Podcasts about uk politics

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comMatt is an author, pollster, campaigner, and policy advisor. He recently ran for Parliament as a Reform candidate and came in second. He's also a presenter at GB News and a writer on Substack. He's the author of many books, including National Populism and Values, Voice and Virtue, and his new book is Suicide of a Nation: Immigration, Islam, Identity.For two clips of our convo — on the flood of non-white migrants to the UK, and how accusations of racism shape the migration debate — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: born in Hertfordshire to working-class parents who divorced young and worked for the NHS; addiction in the family; his terrible time at an all-boys school; the first in his family to go to college; Burke and Oakeshott; a semester abroad in downtown Detroit; the losers of globalization; being a conservative in academia; thehounding of Kathleen Stock; Douglas Murray; Charles Murray; the falling popularity of liberal democracy; David Cameron; the migration crisis; Brexit; the Red Wall swinging to the right; Nigel Farage and Euroskepticism; plunging fertility rates; Roger Scruton; Lasch and Burnham; the betrayal of Boris on migration; the rapid influx of Muslims to the UK; assimilation in the US; the disappearance of a shared national memory; the illiberalism of Islamic Brits; same-sex marriage; wokeness; anti-speech laws in the UK; the Iraq War; and the new war in Iran.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Jonah Goldberg on the state of conservatism, Jeffrey Toobin on the pardon power, Derek Thompson on abundance, Tom Holland on the Christian roots of liberalism, Tiffany Jenkins on privacy in a liberal democracy, Adrian Wooldridge on “the lost genius of liberalism,” and Tom Junod on his memoir and masculinity. As always, please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

What is Starmer hiding about Mandelson? Jon Gaunt LIVE #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #LIVE #KeirStarmer #PeterMandelson #PMQs #KemiBadenoch #JeffreyEpstein #UKPolitics Tonight, we ask the question Keir Starmer would not answer in the House of Commons: what is he hiding about Peter Mandelson? At Prime Minister's Questions today, Kemi Badenoch put a simple, direct question to him again and again. Not once did he give a straight answer. Not once. Instead, we got diversion, dissembling and one of the weakest performances of Starmer's premiership. Clearly, he would not say whether he had spoken to Mandelson and questioned him about his post-conviction contact with paedophile Epstein. Why not? And why is he refusing simply"Instead of answering, he tried to switch the argument on to Conservative comments about Muslims praying in Trafalgar Square — a classic dead cat tactic from a Prime Minister who plainly did not want to address Mandelson, to fess up to it? This was one of Starmer's worst performances at PMQs. His diversions and dissembling did not help him; if anything, they only strengthened the impression that he is hiding something. The Speaker's performance was disgraceful too. He should have insisted that Starmer answer the question, because the British public have every right to know what is going on and why? Join me and tell me your views. Is STARMER A LIAR? Jon Gaunt, JonGauntTV, LIVE, Keir Starmer, Peter Mandelson, PMQs, Prime Minister's Questions, Kemi Badenoch, Jeffrey Epstein, Starmer Mandelson, Starmer PMQs, Badenoch PMQs, UK politics, British politics, Westminster, House of Commons, Speaker of the House, political scandal, Labour Party, Conservative Party, Tory attack, Commons clash, live politics, breaking politics, UK news, political commentary, Mandelson row, Starmer under pressure, PMQ showdown, Jon Gaunt Live #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #LIVE #KeirStarmer #PeterMandelson #PMQs #PrimeMinistersQuestions #KemiBadenoch #JeffreyEpstein #StarmerMandelson #StarmerPMQs #BadenochPMQs #UKPolitics #BritishPolitics #Westminster #HouseOfCommons #SpeakerOfTheHouse #PoliticalScandal #LabourParty #ConservativeParty #ToryAttack #CommonsClash #LivePolitics #BreakingPolitics #UKNews #PoliticalCommentary #MandelsonRow #StarmerUnderPressure #PMQShowdown #jongauntlive 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.

Are Starmer's immigration and energy policies killing Britain?  #Starmer #KeirStarmer #Trump #DonaldTrump #UKPolitics #Immigration #EnergyCrisis #NorthSeaOil #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV  Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on Keir Starmer from the White House — and it's explosive. Trump warns that Britain (and even Europe) could be finished if Starmer continues with his current immigration and energy policies. He simply cannot understand why the UK is refusing to drill for oil in the North Sea while Norway pushes ahead and cashes in. But it doesn't stop there… Trump also takes aim at the BBC, slams what he calls Britain's immigration failures, and even invokes Winston Churchill — using the iconic bust in the White House to hammer home his point about leadership.  So here's the big question: Is Trump actually more in touch with the British public than Starmer? Jon Gaunt gives his no-nonsense take — and it's not for the faint-hearted.

In this week's episode, Lesley and Fraser navigate a blustery start to the week. Lesley recounts her experience at the Irish Consul's celebration in Edinburgh, noting Ireland's cultural confidence.The discussion turns to the "heating oil headache" facing off-grid Scots, with the UK government's £35 support package being branded as woefully inadequate. We look to our Northern neighbours for solutions, analysing how district heating and hydro energy allow countries like Finland to maintain energy security while the UK remains tethered to volatile fossil fuel markets.The mood shifts as we examine the continuing escalation in the Middle East. We discuss Donald Trump's "wasp's nest" approach to Iran, the tragic bombing of a girls' school in Minab linked to outdated AI data, and the growing criticism of the BBC's "sanitised" coverage of the conflict.We discuss the count down to the election and the SNP's campaign conference at the weekend with some headline grabbing announcments. Plus the news that ‘Your Party' like the Alba Party, won't be contesting the Holyrood elections. Plus, we look at the potential for political upheaval in Hungary, the latest goings on surrounding Peter Mandelson's departure, and Lesley's whirlwind tour of Scotland with her Finland film screenings.In this episode:St Patrick's Day Confidence: What Scotland can learn from the Irish approach to history and culture.The Heating Oil Crisis: Why £35 is a "hotchpotch" response to doubling energy bills for rural households.District Heating – Why Wait?: Analysing the Scandinavian model, where wasting industrial heat is against the law.Iran & The AI Failure: The devastating consequences of old data and the "distancing" language of modern warfare.BBC Under Fire: Ben Depeer's critique of "if it bleeds, it leads" and the challenges of reporting from a bunker.The Mandelson Payoff: The "brazenness" of a £547,000 request following a reputational meltdown.LinksSupport the podcast with a monthly or annual subscriptionhttps://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribeFinland Film Screenings & EventsCheck the latest dates for Lesley's screenings across Scotland.https://lesleyriddoch.com/eventsMetagama: An Atlantic Odyssey https://www.facebook.com/p/Metagama-An-Atlantic-Odyssey-61557037868810/17 March: Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy18 March: Universal Hall, Findhorn19 March: Community Hall, Kincraig20 March: Macphail Centre, Ullapool21 March: Stratherrick Public Hall, Gorthleck22 March: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye24 March: Cultarlann Inbhir Nis, Inverness25 March: Appin Village Hall, Argyll26 March: The Tolbooth, StirlingTickets for village halls:https://tickets-scotland.com/events.html...Tickets for Macphail Centre:https://tickets.highlifehighland.com/.../highlife.../2031529Tickets for all other venues:From venue box office & websites 'This acclaimed 5* live stage show tells the story of 1920s mass emigration from the Hebrides, featuring some of Scotland's top folk musicians and singers. The show has played to capacity audiences across the Highlands and Islands, Celtic Connections and HebCeltc Festival, with the current 2026 Scottish tour supported by Creative Scotland.''''The quality of the music is astonishing. A MUST LISEN! *****'' Folk London magazine''A story full of imense contemporary resonances. ****'' Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman''Top drawer music.'' Gary West, piper and piping podcast presenter''A night of exquisite music and storytelling. *****'' Inverness CourierAn ensemble of acclaimed musicians and singers will carry you aboard the Metagama, a journey that will take you to the lakes and plains of Canada, to 1920s Detroit and Prohibition, through the ebb and flow of fortunes on both sides of the Atlantic.Join award-winning writer Donald S Murray, musician Liza Mulholland, actor and 7:84 Theatre founding player Dolina MacLennan, noted Gaelic singer John Joe Macneil, fiddler Charlie Mackerron of Capercaillie, singer-songwriter Willie Campbell, young up-and-coming cellist Juliette Lemoine, and visual artist Doug Robertson, in marking this historic event with an evening of music, song and story.This five-star show toured to great acclaim and capacity audiences in the Highlands & Islands in 2023 and followed this with a sell-out concert at Celtic Connections 2024. This current tour in March 2026 has secured support from Creative Scotland, ★ Support this podcast ★

