Spectator Radio

This week, Michael Gove is joined by historian Simon Sebag Montefiore to discuss the rulers, revolutionaries and nation builders who shaped one of the world's most turbulent regions.From Ibn Saud's dramatic conquest of Riyadh and Atatürk's creation of modern Turkey to Ben-Gurion, Reza Shah and Nasser, Simon explores the extraordinary personalities who built states from the ruins of empire. What made these leaders so successful – and why did so many of their projects end in dictatorship, war or collapse?They also discuss Nasser's rise as the champion of Arab nationalism, Gaddafi's obsession with his Egyptian hero, and the strongmen who tried to remake the Arab world in their own image.And looking at the Middle East today, Simon explains why the legacy of the Ottoman Empire, the failure of nationalism and the rise of political Islam still shape the region's conflicts.Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Henry Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage is heading back to the polls in Clacton after resigning to trigger a by-election over questions surrounding his £5 million gift. With the main parties refusing to stand, Farage looks set for a comfortable victory – but will his popularity in Clacton translate to the rest of the country? And have voters simply stopped caring about the controversy?Meanwhile, Andy Burnham is facing the first major tests of his premiership. As questions mount over how he will pay for his ambitious domestic agenda, Burnham has intervened again over plans to release prisoners early, insisting that the killers of PC Andrew Harper should remain behind bars. Is his willingness to respond to public pressure a sign of how he intends to govern?Oscar Edmondson speaks to Noa Hoffman and the Financial Times's Lucy Fisher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of Holy Smoke, Damian Thompson is joined by Madeline Grant to dive into the contentious topic of Project Spire, the Church of England's ambitious plan to allocate £100 million in reparations for its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. They will shed light on the Church's insistence on proceeding with this plan despite significant opposition from both the public and its own parishioners.Produced by Henry Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode of Spectator Out Loud is a tribute to Rod Liddle, The Spectator's Associate editor, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 66. In this special episode, we hear from those who knew him best as they share some of their favourite columns written by Rod over the years. Produced and presented by Henry Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oliver Shah is a former journalist at The Sunday Times and now runs Newcome Advisory. On this week's Reality Check Oliver and Michael discuss why Labour can't build trust with the businesses, how the National Insurance tax hike was the poison pill for the private sector and whether it is still worth being an entrepreneur in Britain today.This episode is brought to you by Alliance Witan investment trust. To learn more about the trust and how we're helping investors find their comfort zone, please visit Alliance Witan (ALW) | Investment Trust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week's Edition, Lara Prendergast is joined by The Spectator's editor Michael Gove, deputy editor Freddy Gray, and associate editor Toby Young.This week the episode and magazine is dedicated to our beloved Rod Liddle, who died aged 66. The Spectator journalists reflect on some of their favourite memories of Rod, what his legacy will be and how is writing, wit and intelligence will be irreplaceable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gus Carter is joined by Geoffrey Cain to speak about the ongoing developments in Chinese AI, and how it stacks up to its American rivals. Gus and Geoffrey talk about the emergence of Kimi K3, and how Chinese models will become inherently more competitive to global audiences, not just those the United States. They also discuss the OpenAI model that went rogue, and how other US models refused to undertake research to prevent the same from happening again.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/AmericanoProduced by Henry Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Lara Brown explains the ongoing dissolution of the British private education sector; Patrick Kidd asks whether sporting curses are actually possible, or simply just a fiction; Tali Fraser goes to a death cafe to explore the world of positivity after death; and finally, Ella Veakins outlines why we should all stand in opposition the the potted plastic plant. Produced and presented by Henry Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amid rising backlash over the early prisoner release scheme, Kemi Badenoch has called for emergency legislation to stop the plans going ahead. The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has already halted the plans until a review has been conducted. The situation with prison overcrowding is a ticking timebomb – what options are available? To alleviate the risk, some suggest women should be prioritised as candidates for early release, and women's prisons repurposed. To discuss, Michael Simmons is joined by the CEO of the Prison Reform Trust Pia Sinha.This episode is brought to you by Alliance Witan investment trust. To learn more about the trust and how we're helping investors find their comfort zone, please visit Alliance Witan (ALW) | Investment Trust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddy Gray is joined by Ben Judah, a former Labour Special Advisor to discuss the new government's outlook on foreign affairs. Freddy and Ben examine how Andy Burnham's appointment of Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary will shape the way Britain builds on its special relationship with the United States and the Trump Whitehouse. They also discuss the implications of Miliband's past positions on net zero and fresh drilling for oil and gas, and how that might come to affect his personal relationship with Marco Rubio and Donald Trump.