political ideology within the socialist movement
POPULARITY
Government has allocated an additional €19 million for special needs assistants (SNAs) to ensure there are no cuts in the 2026/27 academic year following outcry over plans to reduce the service provision in almost 200 schools.But SNAs, unions and parents say that this measure is just 'kicking the can down the road' and the Government must now engage with stakeholders to address issues relating to special education.Tabitha Monahan, political reporter with the Irish Independent, and Jesslyn Henry, SNA and Social Democrats councillor, join The Last Word to discuss.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
According to figures released to the Social Democrats, 150,000 passports have been lost by Irish people over the last 5 years. A further 15,000 were stolen in the same period.Joining Seán to discuss this is Aidan Farrelly, a Social Democrats TD...
According to figures released to the Social Democrats, 150,000 passports have been lost by Irish people over the last 5 years. A further 15,000 were stolen in the same period.Joining Seán to discuss this is Aidan Farrelly, a Social Democrats TD...
Jack Horgan-Jones and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· This week saw the European Parliament approve a € 90 billion package to support Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia. The loan was approved by a comfortable majority, but among those who voted against it were Sinn Féin's two MEPs, Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion. The decision to oppose the measure put them in the company of the likes of Germany's Alternative für Deutschland, Hungary's Fidesz and France's Rassemblement National.· The Government has made a U-turn on the regulation of short-term lets here. After consultation with the tourism industry, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke decided to change the previous plan to restrict such lets in towns with populations of more than 10,000 to populations of at least 20,000, this move would effectively lift the threat of regulation from potentially thousands of Airbnbs across rural towns here.· The mood was buoyant at the Social Democrat national conference in Cork with the afterglow of Catherine Connolly's presidential election win in evidence, along with polls showing the party has begun to put daylight between itself and the Greens and Labour, who occupy the same political space. Are they about to spearhead a united left movement ahead of the next general election?· Plus, sport and politics collide ahead of the Republic of Ireland's Nations League fixtures against Israel in the autumn. There have been calls for a boycott, but the FAI confirmed on Thursday that the matches would go ahead as planned. Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PJ talks to Padraig Rice TD of The Social Democrats who is taking part in a re-enactment of the famous sod toss at around noon today and says waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worse kind of suffering. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Earlier in the show Andrea spoke to one mother Anna who had been driven to breaking point looking for support who had no other option but to drop her daughter at A&E. Cian O'Callaghan- Deputy Leader of the Social Democrats joined Andrea to discuss.
Former justice minister Alan Shatter said he has been the target of a vicious and antisemitic smear campaign since Social Democrats justice spokesman Gary Gannon put up a social media post that linked him with Jeffrey Epstein. Mr Shatter, who was Fine Gael's justice minister from 2011 to 2014, said he has twice written to Mr Gannon and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns in the last week seeking the withdrawal of false claims that he met Epstein while in office. It is understood Mr Shatter is considering taking defamation action against Dublin Central TD Mr Gannon. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns declined to comment on the issue on Sunday. Asked whether Mr Shatter will be receiving an apology from she or Mr Gannon, she told RTÉ's The Week in Politics: "This is potentially a legal matter so I can't comment on this." Mr Gannon was also contacted for comment Today on this Indo Daily Extra, Tabitha Monahan is joined by The Sunday Independent's Mark Tighe, to look at how a misinterpreted document, could now turn into a political and possible legal controversySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on February 9th 2026. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio. Presenter/Producer: Kris Boswell.
In the latest of our interviews with leaders of parties in the Dáil, we're joined in studio presently by the leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns.
Danny McConnell and John Lee examine the consequences of Ireland's repeated failure to deliver flood defences and critical infrastructure. They ask whether the Social Democrats under Holly Cairns are emerging as a credible alternative to Sinn Féin on the left, assess the runners and riders in the upcoming Dublin by-election, the continued fallout from the government's ‘incoherent' stance on Mercosur, and the performance of social media executives at the Oireachtas.Brought to you by The Greenman Group.PTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow Matt:https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on February 5th 2026. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio. Presenter and producer: Michael Walsh
Today on Galway Talks with John Morley: 9am-10am Galway West by-election race heats up as more candidates confirmed Social Democrats select Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich as their candidate Aontu select Orla Nugent Taoiseach Micheal Martin visits Galway today – he joins us on air 10am-11am Galway Native calls for alternative public transport to end car dependency South Galway residents fear they will Suffer the Same Fate as Enniscorthy as extreme rain becomes more common Acclaimed Palestinian journalist joins us in studio ahead of for University of Galway talk Galway beach cleaners come across ‘incredibly rare' sea creature while scouring shore 11am-12pm Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin launches book in Galway City Tributes to former Galway County Councillor Michael O'Neill of Renvyle in Connemara MUSIC MORNINGS – Dylan Jennings
The Clare Leader Forum says disabled people here feel "angry", "upset" and "let down" after the Government voted against the introduction of a winter payment. A motion tabled by the Social Democrats this week sought to bring in a once-off €400 payment to assist people with disabilities in covering costs associated with the winter months. The motion was defeated by 81 to 66 votes. Ennistymon-based Clare Leader Forum co-founder Anne-Marie Flanagan believes it shows a disregard for people in desperate need of support.
