The Bylines Network Podcast

Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss from the Trawl Podcast?!? What is this, a crossover episode?Lydia Pearson and Gemma Gould of North West Bylines and Central Bylines, respectively, interview the hosts of one of the most popular political podcasts, asking them about the current political climate, the state of social media, and how do they cope with both and their own mental health juggling it all.If you wish to contribute to our cause, we have a crowdfunding page to help the Network expand. Donate only if you can and whatever you can, every little really helps. ⁠https://chuffed.org/project/ng7b7xwqwlze⁠The Bylines Network has also relaunched the Bylines shop, where you can get anything from hoodies to mugs, and featuring all merch from all 10 of our publications. ⁠https://bylines-network.teemill.com/⁠
Our online Gazette is now free if you sign up to any of our 10 newsletters, Join the mailing list: ⁠⁠https://bylinesnetwork.co.uk/sign-up/⁠Voxel Revolution Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ginny Smith returns in our 5th episode of Bylines Reports, this time talking to Tan Dhesi.Tan Dhesi is the Labour MP for Slough and has been since 2017. When elected, he was one of the first Turbened MPs in Europe and Britain's first. He currently chairs the Defence Committee, which is a multi-party committee, which loosks at the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Ministry of Defence and its associated public bodies.In this interview, Ginny asks him about his Party, its strategy, the rise of Reform, Brexit and what the Defence Committee does.If you wish to contribute to our cause, we have a crowdfunding page to help the Network expand. Donate only if you can and whatever you can, every little really helps. ⁠https://chuffed.org/project/ng7b7xwqwlze⁠Voxel Revolution Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Grace Blakeley is a leading left-wing political commentator, author, and journalist who describes herself as a democratic socialist. She writes for the Tribune and is regularly seen working at the coal face battling Piers Morgan on Talk TV. She studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics and then African Studies at Oxford. She's a former fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research, former New Statesman commentator and former member of Labour's National Policy Forum. She left the Labour party in 2023 over Starmer's position on Gaza, specifically his assertion Israel was within its rights to cut the power to the civilians.In this episode, Claire and Michelle talk about and ask her questions about various topics, like her stance on Brexit, the EU, Tariffs and what the world might look like in the future.Voxel Revolution Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

On the 15th April 2020, Yorkshire Bylines was launched to widespread popularity, leading to the creation of the Bylines Network.5 years, 9 more publications (and another thatleft to do its own thing), 17 million reads, and 4 seasons of a podcast later, our hosts sit down with current co-editor in chief of Yorkshire and former managing director of the Network, Louise Houghton to talk about the journey of the last 5 years, current ambitions and aims, and what could be in store for the future.Voxel Revolution Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

An advantage to recording late is we can always touch upon the latest news. So, instead of touching upon the Tories dropping Net Zero, marking a departure of bipartisan unity, we spoke about Marie Le Pen, leader of Rassemblement National and president in waiting, has been barred for standing for election for 5 years. What does this mean for the Far Right in Europe? Who supported her? How will our Hosts react? The answers won't surprise you!In closer news, our hosts also touch upon the cutting to the Welfare State. Needless to say, we aren't happy about itJoin us as we touch upon the latest news.

Author, column writer for the Observer, former editor-in-chief of the same paper. In this episode, Yvonne Wancke of North East Bylines and Ben Dickenson interviews Will Hutton.In this episode, he talks about his life, his books, Big Tech, Capitalism, the rise (and possible fall) of the Far Right in Europe, what Labour can do to speed this fall up, and, of course, Trump's Tariffs and their affects on the world.Sit down for a truly fascinating in our latest Report.

April is Autism Awareness Month!!To commemorate, Ronnie of Bylines Scotland Podcast fame, speaks to three mothers who are all parents to autistic children.They speak about the struggles their children have coping with their conditions, what EMPOWER seeks to do and how the group has helped them.Thanks once again to Ronnie for another excellent episode.

