Podcasts about Starmer

Alan Finlayson is back to discuss with Jem the key developments in UK politics since the last time they talked about it. Covering the Labour deputy leadership, the politics of the Budget and of immigration, the origins of Britain’s bargain-hunting austerity mindset, Starmer on Tik-Tok, the Green Party surge, whether Blue Labour actually exists, whether […]

The Whitehall Sources Christmas Special takes a hard look back at one of the most turbulent years in British and global politics — and asks what comes next.Calum Macdonald, former No.10 adviser Kirsty Buchanan and political strategist Jo Tanner unpack the defining moments of 2025:The Labour welfare rebellion that exposed Keir Starmer's leadership weaknessesRachel Reeves' emotional Commons moment and what it revealed about pressure at the topAngela Rayner, reshuffles, and why Starmer is being labelled an “unlucky general”Europe, Trump, Putin and the Alaska summit — and why the UK and EU look powerless on UkraineHas anything really changed in global politics despite the noise?Plus:

PREVIEW STARMER COMPARED TO CROMWELL AS MONARCHY FACES THREATS Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley analyzes the tension between the British King and Parliament, comparing politician Keir Starmer to Oliver Cromwell. Copley suggests Starmer aims to dismantle the monarchy, while the King must carefully navigate these threats, retaining reserve powers as Commander-in-Chief to prevent civil unrest or stagnation caused by parliamentary taxation.

This is an episode of Political Fix, the FT weekly podcast that takes you into the corridors of Westminster to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular panel of FT correspondents. It's been another turbulent year in UK politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced down rebellions from within his own party, overseen scandals and sackings, and delivered a constant barrage of bad news from health and housing to small boats and the Budget. He's fared a little better on the world stage – with successful state visits, securing a comparatively competitive trade deal with Trump, as well as a tentative rapprochement with Europe. But with every international success, Starmer's standing domestically seems to diminish: he ends the year, on some measures, as the most unpopular PM ever. In this special live episode of Political Fix, host George Parker is joined by Anna Gross, Stephen Bush and Chris Giles to analyse how the Labour party got here – and where it goes next.This is a repeat of an episode published on Political Fix, a sister podcast of FT News Briefing, on December 12, 2025To listen and subscribe to more episodes, find Political Fix on your favourite platform by clicking here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hör om spelet bakom EU:s nödlösning för att stötta Ukraina. Och så om trion som frontar Europa på världsscenen, men som har politisk motvind på hemmaplan. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radios app. Årets sista EU-toppmöte resulterade i ett nytt miljardlån för att stötta Ukraina. Men splittringen inom unionen blev synlig och kompromissen är ett bakslag för EU-kommissionen och flera länder som hellre hade använt de frysta ryska tillgångarna. Inte heller gick EU i mål med frihandelsavtalet Mercosur och vidare har kommissionen fått backa från prestigemålet om att förbjuda försäljning av nya bensinbilar 2035. Medan bakslagen duggat tätt i Bryssel summerar vi också ett europeiskt år där ledare som Merz, Macron och Starmer fått mycket strålkastarljus på den diplomatiska scenen. Nu senast Friedrich Merz, som efter förra veckans toppmöte i Berlin nöjt konstaterade att ”Tyskland är tillbaka på den internationella scenen”. Men trion förenas i att behöva tampas med politiska motgångar på respektive hemmaplan. Europapodden reder ut vem som haft det jobbigast och så ringar vi in några europeiska händelser som fick mindre uppmärksamhet 2025.Medverkande: Andreas Liljeheden, Brysselkorrespondent. Cecilia Blomberg, Sydeuropakorrespondent. Katarina von Arndt, Tysklandskorrespondent. Nina Benner, Londonkorrespondent. Programledare: Parisa HöglundProducent: Therese Rosenvinge

3. British Weakness: The Failure to Challenge Beijing Over Jimmy Lai. Mark Simon predicts Prime Minister Starmer will fail to secure Jimmy Lai's release because the UK mistakenly views China as an economic savior. He notes the UK's diminished military and economic leverage leads to a submissive diplomatic stance, despite China'sdeclining ability to offer investment. EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI.

Is 2025 the year the European project finally hit the wall? In this episode, we argue that 2025 serves as a massive historical inflection point—comparable to 1933, 1968, or 1989—marking the definitive end of the post-Cold War era.We explore the "perfect storm" battering the continent: the return of Donald Trump and the removal of the American security umbrella, the accelerating de-industrialization of Germany, and the demographic cliff-edge that makes mass migration an economic necessity despite the violent rise of the far-right. From the strategic failures of centrists like Macron and Starmer to the paralyzing energy crisis, we ask the hard question: Is Europe facing its own "Century of Humiliation"?Key Topics:Why the "End of History" (1989-2025) is officially over.The impact of the US National Security Strategy on European industry.The Centrist Trap: Why copying far-right rhetoric is failing.The Demographic Crisis: Replacement rates vs. political reality.The collapse of the German car industry and the China dilemma.Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Starmer Abuse Fair Criticism — or Crude and Offensive? #Starmer #UKPolitics #FootballChants #DartsChants #RoyalVarietyShow #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #LIVE Is the abuse aimed at Keir Starmer now fair political criticism — or has it crossed into something crude and offensive? From "wanker" chants at football grounds and darts events, to his name being loudly booed at the Royal Variety Show in front of Prince William, hostility towards the Prime Minister is no longer confined to social media or fringe protests. It's public, audible, and increasingly mainstream. Tonight's debate asks uncomfortable questions: Are these chants a legitimate expression of public anger, or a breakdown in political respect? Does mass ridicule signal democratic accountability — or cultural contempt? Can a sitting Prime Minister recover once he becomes a figure of mockery? Or is Keir Starmer already a dead man walking in the eyes of the British public, regardless of polls or Parliament? This is not about politeness. It's about power, legitimacy, and what public humiliation really means in modern British politics. #KeirStarmer #Starmer #UKPolitics #BritishPolitics #StarmerAbuse #FootballChants #DartsChants #RoyalVarietyShow #PrinceWilliam #PoliticalAnger #PublicBacklash #DeadManWalking #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #LIVE Keir Starmer, Starmer, UK politics, British politics, Starmer abuse, football chants, darts chants, Royal Variety Show, Prince William, political anger, public backlash, dead man walking, Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt TV, LIVE This is political blogging and hard-hitting social commentary from Triple Sony Gold Award-winning talk radio legend, Jon Gaunt — former host on BBC, Talk Radio, and Sky News. On Jon Gaunt TV, we cut through the noise and say what others won't. No political correctness. No censorship. Just real conversations that matter.

How Chairman Archie Norman and CEO Stuart Machin are turning round one of the UK's oldest and most iconic businesses, and how the government should watch and learn from it. If M&S can be great again, so can Britain. Email: the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠restismoney@goalhanger.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheRestIsMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheRestIsMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@RestIsMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://⁠⁠⁠goalhanger.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A year is a long time in the podcasting world, especially for podcasts keeping a close eye on the highs, lows, trials and tribulations of government. Because it has been quite some year for Keir Starmer and his team - and for British politics more generally.  We've had reshuffles, resignations and resets. The rise of Reform. The breakthrough of the Greens. Promised policy blitzes. A planned rewiring of the state. The start - apparently - of the government's delivery phase. A government-defining budget. Some government-disrupting leadership challenges - real or imagined. And every now and then someone called Donald Trump crashes into the picture.  The IfG team and the Financial Times's Public Policy Editor look back on an eventful 12 months and pick out the big moments of 2025 - the most significant stories, the big political developments, and the key appointments that could shape the year ahead.  Not all of these will have made huge headlines. Perhaps they should have done - let's see.    Presented by Alex Thomas Featuring Chris Smyth, Jill Rutter, Stuart Hoddinott and Catherine Haddon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

STARMER'S BANANA REPUBLIC | HE MUST BE DEPOSED  #Starmer #BananaRepublic #UKPolitics #BBCBias #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #FreeSpeech #HateCrimeLaws #BBCBias  Today's live show lays out the case that under Keir Starmer, Britain is being reshaped away from constitutional democracy and toward something far more dangerous — a system where power flows downward from the state, not upward from the people.  This is not about personality. It's about how Starmer governs, what he tolerates, and what his system incentivises . We examine how Starmer's leadership is marked by: • Elections treated as an inconvenience rather than a mandate • Governing while sidelining or ignoring the House of Commons • Abandoning manifesto commitments once power is secured • Criminalising "offensive" political speech • Expanding police powers through vague and subjective hate crime laws • Undermining trial by jury in favour of administrative efficiency • Handing Ofcom sweeping control over online speech • Regulating dissent via unelected bodies instead of Parliament We also address selective enforcement and cultural engineering: • Ideological "re-education" of boys on misogyny • While ignoring or downplaying Pakistani grooming gangs • FGM, forced marriage, sectarian coercion, and parallel legal cultures • Equality before the law replaced by political fear and silence And the wider system surrounding Starmer: • Media narrative control and framing, especially the role of the BBC • Loyal but incompetent appointments beneath the leadership • Weakening of the family and replacement with the state • Denial and rewriting of British history as shame • Expansion of welfare dependency to create political compliance • Use of foreign war — Ukraine / Russia — as moral cover and domestic distraction This is not left vs right. It's Keir Starmer vs democratic consent. What does "deposed" mean? It means politically removed — through Parliament, party mechanisms, elections, and sustained lawful public pressure. Not violence. Not chaos. Democracy correcting itself before it's too late.  If you think this case is wrong, challenge it. If you think it's exaggerated, defend the record. But don't pretend this is normal.

