The Division Bell

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The Division Bell is a brand new political podcast brought to you by Mirror and Express. Hosted by Express political editor, Sam Lister, and Mirror political editor, John Stevens, each episode will see them debate a political topic from both sides of the elective divide.  Episodes will be out every Tuesday and Thursday and a video version of the show will also be available to watch on YouTube. Make sure you follow the show on Youtube at divisionbellpodcast and on TikTok at @mirrorpolitics to let us know what you think about what’s going on, and what politicians are promising and join the debate using #TheDivisionBell on X. You can tweet us @dailymirror or @daily_express

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    • May 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 36m AVG DURATION
    • 38 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Division Bell

    Local Election Special: “The Tories have a very long way to fall”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 32:35


    The rise of Reform or the end of the Tories? This week's local elections will set the tone political tone for the nation but is it Labour who should really be worried about Nigel Farage and co? As millions of people across England head to the polls, Tory peer Lord Hayward joins hosts Lizzy Buchan and Christian Calgie to dissect the tightest races and gives his predictions on who will emerge victorious. New episodes of The Division Bell are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube every Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Are the Tories heading for local election disaster?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 31:45


    Join Lizzy Buchan and Christian Calgie in the latest episode of The Division Bell as they dive into the upcoming local elections and the surge of Reform, potentially leaving the Tories in dismay. Insightful discussion and sharp analysis await as they unravel the political twists that are shaking up the electoral landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Will Trump tariffs cause global chaos?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 35:03


    Lizzy Buchan and Christian Calgie are joined by Labour MP Mike Tapp for a new episode of The Division Bell. Following hot off the heels of Trump's ‘Liberation Day' bonanza, we take a deeper look into the impact faced by the UK and nations around the world, whether Brexit is turning out to be a blessing, and get a Labour MP view on the government's recent welfare cuts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Spring Statement Unpacked: What Lies Ahead?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 24:56


    Is Rachel Reeves spiralling from a tough spot to an absolute nightmare? Is the UK's robust economy feeling the harsh sting of the chancellor's self-imposed borrowing rules? How much will the government's eye-watering welfare cuts actually save? Join Lizzy Buchan and Christian Calgie as they break down the key takeaways from the spring statement in the latest episode of The Division Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Labour's welfare cuts and the return to austerity

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 32:59


    Hot off the heels of Labour's huge welfare cuts, Lizzy Buchan and Christian Calgie are back for a new episode of The Division Bell to discuss the potential impact of Liz Kendall's recent benefits overhaul, and are later joined by broadcaster and inclusion campaigner Dr Shani Dhanda. Together, they delve into the challenges that lie ahead for thousands of people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Will Reform survive the Farage and Lowe Fallout?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 30:45


    Lizzy Buchan and Christian Calgie sit down with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp to talk Reform's ongoing spat, immigration agendas and predictions for the upcoming local elections on a brand new episode of The Division Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trump vs. Zelensky: The Clash That Shook Europe's Political Landscape

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 23:50


    Lizzy Buchan and Christian Calgie return for an all new season of The Division Bell, recording from our brand new, purpose built studio at Mirror and Express HQ. In our first episode of 2025, Lizzy and Christian are joined by guest Mikey Smith to cover the shocking scenes at the Oval Office during Zelensky's US visit, the fallout from the spat, UK conscription and the shifting political sands in Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Looking back at a mammoth year of British politics and 2025 predictions

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 37:44


    Lizzy Buchan and Christian Calgie reflect on the biggest political stories of the year, look ahead to 2025 and talk Christmas party season in the final episode of The Division Bell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Labour's five missions, Starmer vs. Badenoch, and Reform's prospects

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 37:47


    Lizzy Buchan and Christian Calgie discuss Keir Starmer's soft-reboot with the launch of Labour's five missions, Kemi Badenoch's growing hostilities with the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, and the continued growth of Reform as a political force - all on the latest episode of The Division Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Labour's unpopularity and cabinet rifts surround the Assisted Dying Bill vote

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 32:19


    The Daily Mirror's political editor Lizzy Buchan returns to The Division Bell and is joined by Christian Calgie, Senior Political Correspondent at the Express, to discuss how Labour deals with growing unpopularity early into its new government, the significance of the impending Assisted Dying Bill vote, and the unlikely alliances driven by divided opinions on the bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Remembering John Prescott, farming protests and British missiles in Ukraine

