Podcasts about Liberal Democrats

This week we have a bumper edition...so much going on in the world!  Should music be political?  Pasastoo Ahmadi;  The Swedish election corruption;  The CDU implode in Germany; The Houthis chant;  Xi Jinping and Donald Trump;  Deaths from Euthanasia in Canada outnumber deaths from guns in the US; Gang violence in South Africa; Muslim Suicide bombers in Nigeria; Country of the Week - North Korea; Liberal Democrats support men in womens spaces;  German serial killer misgendered; Palestinian activist turns out to be Israeli settle; Ed Milliband announces £88 million for Gaza whilst cutting UK army by £30 million; Newcastle Knights in Dreamland; Irish players snub Israelis; Brendan O'Neill on the takeover of the Irish elites;  Fauda again;  BBC reports terrorists as journalists; Hamas bodyguard protected in the UK;  Shanana Mahmood opens a new refugee route for Pakistan and Afghaistan; The attack on RAF Fairford; Abu Humza's wife gets another £70k for her state funded 5  bedroom home; Narnia goes woke; Muslims demand that John Cleese be cancelled; Death of the Pastors Wife; Die Fledermaus; The Bald President; Super Intelligence rather than Artificial Intelligence; Scotland's Education Secretary on what Education is;  University of Edinburgh drops Divinity degrees; The Sahara is shrinking; Feedback; Poetry - Shamus O'Rourke;  Jesus in Swansea; Salve Regina and the Pope in France; Jerry Eze in Old Trafford; and The Final Word - Psalm 1with music from the Dave Brubeck Quartet; Pink; Parastoo Ahmadi; The Kim Sisters; The Mooranbong Band;  Pink Floyd; Strauss; Rush; The Psalms Project;

Can Andy Burnham bring back hope - or is he all style and no substance? Following the prime minister's meeting with Donald Trump in New York, Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman discuss whether Mr Burnham's leadership has brought about a sense of change in the Labour Party - and the country - and make their predictions ahead of the party conference next week. Plus - are the Liberal Democrats irrelevant on the national stage, despite being the third biggest party at Westminster? To listen without ads, exclusive bonus episodes, and much more, become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk. Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

In Thursday's episode of The Daily T, Camilla Tominey and Tim Stanley are joined by pollster Scarlett Maguire to explore the latest YouGov MRP poll that points to the next general election resulting in a super-hung parliament. They discuss how a coalition between multiple parties could work and explore the idea that the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party could play vital roles in forming the next government.They also discuss Kemi Badenoch's plans to block people on benefits from spending their money on alcohol, with Tim suggesting that those who will suffer most from this plan are young people.Plus: will Andy Burnham's plans to bring back drinking alcohol in football stands be a vote winner?Get your tickets to The Daily T's On The Road Sunday Showdown between Camilla Tominey and Bridget Phillipson here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph-events/live-events-party-conferences-2026/► Subscribe to our new Daily T YouTube channel: youtube.com/@dailytpodcast► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorThe Telegraph is the Publisher Podcast Awards' Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026Producer: David LeveneSenior Producer: Emma WilliamsSocial Producer: Nada AggourVideo Producer: Jim SpencerExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanEditor: Camilla TomineyHighlights:Pollster Scarlett Maguire dissects the latest MRP YouGov poll which predicts a super hung parliament at the next genera electionTim, Camilla and Scarlett analyse the policy announcements, scandals and stories that have impacted the major political parties' polling Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has finally met Donald Trump, and George Osborne concludes it went as well as it possibly could. He and Ed Balls delve into the two leaders' meeting in New York this week, and just how Britain navigates the rising tensions around AI in the wake of Australia's health data breach. George also proposes Trump's meeting with President Xi could be the start of a global consensus forming on AI regulation. The walls could close in very quickly on Trump, however, as we race towards the midterms in November. Heavy losses could see him lose both chambers of Congress, and render his last two years in office a lame duck. The pair cast ahead to some key races, including a potential future President in Jon Ossoff.While fortunes are rising for the US Democrats, the Liberal Democrats are in a tough spot. Their party conference was overshadowed by Royal controversy, and increased pressure on Ed Davey. Is his strategy working? Would a Charles Kennedy-esque leader make a bigger impact? How prepared are they for a coalition after the next election?We love hearing from you, so please don't forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

Following Reform UK Wales' first week under new leader Helen Jenner, our Political Correspondent Dan Davies walks us through the party reshuffle and what her leadership might mean for the opposition in the Senedd. Health Correspondent Owain Clarke brings us the latest NHS figures and unpacks why there has been confusion over waiting times targets. Plus, Shelley Phelps joins us from Westminster after attending the Liberal Democrats' UK conference.

Carl and Dan ask the question on everyone's lips: what is the point of the Liberal Democrats?