This time on Bylines Reports, our host across the border in Scotland, Ronnie Barbour, comes to us from Embankment, interviewing a group called Patriotic Millionaires.Patroitic Millionaires are a group of British Millionaires who are advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy, to help out struggling services and economy.

In the month of February, Germany has a new Chancellor in the shape of Friedrich Merz. Immediately after the election results were confirmed, he set about making his feelings known about the direction Europe needs to head. Could he be Europe's new leader, following the vacuum left behind by his CDU predecessor?Where our hosts clash is over the dicussion of polls. There has been a trend of Reform UK leapfrogging both the Tories and Labour to take a lead. Is it time to start worrying? Is there any reliance behind polls anymore? Or should we stop worrying and learn to love the bomb?

We welcome you to a brand new mini series, Bylines Reports, where one of our journalists from across the Network, brings you a special episode, whether it's an interview with a political figure, or an audio version of their articles. We'll deliver it right to your ears to enjoy.Today, Ginny Smith from Sussex Bylines interviews Alastair Campbell, who worked with Tony Blair between 1997-2003. In this interview, they discuss Starmer's visit to America, the Rise of Nigel Farage, the fall of Local Journalism, and much, much more.

Happy New Year Listeners. With a new year, brings new change, new leaders and new relationships. And we, at the Bylines Network, are no different. This month's episode, we're speaking to the Network's brand new Managing Director, Ben Dickenson. We ask about what drew him to the Network, what his plans are and what he sees as the Network's role in an ever increasingly dishonest world. Join Julian and Chris on the first of may episodes of the Bylines Network, bringing you news in your local area, written by people in your local area.

Another year has been and gone, at last. And while there were plenty of news stories from the last 12 months, it's very hard to remember the good news stories as those aren't thhe ones people click on. So, in our end of year round up, our hosts look at good news stories from 2024, highlight some of the ones that made us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Happy New Year everyone, here's to 2025 and all it shall bring.

Our two stories of the month are election related First we look at the Tory Leadership Election, which was won by Right Wing Kemi Badenoch. Our hosts look at her record and what it could mean for the next 4 years or even if she will last that long. But it is the election of the United States of America that draws our attention for most of this episode. Julian and Chris discuss the result, what went wrong and what the next 4 years could mean for both Europe and the American People.

Last year, there was uproar as Bannau Brycheiniog National Park decided to use its Welsh name on all its advertising. A few weeks ago, onne of our hosts noticed similar headlines as there was discussion about whether to change the official name of Wales to Cymru. So, to counteract those headlines, Chris and Julian invited Gwern Gwynfil of Bylines Cymru to talk about the history of what Tolkien called "the senior language of the men of Britain", the efforts made to save it and why changing its name to Cymru is not that big a deal.

Back from recess, much like our MPs, and we are thankful nothing controverisal that warrented discussion happened since then. All the major parties have had their conferences and all gave off different vibes as they all look to the future and what the next steps are. The first bills will be passing through parliment as well, by the reports, the Renter's Bill and Better Bus Bill will be amongst the first. Here's all our thoughts on all of that and more in this month's episode.

Back to our regularly scheduled episodes now, we take a look at the new King's Speech, the first made by a new party in power since 2010. In it, 40 bills were announced, 35 new laws and 5 new draft laws, showing Labour's proirities in getting the ball rolling when it comes to the task his party now has. Julian and Chris go over the highlights of these new laws, what they liked, what they didn't like and what was missing.

Recorded 1 week after the General Election. The much anticipated General Election came and went with a result that many saw coming. Now what? We reunite Ronnie Barbour and Ethan Jones from our previous episodes to discuss the results in England, Scotland, Wales, with a special guest Megan to talk about the results in Northern Ireland. We talk about results that interested us, what they mean for their respective parties and what the future has in store for the UK.

In our last episode of our miniseries, Election Fever, we look at the bookies' favourites to ask the King's permission to form a Government on 5th July, The Labour Party. In this episode we voice our frustrations, our hopes, Labour's policies and our feelings on Sir Keir Starmer. Thank you all so much for giving so much support to our little miniseries, there will be no Big episode this month as our editor is tired but join us again in July for our bukper disscussions about the results.