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/AmericanoProduced by Natasha Feroze and Henry Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Andy Burnham the country's first catholic Prime Minister, and how might it influence his leadership? Despite his faith drawing him to Labour, he doesn't attend mass and rarely emphasises his religion publicly. To unpack his faith and where it might take him, Lara Brown, The Spectator's commissioning editor, is joined by the chief political commentator at The Times, Patrick Maguire, and The Spectator's religion editor, Damian Thompson.Produced by Henry Lloyd and Ed Parker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week's Edition, Lara Prendergast is joined by The Spectator's columnist Rory Sutherland, political editor Tim Shipman and drinks editor Jonathan Ray.This week: What has been the damage of Labour's punitive war on private education? Rory questions whether the sector had helped itself in the years prior, but did the policy itself ever represent more than ‘class warfare?' Tim explores the vigour to which the (now former) Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson embraced that label, whilst Jonathan reflects on ‘canny approaches' to game the system.Also: Election? What election? The panel discuss rumours that the PM may call an early general election in the wake of the ‘Burnham bounce' in the polls giving Labour a narrow lead over Reform. If not, how does he escape the straitjacket of the 2024 manifesto? Rory further explains how government has been transformed from a ‘policeman to a traffic warden,' and gives Burnham his top tips for an easy re-election. Plus: The death doulas movement. To what extent does this growing trend – of which figures such as Caroline Lucas, Davina McCall and Nicole Kidman are now subscribers – represent a broader point of death positivity, or in the end, is it all just ‘mumbo jumbo?' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has launched a major push to overhaul adult social care in England, seeking cross-party consensus for a new National Care Service. He has refused to rule out tax rises to fund the reforms. Michael Simmons speaks to the author and journalist David Goodhart about why social care should be reframed as prevention, whether salaries should be increased in social care and why the public isn't as worried as politicians tend to panic about.This episode is brought to you by Alliance Witan investment trust. To learn more about the trust and how we're helping investors find their comfort zone, please visit https://www.alliancewitan.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddy Gray is joined by David Weigel to discuss the Democratic primary battle taking place in Michigan between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens. Freddy and David examine how the contest has become a proxy for the wider battle over the Democratic Party's future, pitting the Obama-era moderates against the ascendant progressive left. They discuss how Israel has emerged as one of the campaign's defining fault lines, how the issue of affordability has been used for different political ends, and what the result could mean for the party as it looks ahead to the 2028 presidential election.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katharine Birbalsingh is the founder and headmistress of Michaela Community School in Wembley, and has been dubbed Britain's strictest headteacher. Under her leadership, Michaela has become one of the country's most successful state schools, while openly challenging the progressive orthodoxies of the British education system.On Quite right!, Katharine argues that ethnic-minority pupils do not need to see themselves reflected in every aspect of a culture to feel that they belong – and that suggesting otherwise may itself be racist. She and Michael also discuss whether individualistic parenting has gone too far, why ritual should be at the heart of British schools and why children need a return to small-c conservative values. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has laid out some of his top policy agendas for his premiership. Top of the list is to tackle homelessness – something the former Manchester mayor pledged to solve in Greater Manchester too, but the numbers have suggested the outcome was otherwise. What really needs to be done to fix homelessness in Britain? And how does his other policy of rent controls work against ending rough sleeping? Michael Simmons takes a look at the data.This episode is brought to you by Alliance Witan investment trust. To learn more about the trust and how we're helping investors find their comfort zone, please visit Alliance Witan (ALW) | Investment Trust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Spectator Out Loud: James Heale explains what the Opposition parties plan to do now that Andy Burnham is in No 10; Iona Bain explains why premium bonds are a pointless way to save for your child, and what to do instead; Tali Fraser asks whether we should be rolling back the years and all return to a barter economy; and finally, James Phillips reviews Biological War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen, giving us all a very friendly flashback to 2020. Produced and presented by Henry Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Hilton is the British immigrant backed by President Trump who is running to be the next governor of California. On the podcast Steve and Freddy discuss his campaign, one slogan being Cali-fordable – how to improve the cost of living; why the Democratic 'machine' all hail from California and the East vs West coast political divide.