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's live, daily show on LBC Radio. To join the conversation call: 0345 60 60 973

As the far-right Alternative for Germany wins another regional election, wiping out the ruling Christian Democratic Union in former Chancellor Angela Merkel's own backyard, will Friedrich Merz face the same fate as Keir Starmer and lose his job? New polling shows that just 15% of people in rural communities think Labour cares about them, so how does the party deliver "growth in every postcode" to the countryside? With 70 seats in Parliament and the Tories in electoral trouble, why haven't the Liberal Democrats gained more traction in the week of their party conference? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Enjoy Rory and Alastair's interview with Gordon Brown by searching ‘Leading' on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter ⁠HERE⁠, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus. Start your free trial at ⁠therestispolitics.com⁠ to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair's miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, exclusive newsletters, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Stop overpaying for energy. Switch at ⁠fuseenergy.com/politics⁠ and get a free TRIP+ subscription.

Andy Burnham promised politics with a “sense of optimism” – now the PM is warning that “difficult decisions” lie ahead. So can he keep up the smiles as next month's budget looms and the reality of government sets in? Plus, the Liberal Democrats gather in Brighton where Ed Davey is promising “insurgent liberalism”. What does it mean? And why are some Lib Dems unhappy with their leader?  • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  • Get up to £350 off the Eight Sleep Pod 5 here with the code OGWN  ESCAPE ROUTES • Rachel watched Paul Feig's thriller, The Housemaid  • Raf is watching World War Two drama The Line – or Un village françaison in French – streaming on ITVX • Ros is reading Farewell to Eden by Sebastian Faulks  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Rachel Cunliffe and Rafael Behr. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy Burnham is having his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump at the United Nations. But will Burnham's past comments about the US president make for an awkward encounter?Plus, Danny Dyer's expletive-filled view on Andy Burnham and fashion tips for Liberal Democrats. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Carol Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How on edge will Andy Burnham feel as he prepares to meet Donald Trump?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess the risks as the two met get together for the first time – where could the US President take umbrage?Also – why has Andy Burnham agreed to help Saudi Arabia with “defensive military support” against the Houthis?Sam's been speaking to Liberal Democrat leader – Sir Ed Davey – as their conference wraps up in Brighton but why has AI, technology and social care become a major theme?And, why are Lib Dem candidates being told to ditch the suits for quarter zip tops?

What a difference a year makesThe Labour Party conference awaits. Has Andy Burnham's folksy charm and optimism taken the party as far as it can, or can he consolidate power and popularity?Six-party politics A YouGov poll for The Times and Sky News puts Reform UK and the Conservative Party on level pegging for the first time in 18 months. Thursday's mega poll, the first MRP from YouGov in a year, will be a fascinating snapshot of the shifting electoral tectonic plates. Labour MPs are pinning their hopes on a split on the right, but will Burnham's government be able to build enough support from potential Green and Liberal Democrat voters?What will Andy Burnham's government do about welfare? Three reports into work and benefits are imminent: Charlie Mayfield's recommendations about how to keep people in work, Alan Milburn's report into Neets (young people not in education, employment or training) and a government review of mental health conditions. All of them put the welfare system into the spotlight. The timing creates a political problem for the government because next month's budget will not address the welfare bill. Raising taxes without fixing welfare is difficult for a prime minister who has talked about the power of politics to change things. Meanwhile his chancellor, John Healey, is buffeted by rising borrowing costs, which hit £18.3 billion in August, up nearly a fifth on August last year.Brexit re-litigated?On the plane to New York, Andy Burnham refused to rule out rejoining the European Union. A year ago he said he hoped the UK would rejoin the EU in his lifetime. Could he really be tempted to try to boost economic growth by aligning more closely with the EU or putting rejoining the EU in the next manifesto?Steven Swinford, political editor, The TimesPatrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The TimesProducer: Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture: Getty ImagesThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Gibbons is joined from Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton by deputy political editor James Heale and Michael Stephens, a senior associate fellow at RUSI and who is now the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Maidstone. They discuss Ed Davey's attempt to put more substance behind the stunts, how the party can keep making gains across the south east and whether defence and national security can give the party a more serious national profile. Plus: has Brighton provided any clues to who might eventually succeed Ed Davey?Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Davey is trying to re-energise the Liberal Democrats at the party's conference in Brighton - but do his speeches reveal a party struggling to find a clear national message?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Timandra Harkness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can the Liberal Democrats withstand the political turbulence around them? As delegates gather in Brighton for their party conference, Sam Coates gauges the pressure on Sir Ed Davey's party as it faces a squeeze from the Greens and the Andy Burnham bounce. Elsewhere, the Prime Minister prepares to go to New York for the UN General Assembly, the duo look ahead to his first meeting with Donald Trump – can they find any common ground? Plus, Anne McElvoy - who's in Germany - reports on a disastrous set of regional elections for Friedrich Merz – but is he in a similar position to Keir Starmer post elections in May 2026?

Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government was joined by Daisy Cooper MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference.

Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government was joined by Daisy Cooper MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. Hannah Marwood, Head of Government Affairs at The Investment Association made opening remarks. This event was in partnership with The Investment Association. This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Liberal Democrat Conference 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the hallways of the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton, the Spectator's deputy political editor James Heale speaks to foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller MP about the party's pitch on growth, what Andy Burnham means for the Lib Dems and why Britain should pursue closer defence ties with Europe.Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, says he takes full responsibility for what he's called a disastrous showing for his party in state elections.Ukraine has targeted Moscow with hundreds of drones - in what Russian officials described as the biggest such attack on the city so far in the war.The Liberal Democrats have urged the government to cut fuel duty by ten pence a litre until December - to help people with the cost of living.(Image: Reuters)

Ben Wright is joined by the Labour MP and new Chair of the Justice Select Committee, Catherine Atkinson; Conservative health spokesman Neil Shastri-Hurst; and the Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesperson, Calum Miller. The former diplomat and National Security Adviser, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, joins them to discuss the Prime Minister's trip to the UN General Assembly and expected first meeting with Donald Trump. The panel also consider changes to the way courts operate, intended to speed up rape trials. And Harry Farley speaks to grassroots Lib Dems, attending their annual conference in Brighton, about their ambitions for the party. Lara Spirit - deputy political editor of The Sunday Times - brings additional insight and analysis.

Party conference season is underway and so we'll be catching up with the rural and farming policies of the main parties around the UK over the next few weeks. The Liberal Democrats open their meeting in Brighton tomorrow. They're renewing their call for the government to protect food security by funding more on-farm reservoirs, so farmers can cope with increasingly frequent drought and deluge. The Lib Dem's Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs spokesperson, Tim Farron, tells us how the party would go about increasing DEFRA's budget.Conservationists are working to save a tiny snail which has been driven to extinction across most of the UK and can now only be found in Wales' largest natural lake.  Several British zoos are setting up populations of the Glutinous Snail, one of Europe's rarest species, using creatures bred in a back garden in Ceredigion.  Ecologist Ian Hughes has made it his "life-defining" mission to protect the threatened mollusc, which was once widespread in UK waters. Today the finalists for the BBC Food & Farming Awards are announced. Charlotte Smith reveals the finalists for The Archers and Farming Today 'Farming for the Future Award'. A new play inspired by the best-selling memoir The Farmer's Wife by Helen Rebanks will have its world premiere tonight in Cumbria. It follows a single day in the life of three generations of women on a working family farm. We take a peek behind the scenes.Presenter: Charlotte Smith Producer: Sarah Swadling

With Westminster been rocked by the news of a record-breaking – and maybe game-changing – £72 million donation to Reform UK, new Lib Dem peer Tim Leunig joins the podcast team to assess how the government might respond, and what comes next for party political donations. Next up on the conference circuit are the Liberal Democrats. So how much pressure is leader Sir Ed Davey under as his party gather in Brighton this weekend? Plus: These are uncertain times... but just how uncertain are they? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Burnham Trump meetingAndy Burnham and Donald Trump will meet for the first time in New York next week. It's the biggest foreign policy moment in Burnham's premiership so far and there are many different ways in which it could go wrong. Burnham wants to be more confrontational with Trump than Starmer was...without damaging relations with the US.Autumn budget: the walls are closing inIt's now accepted that next month's budget will be a money-raising budget. Does the new government have a plan for growth?Are the Liberal Democrats still relevant?The Liberal Democrats are about to hold their conference and some of their MPs are worried that Ed Davey isn't doing enough as leader. We look at their electoral strategy and their prospects.Steven Swinford, political editor, The TimesBen Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday TimesLara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday TimesProducer: Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPictures: Getty ImagesThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does big money win elections?As Reform UK receives record sums from billionaire donors, we look at what it will take to translate the cash into votes.The team recalls the fall-out from the Bernie Ecclestone affair and the cash-for-honours scandal during the Blair years, and both Danny and Sally say they've been approached by people asking for a peerage.Plus: After the 'Gail's' strategy, what do the Liberal Democrats need to do to get out of the electoral doldrums?Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.ukVideo editor: Kim McCarthyExecutive Producer: Andrew AlexanderPicture: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Piddington is sticking it to the Labour government, voting overwhelmingly to leave the UK; 285 of 312 voted to leave. Although this will not trigger any formal departure from the country, it represents the strength of feeling about the incoming migrants that Piddington would like to see the back of. Many say this is what Piddington gets for voting Liberal Democrat, with residents emphasising that not every local voted for the Party and that the safety of women is paramount. Talk Breakfast's Jeremy Kyle discussed the vote outcome, and more, with: Former deputy speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans, Piddington resident Sandra Innes, Talk's international editor Isabel Oakeshott, commentator and the Mail on Sunday's Dan Hodges, shadow chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart, Talk reporter Charlie Rowley, and chair of the Piddington Parish Council in Oxfordshire Tim McNally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK has been given a second £36m donation in as many days -- after the cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne said he had matched a sum donated last night. Mr Harborne has told the Daily Telegraph his 'competitive spirit' made him want to equal the amount given by the businessman, Ben Delo. Reform say the record-breaking cash injection will help to level the playing field; the Liberal Democrats and the Greens have joined campaigners in calling for a cap on politicial donations. Also: There's been a strong reaction to President Trump's surprise intervention on the future of the island of Ireland - and his comment that he'd "love to see" reunification. And: The boss of Anthropic -- which created the popular AI system Claude -- has called for the artificial intelligence industry to slow down, as fears mount about the speed of development.

