Podcast appearances and mentions of Tony Blair

Edmund Fitton-Brown argues that the U.S. is "running out of ideas" regarding economic pressure on Iran, labeling a land blockade as far-fetched due to uncooperative neighbors. He suggests that secondary sanctions on Chinese "teapot" refineries are a more practical tool. Regarding Yemen, Fitton-Brown observes that the Houthis have become emboldened by U.S. irresolution and are pushing south to capture the Bab el-Mandeb. He expresses cautious optimism regarding Jared Kushner's diplomatic delegation, noting that experienced figures like Tony Blair are unlikely to be "dupes" for Hamas during negotiations. (5)

TABLE OF CONTENTS, THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-17-2026.Bill Roggio reflects on the five-year anniversary of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, highlighting the accuracy of the maps he built that predicted the Taliban's takeover. He describes the withdrawal as disorganized, noting there was zero plan for the Afghan government or military equipment. Roggio specifically criticizes the abandonment of Bagram Air Base, which he believes was the superior evacuation site. He also addresses current Middle East policy, dismissing proposed land blockades against Iran as "fanciful" and impractical. He warns that current strategic failures mirror the indifference seen in Afghanistan. (1)Bridget Toomey analyzes the reawakening of the Yemeni Civil War, noting that the Houthis are launching fresh offensives to seize the Red Sea coast and the Bab el-Mandeb choke point. While the Houthis claim to target Saudiinterests, their primary focus has shifted to defeating government-backed ground troops. Toomey highlights the extensive use of drone technology by both sides, with the Houthis demonstrating sophisticated capabilities while the Yemeni government adopts modified Chinese systems. She notes that Saudi Arabia remains hesitant to fully re-initiate a large-scale military intervention despite continued Houthi aggression. (2)Janatyn Sayeh explores the "secret plan" of Iranian hardliners to escalate regional conflict and raise costs for the United States. He notes that while the Iranian economy is an existential vulnerability, the regime is willing to ride out sanctions to maintain its Islamist agenda. Sayeh critiques the viability of a U.S. land blockade, citing the difficulty of gaining cooperation from neighbors like Afghanistan and Pakistan. He argues that power is concentrated within the IRGCsecurity establishment rather than just the Supreme Leader, and that internal rifts are secondary to the elite's collective survival. (3)Malcolm Hoenlein provides an overview of the October 27th Israeli election, explaining the complex "list" voting system and Netanyahu's challenges. He discusses the "Board of Peace" negotiations, stressing that the central hurdle remains Hamas's refusal to disarm before Israeli withdrawal. Hoenlein also touches on regional tensions, including Hezbollah's rearming and internal unrest in Iran fueled by economic desperation. Finally, he notes Turkey's significant lobbying efforts in Washington through a new headquarters and a "glorious new front" of diplomatic normalization between Israel and several South American nations including Colombia. (4)Edmund Fitton-Brown argues that the U.S. is "running out of ideas" regarding economic pressure on Iran, labeling a land blockade as far-fetched due to uncooperative neighbors. He suggests that secondary sanctions on Chinese "teapot" refineries are a more practical tool. Regarding Yemen, Fitton-Brown observes that the Houthis have become emboldened by U.S. irresolution and are pushing south to capture the Bab el-Mandeb. He expresses cautious optimism regarding Jared Kushner's diplomatic delegation, noting that experienced figures like Tony Blair are unlikely to be "dupes" for Hamas during negotiations. (5)John Hardie reports on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, specifically Russia's rejection of a Black Sea ceasefire in favor of striking Ukrainian food supplies. He notes that while Russia maintains a maritime blockade advantage, Ukraine is retaliating with high-precision long-range drone strikes against Russian oil refineries and defense plants. Hardie suggests that the Kremlin may be receptive to a moratorium on deep-strike operations because their own infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable. He concludes that Ukraine currently holds a tactical edge in drone technology, aided by Western intelligence to bypass Russian air defenses. (6)David Daoud details the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, noting that Hezbollah's refusal to disarm has prompted the IDF to prepare for a major operation. Israel is currently conducting "clearing operations" to destroy Hezbollah installations near the Al-Aishiyeh Ridge. Daoud highlights the recent deaths of senior commanders from the elite Radwan and Badr units, which indicates that Hezbollah's operational security remains compromised. Despite these losses, Hezbollah is working with Iran to rebuild its command structure and has attempted to smuggle advanced weaponry, including cruise missiles, into Lebanon. (7)Kamran Bokhari examines the evolution of the Iranian regime, arguing that the Supreme Leader has become a figurehead for the IRGC and security establishment. He suggests that the war has accelerated a process of internal fragmentation, though the elite remains united by a shared fear of collapse. While public uprisings have gone "underground," the regime continues to conduct mass arrests to prevent a critical mass of resistance. Bokhari describes a "post-clergy" era where the military dominates political life, noting that the regime has evolved into a different entity than it was decades ago. (8)Alan Tonelson exposes a massive Chinese tariff evasion scheme, where goods are rerouted through countries like Cambodia and Mexico to bypass U.S. duties. This "scam" is estimated to cost the U.S. up to $26 billion in annual revenue. While the White House is developing AI-based systems to strengthen customs enforcement, there is criticism regarding the lack of direct penalties against Beijing. Tonelson notes that 40 countries are currently complicit in these practices, harming the U.S. manufacturing base. He predicts only modest changes to these trade dynamics through the remainder of the current administration. (9)Samuel Ben-Ur discusses the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, focusing on Jared Kushner's meeting with Hamas leadership to discuss a 15-point peace plan. Ben-Ur explains that Israel rejected the plan because it lacked a verifiable mechanism for Hamas's disarmament before Israeli withdrawal. He dismisses reports of famine in Gaza as propaganda, noting that international bodies currently view aid levels as acceptable. The conversation emphasizes that Hamas remains committed to the destruction of Israel, making voluntary disarmament a "fiction," while Israeli politics remain divided over the war's prosecution. (10)Richard Epstein critiques Senator Bernie Sanders' characterization of Israeli politicians as "extremists," viewing it as a provocative attempt to shift American Democratic policy. Epstein argues that a two-state solution is fundamentally unstable because an autonomous Palestinian region cannot be prevented from remilitarizing. He contends that proponents of this solution often act in bad faith, ignoring Hamas's history of violated ceasefires. Furthermore, Epstein describes the Democratic Socialists of America as isolationists who focus disproportionately on Israel while ignoring other global aggressors like Vladimir Putin in Ukraine. (11)Jeremy Zakis reports on the looming weather crisis in Australia, where meteorologists predict a "super El Niño" combined with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole. This rare combination is expected to cause extreme drought and record-breaking temperatures in New South Wales and Victoria. Zakis warns that a wet winter has fueled rampant eucalyptus growth, creating a massive volume of flammable oils. These conditions have "primed" the landscape for catastrophic wildfires. Residents are being urged to clear undergrowth immediately, as the upcoming fire season could surpass the severity of the devastating 2020–2021 bushfires. (12)One small fix beyond the log: Badr unit (source had "Bader," segment 7) — the standard rendering of Hezbollah's Badr unit. Janatyn Sayeh applied per your confirmed spelling.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.com(The full Dish is on vacation until Friday, September 4. This week's episode was recorded on July 21.)John is a journalist and political commentator. He's the founder and president of the Danube Institute, the international editor of Quadrant Magazine, associate editor of the Hungarian Review, former editor of National Review, a fellow of the National Review Institute, and editor-at-large of National Review. He's the author of several books, including Sleepwalking Into Wokeness.For two clips of the episode — on falling birth rates and immigration, and comparing Thatcher and Reagan — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: growing up Catholic in Liverpool; his working-class parents; his dad on a hospital ship for D-Day; stories of John working closely with Thatcher; both of us British editors of US magazines in the early ‘90s; covering The Bell Curve; the Cold War and defeating the Soviets; muscular liberalism; Tony Blair and his tensions with Bush; what it means to be a conservative liberal; cosmopolitanism; the meaning of Englishness; oikophobia; multiculturalism; the World Cup; Trump and the Greenland threat; the Dem threat to democracy via institutions; the post-liberal left; Deneen and the post-liberal right; Trump getting Europe to bolster its own security; Ukraine; the Iran War and the nuclear threat; Trump's character; the future of the GOP; AI and automation; Brits on the dole; the grooming gangs; Andy Burnham; premarital sex; how women civilize men; and the divorce rates among gays, lesbians, and straights.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Azam Ahmed on terrifying new drugs, Emily Eakin on postmodernism, and Arianna Huffington on anything but politics. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

