Podcasts about Liberal Democrats

British banknotes could soon feature wildlife instead of famous people, according to discussions about redesigning UK currency and in this Mark and Pete episode we explore the strange logic behind putting animals on banknotes instead of historical figures. The Bank of England redesign debate has sparked arguments about representation, national identity, and whether putting animals like badgers, beavers, or birds on money is really an improvement.In this episode of Mark and Pete, Pete the preacher and Mark the businessman look at the curious suggestion that British banknotes should move away from historic figures and towards wildlife. The intention, apparently, is to avoid controversy and keep everyone happy. But does replacing Churchill with a hedgehog actually solve anything?We also dive into the political comedy surrounding the story. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey once famously joked about badgers, while Nigel Farage suggested a beaver for a banknote design — and suddenly British politics starts sounding like a particularly odd nature documentary.Through humour, poetry, and a slightly raised eyebrow, Mark and Pete explore what money actually represents. Is currency meant to celebrate history? National culture? Or is this simply another attempt to remove the human story from public life altogether?Along the way, Pete reflects briefly on the biblical idea of bearing the image of Caesar on a coin, asking whether modern society is slowly trying to erase the idea of legacy, leadership, and human achievement.Expect the usual Mark and Pete format:• A sharp look at the week's news• Mark's original poem on the subject• Pete's biblical reflection• Plenty of dry British humourIf you enjoy thoughtful commentary on UK politics, culture, society, and Christianity, this episode takes a deceptively silly news story and uncovers the bigger cultural question hiding underneath.Subscribe for more episodes of Mark and Pete – witty observations on politics, culture, and faith.

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are the former Conservative Education Secretary Justine Greening, MPs Darren Paffey from Labour and Pippa Heylings from the Liberal Democrats, plus the PR agency partner Tom Skinner.

What kinds of action would you like the government to take to help with the imminent cost-of-living crisis?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are the former Conservative Education Secretary Justine Greening, MPs Darren Paffey from Labour and Pippa Heylings from the Liberal Democrats, plus the PR agency partner Tom Skinner.

Following questions over the UK's military capability and the Iran conflict we discuss defence with Francis Tusa, editor of Defence Analysis. With conference season well under way, this week it's the turn of Reform and the Liberal Democrats. Reform's James Evans MS and the Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS join us. On International Women's Day we discuss gender parity in the Senedd with Cardiff University's Dr Leah Hibbs. Journalist Will Hayward talks about his new book 'Who Cares About Wales?'Reviewing the papers: Plaid Cymru's Kiera Marshall and Bethan Cousins from the Development Bank Wales.

Walescast heads to the Leonardo Hotel in Cardiff for the Welsh Liberal Democrats conference. Fliss talks to their leader Jane Dodds, their MP David Chadwick and other candidates and members. We also catch up with our Political Correspondent Rhodri Lewis to digest the day. This episode makes up one of the many trips Walescast has made to the six main parties events, rallies and conferences over the election period.

Fliss is joined by Nick Servini as campaigning gets underway for the 2026 Senedd election. They catch up with Sam Rowlands from the Welsh Conservatives, David Philips from the Welsh Greens and Plaid Cymru's Llyr Gruffydd about their launches into the election. We will be joined by Welsh Labour, Reform and the Liberal Democrats on next week's episode. Walescast is back on TV for four weeks and you can watch this episode on BBC1 Wales and iPlayer.

'Something massive is happening.' The words of the Green Party's new MP Hannah Spencer after her decisive win in the Gorton and Denton by-election. Is she right? Labour came a distant third and neither the Conservatives nor the Liberal Democrats managed to get even two percent of the vote. Arguably none of that was unexpected. But Reform UK, up until now seen as the populist insurgents ready to replace the mainstream parties, fell short by over 4000 votes. Not nearly the knife-edge result predicted. So is Nigel Farage in danger of running out of steam after diluting his party with Tory defectors? Could the Greens offer white working class voters a left alternative to kick the establishment? And is Labour going to have to move left, whether to take on the Green threat or their unhappy backbenchers?On this episode of the Fourcast, Krishnan Guru-Murthy speaks to Zack Polanski after his win, and is joined by the ex-Tory now Reform commentator Tim Montgomerie, Sam White, who is a former Chief of Staff to Keir Starmer, and Natalie Bennett, one of two Greens peers in the House of Lords.