This week the US commemorates the MLK Day holiday - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. He would have been 97. The third Monday of January has stood as the official holiday for 40 years, and no matter what the current US administration attempts at erasure, the Black American Diaspora will never forget. I remember growing up, before 1986 when the day became an official holiday, the majority of my Black classmates did not attend school on January 15th. This is the activism that the Civil Rights Movement inspired for two generations, and activism + grassroots organizing are prime topics in this two-part conversation with long-time comrade, fellow Brooklynite, poet, performer, jazz/soul vocalist, musician, producer, designer, and community strategist, Tai Allen. A native New Yorker by way of Panama, Jamaica, and Virginia, Tai's life story is filled with a history of progressive stands. From his mother's family being among those that contributed to the suit that integrated schools across the United States—Brown vs. The Board of Education of Topeka to his father's influential network of academics and thought leaders, his craft was in the making for his entire upbringing—without him necessarily knowing it. #Listenandlearn more! Where to find Tai? https://taiallen.com/ On LinkedIn On Instagram On Facebook On YouTube On Soundcloud Other topics of interest: About Yonkers, New York Perspective on Jamaican Migration to Panama About Colón and Panama City in Panama About Saint Ann and Saint Elizabeth Jamaica The Maroons of Jamaica How Scots became a presence in Jamaica… Flyght Tyme, the band About Tai's connection to Roots Author, Alex Palmer Haley and Palmer Family Ancestry The Five Cases that lead to Brown v. Board About recently shuttered community hotspot, The Brooklyn Moon Cafe and Michael Thompson What was Real Player? The Last Poets Amiri Baraka Yosef Ben-Jochannan “Dr. Ben” About Leonard Jeffries Who is Chi Ossé? Revisit Anna Malaika Tubbs on Glocal Citizens CBC - Congressional Black Caucus What's happening in policy in Utah? A timeline of policing, law enforcement and resistance in the USSpecial Guest: Tai Allen.
Are you enjoying this? Are you not? Tell us what to do more of, and what you'd like to hear less of. The Reykjavík Grapevine's Iceland Roundup brings you the top news with a healthy dash of local views. In this episode, Grapevine publisher Jón Trausti Sigurðarson is joined by Heimildin journalist Aðalsteinn Kjartansson, and Grapevine ad man Örn Elvar Arnarson to roundup the stories making headlines in recent weeks. On the docket this week are: Trump Confuses Iceland And Greenland In Davos SpeechIn a long rambling speech in Davos on Wednesday, Trump repeated is demands for territorial sovereignty over Greenland and repeatedly confused Iceland and Greenland.America Tearing Itself ApartThe news over the weekend from Minneapolis, where ICE killed the second US citizen in 3 weeks, keeps up the trend of the US descending into chaos, further questioning how countries such as Iceland should tackler their relationship with a country that in the style of a South-American dictatorship in the last century, uses paramilitary forces to kill its own citizens.“A Famous Man With No Experience”The Social Democrats held primaries for upcoming municipality elections in Reykjavík this weekend. The primaries saw current mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, loose her bid to front the Social Democrats to former Independence Party member Pétur Marteinsson.Two Restaurants In Skeifan Argue Over ParkingTwo restaurants in Skeifan in Reykjavík, Istanbul Market and BK Kjúklingur, or actually, the owners of said restaurants, are feuding and threatening legal action because the owner of BK Kjúklingur tends to park his car, across the street, in front of Istanbul Market900 People Legally Reside In GrindavíkThe town of Grindavík, formerly the home of 3.700 people, currently has 900 legal residents, but only 400 people actually residing in the town, demonstrating the effects repeated eruptions in the area have had on habitation in the town, whose future still remains somewhat uncertain, with another eruption predicted in the coming months. A Man Stabbed At Home By Black-clad Intruder, Who Turned Out To Be His Son In LawA man, sleeping naked in his bed, was woken by a black-clad individual who stabbed him. After having fought the intruder off, and thrown him out of his house, he described the man to the police, who picked the black-clad individual up soon after. The black-clad man turned out have Support the show------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SHOW SUPPORTSupport the Grapevine's reporting by becoming a member of our High Five