"The board have always been the real heroes of Celtic. From time immemorium. Don't worry about that" - Tony from 4 Tims Who joins Stevie on this one to discuss POSITIVITY at the club - for a change! Things are looking good and, as D-REAM put it, can only get better. You put Tony Blair on don't you? Music Credit - Instant Remedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

Callum Smiles joins Hearts of Oak to report from his recent trip to Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on the North African coast, where he was filming with Fox Populi. Fresh from Gibraltar, he describes a migration situation far larger than expected: thousands of arrivals after the major influx on 31 July, with Moroccan migrants concentrated in the south and sub-Saharan migrants in the north. The Spanish-majority enclave effectively saw its population double in a short period. From above it looked attractive; at street level it was chaotic and unstable. Callum details the military response, overcrowding and fights at facilities built for far fewer people, migrants openly stating they wanted Europe's wealth and a better life (encouraged by social media and eager to be filmed), and the wider implications for the EU, Schengen, and the necessity of border control. Callum Smiles is an independent British journalist, formerly with Rebel News UK and now working under Callum Smiles Media while contributing to Vox Populi.. Known as “the unconventional journalist,” he specialises in on-the-ground reporting of mass migration, the World Economic Forum in Davos (where he has confronted figures including Tony Blair, Larry Fink and Greta Thunberg), and related issues across Europe and beyond. Based in the south of England, he self-films and edits his own work. The Week According to ... Callum Smiles Connect with Callum...

Recorded at the Battle of Ideas festival 2025 on Sunday 19 October at Church House, Westminster. ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION National ID cards have been a hotly debated issue for decades in Britain. Being able to unambiguously prove who you are can be extremely useful for us all as individuals – but that facility also comes with concerns about our liberties. Historically, the British public have not been supportive of a national-identification scheme, particularly when a passport, driving licence or birth certificate can act as sufficient proof when needed by officialdom. At one time, politicians agreed. For example, in 1952, Winston Churchill abolished the national identity cards that had been imposed during the Second World War saying this was fulfilling his promise to ‘set the people free in Britain'. After the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001, there was a push by the then Labour government under Tony Blair to reintroduce national identity cards. This led to the Identity Cards Act 2006. However, in 2011, the law was scrapped by the coalition government on the basis of civil liberties and privacy concerns. In June 2021, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced ‘Freedom Day', where pandemic measures were to be relaxed while simultaneously saying it was time to have ‘vaccine passports', based on digital ID, to enter venues and buildings. While millions registered with the NHS Digital app, vaccine passports were fiercely contested and did not take off. However, some groups are still keen. The Tony Blair Institute has been a continual advocate for digital ID. In 2025, Labour Together produced a report, BritCard: a progressive digital identity for Britain, proposing a mandatory digital ID card that would be able to identify everyone in Britain. It argued that this would help not only with illegal migration concerns but also make it easier to access services. However, civil-liberties campaigners warn that mandatory ID will create a biometric surveillance state that traces, tracks and monitors all aspects of our behaviour – at a cost. There is the precedent of ‘debanking' and also concerns over data protection. Do we want to live in a (virtual) ‘papers please' society? Or are the concerns with digital ID overblown? Is it worth the risks of a surveillance society if fraud and serious crime can be curbed using such measures? Could digital ID ‘stop the boats' of illegal migrants? What is the right balance between privacy and freedom on the one hand and safety and convenience on the other? SPEAKERS Alan Miller co-founder and chair, Together Association Morgan Wild chief policy adviser, Labour Together CHAIR Dr Tiffany Jenkins writer and broadcaster; author, Strangers and Intimates and Keeping Their Marbles

Rewind to 30 July–5 August 2006, when The Terminator went green, YouTube discovered the secret to going viral and one of sport's greatest victories started falling apart almost as quickly as it happened.