This is the last episode in this main series of A History of England. I may add others on specific topics – by all means use the comments to suggest any you'd like me to examine – or in response to interesting new developments.This episode looks at what has happened since the 2024 election. There's been a rise in xenophobia that sometimes shades into outright racism. A party of the hard right, Reform UK, is leading in the polls. Labour, in office though perhaps not in power, seems to have lost its sense of direction and has been pandering to Reform UK's views in the hope of winning back voters it has lost to them, with little sign of success so far. Indeed, its own standing just keeps sliding downwards.After that, I recap the series, from the days of Henry VIII, showing how England grew from a minor state on the edge of Europe to a leading power. Then, having pushed through the union with Scotland to form Great Britain, it became the ruling power of a major global empire. However, while the empire enriched a minority of people back home, it left the mass of the people in poverty, often in misery. Imperial wealth made individuals rich but not society as a whole.The twentieth century saw the empire collapse and British society become much more equal. In need of a new role, Britain tried being the partner of the United States and also a major member of the European Union. But the ‘special relationship' with the US seems pretty well dead in the water now and, in a major self-inflicted wound, the Brexit vote of 2016 took Britain out the EU. Now with a growing menace to the whole continent, including Britain, from Russia, the Starmer government is trying to put together new alliances without confronting its right-wing critics by working to rejoin the EU. Together with the anti-immigration stance it's taking to try to woo Reform UK voters back, that policy is making a return to economic growth more difficult than ever. That only stokes the grievances felt by many at home, encouraging the hard right further.Britain seems to caught in a dilemma of its own making. The Starmer government has adopted policies that are making things worse not better. Sadly, the logic of its position means it can't change those policies.Change though, and not the kind of change Reform UK proposes, is desperately needed to get Britain out of the mess that England has led it into.Quite a dilemma, as I said.Illustration: The British bulldog confused about the way forward. Image from ChatGPT.Music: Bach Partita #2c by J Bu licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv The surprising truth about who the loneliest generations are French Doctor Death who poisoned patients jailed for life Parents of sextortion victim sue Instagram owner Meta William and Catherine release annual Christmas card portrait Ex police officers son misled into accepting sanction, review finds In this secret missile factory, Ukraine is ramping up its domestic arms industry Teachers to be trained to spot early signs of misogyny in boys Nick Reiner appears in court charged with murdering parents Why Sir David Attenborough wouldnt live anywhere else but London Starmer faces rebellion over plan to cut jury trials

Wake up with Morning Glory in full on YouTube, DAB+ radio, Freeview 280, Fire TV, Samsung TV Plus or the Talk App on your TV from 6am every morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv William and Catherine release annual Christmas card portrait Teachers to be trained to spot early signs of misogyny in boys Nick Reiner appears in court charged with murdering parents Parents of sextortion victim sue Instagram owner Meta Starmer faces rebellion over plan to cut jury trials Ex police officers son misled into accepting sanction, review finds In this secret missile factory, Ukraine is ramping up its domestic arms industry The surprising truth about who the loneliest generations are Why Sir David Attenborough wouldnt live anywhere else but London French Doctor Death who poisoned patients jailed for life

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Starmer faces rebellion over plan to cut jury trials Ex police officers son misled into accepting sanction, review finds William and Catherine release annual Christmas card portrait Why Sir David Attenborough wouldnt live anywhere else but London Parents of sextortion victim sue Instagram owner Meta Teachers to be trained to spot early signs of misogyny in boys The surprising truth about who the loneliest generations are In this secret missile factory, Ukraine is ramping up its domestic arms industry French Doctor Death who poisoned patients jailed for life Nick Reiner appears in court charged with murdering parents

Keir Starmer has endured a rough opening 18 months, but so did Tony Blair in quite similar ways. So why was Blair miles ahead in the polls in his early phase in power? And why is Starmer breaking all records for low ratings? The first show of 2026 is in the main concert hall at Kings Place on the 11th of February. Tickets are the perfect Christmas present! Get them here. Subscribe to Patreon here. The next series of bonus podcasts will be: When prime ministers fall. My biography of Tony Blair is out now! Get it here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us on From The Shed End as we unpack the biggest Chelsea talking points! Thiago Silva bids emotional farewell to Fluminense and eyes a Premier League comeback at 41 – could a short-term Chelsea reunion be on the cards? We review the gritty 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Cardiff (thanks to Garnacho's brace and Neto's strike), celebrate reaching the semi-finals (vs Arsenal or Crystal Palace), and look ahead to silverware hopes.Enzo Maresca firmly denies Manchester City links amid Pep speculation, Starmer ramps up pressure on Roman Abramovich to release £2.5bn Chelsea sale funds to Ukraine, and a full preview of Saturday's massive clash at Newcastle – two teams level on points battling for top four!All the latest Blues news, debate, and fan reactions – don't miss it!Chapters:00:00 IntroThiago Silva leaves Fluminense & Europe returnCardiff review + Carabao Cup semi-final drawMaresca's latest comments & Man City speculationKeir Starmer's demands on Roman AbramovichNewcastle United preview & predictions

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv In this secret missile factory, Ukraine is ramping up its domestic arms industry William and Catherine release annual Christmas card portrait Starmer faces rebellion over plan to cut jury trials Nick Reiner appears in court charged with murdering parents French Doctor Death who poisoned patients jailed for life Teachers to be trained to spot early signs of misogyny in boys Why Sir David Attenborough wouldnt live anywhere else but London The surprising truth about who the loneliest generations are Ex police officers son misled into accepting sanction, review finds Parents of sextortion victim sue Instagram owner Meta

Warning: this episode contains a use of a racial slur. From the rollback of human rights and Trump's BBC lawsuit to AI slop in politics - what the %@£! was that? Nish and Coco are joined by comedian Shappi Khorsandi and political commentator Jovan Owusu-Nepaul to make sense of the wild year that was.  Labour's first full year in office was marked by u-turns and an inability to use the word ‘genocide' but there were some significant new bills that boosted the rights of renters and employees.  Reform's polling and local election success had mainstream parties running scared - but the reality of actually running stuff may have revealed the party's limits. While Starmer focused on the threat from the right, the left was revitalised by the resurgence of the Greens and the (albeit chaotic) energy of Your Party - can they shift the political dial? As 2025 draws to a close - Nish and Coco hand out some very special awards and can we get a Palestinian lullaby to Christmas No.1? CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS  AURA FRAMES https://www.auraframes.com Code: PSUK CALM calm.com/PTSUK SHOPIFY Shopify.co.uk/podsavetheuk GUESTS  Shappi Khorsandi, Comedian Jovan Uwusu-Nepaul, Co-Host of What's Left?  USEFUL LINKS https://togetherforpalestine.bandcamp.com/album/lullaby CREDITS Labour Party/TikTok  Parliament TV Sky News/YouTube   Channel 4 News/YouTube  Channel 4 News/YouTube  BladeoftheSun/X  Shaparak Khorsandi/TikTok The Last Leg/Channel 4 Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg/BBC Basil the Great/X Sky News/YouTube 5 Live/BBC Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Fifa video game to return after four years in Netflix exclusive Why this months inflation figure may be good news for you Starmer tells Abramovich to pay up now or face court Nick Reiner appears in court charged with murdering parents Police forces will make arrests over intifada chants True origin of first black Briton revealed Teenager charged with murder of girl, 9, in Weston super Mare Teachers to be trained to spot early signs of misogyny in boys Labour lifts 5 council tax cap for six southern areas Parents of sextortion victim sue Instagram owner Meta

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Essay cheating at universities an open secret despite new law UK inflation dips by more than expected to 3.2 Alleged Bondi gunman charged with 15 counts of murder F1 star Kimi Antonelli goes incognito at Milton Keynes go karting Nick Reiner charged with his parents Rob and Michele murders Teenager charged with murder of girl, 9, in Weston super Mare Timoth e Chalamet on Marty Supreme, his twenties and his love of Susan Boyle Miss Finlands viral slanted eyes photo stirs racism firestorm Left wing candidate Andrea Egan beats Starmer ally to lead Unison Man, 87, waits seven hours for ambulance on garden centre floor

