Revolutionary Despatches

Eighteenth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Katherine Wright and David Brian, featuring Jamie Hanna. Recorded 15th May 2021. Released 22nd May 2021. In this episode, we discuss: 00:00:00 – Elections in England (Outside London) 00:20:54 – Elections in London 00:28:59 – Elections in Scotland 00:43:51 – Elections in Wales 00:54:08 – DUP Leadership Election 01:18:51 – Labour Reshuffle 01:37:03 – Anti-Home Office Direct Action in Glasgow 1:46:08 – Israeli State Violence against Palestinians in East Jerusalem and Gaza The most recent two episodes are available on SoundCloud. All our episodes are available on Anchor.fm or through most podcast providers. Check out our YouTube channel too for our back catalogue. Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Special thanks to our guest and Official Revolutionary Despatches Northern Ireland Correspondent, Jamie Hanna. Shownotes: Palestine Children's Relief Fund: https://pcrf.net Medical Aid for Palestinians: https://map.org.uk Anera: https://anera.org

Seventeenth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Katherine Wright and David Brian. Recorded 25th April 2021. Released 6th May 2021. In this episode, we discuss: - The emergence of the Northern Independence Party and the Alba Party - The elections of May 6th in general Apologies for the lateness of this episode relative to its recording, I hope to maintain a quicker turnaround in future. The most recent two episodes are available on SoundCloud. All our episodes are available on Anchor.fm or through most podcast providers. Check out our YouTube channel too for our back catalogue. Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: The Northern Independence Party manifesto: https://www.freethenorth.co.uk/ourfuture 'Democracy for Young People' by David Runciman: https://www.talkingpoliticspodcast.com/blog/2018/129-democracy-for-young-people

Sixteenth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Katherine Wright and David Brian. Recorded 12th January 2021. Released 19th January 2021. In this episode, we discuss: - The January 6th Insurrection in Washington DC, and a wide-ranging discussion of American fascism and class [00:11:16] - The prospects for Scottish and Welsh Independence in the aftermath of Brexit [01:21:53] The most recent two episodes are available on SoundCloud. All our episodes are available on Anchor.fm or through most podcast providers. Check out our YouTube channel too for our back catalogue. Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: Umberto Eco's essay 'Ur-Fascism': https://sites.evergreen.edu/politicalshakespeares/wp-content/uploads/sites/226/2015/12/Eco-urfascism.pdf Ian Danskin's video essay 'White Fascism': https://vimeo.com/303618483 Robert Paxton's article 'The Five Stages of Fascism': https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/235001 2021 Scottish Parliament Election Polling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election#Opinion_polling 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum results map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Scottish_independence_referendum#/media/File:Scottish_independence_referendum_results.svg Owen Jones interviews Michael Sheen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxs64FRSkDY

Fifteenth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Katherine Wright and David Brian. Recorded 3rd January 2021. Released 6th January 2021. In this episode, we discuss: - Keir Starmer's non-resignation - The Georgia runoff elections - 2020, what it meant, what it means, and what it might mean. Also, we talk about post-modernism and a load of other stuff The most recent two episodes are available on SoundCloud. All our episodes are available on Anchor.fm or through most podcast providers. Check out our YouTube channel too for our back catalogue. Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: John McDonnell interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwtXyFoJcnQ Judith Butler interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXJb2eLNJZE

Fourteenth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Katherine Wright and David Brian. Recorded 9th November 2020. Released 13th November 2020. In this episode, we discuss: - The possibility of a post-Brexit trade deal - The Indian General Strike & farmers' protests - Keir Starmer & Angela Rayner's Management of the Labour Party - What would have happened if Ed Miliband had won in 2015? Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: Information on the Indian strikes & protests: (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Indian_general_strike) (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Indian…rmers%27_protest) (www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/…-parts-of-india) (www.marxist.com/250-million-worke…rike-in-india.htm)

Thirteenth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Katherine Wright and David Brian. Recorded 15th November 2020. Released 20th November 2020. In this episode, we discuss: - The promise of Covid vaccinations - Dominic Cummings' exit from Downing Street - The Labour NEC elections - The conflict in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh - Protests against Law & Justice in Poland - Trump's attempts to stuff the Pentagon with loyalists - Evo Morales' return to Bolivia Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: Long Covid damage: (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/15/damage-to-multiple-organs-recorded-in-long-covid-cases) NHS Long Covid clinics: (https://www.england.nhs.uk/2020/11/nhs-launches-40-long-covid-clinics-to-tackle-persistent-symptoms/) Lee Cain quits: (https://www.politico.eu/article/downing-street-quiet-as-power-grab-row-engulfs-boris-johnson/) Carrie Symonds' opposition to Cummings: (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/nov/13/how-dominic-cummings-and-carrie-symonds-vie-for-boris-johnsons-attention) Labour NEC results: (https://labourlist.org/2020/11/what-we-can-learn-from-labours-2020-nec-results/) Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh War: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Nagorno-Karabakh_war) Ethnic cleansing in Artsakh: (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/13/nagorno-karabakh-ethnic-armenians-prepare-to-give-up-homes) System of a Down charity single: (https://systemofadown.bandcamp.com/album/protect-the-land-genocidal-humanoidz)