We're in the Endgame now. This week, we take a look at the incumbant Party, their chances and their polls numbers and we ask the question if this will all lead to another 5 years of Tory Rule. No prizes for guessing the answer I'm afriad but we take a look to after the election too, to see if a loss could actually lead to a fight for the heart of British Conversivatism itself.

It's time for the Diva of Props' turn for analysis. The Liberal Democrats arelooking to regain the number of MPs they won in 2010, if the polls are to be believed, it looks like they're on their way, with some even saying they could become leaders of the opposition! Can the Lib Dems bank on the Tories 14 years of mis governance? Can they win back voters? Or will previously broken pledges stall them?

At every election, there's always a few parties that seems to reurn the same amount of MPs, Plaid Cymru is one of them. As Englishmen, our hosts know very little about the Welsh Party so we call upon our friends in Bylines Cymru to tell us about them. What are their policies? Are they the Welsh version of the SNP? And can they have an impact in this general election? listen to our latest episode to find out.

This week on election Fever, we look at the SNP with the host of our Podcast across the border, Ronnie Barbour. A few weeks before an election was called, the previous First Minister Humza Yousaf stepped down following an impolsion of the deal made with the Scottish Greens. Now they have a new leader facing the same problems, will they come back to bite him or will he navigate his way through this election relatively well?

In this episode, we look back on and preview two elections. Julian and Chris look back on some major results from the Local elections that took place at the beginning of May and react to the news that broke at the end of May. What could this mean for the Tories? Is there any battlegrounds that Labour could lose? Will we get Election Fever done before July 4th? Check out our latest episode to find out

At the Local Elections, interesting things have been happening for the Green Party. They continued to rise in terms of councillors, gaining 74, and came very close to gaining the Bristol City Council. However, the most interesting result could be incoming. With all the Councillors in teh newly created Bristol Central constituency now Green ones, with two more contituencies targeted. Continuing our Election Fever miniseries, we ask the question can the Green Party replicate gains in Westminster?

Welcome to the Bumper Episode where our hosts look at the Mayorals and the Council elections, and what they could mean for our PM. There are brand new positions being made that could be targets as well as interesting elections happening in Bristol and London.

In March, we saw the Chancellor announce the last budget before the next General Election. Our host comb through some of the major announcements, including the abolishment of None-Dom status, whether these policies will help those who need it the most and whether or not this spells an early General election. This episode also features an interview by our friends, the Bylines Scotland Podcast, talking to Polly Jones, Head of the Trussell Trust, please do give them a follow.

There's an election happening in 2024. But who's running? What are their policies? Are they really doing as good or as badly as the media say? Welcome to our new mini-series, Election fever, wghere our hosts look at each of the main political parties and anaylyse their chances when the British public go to the polls. First up are Reform UK. Hot off the heels of getting their first MP, Reform UK have been in the media a lot lately, with their leader Richard Tice setting out their plan to "wipe Tories out at polls". But can they really make an impact? Are they really on a huge a rise as the newscasters think?

Happy 2024 Everybody! This year, 4 billion people will be voting in either Executive, Legislative and Referendum elections. These elections will cover 65 countries across all 6 habited continents. While we can't cover all of them, leaving out elections in places like India, North and South Korea, Iran, Indonesia and Taiwan, we chose the 4 that interested us the most. In our first episode of the year, we will be looking at 4 elections that interest us that we think will determine the, not just the path the country will take, but the path the world will take until the next election cycle.

It's been 7 years since the landmark referendum that saw the UK, eventually, leave the European Union. And it's still a decision that affects us to this day. In our last episode of 2023, we talk to three university students contributing to North West Bylines, to talk about how Brexit has affected the young and what can be changed and done about it in the future. We hope you find this episode interesting and we hope to see you in 2024.