Club: https://grapevine.is/high-five-club/Or donate to the Grapevine here:https://support.grapevine.isYou can also support the Grapevine by shopping in our online store:https://shop.grapevine.is------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is a Reykjavík Grapevine podcast.The Reykjavík Grapevine is a free alternative magazine in English published 18 times per year, biweekly during the spring and summer, and monthly during the autumn and winter. The magazine covers everything Iceland-related, with a special focus culture, music, food and travel. The Reykjavík Grapevine's goal is to serve as a trustworthy and reliable source of information for those living in Iceland, visiting Iceland or interested in Iceland. Thanks to our dedicated readership and excellent distribution network, the Reykjavík Grapevine is Iceland's most read English-language publication. You may not agree with what we write or publish, but at least it's not sponsored content.www.grapevine.is
In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom talk booze! Emerald is straight edge and Tom is an occasional lush, how do they feel about alcohol in 2026? Why are young people drinking less - are they wowsers or just poor? Is it poor form to have alcohol at Greens events? What is the left position on the demon drink?---------- The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU ---------- Links - Socialism and Temperance Reform - in a 1908 edition of the Social Democrat https://www.marxists.org/archive/quelch/1908/01/temperance.htm Flinders study: https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2025/10/07/drinking-through-the-generations/ 2023 study https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.13709 Straight Edge: Hardcore Punk, Clean-living Youth, and Social Change by Ross Haenfler Produced by Michael Griffin Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week the US commemorates the MLK Day holiday - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. He would have been 97. The third Monday of January has stood as the official holiday for 40 years, and no matter what the current US administration attempts at erasure, the Black American Diaspora will never forget. I remember growing up, before 1986 when the day became an official holiday, the majority of my Black classmates did not attend school on January 15th. This is the activism that the Civil Rights Movement inspired for two generations, and activism + grassroots organizing are prime topics in this two-part conversation with long-time comrade, fellow Brooklynite, poet, performer, jazz/soul vocalist, musician, producer, designer, and community strategist, Tai Allen. A native New Yorker by way of Panama, Jamaica, and Virginia, Tai's life story is filled with a history of progressive stands. From his mother's family being among those that contributed to the suit that integrated schools across the United States—Brown vs. The Board of Education of Topeka to his father's influential network of academics and thought leaders, his craft was in the making for his entire upbringing—without him necessarily knowing it. #Listenandlearn more! Where to find Tai? https://taiallen.com/ On LinkedIn On Instagram On Facebook On YouTube On Soundcloud Other topics of interest: About Yonkers, New York Perspective on Jamaican Migration to Panama About Colón and Panama City in Panama About Saint Ann and Saint Elizabeth Jamaica The Maroons of Jamaica How Scots became a presence in Jamaica… Flyght Tyme, the band About Tai's connection to Roots Author, Alex Palmer Haley and Palmer Family Ancestry The Five Cases that lead to Brown v. Board About recently shuttered community hotspot, The Brooklyn Moon Cafe and Michael Thompson What was Real Player? The Last Poets Amiri Baraka Yosef Ben-Jochannan “Dr. Ben” About Leonard Jeffries Who is Chi Ossé? Revisit Anna Malaika Tubbs on Glocal Citizens CBC - Congressional Black Caucus What's happening in policy in Utah? A timeline of policing, law enforcement and resistance in the USSpecial Guest: Tai Allen.
The Government's new immigration bill is an 'absolute shambles' according to the Social Democrats. The measures going to Cabinet tomorrow include restrictions meaning those granted refugee status won't be allowed to bring immediate family members to Ireland for three years. The move is part of wider reform, which is being criticised by the Irish Refugee Council. For more on this, Alan Morrissey is joined by Simon Ó Treasaigh, Clare Immigrant Support Centre Manager. Image (c) Clare Immigrant Support Centre
Claire O'Rourke, Social Democrats county councillor based in Celbridge, discusses news that vehicular access for visitors to the Castletown demesne in Kildare will reopen today.
