddie Feltham)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 53:07


    Freddie Feltham (of the What's Left podcast) swung by JOETowers to join Ava and Laura in recapping Tory conference and unpacking a media landscape that rewards grievance. Why isn't Starmer's deliverism working? And what's Freddie's left wing argument for leaving the ECHR? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tory conference and the Palestine Action protest

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 44:53


    It's Monday. Kemi Badenoch is hot off announcing her mnemonic BORDERS plan at Conservative conference in Manchester, and Laura was on the ground covering Saturday's Palestine Action protests in London. Oli and Seán join Laura to discuss both. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Reflecting on the Manchester synagogue terror attack (with Na'amod)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2025 13:34


    PoliticsJOE is joined by British Jewish writer, organiser, and co-founder of Na'amod Emily Hilton to reflect on yesterday's terrorist attack: how politicians responded and how we can move forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    EXPLAINED: Manchester synagogue attack

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 7:41


    Laura breaks down what we know about the attack at the synagogue in Manchester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Did Keir Starmer save his job with his Conference speech?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 39:27


    Today Oli and Ed react to Keir Starmer's Labour conference speech, and ask whether the Prime Minister's fortunes have turned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Reacting to Keir Starmer's conference speech

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 30:56


    Labour Party conference is still in full swing in Liverpool, and Ava and Laura reacted to Keir Starmer's speech live from the conference hall floor. Amidst the discussion they spoke to MPs like Dawn Butler, Henry Tufnell, and Pat McFadden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Behind the scenes at Labour conference

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 26:20


    Live from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Ava and Laura debrief their day interviewing MPs, covering protests, and paying an arm and a leg for drinks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Israel deported me to hide their crimes | Labour MP interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2025 12:01


    Dr Simon Opher joined us over the airwaves to speak about his experience being barred from entering Israel. Representing Stroud and also working as an NHS GP, Opher was invited alongside other doctors to observe healthcare facilities and meet both Israelis and Palestinians. Instead, he was stopped at the border, detained for hours, and eventually deported back to Jordan on grounds of “public security, safety, and order.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why is the British state coming for Kneecap?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 30:13


    Today Seán is joined by musician Seán Finch to chat about Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's terrorism trial, Irish music and its connection to the anti-colonial tradition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump thinks London is under Sharia Law

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 53:59


    Hot off Donald Trump's 55-minute speech at the UN General Assembly yesterday, Ed and Seán recap the most bizarre moments—including Trump's suggestion that Sadiq Khan's London wants 'to go to Sharia Law". They also debate the effectiveness of Ed Davey's attack lines against Farage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump's bizarre autism announcement

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 40:01


    Donald Trump announced this morning that his administration has linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, and is skeptical of certain vaccine practices. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy joined in with similarly controversial remarks. Seán and Ava try to make sense of it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What's going on with Your Party?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 36:21


    Tweets and statements were flying last week as Zarah Sultana accused fellow Your Party members of excluding her, rebelling against the group to set up a payment portal. Ed and Laura sit down to try and get to the bottom of it all. Also discussed is the UK's move alongside Canada and Australia to recognise a Palestinian state, and the Scottish far right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The far-right CAN be stopped. This is how | Nick Lowles interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2025 30:57


    In this in-depth interview, Laura sits down with Nick Lowles, CEO of Hope Not Hate, to discuss the growing threat of Britain's far right and what can be done to confront it. Lowles, a leading anti-fascist campaigner and author of the new book How To Defeat The Far Right, gives a clear-eyed assessment of where the movement stands today and why government responses have been so ineffective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    EXPLAINED: Why are so many Tories defecting to Reform?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 13:59


    After Danny Kruger this week jumped ship from the Conservative party to Reform UK, Laura takes a dive into the future of the two parties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Jimmy Kimmel taken off air over Charlie Kirk comments

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 43:28


    Dudes are rocking. Late night host Jimmy Kimmel's show was pulled indefinitely by ABC over comments he made about Charlie Kirk and the Trump administration, Oli and Ed discuss. They also get into the comments made by the incoming Oxford Union president about Kirk and their resultant fallout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ed Davey: Why I'm boycotting Trump's visit

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 43:55


    Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey joins us at JOETowers to explain why he's boycotting Trump's state dinner with King Charles. He believes that Trump could put an end to Israel's occupation of Gaza, and wants to spark a debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Can Andy Burnham dethrone Starmer?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 32:03


    'King in the North' Andy Burnham is supposedly weighing up a return to Westminster, with eyes on Starmer's spot at the top of a divided Labour Party. Ed and Laura discuss if the man and timing are right, as well as Paul Ovenden's resignation over explicit comments made about Dianne Abbott, and Danny Kruger's defection to Reform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tommy Robinson's rally and Starmer's Epstein problem

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 48:53


    The dudes pause their rocking to meet the national moment. Oli and Ed are in the studio to break down Tommy Robinson's "Unite the Kingdom" rally, Business Sec Peter Kyle's lack of concern for it, and the dubious position of Starmer's government following the sacking of Epstein's pal Peter Mandelson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mick Lynch and Eddie Dempsey on the rise of Reform and Labour's lurch to the right

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2025 15:48


    We spoke to RMT General Secretaries present and past at the TUC conference in Brighton this week, as the union continued a rolling strike across the London Underground network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    EXPLAINED: Jeffrey Espstein's "best pal" sacked