Starmer Get a Backbone or Get Out of Number 10!  #KeirStarmer #StarmerSpeech #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #IranConflict #UKForeignPolicy #NATO #Trump "Did we really need another speech today from Keir Starmer about a war he still refuses to properly back? No. What Britain needs right now is a Prime Minister with a backbone. What we've got instead is a man playing the hokey-cokey with war — half in, half out. First he refuses permission for US aircraft to use British bases. Then he says they can… but only if it's for 'defence'. What on earth does that even mean? Either you stand with your allies or you don't. And right now the so-called special relationship looks like it's been badly damaged. The truth is Labour is still haunted by the ghost of Tony Blair and the Iraq War. They're so scared of being accused of backing another 'illegal war' that they'd rather sit on their hands.  Meanwhile tensions are rising around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important shipping lanes on the planet. British tankers go through there every day. Yet Starmer refuses to send British ships to protect them. Instead we get a lecture about subsidising fuel bills. Fuel bills? That's not leadership. That's ducking the real problem.  And then this weekend he allows yet another anti-British demonstration to take place in London. Yet he has the nerve to stand there today and say he is 'always standing up for the British people'. Standing up? Don't make me laugh. Jon Gaunt says the truth is this: Starmer isn't standing up for Britain — he's bending the knee to our enemies abroad and the extremists at home. And if you can't lead this country when the pressure is on… maybe it's time to get out of Number 10."  #KeirStarmer #StarmerSpeech #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #IranConflict #UKForeignPolicy #NATO #BritishPolitics #StarmerLeadership #UKNews #PoliticalCommentary #Number10 #UKGovernment Keir Starmer, Starmer speech, UK politics, Jon Gaunt, Iran conflict, UK foreign policy, NATO, British politics, Starmer leadership, UK news, political commentary, Number 10, UK government  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.

Constitutional reform is a recurring theme in UK politics. Debates regularly surface about changing the electoral system, reforming the House of Lords, or redefining the role of the courts. These conversations often focus on the traditional institutions of the state: government, parliament and the judiciary. But is that focus too narrow? When considering how power operates in a modern democracy, should constitutional thinking extend beyond these formal branches of government? Might institutions such as the media, financial sector or other centres of influence also deserve attention when we discuss constitutional design? This week, Daniel Hind joins host Alan Renwick to explore a fresh argument that the constitutional reform agenda needs to be broadened. The discussion is based on a new article in The Political Quarterly that calls for a more expansive understanding of how democratic power should be structured and overseen. Mentioned in this episode: Popular Sovereignty and the Constitutional Reform Agenda

Mojtaba Khamenei has been appointed to succeed his father as Supreme Leader of Iran. What now? Former UK Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace, who spent eight years as Chairman of the British–Iran Parliamentary Group, views this as a doubling down on defiance. Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and international journalist Rosanna Lockwood break down the rationale behind why the IRGC is vested in maintaining the status quo, the growing rift between the United States's strategy and Gulf States Allies, and whether or not the United States and Israel have a viable endgame.Plus: Already at $100 per barrel, how high will the price of oil climb? What impact will the conflict in Iran have on European security and economies? Are Russia and China giving Iran an intelligence edge? In this episode: 01:10 Succession in Tehran 02:56 The IRGC as a Business Cartel 04:10 The Gulf States' Perspective 06:55 UAE Business Backlash 10:26 Insurance and War Risk Shock 14:10 Shahi Drones and Escalation Risks 17:51 EU and UK Economic Hit 19:33 UK Politics and Social Tensions 21:38 One Decision to Watch Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief), Sir Ben Wallace (former UK Defence Secretary) and guest co-host Rosanna Lockwood (International Journalist) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thatcher's Falklands Fleet to Starmer's Britain — Watching HMS Dragon Sail  #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #UKPolitics #HMSDragon #RoyalNavy #FalklandsWar #MargaretThatcher #KeirStarmer THATCHER OR STARMER?  Today the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon sails for Cyprus. A modern British warship heading out on deployment. But watching that departure raises a bigger question about the country she represents. In 1982 Britain watched an entire fleet sail south during the Falklands War. The nation was facing strikes, riots and economic hardship, yet there was still a sense of determination and purpose. At the centre of that moment stood Margaret Thatcher in Downing Street and Ronald Reagan in the White House. Their close political partnership became one of the clearest examples of the UK-US "special relationship" — a relationship that mattered during the Falklands crisis.  Fast forward to today. HMS Dragon sails in a very different political climate. Keir Starmer is now Prime Minister and Donald Trump is back in the White House. Yet instead of the kind of unity seen between Thatcher and Reagan, tensions have already appeared, with Starmer refusing to help Trump on key issues. So what does that say about Britain today? Jon Gaunt looks at the contrast between two eras — from Thatcher's Falklands fleet to Starmer's Britain — and asks whether the country has lost the confidence, leadership and clarity it once had.  Join the live debate on JonGauntTV. Politics • History • Leadership • Britain today • Your views live in the chat #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #JonGauntTVLive #JonGauntLive #UKPolitics #BritishPolitics #HMSDragon #RoyalNavy #Falklands #FalklandsWar #MargaretThatcher #Thatcher #RonaldReagan #SpecialRelationship #UKUSA #KeirStarmer #Starmer #StarmerGovernment #BritainToday #BritishDecline #NationalIdentity #RoyalNavyHistory #UKDebate #PoliticsLive #YouTubeLive #LiveStream #JonGauntShow] Jon Gaunt, JonGauntTV, JonGauntTV live, Jon Gaunt live stream, Jon Gaunt show, British politics live, UK politics debate, HMS Dragon, Royal Navy HMS Dragon, HMS Dragon Cyprus deployment, Falklands War, Falklands task force, Margaret Thatcher Falklands, Thatcher leadership, Ronald Reagan Thatcher special relationship, UK special relationship USA, Keir Starmer, Starmer government, Starmer popularity, Britain today debate, is Britain declining, British national identity, Royal Navy history, UK geopolitics, JonGauntTV politics 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.