Twelfth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Katherine Wright and David Brian. Recorded 8th November 2020. Released 11th November 2020. In this episode, we discuss: - [00:00:38] The results and fallout of the US General Election - [00:53:23] What the US election means for Brexit and the UK - [01:03:29] Extension of furlough and longer-term effects of Covid Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: US Presidential Election results: (https://abcnews.go.com/Elections/2020-us-presidential-election-results-live-map) Composition of the 2016 US electorate (political compass): (https://fivethirtyeight.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/figure2_drutman_73d3873f90a694512aeeb56e0ab92cfa.png) Biden taps Wall Street adviser Gary Gensler: (https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-biden-election-day-2020/card/peMRHGPJasECSPLezSFx) Justice Democrats/Sunrise Movement analysis of swing districts: (https://twitter.com/_waleedshahid/status/1325202177145544710)California ballot propositions: (https://ballotpedia.org/California_2020_ballot_propositions) Florida ballot measures: (https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_2020_ballot_measures) My Sixth-Form era petition against TTIP!: (https://www.change.org/p/to-the-eu-and-uk-governments-do-not-sign-up-to-ttip)

Eleventh episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Katherine Wright and David Brian. Recorded 31st October 2020. Released 3rd November 2020. In this episode, we discuss: - [00:00:29] The confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court - [00:24:33] The US General Election - [01:05:58] The recent elections in New Zealand and Bolivia Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License.

Tenth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Katherine Wright and David Brian. Recorded 31st October 2020. Released 2nd November 2020. In this episode, we discuss: - [00:00:46] The UK government's response to Coronavirus - [00:34:15] Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party and the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn - [01:18:13] The UK government's guidance on schools' use of left-wing materials and the BBC's guidance on 'controversial topics' Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: The Northern Research Group's Letter to Boris Johnson: (www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/…out-of-lockdown) The Northern Research Group's views on Rishi Sunak: (www.newstatesman.com/politics/econo…up-rishi-sunak) Keir Starmer & Labour take hit over Jeremy Corbyn suspension: (twitter.com/YouGov/status/1322213828600438785) The EHRC Report into Anti-Semitism in the Labour Party: (www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/defau…r-party.pdf) Phil Burton-Cartledge on the EHRC report & Jeremy Corbyn: (averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com/2020/10…rt.html) Barnaby Raine in Salvage on Anti-Semitism on the left: (www.evernote.com/shard/s457/clien…B%257C%2BSalvage) Government guidance to schools on left-wing materials: (www.theguardian.com/education/2020/…ial-in-teaching) Tim Davies' clarification on BBC guidance to staff: (www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54749024)