MPs have voted against the assisted dying bill. The legislation was defeated by a margin of 16 votes, with 286 MPs in favour and 270 against, after 314 MPs backed the plan last year. It's a huge moment in the House of Commons. Why did the support for it fall away? How much of a difference did it make that Andy Burnham was not a supporter? Does it mean the issue is off the table for the foreseeable future? Where do we go from here? Does it galvanise the prime minister's mission to reform social care and palliative care?Plus, Andy Burnham is turning left, trying to appeal to the voters that Keir Starmer lost to the Greens and the Liberal Democrats. Will it work? And are the odds of an early election narrowing?Steven Swinford, political editor, The TimesBen Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday TimesProducer: Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture: Getty ImagesAudio: Parliament TVThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After their best ever election results in 2024, the Liberal Democrats found themselves on a precipice; a decade on from the end of the coalition, voters beginning to trust them again and a Labour government much more amenable to a liberal vision than the increasingly rightwards-tacking Tories.Two years after, and they regularly find themselves polling fifth – in what used to be a three-horse race.It is clear that not just the Liberal Democrats as a party but that Liberalism itself, as an ideology, needs some work. When populism on both ends of the political spectrum is appealing to an increasingly-polarised and crisis-ridden country, how does Liberalism show people it has the answers?This is what Roz Savage, Member of Parliament for the South Cotswolds and Chair of the Lib Dem Parliamentary Party, tackles in her new publication for Compass, ‘Liberalism Alive: A Liberal Vision for a Flourishing Britain'. And on this episode of It's Bloody Complicated she sits down with Compass Director Neal Lawson to discuss it.Support the showEnjoyed the podcast and want to be a live audience member at our next episode? Want to have the chance in raising questions to the panelist?Support our work and be a part of the Compass community. Become a member!You can find us on Twitter at @CompassOffice. 

Weekend bonus episode… Britain still mired in Brexit, Europe divided, economic stagnation in the West and Donald Trump's disastrous culture wars and actual wars. Are they all just a blip in human history or does the West's decline mark the beginning of a new world order? What if that future belongs to rising powers of the East – China and India? That's the premise of Sir Vince Cable's new book, Eclipsing the West: China, India and the Forging of a New World. The former Liberal Democrat leader talks to Rafael Behr about how China and India are increasingly shaping the world – and where (and if) Britain fits in.  • Buy Vince's book Eclipsing the West: China, India and the forging of a new world from our affiliate bookshop and you'll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org's fees help support independent bookshops too. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Almost half of teachers surveyed by the Liberal Democrats say they are considering leaving the profession within the next five years, while more than three quarters report feeling frequently or constantly burnt out. The party says schools are approaching an “existential crisis” and is calling for fully funded pay rises, limits on teacher overtime and greater access to flexible working. The government, however, says teacher departures are at one of their lowest levels since 2010 and that record numbers are returning to the classroom. So how serious is the retention crisis? Are workload and working conditions still driving teachers out or do the headline figures give a misleading picture? And what emergency measures, if any, would genuinely persuade teachers to stay? Ollie Bayliss, Tom Rogers and JP discuss on Teachers Talk Radio's Points of View.

California has the wealth and talent of a superpower. It also has some of America's worst housing costs, highest wealth and income inequality, eye-watering energy prices, stubborn homelessness, weak infrastructure and awful school outcomes. Yet after years of Democratic dominance, voters still seem reluctant to change the management. This week on In Search of Sanity, California newspaper editor Joe Tarica joins us to ask why. Britain, meanwhile, is seeing voters scatter across Labour, Conservatives, Reform, Greens and Liberal Democrats. So why does America's richest state remain so stubbornly locked into a two-party choice?