2025 was the year Spain stood out in Europe over its clear opposition to the Israeli genocide in Gaza, as well as over its critical stance towards the Trump-led military spending spree in NATO. With the fall of the Social Democrats in Germany, the country's prime minister Pedro Sanchez also reinforced his position within the EU as the major figurehead of the continent's centre-left. Yet, at home Sanchez has faced a series of crises and scandals within his own Socialist Workers Party while his complicated parliamentary majority hung by a thread while far-right Vox surged in the polls.To discuss the year's events, Alan and Eoghan are joined by regular end of year guest IE university professor and Galician beach bar owner Joe Haslam. If you like what we produce, and want more, please think of contributing and making the podcast sustainable going forward:https://buymeacoffee.com/thesobremey
Joining Pat for this week's Friday Forum was Erin McGreehan TD, Fianna Fáil, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Spokesperson on Research and Innovation. Also Cian O'Callaghan TD, Social Democrats, Deputy party leader, Spokesperson for Finance; Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and Kevin Doyle, Executive Editor of the Irish Independent and Group Head of News at Mediahuis.
The upgrade will facilitate the building of 300 thousand new homes and the greater electrification of public transport projects. For more on this Social Democrats energy spokesperson, Jennifer Whitmore.
Today, the Dail debated a new bill from the Social Democrats aimed at tackling mistreatment of dogs at puppy farms.Matt is joined buy Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore to discuss the bill Hit Play on this page to listen now
Harbinger Showcase is a weekly podcast featuring highlights from Canada's #1 coast-to-coast community of politically and socially progressive podcasts. On this episode we force Canadaland publisher Jesse Brown to face journalistic accountability on THE NORTH STATE, explain how Mark Carney and Alberta Premiere Danielle Smith are fulfilling Big Oil's wish list on THE BREACH SHOW, look back at the life of iconic socialist J.S. Woodsworth on the Perspective Journal's Social Democrats of the North from The Broadbent Institute and argue that the rush for Indigenous identity policies in academia is causing harm on REDEYE. The Harbinger Media Network includes 83 podcasts focused on social, economic and environmental justice and featuring journalists, academics and activists on shows like The Breach Show, Tech Won't Save Us, Press Progress Sources & more.Harbinger Showcase is syndicated to community and campus radio and heard every week on CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, at CFUV 101.9FM in Victoria, at CIVL 101.7FM in Abbotsford, at CHLY 101.7FM in Nanaimo, on CJUM 101.5FM and CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg, at CiTR 101.9FM, CJSF 90.1FM and at CFRO 100.5FM in Vancouver, at Hamilton's CFMU 93.3FM, at Radio Laurier in Waterloo, at CJTM 1280AM in Toronto, at CJAM 99.1FM in Windsor and at CJBU 107.3FM in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Find out more about the network, subscribe to the weekly newsletter and support our work at harbingermedianetwork.com.
Allen covers Ecowende’s first monopile installation in the Netherlands, designed to be the most ecological offshore wind farm ever built. Plus Ireland’s offshore potential proves far smaller than hoped, Australia cancels its third offshore project in recent months, LiveLink Aerospace solves radar clutter in Scotland, GE Vernova secures a Romanian turbine deal, and Canadian tariffs threaten BC Hydro wind development. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes’ YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! If you want to see the future of offshore wind… look to the Netherlands.Off the Dutch coast near IJmuiden… about fifty-threekilometers out to sea… something special is rising from the waves.They call it ECOWENDE.VAN OORD’s installation vessel BOREAS just planted the firstmonopile there on December third. Fifty-one more will follow. And whencomplete… this seven hundred sixty megawatt wind farm will become… themost ecological offshore wind project ever built.Why most ecological?The monopiles come in two sizes. Research shows taller turbines givebirds more room to fly safely between the blades. Some turbines will sportred blades… to make them even more visible to passing flocks. The seabedgets eco-friendly scour protection. And those massive VESTAS fifteen-megawatt turbines? They will sit atop foundations built by SIFand SMULDERS.Power for the Netherlands by end of twenty-twenty-six.Meanwhile… across the North Sea in Scotland…At ABERDEEN Offshore Wind Farm… LIVELINK AEROSPACE just solveda problem that has plagued the industry for years.You see… wind turbines create radar clutter. Their spinning blades confusemilitary and civilian radar systems alike. But LIVELINK’s Air IntelligenceSystem… mounted on the nacelle… eliminates that clutterwithout emitting any signals of its own.The UK’s Department for Energy Security funded the test through the onebillion pound Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.BEN KEENE of LIVELINK says the technology unlocks offshore wind’s fullpotential… while strengthening national security. Clean energy AND defense. Together.But not every nation is