What are the chances that the elections in May 2026 in Scotland, Wales and England will lead to a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer?That's one of the questions answered by the political masterminds in our Christmas episode. We also find out about their favourite political memorabilia, why the parties import advisers from America and Australia, and whether we've been stuck in a political timewarp since 2019.Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More slop but hey it's detailed. That's nice. 00:25 – Hanukkah, Bondi and a terror attackJoel (Jack the Insider) opens the Christmas‑eve episode by recounting the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach that turned into a mass‑shooting, with 16 dead including Holocaust survivor Alex Kleitman and 10‑year‑old Matilda.​He notes that one gunman, Sajid Akram, was killed and his son Naveed faces 59 charges including 15 murders and a terrorism offence, while funerals proceed under a cloud of grief.​02:05 – Anti‑Semitic threats and the rise of Jew hatredThe Jacks detail an anti‑Semitic threat on a Virgin Australia flight from Denpasar to Sydney, where a 19‑year‑old allegedly made violent gestures and threats toward a Jewish passenger.​They discuss how contemporary anti‑Semitism in Australia and the West feels broader and deeper than before, increasingly visible on progressive and left‑wing fringes as well as the far right.​04:55 – Jenny Leong's “tentacles” remark and Greens politicsJoel quotes NSW Greens MLC Jenny Leong's 2023 comments about the “Jewish lobby” and “Zionist lobby” having “tentacles” infiltrating community groups, likening the rhetoric to classic Nazi tropes in Der Stürmer.​Jack notes Leong is part of NSW's hard‑left “watermelon” Greens and argues such language shows how anti‑Jewish narratives have crept into mainstream progressive politics in Australia, the UK and the US.​07:25 – Apologies, anti‑Zionism and the limits of definitionsThey note Leong apologised two months later for “poor choice of words” with anti‑Semitic implications, but Joel says the tentacle imagery hung “like a bad smell” over public debate.​The Jacks criticise semantic wrangling over definitions of anti‑Semitism and suggest calling much of it what it plainly is: old‑fashioned Jew hatred, often masked as anti‑Zionism.​10:25 – Who failed after 7 October? Government responses under fireJack argues federal and state leaders failed from “October 8th on” by not responding strongly enough to anti‑Jewish rhetoric and protests, suggesting Labor tried to balance Jewish concerns against Western Sydney Muslim votes.​Joel pushes back, citing Sean Carney's column outlining how Naveed Akram's jihadist associations, ASIO assessments and gun‑licence decisions date back to the Morrison/Dutton era and pre‑Albanese security failures.​13:55 – ASIO, gun licensing and unanswered questionsThe Jacks highlight ASIO's prior knowledge of Naveed's extremist links and question how Sajid Akram obtained a semi‑automatic shotgun with only an AB licence when B/C categories are needed for that weapon.​They call for frank explanations from ASIO and NSW firearms licensing about assessments, paper trails and whether bureaucratic or resourcing failures allowed Akram to amass an arsenal worth around $30,000.​17:55 – Under‑resourced counter‑terror units and a fearful Jewish communityJoel cites a retired AFP counter‑terror investigator who says counter‑terror units are stacked with officers fresh out of the academy instead of seasoned detectives.​Jack reflects on three decades of Jewish institutions in Sydney's east needing armed guards, and shares conversations with Jewish friends who now quietly contemplate leaving Australia because they no longer feel safe.​20:35 – “Don't bring your old hatreds here”The Jacks trace anti‑Jewish attacks in Sydney back to the 1982 Hakoah Club car bombing and the simultaneous attack on the Israeli consulate, arguing Jewish Australians have lived with this threat for over 40 years.​They say successive governments failed to hammer home a core Australian expectation: migrants must not import centuries‑old religious or ethnic hatreds into their new home.​23:05 – Segal anti‑Semitism strategy and hate‑speech lawsThey briefly canvass the Gillian Segal anti‑Semitism strategy; Jack dismisses it as “word salad” and window dressing, while Joel notes the government has been slow to act on its recommendations.​On hate‑speech laws, Jack argues bans on offensive political opinions tend to drive hatred underground and make it more dangerous, but both agree incitement to violence must remain a prosecutable offence, possibly with updated legislation.​26:00 – Policing protests and the limits of crowd controlThe Jacks explain why police sometimes tolerate ugly slogans at protests: wading in for arrests can inflame crowds that already vastly outnumber officers.​They stress the need to balance immediate public safety and officer safety with the longer‑term risk that demonstrators feel they can incite hatred with impunity.​29:00 – Bondi's stain and its heroesJoel laments that Bondi Beach, an iconic Australian destination, will now always be associated with a massacre, describing a moment of nausea as the death toll climbed on that Sunday night.​Jack reminisces about Bondi's 1990s mix of Kiwis, working‑class locals and a relaxed Jewish presence, and fears that openness has been permanently damaged.​32:05 – Old‑school cop and a Syrian‑Australian heroThey praise the middle‑aged, tie‑wearing NSW officer who initiated the “beginning of the end” of the attack and commend off‑duty police who rushed to Bondi and threw on uniforms.​Joel celebrates North Bondi tobacconist Al Ahmad, a Syrian‑born resident who tackled the gunman with astonishing courage, noting he now seems certain to receive Australian citizenship along with his parents.​35:10 – Patrol strength, long guns and local station realitiesThe Jacks relay reports that only three officers were on duty at Bondi police station, which Joel describes as a relatively minor station compared to Rose Bay or Maroubra.​They question why frontline police responding to long‑gun threats were not issued rifles of their own and suggest NSW should review access to long arms for first responders in high‑risk scenarios.​38:00 – Multiculturalism, old enmities and what really matters nextJack argues that, in an immigrant nation, the most important response is cultural: reinstilling the norm that old tribal feuds must be left behind, not accommodated.​Joel agrees this message should be central in citizenship education and public rhetoric, more important than technocratic hate‑speech tweaks or reactive gun‑law posturing.​42:05 – National Cabinet, ASIO and the demand for competenceThey criticise the National Cabinet's muted post‑Bondi meeting, which produced little beyond talk, and suggest the Prime Minister's cautious style leaves a leadership vacuum in national crises.​The Jacks insist Australians accept that security agencies cannot be omniscient, but say they must be properly resourced, competent and transparent when they make mistakes.​45:25 – Around the world: headscarves, condoms, climate and Reddit vs CanberraThe Jacks whip around global headlines: Austria's ban on headscarves for under‑14s, China's 13% tax on condoms and contraceptives to boost fertility, Denmark listing the US as a security risk, and the US government quietly deleting “fossil fuels” as a named cause of climate change from official websites.​They note Reddit's legal challenge to Australia's under‑16 social media ban and question whether Reddit is the ideal platform to front that fight given its often unpoliced content.​47:35 – Venezuela, the ICC and the limits of international lawVenezuela moves to withdraw from the International Criminal Court as investigations into alleged Maduro‑regime crimes against humanity advance.​Jack says the episode encapsulates international law's limits: states happily sign the Rome Statute until it becomes inconvenient, then walk away.​48:55 – Ireland rearms and Russia blocks “unfriendly” callsIreland announces a 55 per cent jump in defence spending to protect undersea data cables and deter drones, reflecting its geostrategic importance as a trans‑Atlantic communications hub.​Russia, meanwhile, moves to block incoming calls from “unfriendly” states; the Jacks mock the performative toughness and note how easily scammers will route around any such ban.​51:15 – Rob Reiner's murder and a towering film legacyThey react with shock to the murder of legendary director Rob Reiner and his wife, allegedly by Reiner's troubled son, whose earlier violence was itself the subject of a film.​Jack runs through Reiner's extraordinary run—This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men—and argues that if you'd made only those, you'd still have had a remarkable career.​54:45 – “This one goes to 11” and Trump's gracelessnessThe Jacks recall how Spinal Tap helped invent the mockumentary form and embedded lines like “this one goes to 11” into pop‑culture vocabulary.​They condemn Donald Trump's statement calling Reiner “a terrible human being” after his death, with conservative actor James Woods publicly rebuking Trump and praising Reiner's personal kindness despite political differences.​57:40 – Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks and comedy royaltyJoel outlines Rob Reiner's upbringing in a house full of comedic giants, with father Carl Reiner and close friend Mel Brooks holding weekly movie nights together well into old age, as captured in Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.​They reminisce about Carl and Mel's influence on Jewish humour and lament the passing of a generation of comic geniuses.​01:01:05 – EVs, hybrids and a Two Jacks lunch betThe Jacks revisit their running argument over electric vehicles, prompted by Ford CEO Jim Farley's plan to pivot the F‑150 towards hybrids instead of pure EVs.​Joel, a hybrid owner, sees hybrids as a transition technology in countries like Australia where fast‑charge infrastructure is patchy; he cites global EV sales rising to roughly 18–20 per cent of new car sales in 2025, with internal‑combustion shares steadily shrinking.​01:03:05 – Charging reality vs theory in AustraliaJoel recounts his in‑laws' BMW EV trip from central Victoria to Sydney using free or cheap NRMA/RACV chargers, but notes fast chargers are often the first to break or get switched off by retailers facing high electricity costs.​They swap anecdotes about BYD and Chinese Maxus taxis—fast‑improving but sometimes uncomfortable—and admit they can no longer remember the exact terms of their EV lunch wager, though Joel insists Jack owes him.​01:06:10 – Worst political year: Trump, Macron, Starmer, Albanese, Li, PutinThe Jacks playfully debate which leader had the worst year—Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Anthony Albanese, Chinese Premier Li or Vladimir Putin.​They characterise Albanese as the “Stephen Bradbury” of Australian politics, a cautious survivor whose luck and endurance have mattered as much as brilliance.​01:18:40 – Ashes update: England's fragile top orderIn a late segment, they revisit England's Ashes woes: repeated collapses leaving them three‑for‑not‑many and a top three of Crawley, Duckett and Pope exposing the middle order to the new ball.​Joel notes England dropped a bowler as a scapegoat while leaving the misfiring batting unchanged, and questions how long they can justify Ollie Pope at three ahead of the more solid Will Jacks.​01:21:15 – Hong Kong racing, Kooring Rising and Japanese fanboy jockeysJack describes Hong Kong's International Racing Day—four Group 1s and 80,000 people—and the rise of sprinter Kooring Rising, winner of The Everest and now on a long winning streak.​He shares footage from Japan's Nakayama track where every jockey stopped circling and sat still so they could watch Kooring Rising's race on the big screen, a measure of the horse's star power.​01:23:00 – Listener mail, Howard's gun laws and the Shooters lobbyJoel reads a note from listener Ray pointing out that 300 legally obtained guns are still attributed to “Howard's gun laws”, reminding listeners gun‑law reform was necessary but later watered down under pressure from the Shooters and Fishers political lobby.​01:24:00 – Christmas, loneliness and a surprise lunch guestThe Jacks close with Christmas reflections: acknowledging how joyful and stressful the season can be, especially for those who are lonely or estranged from family.​Joel recalls his mother inviting a homeless man to Christmas lunch—an act of charity met with teenage grumbling from him and his brother—and urges listeners to look out for those doing it tough without necessarily going to that extreme.​01:25:45 – Holiday plans and the show's return in JanuaryJack outlines Hanukkah parties and family Christmas plans in Hong Kong, while Joel describes a quieter Highlands Christmas with a Boxing Day visit from the grandkids.