Ninth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Chris Wright and David Brian. Recorded 2nd August 2018. Released 6th August 2018. In this episode, we discuss: - [00:00:29] Introduction, housekeeping and accidental art crticism - [00:06:14] Brexit, again - [00:24:38] The Trump-Russia scandal - [00:42:47] Israel-Palestine and the new 'Nation State' law - [00:59:42] Anti-Semitism in the Labour Party - [01:15:51] Violence in Northern Ireland, and a tangent on the US electoral college - [01:30:22] A musical recommendation Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: That scene from RENT (sorry for poor quality): (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMqxFfuSvW8&t=2s) Patrick Maguire in the NS on DexEU [Soft Paywall]: (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2018/07/dominic-raab-theresa-may-brexit-take-over-dexeu-negotiations) Steve Richards on BBC R4 on the Cameron Years: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09m4wyx/episodes/player) The FiveThirtyEight Podcast on the Trump-Russia Scandal: (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/politics-podcast-four-theories-about-the-trump-russia-connection/) Blake Hounsell in Politico on the Trump-Russia Scandal: (https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/07/20/confession-of-a-no-longer-russiagate-skeptic-219022) Benjamin Studebaker on US-Russian relations: (https://benjaminstudebaker.com/2018/07/20/why-every-president-tries-to-make-nice-with-russia-and-why-it-never-works/) Benjamin Studebaker on the left of the Democratic Party: (https://benjaminstudebaker.com/2018/07/24/the-left-should-commandeer-red-state-democratic-parties/) Guardian Editorial on the Israeli 'Nation State' law: (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/22/the-guardian-view-on-israels-new-law-popular-will-is-being-weaponised) Peter Beaumont in the Guardian on the EU's response to the Israeli 'Nation State' law: (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/19/israel-adopts-controversial-jewish-nation-state-law) Ben Lynfield in the NS on the Israeli 'Nation State' law [Soft Paywall]: (https://www.newstatesman.com/world/middle-east/2018/07/it-s-disgrace-israel-s-nation-state-law-leaves-liberal-democracy-behind) Phil BC on Margaret Hodge: (http://averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com/2018/07/besmirching-labours-name.html) BBC News on the Peter Willsman remarks: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45014771) YouGov polling on Anti-Semitism (apologies for partisan link, but it was the only place I could find the graphs): (https://evolvepolitics.com/yougov-polls-show-anti-semitism-in-labour-has-actually-reduced-dramatically-since-jeremy-corbyn-became-leader/) Phil BC on Labour Anti-Semitism: (http://averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com/2018/07/labours-incompetent-handling-of-anti.html) Owen Jones on Labour Anti-Semitism: (https://medium.com/@OwenJones84/labour-and-the-anti-semitism-saga-or-walking-and-chewing-gum-d0c6388aa661) The New Statesman Podcast, for a different angle on Labour Anti-Semitism: (https://www.acast.com/newstatesman/laboursanti-semitismrow-part94-) The Week on violence in Northern Ireland: (http://www.theweek.co.uk/95016/is-northern-ireland-violence-a-sign-of-things-to-come) Amanda Ferguson in the NS on violence in Northern Ireland [Soft Paywall]: (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/northern-ireland/2018/07/brexit-changing-northern-ireland-s-direction-it-isn-t-heading-back) Fedora-Smashing Militant Black Metal from Neckbeard Deathcamp: (https://neckbearddeathcamp.bandcamp.com/releases) Our back catalogue can be found here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCGp9VTSvkrw0KzJqtmjClRw Visit us on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/revolutionarydespatches/

Eighth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Chris Wright and David Brian. Recorded 12th July 2018. Released 15th July 2018. In this episode, we discuss: - [00:00:30] Introduction, housekeeping and obligatory football - [00:08:10] Donald Trump's visit to the UK - [00:21:18] The US Supreme Court vacancy - [00:35:09] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez' surprise win in New York - [00:46:17] The fallout from the UK Cabinet's Chequers summit - [01:10:06] The new left-wing Mexican president and peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: FiveThirtyEight on John Roberts, the likely new US swing justice: (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/john-roberts-has-cast-a-pivotal-liberal-vote-only-5-times/) FiveThirtyEight on Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh: (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-brett-kavanaugh-would-change-the-supreme-court/) The New Statesman's Stephen Bush & Helen Lewis on the Chequers summit fallout [SOFT PAYWALL]: (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/brexit/2018/07/brexit-0-reality-1) Our back catalogue can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGp9VTSvkrw0KzJqtmjClRw Visit us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/revolutionarydespatches/

Seventh episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Chris Wright and David Brian. Recorded 9th October 2017. Released 11th November 2017. In this episode, we discuss: - [00:00:32] The scandals currently rocking the UK government, including Michael Fallon, Priti Patel and Boris Johnson - [00:22:06] The Paradise Papers - [00:35:03] The legacy of the October Revolution - [00:59:35] The discovery of a new species of great ape leads to the podcast degenerating into chaos Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: The New Statesman on Michael Fallon's failures: (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics...) The New Statesman on why Fallon should resign as an MP: (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics...) Gavin Williamson: (www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41844320) New cousins: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-4...)

Sixth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Chris Wright and David Brian. Recorded 31st October 2017. Released 2nd November 2017. In this episode, we discuss: - [00:01:44] A meandering recap of the chaos since last we recorded, including North Korea, the Tory & Labour conferences, and the still calamitous-looking Brexit - [00:19:44] Catalonia's declaration of independence - [00:31:39] Iraqi Kurdistan's declaration of independence - [00:39:54] The new UKIP leader Henry Bolton and 'For Britain' Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: The Vince Cable video appears not to be available any longer - apologies Catalonian Independence - argument for (from the left): (https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/09/ca...) Catalonian Independence - argument against (from the left): (https://benjaminstudebaker.com/2017/0...) Iraqi Kurdistan's Independence Referendum: (www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-41419633) Henry Bolton's election: (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/...) HOPE Not Hate on Anne-Marie Waters: (https://www.hopenothate.org.uk/2017/1...)