celebrating.IRELAND just discovered… its offshore wind dreams may be smaller thanhoped.Energy Minister DARRAGH O’BRIEN receivedconfidential maps this spring. The assessment initially found potential forforty-eight gigawatts offshore.The realistic number?Between three and eighteen gigawatts.Deep waters. Shipwrecks. Arms dumps. Undersea cables. Protectedhabitats. All these stand in the way.The Irish government had targeted five gigawatts by twenty-thirty. Theyface fines of up to twenty billion euros if they miss their climate goals.Social Democrats spokeswoman JENNIFER WHITMORE says she issurprised detailed mapping took this long.Four years from the deadline… and they are only now learning which siteswill not work.Down Under… the news is worse.AGL Energy just cancelled GIPPSLAND SKIES… a two-and-a-half gigawattoffshore wind project in Victoria, Australia.That makes three offshore wind farms scrapped in recent months offAustralia’s south coast. German company RWE abandonedits two-gigawatt KENT project in October. BLUEFLOAT ENERGY droppedGIPPSLAND DAWN in July. AGL says it will focus on onshore wind… batteries… and pumped hydroinstead.But there is bright news from Eastern Europe.GE VERNOVA just signed a deal with GREENVOLT POWER to supplyforty-two turbines for the GURBANESTI wind farm inROMANIA.Each turbine… six-point-one megawatts. Combined with another recentproject… these two farms will bring five hundred megawatts online…powering more than one hundred ten thousand Romanian homes.Turbines start arriving in twenty-twenty-six.And in British Columbia… Premier DAVID EBY has a fight on hishands.A twenty-five percent tariff on imported wind towers threatens BC HYDRO’selectricity supply.PATRICIA LIGHTBURN of the Canadian Renewable Energy Associationsays the tariff could derail projects already announced. BC HYDRO iscounting on those wind farms to close an impending power gap.Canada’s Energy Regulator expects wind to fill seventy percent ofrenewable demand growth through twenty-thirty.The tariff? Nobody saw it coming.Now… for those of you heading to Edinburgh this week…The UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain Spotlight takes place Thursday. JOEL SAXUM and I will be there… meeting with innovating companies andentrepreneurs who are building the future of this industry.If you are attending… come say hello. We'd love to hear from youAnd that is the state of the wind energy industry on December 8, 2025.Join us tomorrow for the Uptime Wind Energy Pocast.
Neale Richmond, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown and Min. of State for International Development & the Diaspora, Cian O'Callaghan, Dpt. Leader of the Social Democrats and TD for Dublin Bay North and Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon.
Neale Richmond, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown and Min. of State for International Development & the Diaspora, Cian O'Callaghan, Dpt. Leader of the Social Democrats and TD for Dublin Bay North and Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon.
We hear from Joan Carthy, Irish Wheelchair Association's National Advocacy Manager and our panel of Neale Richmond, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown and Minof State for International Development & the Diaspora and and Cian O'Callaghan, Dpt. Leader of the Social Democrats and TD for Dublin Bay North and Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon.
A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on December 2nd 2025. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio. Presenter & producer: Michael Walsh
The Dail's been told there's been a 55 per cent increase in the cost of some staple supermarket items in the last three years. The Social Democrats are bringing forward a bill that will give the food regulator powers to investigate what is going on. Are the shops ripping us off or is something else behind the increase? All to discuss with Social Democrats TD, Jennifer Whitmore and Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin, John Fitzgerald.
Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats spokesperson for the Climate, Environment and Agriculture and Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South
When Catherine Connolly was elected president with the support of every left-wing party, it sparked new hope on the left that greater cooperation between Sinn Fein, Labour, the Greens, the Social Democrats and People Before Profit could reap further electoral dividends. How realistic is that hope? And how would a left alliance actually work? Hugh talks to academic Aidan Regan and political correspondent Cormac McQuinn.Aidan Regan is a professor of political economy at the school of politics and international relations at University College Dublin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It has been announced that a question regarding sexual orientation will appear on our next census, in 2027, for the first time. But, why is this required, and how will it work in practice?Joining Seán to discuss is Pádraig Rice, a Social Democrat TD for Cork South Central and Health Spokesperson for the Social Democrats…
Eimer McAuley, reporter with The Journal and Teresa Buczkowska, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland. Later, Barry Ward (Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire) and Patricia Stephenson (Senator for the Social Democrats) debate.