In this week's episode, Lesley and Fraser digest a whirlwind week that saw Scotland's rugby players secure another win—but this time, there's a trophy involved with a very specific history. Fraser reveals his own "tangential" role in the creation of the Old Alliance Trophy and why it's definitely not a cup.The mood shifts as we analyse the terrifying escalation in the Middle East following the bombing of a girls' school in Minab, South Iran. We discuss the chilling rhetoric of the US administration, the surge in oil prices, and the stark contrast in European leadership—from Spain's firm "no" on base access to the "swithering" internal dynamics of the UK Labour Party.Closer to home, we look at a genuine medical breakthrough: a pioneering study at NHS Grampian showing that AI can increase breast cancer detection by 10%. But it's not all good news for the tech world; we discuss Donald Trump's targeting of Anthropic (the makers of Claude) and what the future holds for software development jobs.Plus, Lesley shares how she's using AI to sift through a decade of Nordic research, and we look ahead to the march on Calton Hill on the 28th.In this episode:The Old Alliance Trophy: The story behind the silverware and Scotland's continuing rugby streak.Iran & The "Short-Term Excursion": Analysing the school bombing in Minab and the global fallout of $120-a-barrel oil.Spain vs. The White House: Why Pedro Sanchez stood his ground while the UK government remains internally divided.AI—The Life Saver and the Supply Chain Risk: From the NHS Grampian breakthrough to Trump's "stushie" with Anthropic.Gathering Again: March on Calton Hill on the 28th and LinksSupport the podcast with a monthly or annual subscription https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribePioneering study finds AI increases cancer detection by more than 10 per cent https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd9gn4j7dyoAndrew Redman's "The March on Calton Hill" print https://andrewrbarr.com/portfolio/march-on-calton-hill/(Fraser highly recommends this one for your wall!)Lesley Riddoch: Reading Scotland at Newbattle Abbey College 12th Marchhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/lesley-riddoch-reading-scotland-tickets-1982952469215Finland Film Screenings - see all here https://lesleyriddoch.com/eventsNext upDunfries - Friday 13 March https://rbcfilmtheatre.co.uk/all-listings/lesleyriddochGreenock - Saturday 14 Marchhttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/finland-the-happiest-country-that-almost-didnt-exist-tickets-1980199784862?aff=oddtdtcreatorArtists for Independence - Oran Mor 14th Marchhttps://www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence-forum-scotland/were-putting-the-band-back-together-supporting-scottish-arts/e-rbjakzThe 28th March And Rally Edinburghhttps://www.believeinscotland.org/march_and_rally_for_independence.The Lesley Riddoch Podcast with Fraser ThompsonFYP4LeHoqefkfw4kYYtQ ★ Support this podcast ★

Has Britain Abandoned the White Working Class? | Jon Gaunt Live  #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #WhiteWorkingClass #UKPolitics #WorkingClassBoys #FreeSpeech #BritishCulture  Are white working-class boys the most overlooked group in Britain today? Labour wants to appoint an Anti-Muslim Hate Czar. But Jon Gaunt has a different question tonight: who is standing up for the white working-class man?  Because right now, millions feel ignored, mocked and politically homeless. White working-class boys have the worst educational outcomes in Britain. Their communities feel abandoned. Yet if you dare mention it, you're shouted down as "far-right," accused of "toxic masculinity," or sneered at as a "flag shagger."  Working-class culture used to be at the heart of Britain. Films like The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Room at the Top, Look Back in Anger and Kes told the real stories of ordinary people. Today? Silence. Where are the working-class sitcoms? Where are the bands from the estates and factory towns? Oasis were the last of a breed.  Even football — the people's game — now feels taken over by the middle classes. So Gaunty asks the question the political class won't: if we have czars for everything else, why not someone whose job is to fight for the white working class? Join the live debate and have your say.  Jon Gaunt, JonGauntTV, Gaunty Live, white working class UK, white working class boys education, working class Britain, British working class culture, UK politics debate, Labour Party UK, UK political commentary, British politics livestream, identity politics UK, toxic masculinity debate UK, working class representation UK, UK culture debate, education inequality UK, Oasis working class culture, Kes film British working class, political debate UK, free speech UK #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #WhiteWorkingClass #UKPolitics #WorkingClass #WorkingClassBoys #BritishPolitics #LabourParty #PoliticalDebate #FreeSpeech #BritishCulture #EducationCrisis #WorkingClassBritain #GauntyLive 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.

Trump Blasts Starmer — Is he a loser with no future? #Starmer #DonaldTrump #UKPolitics #Iran #TalkRadio #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live Let's be honest for a moment. When Donald Trump calls Keir Starmer "a loser who has no future," Westminster reacts with outrage — shock, horror, clutch the pearls. But here's the real question. Why are so many ordinary voters not shocked at all? Because look at what people are seeing. A world that's becoming more dangerous by the day. Serious tensions in the Middle East involving Iran. Major global uncertainty. And Britain — once a country that projected confidence and strength — now looks hesitant, cautious, almost afraid to speak plainly. Then you look at what's happening at home. People worried about the economy. Communities worried about crime and cohesion. Arguments raging about immigration, integration and free speech. And what does the government seem focused on? Another new "czar". Another official to monitor language and police attitudes. Now supporters say tackling anti-Muslim hatred is important — and of course discrimination should be challenged wherever it appears. But critics are asking a fair question: Is the government more interested in managing political sensitivities than confronting the deeper problems that are making communities anxious in the first place? That's the debate people want to have. And instead of engaging with it openly, too often the political class just tries to shut the conversation down. Well tonight we're not doing that. Tonight we're asking the uncomfortable question. Is Keir Starmer actually leading Britain with confidence… or does he increasingly look like a Prime Minister who's struggling to convince the country he knows where he's taking it? And if you think I'm wrong — tell me. Because this show is about debate, not silence. Live UK politics debate with Jon Gaunt on JonGauntTV. #KeirStarmer #DonaldTrump #UKPolitics #Iran #MiddleEastTensions #StarmerCriticism #TrumpStarmer #BritishPolitics #UKPoliticalDebate #ImmigrationDebate #FreeSpeechUK #PoliticalCommentary #TalkRadio #LivePolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #PoliticsLive #CurrentAffairs #UKGovernment Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, UK politics, Iran tensions, Middle East tensions, Starmer criticism, Trump Starmer row, British politics, UK political debate, immigration debate UK, free speech UK, political commentary, talk radio politics, live politics, Jon Gaunt, JonGauntTV, live, politics live stream, current affairs UK, UK government debate 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.

For the last decade or so we've looked on as the United States has radically changed itself, but the UK has been changing too as it continues to struggle with economic stagnation and the fallout from Brexit.The British people, famous for their aversion to radical and emotional politics, have embarked on a course which was supposed to take them back to the comforting certainties of the past, but has instead, brought them into an uncertain new world.It began with the huge shock of Brexit, then the constant turnover of Prime Ministers including Liz Truss whose term in office was famous outlived by a head of lettuce.In 2025 British Labor won government in a massive landslide, which saw many hope things might settle down, but now Kier Starmer is hanging on by his fingernails.And for those looking to the monarchy for a sense of continuity and national unity, that's not going well either.So what on earth has happened to the land of toast and tea? Ian Dunt is a British political journalist and author of How Westminster Works and Why is Doesn't Ian is also a regular contributor to Late Night Live on Radio National.This episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake, the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores British politics, Brexit, the financial crash, austerity, David Cameron, The Conservative Party, referendum, European Union, New Labor, populism, government services, the UK-US alliance, Christianity, Marxism, puberty, disillusioned, dogma, ideology, psychedelic, journalism, political discourse, British public school system, elites, power, Prime Ministers, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, immigration.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

TRUMP IS RIGHT: STARMER THE LOSER — Appeasement, U-Turns & £40K for Illegal Migrants | LIVE #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #Trump #Starmer #UKPolitics #IllegalImmigration #BorderSecurity #DetainDeport #MigrationCrisis #UKGovernment #EdMiliband #ShabanaMahmood Donald Trump has called Keir Starmer a loser — and looking at today's events, it's hard to argue with him. Starmer and Shabana Mahmood now want to offer illegal migrants up to £40,000 to go home. Instead of throwing taxpayers' money at the problem, why not secure our borders and adopt the only policy that works: DETER, DETAIN AND DEPORT. With more than 15 policy U-turns, Starmer seems to have the Midas touch in reverse — everything he touches turns to shit. Trump's criticism comes after Starmer reportedly refused to allow UK bases to be used in action against Iran, a decision many believe he was pushed into by figures such as Ed Miliband. Starmer held a press conference today trying to reassure the country that everything is under control. Watching it, I came away thinking something very different: the asylum system is broken and the lunatics are running the asylum in Westminster. Tonight we break it all down. Is Trump right about Starmer? Join the debate live. #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #Trump #DonaldTrump #Starmer #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #IllegalImmigration #BorderSecurity #DetainDeport #MigrationCrisis #UKGovernment #EdMiliband #ShabanaMahmood #PoliticalCommentary #BreakingPolitics #UKNews #ImmigrationDebate #BritishPolitics Jon Gaunt, JonGauntTV, live, Trump, Donald Trump, Starmer, Keir Starmer, UK politics, illegal immigration, border security, detain detain deport, migration crisis, UK government, Ed Miliband, Shabana Mahmood, political commentary, breaking politics, UK news, immigration debate, British politics. 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.