Sunak has changed up his cabinet before an anticipated General Election next year. In this episode, Chris and Julian discuss those leaving, those coming in, the unsurprises and surprises of both. If you wish to contribute to our cause, we have a crowdfunding page to help the Network expand. Donate only if you can and whatever you can, every little really helps. https://chuffed.org/project/ng7b7xwqwlze The Bylines Network has also relaunched the Bylines shop, where you can get anything from hoodies to mugs, and featuring all merch from all 10 of our publications. https://bylines-network.teemill.com/ Our online Gazette is now free if you sign up to any of our 10 newletters, Join the mailing list: ⁠https://bylinesnetwork.co.uk/sign-up/

Throughout last month, by-elections happened. One in Scotland and two in England. We bring in Martin Roche of our friends across the border, Bylines Scotland, to discuss the results once again and do they confirm what we suspect might happen in the upcoming 2024 General Election. We do apologise for the lateness of this episode, we had some behind the scenes technical issues, we plan to keep up our end of month schedule from now on.

In the past week, the Prime Minister has made some startling u-turns on Net Zero commitments. The main policy shifts were delaying the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, pushed back the transition away from fossil fuel boilers to the same year, and scrapped energy efficiency targets on homes. Mr Sunak advertised these changes as “Long-term decisions for a brighter future” but they seem to be anything but. This seems, to Julian and Chris who host this week, like a bad plan to capitalise on supposed success in the recent by-elections, which we've previously covered in an episode. Listen to us this week as we discuss why this happened, why now and what it could mean for Britain's reputation as a Global Leader on Green Targets. Please donate to our crowdfunder if you're able to, to help Bylines achieve its goals and remain independent. Click here to give what you can.

In July, three By-Elections took place and all the results were interesting. Each of the major parties won one constituency each. The big attention was, of course, Uxbridge and South Ruislip, where the Conservatives just managed to hold onto the constituency by a mere 495 votes. Even though the party tried to play this off as a victory, it's very much a hollow one. The others however were a bit more straight forward. Labour took a seat from the Conservatives in Yorkshire and the Lib Dems did the same in the South West, with Ed Davey and his props making a comeback to celebrate the victory. What does this all mean for a general election? Join Julian and Chris this week for our political analysis. Please donate to our crowdfunder if you're able to, to help Bylines achieve its goals and remain independent. Click here to give what you can.

In this month's hour-long episode, we hear from a host of special guests including Carla Denyer, Co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, Ryan Jude, a Labour Party Councillor for Lancaster Gate, and Leo Murray, Co-founder and Director of Innovation and Engagement at Possible. At this event, each of the guests discuss what they think should be the priority out of 4 options they all agree should take place in order for the UK to achieve its Green targets and make the country a more eco-friendly place. The Event was hosted by Louise Houghton, Editor-in-Chief of Yorkshire Bylines and was original broadcast on the 13th June 2023. If you wish to see a video version of the event, you can find it on the Bylines Network YouTube page. Please subscribe to them, as well as the other publications with a presence there, West England Bylines and Bylines Scotland. If you wish to contribute to our cause, we have a crowdfunder page to help the Network expand. Donate only if you can and whatever you can, every little really helps.

This month, Julian and Chris celebrate pride month by bringing you some Pride themed articles or articles written by Queer authors. The articles this month include a discussion about gender from North West by Isabelle Goodhand, the function of Pride in the 2020s, especially with encroaching of LGBT+ rights from Central Bylines by Bryan Manley-Green, and a queer filmmaker's examination of dealing with disability from Bylines Cymru by Abigail Luxford-Noyes. Please give all of these a read. However, half way through the episode we also try something new and recommend you Pride themed shows, films and books that we think you should read. Happy Pride Month everyone, please join us next time.

After a long Hiatus, we're back and once again talking about Politics. Julian and Chris return to discuss key areas of interest to them, Brighton & Hove and the County of Hertfordshire. What were the results in these areas? Do they spell success for the Conservatives? Or, indeed, any of the major parties? And what do these results mean for a future General Election? Listen to our new episode and find out!