John McTernan is one of the most fascinating voices on the British left. He worked at the centre of 10 Downing Street as Tony Blair's Political Secretary. But now he's in a slightly different space. His perspective has shifted and he sees new Labour as the end of a different era. Now he believes Labour has to be more left wing. So what's changed? And how many more agree with him?SEE Matt's brand-new stand-up show 'Project Holy Moly' at the Edinburgh Festival 5-30 August:https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/matt-forde-project-holy-moly Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK has a new prime minister, Andy Burnham, who replaced Keir Starmer after he resigned just two years due to general lack of support. On today's show, guest hosts, Adrienne Pagac and Pete Ramand, are in conversation with David Jamieson about British politics, the future of the Labour left, and how all this corresponds to US politics. Burnham promises to transform the UK economy, but he inherits all the same problems that plagued Starmer's time in office. Many consider Burnham to be on the “soft left” of the Labour Party, but there are concerns that Burnham and his new team will liquidate the welfare state and funnel state funds into the arms industry.  Where does this leave the Labour left? Jamieson says the Labour Party has become very centralized as neoliberalism and regional inequality fracture voters, potentially pushing the left out of the party or into the Green Party. Jamieson says that the treatment of democratic socialists by the US Democratic Party is similar to the treatment of Jeremy Corbyn in the UK. He's noticed a growing hysteria about democratic socialist candidates, but reflects that voters want authenticity and independent politicians. They also discuss the phenomena of New Labour under Tony Blair, Burnham's appointments like former defense secretary, John Healey, the US's interference in UK politics, figures on the far right, and more. David Jamieson is a journalist and socialist activist based in Scotland and co-editor of Conter. Featured image of 10 Downing Street via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0). Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post Andy Burnham and the Shaky Future of the Labour Left appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today, we start the first of six Old Newscasts looking at the story of 30 years of British Politics through six votes. We start in 1997, when the Prime Minister John Major called an election, hoping to extend 18 years of Conservative rule, and beat Labour's Tony Blair .To help us, we have two BBC legends who were there at the time. Jeremy Vine was and political reporter and Kirsty Wark was presenting Newsnight.In this, the first of two 1997 election episodes, we look at what contributed to Blair's landslide.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 Anna Harris. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we start the first of six Old Newscasts looking at the story of 30 years of British Politics through six votes. We start in 1997, when the Prime Minister John Major called an election, hoping to extend 18 years of Conservative rule, and beat Labour's Tony Blair .To help us, we have two BBC legends who were there at the time. Jeremy Vine was and political reporter and Kirsty Wark was presenting Newsnight.In this, the first of two 1997 election episodes, we look at the lay of the land in the run up to the vote.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 Anna Harris. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The New Labour old boy was at one time a front runner to lead his Party. But after a scandalous resignation from Gordon Brown's Cabinet, it seemed his political career was over…until now. James Purnell grew up between France and Guildford. Spending his teenage years at the fee-paying Royal Grammar School, he was known for his distinctive Parisian style and ‘Rupert the Bear' trousers. A fan of the theatre, golf, and student politics, he began establishing a network that would prove fruitful for a high-flying career. This continued at Oxford - where he studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics - and spent summers interning with up-and-coming Labour politician, Tony Blair. His career took off early - serving as a councillor in Islingon, Head of Corporate Planning at the BBC, and then Special Advisor to the prime minister all in his 20s. In 2001, he was elected MP for the northern seat of Stalybridge and Hyde, and soon climbed the ranks of government, serving as a minister in Gordon Brown's government. Purnell weathered storms and scrutiny, before generating a scandal of his own: a failed coup against the prime minister, resigning from the cabinet in 2009. Now, after decades out of Westminster - with top jobs at the BBC, University of the Arts London, and a corporate advisory and lobbying firm under his belt - he's back. Andy Burnham, James Purnell's former flatmate and football buddy, will become prime minister on Monday. And he's invited his old friend back as his Chief of Staff. What will the so-called ‘Ant and Dec of New Labour' do when they take the reigns of government next week?Production: Presenter: Becky Milligan Producers: Tom Gillett, Ellie House Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele, Siobhan Reed Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Justine LangArchive: FA TV

Welcome to Top Stories, the show where we dive back into the Bugle archives and pick the Top Story from a previous issue, up next from issue 4006, and 28th November 2016, Andy was joined live from the shed as my sister Helen Zaltzman joined me for the Top Story, the Revival section of The Bugle from Gilmore Girls to Tony Blair! Thanks for listening, more classic clips soon. Now go listen to the latest Bugle, in your feed now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer takes a bow amidst much talk that he lacked a mission and sense of governing purpose… but what happens if we follow the policy trail rather than all the noise around his leadership? In some respects he was more boldly radical than Tony Blair in his first two years as prime minister.To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com• Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three months ago, Andy Burnham's desk was filled with the business of running Greater Manchester. Buses. Housing. Policing. This mayoral region in the north of England is home to 3 million people and Burnham, a former minister in the Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, has been its mayor for nearly a decade.But after a whirlwind ten weeks, Burnham travelled to Buckingham Palace on July 20 to meet King Charles, who appointed him as Britain's new prime minister.At the heart of Burnham's plans for power lies Manchesterism, a political philosophy that centres on giving cities and towns outside London more political control. In this episode, we explore how running Greater Manchester shaped Andy Burnham's politics with researchers Kirsty Fairclough from Manchester Metropolitan University and Philip Brown from the University of Huddersfield. They assess what Burnham achieved as mayor and discuss whether a philosophy designed around one city can work on a national level for the UK.This episode was written and produced by Gemma Ware and Mend Mariwany. Mixing by Michelle Macklem and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.Why Andy Burnham's radical plan relies on the Treasury being a friend of devolutionThis is what Andy Burnham's devolution plans need to consider – expert panelThis episode is part of a series on Manchesterism – a guide to Burnham's Britain

The Bottom Line has been on BBC Radio 4 for twenty years. The programme was first broadcast in 2006. Back then smartphones weren't on sale, Facebook had only just gone public and people still went to Blockbuster to rent videos and DVDs. Tony Blair was prime minister, a litre of fuel cost 90p and interest rates stood at 4.5 per cent. Since then there's been a financial crash, we've had energy price shocks, Brexit and a pandemic. Evan Davis is joined by a panel of guests, who first appeared in the early years of the show, to reflect on how the business landscape has changed over that period of time. Guests: Nicola Horlick: CEO of Money & Co Robin Wight: Advertising Guru Kim Winser: Luxury Brand Consultant Alex Cheatle: CEO and founder of Ten Lifestyle Group PlcPresenter: Evan Davis Producer: Sally Abrahams & Nick Holland Sound: Dave O'Neil Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison Editor Sam Bonham

Andy Burnham will soon be making his first speech from Downing Street as prime minister - how will he introduce himself to the nation?The team discuss striking the right balance between optimism and acknowledging the scale of the challenge, and look back at their role in preparing speeches for Tony Blair, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. And, does the choice of lectern actually matter?We also answer a question from a listener who asks whether Nigel Farage could lose the Clacton by-election.Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   Sara Paretsky: author of the V.I. Warshawski Mysteries Sara Paretsky in 2019. Sara Paretsky, author of the V.I. Warshawski mysteries, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff as part of the “Probabilities” radio series, recorded in the KPFA s studio on March 16, 1991 following the publication of “Burn Marks” and before the publication of “Guardian Angel.” In the late 1980s, crime and mystery fiction by women skyrocketed. Even so, awards were still being given to mostly male writers, and in 1987, the organization Sisters in Crime was formed. In Berkeley, at KPFA, Richard Lupoff and Richard Wolinsky, the hosts of the Probabilities radio program, having drifted from science fiction into mysteries and later into general fiction and narrative non-fiction, noticed the trend pretty early on, and began interviewing these pioneer writers, one by one, local writers like Marcia Muller and Sue Dunlap, and writers from out of town, such as Sue Grafton, or from overseas, such as P.D. James. These interviews, the Sisters in Crime interviews, were all conducted in the 1980s and 1990s, and because of the switch from analog tape to digital, have not been heard since the new century began. Until now. It is appropriate to begin this series of interviews with the first president of Sisters in Crime, Sara Paretsky, recorded March 16, 1991 while she was in the Bay Area for a mystery conference. At the time, six V.I. Warshawski novels had been published, and a film starring Kathleen Turner would be released a few months later. It would turn out to be the only time V.I. Warshawski stories were adapted for film or television.