Much contemporary debate centres on the respective roles of judges and politicians. Should constitutions empower courts to decide questions about human rights, or should such matters be settled by elected representatives? And should the core rules of democracy be shielded from manipulation by those in power? These questions ultimately turn on how we understand the nature of constitutions themselves. Are constitutions primarily legal instruments that set the framework within which politics operates? Or are they fundamentally political in character, relying not only on laws but also on conventions and democratic practices upheld by politicians? While this may sound abstract, the stakes are immediate and real. Ongoing debates about the future of the European Convention on Human Rights, the resilience of democratic institutions, and the risks posed by populist governments all hinge on these deeper constitutional questions. Fresh light on these issues comes from a new book, Defending the Political Constitution. Our guest is Richard Bellamy, Professor of Political Science at University College London, who joins me to explore what it means to defend a political rather than legal vision of constitutionalism. Mentioned in this episode: Defending the Political Constitution by Richard Bellamy.

In this episode, we analyse the recent escalation in the Middle East following the attacks on Iran and discuss the potential for regional conflict and the broader impact on global stability. We consider the broader US and Israeli strategies, the prospects for peace, and how these developments affect Europe, Scotland and NATO.Closer to home, we discuss the ongoing fallout over the Lord Advocate briefing John Swinney on the indictment of Peter Murrell and the conflict inherent in the dual role the Lord Advocate holds and the difficulty in parliamentary scrutiny.We look at the joint report from Scotonomics and the Scottish Currency Group - Scottish Government Bonds and Investing in Ourselves, highlighting the failure of the Scottish Government to consider independence when planning their bond issue and how the current framework for bonds continues the extractive nature of Scotland's economy with an over-reliance on foreign direct investment. Also in this episode, Labour's one-day conference, Community energy news, data centres, and UK Labour's problems following the Green win in the Gorton and Denton by-election.LinksSupport the podcasthttps://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribeScottish Government Bonds and Investing in Ourselveshttps://scotonomics.org/scottish-government-bonds-and-investing-in-ourselves/Community energy - heat from Polmaise pit at Fallinhttps://www.thenational.scot/news/25606042.scottish-village-hopes-use-abandoned-mine-thermal-energyFilm Screeningshttps://lesleyriddoch.com/events ★ Support this podcast ★

ASHAMED TO BE BRITISH! Keir Starmer IS A WIMP – AND Donald Trump IS RIGHT!  #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #KeirStarmer #DonaldTrump #UKPolitics #LawyerNotLeader #LordHermer #StarmerOut #Iran  Live at 6PM – no BBC blandness, no establishment waffle, no sacred cows.  I'm sick of it. Absolutely sick of it. Starmer is wringing his hands, clutching his pearls and lecturing the world about "international law" alongside Lord Hermer — while Britain looks weaker by the day. This isn't leadership. It's a seminar at a North London dinner party.  Trump calls it straight. Starmer dithers. Trump acts. Starmer pontificates in that clipped, robotic tone like a broken 1970s answering machine.  Who exactly is he governing for? The country? Or his future memoirs, his lefty backbenchers and the ever-sensitive block votes he's terrified of upsetting?  He doesn't sound like a Prime Minister. He sounds like a human rights brief preparing a closing statement. Britain needs backbone. Britain needs clarity. Britain needs strength. Instead, we've got hesitation, prevarication and a man who looks permanently worried about what the Guardian might think.  How much longer are we supposed to tolerate this? How much more damage before someone admits the obvious? He's a lawyer, not a leader. And right now, Britain is paying the price.

IS STARMER A COWARD ON IRAN? IS POLANSKI A DANGEROUS FOOL?  #KeirStarmer #ZackPolanski #IranCrisis #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #Trump  Keir Starmer refuses to fully back tougher action on Iran — but is this caution… or cowardice? After a brutal by-election blow and the rise of Green Party leader Zack Polanski, is Labour now paralysed by fear of losing even more ground?  Jon Gaunt asks the questions others won't. Is Starmer putting electoral survival before strong leadership on the world stage? Is Britain going soft at a dangerous moment in the Middle East? And is Zack Polanski offering bold alternatives — or playing a reckless political game?  With tensions rising over Iran and UK politics shifting fast after the by-election shock, this is a no-holds-barred debate on leadership, foreign policy and the future of British politics.  

The Green Party has pulled off a landmark victory in the Gordon and Denton byelection in a major blow to Keir Starmer. Hannah Spencer, a local plumber, was elected as the party's first MP in northern England, with Labour pushed into third place behind Nigel Farage's Reform UK despite having a 13,000-vote majority. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's north of England correspondent Hannah Al-Othman, who lives in the constituency and was at the count overnight – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

STARMER HAS LOST CONTROL – NO BORDERS, CHAGOS, MANDELSON #Starmer #BorderCrisis #IllegalMigration #Chagos #Mandelson #UKPolitics #JonGaunt Another day, another crisis — and this one's spiralling fast.

How many legal problems can you fall into in the space of a single podcast? This week, Lesley Riddoch and Fraser Thompson navigate a potential minefield of four major legal and political controversies. We dive into the ongoing sagas involving Peter Mandelson and the Trade Ambassador formerly known as Prince Andrew.Closer to home, we dissect the row over the Lord Advocate and the revelations surrounding the timing of Peter Murrell's charges being shared with the First Minister. We also look at the shock announcement that the Alba Party are unlikely to contest the Holyrood election, blaming financial and regulatory problems alleged to have been caused by their former General Secretary.But it's not all legal drama; we look at the ideas that could truly transform the face of Scotland. From local control to community wealth building, we discuss how empowering communities can shift our mindset and boost the economy. In this episode:The Legal "Big Four": Mandelson, Prince Andrew, the Lord Advocate, and the Alba Party.Peter Murrell & The First Minister: the dual role of Scotland's Lord Advocate.Transforming Scotland: Why local control and community wealth building matter more than ever.By-election Watch: Can Labour hang one?LinksSupport the podcast with a monthly or annual subscriptionhttps://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribeCommunity Wealth Buildinghttps://www.thenational.scot/politics/25867601.holyrood-act-prove-revolutionary-empowering-communities/Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@fridayseconomics/video/7594406782802464013Gordon Brown as Private Investigator articlehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/25/why-gordon-brown-delving-deep-into-epstein-filesExcellent Simon Pearson substackhttps://simonpearson1.substack.com/p/the-only-politics-on-offer?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=3669870&post_id=188725593&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1wdpld&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=emailEverybody to Kenmure Street filmreview https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/feb/24/power-pyjamas-everybody-to-kenmure-street-glasgow-immigrationSearch local screemnngs - 'everybody to kenmure street showtimes' ★ Support this podcast ★

"Things Can Only Get Worse!" Why Is Keir Starmer So Unpopular? #JonGauntTV #JonGaunt #KeirStarmer #StarmerUnpopular #ThingsCanOnlyGetWorse #StarmerPolling #YouGov #MandelsonScandal "Things Can Only Get Worse!" Why Is Keir Starmer So Unpopular? He promised change. He promised competence. He promised honesty. What Britain got instead? U-turns, dithering, broken pledges — and now a storm over Mandelson that won't go away. From ditching core policies, to rewriting red lines, to treating voters like they wouldn't notice the climbdowns, Starmer's leadership has been one long exercise in saying one thing and doing another. Each retreat has chipped away at trust. Each reversal has fed the sense that this is a man with no fixed beliefs — just focus groups. And just when things couldn't look worse, along comes the Mandelson affair — raising serious questions about judgement, influence, and whether Labour really has left its old habits behind. The optics are dire. The explanations? Unconvincing. The public reaction? Brutal. Today's YouGov polling shows the damage is real — and spreading fast. So tonight we ask: ❌ How did Starmer squander the benefit of the doubt so quickly?