This week Jason is joined by old friend and former Disorder co-host Arthur Snell, former British diplomat, host of Behind the Lines, and author of Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change and How We Survive It. Jason and Arthur start with the seemingly never-ending Iran war. Has Trump's threatened “economic D-Day” achieved anything? Has it really even been implemented? Jason argues that Iran could become America's Suez moment: not another Vietnam, but an debacle exposing the limits of American power and its inability to Order the world without its allies. They then turn to the U.S. midterms, whether the Democrats can retake Congress, and their continuing failure to articulate a coherent national message. And behind both American and British politics lurks another constraint: the bond market. With rising borrowing costs limiting what governments can actually do, could markets and independent institutions provide some of the feedback loops that politics increasingly lacks? Next up is Andy Burnham's back-to-school moment. Can he rebuild Britain's relationship with Europe, stand up to Trump and make better use of Britain's considerable geopolitical leverage? Jason proposes an “elbows up rule”: medium powers confronting Trump need to articulate clear red lines and stick to them rather than succumbing to appeasement. Finally, Arthur draws on his book Elemental to explain how the devastating Nepal floods reveal a much bigger climate and geopolitical problem. Billions depend on water originating in the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, potentially intensifying tensions between China, India and Pakistan. Like Libya's Derna disaster, it illustrates an Enduring Disorder: foreseeable risks that fragmented institutions repeatedly fail to prepare for. To Order the Disorder, Arthur calls for rebuilding British soft power through refunding the BBC World Service, British Council and universities, while Jason proposes a clear Burnham Doctrine on Britain's place in the world. And despite the climate crisis, Arthur offers some grounds for optimism: much of the technology needed for the energy transition already exists — the challenge is turning it into policies governments can actually deliver and then maintaining the will to implement them. For Mega Orderers Club members, Jason and Arthur continue with a bonus discussion on the Liberal Democrats and their place in Britain's rapidly changing political landscape. Join the club at disordershow.com/club to get that immediately. SHOWNOTE LINKS: Join the Mega Orderers Club and get the Arthur Snell intro to who are the Lib Dems, what are they doing, and what do they believe in:https://www.disordershow.com/club Arthur Snell's Elementalhttps://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/arthur-snell/elemental/9781529097016 Arthur Snell's Behind the Lineshttps://shows.acast.com/behind-the-lines-with-arthur-snell Arthur's Not All Doom Substackhttps://arthursnell.substack.com/ Join the Mega Orderers Clubhttps://www.disordershow.com/club Disorder on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@DisorderShow Ordering the Disorder on Substackhttps://natoandtheged.substack.com/

BURSTING THE BREXIT BUBBLE! HOW BREXITEERS ARE CAUGHT IN THEIR OWN "PURTY SPIRAL"In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen interviews Roland Smith, one of the few Brexit supporters who has publicly admitted the Brexit project was a mistake. Roland discusses how British right-wing politics has descended into a purity spiral since 2016, with no senior conservative politicians acknowledging failures in Brexit or austerity policies. He explains that right-wing figures genuinely believe they haven't gone far enough with their policies rather than admitting mistakes, and that the entire movement has been radicalised into extreme positions through an echo chamber effect. Roland and Nick discuss how journalists like Boris Johnson and Michael Gove led Brexit rather than proper politicians, how the Conservative Party has been pulled ever rightwards, and how no one can operate within right-wing circles and admit Brexit was wrong without losing their entire social network. They discuss how this radicalisation has cost the Conservatives traditional support in former strongholds, with seats like Chesham and Amersham switching to Liberal Democrats, yet the party continues moving in an extreme direction under leaders like Kemi Badenoch.Read all about it!Roland Smith @rolandmcs is a Fellow of the Adam Smith Institute and author of "The Liberal Case for Leave", made the case for the EEA [European Economic Area] - a so-called "soft Brexit" which would have left the UK in the Single Market back in 2016. He has since publicly opposed the hard Brexit agreed by Boris Johnson's government. Roland also has his own regular Substack column, Soft Landing, that regularly explores the UK's troubled relationship with the EUNick Cohen's @NickCohen4 regular Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond is another must read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Broadcaster and former footballer Karen Carney OBE has been awarded the Professional Footballers' Association's merit award for her contribution to football. She joins Nuala to explain what winning the prestigious award means to her. The Ministry of Justice has announced the introduction of 'restriction zones' for serious sexual and violent offenders that would confine them to areas just a few miles wide after leaving prison. Government ministers say the scheme is designed to give victims greater freedom but some campaigners want more detail about how they will work and be enforced. To discuss further Nuala is joined by advocate on domestic abuse and stalking, Rhianon Bragg.Siobhan Daniels was a guest on Woman's Hour a couple of years ago as part of Listener Week to talk about her alternative lifestyle, getting rid of her possessions and living a nomadic lifestyle by travelling the country in a motorhome. Now she's back with a new book, Retire and Refire, which chronicles her 4,000-mile solo RV adventure from Canada to Alaska along the Alaska Highway. She tells Nuala about her latest adventures. Parliament returns this week and one of the first items on the agenda for the Liberal Democrats is a bill that aims to ban the possession of sex dolls that resemble children. Currently it's illegal to import them but not to own one in the UK. Munira Wilson MP explains why she wants to change the law and close a 'dangerous loophole', and Nuala also hears from Dr Alex Bailey from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation – an organisation that works to prevent child sexual abuse.'Poetry is everywhere' - that's according to spoken word poet Georgie Jones. Her honest takes on the realities of womanhood, friendship, body image, love and self-doubt have struck a chord with audiences and seen her shoot to fame on social media. Georgie joins Nuala to discuss why spoken word poetry is striking such a chord with women online.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Olivia Skinner