As of July, 2026, Sara Paretsky has published 22 novels in the V.I. Warshawski mystery series, and two non-series novels, along with three short story collections and two works of nonfiction. The most recent V.I. novel, Pay Dirt, was published in 2024.   Ian Watson (1943-2025) Iconic Science Fiction and Fantasy Author Ian Watson. Photo: Glenn Hall. Wikipedia Commons Ian Watson (1943-2026), unconventional British science fiction and fantasy writer, who died on April 13, 2026 at the age of 82, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff for the Probabilities radio program, recorded in Oakland at Westercon 40 on July 2, 1987. Ian Watson (1943-2026) who died on April 13, 2026 at the age of 82, was an unconventional author whose works brimmed with ideas and philosophical turnings. Author of over thirty one novels, not including several written in the world created by the Warhammer 40,000 game, there were also eleven collections of short stories, plus a catalogue of poems. An avowed socialist, he also stood in elections as a Labour Party candidate in the days before Tony Blair. His novel, The Power, discussed in the interview, was published later in 1987, and can now be found, along with many of his novels, as Kindle book through Amazon. In early 1990, Ian Watson received a call from the assistant to legendary film-maker Stanley Kubrick to work on a science fiction film based on a story about a robot boy written by Brian Aldiss. For the next several months, he and Kubrick hammered out a screenplay treatment until Kubrick, in December of that year, said it was what he wanted, barring some changes, but shortly thereafter began work on what would be his final film, Eyes Wide Shut. Kubrick died on March f7, 1999 at the age of seventy. Shortly afterward, Steven Spielberg, using Watson's treatment, wrote a screenplay which became his film, A.I. Artificial Intelligence. You can find Ian Watson's essay about his work with Kubrick by going to this link. This interview was digitized, remastered and edited on May 2, 2026. Sound quality (speed) is variable.   Review of “The Employee Dharma Handbook” at TheatreWorks Palo Alto through August 2, 2026.   The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – July 16, 2026: From the Archive: Sara Paretsky – Ian Watson appeared first on KPFA.

Keir Starmer's farewell tour is well underway – but is he destined to spend most of it out of the UK?With an extra day in Paris for the Bastille Day celebrations and a possible dash state side for the World Cup final, Starmer is ending his premiership on the world stage – arguably his happy place.Back in Westminster, Prime Minister in waiting – Andy Burnham – ramps up preparations for government, telling colleagues his cabinet will reflect a “broad church.” But with days to go, cabinet ministers still don't know who will survive the reshuffle.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess the challenges awaiting the Burnham government and what his first appointments and decisions will say about the direction of travel.Elsewhere, Rachel Reeves delivers her final Mansion House speech as chancellor setting out the economic legacy she wants to leave behind.Plus, Anne catches up with Tony Blair. What advice does the former Labour leader have for Labour's next Prime Minister?

Richie Allen rounds up the days top stories with his usual blend of humour and sharp analysis. On today's show: Why Andy Burnham really is the heir to Tony Blair, why devolution suits the green agenda, Ireland's politicians and police go all out for Pride, Is Nigel Farage finished? Plus much more. 

Caroline Wheeler discusses the resignation of the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and what this means for the government. She is joined by Labour backbencher and Andy Burnham supporter Clive Lewis and Labour peer Charlie Falconer, who held a number of positions under Tony Blair, and has been a close ally of the Prime Minister.To discuss the tenth anniversary of the Brexit vote, Caroline brings together Labour MP Stella Creasy, who is the chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, and Conservative peer Ross Kempsell, who was special adviser to Boris Johnson during Brexit years. Andy Burnham was not the only new MP being sworn in this week. Caroline spoke to the SNP's Lara Bird and the Conservative Douglas Lumsden, both of whom won the two recent by-elections in Scotland, about their first week in Westminster as MPs. We will soon have our seventh Prime Minister in ten years. To discuss why, Caroline is joined by Conservative peer and Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein and Caroline Slocock, a former civil servant, who was private secretary to Margaret Thatcher and John Major. She has written a book called: ‘Bad Government: And How To Make It Better'.

Před necelými dvěma roky Keir Starmer přivedl britské labouristy k drtivému volebnímu vítězství. Jeho podpora u voličů se ale propadla a tak nyní odstupuje z funkce premiéra. „Je to s podivem, protože neudělal nic moc špatně v porovnání se svými předchůdci – Tony Blair s válkou v Iráku, Boris Johnson pořádající večírky během lockdownu nebo Liz Trussová, která dokázala způsobit finanční krizi. Lidé ho prostě jen nemají rádi,“ říká londýnská redaktorka CNN Ivana Kottasová.

Keir Starmer resigns, paving the way for Andy Burnham to be the next Prime Minister.What sort of leader will Burnham be, and why is the UK on its way to its seventh PM in a decade?Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves, Sebastian Payne and Theo Bertram, former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel speak to crossbench peer and activist Beeban Kidron about the Online Safety Act.Beeban has spent years advocating for children's rights in the digital world and has played a role in establishing standards for online safety and privacy across the world. She debunks the misconceptions around the issue—and explains why a social media ban won't work on its own.She weighs in on the BBC's role, as well as the controversial policy-shaping contributions of thinktanks such as the Tony Blair institute and the chilling impact of tech billionaires. If she were prime minister for a day, how would she deal with Elon Musk?Plus, what is digital sovereignty? And, as a filmmaker, how does she think AI will affect the film industry? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

YouTube: Boris Johnson, Tony Blair and the Boarding School Connection | Dominic Waterson | AEM #163https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc8DzH2Z1rJiTD-Ac09urerSmPwxxU2E7https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJw-y9PjI-Ihttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/boarding-school-syndrome-power-politics-dominic-waterson/id1586665873?i=1000773386934https://www.facebook.com/reel/1700540304422903