Recorded at the Battle of Ideas festival 2025 on Saturday 18 October at Church House and the Abbey Centre, Westminster. Victory for the Greens in the Gorton & Denton by-election is the latest sign that old political loyalties have broken down. In what was, even as recently as the 2024 General Election, a very safe Labour seat, Hannah Spencer was elected with a majority of over 4,000. Reform came second, pushing Labour into an embarrassing third place while the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats both lost their deposits. Indeed, the three mainstream parties that have governed the UK for over 100 years managed less than 30 per cent of the vote between them.  What does all this mean for the future of British politics? ORIGINAL FESTIVAL INTRODUCTION Are the mainstream parties facing extinction or can they bounce back by the time of the next General Election in 2029? Can the Tories recover from 14 years of misrule? Will the Labour Party survive from its current economic woes? Will the political vacuum be filled by Ed Davey's Liberal Democrats or the ‘challenger' parties like Reform or the Greens? Take the Conservative Party: the oldest party in the world currently looks as if it is facing electoral wipeout. In a recent survey, 42 per cent of Conservative voters in the 2024 General Election said that even they wouldn't vote for them. The party that squandered Brexit is desperately looking around for a purpose. Some Tories believe that Robert Jenrick poses a more credible alternative than the current leader, Kemi Badenoch. But are they both fighting for a hopeless cause? Jenrick's crime-fighting TikTok videos and Badenoch's recent support of oil exploration got lots of media coverage, but Net Zero and the current failed model of policing were both introduced on their watch. Are they going back to their roots – if they can remember what those roots are – or are they simply mimicking Trump and Farage's agendas from the sidelines? Meanwhile, Labour seems to be imploding. A recent Ipsos poll ranked the current UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, as the most unpopular leader in modern times. In July 2024, his government won almost two-thirds of all seats, with a 174 majority in the Commons, yet a year later it is collapsing in the polls. The government has presided over cuts and tax rises, strikes and bailouts, two-tier justice and a zero-growth economy. The idea that if you pinned a red rosette on a donkey in Wales, it'd get elected no longer holds true. Far from ‘smashing the gangs', the immigration scandal that Labour inherited from the Tories means it is haemorrhaging support in Red Wall seats. Preferring Davos over Westminster, Starmer seems to prefer hob-nobbing with world leaders while taking British democracy for granted. Yet the death of both Labour and the Conservatives has been declared numerous times before, only for them to revive. Is it too soon to count them out? Is Britain's political map being redrawn, or torn up? Might proportional representation reinvigorate the mainstream parties? Must we wait for four more years? We'll take a vote on it. SPEAKERS Rosie Duffield MP member of parliament for Canterbury Dr Richard Johnson writer; senior lecturer in politics, Queen Mary University of London; co-author, Keeping the Red Flag Flying: The Labour Party in Opposition since 1922 Mark Littlewood director, Popular Conservatism; broadcaster, columnist, the Telegraph and the Mail Tim Montgomerie conservative journalist; founder, ConservativeHome, UnHerd and Centre for Social Justice Graham Stringer MP member of parliament, Blackley and Middleton South CHAIR Bruno Waterfield Brussels correspondent, The Times

In this special GB News by-election podcast, Katherine Forster and Christopher Hope analyse the dramatic Gorton and Denton result, where the Green Party overturned a 13,500 Labour majority to win with 40% of the vote. Reform UK finished second with 28.7%, Labour fell to third on 25.4%, and both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were reduced to the margins.The discussion explores what the result means for Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, Labour's strategic squeeze between Reform on the right and the Greens on the left, and whether Britain is entering an era of genuine five-party politics. They examine Reform's performance, including concerns raised about tactical voting and voting procedures, and consider how the Greens were able to consolidate support in a formerly safe Labour seat.Beat the system with TallyMoney. Gold you can spend. Discover more here: https://click.tallymoney.com/A64P/df08xa5e #adThe purchase of gold and investment in bullion is not FCA regulated nor do they benefit from the protections of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service. The value of your investment can go down as well as up. Consider the risks involved before choosing to invest. This card is issued by Transact Payments Limited pursuant to licence by Mastercard International Incorporated Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining Iain on Cross Question are the business lobbyist Ros Morgan, MPs Callum Anderson from Labour and Tom Morrison from the Liberal Democrats, plus the non-affiliated peer Baroness Kate Hoey.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch joins Iain Dale for Call Kemi, taking questions from LBC listeners.Joining Iain on Cross Question are the business lobbyist Ros Morgan, MPs Callum Anderson from Labour and Tom Morrison from the Liberal Democrats, plus the non-affiliated peer Baroness Kate Hoey.

Peter Mandelson is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a seismic moment in British politics - but will the pain of Epstein files continue to haunt Keir Starmer's government over the coming days, weeks and months?With an active police investigation and limited scope of what he can reveal, the Prime Minister will face tough questions over his decision to appoint Mr Mandelson as the UK's top man in Washington. Sam and Anne consider: Will the arrest impact the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election? Will the Liberal Democrats use the humble address to force the government to release documents on the appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a trade envoy? Away from the Mandelson affair, on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, allies from the coalition of the willing meet with President Zelenskyy. Plus, has more money been found to help tackle the courts backlog and will it make a difference?