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 39:04


    Political editor of the Daily Express, Martyn Brown, and deputy political editor of the Daily Mirror, Mikey Smith, pay tribute to a giant of the Labour party, John Prescott, debate the farmer farmers' inheritance tax and protests, and look at the impact of British missiles in Ukraine - all in the latest episode of The Division Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Assisted Dying Bill, US election trail and dissecting Trump's cabinet picks

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 35:58


    New political editor of the Daily Express, Martyn Brown, joins deputy political editor of the Daily Mirror, Mikey Smith, on the newest episode of The Division Bell to discuss the politics of the Assisted Dying Bill, Mikey's travels on the US election campaign trail, and the controversies surrounding Trump's picks for his new administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trump's election win, new Tory leader, and Sam Lister on her political career

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 45:50


    Lizzy Buchan and Sam Lister analyse Trump's historic election win, what it means for NATO, and the UK. The Tories have elected Kemi Badenoch as their new leader who challenged Keir Starmer's previous comments on Trump. Sam Lister looks back on her career working as a political journalist at the heart of UK politics in Westminster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The first female Budget, Treasury secrets and the interminable Tory leadership race

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 42:30


    The Division Bell hosts Sam Lister and Lizzy Buchan welcome former Tory aide Cameron Brown to discuss the first Labour Budget in 14 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Early prisoner releases, Labour geeks, battle of the gingers and is Trump a fascist

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 42:44


    The Division Bell's Sam Lister is joined by interim co-host Mikey Smith and political commentator Matthew Laza discuss the early prisoner releases, Labour geeks and whether Trump is fascist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Fat jabs, Autumn Budget and Taylor Swift's royal treatment by Labour

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 44:46


    Lizzy Buchan and Sam Lister discuss Labour's plan to offer weight loss treatment for overweight unemployed people to help them get back to work. They also go discuss what we can expect in the Autumn Budget and the royal treatment that Taylor Swift received while in the UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Cleverly ‘crashing out' the leadership race, Winter Fuel protests and Labour's Employment Rights Bill

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 38:21


    Sam Lister and Lizzy Buchan host the Division Bell podcast where they discuss the final two Tory leadership contestants and Labour's new Employment Rights Bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Conservative conference, Labour sleaze and the ‘cruel' Winter Fuel cut

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 43:05


    The Division Bell's Sam Lister and Lizzy Buchan talk about the Conservative conference in Birmingham, Labour sleaze and the party's ‘cruel' Winter Fuel cuts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Keir Starmer's speech, winter fuel allowance protests and Wes Streeting doing karoke

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 36:38


    Sam Lister and Mikey Smith discuss Keir Starmer's speech at the Labour Party Conference, the protests outside against Winter Fuel Allowance cuts and MPs partying at Mirror's celebration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Dressgate, party conference chaos and Sue Gray's salary

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 46:38


    Lizzy Buchan and Sam Lister discuss Labour's Dressgate scandal fallout, behind the scenes of party conferences and the Government's Chief of Staff Sue Gray earning more than her boss, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Labour's plan for the NHS, Winter Fuel Payment vote and MPs rebelling

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 42:40


    Sam Lister and Lizzy Buchan return to the Division Bell to discuss Labour's plans for the NHS, how MPs voted on the Winter Fuel Payment and past rebellions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Taylor Swift, pub garden smoking bans and the Winter Fuel Payment

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 43:44


    The Division Bell is back with a brand new co-host, Lizzy Buchan. In episode one of the second series Sam Lister and Lizzy Buchan discuss what they've been up to this summer, Starmer's ‘draconian' smoking bans and the Winter Fuel Payment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Pension credit, Tory leadership race, and Keir Starmer's cagoule

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 39:51


    Sam and John discuss Rachel Reeeves' plans for fixing a 'black hole' in the public finances. Is it fair on pensioners? Was there an alternative way? Later in the episode they explore the Tory leadership race and who can reunite the Tory party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Jonathan Ashworth, Gaza and the Labour MPs losing the Whip

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 56:05


    Sam Lister and Lizzy Buchan are joined by Jonathan Ashworth as they discuss election results, campaign intimidation, Labour MPs losing the whip and Tory leadership contest for The Division Bell podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Tory beauty parade, Biden steps down, and Labour rebellion?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 33:43


    Hosts of The Division Bell podcast, John Stevens and Sam Lister, discuss the rules of the upcoming Tory leadership contest and two child cap policy. Later in the show they discuss the impact of Joe Biden stepping down in the US Presidential race. Will Kamala Harris become the Democrat nominee? Can she beat Trump to the White House? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    King's speech, smashing the gangs, the Liz Truss lock and Labour's housing plans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 39:08