CAN FARAGE AND YUSUF STOP THE BOATS, DITCH ECHR AND BAN BURQA  #NigelFarage #ZiaYusuf #ReformUK #StopTheBoats #ECHR #BurqaBan #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV  Britain's had enough. The borders are a joke, the system's broken, and the public's being ignored. So tonight we ask the questions the political class is terrified of. Can Nigel Farage and Zia Yusuf deliver what millions are demanding — or is this another promise that crashes and burns?  We tear into Reform UK's hard-line proposals, straight, loud, and unapologetic:

IS STARMER USING PRINCE ANDREW AS A DIVERSION FROM MANDELSON?  #PrinceAndrew #KeirStarmer #PeterMandelson #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #UKPolitics #Monarchy #LineOfSuccession  

The Epstein files have now ensnared figures across multiple countries. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure to resign after his top aides, including ambassador Peter Mandelson and chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, stepped down amid revelations about their ties to Epstein. In Norway, former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland has been arrested and criminally charged. Diplomat Mona Juul faces a corruption investigation. France's former culture minister Jack Lang resigned under criminal inquiry. In academia, Larry Summers of Harvard, Joi Ito of MIT, and others have lost positions at major institutions. In business, Leon Black paid Epstein $170 million, Thomas Pritzker stepped down from Hyatt, and Casey Wasserman faces defections ahead of the 2028 LA Olympics. In law, Brad Karp of Paul Weiss and Goldman Sachs counsel Katherine Romler both had deep ties to Epstein revealed through emails. Alex Acosta, the federal prosecutor who cut Epstein's sweetheart plea deal in 2008, allowing a man facing 240 years in prison to serve 13 months with work release, later became Trump's Secretary of Labor. And Pam Bondi, who served as Florida Attorney General for eight years while Epstein was active in her jurisdiction, did nothing, and continues to cover for those involved. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB

This SEPTIC ISLE! The arrest of PRINCE ANDREW Your views live  #KingCharles #Abdication #PrinceAndrew #Epstein #PeterMandelson #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV  Jon Gaunt wants your reaction to the arrest of Prince Andrew. Is he just the tip of the iceberg of corruption and privilege that is wrecking the UK.  How has Britain gone from a Sceptered Isle to the state it is today?  Shakespeare predicted this over 500 years ago and Jon Gaunt explains why in this podcast. We have sold out Britain and our values and created this mess.  Join in and tell me your views. King Charles, abdication, Prince Andrew, Epstein, Peter Mandelson, Keir Starmer, British Monarchy, royal crisis, Prince William, royal scandal, Epstein links, UK politics, monarchy under pressure, Jon Gaunt, royal cover up #KingCharles #Abdication #PrinceAndrew #Epstein #PeterMandelson #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV

SHOULD KING CHARLES ABDICATE? EPSTEIN, ANDREW, MANDELSON — MONARCHY UNDER SIEGE #KingCharles #Abdication #PrinceAndrew #Epstein #PeterMandelson #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV SHOULD KING CHARLES ABDICATE? I believe the time has come to ask the question the Establishment is desperate to shut down. King Charles III is a man under immense strain. He is visibly not recovering, not easing back, not growing stronger — and the relentless pressure of scandal, silence and institutional failure is bearing down on him. I believe that for the good of the Crown, abdication must now be on the table. This crisis has a name: Prince Andrew. His association with Jeffrey Epstein continues to rot the monarchy from the inside. The question is simple and unavoidable: why has Andrew still not gone to the United States to be formally questioned? What exactly is being protected — and who? And then there's the part Westminster really doesn't want discussed. While Andrew absorbs all the heat, Peter Mandelson — another man with documented Epstein links — was handed a top ambassadorial job. That wasn't an accident. That was a political decision taken by Keir Starmer — and it was a catastrophic misstep. So I'll say it plainly: Andrew should go to the United States and be questioned. Mandelson should go to the United States and be questioned. No hiding places. No double standards. If Starmer cannot or will not protect the monarchy from this level of damage, then he has no business lecturing anyone about standards in public life. The monarchy is entering dangerous territory — and I believe there is only one way to stabilise it. Prince William represents clarity, authority, and a line under years of scandal. This show doesn't whisper. It doesn't apologise. And it doesn't play palace games.

In this week's episode, we examine the Community Wealth Bill now and Act and discuss how it might pave the way for better local procurement and build wealth locally as a slight antidote to Scotland's extractive economy. We discuss Kier Starmer and yet another U-turn as the UK Government continue to spin around. This time on English local elections. We look at the latest revelations about the criminal charges against former SNP CEO Peter Murrel, the detail of the allegations against him and the political fallout about the delay to his trial. We also discuss how this all reflects on the SNP as a party and the scorn that was heaped on folk who tried to flag up problems. We also discuss Alba, Alliance for Liberation Scotland, Jim Ratcliffe and much else besides.LinksFinland FilmGlasgow - 18th February - https://www.believeinscotland.org/shop/#!/Screening-of-Lesley-Riddochs-new-film-with-Q&A/p/807936451Musselburgh - 19th Februaryhttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lesley-riddoch-finland-the-happiest-country-that-almost-never-existed-tickets-1980183406875?aff=oddtdtcreatorCommunity Wealth Building Billhttps://spice-spotlight.scot/2025/11/11/an-introduction-to-the-community-wealth-building-scotland-bill/Band Back Together at the Òran Mór - Indpendence Gighttps://www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence-forum-scotland/were-putting-the-band-back-together-supporting-scottish-arts/e-rbjakzMorgan McSweeney's gang investigate journalists - National got there firsthttps://www.thenational.scot/newsletters/bulletin/1898/?nid=1898&ref=eb ★ Support this podcast ★

FARAGE HUMILIATES STARMER – FORCED INTO 16th U-TURN #KeirStarmer #NigelFarage #ReformUK #LabourUTurn #UKPoliticsLive #GeneralElectionNow #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live

SURRENDER MONKEY STARMER? ON EU, BORDERS, CHINA 15 U-TURNS  #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #Starmer #SurrenderMonkey #UKPolitics #Labour #EU #BorderCrisis #ChinaEmbassy #ChagosIslands  What's a surrender monkey? It's a political coward. A leader who talks tough, waves the flag, then folds at the first sign of pressure. Someone who gives ground, again and again, while pretending it's all part of a "reset". And that, folks, is exactly what Keir Starmer has become.  The latest big relaunch, reboot, reinvention — call it what you like — is just another desperate attempt by Starmer to reinvent himself again. New suit, new slogan, same weak leader. He doesn't need re-booting. He needs booting out.  Starmer said he wouldn't crawl back to the EU — now he's doing just that. He talked tough on border security — now it looks like he's simply given up. He's capitulated to China over the super-embassy. He's rolled over on the Chagos Islands. Yet somehow, with a straight face, he tells us Britain must be "war-ready" for Russia. You couldn't make it up.  This is not a fighter. This is a man in managed retreat — surrendering abroad, wobbling at home, and presiding over 15 policy U-turns that expose a government with no core beliefs and no backbone. A lame-duck premiership is unfolding before our eyes.  Every day he clings on, the country is dragged further down with him. Starmer should do the decent thing: admit defeat and go now, instead of letting this sorry farce grind on. That's the verdict — Jon Gaunt says it as it is.  #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #KeirStarmer #Starmer #SurrenderMonkey #UKPolitics #Labour #LabourGovernment #Uturns #EU #Borders #BorderCrisis #China #ChinaEmbassy #ChagosIslands #Russia #WarReady #LameDuckPM #PoliticalCrisis #Britain  Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt TV, live, Keir Starmer, Starmer, surrender monkey, UK politics, Labour, Labour government, policy u-turns, EU, borders, border security, China, China super embassy, Chagos Islands, Russia, war ready, lame duck prime minister, political crisis, Britain 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.

Over the past couple of weeks, Senate Republicans have come up with this plan to bring back the talking filibuster, all in an effort to pass the SAVE America Act. On paper, it is clever. Force Democrats to physically hold the floor to block voter ID legislation that polls as an 80-20 issue. Make them read the phone book. Make them look unserious. Put Jon Ossoff and other swing-state Democrats on the record defending a position that is wildly unpopular nationally.I actually think it would be smart politics. It's also never going to happen.The reason is simple: Senate institutionalists. John Thune does not want to be the Republican leader who weakened the filibuster, even in a limited way. The Senate sees itself as the “august deliberative body,” not the truck stop chaos of the House. No one wants on their résumé that they chipped away at the 60-vote threshold. The irony is that nothing in the rules prevents a talking filibuster. It simply fell out of use. But reviving it would still be seen as escalation.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.And escalation is not what senators do to each other lightly. They are there for six years. They share committee rooms and green rooms. They nurse grudges quietly. They do not enjoy public humiliation.So while conservatives may draw up elaborate procedural roadmaps, this one caps out at tradition. And tradition, in the Senate, wins more often than base energy.The Shutdown Nobody WinsMeanwhile, we are entering an actual shutdown this weekend because Senate Democrats blocked a Department of Homeland Security funding bill after the House had already left town. Democrats escalated their demands from a handful of changes to what is effectively a multi-point overhaul. The problem is not moral clarity. The problem is math.When you shut down the government, history suggests you rarely get what you want. Often, you get nothing. The Trump White House already has a blueprint from the last shutdown: keep the pain manageable, move money around where possible, and wait for pressure to build. If that pressure intensifies, especially around TSA delays, FEMA responses, or spring break travel, Democrats will face the same brutal reality every minority party faces during a shutdown.Just like in the fall, they will have to cut a deal.And when they do, their base will not celebrate incremental concessions. They will accuse leadership of caving. The drawdown of ICE activity in Minneapolis, which could have been framed as a win condition, has already been overtaken by new demands.That is the trap. You negotiate past your leverage point because your base expects maximalism. Then you are left explaining why the maximalist outcome was never achievable in the first place.A State of the Union CircusAll of this sets up a February 24th State of the Union that looks increasingly like a circus. Some House Democrats are openly discussing protests, despite Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urging restraint.We have seen these moves before. Last year's disruptions did not damage Trump. If anything, they made him look calmer by comparison. When the visuals are heckling and signage next to moments crafted for television, the protest becomes the spectacle, not the message.The deeper issue is control. Neither Mike Johnson nor Hakeem Jeffries appears to have ironclad command over their conferences. The margins are thin. The base pressure is intense. And Trump remains such a polarizing figure that restraint feels like betrayal to some members.So expect noise. Expect moments engineered for viral clips. And expect very little institutional discipline.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:04:03 - Talking Filibuster DOA00:18:06 - Update00:18:33 - Shutdown00:22:36 - ICE in Minnesota00:25:50 - Democrats SOTU Plans00:28:55 - Interview with Stella Tsantekidou on UK Politics and Epstein01:13:06 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

From the lows of December retail sales to the highs of January payrolls, recent US data has sent mixed signals. But the economy remains in relatively good shape, argues Deputy Chief North America Economist Stephen Brown on the latest episode of the Capital Economics Weekly Briefing. He explores why the idea of a “K-shaped” economy may be overstated, what markets are missing about the productivity growth upturn, and the chances of much lower rates from a Kevin Warsh-led Fed. Also on the show, as Keir Starmer's government reels from one of its toughest weeks yet, Deputy Chief UK Economist Ruth Gregory assesses what a change of leadership could mean for the UK economy and financial markets, but also why the long-term growth outlook may not be as bleak as recent headlines suggest.AI already making a big contribution to US productivity growthWhy we still believe in the AI rally, and the S&P 500Would a stock market crash cause a global recession?Can China's trade surplus rise further?

STARMER SHOULD APOLOGISE — NOT SIR JIM RATCLIFFE  #Starmer #SirJimRatcliffe #IllegalMigration#Brexit #BorderChaos #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #LiveShow #UKPolitics  Let's get this straight from the off. Keir Starmer has got some cheek. Some brass neck. The man who never apologises suddenly wants one from Jim Ratcliffe? You couldn't make it up. Starmer — Mr Flip-Flop, Mr U-Turn, Mr "I Didn't Really Mean That" — is now posing as the nation's moral referee. Fifteen U-turns. Fifteen. On policy, principle, and promises. Has he apologised once? Has he heck. Not to pensioners. Not to voters. Not to the people he's taken for mugs. And while he's busy wagging his finger at Sir Jim, let's talk about the apology Britain actually deserves. Because the entire political class — Labour, Tory, the lot of them — owe the British people a massive apology for the abject failure on illegal migration. Years of chaos. Billions wasted. Borders that exist in name only. And what do we get? Lectures. Excuses. And being told we're wrong for noticing. Sir Jim didn't say anything outrageous. He said what millions of people are thinking but Westminster is too frightened to admit. People are fed up. Fed up of being ignored. Fed up of being patronised. Fed up of being told to shut up and accept it. Immigration. Brexit. National sovereignty. These aren't fringe obsessions — they're the issues voters keep shouting about while politicians stick their fingers in their ears.  And here's the bit that really rattles them: the polls are coming. The next set will show it again. Ordinary Brits aren't buying the spin anymore. They don't want apologies demanded from businessmen who speak plainly — they want accountability from politicians who never do. So no, Sir Jim doesn't owe the country an apology. Keir Starmer does. And until he finds the courage to say sorry — properly, honestly, and without a lawyered-up script — he might want to stop lecturing the rest of us about decency. Because people are watching. People are angry. And this time, they're not being ignored.  Keir Starmer, Starmer apology, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, immigration crisis, UK illegal migration ,Labour u turns, political class failure, Brexit betrayal, border chaos, British voters ignored, Westminster elites, Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt TV, Live, UK politics, immigration, free speech UK, #KeirStarmer #Starmer #SirJimRatcliffe #ImmigrationCrisis #IllegalMigration #LabourUTurns #PoliticalClass #Brexit #BorderChaos #BritainIgnored #Westminster #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #JonGauntStyle #Live #LiveShow #UKPolitics #EnoughIsEnough  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. ]

DO MPs REALLY WORK FOR US – OR JUST THEMSELVES?  #PMQs #KeirStarmer #KemiBadenoch #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV  PMQs today wasn't politics — it was a slanging match in a circus. While millions are skint, scared, and angry, MPs were back in their natural habitat: shouting, sneering and doing absolutely nothing useful.  No serious focus on the cost-of-living crisis. No urgency on public safety. No answers people can actually use.  Instead, in the Commons, Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of "stuffing government with paedophile apologists" And what did the country get in response from Starmer? Evasion. Silence. Lawyer's answers to moral questions.  This is why trust in politics is dead. This is why people feel unrepresented. And this is why voters increasingly believe MPs are in it for themselves — not the people who pay their wages. Tonight we ask the question MPs hate: Do they work for us — or are they just feeding at the trough? Live. Interactive. No manners. No mercy.  #PMQs #KeirStarmer #KemiBadenoch #Labour #Conservatives #Westminster #UKPolitics #CostOfLivingCrisis #PublicSafety #PoliticalElites #SnoutsInTheTrough #MPs #BrokenPolitics #Establishment #Parliament #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV PMQs,  Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch, Labour, Conservatives, Westminster, UK politics, cost of living crisis, public safety, political elites, snouts in the trough, MPs, broken politics, establishment, Parliament, Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt TV  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.