This episode covers the deadly gang attack on a church shelter in Haiti and the interfaith peace accord signed by Christian and Muslim leaders in Nigeria. It also examines the detention of five Christians after a mob disrupted a prayer gathering in northern India. In the United Kingdom, the program reports on former Bishop Paul Butler's misconduct admission in the John Smyth abuse case and David Campanale's religious-discrimination claim against the Liberal Democrats. The brief concludes with a Virginia voting-rights proposal and a rise in young Catholic converts across Southern California. Dr. David K. Ewen

Glen Scrivener interviews journalist David Campanale. In 2024 he was deselected as a parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats due to his Christian beliefs.Send us your mini-revelations, stories, disagreements, questions and hot takes: podcast@speaklife.org.uk_____________________________Enjoy seeing life through the lens of Jesus? Here's where to find more Speak Life content: 321course.com // YouTube // Instagram // WebsiteSupport the show

Count Binface, Nigel Farage, the Clacton by-election, UK politics, protest voting and the strange state of British democracy are under discussion in this episode of Mark and Pete. Because something rather extraordinary has happened in Clacton. Count Binface, a man wearing a silver costume with what appears to be a bin on his head, came second.And not just “came second” in the sense of receiving 87 votes, including his mum and somebody who misunderstood the ballot paper. He received nearly 9,500 votes, around 27 per cent of those cast.Nigel Farage comfortably won the Clacton by-election, taking more than 22,000 votes and around 63 per cent of the total. But with Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats not fielding candidates, thousands of voters faced an unusual choice. And an awful lot of them apparently looked at Count Binface and thought: yes. That'll do nicely.So why did people vote for him?We look at the long and rather glorious British tradition of satirical election candidates, from the Monster Raving Loony Party onwards, and ask whether voting for a comedy candidate is merely a joke or actually quite a serious form of political protest.Because there is something going on here.British voters are increasingly dissatisfied with mainstream politics, political parties and politicians themselves. A vote for Count Binface can be funny, certainly, but it can also mean: none of you represents me. It is rather more emphatic than spoiling the ballot paper and considerably more entertaining.We also examine who Count Binface actually is, where the character came from, his previous election campaigns and some of his splendidly ridiculous manifesto promises. Then comes the obvious constitutional question.Could Count Binface become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?Technically, Britain doesn't directly elect a Prime Minister at all. The Prime Minister must be able to command the confidence of the House of Commons. There is, as far as we can establish, no constitutional prohibition on having a waste-paper basket for a head. Westminster has somehow neglected to legislate for this contingency.But underneath the jokes is a serious question about British democracy, protest votes, Nigel Farage, Reform UK and public trust in politics.When more than a quarter of voters choose the man dressed as an intergalactic space warrior, perhaps the interesting question isn't why they voted for the joke candidate.Perhaps it's who the joke is on.Mark and Pete: faith, life, current affairs and the occasional bin-headed parliamentary candidate.zz

The Liberal Democrats have 71 MPs, but we hear much more about Reform UK, a party with just eight MPs. So what does it mean to be a Lib Dem in 2026? I talked to Deputy Leader and Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper to find out. Along the way I wanted to know whether the Lib Dems would countenance entering a coalition with Labour; what does Cooper make of Andy Burnham; how determined is she to keep Nigel Farage out of Number 10; what sort of job as leader does she think Ed Davey is doing; and why did she go into politics in the first place? 

Andy Burnham's much-trumpeted plan to revive Britain's economy from “Number 10 North” has been met with ridicule as inflation rises to 2.9%, unemployment hits 4.9% and government borrowing costs approach a two-decade high.Also: Burnham promises that every rough sleeper in England will be offered accommodation this winter — but Big Issue founder Lord Bird warns that housing alone cannot address the addiction, mental-health problems and inherited poverty driving people on to the streets.French politicians demand yet more British cash to tackle Channel crossings, while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey calls for the UK to join the EU migration pact — potentially leaving Britain obliged to accept a large “fair share” of Europe's asylum seekers.A Labour MP blames Britain's colonial history and the global reach of the English language for illegal migration.And Green Party demands for tighter media regulation spark warnings that supposedly progressive politicians are using the Jason Arday controversy as an excuse to censor journalists and silence difficult questions.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM.Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage will compete with a record 33 other candidates in the Clacton by-election, despite several political parties refusing to stand. The Reform UK leader triggered the by-election in what he called a "people versus the establishment” contest, protesting against media and parliamentary scrutiny of his finances. Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have all boycotted the by-election and said they will not be putting forward a candidate. However, the public will still have 34 people to choose from when they head to polling stations on August 13, Tendring District Council confirmed. In this episode of What You Need To Know, ITV News reporter Lorna Shaddick looks at why the Clacton by-election is unlike any other in British history. Here is a full list of candidates in the Clacton by-election: - Joseph 77 (Independent) - Adham Alkhatip (The Forward Party) - Count Binface (Count Binface Party) - Nick The Incredible Flying Brick (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)- Tony Cane (Independent) - Woke Trump Carrzee (Independent) - William Stuart James Clouston (Social Democratic Party)- Rees Cowne (Independent) - Glenn Charles Cummings (Independent) - Martin Davies (Freedom Alliance – Real People, Real Alternative!)- Andy Erlam (Independent) - Nigel Farage (Reform UK) - Attieh Fard (Independent) - Laurence Fox (The Reclaim Party) - Tony Francis (Independent) - Robin Green (Independent)- Abi Hookway (Independent) - Howling Laud Hope (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party) - Stephen Richard Ingram (Independent) - Amy Morris (Independent) - Derrick Norbert Morris (Independent) - Michael Noel O'Keeffe (Independent) - Martyn OBrien (Independent) - Nick Pelas (Independent) - Ketankumar Pipaliya (UK VOICE safer and stronger UK)- Daniel Pocock (Independent) - James Ransley (Consensus Party Candidate) - Gerry Smith (Independent) - Kai Stephens (British Democrats) - John Stevens (Rejoin EU) - Baron Von Thunderclap (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)- Pamela Walford (Independent) - Marcus White (Everyone is God Party) - Marc Wilkinson (Independent)

Today, we look at the closest General Election of a generation as three party leaders faced their first national test.There had been building speculation about when Labour Prime Minister Gordon would call the election after taking over from Tony Blair in 2007. When he eventually did, he faced the Conservatives' David Cameron and Liberal Democrats' Nick Clegg. Adam is joined by Nick Robinson, who was the BBC's political editor at the time, and Jo Coburn, who was presenting the Daily Politics.In this second episode of two focussing on the campaign, they look at bigotgate - one of the most legendary campaign gaffes of modern times, as well as the first TV leaders debates.It's the latest of our special Old Newscast series looking back at the moments that shaped the course of modern political history in the UK.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Rosie Merotra. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at the closest General Election of a generation as three party leaders faced their first national test.There had been building speculation about when Labour Prime Minister Gordon would call the election after taking over from Tony Blair in 2007. When he eventually did, he faced the Conservatives' David Cameron and Liberal Democrats' Nick Clegg. Adam is joined by Nick Robinson, who was the BBC's political editor at the time, and Jo Coburn, who was presenting the Daily Politics.In this first of two episodes focussing on the campaign, they look at the fight to win the argument over how to try to help the country recover after the 2008 financial crash, and Nick reveals his scariest moment in the job.It's the latest of our special Old Newscast series looking back at the moments that shaped the course of modern political history in the UK.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Rosie Merotra. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are Liberal Democrat trade spokesperson Josh Reynolds, manufacturing sector businessman John Elliott, Green Party London Assembly member Caroline Russell, plus political commentator Sarah Southern.

How are the conditions we're experiencing this summer affecting your view of how we fight climate change?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are Liberal Democrat trade spokesperson Josh Reynolds, manufacturing sector businessman John Elliott, Green Party London Assembly member Caroline Russell, plus political commentator Sarah Southern.

Today, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants a major reform of the current social care system in England and set out his three-point plan to achieve it.The prime minister has brought forward a review of social care by Baroness Casey, and has asked the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to work with him on his reforms. But what does Andy Burnham mean by a ‘National Care Service'? Why have 22 previous reviews into adult social care failed to affect change? And how will he fund the major task of fixing social care in England?Adam is joined by Alison Holt, Social Affairs Editor, Jim Reed, Health Correspodnent, and Ben Chu, Policy and Analysis Correspondent at BBC Verify to comb through everything we learned - and everything we didn't - from the Prime Minister today. To unpack everything we learned today of this Adam is joined by Social Affairs Editor Alison Holt, Health Correspondent Jim Reed, and Policy and Analysis Correspondent at BBC Verify Ben Chu. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slate with Rosie Merotra and Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The head of world football's governing body, FIFA, Gianni Infantino says controversial plans to sell off stakes in major competitions, including the World Cup, are an 'opportunity', not an 'obligation'.Also on the programme: The Environment Agency has declared drought in more than half of England, after record low rainfall and high temperatures; Prime Minister Andy Burnham has held talks with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in an attempt to seek cross-party consensus on reform of adult social care in England; and the Oscar-awarding winning Irish musician Glen Hansard has died aged 56.

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.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk 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.

Simon Constable discusses the declining popularity of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the potential rise of challengers like Andy Burnham. He highlights a dramatic shift in British public opinion, with polling by Lord Ashcroftshowing that a vast majority of Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green voters—and even a third of Conservatives—now favor rejoining the European Union after a decade of Brexit. (14)1890