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 11:49


    Ava explains the latest in the sordid tale of Peter Mandelson and updates us on the Labour Deputy Leader race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PMQs LIVE with Zack Polanski

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 56:59


    We were joined in studio today by newly ordained leader of the Green Party Zack Polanski to react to the latest scandals pummelling Keir Starmer, as Peter Mandelson's relationship with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein gains speed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why you should back the RMT strike

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 28:16


    Eddie's putting his foot down. London Underground staff have started a five day walkout, organising for better working hours and an end to extreme shift rotations. Ava and Seán break it down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    EXPLAINED: How the Labour leadership contest works

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 13:07


    After the fall of Ange, Ava has the latest on Labour's deputy leadership race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Yuval Noah Harari on Israel, AI, and the future of humanity

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2025 65:21


    Oli spoke to Yuval Noah Harari on all the pressing issues of our time, and the issues that will come to define humanity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Explained: Angela Rayner and Starmer's reshuffle

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 13:17


    After Angela Rayner handed in her badge and gun on Friday, Ava breaks down what the next few months of Labour party politics could look like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Go to the pub or watch Babestation? (with Jimmy Mac)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 45:07


    Pub enthusiast and impresario Jimmy Mac joins Oli and Ed to talk pubs, Britain's drinking culture, and the night-time economy. From such discussions the great question arises: Would you rather go to the pub or watch Babestation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PMQs live reaction (with James Schneider and Zoe Gardner)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 49:48


    Yes, PMQs is back. With controversy swirling around Labour's immigration policy and the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Ava is joined by former advisor to Jeremy Corbyn James Schneider and immigration campaigner Zoe Gardner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Labour move right on immigration

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2025 43:31


    In the Commons yesterday Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that Labour would be closing family asylum routes until reforms take place. Seán and Laura are here to talk about it, and how anti-immigration rhetoric connects the right across the Irish sea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Silicon Valley is taking over Britain (Dudes Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 74:56


    It's Monday. Recess is over. Ed returns. He joins Seán to recap the Old Firm, dive into immigration protests across the globe, and cover news from Coventry as their council signs a long-term deal with US AI firm Palantir to aid their children's services. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Britain is becoming a pariah state | Sacha Deshmukh interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 34:58


    Sacha Deshmukh is the Chief Executive of Amnesty UK. He came by the studio to speak to us about Amnesty's decision to issue an Urgent Action against the UK government for their crackdown on free speech, seen most recently at pro-Palestine Action demonstrations in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Are the Libs losing the podcast war?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 41:35


    Friend of the podcast Adam Friedland interviewed prominent pro-Israel democrat Ritchie Torres, and Oli and Seán are here to explain why it's an example of everything wrong with the political class and their media strategy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Reform want a deal with the Taliban

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 58:38


    Ed returns to the podcast as a citizen, joining Oli and Ava to discuss Reform's new migration plan. Announced yesterday by Nigel and Zia, the plan would see returns deals made with all willing countries (including Taliban-controlled Afghanistan). Also Taylor Swift got engaged. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is the St. George's Cross racist?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025 47:27


    English and British flags are popping up all over the country. Seán, an Irishman, and Laura, a Scot, discuss who's flying these flags, why, and what they have to do with the far right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    I am witnessing a man-made famine in Gaza. Israel must be stopped

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2025 16:06


    Tess Ingram is UNICEF's spokesperson in Gaza. She spoke to us following the IPC report declaring famine in Gaza City. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why the Epping hotel anger is misplaced (with Jovan Owusu-Nepaul)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025 43:10


    Former Labour candidate for Clacton, activist, and podcaster Jovan Owusu-Nepaul joins Ava and Laura at JOETowers to break down the fallout over the injunction barring Epping's Bell Hotel from housing asylum seekers, as well as who you should really be angry with. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Epping hotel blocked from housing asylum seekers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 56:29


    It's planning laws all the way down. Ed, Oli, and Ava break down the interim injunction that will stop Epping's Bell Hotel from accommodating asylum seekers, alongside some analysis of the new inflation figures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Zelenskyy's Conversations with Friends

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 45:35


    Dudes rock no more. Seán and Laura wrestle back control of the studio to talk Sally Rooney and the Ukraine summit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump and Zelenskyy Showdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025 57:14


    The dudes that rock are back. After kicking down the studio door, Ed and Oli chew the fat over the showdown at the whitehouse, what constitutes a genocide, and a wartime deli in Edinburgh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Holocaust survivor destroys Israel and Keir Starmer

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2025 12:25


    Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos joins us in the studio to deliver a searing critique of Israel's actions in Gaza, Keir Starmer's leadership, and the UK's political establishment. Drawing on his own childhood experiences of persecution, Stephen reflects on the dangers of racism, militarism, and the misuse of Holocaust memory to justify oppression. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    A Level Results (Dudes Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 57:28


    Ed and Oli snuck in to get a boys only pod out into the ether today and it was a tasty one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    My family is trapped in Gaza. Israel must be stopped | Humza Yousaf interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025 14:42


    Today we are joined by former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf to discuss the unfolding atrocities in Gaza, and how his family have been directly affected by the situation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The truth about asylum hotel protests

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2025 36:53


    Laura was on the ground at the asylum hotel protest in Canary Wharf yesterday, and returns to tell Seán all about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Journalists murdered by Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2025 47:56


    Ed, Ava, and Oli discuss the latest in Gaza, as well as the Palestine Action arrests this weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Adam Curtis interview | SHIFTY: The unauthorised sixth episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2025 46:59


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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