​They thank listeners for their support through 2025, wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and promise to return in the second week of January after a short break.​00:25 – Hanukkah, Bondi and a terror attackJoel (Jack the Insider) opens the Christmas‑eve episode by recounting the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach that turned into a mass‑shooting, with 16 dead including Holocaust survivor Alex Kleitman and 10‑year‑old Matilda.​He notes that one gunman, Sajid Akram, was killed and his son Naveed faces 59 charges including 15 murders and a terrorism offence, while funerals proceed under a cloud of grief.​02:05 – Anti‑Semitic threats and the rise of Jew hatredThe Jacks detail an anti‑Semitic threat on a Virgin Australia flight from Denpasar to Sydney, where a 19‑year‑old allegedly made violent gestures and threats toward a Jewish passenger.​They discuss how contemporary anti‑Semitism in Australia and the West feels broader and deeper than before, increasingly visible on progressive and left‑wing fringes as well as the far right.​04:55 – Jenny Leong's “tentacles” remark and Greens politicsJoel quotes NSW Greens MLC Jenny Leong's 2023 comments about the “Jewish lobby” and “Zionist lobby” having “tentacles” infiltrating community groups, likening the rhetoric to classic Nazi tropes in Der Stürmer.​Jack notes Leong is part of NSW's hard‑left “watermelon” Greens and argues such language shows how anti‑Jewish narratives have crept into mainstream progressive politics in Australia, the UK and the US.​07:25 – Apologies, anti‑Zionism and the limits of definitionsThey note Leong apologised two months later for “poor choice of words” with anti‑Semitic implications, but Joel says the tentacle imagery hung “like a bad smell” over public debate.​The Jacks criticise semantic wrangling over definitions of anti‑Semitism and suggest calling much of it what it plainly is: old‑fashioned Jew hatred, often masked as anti‑Zionism.​10:25 – Who failed after 7 October? Government responses under fireJack argues federal and state leaders failed from “October 8th on” by not responding strongly enough to anti‑Jewish rhetoric and protests, suggesting Labor tried to balance Jewish concerns against Western Sydney Muslim votes.​Joel pushes back, citing Sean Carney's column outlining how Naveed Akram's jihadist associations, ASIO assessments and gun‑licence decisions date back to the Morrison/Dutton era and pre‑Albanese security failures.​13:55 – ASIO, gun licensing and unanswered questionsThe Jacks highlight ASIO's prior knowledge of Naveed's extremist links and question how Sajid Akram obtained a semi‑automatic shotgun with only an AB licence when B/C categories are needed for that weapon.​They call for frank explanations from ASIO and NSW firearms licensing about assessments, paper trails and whether bureaucratic or resourcing failures allowed Akram to amass an arsenal worth around $30,000.​17:55 – Under‑resourced counter‑terror units and a fearful Jewish communityJoel cites a retired AFP counter‑terror investigator who says counter‑terror units are stacked with officers fresh out of the academy instead of seasoned detectives.​Jack reflects on three decades of Jewish institutions in Sydney's east needing armed guards, and shares conversations with Jewish friends who now quietly contemplate leaving Australia because they no longer feel safe.​20:35 – “Don't bring your old hatreds here”The Jacks trace anti‑Jewish attacks in Sydney back to the 1982 Hakoah Club car bombing and the simultaneous attack on the Israeli consulate, arguing Jewish Australians have lived with this threat for over 40 years.​They say successive governments failed to hammer home a core Australian expectation: migrants must not import centuries‑old religious or ethnic hatreds into their new home.​23:05 – Segal anti‑Semitism strategy and hate‑speech lawsThey briefly canvass the Gillian Segal anti‑Semitism strategy; Jack dismisses it as “word salad” and window dressing, while Joel notes the government has been slow to act on its recommendations.​On hate‑speech laws, Jack argues bans on offensive political opinions tend to drive hatred underground and make it more dangerous, but both agree incitement to violence must remain a prosecutable offence, possibly with updated legislation.​26:00 – Policing protests and the limits of crowd controlThe Jacks explain why police sometimes tolerate ugly slogans at protests: wading in for arrests can inflame crowds that already vastly outnumber officers.​They stress the need to balance immediate public safety and officer safety with the longer‑term risk that demonstrators feel they can incite hatred with impunity.​29:00 – Bondi's stain and its heroesJoel laments that Bondi Beach, an iconic Australian destination, will now always be associated with a massacre, describing a moment of nausea as the death toll climbed on that Sunday night.​Jack reminisces about Bondi's 1990s mix of Kiwis, working‑class locals and a relaxed Jewish presence, and fears that openness has been permanently damaged.​32:05 – Old‑school cop and a Syrian‑Australian heroThey praise the middle‑aged, tie‑wearing NSW officer who initiated the “beginning of the end” of the attack and commend off‑duty police who rushed to Bondi and threw on uniforms.​Joel celebrates North Bondi tobacconist Al Ahmad, a Syrian‑born resident who tackled the gunman with astonishing courage, noting he now seems certain to receive Australian citizenship along with his parents.​35:10 – Patrol strength, long guns and local station realitiesThe Jacks relay reports that only three officers were on duty at Bondi police station, which Joel describes as a relatively minor station compared to Rose Bay or Maroubra.​They question why frontline police responding to long‑gun threats were not issued rifles of their own and suggest NSW should review access to long arms for first responders in high‑risk scenarios.​38:00 – Multiculturalism, old enmities and what really matters nextJack argues that, in an immigrant nation, the most important response is cultural: reinstilling the norm that old tribal feuds must be left behind, not accommodated.​Joel agrees this message should be central in citizenship education and public rhetoric, more important than technocratic hate‑speech tweaks or reactive gun‑law posturing.​42:05 – National Cabinet, ASIO and the demand for competenceThey criticise the National Cabinet's muted post‑Bondi meeting, which produced little beyond talk, and suggest the Prime Minister's cautious style leaves a leadership vacuum in national crises.​The Jacks insist Australians accept that security agencies cannot be omniscient, but say they must be properly resourced, competent and transparent when they make mistakes.​45:25 – Around the world: headscarves, condoms, climate and Reddit vs CanberraThe Jacks whip around global headlines: Austria's ban on headscarves for under‑14s, China's 13% tax on condoms and contraceptives to boost fertility, Denmark listing the US as a security risk, and the US government quietly deleting “fossil fuels” as a named cause of climate change from official websites.​They note Reddit's legal challenge to Australia's under‑16 social media ban and question whether Reddit is the ideal platform to front that fight given its often unpoliced content.​47:35 – Venezuela, the ICC and the limits of international lawVenezuela moves to withdraw from the International Criminal Court as investigations into alleged Maduro‑regime crimes against humanity advance.​Jack says the episode encapsulates international law's limits: states happily sign the Rome Statute until it becomes inconvenient, then walk away.​48:55 – Ireland rearms and Russia blocks “unfriendly” callsIreland announces a 55 per cent jump in defence spending to protect undersea data cables and deter drones, reflecting its geostrategic importance as a trans‑Atlantic communications hub.​Russia, meanwhile, moves to block incoming calls from “unfriendly” states; the Jacks mock the performative toughness and note how easily scammers will route around any such ban.​51:15 – Rob Reiner's murder and a towering film legacyThey react with shock to the murder of legendary director Rob Reiner and his wife, allegedly by Reiner's troubled son, whose earlier violence was itself the subject of a film.​Jack runs through Reiner's extraordinary run—This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men—and argues that if you'd made only those, you'd still have had a remarkable career.​54:45 – “This one goes to 11” and Trump's gracelessnessThe Jacks recall how Spinal Tap helped invent the mockumentary form and embedded lines like “this one goes to 11” into pop‑culture vocabulary.​They condemn Donald Trump's statement calling Reiner “a terrible human being” after his death, with conservative actor James Woods publicly rebuking Trump and praising Reiner's personal kindness despite political differences.​57:40 – Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks and comedy royaltyJoel outlines Rob Reiner's upbringing in a house full of comedic giants, with father Carl Reiner and close friend Mel Brooks holding weekly movie nights together well into old age, as captured in Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.​They reminisce about Carl and Mel's influence on Jewish humour and lament the passing of a generation of comic geniuses.​01:01:05 – EVs, hybrids and a Two Jacks lunch betThe Jacks revisit their running argument over electric vehicles, prompted by Ford CEO Jim Farley's plan to pivot the F‑150 towards hybrids instead of pure EVs.​Joel, a hybrid owner, sees hybrids as a transition technology in countries like Australia where fast‑charge infrastructure is patchy; he cites global EV sales rising to roughly 18–20 per cent of new car sales in 2025, with internal‑combustion shares steadily shrinking.​01:03:05 – Charging reality vs theory in AustraliaJoel recounts his in‑laws' BMW EV trip from central Victoria to Sydney using free or cheap NRMA/RACV chargers, but notes fast chargers are often the first to break or get switched off by retailers facing high electricity costs.​They swap anecdotes about BYD and Chinese Maxus taxis—fast‑improving but sometimes uncomfortable—and admit they can no longer remember the exact terms of their EV lunch wager, though Joel insists Jack owes him.​01:06:10 – Worst political year: Trump, Macron, Starmer, Albanese, Li, PutinThe Jacks playfully debate which leader had the worst year—Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Anthony Albanese, Chinese Premier Li or Vladimir Putin.​They characterise Albanese as the “Stephen Bradbury” of Australian politics, a cautious survivor whose luck and endurance have mattered as much as brilliance.​01:18:40 – Ashes update: England's fragile top orderIn a late segment, they revisit England's Ashes woes: repeated collapses leaving them three‑for‑not‑many and a top three of Crawley, Duckett and Pope exposing the middle order to the new ball.​Joel notes England dropped a bowler as a scapegoat while leaving the misfiring batting unchanged, and questions how long they can justify Ollie Pope at three ahead of the more solid Will Jacks.​01:21:15 – Hong Kong racing, Kooring Rising and Japanese fanboy jockeysJack describes Hong Kong's International Racing Day—four Group 1s and 80,000 people—and the rise of sprinter Kooring Rising, winner of The Everest and now on a long winning streak.​He shares footage from Japan's Nakayama track where every jockey stopped circling and sat still so they could watch Kooring Rising's race on the big screen, a measure of the horse's star power.​01:23:00 – Listener mail, Howard's gun laws and the Shooters lobbyJoel reads a note from listener Ray pointing out that 300 legally obtained guns are still attributed to “Howard's gun laws”, reminding listeners gun‑law reform was necessary but later watered down under pressure from the Shooters and Fishers political lobby.​01:24:00 – Christmas, loneliness and a surprise lunch guestThe Jacks close with Christmas reflections: acknowledging how joyful and stressful the season can be, especially for those who are lonely or estranged from family.​Joel recalls his mother inviting a homeless man to Christmas lunch—an act of charity met with teenage grumbling from him and his brother—and urges listeners to look out for those doing it tough without necessarily going to that extreme.​01:25:45 – Holiday plans and the show's return in JanuaryJack outlines Hanukkah parties and family Christmas plans in Hong Kong, while Joel describes a quieter Highlands Christmas with a Boxing Day visit from the grandkids.​They thank listeners for their support through 2025, wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and promise to return in the second week of January after a short break.​