Well, there's the football and the football and the reaction to the football and the football, and the goals and the radio commentary and the hope and the exhilaration and the football. So we talk about that even though Fraser's nae all that keen. We talk also about the lessons you might learn from Denmark, which is being heralded by Labour as their template for their new crackdown on refugees and asylum seekers.We look at the recent Copenhagen mayoral election where the Social Democrats have lost the control that they have held for 100 years, mostly over the pact with the far right. So beware what you wish for Labour. We talk also about the new Good Morning Scotland that isn't called that anymore. Is it all that different, and what could it be doing more? We look at the COVID inquiry verdicts and the tragedy of the UK establishment telling the Scottish Government that their big mistake was not deviating completely from what the British government was doing. All this and more..LinksCelebrate Saint Andrew's Day at the birthplace of Scotland's FlagPipes and Drums from 1.30pm, Flag Ceremony 2pm followed by a service in Athelstaneford Parish Church. (small hand flags only, plesase, no personal flags, saltires or banners) https://www.facebook.com/events/800678686169345Pennie Taylor - scroll to 1:27:49 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mp06Richard Murphy and budget - https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25643726.scotland-needs-budget-wont-get/Guardian and Danish left resurgent - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/22/danish-model-centre-left-parties-labour-doesnt-workDown Cemetery Road 5 stars from Graudian https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/oct/29/down-cemetery-road-review-emma-thompson-thriller-apple-tv ★ Support this podcast ★
Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. Our guest is Mercedes Peñalba- Sotorrío, a senior lecturer in modern European history at Manchester Metropolitan University, England.We start with the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975 ending 36 years of dictatorship over Spain.Then, we use archive to hear how King Juan Carlos reclaimed the Spanish throne in 1975 and led the country to a democracy. This episode was made in collaboration with BBC Archives.We hear from a Social Democrat politician about Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to suspend asylum rules for Syrians fleeing war in 2015.How the Bosnian war ended with the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995.Next, how a substitute fielder ran out the Australian captain in the fourth test of the 2005 Ashes, turning the game in England's favour.Finally, we use archive to hear about cold war diplomacy in the Geneva summit in 1985.Contributors:José Antonio Martínez Soler - a journalist.King Juan Carlos - the former King of Spain (from archive).Aydan Özoğuz - a Social Democrat politician and former minister of state for immigration.Milan Milutinović - a negotiator in the Dayton Peace Accords.Gary Pratt - a fielder in the England cricket team in the 2005 Ashes series.Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev - The former US President and former Soviet leader (from archive).(Image: King Juan Carlos, 1975. Credit: Jacques Pavlovsky/Sygma via Getty images)
In the summer of 2015, there was a surge in the number of people from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, seeking asylum in Europe. Social Democrat politician Aydan Özoğuz was Angela Merkel's minister of state concerned with immigration, refugees and integration from 2013 to 2018. She describes to Josephine McDermott visiting her father's home city of Kilis in Turkey, near the Syrian border in 2015, where refugees were being sheltered. And she recalls the motivation for Mrs Merkel's decision to suspend the EU's Dublin Regulation which temporarily allowed free passage for Syrian asylum seekers, but drew opposition from critics. Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from the death of Adolf Hitler, the first spacewalk and the making of the movie Jaws, to celebrity tortoise Lonesome George, the Kobe earthquake and the invention of superglue. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: Eva Peron – Argentina's Evita; President Ronald Reagan and his famous ‘tear down this wall' speech; Thomas Keneally on why he wrote Schindler's List; and Jacques Derrida, France's ‘rock star' philosopher. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the civil rights swimming protest; the disastrous D-Day rehearsal; and the death of one of the world's oldest languages.(Photo: A migrant from Syria holds a picture of Angela Merkel as he arrives at a railway station in Munich. Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
In Copenhagen a political earthquake might be brewing. For the first time in over 120 years, Denmark's Social Democrats are on track to lose control of Copenhagen, a city they've governed since 1903, longer than most European republics have even existed. Every single lord mayor since 1938 has been a Social Democrat. But perhaps that changes tonight. But why can these local elections shift Denmark's power play?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Earlier this year, Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, stood before a group of university students and made a striking statement: ‘We will need a form of rearmament that is just as important [as the military one]. That is the spiritual one.' This was all the more remarkable from the leader of the Social Democrats, and in a country which is amongst the most secular in the world. Danish journalist Iben Thranholm – who joins Damian Thompson for this episode of Holy Smoke – says that in some ways the welfare state had replaced the belief in god in Denmark.So to what extent is Frederiksen's call to action a political project, and how reactionary is it? And is this part of the Christian revival, shoots of which are being seen across the global West? 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.