Epstein Files, Attempted Assassination, Corrupt Jewish debauchery, Attempted First Amendment stripping Cartels revenging El Mencho death in Mexico, staging for military operations near Iran, Liberal Democrats skipping out of State of the Union Address, Liberal Activist Judges still suck, SCOTUS rules tariffs illegal,ICE protests continue, but oddly no Epstein protests

Kemi Badenoch is the Conservative MP for North West Essex and the Leader of the Opposition. Since winning her seat in 2017, she has held cabinet positions as Minister of State for Equalities under Boris Johnson and Secretary of State for International Trade under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. She became leader of the Conservative Party in 2024 after Rishi Sunak's resignation and is the first black person to lead a political party in Britain. Her Nigerian parents came to Britain for medical treatment and Kemi was born in a private hospital in Wimbledon in January 1980. Her parents returned with their newborn daughter, and she was brought up in Nigeria in an affluent suburb of Lagos. After a series of military coups and economic downturns, her family, along with many other middle-class families in Nigeria saw their wealth decline and Kemi was sent to London to study for her A levels.Instead of following her parents into medicine, she chose to pursue Computer Systems Engineering and went to Sussex University. A well-paid career in IT followed and she joined the Conservative Party aged twenty-five where she also met her husband, Hamish. Her first attempt at becoming an MP was in 2010 in Dame Tessa Jowell's former constituency of Dulwich and West Norwood constituency in London. She finished third behind the Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates.In 2017, she was selected for the Saffron Walden seat and became an MP.She lives in London with her husband and three children and divides her time between Westminster and her constituency of North West Essex.DISC ONE: The Story of Tonight - Lin-Manuel Miranda, Okieriete Onaodowan, Daveed Diggs, Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton DISC TWO: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson DISC THREE: Wonderful World - Sam Cooke DISC FOUR: Be Still - Aled Jones and English Session Orchestra DISC FIVE: Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) - Baz Luhrmann DISC SIX: Love is All Around - Wet Wet Wet DISC SEVEN: Carry You Home – Alex Warren DISC EIGHT: Dear Theodosia - Leslie Odom Jr., Lin-Manuel Miranda BOOK CHOICE: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray LUXURY ITEM: The Marvel Movie Collection with a solar-powered DVD player CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson Presenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Sarah TaylorDesert Island Discs has cast many politicians away to the island over the years including Sir Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Sir Vince Cable, Theresa May, Ed Miliband, Boris Johnson and Margaret Thatcher.

You may already know Carl Cashman as the Liberal Democrat politician who keeps making headlines for being ridiculously in shape and unapologetically shirtless on Instagram. The “world's hottest politician” label follows him everywhere.But what happens when the internet crush turns out to be smart, likeable, politically ambitious — and fully aware that the gays love him?Recorded live in front of an audience at the BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Gallery in Fitzrovia, London, Graeme sits down with the 34-year-old leader of Liverpool City Council's Liberal Democrats to talk trust after the coalition years, immigration rhetoric, trans rights, a possible hung parliament, and what the UK does in a world shaped by Farage, Le Pen and Trump.In a political era dominated by culture-war strongmen, is a pro-EU, openly progressive politician who actually enjoys queer support… such a bad thing?This is the political half of a longer live conversation. To hear the full interview, head to the BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Podcast.---THIS IS OUTCAST WORLD ---Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and please leave a review. This helps us become easier to discover. Please take time to rate the show and if you're enjoying the podcast then take time to comment about it wherever you listen. //////// Check us on Insta, and TikTok @thisisoutcastworld ///// Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The former leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Vince Cable, has described the alleged actions of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor while he was a trade envoy as being "totally unacceptable". Sir Vince -- who was business secretary for some of that time -- has called on the police and the government to look into claims the former prince shared confidential information with the sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing. Iran's deputy foreign minister has told the BBC that Tehran is ready to consider compromises to reach a nuclear deal with the US -- if the Americans are willing to discuss lifting sanctions. Team GB have won their first ever gold medal on snow at the Winter Olympics.