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a deal Wednesday meant to end the Middle East war, causing it to go into effect two days earlier than originally envisioned, with Tehran agreeing to dilute its enriched uranium in return for large-scale economic relief. Magid takes us through the points of primary concern for Israel, including its right of self-defense against Hezbollah attacks. In a lengthy press conference at the G7 summit in France yesterday, Trump claimed Iran should be allowed to keep some of its ballistic missiles. He also repeatedly castigated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including stating he is less justified in criticizing the memorandum of understanding that Trump signed with Iran because the Israeli premier purportedly pulled out of a joint operation to kill top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in 2020. We hear other sharp criticisms of Netanyahu, including accusations of disproportionate force. In the second half of the program, Magid brings his exclusive scoop that the US is in talks with the Palestinian Authority about boosting what has been a strained bilateral relationship, as Washington seeks Ramallah’s cooperation to advance its landmark policy initiatives in the region. And who is chaperoning the reforms DC is seeking? Enter Saudi Arabia. And finally, Magid explains how former UK prime minister Tony Blair is taking on a larger role in the Board of Peace, where he will be tasked with managing the various mechanisms that are meant to oversee the postwar management of Gaza. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US, Iran sign war-ending deal, which enters into effect 2 days earlier than planned ‘Shall not develop nuclear weapons’: The 14-point memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran As deal takes force, Trump says ‘it’s okay’ for Iran to have some ballistic missiles Trump suggests Israel in no place to criticize Iran deal since it backed out of 2020 strike on Soleimani US weighs boosting ties with PA as it seeks to advance Gaza plan and Abraham Accords Tony Blair takes on larger role as US-led Board of Peace struggles to advance Gaza plan Gaza mediators glum on chances for breakthrough before Israeli elections in the fall Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 A Chairde,As June heads towards July the distant beat of your drums is pounding out their rhythm. The marching season for all of the Loyal Orders is well underway and the 12 July is fast approaching. One July, sitting during yet another negotiation, into the early hours with Tony Blair the ratatat of Lambegs sundered the quiet. We paused as he asked if I knew what that was. Yes ,I replied that's the Orangemen.“Jungle drums?” he said.I am minded to remind you that the Battle of the Boyne was fought on the 1st July not the 12th. The date changed in 1752 when the English adopted the Gregorian calendar introduced by Pope Gregory. The war was part of a much wider European conflagration – the Nine Years War. James was backed by the English Aristocracy, by France and by the Irish Catholic aristocracy. William who was James's son-in-law and King of Holland, was backed by the English merchant class, by Pope Innocent X1, by Spain and Germany and by Protestant settlers in Ireland. At its core it was William leading a ‘Grand Alliance' of Europeans to curb the power and expansion plans of the French King.The Pope contributed to Williams expenses and when news reached Rome of the victory there was a Te Deum hymn sang in a “joyous proclamation of praise, thanksgiving and faith.” The Pope was front and centre of it all. So much for No Pope Here!  Bodenstown“To say all in one word, Ireland shall be independent. We shall be a nation, not a province, citizens not slaves.” Wolfe Tone On 28 June Republicans from across the island of Ireland will travel to Bodenstown, County Kildare, to stand in homage at the graveside of Theobald Wolfe Tone, the founder of Irish Republicanism.For those who know of Tone and for those who don't I want to recommend a new publication – Bodenstown: Honouring Wolfe Tone – A Pictorial History – which tells his remarkable and inspirational story and recounts the generations who have travelled to Bodenstown each June to remember and celebrate his life.This new publication profiles Tone and publishes photographs of many of the commemorations that have been held there. The first image of Bodenstown is of Padraig Pearse delivering the oration in June 1913. The Irish Republican Brotherhood had asked Pearse to speak and the event was chaired by veteran Fenian Tom Clarke. Both were executed by the British less than three years later following the 1916 Easter Rising.  Cupla Focal Eile.Another few words í nGaeilge as part of this column's contribution to the effort to use whatever Irish we have even if it is only a wee bit.  Here are a few more bits and pieces to replace their English equivalents.Lá breithe shona duit means Happy birthday to you.  It also sounds really good when sung by a crowd at a birthday gathering. Or even on a one to one basis. Try it. Use the same air as the English version. Tiomaint go curamac means drive carefully. Sliothar is a hurling ball. Tóg go bóg é means take it easy. Slán abhaile means Safe home.  

Dominic Mohan in conversation with David Eastaugh https://www.amazon.co.uk/1996-Backstage-Wildest-Britains-must-read/dp/0008767130 https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2026/event/1996-a-celebration-of-the-wildest-year-of-britains-wildest 1996. Britpop ruled the airwaves. The tabloids framed reality long before Instagram.Football was finally coming home. Tony Blair was learning to play rock star – and rock stars were learning they could play politics. Everyone was partying hard, and Britain was the coolest place on earth. Showbiz reporter Dominic Mohan wasn't watching the party from afar – he was in the room. Backstage at Knebworth with Oasis. In strip clubs with Robbie Williams. On the phone to Bowie. On the receiving end of Spice Girls gossip, Gallagher gobbiness and tabloid-era chaos. From Euro '96 euphoria to Brit Awards anarchy, from rave culture to New Labour, Mohan witnessed the moment the UK went from scruffy indie island to global cultural powerhouse. Part memoir, part cultural autopsy and part riotous tour through the 90s and its greatest year, 1996 is a jaw-dropping front-row seat to the madness, the music, the football, and the politics that reshaped Britain – and created legends along the way. Three decades on, Mohan returns to the year everything peaked, and asks: what the hell happened, why did it matter, and can it ever happen again?

durée : 00:05:21 - Entendez-vous l'éco ? - par : Anne-Laure Chouin - C'est l'alerte lancée au gouvernement britannique par Alan Milburn, ancien ministre travailliste de Tony Blair. Selon son rapport, le pays compte désormais plus d'un million de "NEETs", ces jeunes de 16 à 24 ans qui ne sont ni en emploi, ni en études, ni en formation. - réalisation : Caroline Bennetot, Éric Chaverou, Marie Viennot Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France

Tony Blair has accused Keir Starmer's Labour government of lacking a coherent plan, which is a little like being told your sermon has no structure by a man who once preached for three hours and then invaded the notices.In this episode of Mark and Pete, we look at Tony Blair's criticism of Keir Starmer, the growing sense of drift around the Labour government, and the uncomfortable question now hanging over British politics: is Starmer doing less harm because he is cautious, or more harm because he appears to have no real vision at all?Blair says successful governments need an idea, a project, a governing purpose, an analysis of what is wrong, and a plan to put it right. Which sounds basic, really. Almost rude in its simplicity. Like telling a pilot that the plane ought to have wings. Yet that is exactly the charge: Britain has problems everywhere, from the economy and NHS to immigration, housing, taxation, public services and national morale, but the government often feels less like leadership and more like a damp spreadsheet being slowly explained by a committee.We discuss whether Starmer is the worst prime minister in history, or merely one of the greyest. Polling has been brutal, with satisfaction ratings collapsing and voters struggling to describe what the government is actually for. Not what it is against. Not what it inherited. Not what it promises to review, reset, consult on, or deliver after a full strategic assessment. What is it for?From a Christian angle, Proverbs says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” That does not always look dramatic. Sometimes a nation perishes by inches: higher bills, fewer children, weaker communities, exhausted institutions, and leaders who speak fluent management but somehow never say anything memorable.A sharp, sardonic, Bible-laced look at Tony Blair, Keir Starmer, Labour, leadership, political failure, and the strange misery of being governed by a risk assessment in a suit.