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Timoth e Chalamet on Marty Supreme, his twenties and his love of Susan Boyle UK inflation dips by more than expected to 3.2 Left wing candidate Andrea Egan beats Starmer ally to lead Unison Nick Reiner charged with his parents Rob and Michele murders Man, 87, waits seven hours for ambulance on garden centre floor F1 star Kimi Antonelli goes incognito at Milton Keynes go karting Teenager charged with murder of girl, 9, in Weston super Mare Miss Finlands viral slanted eyes photo stirs racism firestorm Alleged Bondi gunman charged with 15 counts of murder Essay cheating at universities an open secret despite new law

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Labour lifts 5 council tax cap for six southern areas Nick Reiner appears in court charged with murdering parents Parents of sextortion victim sue Instagram owner Meta Why this months inflation figure may be good news for you Police forces will make arrests over intifada chants Starmer tells Abramovich to pay up now or face court True origin of first black Briton revealed Teachers to be trained to spot early signs of misogyny in boys Teenager charged with murder of girl, 9, in Weston super Mare Fifa video game to return after four years in Netflix exclusive

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Essay cheating at universities an open secret despite new law Left wing candidate Andrea Egan beats Starmer ally to lead Unison Nick Reiner charged with his parents Rob and Michele murders Teenager charged with murder of girl, 9, in Weston super Mare F1 star Kimi Antonelli goes incognito at Milton Keynes go karting Miss Finlands viral slanted eyes photo stirs racism firestorm Man, 87, waits seven hours for ambulance on garden centre floor Alleged Bondi gunman charged with 15 counts of murder UK inflation dips by more than expected to 3.2 Timoth e Chalamet on Marty Supreme, his twenties and his love of Susan Boyle

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Police forces will make arrests over intifada chants Why this months inflation figure may be good news for you True origin of first black Briton revealed Parents of sextortion victim sue Instagram owner Meta Teenager charged with murder of girl, 9, in Weston super Mare Labour lifts 5 council tax cap for six southern areas Teachers to be trained to spot early signs of misogyny in boys Fifa video game to return after four years in Netflix exclusive Nick Reiner appears in court charged with murdering parents Starmer tells Abramovich to pay up now or face court

Just eighteen months after a massive electoral victory, the man who leads the Labour party and the country seems to be unable to govern effectively, and it's widely assumed he will be replaced in 2026. Sir Keir Starmer has some of the worst poll ratings in modern political history, and few of his MPs want him to stay prime minister, but who will replace him? When, and how? And what chance will they have of dealing with the country's myriad problems? Robert Ford, Professor of Political Science at Manchester University, tells Phil and Roger what lies ahead for the Labour Party and British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Starmer tells Abramovich to pay up now or face court True origin of first black Briton revealed Why this months inflation figure may be good news for you Police forces will make arrests over intifada chants Parents of sextortion victim sue Instagram owner Meta Teachers to be trained to spot early signs of misogyny in boys Teenager charged with murder of girl, 9, in Weston super Mare Nick Reiner appears in court charged with murdering parents Fifa video game to return after four years in Netflix exclusive Labour lifts 5 council tax cap for six southern areas

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Teenager charged with murder of girl, 9, in Weston super Mare Man, 87, waits seven hours for ambulance on garden centre floor UK inflation dips by more than expected to 3.2 Essay cheating at universities an open secret despite new law Alleged Bondi gunman charged with 15 counts of murder Nick Reiner charged with his parents Rob and Michele murders Left wing candidate Andrea Egan beats Starmer ally to lead Unison Miss Finlands viral slanted eyes photo stirs racism firestorm F1 star Kimi Antonelli goes incognito at Milton Keynes go karting Timoth e Chalamet on Marty Supreme, his twenties and his love of Susan Boyle

2025-12-17 | UPDATES #081 | The clock is ticking for Abramovich and his Chelsea Billions. How much, why now and what it means. Three and a half years. That's how long £2.5 billion — money publicly promised for Ukraine — has sat frozen in a UK bank account after Roman Abramovich's forced sale of Chelsea. Today, Keir Starmer has finally stopped treating it like an awkward footnote and started treating it like what it is: a test of state power in a full-scale hybrid war. (Reuters)----------SOURCES: UK Government (GOV.UK), “Government gives Abramovich final chance…” (17 Dec 2025)Reuters, “UK tells Abramovich to give Chelsea sale cash…” (17 Dec 2025)Financial Times, “Starmer moves to transfer £2.5bn…” (17 Dec 2025)The Guardian, “UK gives Abramovich final warning…” (17 Dec 2025)UK Parliament written statements portal (Reeves statement referenced), licence/foundation description (17 Dec 2025)Sky News explainer, legal mechanics and delay risk (17 Dec 2025)Bond (UK NGO network) reaction statement (17 Dec 2025)Ben Jacobs (social post highlighting legal/sanctions context) (17 Dec 2025)----------Silicon Curtain is a part of the Christmas Tree Trucks 2025 campaign - an ambitious fundraiser led by a group of our wonderful team of information warriors raising 110,000 EUR for the Ukrainian army. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtainThe Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community:- 1 armoured battle-ready pickupWe are sourcing all vehicles around 2010-2017 or newer, mainly Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200, with low mileage and fully serviced. These are some of the greatest and the most reliable pickups possible to be on the frontline in Ukraine. Who will receive the vehicles?https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtain- The 38th Marine Brigade, who alone held Krynki for 124 days, receiving the Military Cross of Honour.- The 1027th Anti-aircraft and artillery regiment. Honoured by NATO as Defender of the Year 2024 and recipient of the Military Cross of Honour.- 104th Separate Brigade, Infantry, who alone held Kherson for 100 days, establishing conditions for the liberation of the city.- 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalion ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

In the final PMQs of the year, Kemi Badenoch challenges Keir Starmer on growth, taxes and claims he doesn't have the “baubles” to stop the doctors' strike. Starmer hits back, arguing that Badenoch's Christmas wish list would freeze the minimum wage...Hugo Rifkind unpacks the Commons exchanges with Josh Glancy, Stefan Boscia and Ahir Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starmer calls The Doctor strikes “Utterly irresponsible” Plus: Former Labour elected Mayor Jamie Driscoll joins the Greens, yet ANOTHER bad day for Keir Starmer, and GMP vow to clamp down even more on Pro-Palestine protesters. With: Michael Walker, Ash Sarkar, Dr Thomas Cheliotis-James & Jamie Driscoll

Welcome to the final PMQs podcast of the season! Today Keir Starmer came under fire for two ongoing strikes: The resident doctor strikes set to go ahead in the run up to Christmas, and the ongoing hunger strikes in British prisons.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As 2025 spirals around the plughole of posterity, The Guardian's parliamentary speechwriter John Crace joins us to look at the year inside the Westminster Village. Did Farage successfully cross over from consequence-free rabble-rouser to horribly plausible Prime Minister? Will the growing racism allegations halt his ambitions? Is there more going on in Starmer's government than meets the eye? And what did we learn from the launch of Your Party, the fall of Angela Rayner and the Tories' gap year?

It's nearly Christmas, but there is still lots of excitement to be had in Westminster, including Keir Starmer's trip to the Liaison Committee. This is where the Prime Minister sits in front of senior MPs and is grilled on various policy areas. Today's topics included the leaks (Wes Streeting and the OBR) and Keir Starmer's integrity more generally, as well as the farm tax, the House of Lords and the government's long-anticipated strategy to counter violence against women and girls. How did today's proceedings expose the ‘paucity' of Starmer's Labour?Oscar Edmondson speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Heale.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.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.

STARMER: Stand Down Now to Save the UK | General Election NOW  #Starmer #UKPolitics #LabourParty #StarmerOUT #GeneralElection #JonGaunt #Live Keir  Starmer's end-of-year review has exposed a brutal truth: he may be Prime Minister, but he is not in control.  Approval ratings in the gutter. A Labour Party briefing against its own leader. MPs openly restless. And now, heading into Christmas, doctors preparing to strike, pushing the NHS deeper into chaos. Starmer promised seriousness, authority and competence.  What the country is seeing instead is drift, division and weakness. Borders still not secure. Small boats still crossing. A so-called "one-in, one-out" deal with France that sounds tough but delivers little. Leadership pledges quietly abandoned. Principles rewritten when they become inconvenient.  Even Starmer himself admitted today that his leadership is under strain — a staggering admission from a man sold as the "safe pair of hands".  This is leadership by press release. Government without grip. A Prime Minister in office but not in control. Everything he touches seems to go wrong — the reverse Midas touch. And now his own MPs are circling, because they know what the public already feels: this government is running on empty.  Britain cannot afford paralysis, party games and permanent crisis. If Starmer cannot lead, he should stand down. If this government cannot govern, the people must decide. General Election NOW.  

Starmer and Albanese Are Playing a Dangerous Game With Our Lives  #JonGaunt #Live #Starmer #Albanese #Extremism #TerrorWatchlist #ManchesterSynagogue #SydneyProtests #Antisemitism  Recent events in Manchester and Sydney raise serious questions about leadership, public safety, and political courage.  In the UK, tens of thousands of individuals remain on terrorism watchlists. In Australia, mass protests have taken place in which antisemitic rhetoric and symbolism have been widely reported. At the same time, attacks on Jewish institutions and rising extremist incidents are becoming harder to dismiss as isolated or accidental. This video examines: - Why the UK terror watchlist continues to grow - What a watchlist actually means — and what it doesn't - The attack on a synagogue in Manchester - The Sydney Harbour marches and the failure to confront antisemitic hate - Why political leaders appear unwilling to act decisively - And how selective enforcement of the law undermines social cohesion  This is not an attack on any race or religion. It is a critique of extremism, double standards, and political inaction — and the consequences of both. Democratic societies depend on a shared commitment to the rule of law. When leaders hesitate to enforce it equally, everyone pays the price. Join the discussion in the comments today.  #JonGaunt #JonGauntLive #Starmer #Albanese #Extremism #TerrorWatchlist #ManchesterSynagogue #SydneyProtests #Antisemitism #PublicSafety #PoliticalFailure #LeadershipCrisis #UKPolitics #AustralianPolitics #HateSpeech #Radicalisation #NationalSecurity Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt Live, Starmer, Albanese, extremism, terror watchlist, Manchester synagogue attack, Sydney protests, antisemitism, public safety, political failure, leadership crisis, UK politics, Australian politics, hate speech, radicalisation, national security This is political blogging and hard-hitting social commentary from Triple Sony Gold Award-winning talk radio legend, Jon Gaunt — former host on BBC, Talk Radio, and Sky News. On Jon Gaunt TV, we cut through the noise and say what others won't. No political correctness. No censorship. Just real conversations that matter.

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​​Today, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer has written in the Guardian Newspaper urging members of the British Medical Association to rethink planned strikes. ​​ ​​Possible strikes coincide with flu-related illnesses and hospitalisations at a higher rate than usual for this time of year, which have led to worries that a strike would lead to problems for the NHS. ​​ ​​Also, Laura has spoken to the new chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson. Since the Supreme Court ruling over the definition of a woman in April they have been working on new guidance on who can access single-sex spaces. So how might the guidance be implemented? ​​ ​​You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. ​​ ​​You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord ​​ ​​Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480. ​​ ​​New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd ​​ ​​Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell It was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The Spectator heads into Christmas a little bit less Scottish as we bid farewell to our political correspondent Lucy Dunn. Before Lucy leaves for STV, she joins Coffee House Shots – with fellow Scots Michael Simmons and Labour MP Gordon McKee – for one final episode reflecting on the state of Scottish politics. They discuss whether the SNP has stabilised Scottish politics this year, make predictions for what could happen at the 2026 Holyrood elections and ponder whether the Scottish influence in Westminster has grown stronger under Starmer. Plus, from Reform to the SNP – how new is the threat of populism in Scotland?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 Spectator heads into Christmas a little bit less Scottish as we bid farewell to our political correspondent Lucy Dunn. Before Lucy leaves for STV, she joins Coffee House Shots – with fellow Scots Michael Simmons and Labour MP Gordon McKee – for one final episode reflecting on the state of Scottish politics. They discuss whether the SNP has stabilised Scottish politics this year, make predictions for what could happen at the 2026 Holyrood elections and ponder whether the Scottish influence in Westminster has grown stronger under Starmer. Plus, from Reform to the SNP – how new is the threat of populism in Scotland?Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting has given a very broad and far reaching interview to the New Statesman which some are seeing as an attack on Starmer's leadership.Adam, Chris, Faisal and Alex discuss this, as well as the on going pressure on the PM. Plus, the team also pick out something we should be looking out for in 2026 in politics. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

It's been another turbulent year in politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced down rebellions from within his own party, overseen scandals and sackings, and delivered a constant barrage of bad news from health and housing to small boats and the Budget. He's fared a little better on the world stage – with successful state visits, securing a comparatively competitive trade deal with Trump, as well as a tentative rapprochement with Europe. But with every international success, Starmer's standing domestically seems to diminish: he ends the year, on some measures, as the most unpopular PM ever. In this special live episode of Political Fix, host George Parker is joined by Anna Gross, Stephen Bush and Chris Giles to analyse how the Labour party got here – and where it goes next. Follow George on @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen on @stephenkb.bsky.social; and Chris on @chrisgiles.ft.com Political Fix has been nominated for a People's Choice Award at the Political Podcast Awards. Vote for us here.Want more? Free links: Return to EU customs union would ‘unravel' UK trade deals, Starmer warns Inside Politics: Neither Keir Starmer nor Kemi Badenoch wants to reverse BrexitNigel Farage rejects allegations of teenage racist abuse Wes Streeting calls for better ‘storytelling' from Starmer's ‘technocratic' governmentChris Giles: Why UK borrowing costs are so high George and Anna's FT scoop on Labour's tax U-turnSign up to Stephen's morning newsletter Inside Politics here, and to Chris' newsletter on Central Banks here. Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. Our broadcast engineers this week were Bianca Wakeman, Petros Gioumpasis and Andrew Georgiades. The FT's acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Rayner's Return and Labour's Economic Struggles: Colleague Joseph Sternberg analyzes the political return of Angela Rayner and her push for a "workers rights bill" despite Prime Minister Starmer's plummeting popularity, arguing this move highlights internal Labour Party conflict and risks imposing policies detrimental to an economy already struggling with inflation and stagnation. 1951 MARCH

Today, Sir Keir Starmer and Danish leader Mette Frederiksen published a joint article arguing for urgent modernisation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which has an impact on how a country can tackle illegal migration.David Lammy is in Strasbourg with European counterparts, beginning negotiations to change how the continent's main human rights treaty is interpreted by judges, following political pressure from right wing parties who are calling for a complete withdrawal from the treaty. This comes just after the Trump administration's security strategy hammered Europe, calling it weak, and warning of European decline and “civilisational erasure.”Adam is joined by Henry Zeffman, chief political correspondent to discuss the domestic politics of revamping the treaty. Then, Tom Bateman, BBC state department correspondent joins for analysis of what Trump's latest strategy means for European politics. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Rufus Gray and Kris Jalowiecki. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe [CB][DS] are trying to convince the world high electricity costs are coming from AI and Crypto mining, it is not, its coming from the green new scam. Gas prices are coming way down. The new system Trump is building is getting stronger and stronger. The [CB] will fight back against Trump’s tariff system. The [DS] is pushing back, they want war and they do not want the peace deal. Corruption is being exposed in Ukraine which is putting a lot of pressure on Zelensky, the EU is now funding Ukraine. Soon he will be pushed out or he will sign the peace deal. Trump says its time for election in Ukraine. The [DS] criminal syndicate that they setup in DC under threat by the SC. They will rule that Trump as the right to remove the agencies and people, they are not independent of the Executive Branch, game over. Economy https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1997946755116359938?s=20 thanks to bad energy policy, not data centers. He slammed subsidies for unreliable sources like offshore wind, saying some projects cost $11B for 1GW of intermittent power, versus $1–2B for 24/7 reliable supply. Burgum laid into what he called “climate extremists,” accusing them of prioritizing flashy green experiments over building energy systems that actually work. The result is sky-high bills for electricity that cuts out when the weather does, while lawmakers pat themselves on the back for feel-good “net zero” policies that don't add up. Burgum: “A lot of the higher prices that you’re seeing are not related to the AI data centers. The policy choices of the last 5 years, driven by sometimes climate extremists, were the ones that are driving up the prices you’re seeing.” (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");   That is why I have authorized documentation to impose a 5% Tariff on Mexico if this water isn't released, IMMEDIATELY. The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our Farmers are hurt. Mexico has an obligation to FIX THIS NOW. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Gas Prices Drop To Lowest Level In Nearly 5 Years Across US Gasoline prices have dropped to their lowest levels in nearly five years and stand at around $2.90 per gallon on average as of Monday, according to data from GasBuddy, a company that tracks gas prices. “The national average has just slipped below $2.90 per gallon for the first time since May 2, 2021,” GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan wrote in a Sunday post on X.   Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1998037849539846303?s=20 ADP Weekly Employment Report Signals Rebound In Labor Market  the US labor market turned up for the four weeks ending Nov. 22, 2025, private employers added an average of 4,750 jobs a week., according to ADP’s new weekly employment data This week's positive number hints at an upswing in the labor market after four straight weeks of negative pulse estimates, after four straight weeks of losing jobs. This follows the almost unprecedented decline in initial jobless claims last week (which some have argued was impacted by Thanksgiving Week irregularities). Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/1998369537851346975?s=20   “degraded” products that nobody wanted, a terrible idea that slowed Innovation, and hurt the American Worker. That Era is OVER! We will protect National Security, create American Jobs, and keep America's lead in AI. NVIDIA's U.S. Customers are already moving forward with their incredible, highly advanced Blackwell chips, and soon, Rubin, neither of which are part of this deal. My Administration will always put America FIRST. The Department of Commerce is finalizing the details, and the same approach will apply to AMD, Intel, and other GREAT American Companies. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Political/Rights https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1998069235734520159?s=20  putting American lives at risk. There are another 4,015 aliens in the custody of an Illinois jurisdiction that ICE is seeking to arrest. Criminal illegal aliens should not be released back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1998407499884511706?s=20 https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1998416601050161442?s=20 https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1998135848546746381?s=20  daily to dismantle the network and all those criminal actors associated with it. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1998400657217257829?s=20 DOGE https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1998127452195852468?s=20   don’t see how they can do that!” “I’ll speak about it later. I’ll get a FULL report on it.” “Europe has to be VERY careful…Europe is going in some BAD directions.” @ElonMusk will win this! Geopolitical https://twitter.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/1998044051203928212?s=20  Hungary will not implement the measures of the Migration Pact. The rebellion begins! War/Peace https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/1998163342465306883?s=20 https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1998082649425125715?s=20  amid uncertainty about future U.S. involvement. Zelensky met with Macron, Merz, and Starmer to align Europe's position on Ukraine peace talks. The message? If the U.S. steps back, Europe is ready to step up. Macron spoke of “convergence” between Europe, Ukraine, and the U.S., code for: we're not waiting for Trump. Starmer promised “a just and lasting settlement.” Merz framed Ukraine's future as “the destiny of Europe.” This isn't just about Ukraine anymore, it's about Europe's ability to act without Washington.aa the subtext is clear: Europe knows Trump may walk away, and they're preparing for it. Ukraine is only part of the equation, the real test is whether Europe can act without Washington. For the first time since 2022, the center of gravity on Ukraine is shifting eastward, to Paris, Berlin, and London. If Trump wins, the burden of leadership falls on Europe. Today may have been the first test of whether it’s ready https://twitter.com/BRICSinfo/status/1998299398456131611?s=20 What’s The Likelihood Of A NATO-Russian Non-Aggression Pact? Putin recently proposed providing Europe, the majority of whose countries are part of NATO, with formal guarantees that it won't attack. In connection with this, he also assessed that those who fearmonger about Russia are serving the interests of the military-industrial complex and/or trying to bolster their domestic image, which exposed their ulterior motives. In any case, his proposal could hypothetically lead to a NATO-Russian Non-Aggression Pact (NRNAP), but only if the political will exists on both sides Source: zerohedge.com  https://twitter.com/TheOtherSideRu/status/1998356606119981155?s=20   it's not a democracy anymore” https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1998356214384611652?s=20   hold an election, but I would think the Ukrainian people should have that choice. And maybe Zelensky would win. But they haven't had an election in a long time. They talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it's not a democracy anymore,” Donald Trump said. As of December 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s approval (or trust) rating in Ukraine has reportedly plummeted due to a major corruption scandal involving leaked “Mindich tapes” tied to his inner circle and energy sector graft. Multiple sources, including Ukrainian media and lawmakers, indicate the rating has dropped by about 40 percentage points in a single week, now sitting at or below 20-25%. Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1998187351026348280?s=20 WATCH: Crockett Launches Senate Campaign By Posting Bizarre Compilation of Trump Repeatedly Calling Her ‘Low IQ' FBI Agents Sue Kash Patel After Being Fired Over BLM Support — Claim Kneeling ‘Saved American Lives'   The FBI agents who kneeled during the George Floyd BLM riots were fired on Friday by the FBI. A group of former FBI agents has filed a lawsuit against Director Kash Patel and the federal government after being fired for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. The dozen agents complained that almost immediately upon becoming director of the bureau, Patel began working to terminate all agents who had kneeled in support of the movement. The lawsuit also claims the agents would not have been fired had they had the same perceived political affiliations as those involved in the January 6th protests. Source: thegatewaypundit.com The FBI, as a U.S. federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Justice (DOJ), is required to maintain political neutrality and impartiality in its operations and public actions. It does not take official political stands or engage in activism, as its mission focuses on enforcing federal laws without partisan bias. Individual FBI employees (including agents) are subject to strict restrictions under the Hatch Act, which prohibits most forms of partisan political activity to ensure a neutral federal workforce. FBI personnel are classified as “further restricted” employees, meaning they face additional limitations compared to most other federal workers. Key Prohibitions for FBI EmployeesThese apply at all times (on or off duty) unless otherwise noted, with the goal of preventing any appearance of political influence or coercion: Taking a partisan political stand: They may not endorse or oppose candidates for partisan office or political parties in advertisements, broadcasts, campaign literature, speeches at partisan events, or similar materials if done in coordination with a candidate, party, or partisan group.     Pushing partisan activism: Active participation in partisan political management or campaigns is banned, including organizing rallies/caucuses, promoting/selling tickets to fundraising events, addressing partisan gatherings in support of/opposition to candidates, or driving voters to polls in coordination with partisan entities. They cannot use their official authority to interfere with elections or solicit/discourage political activity from individuals with business before the DOJ/FBI. Permitted Activities for FBI EmployeesWhile heavily restricted, some non-active or non-partisan actions are allowed, primarily off-duty: . https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1998131089542713808?s=20   million in fees from Fani Willis's office after she was disqualified for an improper relationship with a special prosecutor. The Georgia Supreme Court removed her permanently in September, opening the door for all 19 defendants to file similar reimbursement claims. The total cost could dwarf Trump's alone and stands as a humiliating rebuke of Willis's partisan prosecution. The blowback is now financial as well as legal. https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1998354564790284308?s=20 notice. 18 of them are still actively covered. September 2025. Monthly payout: over $10,000. GAO’s just…monitoring them. Because apparently nobody at HHS has. No SSN? Fine. No proof of citizenship? Whatever. No income documentation? Come on in. GAO literally wrote in their report: “[We] did not provide documentation yet received coverage.” They’re not even hiding it – they got benefits with nothing. The system just said yes. Now check the real-world damage. In 2023, 29,000 Social Security numbers somehow got used for multiple full-year coverage plans. By 2024? That jumped to 68,000. Someone’s running the same number through the machine twice, three times, however many times it takes, and the alarms aren’t going off. Then there’s the $94 million that went to dead people in 2023. Not “accounts tied to people who died recently and the paperwork hasn’t caught up” – straight up deceased recipients. Death certificates filed, funerals held, checks still clearing. But here’s the really wild part: GAO tried to track $21 billion in subsidies from 2023 back to actual Social Security numbers. Couldn’t do it. 21 billion dollars just floating out there with no clear connection to who’s supposed to be getting it. The system allows multiple enrollments per SSN “to help ensure actual SSN-holder can enroll in cases of identity theft or data entry errors.” In other words: we built in workarounds so generous that fraud looks identical to legitimate use. Now Congress is fighting over whether to extend these enhanced COVID subsidies past December 31. Cost to keep them? $30 billion annually. 24 million people enrolled, over 90% getting subsidies. Without extension, premiums spike overnight and 22 million people might lose coverage. Republicans looking at GAO’s findings saying: this is exactly why we shouldn’t pour another $30B into a system that can’t tell fake accounts from real ones. Democrats saying: you’re going to kick 22 million people off insurance because less than 1% is fraud? Both sides kinda have a point. Yeah, the fraud’s under 1% of total enrollees. But when you’re burning $30B yearly and literally cannot verify where $21B went, “less than 1%” stops sounding so minor. Senate vote coming this week. Expected to fail. Which means scramble for short-term extension, fight continues into 2026 budget battles, and absolutely nothing changes about fraud controls. Because here’s what nobody wants to say out loud: the system isn’t designed to catch fraud. It’s designed to maximize enrollment. When your mandate is “get people covered,” asking too many questions becomes the enemy. Verification slows things down. Documentation creates barriers. Better to let a few fake accounts slip through than risk denying real people who need coverage. So GAO’s 18 fictional enrollees will keep collecting their $10K monthly until someone at HHS manually shuts them down. Which requires someone at HHS to actually read GAO reports. Which requires someone at HHS to care more about fraud than enrollment numbers. Don’t hold your breath. By next year, GAO will run the same test. Find the same results. Write the same warnings. And Congress will have the same fight about whether feeding money into a system that can’t track where it goes is compassionate policy or expensive theater. Meanwhile, somewhere in America, a completely imaginary person just got their subsidized premium renewed for 2026. https://twitter.com/chad_mizelle/status/1998194850324222006?s=20  clown show. Ignore him. In the meantime, Congress needs to start acting like a co-equal branch and initiate its own inquiry into Boasberg. President Trump's Plan Alina Habba Resigns as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey After Courts Rule Against Her Appointment Alina Habba, President Donald Trump's pick to serve as U.S. attorney for New Jersey, has resigned from her role following a federal court's ruling to uphold a lower court's decision that she was not “lawfully” appointed to the office. The news was announced Monday by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who said she was “saddened to accept Alina's resignation”: https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1998102734680318084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1998102734680318084%7Ctwgr%5E61a3e334e8e6099ea26f7cf5005134be5bf746cd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breitbart.com%2Ft%2Fassets%2Fhtml%2Ftweet-5.html1998102734680318084 Habba intends to return to the U.S. attorney's office if that occurs, Bondi added, noting that she will be continuing with the DOJ as a senior advisor. Source: breitbart.com Do Not Mistake Compliance For Surrender” – Alina Habba Steps Down As Acting US Attorney For New Jersey    Habba's statement Monday said “do not mistake compliance for surrender”. https://twitter.com/AlinaHabba/status/1998101999024550125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1998101999024550125%7Ctwgr%5Ec3b83e0f57525961eabb9975a6e4dab69d0d73c0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zerohedge.com%2Fpolitical%2Fdo-not-mistake-compliance-surrender-alina-habba-steps-down-acting-us-attorney-new-jersey Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/1998202248636072142?s=20  Ketanji Brown Jackson claimed the president should have no power to fire expert bureaucrats. She said economists, PhDs, scientists, & transportation officials should operate beyond presidential reach. Such a view would carve the heart out of Article II & cement rule by permanent insiders rather than elected leadership. Jackson's theory elevates the deep state over the voters who choose a president. That is a constitutional revolution in plain sight. https://twitter.com/AwakenedOutlaw/status/1998116399190036973?s=20   Furthermore, the same logic would apply to the Federal Reserve, IMO. In fact, that’s almost certainly where this is going. Justice Kavanaugh: “I want to give you a chance to deal with the hard hypothetical. When both Houses of Congress and the President are controlled by the same party, they create a lot of these independent agencies or extend some of the current independent agencies into these kinds of situations so as to thwart future Presidents of the opposite party https://twitter.com/nayibbukele/status/1894547479367938142?s=20 https://twitter.com/Rothbard1776/status/1998162884455522528?s=20 https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/1998149963835191541?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1998129151857848575?s=20   where you have Dem Senators, they won’t approve him! This gentlemen’s agreement [blue slip] has lasted TOO LONG. It means you can’t appoint a GOP US Attorney!” “In VA, NJ, CA, a US Attorney or judge…the only people you can get by are Democrats because they put a HOLD ON IT!” “It only takes one senator! If they are Democrat, they won’t approve it.” “All because GRASSLEY with his BLUE SLIP stuff won’t let anybody go by! And by the way, Democrats have violated blue slip!” Susie Wiles: Trump Will Campaign for 2026 Midterms ‘Like It's 2024 Again' White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles revealed that President Donald Trump will get out and “campaign like it's 2024 again” for the 2026 midterm elections. Wiles went on to explain that “in the midterms, it's not about who's sitting at the White House,” but about localizing the election and keeping “the federal officials out of it.” “We're actually going to turn that on its head,” Wiles shared. “And, put him on the ballot because so many of those low propensity voters are Trump voters. And, we saw, a week ago Tuesday, what happens when he's not on the ballot and not active. So, I haven't quite broken it to him yet, but he's going to campaign like it's 2024 again.” Source: breitbart.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

00:01:54 — Trump's “Peace Plan” for Ukraine Mirrors Real Estate Deals Knight ridicules Trump's 28-point Ukraine “peace plan” as a Kushner-style negotiation scam, arguing it treats war like a property flip. 00:07:07 — Europe's War Cult and the Rise of Authoritarian Leaders He warns that Macron, Scholz, and Starmer use endless war to justify censorship, digital IDs, and domestic surveillance—governments “at war with their own people.” 00:11:44 — Milo Yiannopoulos Exposes GOP Hypocrisy Knight highlights Milo's revelations about corruption and moral rot inside conservative circles, arguing controlled-opposition influencers sanitize vice as “freedom.” 00:16:06 — January 6th Was Fueled by Controlled Media Figures Knight names Fuentes, Jones, and others as agitators shielded from scrutiny, saying they exist to steer genuine dissent into chaos. 00:34:00 — The Surveillance Age: When Your Refrigerator Watches You He tells of “smart” appliances spying on owners, comparing the Internet-of-Things to an always-on domestic intelligence network. 00:36:20 — Edmonton's AI-Equipped Police Cameras Mark New Surveillance Era Knight reports on Axon's facial-recognition rollout targeting “7,000 high-risk citizens,” warning that predictive policing is replacing constitutional law. 01:09:10 — Google's AI Deletes a User's Entire Hard Drive A chilling example of corporate AI failure—Knight uses it to show how automation concentrates unaccountable power over private life. 01:13:05 — Drugs Are Not Violence: Trump's Duterte Doctrine He exposes Trump's rhetoric equating drug use with armed combat, calling it moral inversion that paves the way for extrajudicial killings. 01:41:21 — Trump's Tariffs Increase Trade Deficit by 23 Percent Knight cites official data proving tariffs backfired—raising consumer prices, enriching China, and sinking U.S. manufacturing. 02:03:05 — Neuroscientist Warns of Eight 21st-Century Brain Threats Dr. Richard Restak outlines eight technological and psychological forces—AI, isolation, propaganda—reshaping and damaging the modern mind. 02:15:20 — Memory Editing: From Courtrooms to Soldiers Restak exposes DARPA research on erasing or rewriting memories under the banner of trauma therapy—an Orwellian leap in mind control. 02:49:30 — The Unholy Alliance: Capitalism Meets Totalitarian Power Knight closes by warning that corporate profit motives and government surveillance have fused into a single global technocratic system. Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

Not only did we not pay attention to politics for the longest time, but it has evolved to the point where we no longer even know who wea re voting for. MN does not have an immigration problem. MN has an uncontrollable welfare system. MN chunk kicking rule requests. Heard On The Show:Fire damages mosque, school in Prior LakeZelenskyy meets Starmer at Downing Street for Ukraine peace talksTrump is proposing a $12B aid package for farmers hit hard by his trade war with ChinaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.