One of the best things about this job is that I get to find out about and share some of the most exciting new developments in education all over the world, sometimes in the most unexpected places. My guest this week, the writer, human rights activist, turned educational entrepreneur Ben Rawlence and his amazing team are building just that in a small market town called Talgarth in mid-Wales. Black Mountains College is an incredible institution working with young people locally in mid-Wales and from across the UK, set up as an alive and direct response to the climate and ecological emergency to help create a future in which nature and human societies thrive. As you'll hear Ben describe, the college is part of a tradition of land-based alternative education organisations such as Dartington College in the UK (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dartington_College_of_Arts) and Rabindrath Tagore's Visva-Bharati University in India (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visva-Bharati_University) and is continuing and updating this tradition to become one of the most inspiring examples globally of what is possible and needed in these times. Ben is an award-winning writer, activist, and former speech writer to Sir Menzies Campbell and Charles Kennedy. He was a researcher for Human Rights Watch's Africa division, worked for the Social Science Research Council in the USA, the Liberal Democrats in the UK and the Civic United Front in Tanzania. His books include The Treeline: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth and his forthcoming book Think Like a Forest: Letters to my Children from a Changing Planet.BMC website: https://blackmountainscollege.uk/Beth Nawr Festival: https://blackmountainscollege.uk/events/beth-nawr-festival-2026/Ben's Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_RawlenceBen's previous books: https://uk.bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=Ben+Rawlence

Something extraordinary just happened in Japan... but of course no one is paying attention!A ruling party written off as tired and scandal-plagued didn't just win - they delivered a generational landslide. Taaka Ichi, Japan's first female Prime Minister, led her Liberal Democrats into a victory so complete that the opposition straight up imploded (see: winning 2/3 of Parliament). At the center of the dust cloud stands a leader arguing Japan must harden itself for a dangerous world: rebuild industry, rearm, and rely on no one but itself. This isn't incremental politics. It's a bet on national revival. If it works, Japan will change the global balance. If it fails, the country may well collapse. --Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction (01:03) - The Significance of the Recent Japanese Election(03:11) - Analyzing the LDP's Historic Victory(07:37) - The Collapse of the Opposition(13:39) - Public Opinion and Political Dynamics(27:52) - Constraints and Challenges for Taaka Ichi(35:13) - Taaka Ichi's Vision for Japan(36:39) - Japan's National Crisis and Self-Reliance(38:38) - Economic and Defense Strategies(40:46) - Comparing Policies: Omics vs. Maji 2.0(45:51) - Challenges and Constraints(57:49) - Energy and Industrial Policies(01:04:53) - Geopolitical Dynamics and China's Influence(01:11:16) - Conclusion and Future Outlook--Referenced in the Show:Tobias substack - https://observingjapan.substack.com/Tobias book - https://www.amazon.com/Iconoclast-Shinzo-Abe-New-Japan/dp/1787383105--Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapJacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe --The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com--Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today's volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.--

On a special edition of the Northern Agenda podcast, Rob Parsons is joined by Beth Abbit of the Manchester Evening News to reflect on a hustings for five of the candidates hoping to be the next MP for Gorton and Denton. The hopefuls were quizzed on issues like British values, child poverty, immigration, Andy Burnham and even their favourite Oasis song during an hour long debate at the office of the Manchester Evening News. What were the big talking points for the candidates: Conservative Charlotte Cadden, Matt Goodwin of Reform UK, Jackie Pearcey of the Liberal Democrats, Green Hannah Spencer and Labour's Angeliki Stogia? Rob and Beth - a constituent in Gorton and Denton - discuss what they learned from the hustings and how the three-horse race is so hard to predict ahead of the vote on February 26. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keir Starmer has seen off the threat to his leadership - for now. What happens inside Downing Street when things get really, really bad for a prime minister?We also discuss whether the Labour Party will swing to the left with Morgan McSweeney's departure, and Zack Polanski's singing at Liberal Democrat conference.Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the Conservative Party last entered government, in coalition with the Liberal Democrats, the UK was still finding its feet after the global financial crisis. What followed was a succession of events that quickly came to dominate political life: Brexit, the pandemic, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Each of these moments demanded large, costly interventions from the state. But Britain now faces a new set of challenges: an ageing population, a fresh industrial revolution driven by AI, growing global security risks, and the pressures of a changing climate.John Penrose is the founder of the Centre for Small Conservatives. A former Conservative MP, he joins Marc Sidwell to discuss why he's arguing for moving beyond rhetoric and towards serious, practical policy ideas — ones he believes can deliver tangible results in the real world.Guest: John Penrose, former MP and founder of the Centre for Small State ConservativesStay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lisa Witter is joined by Jo Swinson, former UK Member of Parliament and leader of the Liberal Democrats. They explore Jo's journey into politics, beginning with her early interest in activism inspired by the Body Shop's commitment to social issues. Jo reflects on her experiences as the youngest MP and the challenges she faced in a male-dominated environment, particularly during her leadership amidst the Brexit turmoil. The discussion delves into the complexities of power dynamics in politics, the importance of human connections, and the need for long-term thinking in governance. Jo emphasizes the significance of community engagement and the role of individuals in shaping a better political landscape, advocating for a more inclusive and empathetic approach to leadership.External resources: Article: Hard Hope Is a Practice — Start with 1% Book: Equal Power: And How You Can Make It Happen, by Jo SwinsonFollow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and visit our website to stay up to date with our latest news. Subscribe to the Better (Political) Leadership Substack and sign up to our bi-weekly briefing for insights and inspiration on how to build better politics.