Andy Zaltzman is joined by his panel of political satirists to unpack the critical essays of Tony Blair, the spending habits of Peter Murrell and the SNP, the sweltering heat, social media ban proposals for under 16's and young people in record levels of unemployment.This week's panellists are Scott Bennett, Cody Dahler, Ayesha Hazarika and Bella Hull.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Angela Channel, Sam Nicoresti, Pravanya Pillay and Peter Tellouche. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The UK, Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal shattered their May heat records last week. Scenes reminiscent of high summer arrived months early, across Western Europe. And like all extreme weather events, there was a human toll. Infrastructure under strain, health services stretched, and lives lost. But as records fell, the political conversation was moving in the other direction. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair published a lengthy essay calling on the government to halt its net zero acceleration and prioritise cheap energy. Rory Stewart made a similar case on The Rest is Politics, invoking AI data centres and industrial competitiveness. Both are figures from the centre of British politics. Neither is a climate denier. So what's happening? This week, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Christiana Figueres sit with this dissonance. They ask what it means when hopelessness becomes self-sustaining, a cultural condition as much as a feeling. They ask whether grief, properly faced, might be what unlocks action rather than foreclosing it. And they look at the history of transformations that began long before success seemed likely.Is the real crisis not just the climate, but one of agency? And what does it take to act with conviction when outcomes are genuinely uncertain?Learn More:☀️ See Severe Weather Europe's recap of the historic heat dome across Europe

Is Pope Leo's encyclical the most important contribution to the AI debate so far, and is he doing more to hold Silicon Valley to account than any Western government? What did Alastair say to Tony Blair about his explosive essay attacking the direction of Starmer's government, the Labour Party, and net zero? Why does Rory think Blair is now closer to JD Vance than to the values that defined New Labour? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus. Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair's miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, exclusive newsletters, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Stop overpaying for energy. Switch at fuseenergy.com/politics and get a free TRIP+ subscription. Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/restispolitics It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee ✅ __________ Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @restispolitics Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com __________ Social Producer: Celine Charles Video Editor: Josh Smith, James Clayden Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne Producer: Evan Green Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer General Manager: Tom Whiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, the week that the words flew - after Tony Blair wrote an essay saying Labour was "playing with fire" over the UK's future and Starmer hit back in a Substack article. Laura and Joe are joined by James Lyons, the former Director of Communications to Keir Starmer, to discuss his time in Downing Street, the essays and articles published by leading Labour figures this week and what could happen following next month's by-election.A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp1z8n4w2oYou 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 are released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC.The presenter was Laura Kuenssberg and Joe Pike. It was made by Jon Bithrey with Chloe Scannapieco and Justine Lang. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Jonathan Greer. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 5-28-26.1890 VIKINGS(1) Anatol Lieven discusses Moscow's escalation and the future of Ukraine negotiations, noting that Russia has threatened targeted strikes on Ukrainian headquarters in Kyiv. High casualty rates and stalled front lines contribute to a mood of frustration in Moscow.(2) Anatol Lieven examines the struggle for UK Labour Party leadership, where Andy Burnham is the preferred candidate to replace Keir Starmer but must first win a by-election. The rising Reform Party poses a significant threat to established political figures.(3) Josh Rogin discusses the Trump-Xi summit, noting that the President's visit to Beijing featured major CEOs but yielded no new trade agreements. Both nations remain locked in a trade war with mismatched expectations regarding economic cooperation.(4) Josh Rogin examines upcoming Section 301 investigations that will address Chinese forced labor and dumping. Simultaneously, a critical shortage of magnets from China is impacting the production of U.S. defense technology and fighter jets.(5) Evan Ellis describes turmoil in Bolivia, where supporters of Evo Morales have blockaded La Paz, causing severe humanitarian shortages. These groups utilize military-style tactics to protect drug territories and pressure the government while Morales evades justice.(6) Evan Ellis examines electoral crossroads in Colombia and Peru, with Colombia facing a choice between leftist and pro-U.S. candidates in its upcoming election. In Peru, Keiko Fujimori leads a narrow race with implications for regional security and Chinese influence.(7) Evan Ellis discusses legacies and alliances in Brazil, Venezuela, and Cuba, where Flavio Bolsonaro seeks U.S. alignment in Brazil, while the U.S. conducts military exercises near Venezuela. Meanwhile, the U.S. offers financial aid to Cuba to encourage democratic and economic transitions.(8) Evan Ellis previews Pope Leo's historic visit to South America, including his former missionary grounds. In Argentina, President Milei struggles with declining approval as Peronist opposition organizes for future electoral challenges.(9) Stephen Mazie discusses Supreme Court challenges to birthright citizenship and the President's power over the Federal Reserve. Rulings could drastically redefine executive authority and independent federal agencies.(10) Stephen Mazie examines the Supreme Court's recent ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which has disrupted primary elections by allowing the elimination of majority-minority districts. This reflects a long-term effort by the conservative majority to weaken federal oversight.(11) Jeff McCausland analyzes the tense naval standoff between U.S. and Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. Critics argue the administration failed to anticipate the blockade or effectively address regional Iranian proxies.(12) Jeff McCausland discusses Russian casualties and NATO's growing nuclear anxiety, noting that Russia has reportedly suffered 500,000 deaths in Ukraine, creating severe manpower shortages. Consequently, European allies like France are considering moving nuclear assets eastward due to waning confidence in U.S. support.(13) Simon Constable and Jim McTague examine global commodities and the economic impact of war, noting that high energy prices, including $8 diesel in France, are straining consumer budgets. While some commodity prices are stabilizing, the ongoing conflict in Iran continues to drive global inflation.(14) Simon Constable and Jim McTague discuss the leadership vacuum in the United Kingdom as internal Labour Party disputes intensify. Some elites are calling for Tony Blair's return while the Reform Party gains traction among dissatisfied voters.(15) Douglas Messier and David Livingston discuss the Starship 12 mission, which achieved significant milestones despite booster failures. NASA has also awarded major contracts to Blue Origin for lunar rovers and a specialized base lander.(16) Douglas Messier and David Livingston examine NASA's phased plan to establish a permanently crewed moon base by 2032. The timeline involves uncrewed test landings and orbital refueling to prepare for future human missions.

STREAMING MAKING JBS, FEATURING CONSTABLE AND MCTAGUE. 5-28-281903 POPULAR HISTORY OF FRANCE.This conversation features a broadcast recording between host John Batchelor and correspondents Simon Constable and Jim McTague, who discuss the intersection of global commodities, regional weather, and international politics. Reporting from the French Pyrenees, Constable describes the local agriculture of vines and olive trees while noting the impact of Middle Eastern violence on energy prices and Brent crude. In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, McTague highlights the burden of rising gasoline costs on American consumers, illustrating the economic strain through long lines at local fueling stations. The dialogue shifts to the instability of British leadership, critiquing the current state of the Labour Party and the nostalgic but controversial calls for Tony Blair's return. The participants also weigh the growing influence of artificial intelligence on creative work and data security, reflecting on how these technologies are reshaping professional standards. Ultimately, the transcript serves as a multinational overview of how localized environmental conditions and geopolitical skirmishes drive market volatility.

(14) Simon Constable and Jim McTague discuss the leadership vacuum in the United Kingdom as internal Labour Party disputes intensify. Some elites are calling for Tony Blair's return while the Reform Party gains traction among dissatisfied voters.1940

There have been a number of critiques of Tony Blair's 5,000-word intervention on Labour and the country this week, but none more astute than Lord Wood's. One of Labour's foremost thinkers, Lord Wood joins James Heale for this special edition of Saturday Shots to discuss where Blair is right, where he is wrong, and why neither the Labour or Conservative Party have recovered from the financial crash. 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.

When it comes to political vision, Keir Starmer's premiership has been something of a vacuum – and power abhors a vacuum. So cue Tony Blair, who this week has rushed in with a 5,000-word essay on what is wrong with Labour and, depending on who you listen to, either an outdated or radical view of where Britain should be as a country.This has galvanised Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and (finally) Keir Starmer to put down on paper their vision for the country and how to solve the biggest issues we face. But whose is more convincing?Oscar Edmondson discusses the question with James Heale and Rachel Wolf, founding partner at Public First and author of the 2019 manifesto.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.

• Podmasters is 10 years old! Get an extra 10% off a year's Patreon backing. What else does a beleaguered PM like Keir Starmer need but… unsolicited advice from Tony Blair? In a new essay published by his think tank, the former PM calls on Labour to cosy up to Donald Trump and axe Ed Miliband's net zero agenda or risk relegation from the “Premier League of nations”. Is Blair offering a genuine diagnosis or is he just dusting off the 1990s playbook? Plus, jobs tsar Alan Milburn's bombshell report on youth unemployment warns that young people are being “rewired” by their smartphones and trapped in a doom loop that's keeping them out of work. Can they escape it? And Reform's candidate for the Makerfield by-election Robert Kenyon is facing a firestorm for a string of resurfaced sexist social media posts. In the age of the political lout, why do the rules always seem different for the right? And in the Extra Bit: our panel reveals how they find their Zen in the age of doom-scrolling.  • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  ESCAPE ROUTES • Hannah went to see Francois Ozon's new movie adaptation of Camus' existentialist classic The Stranger.  • Ros also visited the cinema to see Project Hail Mary  • Jonn watched the first episode of the BBC's Two Weeks in August • Seth has been reading Being Liberal: The Liberal Disposition in Contemporary British Politics by Cambridge professor David Howarth www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Seth Thévoz with Jonn Elledge, Ros Taylor and Hannah Fearn. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Jade Bailey. Art direction by James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to political vision, Keir Starmer's premiership has been something of a vacuum – and power abhors a vacuum. So cue Tony Blair, who this week has rushed in with a 5,000-word essay on what is wrong with Labour and, depending on who you listen to, either an outdated or radical view of where Britain should be as a country.This has galvanised Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and (finally) Keir Starmer to put down on paper their vision for the country and how to solve the biggest issues we face. But whose is more convincing?Oscar Edmondson discusses the question with James Heale and Rachel Wolf, founding partner at Public First and author of the 2019 manifesto.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Blair's lengthy – and excoriating – 5,600-word essay on the future of the Labour Party and Britain has set Westminster alight this week. The former prime minister's critique has sparked a lively debate, and triggered robust responses from Labour leadership hopefuls Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting. But is Blair right in some of his criticism? Host Lucy Fisher unpacks the article with FT colleagues Robert Shrimsley, Anna Gross and Stephen Bush. They also examine Rupert Lowe, the personality behind the far-right party Restore Britain, and whether it can harm Reform UK by splitting the rightwing vote.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.comWant more? Tony Blair criticises Labour's Andy Burnham for leftwing ‘delusion'Tony Blair ‘does not understand' role of inequality in politics, Andy Burnham saysLabour's retreat from intellectual debate traps it in comfort zoneTurning Neets into engineersBritain's expanding ‘lost generation'UK risks ‘lost generation' without more jobs for young people Nigel Farage loses viral touch to Musk-backed Rupert LoweSenior Reform UK figures clash over immigration plans You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preview for Later Today: Jim McTague examines the hypothetical return of Tony Blair to lead Britain's Labour Party, questioning whether interest is genuine nostalgia or a reaction to Keir Starmer's leadership while recalling Blair's political history.1880

This week, Nish and Coco head back to Makerfield, where the by-election campaign is already turning into a political demolition derby; Andy Burnham is just ahead of Reform, the far right is fighting itself, Elon Musk has wandered into the discourse, and Nigel Farage has reappeared after questions over his £5 million gift.Plus: they're joined by Hettie O'Brien, journalist and author of The Asset Class, to break down how private equity quietly bought up the services we rely on, from nurseries and care homes to vets and water companies, and why that matters for the broken economy we're all living in.GUESTS Hettie O'Brien, journalist and author of The Asset Class: How Private Equity Turned Capitalism Against ItselfUSEFUL LINKSAmnesty Report | Like a snowball: the growth and impact of the gender critical movement in the UKTony Blair Article | The Labour Party Is Playing With Fire Over Its Future and the Future of the Country by CLIP CREDITSCarol Vorderman via Instagram, (@carolvorders)CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS VANTA: https://www.vanta.com/PSTUK SHOPIFY: https://shopify.co.uk/podsavetheukAURA FRAMES: https://www.auraframes.com Code: PSTUK BT: Search ‘Why BT' to find out more.Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media.Get in touch - contact us via email: podsavetheuk@crooked.comLike and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUKInstagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukX: https://x.com/podsavetheuk

Today, Sir Tony Blair has spoken to the Today programme about an almost 6,000 word essay in which he criticises the Labour government for focusing on politics rather than policy. Adam, Alex and Faisal discuss the arguments made by the former Prime Minister, plus how two would-be leadership contenders Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham (who still needs to fight and win a by-election if he wants to challenge Keir Starmer) have pushed back. And energy bills will rise for millions as Ofgem raise the price cap for the first time since war in Iran. A full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield By-Election is available on the BBC News website https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp1z8n4w2o You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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

Richie Allen with a unique take on the day's top news stories. On today's show: Is the Iran-American on again off again peace deal finally back on? Tony Blair pens 5,000 word essay on the future of the Labour Party, why we must embrace AI and then roll it out to save public services. But, who's Blair really working for? The share of babies born to migrant parents reached 40pc for the first time last year. What does it mean? Plus much more.

Go to www.LearningLeader.com/Becoming for my new book, The Price of Becoming This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire one person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world has the hustle and grit to deliver. Dr. Henry Cloud is a clinical psychologist, leadership consultant, and New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide. His titles include Boundaries, Integrity, Necessary Endings, and Trust. For three decades, he has worked with leaders, helping them close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. His newest book is Your Desired Future: The Five Essential Steps That Take You Where You Want to Go. Key Learnings Henry's five-step model for getting from here to there: Vision (clear and compelling) Talent (engaging the right people around you) Strategy and plan (how you'll win) Measurement and accountability (how you'll know) Fix and adapt (course-correcting in real time) At the age of 16, Henry's daughter asked, "Dad, how do people become singer-songwriters?" Henry went out to the garage and brought in his whiteboard. Lucy rolled her eyes. He gave her the five-step model. A couple years later, she published a song called "Crash and Learn" that got bought by CBS, the CW Network, and featured on Spotify and Apple Music. We tend to create departments and businesses in our own image. Of the five components, we're going to be good at two, maybe three. But the others still have to happen. That's where most leaders fail. Only humans can picture a desired future state. Finley is Henry's Doberman. When the FedEx guy comes to the door, she runs to it, and barks every time. Henry has never seen her stop and ask herself: "I wonder if that barking will help me get to where I want to be on Thursday." Most leaders are operating like Finley. Working hard. Doing what they've always done. Never stopping to ask if any of it is getting them where they want to be. You need an observing ego. The worst thing you can do is hit the accelerator harder when you're going down the wrong road and you don't even know where you're going. Tony Blair, while Prime Minister, spent half a day a week sitting by himself next to a pond in reflection. Warren Buffett spends an hour and a half a day at his desk staring out the window.  A revenue number is not a vision. The single worst vision statement Henry ever heard: "We want to be a $50 million company." It provides no clarity of what the company is going to do.   A vision is a compelling picture of a future state that makes people want to sacrifice for it. If your vision wouldn't inspire anyone to get out of bed early, it's a metric, not a vision. Will Guidara created a "dream maker" role at Eleven Madison Park. Their job: listen for clues from guests, then create a personalized, unexpected, memorable experience the guest will never forget and tell everyone about. Trust Fuels Investment. People invest in leaders who feel like they understand them. You're taking your team into a war. They've got to have deep trust with you. The first thing a leader has to do is develop deep, deep trust and let their team know that they understand the pressure they're under. "A vision can die without a plan or without people." Alan Mulally's weekly 7:00 AM Thursday meeting at Ford. Every VP had to give every project a red, yellow, or green status. When Mulally first arrived, the company was hemorrhaging money. Everyone was holding up green. He said: "How can you be holding up green when here's the reality over here? I need some reality in here." When one VP finally held up red, Mulally moved him to sit next to him. The wrong view of accountability is looking back to spank somebody for what they didn't do. The right view of accountability is a tool to make sure we reach our destination. You get what you create or what you allow. Henry was working with a global CEO whose team had cultural problems. Henry kept asking, "Why is that?" After a few rounds, the CEO finally said, "I guess I am ridiculously in charge, aren't I?" If you are the one actually in charge, you are ridiculously in charge. Either you're creating it, or you're allowing it. Accountability answers two questions: Did we do what we said we were going to do? If not, why not? Don't just tell people to "do better." Run a root cause analysis. Maybe they don't have the tools. Maybe you gave them competing goals. Maybe it's a leadership problem. If we executed perfectly, did we get the result we expected? If yes, pour on the gas. If no, go back up the model and adjust your strategy. Most leaders measure goals, not activities. Goals are lagging indicators. You can measure them after it's over. It's too late. Measure activities. Did we do this week what we said we were going to do? Micro drivers matter. Henry worked with a CEO who built multi-billions in valuation from a one-office company who was excellent with micro drivers. It's an atomic compression of the 80/20 rule. He knew the specific activities at each level of the business that actually moved the needle, and he made those objects of extreme awareness, focus, training, and deliberate practice. Peter Drucker said, "Nothing's worse than perfectly executing the wrong things." The number one thing the greatest leaders share: character. Not moral or ethical character. Your makeup as a person. How you're glued together. Integrity comes from the word that means wholeness. The great performers are drivers of tasks and relationships. The highest performers utilize coaching the most. Henry expected the disastrous leaders  to be the ones calling. It was the exact opposite. The ones crushing it are the ones who reach out. The struggling ones rarely do. The greatest leaders reverse the law of entropy: things get worse over time. But entropy only applies to a closed system. Open the system to a new energy source from the outside plus intelligence to organize it, and you can reverse it. That's what coaches, mentors, and advisors do. A leader is a closed system when the only voices they're ever listening to are the ones in their head. The greatest leaders embrace negative realities. They move toward problems. Not to nuke them, but to either resolve them or transform them into something better. Reflection Questions In how many areas of your life are you just barking at the door, working hard at activities without ever stopping to ask if any of it is getting you where you want to go? Is your current vision a metric, or a compelling picture of a future state that would make people want to sacrifice for it? Where in your life are you a closed system? Whose voices outside your head could open you up to new energy and intelligence? More Learning #229 - Dr. Henry Cloud: Be So Good They Can't Ignore You #050 - Dr. Henry Cloud: Integrity is the Wake You Leave Behind #682 - Will Guidara: Adversity is a Terrible Thing to Waste Podcast Chapters 00:00 The Price of Becoming – Pre-Order Now! 01:13 Meet Dr. Henry Cloud 02:40 The Leadership GPS: Where Are You Going? 04:54 Step 2: Building the Right Team Around You 06:09 Steps 3-5: Strategy, Measurement, and Adapt 10:45 Why the Best Leaders Carve Out Time to Think 15:50 Why a Revenue Number Is Not a Vision 18:20 Crafting a Vision People Will Sacrifice For 23:12 The HVAC Story, Joe Girard, and the Dream Maker 27:38 Trust: The First Thing Every Leader Must Build 30:04 Alan Mulally's Red-Yellow-Green Meeting at Ford 32:38 How to Run Status Reviews That Actually Work 34:26 Accountability Should Be an Immune System, Not Autoimmune 38:18 Measure Activities, Not Goals 43:10 Micro Drivers: The Atomic 80/20 Rule 45:14 The Voices Outside Your Head: Peers and Accountability 47:47 The #1 Trait of Sustained Excellence: Character 50:39 The Greatest Leaders Reverse Entropy 56:17 EOPC