LIVE | Jon Gaunt TV — Starmer Saved by Labour Chickens in Cover-Up?  #Starmer #Labour #Mandelson #LabourParty #UKPolitics #PoliticalCoverUp #ByElection #Manchester #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live  STARMER SAVED — FOR NOW — BY LABOUR'S CHICKENS  Like turkeys voting against Christmas, Labour's chickens were never going to pull the trigger on themselves. Faced with the threat of a snap General Election — one that would have wiped out half the Cabinet and a good chunk of the back benches — they folded. Fast. This wasn't loyalty. This wasn't leadership. This was pure self-preservation.  These morally bankrupt MPs weren't backing Starmer — they were backing their own snouts staying firmly in the trough. And while they clapped like trained seals, Starmer still hasn't delivered the documents he promised last week explaining how the vetting process cleared Mandelson. Who approved it? How? On what grounds? Silence. Now ministers are being warned not to "do a Wes Streeting" — no more cosy texts, no more receipts, no more evidence. Keep it quiet. Keep it buried. Nothing to see here. It stinks. And it stinks of a cover-up. By circling the wagons, they've sealed their own fate. The public won't forget — and they'll get the chance to say so very soon, starting with the Manchester by-election and rolling straight into the Spring council elections. Saved for now. Judged later. #Starmer #Labour #KeirStarmer #Mandelson #LabourParty #UKPolitics #PoliticalCoverUp #ByElection #Manchester #SpringElections #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #LivePolitics #YouTubeLive #BreakingPolitics  Starmer, Labour, Keir Starmer, Mandelson, Labour Party, UK politics, political cover up, by election, Manchester, spring elections, Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt TV, live, live politics, YouTube live, breaking politics,  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 many weeks have started with a ponder that this has been an extraordinary week for the Labour Party? Nothing, so far at least, could eclipse Anas Sarwar's solo attempt to unseat Prime Minister Kier Starmer this week. In this episdoe, we look at the series of departures, Tim Allan, the press officer who hardly got noticed going in the wake of Morgan McSweeney's departure as Chief of Staff.We discuss the impact in Scotland and the May elections. We also react to the Scottish conference of Your Party, which voted decisively to be a pro-independence party and their decision to field candidates on the list and in constituencies at the Holyrood election. There's a smattering of on the winter Olympics and renewed calls for a proper bank holiday on Saint Andrew's Day.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Dr Sam Rushworth is the UK Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bishop Auckland Constituency, he is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.I wanted to speak to Sam about his experiences as a British MP and the relationship that his personal faith may or may not have with his politics.Some highlights from this episode include what Sam has found the most challenging in politics, whether he feels he represents Latter-day Saints in Parliament, and how he stays spiritually grounded in an adversarial political system.--Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content:www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspodhttps://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Qhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on InstagramConversations to Refresh Your Faith.For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.

STARMER SHOULD HE STAY OR GO? McSWEENEY RESIGNS! #Starmer #UKPolitics #PatMcFadden #MorganMcSweeney #Resignation #PeterMandelson #Epstein #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #JonGauntTV BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney has resigned. Another senior figure gone. Another fall guy exits the stage. And once again, the same question refuses to go away: how many people have to walk before the buck finally stops with the boss? Earlier today Pat McFadden was out defending the Prime Minister, urging calm and insisting this is all being overblown. But tonight, that defence looks weaker by the hour. Because Keir Starmer didn't just inherit these problems — he made the appointments, he trusted the judgement, and he signed off the decisions. Now one of his closest operators has gone. So let's be honest: If advisers fall on their sword… If senior figures resign… If reputations are sacrificed… Surely the buck stops with Starmer. Let's also restate the uncomfortable fact everyone keeps dancing around: Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender. That is not opinion. That is public record. So why were associations waved through? Why were warning signs ignored? And why are we still being told this is all about how difficult Donald Trump is to deal with? That excuse is wearing thin. And one final question the media still won't touch: should the three months' salary taken after being fired be paid back — or do the rules simply not apply at the top? This isn't gossip. It's about judgement. It's about standards. And it's about leadership. Tonight, you decide.

 Do You Accept STARMER'S Apology?

UK Labour MPs have revolted against their own government and Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the handling of Peter Mandelson, former Labour Party politician, lobbyist and diplomat who repeatedly has been named in the Epstein files. 

Traitor MANDELSON has gone - Can STARMER survive?  #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #LIVE #UKPolitics #Starmer #Mandelson #Treason #Starmerout  Peter Mandelson has gone now the question is can Starmer cling on? Is Angela Rayner going to be next PM.  Tonight at 6 Jon Gaunt wants your views. Is this the biggest political scandal of all time?  Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt LIVE, Jon Gaunt TV, LIVE politics show, Peter Mandelson, Keir Starmer, Starmer leadership pressure, Labour Party crisis, Westminster politics, UK politics today, Parliament drama, UK Parliament, Labour infighting, political scandal UK, breaking politics UK, live political debate, British government news, opinion politics show, no-nonsense politics, viewer call-in politics, establishment politics exposed, today in Parliament  #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #LIVEPolitics #UKPolitics #Starmer #Mandelson #Westminster #LabourParty #PoliticalNews #Parliament 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.

MANDELSON IS FINISHED — BUT CAN STARMER SURVIVE? LIVE  #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #LiveShow #UKPolitics #KeirStarmer #PeterMandelson #Epstein #EpsteinCase  MANDELSON IN MELTDOWN — BUT IS STARMER GOING DOWN WITH HIM?  Today's live show asks the question rocking Westminster: has Keir Starmer made the worst political judgement call of his leadership? Peter Mandelson's past associations — including his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — are back in the headlines, dragging Labour into a storm it thought was buried years ago. Fair or not, the word "sleaze" is circling again, and voters have long memories. Now Starmer looks like a man scrambling to create distance. Tough talk. Hard lines. Signals he wants clear blue water between himself and the old New Labour fixer. Critics say he's effectively throwing Mandelson under the bus because politically, he has no choice. But here's the problem: Starmer chose to bring him back. No one forced that decision. No one slipped Mandelson through the back door. So what does this say about Starmer's judgement? Did he ignore internal warnings because he believed the public wouldn't care? Did his inner circle — including Morgan McSweeney — misread the mood of the country? Or does this show a deeper issue: that Labour still can't resist the pull of its old power brokers?  This isn't just about Mandelson anymore. It's about leadership instinct. Political radar. The ability to spot a grenade before you pull the pin. If Starmer can't see the damage in his own appointments, how can he claim he's able to run the country?