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Shipman is joined by Sir Nick Clegg, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, as part of The Spectator's new event series, Tim Shipman Meets the Party Leaders. Tim challenges Sir Nick on the decisions that defined his political career, from his passionate support for Europe to the failed referendum on an alternative voting system, and those famous coalition years. Reflecting on his record, Sir Nick offers a candid assessment of the decline of the two-party system, the upending of global alliances and even the looming threats of AI.Watch the full conversation here.Highlights produced by Henry Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: has Andy Burnham really brought change to Downing Street – or merely repackaged Labour's old guard? Has Ed Miliband been sidelined by being sent to the Foreign Office, a ‘non-job' in which he can do little harm? The panel also asks whether Burnham is prepared to make the difficult decisions required of a prime minister – and why the Conservatives have been so reluctant to demand a general election.Also: is America's socialist left taking over the Democratic party? Candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America are gaining ground, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may be underestimated as a future presidential nominee and parts of the radical left are beginning to embrace gun ownership. Could Bernie Sanders have beaten Donald Trump in 2016 – had the Democrats not chosen ‘the only person who could conceivably lose' to him?Plus: who really blew up the Nord Stream pipeline? The accepted account holds that a small band of Ukrainians carried out one of the most sophisticated acts of sabotage in recent history. But does the evidence look less like a professional intelligence operation than ‘somebody establishing an alibi'?Produced by Patrick Gibbons, Oscar Edmondson and Gareth Roy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week marks the 160th anniversary of Beatrix Potter's birth. In this week's Book Club podcast, I'm joined by Penny Bradshaw, author of An A–Z of Beatrix Potter, and the historian and biographer Kathryn Hughes, whose books include Catland: Feline Enchantment and the Making of the Modern World, George Eliot and The Short Life and Long Times of Mrs Beeton.We plunge into the Potterverse. Does Potter get her due as a literary writer? How animal are her animals? And what went wrong for Ginger and Pickles? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has begun his premiership with a sweeping reshuffle, purging many of Keir Starmer's closest allies and installing a cabinet in his own image. Has he ended Labour factionalism – or simply created a new faction of enemies? And does the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor suggest that Burnham wants a safe pair of hands rather than a rival power base?Michael and Maddie also ask whether Burnham's early promises can survive contact with economic reality. With billions already pledged on defence, energy bills, transport and public ownership, where will the money come from – and what is his plan for growth?Plus: will Shabana Mahmood be allowed to get a grip on immigration? Can Ed Miliband be trusted at the Foreign Office? And could Burnham's mother help kill off another attempt to legalise assisted dying?Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Michael Gove explains why he is against more security for MPs; taking a brief break from campaigning in clacton as count binface, Jon Harvey explains why Christopher Nolan's Odyssey is a triumph; Michael Simmons says shut up about your disability; and finally, Graeme Thomson reviews Madonna. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Andy Burnham unveils his first Cabinet, join Tim Shipman and James Heale for a special live edition of Coffee House. Who's in, who's out? What do the appointments reveal about Burnham's priorities, and might they hint at the likely direction of his premiership? Along with a panel of familiar faces and special guests, get the only analysis you'll need as the political implications begin to unfold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, the Joe Rogan Experience podcast released a two-hour interview with Rupert Lowe, leader of the Restore party. Was Lowe there merely to create content – or is Restore a serious political party? Some of his statements suggest it's the former rather than the latter. The Spectator's John O'Neil wrote a piece for the website correcting some of Lowe's claims. He joined Michael Simmons on this week's Reality Check.This episode is brought to you by Alliance Witan investment trust. To learn more about the trust and how we're helping investors find their comfort zone, please visit Alliance Witan (ALW) | Investment Trust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday, the Senator Lindsay Graham died suddenly having just return from a trip to Ukraine. It is believed he suffered from a sudden heart problem. Spectator contributor Dan McCarthy reflects on Graham's political career which was heavily involved in foreign policy, his relationship with Trump and sense of humour, plus how Lindsay Graham represented the people of South Carolina, especially the army base which heavily influenced the area.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has promised to turn the whips' office into an ‘HR department' – but the former chief whip Simon Hart warns that the approach is ‘naive' and could leave the new prime minister unable to control his party.Hart explains why large majorities can be harder to manage than small ones, what Keir Starmer got wrong and why Burnham will begin making enemies as soon as he appoints his first cabinet. He also defends Kemi Badenoch's crackdown on Tory dissenters, arguing that there must be consequences when private disagreement becomes public disloyalty.Plus: does Parliament take MPs' safety seriously enough? Hart argues that security has improved significantly in recent years, and that the idea MPs are routinely left unprotected is a ‘myth'.Noa Hoffman speaks to Simon Hart, the former government chief whip and author of Ungovernable: The Political Diaries of a Chief Whip.Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week's Edition, William Moore is joined by The Spectator's political editor, Tim Shipman, commissioning editor and writer at large Tali Fraser, and the historian Antony Beevor.This week: what will Andy Burnham actually do in Downing Street? Tim reveals what to expect from the incoming prime minister's first ten days, from a blitz of policies and a ‘Number 10 North' to higher borrowing and wealth taxes.Also: has Britain expanded the definition of disability too far? The panel discusses Michael Simmons's argument that compassion should not mean turning every difficulty into a disorder – and asks how the government can encourage resilience and work while protecting those who genuinely need support.Plus: Tali investigates the Welsh government's plan to make Wales ‘anti-racist' by 2030. From hate-crime training for landlords to decolonising museums – and even Welsh cakes – has the Welsh government gone mad?Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on this week's Book Club podcast is Tim Whitmarsh, Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge and author of Rome's Age of Revolution: Augustus, Empire and the Making of Christianity. He tells me why, contrary to what we may have learnt at Sunday school, early Christianity flourished not despite the Roman empire, but because of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louis Mosley is the UK head of Palantir, one of the world's most powerful – and controversial – technology companies. Its work with the NHS, the US government and western militaries has made it a lightning rod for criticism, with opponents accusing it of threatening privacy, enabling mass deportations and supporting military operations in Gaza. Louis therefore occupies an unusual position at the intersection of technology, politics and the British state.On the podcast, he explains what Palantir actually does, why fears over NHS data are misplaced and why scrapping its contract would be a ‘terrible mistake'. He tells Michael why technology companies should not overrule democratically elected governments, why Palantir is ‘ideological, not political' and why it believes in strengthening liberal democracies.They also discuss the coming AI revolution: why Britain is unusually well placed to benefit, how artificial intelligence could transform failing public services and why the ‘lanyard class' may have more to fear than frontline workers.Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Both Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe have been in the America, telling the political elite all about Britain's demise. Freddy Gray is joined by The Times Washington editor Katy Balls to discuss how the right-wing insurgence in British politics translates to an American, the difference between how the online right, versus a typical Republican may see Farage vs Lowe, and how significant Trump has been to British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Tali Fraser gives the definitive answer to what Andy Burnham's ‘Manchesterism' actually is; Damian Thompson asks if there is any route back for the Society of St Pius X; Matthew Wilson discusses whether Christopher Nolan's Odyssey can live up to the 2,700-year history of artworks depicting Homer's epic; and Christa d'Souza reads her Notes on … Tans.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From idolising players to faithfully following a club, football is often described as the world's secular religion. But religion has long been woven into the fabric of the game itself. From the sectarian roots of Glasgow's Old Firm rivalry between Catholic Celtic and Protestant Rangers to Diego Maradona's infamous ‘Hand of God' goal against England in 1986, faith has repeatedly shaped football's biggest moments.This year's World Cup has offered plenty more examples. Players have prayed openly during matches; images of Lionel Messi as a saint have appeared at Argentina games; and Muslim footballers have performed the sujood on the pitch after victory. Meanwhile, following Brazil's earlier-than-expected exit, some distraught supporters blamed the country's rapid growth of Protestantism, lamenting: ‘If we pray like a gringo, we play like a gringo.'So how has religion shaped the world's most popular sport? And why is Christianity becoming increasingly visible in modern football?Produced by Patrick Gibbons & Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tories will not stand a candidate against Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election – and on today's podcast Conservative party chairman Kevin Hollinrake explains why.Hollinrake also reveals what is behind the turnaround in the Conservatives' fortunes and their bump in the polls, as well as how the party plans to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past: namely, talking right but governing left. Can Kemi really hold back the Tory wets? And how exactly do the Conservatives plan to take the fight to Reform?Noa Hoffman speaks to Kevin Hollinrake.Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week's Edition, Lara Prendergast is joined by The Spectator's political editor Tim Shipman, deputy editor of the US edition Gus Carter and the Mail on Sunday's restaurant critic Tom Parker Bowles.This week: Nigel Farage's greatest gamble. After resigning as MP for Clacton to trigger a by-election, Farage has tried to turn questions over his finances into a referendum on the establishment. Tim explains why the move may already have backfired, with the main parties refusing to stand against him and leaving him to spend the summer ‘arguing with a bin'. But he also argues that Farage is returning to what he does best: insurgency, grievance and campaigning against the political class. Has he reclaimed the narrative – or retreated from the idea of becoming prime minister?Also: can Andy Burnham export the Manchester model to the rest of Britain? As the incoming prime minister prepares for Downing Street, Gus looks at the property developers behind Manchester's rise.Plus: Tom Parker Bowles on the crisis in British hospitality, why pubs matter and what the government keeps getting wrong about restaurants.Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gavin Newsom has spent the last two years building a national profile for himself beyond his controversial leadership of California as its Governor. But is he equipped to take on the challenges that would be faced by a Presidential run in 2028, that go beyond the left-wing political bubble of The Golden State? Freddy Gray speaks to Christopher Rufo, author of the Christopher Rufo Substack, and a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Project, about the real Gavin Newsom and the decay of California under his watch.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage has resigned as MP for Clacton and will fight a by-election in an attempt to turn questions over his finances into a referendum on ‘the people vs the establishment'. Is this a political masterstroke or a mistake? Has Farage taken back control of the narrative, or will the row over undeclared money continue to plague Reform?Michael and Maddie also discuss whether Dominic Cummings's prophecy – that the establishment would try to destroy Farage by fair means or foul – has come true.Plus: Prince Harry has suffered a bruising defeat in court against the Mail. What does the ruling tell us about press freedom?Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has laid out his plans to 'level up the North'. Something we have heard with almost every Prime Minister pledge to do – but with very little clarity over how this will be achieved and what success looks like. It's true there is a clear divide when it comes to economic outcomes between London and the North. Michael Simmons takes a look at the data and discusses a left-wing levelling up agenda with Ed Shackle Head of Qualitative Research at Public First and Neil O'Brien, Conservative MP and former minister for Levelling up.This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Max Jeffery explains the truth about how the British Empire is taught in schools; Gavin Mortimer asks why Giorgia Meloni is courting Emmanuel Macron; James Delingpole reviews the World Cup; after 25 years, Aidan Hartley bows out as the Spectator's Wild life columnist; and finally, the Spectator's new restaurant critic Angus Colwell ponders how much discount you should get, if your father almost chokes to death on a lamb kleftiko.  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It might be 250 years since the Declaration of Independence but the document continues to prove controversial, with political groups arguing over the intention behind the document – just watch any Supreme Court case. To mark the 4th of July, Professor Gregg Frazer joins Damian Thompson to talk about the intention of the founding fathers in terms of religion – did they really want America to become a Christian nation?With President Trump courting evangelical Christian voters, rising religious tensions amongst religious minorities and some sections of society advocating for ‘Christian nationalism', is America's free market in religious ideas being tested to its limit?Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Americans mark the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, Anthony Scaramucci joins the Spectator to provide his assessment of the health of the nation. As we approach the halfway point of the second Trump presidency, what's his impact been on America's reputation? Will the Democrats' attempts to emulate Trump help or hinder them? And why are American conservatives so obsessed with Britain – or rather, Britain's supposed decline?Declaring Trump 'an ageing queen' under whom 'the spirit of hypocrisy lives on' in America, the former White House communications director joins Freddy Gray and Tim Shipman for this special Coffee House Shots / Americano crossover to mark the 4th of July.Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Natasha Feroze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week's Edition, Lara Prendergast is joined by the Spectator's deputy editor Freddy Gray, assistant content editor John Power and former Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt.This week: Labour's lame duck period drags on, with Keir Starmer searching for a legacy before he leaves office. This week he has announced more money for Defence, though with several caveats, the biggest of which is unfunded billions left for the (presumably) incoming Burnham administration to fix. Penny Mordaunt, a former Conservative Defence Secretary, explains why Starmer has been a ‘total failure' on Defence, saying Labour have failed to take Defence seriously and need to explain to the country that tough choices lie ahead. She argues Sir Keir is worse than Corbyn, who at least had a principled position on Defence. Her warning is stark: forget NATO targets of 3,4 or 5% of GDP – war would mean 50%, and the next few decades could be 'the worst humanity have ever lived through'. Also: the ‘dark money' secretly funding net zero campaigns. John Power explains the links between Ed Miliband, China and pro net zero campaign groups in the UK, arguing that while political interest groups are not inherently bad, transparency should work both ways. Many left-leaning groups seem to operate under the belief they can be opaque as long as – to them – the end justifies the means. Penny provides her own verdict on Miliband, tipped to be the next Chancellor, saying she has 'never known him to make a correct decision'. Plus: as Starmer starts packing up at Number 10, could another former Conservative Prime Minister be plotting his return to office?Produced by Patrick Gibbons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.