Fifth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Chris Wright and David Brian. Recorded 21st July 2017. Released 23rd July 2017. In this episode, we discuss: - [00:01:38] Vince Cable is the new Liberal Democrat leader - [00:02:59] Tory MP loses the whip over a racist slur - [00:14:21] Theresa May asks the opposition to contribute ideas - [00:21:28] Changes to the State Pension age - [00:38:41] Is Bernie Sanders the Democratic Party frontrunner? - [00:53:24] Is Angela Merkel fit to be the new leader of the West? - [01:07:04] The text of the 'Great Repeal Bill' is revealed - [01:17:43] Can you Clogg the Mogg? Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: Vince Cable is the new Lib Dem Leader: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40662737 Tories lose MP for using racist slur at public event: https://www.theguardian.com/world/201... Theresa May & her offer to the opposition to pitch in ideas: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics... State Pension age changes: www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40658774 Vox's Matthew Yglesias on why Bernie Sanders is the Democratic frontrunner: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politi... FiveThirtyEight discusses Bernie's chances: https://tinyurl.com/y6huclpp Benjamin Studebaker on Angela Merkel: https://tinyurl.com/yxp42tcw The BBC on the Great Repeal Bill: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39266723 The NS' Stephen Bush on the Great Repeal Bill: https://tinyurl.com/y4tr6ulj Politics.co.uk on the problems with the Great Repeal Bill: https://tinyurl.com/y59j2odx

Fourth episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Chris Wright and David Brian. Recorded 5th July 2017. Released 5th July 2017. In this episode, we discuss the Commons rebellion against Jeremy Corbyn over Chuka Umunna's Queen's Speech Brexit amendment; Sir Vince Cable's apparently unopposed campaign for the Lib Dem leadership; the partial reinstatement of Donald Trump's Muslim travel ban in the USA; the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Germany; and the passing of an amendment opening up abortions on the British NHS to women from Northern Ireland. Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: Jeremy Corbyn sacks 3 shadow ministers (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics...) Vince Cable unopposed in Lib Dem leadership contest (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...) NS interview with Vince Cable (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics...) Germany - but not Angela Merkel - votes for same-sex marriage (https://www.theguardian.com/world/201...) The NHS in England & Wales will now provide abortions to women from Northern Ireland (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics...)

Third episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Chris Wright and David Brian. Recorded 28th June 2017. Released 30th June 2017. In this episode, we discuss the Queen's Speech and the deal between the Conservative Party and the DUP; the spat between Jean-Marie and Marine Le Pen in the wake of the FN's failure in the French elections; the surging popularity of the Democrats in US special elections; the rightward, authoritarian shift of Turkey under Erdoğan; and the popularity of Jeremy Corbyn in the aftermath of the general election, and what this means for the future of the left. Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: Tory policies missing from the Queen's Speech (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics...) The Tory-DUP deal (www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40403434) 538 graph showing Democrats beating partisan lean (https://espnfivethirtyeight.files.wor...) Teaching of evolution ends in Turkey (https://www.theguardian.com/world/201...) Jeremy Corbyn's Glastonbury appearance (www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jun/…stonbury-speech)

Second episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Chris Wright and David Brian. Recorded 20th June 2017. Released 22nd June 2017. In this episode, we discuss the French legislative elections and the state of European politics more broadly; the tragedies of the Grenfell Tower fire and the Finsbury Park Mosque attack; the fallout from the UK general election and what the DUP agreement means for the country; and finally the desultory opening of the Brexit talks with the EU. Due to time constraints and temporary inaccess to a computer with more than 2GB of RAM, this episode is a light edit job and is missing theme music. Normal service will resume next time, I promise. Theme music is normally 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: David Lammy MP on the Grenfell fire (https://www.theguardian.com/commentis...) David Graeber on the Blair-Clinton 'bubble' (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics...)

First episode of Revolutionary Despatches with Chris Wright and David Brian. Recorded 6th June 2017. Released 7th June 2017. In this episode, we discuss Donald Trump pulling the USA out of the Paris Climate Change Agreement; the diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and Qatar; and of course the UK General Election, including how the Conservatives are trying to attack British democracy, why you should vote for Jeremy Corbyn, and how turnout among young people could mean everything. Theme music is 'Autoantagonist' by hardcore band Regular Gonzales, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Shownotes: Trump on Paris (www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40127326) Qatar-Saudi Spat (www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-40173757) Stephen Bush on Conservatives and Democracy (https://www.newstatesman.com/politics...) Britain Elects (britainelects.com/)