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 6-10-26.Greg Scarlatoiu analyzes Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang, noting that Kim Jong-un now views himself as a strategic equal to Xi and Putin. Despite sanctions, North Korea's economy shows a facade of growth fueled by billions made exporting artillery and special forces to Russia. Kim is also modernizing his security apparatus into a structure similar to Russia's FSB. (1)Professor Jim Holmes discusses the naval balance between the U.S. and China, suggesting the PLA Navy aims for six aircraft carriers to project power in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. While China has made strides in naval aviation without the heavy losses the U.S. historically endured, Holmes believes they still lag behind in technological sophistication and human tactical proficiency. (2)Victoria Coates highlights Taiwan's indispensable role in the global AI revolution through TSMC's high-end chip production, which the U.S. and China currently cannot replicate. She emphasizes that Taiwan's engineering "super workers" are a state secret. Coates also discusses the political friction in Washington regarding arms sales and the need for Taiwan to increase its own defense spending. (3)Victoria Coates addresses the Pentagon's decision to list major Chinese companies like BYD and Alibaba as security risks due to their military ties. She argues for clear country-of-origin labeling on products to inform American consumers. Furthermore, Coates criticizes the Biden administration for prioritizing climate goals over addressing China's use of forced labor in the solar panel supply chain. (4)Natalie Ecanow details Qatar's massive $400 billion investment footprint in the United States, including high-profile real estate like New York's Park Lane Hotel and significant orders for Boeing aircraft. She argues these investments are not merely financial but serve to buy long-term political influence and goodwill with American policymakers, regardless of party affiliation, by embedding Qatari wealth into the U.S. economy. (5)Natalie Ecanow explains that Qatari wealth is controlled by the Al-Thani autocracy, whose values often conflict with U.S. interests, such as their support for Hamas and the Taliban. She highlights the lack of transparency in Qatarifunding, citing a lawsuit that revealed nearly half a billion dollars in undisclosed money sent to Texas A&M University, and calls for stricter U.S. disclosure laws. (6)Joel Kotkin examines the definition of fascism, arguing that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is not a fascist because she respects democratic norms. He identifies China's government-led economy as the closest modern parallel to historical fascism. Kotkin also warns of "techno-fascism," where a small group of global tech companies exert unprecedented control over public opinion and information through surveillance tools. (7)Joel Kotkin disputes the label of "fascist" for the MAGA movement, noting it lacks the youth-driven, paramilitary organization characteristic of movements led by Mussolini or Hitler. He describes MAGA as a chaotic coalition of various interest groups held together by Donald Trump's personality. Kotkin emphasizes that using the term as a political slur ruins the possibility of necessary civil discourse. (8)Michael Bernstam discusses a looming glut of liquefied natural gas driven by record U.S. shale production, which is stabilizing energy prices in Europe. Regarding Russia, he explains that while crude exports continue, Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries have created a domestic manufacturing crisis, leading to fuel shortages for Russian agriculture and industry that are difficult to repair under sanctions. (9)Michael Bernstam reveals that China has significantly reduced its oil imports by nearly half by drawing on massive strategic reserves of 1.4 billion barrels and increasing electric vehicle adoption. Simultaneously, the U.S. has reached record domestic oil production of nearly 14 million barrels per day. These factors combined help lower global oil prices despite declining inventories in other OECD countries. (10)Tal Fortgang explores Justice Scalia's legal philosophy through a biography by James Rosen, focusing on Scalia's dissent in Lee v. Weisman regarding religious benedictions at public graduations. Fortgang explains how Scaliapopularized "originalism" and "textualism," arguing that the Constitution should be interpreted based on the original public meaning of the text rather than through subjective "moral readings" by judges. (11)Tal Fortgang discusses the "Scalian revolution" that shifted the Supreme Court toward judicial restraint. He notes that while Scalia faced a hostile press and "nasty" internal criticism from colleagues like Harry Blackmun, his ideas eventually prevailed. Fortgang also observes that the modern partisan venom in confirmation hearings began during Scalia's era with the contentious treatment of Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. (12)Simon Constable reports from France on falling global commodity prices for food and energy due to supply meeting demand. He then shifts to the immigration crisis in Britain, where violent incidents in Belfast and Southampton have fueled public outrage. Constable attributes the unrest to a failure of both major parties to manage unfettered immigration and the lack of cultural integration. (13)Simon Constable discusses the declining popularity of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the potential rise of challengers like Andy Burnham. He highlights a dramatic shift in British public opinion, with polling by Lord Ashcroftshowing that a vast majority of Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green voters—and even a third of Conservatives—now favor rejoining the European Union after a decade of Brexit. (14)Bob Zimmerman tracks the transition to commercial space, noting that private companies like Vast are leading the race to build stations to replace the aging ISS. He discusses Amazon's struggle to launch its satellite constellation due to rocket delays, contrasted with SpaceX's efficiency. Zimmerman also reports on a milestone for SpaceX, as a single Falcon 9 booster successfully completed a record 35th flight. (15)Bob Zimmerman highlights discoveries by the James Webb Space Telescope, including a black hole 6 billion times the mass of the sun located 10 billion light-years away. He also describes a "flickering" quasar from the early universe that challenges current Big Bang theories. Finally, Zimmerman provides an update on the Curiosity rover as it travels through the "Grand" valley on its ascent of Mars. (16)Two name fixes: Joel Cotkin → Joel Kotkin (7, 8) — the urbanist/scholar's correct spelling Natalie Eacano → Natalie Ecanow (5, 6) — the FDD scholar's correct spelling