In this week's episode, we discuss the Labour Party cheerfully throwing Peter Mandelson under the bus. We look at the allegations and the possible police investigation that's been called for by the SNP and others after leaks of sensitive information by him to Jeffrey Epstein. Everybody is deciding that he betrayed the country, that they're shocked and horrified by these allegations, and yet, Mandelson was a repeat offender in terms of breaking the rules, and Kier Starmer put him right back at the top of government yet again. We look at the further damage to the UK PM's reputation and the sorry state of the Westminster Government. We ponder how this reflects on his right-hand man, Morgan McSweeney? And what does it say about the House of Lords and our so-called democracy when this man cannot have his peerage stripped away?Become a Pal or Buddy, support the podcast: https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribeLinksFinland Film Showingshttps://lesleyriddoch.com/eventsFrench Government Social Mediahttps://www.politico.eu/article/france-diplomats-memes-fight-maga-era-information-wars-emmanuel-macron/Richard Murphy - Big parties are falling flatM for some reasonhttps://www.thenational.scot/politics/25815305.big-parties-falling-flat-reason/Liam McArthur - Podcast Extrahttps://share.transistor.fm/s/7d0b957a ★ Support this podcast ★

This program was broadcast on Friday January 30, 2025. Here are the main stories… – Starmer in China – The truth about Iran 'protestor casualties' – USN Carrier Group move to Persian Gulf – The collapse of US dollar, Gold as new reserve currency – UK Politics, UBI, and AI in government – A new "British FBI" police force Co-hosts Patrick Henningsen and Brian Gerrish are joined by guest Basil Valentine. Watch this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz_1oYh-Sco  SUPPORT OUR 21WIRE FUNDRAISING DRIVE – BECOME A MEMBER @21WIRE.TV VISIT OUR TELEGRAM CHANNEL

STARMER and LABOUR treat us with complete disdain! #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Starmer #Labour #RachelReeves #China #illegalmigration #pubs The dictionary definition of DISDAIN is a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior : scorn. Well that sums up LABOUR and STARMER'S attitude to the majority of working class Brits doesn't it? Consider their attitude to the following: Flag controversies Ignore our concerns about mass uncontrolled illegal migration Make us wait for weeks for pub deal and its a damp squib and Rachel Reeeves didn't even present it in Commons today, she sent along a sixth form work experience boy! What a coincidence that Starmer has gone to China on this day? Putting our war heroes from Northern Ireland in court Diversity for all except white working class Ed Miliband green cobblers is like a church curate he knows what is best for us Chagos give away-don't get me started. Andy Burnham not being allowed to stand as an MP to save Starmer's neck. Using our cash to fight for human rights of flip flop warriors Do I need to go on?! As I say DISDAIN is a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior. They simply don't care what we think or say. Maybe a General Strike is only way to make them listen? #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Starmer #Labour #RachelReeves #China #illegalmigration #pubs JonGaunt, JonGauntTV, Starmer, Labour, RachelReeves, China, illegalmigration, pubs, 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.

In this week's episode, we digest a heavy couple of weeks of news, including the latest killing by ICE agents in Minneapolis. We ask how long can Reform in the UK continue to get away with their references to America, connections with the Trump administration, and leaning on the sort of DOGE style of efficiencies in government as their big offer in the Scottish elections? We look at Lesley's column and discussion of whether Scotland should have boycotted the World Cup if Trump had gone further with Greenland threats. We also look at Andy'King of  the North' Burnham's knockback from standing, in the forthcoming by-election that would have let him jump in as a replacement Labour leader. Will it all just be brushed under the carpet? How successful will that be? Scottish Labour seems to have got a new tactic of ‘mandamification' of Anas Sarwar. We digest the attempts to ape the social media style of the New York Mayor with groovy videos, the walking, talking, jazzy music, and jumping camera shots. Will that work?Edinburgh Cameo screening of the Finland filmUnfortunately the Cameo double booked themselves. The February 20th screening of the Finland film HAS MOVED to Sunday March 22nd 5.15pm. TTicket-holders for the original date will be refunded but must buy a new ticket for the March date. Sorry about that. A new booking link for March 22nd will be online soon at https://lesleyriddoch.com/events.LinksScottish Labour is a party stuck in long-term declinehttps://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25789020.scottish-labour-party-stuck-long-term-decline/Gavin Newsome  World Economic Forum Davoshttps://www.youtube.com/live/ObkKhPt1QM0?si=lzSpDW8FWWTrWB_UDeacon Blue 'appalled' after Malcolm Offord quotes Dignityhttps://www.thenational.scot/news/25800409.deacon-blue-appalled-malcolm-offord-quotes-dignity/ ★ Support this podcast ★

Reform UK or Recycle UK? Farage's Tory Problem  #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #ReformUK #NigelFarage #SuellaBraverman  IS REFORM UK NOW "RECYCLE UK"? | Farage, Braverman & The Tory Takeover? LIVE  Is Reform UK becoming a refuge for failed Conservatives? After Suella Braverman's defection, people are asking a brutal question — is Nigel Farage building a real alternative government… or just rebranding the Tory party?

Are we still living in a DEMOCRACY in STARMER'S BRITAIN? #Starmer #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #FreeSpeech #DigitalID #TwoTierPolicing #BBCBias #China #crowborough #UKDemocracy #LiveDebate Consider this: Andy Burnham banned from standing. Elections cancelled over 4 million denied a vote. Illegal migrants bussed into Crowborough without regard to residents objections. Record low popularity ratings for PM Jury Trials scrapped 14 U-Turns on policy in 18 months Over reliance on communist China, why is STARMER allowing massive new Embassy and going on State visit next week. Why are we paying Billions to give our territory to Mauritus Any more reasons to be cheerful?!  Keir Starmer, Starmer UK, UK politics live, Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt TV, Britain free speech, authoritarianism UK, digital ID UK, two tier policing, BBC bias, British media bias, UK protest policing, Southport riots, Lucy Connolly, Birmingham policing, Reform UK, Nigel Farage, Red Wall, UK immigration debate, Dover crossings, EU rejoin, UK democracy, civil liberties UK, cancel elections UK, political censorship, UK government criticism, live political debate, UK culture war, state overreach UK #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #FreeSpeech #DigitalID #TwoTierPolicing #BBCBias #CivilLiberties #StateOverreach #UKDemocracy #LiveDebate 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.

Charles C. W. Cooke, Senior Editor at National Review, and host of The Charles C. W. Cooke Podcast, joined us on the Guy Benson Show today to discuss a variety of stories at home and abroad. Overseas, Cooke discussed a shocking case of antisemitism in the UK regarding the discrimination of Jewish soccer fans in the country, as well as the continued rightward shift in the country as a whole. On the home front, Benson and Cooke discussed Trump's latest push for credit card regulations and the sorrow of loss in American sports, and you can listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Celebrities turned the Golden Globes into a political statement, flashing Renee Good pins while chaos erupted in the streets. As protests over the Minnesota ICE shooting spiral out of control, even CNN reporters are getting pushed back by activists.Scott Bessent delivers one of the most brutal reality checks of the week, while the UK flirts with the idea of banning X altogether. Meanwhile, TikTok melts down, elected officials dodge accountability, and the media keeps running cover.From Hollywood virtue signaling to activist judges and international fallout — this episode covers it all.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS TO SUPPORT OUR SHOW!Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market from Honeylove. Save 20% at https://Honeylove.com/Chicks Start protecting your bones now with HealthyCell's NEW Bone Strength—visit https://Healthycell.com/CHICKS and use code CHICKS20 for 20% off!Lose meaningful weight healthily with LEAN—get 20% off at https://TakeLean.com using code CHICKS.Subscribe and stay tuned for new episodes every weekday!Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramTikTokXLocalsMore Info

Today marks the thirteenth consecutive day of widespread anti-government protests in Iran.Iran's top security body has warned that the Iranian judiciary and security forces will show "no leniency towards saboteurs", amid internet blackouts.Adam is joined in the Newscast studio by BBC chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, to discuss the context and history of the unrest in Iran, plus President Trump's warnings to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his response. Also in the studio is New Statesman political editor Ailbhe Rea and The House Mag deputy editor Sienna Rodgers, to wrap up the first calendar week of UK 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 Anna Harris with Chloe Scannapieco and Jem Westgate. The social producer was Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.