On this week's podcast, Julian Greenbank interviewed the UK LGBT poet laureate, Trudy Howson. Trudy started her life as an actress, looking to make it big in London during the 1970s. She then found a new life with the local LGBTQ+ community. Through it, she went to the first Pride march in 1972 and met so many people, including Sir Ian McKellen and human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell. She has worked with many human rights organisations, such as Stonewall and Amnesty. LGBT poet laureate In 2016, she was named the LGBT poet laureate. She uses her role to bring awareness to many political movements and travesties, such as the rise of LGBTQ+ hate crime in the UK and the rounding up of LGBTQ+ people in Chechnya. Her work has featured in films (such as the YouTube film We are Means Happy, directed by Craig Heathcote) and even had her work cited in a cross-party debate about LGBTQ+ rights in Chechnya, after she protested the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in the region outside the Russian Embassy.

As the celebration of Ramadan comes to a close, the Bylines Network podcast team has a look at the meaning and story behind the celebration. We also speak with Kamran Shezad from the Bahu Trust, about their efforts to make the celebration a more sustainable event. 

A special extra episode, provided by East Anglia Bylines' Jessica Walsh. Jessica speaks with Simon Feneron, manager of the Banningham Crown, about a journey which he made to the Ukrainian border to deliver aid to refugees fleeing the conflict. Please consider donating to the Banningham Crown's crowdfunder, and checking out Jessica's write-up of the interview for East Anglia Bylines. 

The Bylines Network Podcast's recent episode looks at the International Day of Forests, telling the unique efforts of different speakers.  On the 21st of March a variety of events honor and promote awareness of the value of forests, as well as trees outside of forests, for the sake of present and future generations. Every year, countries are urged to arrange local, national, and international activities involving forests and trees, such as tree-planting programmes.  Sanjive Mahandru gave us an insight into how something as simple as using a bike instead of a car can make a big statement. Sanjive is a volunteer at the Birmingham Friends of the Earth campaign, protesting environmental issues in Birmingham. After ten years of volunteering, the estate agent thinks the biggest polluters of Birmingham are council owned and they don't follow the same agenda they do.  The team also spoke with Peter Gilbert, the Green Party Candidate for the Eccelesall Ward in Shefield. The social care worker was on the frontline of the protests stopping Sheffield council demolishing street trees and is preaching for his home to be more natural again.   Be sure to follow us on social media @BylinesPod, and our guests, @PeterGilbertUK and @Bham_FOE

As February comes to a close, the Bylines Network takes a look at LGBT+ History Month, which was celebrated this month. In the episode, the team speaks with Clive Duffy, one of the co-founders of Herts Pride and co-founder of the pro-LGBT awareness charity Ask For Clive, and also with Kaylee Golding, the founder and presenter of the ONYOURGAYDAR podcast.

31st January marks the start of seven days of celebration for Lunar New Year. A hugely important celebration, this year marks the start of the Year of the Tiger. To open our new podcast series, the team speaks with Pei Tong from Movema, who is helping organise celebrations for Lunar New Year in Liverpool.  Thank you to Anna, Henry, and Maddy, for recording the episode, and to Jules for producing and editing. 

Welcome to the sixth audio edition of the Bylines Network podcast. Thank you to all of our writers for penning these great articles, to our readers for recording them, and to Julian Greenbank for editing! Please find the articles compiled for this edition linked below: 0:27 This Culture of Racism is not Cricket- Nabeela Akhtar (West England Bylines) read by Nabeela Akhtar 6:13 Tangkahen Last Forest Initiative; Deteriorating ecotourism in Indonesia - Rasdi Wangsa (Central Bylines) read by Maddy Griffiths 10:21 Action at last on second homes? - Martin Waller (East Anglia Bylines) read by Steve Whitley 

Welcome to the sixth audio edition of the Bylines Network podcast. Thank you to all of our writers for penning these great articles, to our readers for recording them, and to Julian Greenbank for editing! Please find the articles compiled for this edition linked below: 0:28 Bristol City Council approves its Clean Air Zone - Julian Greenbank (West England Bylines) read by Julian Greenbank  7:16 Sunderland's local hero, Martin Longstaff, gets a surprise call to support Deacon Blue Graham Clarke (North East Bylines) read by  10:03 Would you walk across hot coals for Peter? Anna Girolami (Central Bylines) read by Maddy Griffiths 

Welcome to the sixth audio edition of the Bylines Network podcast. Thank you to all of our writers for penning these great articles, to our readers for recording them, and to Julian Greenbank for editing! Please find the articles compiled for this edition linked below: 0:28 COP26: What will climate change look like in East Anglia by 2050? - James Graham (East Anglia Bylines) read by Stephen Tomlin  5:16 1 in 6 work from home due to petrol shortages says new research - Chloe Davies (North East Bylines) read by Yvonne Wancke  9:23 How Sussex can rediscover its wild side… Ross McNally (Sussex Bylines) read by Nicola Tipton 

Welcome to the sixth audio edition of the Bylines Network podcast. Thank you to all of our writers for penning these great articles, to our readers for recording them, and to Julian Greenbank for editing! Please find the articles compiled for this edition linked below: 0:28 - The North East on Screen: Get Carter (1971) - Phil Coghill (North East Bylines) read by Stephen Tomlin 4:25 - Will the Commonwealth Games be good for Birmingham? - Sam Chandler (Central Bylines) read by Alex Toal 8:33 - Who will police the police? - Allegra Chapman (Sussex Bylines) read by Nicola Tipton 

Welcome to the fifth audio edition of the Bylines Network podcast. Thank you to all of our writers for penning these great articles, to our readers for recording them, and to Julian Greenbank for editing! Please find the articles compiled for this edition linked below: 0:28 Climate crisis: time's running out - Liyanah Riaz (North East Bylines) 6:05 Walsall Council facing wave of fury - Steve Pottinger (Central Bylines) 9:33 Mimmo Lucano Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison! - Hazel Pennington (West England Bylines) read by Steven Tomlin 13:38 The fires of London - Suzanne Fairless-Aitken (North East Bylines) read by Janine Birkett

Welcome to the fourth audio edition of the Bylines Network podcast. Thank you to all of our writers for penning these great articles, to our readers for recording them, and to Julian Greenbank for editing! 

What goes on at Labour conference? What will conference mean for the party? Will this be the year that Labour pledges to support electoral reform?  Join us this week, as we speak with Owen Winter and Mike Buckley about Labour conference, starting tomorrow. Owen, part of Labour for a New Democracy, has been campaigning for proportional representation since 2015, and is a key part of the effort to get Labour to vote for it this year. Mike, Director of Labour for a European Future, is intimately familiar with Labour politics, and breaks down what conference will mean for the leadership.  If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to give it a review and to subscribe. Thanks to our wonderful editor, Julian Greenbank. Be sure to follow us @BylinesPod on all social media. 

With the mainstream media attention diverted from Afghanistan, this week the Bylines Network podcast looks at the situation on the ground, and what has changed since the Taliban took over the country in August. With a new administration installed, and clampdowns on women's rights and the right to protest, it is important to keep an eye on the situation, and not let it drift off the attention. This week, we also spoke with Martin Waller at East Anglia Bylines. Martin, wrote a piece for East Anglia Bylines this week on how to fund social care, and we spoke about the problems with the government's plans, and possible solutions. Be sure to read the article here and to follow Martin at @martinwaller10, and us at @BylinesPod 

Welcome to the third audio edition of the Bylines Network! Thanks to our writers for producing these articles, our readers for recording them, and our editor, Jules, for putting them all together. 0:23: Unite's new general secretary – new dawn for Labour, or cold war? - Jane Thomas (Yorkshire Bylines) read by Alex Toal  5:20: Hauliers dismiss ‘bring in the army' plans to stock supermarket shelves Peter Thurlow (East Anglia Bylines) read by Stephen Tomlin 11:44: The Covid Climate Crisis - Amber Hill (West England Bylines) read by Julian Greenbank  16:44: The woman who haunts Sunderland Empire Theatre Peter Lathan (North East Bylines)