Businessman Denis O'Brien has said remote working is a 'mistake' and graduates are 'entitled'; the Social Democrats have called for the voting age to be reduced to 16; and what are Pope Leo's favourite movies?Orla Ryan, news reporter with the Irish Times, and Joe O'Shea, editor of Cork Beo, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
On February 27, 2022, three days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Olaf Scholz, who was then the Chancellor of Germany, gave a speech to an emergency session of the German parliament at which he described the attack as a Zeitenwende – an historic turning point. This watershed moment, he declared, meant “that the world afterwards will no longer be the same as the world before. The issue at the heart of this [change] is whether power is allowed to prevail over the law: whether we permit Putin to turn back the clock to the nineteenth century and the age of great powers, or whether we have it in us to keep warmongers like Putin in check. That requires strength of our own.” He announced a major restructuring of the country's cautious defense policy, including billions for modernization of the military and a promise that defense spending would exceed 2 percent of Germany's GDP, a level of spending that Scholz's party (the Social Democrats) traditionally had opposed. Three years later, Germany has a new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who leads the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He succeeded in amending Germany's constitution to lift the so-called “debt brake,” which means that the country will spend significantly more on defense as well as hundreds of billions on related infrastructure over the next ten years. But will it be enough to allow Germany to deter Russian aggression against Europe — particularly if the United States under Trump withdraws from its post-1945 role as the guarantor of European security? Can Germany develop a defense industry that can deliver under wartime conditions? Can Germany take on the leadership role in Europe that it long has been reluctant to assume — and will other countries accept Germany in this role?Jan Techau is a director with the Eurasia Group's Europe team, covering Germany and European security. He is also a senior fellow with the Transatlantic Defense and Security Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis. From 2020 to 2023, he served in the German government as head of speechwriting for three ministers in the German Ministry of Defense. In this podcast interview, he discusses the European reaction to Trump's reelection, the likelihood of Germany's being able to make the physical and psychological adjustments it would need in order to become the principal provider of conventional deterrence in Europe, the rise of anti-Americanism in Germany on both the left and right, and whether Europeans are capable of keeping peace on the continent without the help of the Americans. He also explains his 2016 diagnosis of what he called “sophisticated state failure,” which long before the Abundance movement was dreamed of predicted that highly developed countries would find it increasingly difficult to get anything done, and that this paralysis would provide an opening for populist uprisings all over the world. “The only lasting way out of sophisticated state failure,” he concluded, “is for responsible politicians to worry less about getting re-elected and start risking their political careers for things that need to be done.”
This is our final episode talking to candidates for the 2025 local and regional council elections. This week, Derek sits down with Asbjørn Reissman from Social Democrats, Heidi Wang from Venstre, and Joanne Bywater from Liberal Alliance to discuss the biggest issues in Copenhagen's local elections.From schooling to housing prices, the candidates share their opinions and debate the issues, finding some common ground solutions in the process. You'll hear what's most important to the candidates, their parties, and why you should take an interest in this important election.60% of government decisions are decided at the local level in Denmark and you probably have the right to vote on who makes them. You can vote in the municipal and regional elections if you are a Danish citizen, a citizen of an EU country, a UK or Nordic citizen OR if you are from elsewhere but have lived in Denmark for 4+ years.Don't miss your chance to participate in democracy and vote in these Danish elections.Asbjørn Reissman:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsbjornReissmann/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asbjornreissmannCandidate Site: https://areissmann.dk/Heidi Wang: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidiwangdk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidiwangdk/Candidate Site: https://heidiwang.dk/english-1.htmlJoanne Bywater:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Joanne-Bywater-Liberal-Alliance-100076228472231/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannebywater_la/Candidae Site: https://la-kbh.dk/person/johanne-bywater/
The government is promising the new plan will tackle the chronic housing shortage. Opposition parties argue that the plan isn't ambitious enough. To discuss this Minister for housing James Browne. We also hear from Social Democrats housing spokesman, Rory Hearne.