    Can Labour can ‘smash the gangs'? And will they build 1.5m millions new homes? Do we now have the most interventionist government for decades? Join us for today's show Sam and John also chat through the 'Liz Truss lock' and the King's Speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trump shooting, MPs' safety and Jennie the guide dog

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 33:55


    John and Sam look back on their trip to Washington for the NATO summit. Joe Biden's blunders dominate the major talking points. How did it go for Keir Starmer? Will the failed assassination of Donald Trump propel him into the White House? And how long will this new-found unity last? New episodes of The Division Bell are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Football's coming home, Tory infighting and Starmer's honeymoon period

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 38:32


    Keir Starmer meets President Biden at the NATO Summit. Can the special relationship become stronger under Labour? Conservatives need to sort ‘undignified' infighting. Who can save the Tories? Join Lizzy Buchan and Martyn Brown for The Division Bell podcast. New episodes of The Division Bell are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Keir Starmer's NATO visit, Tory leadership election and Reform in parliament

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 40:45


    Keir Starmer goes on his first visit to Washington for NATO as Prime Minister. Who will be the next Tory leader? Can the Tories unite? Nigel Farage and 'his little gang' enter Parliament. Will they disrupt UK politics as much as their leader thinks? Sam and John discuss it all in today's episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Labour landslide, rise of Reform and a Tory disaster

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 40:28


    Keir Starmer leads Labour into a historic landslide victory, Reform surge sees Nigel Farage elected into parliament for the first time and Tories reel after losing hundreds of seats. Join Sam Lister and John Stevens as they analyse the election results and discuss what it means for the future of the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Behind the scenes on election day and Gordon Brown's unlikely friendship

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 46:07


    Join Mikey Smith and Martyn Brown for The Division Bell podcast just days before election. The pair discuss what will be happening behind the scenes just during polling day and the day before and after. They also discuss the chances of Nigel Farage being elected to parliament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Starmer vs. Sunak TV debate & life on the Conservative battle bus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 45:21


    In today's episode Sam and John sit down with Charlie Rowley to discuss last night's BBC Leaders' Debate and the betting scandals surrounding the election run-in. Can either party sort the housing crisis? Join Sam Lister and John Stevens for The Division Bell podcast. New episodes of The Division Bell are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the General Election campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Nigel Farage's 'weak spot', Boris Johnson's return, and the Tory betting scandal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 26:38


    In today's episode we discuss the return of Boris Johnson and the betting scandal engulfing conservative campaign. And later, we discuss Nigel Farage's potential 'weak spot' after being accused of being on the side of the Russian president by his Tory, Labour, Lib Dem and SNP rivals. Join Sam Lister and John Stevens for The Division Bell podcast. New episodes of The Division Bell are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the General Election campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Battle bus secrets, inflation and the best fashion in politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 33:56


    What goes on in the election battle buses? What does it mean for you that inflation has gone down and who has the best fashion in politics? Join Sam Lister and John Stevens for The Division Bell podcast. New episodes of The Division Bell are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the General Election campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Nigel Farage, private school tax and being evicted from Downing Street

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 37:34


    Nigel Farage's contract with Britain, Labour's tax on private schools and Liz Truss being 'evicted' from Downing Street. Join Sam Lister and John Stevens for The Division Bell podcast. New episodes of The Division Bell are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the General Election campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Labour manifesto, immigration and Ed Davey's makeover

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 30:38


    Is Keir Starmer really robotic? Has Rishi Sunak brought down immigration? Join Sam Lister and John Stevens as they dissect and debate the latest in the run up to the General Election. New episodes of The Division Bell are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the General Election campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Tory mole, D-Day mistake and Penny Mordaunt's blow dry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 36:54


    What's the mood in the Tory party? Is there a mole trying to sabotage Rishi Sunak? Join Sam Lister and John Stevens for the first episode of The Division Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 2:46


    The Division Bell is a brand new political podcast brought to you by Mirror and Express. Hosted by Express political editor, Sam Lister, and Mirror political editor, John Stevens, each episode will see them debate a political topic from both sides of the elective divide.  Episodes will be out every Tuesday and Thursday and a video version of the show will also be available to watch on YouTube. Make sure you follow the show on Youtube at divisionbellpodcast, on X at @dailyexpress and @dailymirror, and on TikTok at @mirrorpolitics to let us know what you think about what's going on, and what politicians are promising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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