Matthew Bannister onSir Nicholas White, whose research on tropical diseases saved millions of lives.Lord Wallace, the Liberal Democrat who served in the Scottish and Westminster parliaments and was Deputy to three First Ministers.Professor Deborah Cameron who studied the use of language from a feminist perspective.Sly Dunbar, the Jamaican drummer who played on hundreds of hit records and teamed up with bass player Robbie Shakespeare to form “The Riddim Twins”.Interviewee: Professor Nicholas Day Interviewee: Lord McConnell Interviewee: Professor Miriam Meyerhoff Interviewee: Jazzie B Interviewee: Kevin Le GendreProducer: Gareth Nelson-Davies Assistant Producer: Catherine Powell Researcher: Jesse Edwards Editor: Glyn TansleyArchive used:Nick White: Improving the treatment of infectious diseases, Mahidol Oxford Research Unit (MORU) in Bangkok, Thailand, Tropical Medicine Oxford YouTube Channel, uploaded 08/03/2024; Professor Nick White: malaria, Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) interview, University of Oxford YouTube channel, uploaded 26 Jan 2012; Nicholas White, “Malaria Defeating The Curse”, Horizon, BBC Two, 05/06/2005; Nick White, Fatal Latitudes, BBC Two, 23/02/1993; Jim Wallace, Scottish Devolution Referendum, Reporting Scotland, BBC Scotland 1997; Coalition, Reporting Scotland, BBC Scotland 14/05/1999; Jim Wallace, Acting first minister clip, FMQs, Scottish Parliament, 15/11/2001; Jim Wallace interview, Stark Talk, BBC Radio Scotland, 09/06/2000; Deborah Cameron interview, Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4, 31/10/2025; Deborah Cameron interview, Speak Up, BBC Radio 4, 02/08/2024;

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are MPs Gordon McKee from Labour, Sarah Pochin from Reform UK and Josh Babarinde from the Liberal Democrats, plus the Financial Times political journalist Lucy Fisher.

What does the Mandelson and Epstein saga say about Starmer's judgement?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are MPs Gordon McKee from Labour, Sarah Pochin from Reform UK and Josh Babarinde from the Liberal Democrats, plus the Financial Times political journalist Lucy Fisher.

Joining Gyles on this episode of Rosebud is the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey. But this isn't a conversation about politics, it's about Ed's life, his family, his experience of profound loss, and his involvement with caring for his closest relatives - his mother, who died of cancer when he was 15, and his son, John, who was born with neurological difficulties. This is a very moving episode, with some discussion of illness, death and bereavement.Sir Ed talks to Gyles about his father and mother, both of whom died too young - his father when Ed was only 4 years old, and his mother 11 years later. He paints a vivid picture of them, and particularly of his mum - her beauty, her courage and her love. He also talks about the years after his mum's death, when he and his brother lived alone in the family bungalow and had some wild parties with their school friends. He then talks about the birth of his son John, and the amazing work done by the Peto Institute in Hungary to improve his mobility and strength, and the dedication and commitment of his wife, Emily. All of this has led Ed to write a book Why I Care, about his experience of caring and about the importance of supporting carers.This is a very moving, inspiring conversation, full of hope and of love.Ed's book is available here. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are MPs Jeevun Sander from Labour and Layla Moran from the Liberal Democrats, Conservative peer Lord Kulveer Ranger, plus the commentator Emily Hewertson.

Is it time to rip up the so-called 'special relationship'?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are MPs Jeevun Sander from Labour and Layla Moran from the Liberal Democrats, Conservative peer Lord Kulveer Ranger, plus the commentator Emily Hewertson.

As Ed Davey condemned Donald Trump's military manoeuvres abroad, Annabel Denham looked on and asked 'what's the point of the Liberal Democrats?'. Thinking about the Lib Dem's longstanding europhile stance, the senior political correspondent at the Telegraph wrote: 'the party that once stood on a tradition of civil liberties now wants us to rejoin a bloc which regulates everything'. Calum Miller MP – foreign affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats – joins Annabel and deputy political editor James Heale to address Annabel's challenge that the party is defined more by opposition the other parties than by their own policies. So, from localism and the UK's place in the world to free markets and social care, what do the Lib Dems stand for? And what constitutes 'liberalism' today? Produced by Patrick Gibbons, Megan McElroy and Natasha Feroze.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.

As Ed Davey condemned Donald Trump's military manoeuvres abroad, Annabel Denham looked on and asked 'what's the point of the Liberal Democrats?'. Thinking about the Lib Dem's longstanding europhile stance, the senior political correspondent at the Telegraph wrote: 'the party that once stood on a tradition of civil liberties now wants us to rejoin a bloc which regulates everything'.Calum Miller MP – foreign affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats – joins Annabel and deputy political editor James Heale to address Annabel's challenge that the party is defined more by opposition the other parties than by their own policies. So, from localism and the UK's place in the world to free markets and social care, what do the Lib Dems stand for? And what constitutes 'liberalism' today?Produced by Patrick Gibbons, Megan McElroy and Natasha Feroze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks Fear Of Missing Out report the Federal Supreme Court came down with a really good ruling that affects elections. Iranian women are calling out Liberal Democrats for their hypocrisy. It looks like the Clintons might be in trouble for contempt in the Epstein hearings. The creator of Dilbert dies of cancer, but you will never guess what he did just before. We end with great news having to do with your shower.

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are former Conservative Chief Whip Lord Simon Hart, Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson, former Tory Health Minister Steve Brine, plus political commentator Jonathan Lis.

Has Robert Jenrick defected to Reform UK out of principle or only to benefit his own political career?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are former Conservative Chief Whip Lord Simon Hart, Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson, former Tory Health Minister Steve Brine, plus political commentator Jonathan Lis.

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Russell Findlay MSP, sits down with James Heale to look ahead to May's pivotal Holyrood elections. He pushes back against the threat from Reform, arguing that Nigel Farage is trying to be 'all things to all people', and he is scathing about the lack of loyalty shown by those who have defected from the party – not just to Reform, but to the Liberal Democrats too.But with the collapse of the support Labour received in the 2024 general election – which Findlay calls their 'loveless landslide' – why aren't the Tories benefitting more?Plus, how did being the victim of a vicious acid attack in 2015 shape his politics?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 Liberal Democrats have unveiled a new strategy on the NHS. Sir Ed set out his big, bold plan this morning: scrapping the UK–US pharmaceutical deal to redirect £1.5 billion into social care. It sounds like a substantial sum – until you remember it amounts to less than 1 per cent of the NHS's annual budget. In today's podcast, the team discuss why Ed Davey is leaning into being deliberately boring, in an effort to appeal to the perceived sensibilities of Middle England.Meanwhile, with the dust settling after Nadhim Zahawi's defection, is Reform at risk of losing its outsider appeal, given that his resignation from government caused such a public outcry? Megan McElroy is joined by Luke Tryl, UK Director of More in Common, and James Heale. They also examine the polling results everyone really wants to see – including voting intention by “national treasure” status, with a few surprises along the way.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 incidents with ICE agents recently are highlighting the dangerous game that Liberal Democrats and the propaganda media is playing. They are stoking the fire and then act all surprised when bad things happen.

As we enter 2026, The Rundown looks ahead at what is likely to be yet another crucial and turbulent year in British politics, giving the listeners the inside track on what to look out for over the next 12 months, and guiding you through the big stories ahead.To help navigate through all of that, host Alain Tolhurst is joined by LBC's political editor and returning guest Natasha Clark, and alongside her is Adam Payne, editor at PoliticsHome.The trio starts the discussion with May's crucial local elections, which, despite plans to further delay voting in some areas due to the conversion of councils into unitary authorities, will still have a massive impact on shaping the political year for all of the main parties.For Labour, will a bad night in Wales and Scotland precipitate a leadership challenge against the Prime Minister? Or can the government manage expectations and calm nervous Labour MPs into giving Keir Starmer more time?They discuss Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham's prospects of returning to the House of Commons in 2026, and whether the willingness of Conservative MPs to stick with Kemi Badenoch will be tested by another bruising set of election results.For Reform UK, it is another big chance for Nigel Farage's party to prove that its rise to the top of the polls can be translated into electoral wins, but the bigger story could be about how well the councils and mayoralties it has already picked up are faring under Reform rule, after bumpy starts at its flagship council in Kent and elsewhere.The panel also looks at whether the Green Party's surge under Zack Polanski will be maintained in 2026, whether the Liberal Democrats can make their voices heard, and how much of an impact the war in Ukraine, the peace settlement in Gaza, and Donald Trump's volatility will overshadow any attempts by Starmer to maintain domestic stability.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot

Can Sir Ed Davey really take the fight to the right when it comes to the next election? In this special episode of Political Currency, Ed Balls speaks to the Liberal Democrat leader - and his politician of the year from 2024. In this wide-ranging conversation, the two Eds talk about Ed Davey's passion for care provision and his deeply personal connection to the issue. Ed Balls also asks Ed about his time in the Coalition government with George Osborne and they reflect on their shared school days - including time spent out of the classroom. But will Ed Balls finally return the history notes he lost?Plus, with Nigel Farage's Reform rising up the ranks, Ed Balls asks Ed Davey if he would go into a coalition with Nigel Farage at the next general election. Don't forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Award's People's Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ And we love hearing from you, so please don't forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/politicalcurrency Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug: tr.ee/gift-pc

We're joined by former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg for the latest in our series looking at how the most significant elections in our lifetimes were won, and how they were lost.He takes us inside the 2010 Liberal Democrat campaign - from the first TV leaders' debate in British history, to Cleggmania and 'bigotgate' - ending in the first hung parliament since the 1970s and the frenzied days of negotiation that led to the coalition government.Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are the former Conservative Education Secretary Justine Greening, Labour MP Dame Chi Onwurah, Anna Sabine from the Liberal Democrats & The Spectator's James Heale.

How can more young people be got into work?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are the former Conservative Education Secretary Justine Greening, Labour MP Dame Chi Onwurah, Anna Sabine from the Liberal Democrats & The Spectator's James Heale.

Following the rather grim comedy of Boris Johnson, the Conservatives gave Britain the even more ridiculous spectacle of Liz Truss. She proceeded to push the British economy to the edge of the abyss, aided and abetted by her Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi ‘Kamikwasi' Kwarteng. Fortunately, her colleagues realised what a disastrous mess the Tory membership had made electing Truss leader, and chucked her out again, establishing a new record, previously held by George Canning since 1827, for the shortest tenure of any Prime Minister in office.To the delight of the Daily Star, which livestreamed a lettuce and a photo of Liz Truss, to see whether she could outlast the lettuce, it was the vegetable that won.It was Rishi Sunak who followed her into office, and he worked hard with his Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to get the economy back on its feet. Unfortunately, they went back to the beginning of this long period of Tory rule, to austerity politics. They worked no better second time around than first and only cut the public deficit by a little over half, leaving debt still climbing. Meanwhile, immigration was raising its head again as a key question. Oddly enough, net migration – people in less people out – had risen since Brexit, which many had backed as a way to limit migration in the first place. The new election took place on 4 July 2022. It was an election of fragmentation, with the old dominant parties of Labour and the Tories plumbing new depths of their joint share of the popular vote, while smaller parties – the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the new kids on the block, Nigel Farage's Reform UK, surging forward.The success of Reform UK was the most striking. And the most ominous for the future of the other parties.Illustration: Liz Truss and the lettuce. Photo from the Daily StarMusic: Bach Partita #2c by J Bu licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are Labour MP Polly Billington, the Liberal Democrats' group leader in Liverpool Carl Cashman, Conservative peer Lord Robert Hayward and ConservativeHome's Henry Hill.

Are you concerned by the claims that Rachel Reeves misled the public about the country's finances?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are Labour MP Polly Billington, the Liberal Democrats' group leader in Liverpool Carl Cashman, Conservative peer Lord Robert Hayward and ConservativeHome's Henry Hill.

Amol Rajan speaks to Sir Nick Clegg - former deputy Prime Minister of the UK and, more recently, former President of Global Affairs at Meta - about big tech, AI and the future of social media.Sir Nick first appeared on the world stage back in 2010, when he became the UK's deputy prime minister after his Liberal Democrats party went into a coalition government with David Cameron's Conservatives.After leaving Westminster in 2017, he surprised many political observers when he was hired by Facebook, now known as Meta, to head up their global affairs and communications. In 2022, Sir Nick was then promoted to become the company's president of global affairs, where he oversaw policy and government relations.Sir Nick subsequently worked closely with Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg for several years, but decided to step down at the beginning of this year.And now, amid growing concerns over the regulation of big tech, the growth of AI and the future of the internet itself, he's drawing on his vast experience from both Westminster and Silicon Valley to offer insight into what could be ahead.Thank you to the Radical with Amol Rajan team for their help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.Presenter: Amol Rajan Producer: Ben Cooper, Anna Budd and Lewis Vickers Editor: Justine LangGet in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.(Image: Sir Nick Clegg. Credit: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are MPs Catherine Atkinson from Labour, Dr Luke Evans from the Conservatives and Edward Morello from the Liberal Democrats, plus the journalist and broadcaster Angela Epstein.

Contributors:James Barrett, consultant psychiatrist and lead clinician at the Charing Cross National Gender Identity ClinicJulie Bindel, feminist and journalistLord Alex Carlile QC, Liberal Democrat member of the House of LordsMelissa Hines, professor of psychology at Cambridge UniversityRichard O'Brien, writer of the Rocky Horror ShowRuth Pearce, postgraduate researcher in sociology at the University of WarwickStephen Whittle OBE, professor of equalities law at Manchester Metropolitan University This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebindel.substack.com/subscribe

In recent days, MPs in the UK Parliament have ramped up pressure on Prince Andrew over his long-standing residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park and the lease arrangements tied to it. The estate, part of the Crown's property holdings, was leased by Andrew in 2003 for 75 years in return for a £1 million payment and he paid for around £7.5 million in refurbishments, but has reportedly paid only a symbolic “peppercorn” annual rent for more than two decades. Critics argue the arrangement lacks transparency and raises questions about taxpayer interests and the Crown estate's oversight. At the same time, Andrew's ties to his disgraced former friend Jeffrey Epstein and fresh allegations by Virginia Giuffre in her posthumous memoir have intensified calls for accountability and for Parliament to weigh in.In response, several parties in Parliament are exploring unprecedented steps: the possibility of a full House of Commons debate on Andrew's conduct, and even legislation to permanently strip his titles. Although he has announced that he will cease using his title of Duke of York following discussions with King Charles III, only an Act of Parliament can formally remove it. The government so far has been reluctant to schedule a debate, arguing the Royal Family wishes Parliament to focus on other “important issues,” but opposition parties like the Liberal Democrats are preparing to use opposition-day debates to force scrutiny. Many MPs say the moment demands full transparency and that Andrew (and the Crown estate) should give evidence under oath.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Prince Andrew may face humiliating public rebuke in Parliament as MPs seek opportunity to question his lifestyle and rent-free occupation of state-owned mansion | Daily Mail Online

SEASON 4 EPISODE 10: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN A-Block (1:45) SPECIAL COMMENT: Trump ain't dead, and neither is his cover-up of the Epstein Files. The TRUMPStein Files. And if you gave him a script and told him what to do to RE-IGNITE the Trumpstein Tire Fire every time it begins to go out, it would start with: A) leak an anonymous statement to Republicans considering signing the Massie Discharge Petition to force release of the real files B) make sure that statement read as much likely a slightly sanded down threat from a mafia boss as possible, like, oooh, quote: "Helping Thomas Massie and Liberal Democrats with their attention-seeking, while the DOJ is fully supporting a more comprehensive file release effort from the Oversight Committee, would be viewed as a very hostile act to the administration. C) actually release only the same documents Pam Bondi released to the Libs of TikTok worm Chayik and the DC Draino dipshit in those $2.69 thin three-ring binders they bought at Staples in February D) send a military flyover to try to drown out the Epstein survivors’ news conference on the steps of the capitol E) choose THIS moment to ask the Supreme Court to overturn where the court found him GUILTY of being LIABLE FOR SEXUAL ABUSE of E. Jean Carroll and of DEFAMING a sexual abuse victim and of course F) sit there as THIS actual bona fide excellent comprehensive question is rolled out in front of world media when you can only come back with an answer that makes everybody think “wait, he said THAT? Maybe he IS dead and he just forgot to lie down.” WHERE WAS TRUMP LAST WEEK? We know the media won't probe. We can assume the following: he wasn't dead. He also wasn't at a psychiatrist to help him get past these hallucinations that he 'turned the water on' in California or solved seven wars (including, no doubt, The War Of The Planet Of The Apes). He also wasn't at a political retreat figuring out what to do about New York other than pull Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa out of it to make sure it's a Trump Referendum in a city that's 75% registered Democrats. Plus, the unusual but all-too-plausible explanation for what is really behind the RFK Jr/MAGA hatred of the Covid vaccine that saved their lives but won't, next time. B-Block (33:05) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: It's bad enough that Stephen A. Smith doesn't see he's risking his career by diving into politics. But in a time of rampant gun violence against children and politicians, he's chosen to name his new political show "STRAIGHT SHOOTER." A great line from a conservative about how Trump was just caught literally about losing his marbles. And Laura Loomer blasts the foreign-born judge who thwarted Trump's child-trafficking and demanding we have no more foreign-born judges. You mean like Aileen Cannon, moron? C-Block (45:00) THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: The relentlessly principle-free Joe Scarborough has done it again: whored himself out to Trump, demanding JB Pritzer "partner up" with the dictator on militarizing the streets of Chicago. Scarborough has been getting away with this at MSNBC for 23 years. It's his life (if you call getting up at 4 AM every day to find some new part of democracy you can sell out for cash, a "life").See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.