The lurch rightwards in our politics has brought a wave of disinformation and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people.As well as exacerbating prejudice, the anti-LGBTIQ+ campaigns, many supported by US evangelicals and Russian oligarchs, foment social divisions and aim to weaken liberal democracy. That's why the new era of bigotry should be seen as a strategic threat for Europe, former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar explains in this episode. Leo is currently a Senior Fellow for the Global LGBTQI+ Human Rights Program at the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights at the Harvard Kennedy School. He stepped down as Taoiseach last year after serving two terms and making history as Ireland's first openly gay head of government.Among Leo's current concerns: how US diplomats and corporate executives who formerly supported LGBT rights have changed position or melted away, leaving regions like Central and Eastern Europe especially vulnerable."The fact that America is withdrawing from that space has left it open to Russia," says Leo. "That's where I think the European Union needs to come in and needs in many ways I think to fill the space of the Americans."A particular focus is Hungary, the EU state that is the subject of what Rémy Bonny, executive director of Forbidden Colours, calls the largest human rights lawsuit in the bloc's history.That lawsuit concerns a so-called child-protection law that censors inclusive sex education, equates LGBTI lifestyles with pedophilia, blocks adoption for LGBTI couples, and restricts content in media and advertising.A top advisor has already issued a preliminary finding against Hungary and the Court of Justice of the EU is expected to reach a verdict next year.A definitive ruling against Hungary "can't go without a meaningful response" from EU authorities, says Leo. "The treaties are worth nothing if that's the case."When it comes to EU politics, Leo encourages a return to centrist leadership rather than reliance by his political family, the center-right European People's Party, on the possibility of majorities with the far right."I much prefer us being in alliance with Liberals and Social Democrats and Greens."Leo also critiques fellow conservative Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, for saying "too little, too late" about homophobia in Hungary — and about Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza.Even so von der Leyen does "come around to the right position eventually, which is better than the reverse."As for Donald Trump, who Leo met several times as Taoiseach, the US president is taking a far more hostile approach to LGBT rights compared to his first term. Whether Trump actually leaves office after 2027 general could come down to the US military."It's a dangerous time."Asked whether he could have done more as Taoiseach to regulate the giant US tech companies that have bases in Ireland, Leo says he oversaw stepped up enforcement during his time in office. There was however a wider failure, where tech companies still are shielded from liability for the illegal and highly polarizing content hosted on their platforms."We allowed them to really get away with this idea that they're not publishers" and "that wasn't right," says Leo, who says he supports a crackdown on algorithms that amplify hate and toxicity.Support the show
Friends,It was an amazing week. By wide margins, New York City elected a Social Democrat mayor who thinks there shouldn't be billionaires, while Tesla's board gave Elon Musk a $1 trillion pay package. Today, Heather and I, along with our colleague Vishal Shankar, take a deep dive into what all this means — for American politics, for the American economy, and for the future.Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
I was honoured when Holly Cairns asked if I'd be up for chatting with her in her first sit down interview since she returned to Leinster House since giving birth on polling day last year. We discussed the reality of becoming a mother as a sitting TD and leader of the Social Democrats, and why she's keen to get more women and people from diverse backgrounds in to politics, as well as how she feels about the current anti-immigration discourse. I hope you enjoy.To support the podcast and access bonus episodes, join the community on Patreon here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. ACA health insurance costs skyrocketing, putting hospitals and 24 million people at risk of losing coverage; Jury convicts cop who shot woman who called 911, critics say 2nd degree murder charge was too little; UN blasts attacks in Sudan after nearly 500 killed in maternity hospital massacre; NYC on verge of electing social democrat Mamdani, would be city's first Muslim mayor; Santa Cruz leaders oppose federal plans for offshore oil and gas leasing; Trump tells Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons tests for first time in 30 years, UN warns of nuclear proliferation The post UN blasts Sudan attacks after 460 killed in maternity hospital massacre; NYC on verge of electing social democrat Mamdani – October 30, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.
A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on October 23rd 2025. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio. Presenter/producer: Sujay Dutt
Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh to talk about today's news from the presidential campaign trail:A concert in support of Catherine Connolly's campaign brought top musical artists and thousands of young people together in Dublin's Vicar Street on Monday night. The event also brought together Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald, the Social Democrats' Holly Cairns, Paul Murphy of People Before Profit-Solidarity and Labour's Ivana Bacik, who were photographed hand-in-hand on stage. Could the left's new-found unity be an image of the political future?The panel also look at the ongoing fallout from 'the video' and ahead to tonight's RTÉ debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Comrade Stalin, now that he is general secretary, has concentrated immense power in his hands, and I am not sure whether he will always be capable of exercising this power with sufficient caution.” This is the story of Joseph Stalin's path to becoming the dictator of the USSR. Ioseb (Joseph) Jughashvili, or little “Soso,” is a good student. A choir boy, in fact. But that changes as the Orthodox Georgian increasingly puts his faith in the Bolshevik branch of Russia's Social Democrats. Under Vladimir Lenin's leadership, Soso, now going by Joseph Stalin, becomes a true revolutionary. One who embraces violence and murder as an acceptable means to an end amid Russia's shift from revolution to civil war. With Lenin's passing in 1924, it's clear that someone has to step into his shoes, and Stalin deftly outmaneuvers Leon Trotsky to be that someone. But he won't just lead it. Stalin will remake the Soviet Union in his own image, industrializing and consolidating his power at all costs. Millions will die. Millions more disappear into the gulags, never to be seen again. This is the rise and reign of Joseph “the Man of Steel” Stalin. ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices