James O'Brien Daily

A child leading chants of “let them drown” at a protest over Channel crossings leaves James asking what is happening to Britain. Why is hatred being taught instead of challenged?

James hears from callers who describe the fear felt by people of colour as anti-migrant rhetoric becomes more open, more extreme and increasingly detached from the facts.

This episode was recorded on the 24th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Why is it harder to be young today? James asks why so many young people are experiencing mental distress - from insecure work and unaffordable housing to social media, climate anxiety and a future that feels impossible to plan for.

Then, James examines one of Westminster’s enduring mysteries: why aren’t the Liberal Democrats making more of an impact when British politics feels so fractured?

This episode was recorded on the 23rd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Donald Trump has shredded the diplomatic rulebook - so what is a British Prime Minister supposed to do when meeting him? James examines the impossible task of dealing with a US President who demands loyalty, thrives on flattery and can reverse his position overnight.

Then, as migration figures fall sharply, James asks why the politicians and newspapers who demanded lower numbers are refusing to celebrate.

This episode was recorded on the 22nd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

What does it mean to lose someone while they are still physically there? James hears powerful accounts from families affected by dementia, as the disease is now being described by leading experts as Britain’s greatest health and social care crisis.

Plus, women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson has said that “all of us as women in society are unsafe”, prompting a conversation about women’s safety and why it must no longer be treated as normal.

This episode was recorded on the 21st of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

A lifeboat station in Portsmouth has halted operations after RNLI volunteers faced abuse for rescuing people in distress at sea. What does it say about Britain when those who risk their lives to save strangers are branded “traitors” and targeted by masked protesters?

Then, Charles Spencer has made new claims about King Charles’s reaction to Princess Diana’s death. James asks whether the Earl is honouring his sister’s memory or publicly washing the family’s dirty linen.

This episode was recorded on the 18th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

The people at the heart of artificial intelligence are warning that its development could pose a threat to humanity. James asks what we should really fear - from cyberattacks to the prospect of systems we may no longer be able to control.

Plus, what is the difference between good strict and bad strict? As a headteacher sparks backlash after suspending 25 pupils in the first week of school, James hears powerful stories of harsh discipline, corporal punishment and humiliation.

This episode was recorded on the 17th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

A village votes to leave the UK over plans to house asylum seekers nearby. What is really behind the anger in Piddington and what does the reaction reveal about the debate over asylum, safety and integration?

Plus, thousands of people are being pushed out of paid work to care for sick family members. With around 1,500 Britons reportedly leaving their jobs every day, James looks at the human cost of Britain’s care crisis and asks why families are being left to pick up the pieces.

This episode was recorded on the 16th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

The UK’s political future is back in the spotlight as nationalist parties push for greater independence. What would actually happen if Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland went their separate ways and what would it mean for the rest of Britain?

And, are we scrolling our brains away? Reading for pleasure can boost memory, empathy and mental health, but as TikTok and short-form content take over our attention, are we losing one of the simplest habits that keeps our minds healthy?

This episode was recorded on the 15th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Reform has been handed a record-breaking £72 million by two crypto billionaires. Who are they, what are they buying with that influence and does this mark a shift towards the kind of billionaire-funded politics we’ve seen in the US?

And, self-driving cars could put thousands of jobs at risk. A thinktank is calling for them to be taxed to help offset the impact. Is this fair or is it simply the price of progress?

Plus, exercise in schools is falling off. As children become less active, are we sleepwalking into a health crisis?

This episode was recorded on the 14th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Twenty-five years after 9/11, James O’Brien asks how the attacks changed the world - from America’s sense of security to the suspicion and hostility faced by Muslim communities.

James speaks to Michael Lomonaco about his extraordinary story. As executive chef at Windows on the World, he was due to be at the top of the North Tower, but a last-minute visit to an optician saved his life.

This episode was recorded on the 11th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

If you’re affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can call the Samaritans for free, at any time, on 116 123.

What does 'working class' mean in Britain in 2026 and can a government genuinely build education policy around it? James O’Brien explores social mobility, poverty, privilege and the children most in need of support.

Then, AI is being hailed as a potential cure for cancer. At the same time, leading researchers are warning it could kill us all. James O’Brien explores the extraordinary contradiction at the heart of the AI revolution.

This episode was recorded on the 10th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Ed Miliband has declared that Britain will no longer treat illegal Israeli settlement activity as business as usual. James asks whether sanctions are a long-overdue assertion of international law, and why calling out the Israeli Government is so often wrongly conflated with antisemitism.

Plus, what does occupation mean for children trying to get to school, access healthcare and live without fear? James is joined by Save the Children UK's Executive Director for Global Impact, George Graham.

This episode was recorded on the 9th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

As the UK moves to sanction goods from illegal Israeli settlements, James explores the arguments from all sides: is it a long-overdue response to injustice in the West Bank, an inadequate symbolic gesture, or a damaging political mistake?

Then, Nigel Farage wants to ban face coverings after masked men terrorised communities in Dover and Portsmouth. But why does his answer appear to focus on Muslim women rather than the men causing the fear?

This episode was recorded on the 8th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Reform claims to stand for women’s safety and free speech. So why was a young woman assaulted for heckling Nigel Farage and why did party figures respond with mockery rather than condemnation?

Plus, callers reflect on the “other life” they might have lived if their ADHD, autism or learning needs had been recognised at school.

This episode was recorded on the 7th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Why do some people keep defending Nigel Farage, whatever happens? James considers the fresh allegations surrounding Reform’s funding and asks whether anger at the political establishment has become more powerful than facts, principles or self-interest.

Plus, how do you cope when your mum, dad or closest friend becomes radicalised online? James hears from listeners whose relationships have been changed by far-right politics.

This episode was recorded on the 4th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Is this the beginning of the end for Nigel Farage? As Reform UK slips behind the Conservatives in a new poll and bans critical journalists from its conference, James examines the pressure building around a party that says it stands for free speech.

Then, James explores the lives behind the figures on workless households. What does it mean for children to grow up without parents in employment?

This episode was recorded on the 3rd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Has Donald Trump swapped sides? James is joined by The Guardian’s Luke Harding to examine Trump’s extraordinary relationship with Vladimir Putin, his retreat from Ukraine and the dangerous new age of conquest unfolding across the world.

But first, Andy Burnham says Britain’s malaise can be traced back to privatisation, austerity, deindustrialisation and Brexit. Is he right — and can Britain undo 40 years of wrong turns?

This episode was recorded on the 2nd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Six weeks into his premiership, Andy Burnham says he wants to bring optimism back to Britain. James asks why the country appears willing to believe in him — and whether authenticity, conviction and a willingness to challenge the old rules can survive the realities of government.

Plus, as Burnham tells MPs that “more public control” is the way to grow the UK economy, what is your immediate reaction to renationalisation? Why does privatisation have such a hold on the public imagination?

This episode was recorded on the 1st of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

More than 200 extra police officers have been sent into Middlesbrough following a series of violent incidents in recent days. But what’s behind the sudden surge in police presence and what is really happening on the streets?

And, what if your dream home became a nightmare? Victims of cowboy builders have been left thousands out of pocket and living with unfinished, unsafe homes. Now, new government plans aim to stop others suffering the same fate.

This episode was recorded on the 28th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Could AI replace your job? And, if it can, what should society do about it? James considers warnings that the technology may soon outpace our ability to manage its consequences, from mass unemployment to a crisis in education.

Also, as easyJet more than doubles its over-50s cabin crew and encourages retraining, James asks why one career should have to last a lifetime. He hears remarkable stories from people who took the leap and found their calling later in life.

This episode was recorded on the 27th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

As Israel moves ahead with settlement plans that could destroy any remaining prospect of a two-state solution, James asks whether Andy Burnham’s government can continue to do nothing. Are sanctions now the only meaningful response?

Plus, Britons are being urged to prepare for emergencies. From storing water to stocking up on tinned food, how ready are we if normal life suddenly stops working?

This episode was recorded on the 26th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Following the deaths of two police officers in a fatal wrong-way crash, James examines the online videos that glamorise dangerous driving. Is it enough to blame TikTok, or do millions of views reveal a demand that viewers are helping to create?

Plus, as one in seven people in England are prescribed antidepressants, James explores the difference between everyday sadness and clinical depression. What support really helps people get better?

This episode was recorded on the 25th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

If you’re affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can call the Samaritans for free, at any time, on 116 123.

As lifelong Conservative voters describe themselves as politically homeless, has Kemi Badenoch abandoned the party’s traditional values in favour of culture wars and social-media soundbites?

And, with graduates facing an increasingly uncertain job market and AI threatening white-collar roles, are traditional trades now a safer bet than university?

Plus, three-quarters of secondary schools reportedly breaking food standards. Why are British children still being served crisps, burgers and chocolate, and who is responsible for fixing school food?

This episode was recorded on the 24th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Racism and sexism are becoming normalised in Britain, according to Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson. From casual racist language to far-right narratives online, when did behaviour once considered beyond the pale start to feel ordinary?

Then, as England has been described as a “maths powerhouse” following improved exam results, James explores the lifelong impact of maths anxiety, dyscalculia and an education system that can shut doors on young people.

This episode was recorded on the 21st of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

As Harry and Meghan prepare to return to the UK later this month, what would they need to do to make a life in Britain possible again? James explores the racism and misogyny surrounding Meghan’s treatment, and the media machine that helped turn affection into fury.

Also, boys are catching up with girls at GCSE and outperforming them at A-Level. Are exam-heavy assessments, classroom policy and changing pressures on young people reshaping the results gap?

This episode was recorded on the 20th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

As Andy Burnham launches his 'national drive' to get rough sleepers off the streets by Christmas, James examines why homelessness has become part of the backdrop of city life.

Plus, new research suggests London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone has helped children’s lungs recover from the effects of pollution. So why did ULEZ provoke such extraordinary fury?

This episode was recorded on the 19th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Donald Trump has threatened to bomb US ally Oman if it “gets in the way” of talks with Iran. As he fuels instability across the world, why has the public conversation about Trump become quieter rather than louder? Have we become desensitised?

Plus, as Wetherspoon bans customers from playing music on their phones in pubs, James asks: why don’t we feel shame about disturbing other people anymore?

This episode was recorded on the 18th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

When does legitimate scrutiny become something crueler? James reflects on the death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday, the media frenzy surrounding the allegations against him, and whether the gleefulness of some commentary demands a reckoning.

Plus, as Andy Burnham is minded to approve a North Sea gas field, can Labour support fossil-fuel jobs in the short term without abandoning its climate commitments?

This episode was recorded on the 17th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

If you’re affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can call the Samaritans for free, at any time, on 116 123.

In today’s episode, James unpicks the extraordinary events in Clacton, where Nigel Farage’s by-election gamble ended with an absent winner, a cancelled press conference and a growing sense of humiliation.

Plus, why do so many men think they could become Olympians? After a survey found that four in ten men believe they could qualify for the Olympics within two years, James explores confidence, delusion and the punishing reality of elite sport.

This episode was recorded on the 14th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

No guaranteed hours, no guaranteed income and no way to plan ahead: James examines the lives shaped by zero-hours contracts and the government’s proposed ban.

Then, after new figures suggest Andy Burnham’s devolution push could drive 90,000 bankers and lawyers out of London, James asks why people relocate. What do you gain, lose or trade when you leave the capital?

This episode was recorded on the 13th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Why are we so reluctant to confront our fear about climate change? As extreme heat grips Britain, James asks what the government can do to prepare for a future of water shortages, failing crops and more frequent floods.

Then, after the Prime Minister says wealthier areas should house more asylum seekers, James hears from communities already doing just that and asks whether the debate has been distorted by fear and misinformation.

This episode was recorded on the 12th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Can Andy Burnham reverse the decline of Britain’s high streets? James explores why so many town centres are filled with empty units, vape shops and betting shops.

Then, as the government looks for a way to prevent the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers, James asks whether public outrage should ever override the justice system. If the Prime Minister intervenes in one emotive case, where does it end?

This episode was recorded on the 11th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

After anti-migrant violence and disorder in Thetford, James asks what could possibly justify a baying crowd outside someone’s front door. Is online misinformation spilling dangerously into real life?

Plus, what happens when the formative years of school, friendship and independence are replaced by isolation and screens? James explores the legacy of COVID for a generation now entering adulthood.

This episode was recorded on the 10th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

In today’s episode, James shares his personal sense of disappointment over the claims surrounding former Cambridge professor Jason Arday, before asking why the case has captured such intense attention — and who else may pay the price.

But first, Alan Milburn, who is leading a review into Britain’s youth worklessness crisis, says primary schools in England should be required to identify children at risk of leaving education at 16 without a job. Can the system really predict a child’s future when they’re five years old?

This episode was recorded on the 7th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Why is it still so hard to ask for help? James explores Andy Burnham’s pledge that “help is on the way”, with more than 150 new NHS mental health centres set to open. In today’s episode, incredible callers share their personal stories of struggle and recovery.

Plus, after a former neo-Nazi withdrew as a Tory candidate for Somerset Council, Kemi Badenoch gave him an advisory role. Should forgiveness ever open the door to public office?

This episode was recorded on the 6th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

New guidance on single-sex spaces has reignited the debate around trans rights, women’s safety and how the law could ever be enforced in practice. In today's episode James asks who gets to decide who belongs in a women’s toilet or changing room .

Then, with PC Andrew Harper’s killers eligible for early release, James explores whether Andy Burnham should make an exception. Would that be justice, or a dangerous precedent in an overcrowded prison system?

This episode was recorded on the 5th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Can someone with a past as a neo-Nazi genuinely change and, if so, should they be allowed to stand for election? James examines Kemi Badenoch’s defence of a controversial Conservative candidate, and where society should draw the line on second chances.

Plus: Britain’s prison system is full. As Burnham restricts early release for rapists, serious child sex offenders and groomers, James hears directly from former prisoners about what happens after release. What support do they need to prevent reoffending?

This episode was recorded on the 4th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

What is school actually for? As Education Secretary Lucy Powell takes aim at a “schooling straitjacket”, James asks whether children are being tested too much - or whether testing is necessary to measure their success.

Then, a new report suggests that nearly two-thirds of voters want Burnham to introduce a wealth tax on assets above £10 million. Why does asking the super-rich to contribute more remain controversial? Have we been gaslit into protecting wealth we will never possess?

This episode was recorded on the 3rd of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Is Donald Trump bringing peace to Gaza, or simply claiming credit for something that has not happened yet? James examines a new US-led proposal, Israel’s telling silence, and the political forces that could still derail any agreement.

Plus, TSB staff are preparing legal action after their new owner, Santander, insisted they return to the office for three days a week. Who should decide where you work: you or your boss?

This episode was recorded on the 31st of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Can climate change make your life feel better while making the world worse? James confronts the uneasy appeal of hotter British summers and asks how we can hold both truths at once: enjoying a warm evening in the garden while recognising the catastrophic reality of climate change.

Then, a challenging question about food. If organic eggs can have a bigger environmental footprint than caged ones, what does doing the “right” thing actually look like — and why aren’t more of us cutting down on meat and dairy?

This episode was recorded on the 30th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

In today’s episode, James dissects Andy Burnham’s speech on one of Britain’s most long-running crises: social care. Can the Prime Minister deliver the reform we have been waiting decades for?

Plus, Green Party leader Zack Polanski has repeatedly refused to apologise to Nigel Farage over a reposted image of a guillotine T-shirt. Should Polanski say sorry — or does Farage’s response expose a glaring double standard in political language?

This episode was recorded on the 29th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

France and Spain are facing devastating wildfires, mass evacuations and extreme heat — but why are so many of us tempted to look away? In today's episode, James confronts climate anxiety, news avoidance and the human reality behind the headlines.

Before that, an examination of Andy Burnham’s plans to give technical education greater status alongside academic learning.

This episode was recorded on the 28th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Burnham has said the NHS ‘will collapse’ without social care reform, but what should those changes look like? James hears about listeners’ experiences of care home costs, before asking why Britain still has no fair way to fund care. Did Theresa May have the right idea with her ‘dementia tax’?

Then, James explores the growing number of young people who are too anxious to enter work, education or training. How can we help those who are frightened of the world take their first steps back into it?

This episode was recorded on the 27th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Should Britain continue to support US military operations against Iran, even when Donald Trump seems unable to explain what victory looks like? Can Burnham refuse to join Trump's war without abandoning Britain's long-standing allies?

Then, as the Prime Minister cuts business rates for pubs and clubs, what do we really mean when we talk about "working-class culture"?

This episode was recorded on the 24th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

In today’s episode, James responds to the Prime Minister’s plans to review the early prisoner release scheme, following news that two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers could be freed early. What can Burnham feasibly do between now and Christmas to make a difference to our prison system?

James also speaks with the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, about falling crime rates in the capital. Why are so many people determined to paint London as a dystopian hellhole?

This episode was recorded on the 23rd of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Why is capping bus fares one of Andy Burnham’s first priorities? In today’s episode, James explores how affordable public transport can mean the difference between getting to work, attending a medical appointment or simply being able to get out of the house.

Then, a stark conversation about the reality of running out of money before payday. Callers share what it means to go without essentials — from food to toilet rolls and tampons — and James asks why so many people still refuse to acknowledge the precariousness facing millions of households.

This episode was recorded on the 22nd of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

In this episode, James explores what will define Andy Burnham’s early days in Downing Street: style, substance, or both? From cutting energy bills to making people feel heard, the new Prime Minister is attempting to restore faith in politics.

Burnham has also made one of the first major pledges of his premiership: to end rough sleeping in this country. But is homelessness actually fixable?

This episode was recorded on the 21st of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Why does Britain keep tearing through Prime Ministers at breakneck speed? As Andy Burnham becomes the fifth Prime Minister in the past four years, James asks what's really behind the chaos: Brexit, media frenzy or a political culture that's addicted to change?

And with Keir Starmer bidding farewell to Downing Street today, what can Burnham offer that Starmer couldn't?

This episode was recorded on the 20th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

As Andy Burnham prepares to become Prime Minister on Monday, James asks whether the new Labour leader's plan to move decision-making out of the capital is the right thing to do. Is this the start of a genuine political reset?

Then, with two million parents taking their child out of school during term-time, James asks whether it is ever acceptable to prioritise a holiday over their education.

This episode was recorded on the 17th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

After England’s defeat to Argentina, James asks what’s changed in the national mood around the team — and why this group of players feels so different from those of the past. Then he turns to a more urgent question: if simply paying benefits isn’t enough, what would actually help young people who are out of work get into the workplace?

This episode was recorded on the 16th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

In today’s episode, James dives into the powerful, often irrational emotions football stirs in us, as England prepare to face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final. Why does supporting our team move us to tears?

From sporting nerves to a different national anxiety: retirement. With the state pension age rising and many feeling unprepared for life after work, James asks what happens when retirement comes too soon — or never feels within reach at all.

This episode was recorded on the 15th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

In today’s episode, James takes on two urgent questions shaping life in modern Britain: why coverage of extreme heat so often avoids mentioning the climate crisis, and why the UK is raising one of the unhealthiest generations of children in Europe.

This episode was recorded on the 14th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James O’Brien is back - and straight into the storm.

In today’s episode, James asks whether this time really is different for Nigel Farage, as questions mount over his secretive £5 million "gift', his shifting explanations, and a response that James argues has made him look rattled, thin-skinned and weak.

If Farage has always sold himself as the outsider taking on the establishment, has the mask finally slipped?

This episode was recorded on the 13th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Independent MP Karl Turner guest presents James O’Brien Daily as he asks whether Andy Burnham would make a better Prime Minister than Keir Starmer.

Callers weigh in on Burnham’s communication style, Labour’s direction after Starmer, the pressures of modern media scrutiny, and whether a more devolved, regionally driven model of government could reconnect Westminster with the rest of the country.

(James is back on Monday!)

This episode was recorded on the 10th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Robert Jenrick guest hosts the James O’Brien Daily podcast as Nigel Farage’s shock decision to quit as MP for Clacton and trigger a by-election dominates the national conversation.

Is this a bold democratic move that puts the question back to voters — or a political stunt designed to dodge scrutiny? Robert hears from callers on both sides as they clash over accountability, the parliamentary standards process, media coverage, and whether Farage is being targeted by the establishment or simply refusing to face the facts.

This week's guest hosts:

Friday: Independent MP Karl Turner

This episode was recorded on the 8th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Jess Phillips guest hosts the James O’Brien Daily podcast and doesn’t hold back.

With Nigel Farage triggering a by-election in Clacton rather than facing parliamentary scrutiny over questions about his finances, Jess asks whether this is political genius, political cowardice, or just a desperate grab for attention. As callers weigh in, the conversation turns to standards in public life, accountability, and whether Farage is playing the public for fools.

This week's guest hosts:

Thursday: Reform UK Treasury Spokesperson Robert Jenrick

Friday: Independent MP Karl Turner

This episode was recorded on the 8th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Former Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting guest hosts the James O’Brien Daily podcast and takes on one of the biggest rows in public life: should NHS consultants be demanding more pay right now?

Drawing on his time in government, Wes reflects on the strikes threat, the pressures facing the NHS, and the difficult balance between valuing doctors properly and protecting the wider health service. Along the way, callers share powerful personal experiences of care, waste, staffing shortages, disability support, student debt, and what it really feels like trying to build a life in Britain today.

This week's guest hosts:

Wednesday: Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley Jess Phillips

Thursday: Reform UK Treasury Spokesperson Robert Jenrick

Friday: Independent MP Karl Turner

This episode was recorded on the 7th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Angela Rayner guest hosts the James O’Brien Daily podcast and brings a mix of optimism, anger and straight-talking politics.

After England’s World Cup victory over Mexico lifted the mood, Angela asks what needs to change in Britain to make life feel fairer and more hopeful - from flexible working and better jobs to stronger public services and more opportunity for young people. She also takes on Nigel Farage over fresh questions about money, donations and transparency, and later turns to the care system to hear from those living and working through its daily pressures.

This week's guest hosts:

Tuesday: Former Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting

Wednesday: Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley Jess Phillips

Thursday: Reform UK Treasury Spokesperson Robert Jenrick

Friday: Independent MP Karl Turner

This episode was recorded on the 4th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

For his final turn in James' chair for now, Lewis Goodall asks whether Andy Burnham’s promised “circuit breaker” in British politics could really change anything at all.

After Burnham sets out his ambition to do politics differently - less point scoring, more problem solving, more power outside Westminster - Lewis and callers explore what people most dislike about the way British politics works now: the adversarial culture, the whipping system, the media-politics machine, and the grip of Whitehall. But even if everyone agrees the system is broken, can it actually be fixed from within?

This episode was recorded on the 3rd of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Lewis Goodall sits in for James O’Brien and takes on a quiet but profound crisis: Britain’s birth rate has fallen so far that deaths are now outnumbering births for the first time.

What does that mean for the future of the country, the economy, and the welfare state? And why are so many people choosing not to have children - or finding that they simply can’t afford to? From childcare costs and housing to careers, relationships and changing expectations, callers share the personal realities behind a huge national shift.

This episode was recorded on the 2nd of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Lewis Goodall sits in for James and asks a blunt question about Nigel Farage: if you want to be Prime Minister, how much outside money is too much?

With fresh questions over Farage’s earnings from a gold bullion company, on top of the already controversial £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire, Lewis explores whether Reform’s leader is starting to look less like an anti-establishment insurgent and more like a politician with too many financial interests to explain away. As callers weigh in, the debate turns to trust, standards in public life, and whether British politics is becoming numb to conflicts of interest that would once have ended careers.

This episode was recorded on the 1st of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Lewis Goodall sits in for James O’Brien and takes on one of the biggest questions facing the country: are we spending enough on defence in a far more dangerous world?

As Keir Starmer unveils his final defence investment plan in what feels like one of the last big acts of his premiership, Lewis asks whether Britain is genuinely prepared for the threats ahead - from Russia and the High North to cyber warfare and a less reliable America. With ministers promising more money for drones and deterrence, but critics warning it still falls short, the debate turns to what the UK can actually do, what it can’t, and whether politicians are being honest enough about the risks.

This episode was recorded on the 30th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Lewis Goodall sits in for James O’Brien and reacts to Andy Burnham’s first major speech as Prime Minister-in-waiting.

Broadcast from Manchester, Burnham sets out an ambitious vision for a “rewired Britain” - with a new Number 10 North, a huge shift of power away from Whitehall, major council house building, industrial strategy, and a promise to spread “good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart”. Lewis and callers ask the big question: is this the bold reset Britain has been waiting for, or a hopeful speech without the money to match?

This episode was recorded on the 29th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

With scientists linking the extreme temperatures directly to fossil fuel emissions, James explores why so many people still look away, why net zero is under political attack, and whether the heat itself might finally succeed where years of warnings have failed.

This episode was recorded on the 26th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

As Britain braces for another record-breaking June scorcher, James O’Brien asks the question beyond the weather forecast: what are we actually going to do about extreme heat becoming the new normal?

Then, with Andy Burnham reportedly looking to move part of Number 10’s operation to Manchester, James turns to a thorny political and cultural question: does it matter if the next Prime Minister has a northern accent - and if so, why?

This episode was recorded on the 25th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

The UK is experiencing another red weather warning heatwave this week. So why, even as temperatures soar and climate warnings become impossible to ignore, don't we feel the urgency?

And, on the 10th anniversary of Brexit, James O’Brien asks the question that still matters most: who was most responsible for it? From David Cameron and Boris Johnson to the media, Jeremy Corbyn and beyond, James and his callers revisit the decisions, lies and absurd moments that pushed Britain towards a national act of self-harm.

This episode was recorded on the 24th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James reacts to the resignation of Keir Starmer and asks the question now hanging over British politics: should Labour move fast to "crown" Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, or does the party need a proper contest?

This episode was recorded on the 23rd of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Keir Starmer is out. James reflects on where it all went wrong, why his premiership became so brittle, and whether Britain may come to regret forcing him out. With Andy Burnham moving quickly to the front of the pack, the conversation turns to what comes next for Labour - and whether a new leader can succeed where Starmer could not.

Later, in honour of Windrush Day, James speaks to Justice4Windrush campaigners including the daughter of Herbert Hewey, a man whose life was destroyed by Home Office during the Windrush scandal, in a powerful reminder that justice is still far from done.

This episode was recorded on the 22nd of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James reacts to the political shockwaves from Makerfield, where Andy Burnham’s victory piles huge pressure on Keir Starmer and raises the question that now feels unavoidable: should he fight on, or step aside?

This episode was recorded on the 19th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Following the England men’s squad triumphant defeat of Croatia in their first game of the World Cup, James discusses that fact that, win or lose, it's inevitable that our black players will have to deal with racism both on, and off thew pitch.

So damaging is the online racism that our players receive, England manager Thomas Tuchel has said it’d be better for players to stay off social media entirely… while FIFA has revealed strengthened protections against abuse.

Whether they deliver their bigotry via social media or in real life - what do these racists get out of it?

This episode was recorded on the 18th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James asks if Starmer is really failing, or whether a culture of online conspiracy, media distortion and political chaos is shaping how the country sees him. Do you want to see a leadership challenge?

Then, James turns to the future king’s education, and what Eton represents in modern Britain: privilege, power, tradition, and the enduring grip of class.

This episode was recorded on the 17th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James examines the widespread conspiracy theory - spread by Russia - that the firebombing of a house owned by Sir Keir Starmer was carried out by disgruntled "rent-boys" that he had failed to pay. Why are so many of us willing to believe obvious nonsense?

Then, James turns to the heartbreaking case of baby Preston Davey, exploring whether repeated warning signs were missed by professionals - or whether this is the awful reality of overstretched services trying to spot evil in plain sight.

This episode was recorded on the 16th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James welcomes Keir Starmer’s plan to ban under-16s from social media, calling it one of the boldest and most important decisions of his premiership. As James reflects on the damage these platforms can do - from addiction and anxiety to self-harm content and relentless bullying - callers share their own experiences of trying to protect children from an online world designed to keep them hooked.

This episode was recorded on the 15th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

If Britain really faces a growing military threat, why has no one made the case clearly enough to the public?

After the resignations of two defence ministers heap fresh pressure on Keir Starmer, James opens up a bigger, more serious conversation about national security, cyber warfare, Russia, NATO and whether the UK is truly prepared for what may be coming. If the danger is real, what exactly should more defence spending pay for?

This episode was recorded on the 12th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James opens the phones on the biggest event in world sport and asks two deceptively simple questions: why aren’t more of us excited, and why aren’t more fans going? From eye-watering prices and tournament overload to FIFA, Donald Trump and the politics surrounding this year’s competition, callers explain why even lifelong football lovers are struggling to feel the usual magic.

This episode was recorded on the 11th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James confronts the horror of anti-immigrant violence on UK streets after homes are attacked in Belfast, asking how crimes committed by individuals are being twisted into collective punishment against entire communities. He also turns to the role of Elon Musk, social media and far-right agitators in stoking hatred — and asks why this is being allowed to happen in plain sight.

This episode was recorded on the 10th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James asks a deeply uncomfortable question: is university still worth it? For generations, higher education was sold as the great route to opportunity, independence and a better life - but with soaring fees, huge debt and shrinking returns, James wonders whether that promise still holds true, or whether it now belongs to a different era.

This episode was recorded on the 9th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James asks why politicians, including Keir Starmer, still seem so timid in tackling the harm social media can do to children. With callers from the tech world weighing in, he explores whether the safeguards already exist and why the biggest platforms so often fail to act.

Later, he analyses an extraordinary interview between NBC's Kristen Welker and Donald Trump, which the president ended abruptly after branding Welker, NBC and the 2020 election as "crooked".

This episode was recorded on the 8th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

After misinformation spread on Twitter by Elon Musk and others about the police officers involved in the tragic murder of Henry Nowak, is it time the government, politicians and media companies come off the platform? In today's episode James takes passionate calls from the nation who give their verdict.

And should we teach boys and girls differently in schools to help them reach their maximum potential? Well that's a theory ex footballer and England manager Gareth Southgate has, plus do bad bosses set you up to make you more resilient?

This episode was recorded on the 5th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Reflecting on the reaction to the killing of Henry Nowak, James examines how parts of the media and public life seize on race, policing and grievance - and asks what they really want when they sideline the truth.

Later, he also speaks to Labour MP Jess Asato about taking legal action over the sexualised images of her created and published on X using the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, and what that says about the toxic state of social media.

This episode was recorded on the 4th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James contrasts the dignified plea from Henry’s father not to use his son’s death to fuel “division, hatred or tension” with Nigel Farage’s inflammatory intervention, asking why so many were willing to ignore the family and the judge’s remarks... and why in the world is Kemi Badenoch drawing comparisons with the racist killing of Stephen Lawrence?

This episode was recorded on the 3rd of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James reflects on the killing of Henry Novak, the appalling police response in his final moments, and the anguish of a family now forced to watch their son’s death turned into a weapon of divison by Nigel Farage. James takes passionate contributions from listeners, including the former Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu.

This episode was recorded on the 2nd of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James unpacks the fallout around Nicola Sturgeon and asks the million dollar question: do you actually believe she knew nothing about her husband’s embezzlement of SNP funds?

Later, the focus shifts to recent reports of NHS maternity care failures - from understaffed wards to traumatic postnatal experiences, callers share heartbreaking stories that reveal where the system is falling short.

This episode was recorded on the 1st of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James tries to make sense of a week in which the White House line on Iran seemed to change by the day: ceasefire, threats, victory, retaliation, then talk of a "deal". James asks how Donald Trump has taken us here.

Later, James turns to figures showing tens of thousands of school suspensions in England linked to racist, homophobic and ableist abuse. Parents share heartbreaking accounts of what happens when their kids come home carrying hatred they’ve experienced in the classroom, and James explores what this says about the UK more broadly.

This episode was recorded on the 29th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

As new figures show more than a million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training, James opens the phones to hear from the people living it: young jobseekers, parents and employers. What actually happens to young people when they leave educattion and try to find work?

Later, James speaks to Carol Vorderman after she called for an apology from Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon over abusive online comments, in a wider discussion about misogyny, political accountability and the treatment of women in public life.

This episode was recorded on the 28th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Tony Blair has stuck his neck back out, warning that Labour risks "relegating Britain" from the premier league of nations. Do you care what Tony Blair has to say any more? If you do, how do you explain the 180-degree change in his politics? And… is he right?

And, as climate scientists sounded the alarm, the UK experienced its two hottest ever May days over the bank holiday weekend. The European heatwave even took the lives of seven people in France. This is not normal - so why aren’t we more worried?

This episode was recorded on the 27th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Today, top doctors warned that social media may be as harmful to young people as smoking — but what actually is the worst thing about it? Is it addiction, anxiety, misinformation, vanity, or something even harder to define?

And after two boys avoided jail for rape because a judge feared prison would “damage” their futures, listeners try to make sense of a decision that has sparked outrage and confusion. How should justice balance punishment, rehabilitation, and the impact on victims?

This episode was recorded on the 26th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Time for your bank holiday instalment of Mystery Hour, the game in which James invites his callers to ask and answer questions about absolutely anything. You are guaranteed to learn something new after listening to this (however please note James cannot guarantee the usefulness of any newly acquired knowledge).

The James O'Brien Daily podcast is back from the 26th May.

Immigration is plummeting - so why is the right-wing press screaming about a "brain drain"? James unpacks the ONS figures the Mail and Telegraph don't want you to understand.

Plus, the disturbing footage of Israel's Security Minister abusing detained British citizens — including a 72-year-old RAF veteran whose hands were tied around his neck. James asks: why did he film it, and why hasn't he been sacked? Callers from Belfast, Sweden, Muswell Hill and Islington deliver.

This episode was recorded on the 21st of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Net migration has plummeted to 193,000 - down more than 80% in just three years. So will it actually make any difference to the national conversation, or has the immigration debate moved beyond the reach of facts?

Plus, James speaks with Claire Zugar, who's father, Malcolm Ducker, a 72 year-old-British RAF veteran, has been filmed being detained and taunted by Israel's far-right security minster, Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with other Gaza flotilla activists. And, Sir Bill Browder, anti-corruption campaigner & head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, delivers a blunt verdict on the UK's decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil.

This episode was recorded on the 21st of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Life for young people seems to be harder than ever. How are young people coping with the astronomical cost of living, soaring house prices and rising youth employment?

And, with AI use on the rise as it infiltrates daily life, James ponders the question, when does AI use become cheating? As judges of a writing competition can’t be sure that AI wasn’t involved – where is the line for ‘proper’ use of AI and its place in modern society.

Today's show also features an interview with Arab Barghouti, son of Marwan Barghouti who has been in prison in Israel for 24 years after being convicted for involvement in attacks that resulted in the deaths of five people. He has always denied the charges and an Inter-Parliamentary Union report found that Barghouti was not given a fair trial.

This episode was recorded on the 20th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

HS2 could cost up to £102.7bn (up from £32bn) and may not open until 2039. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also explained today that the so-called “high-speed” trains will likely be ran slower, to trim costs. Why is HS2 taking so much time and money and why has the UK become so bad at building things?

And, Justice Secretary David Lammy is to consider raising the age of criminal responsibility above the current threshold of 10 years old. The move would mean children up to the age of 12 or 14 may no longer face prosecution for crimes... what age do you think a human being becomes criminally responsible for their actions?

This episode was recorded on the 19th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Brexit is back in the political spotlight thanks to the two biggest threats to Keir Starmer’s leadership - former Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. Streeting has advocated for a return to the EU, whereas Burnham believes re-running Brexit would leave the UK in rut.

Do you welcome this renewed national conversation about rejoining the EU?

This episode was recorded on the 18th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Today, James tackles the political bombshell shaking Labour: MP Josh Simons has resigned, clearing a path for Andy Burnham to return to Westminster - and potentially mount a future leadership challenge.

Is this a smart political move, blatant career choreography, or exactly what Labour needs right now? And if you’re from Manchester, why does Burnham remain so popular? From the Bee Network to his “King of the North” reputation, James asks what’s behind Burnham’s rising appeal and and whether that popularity could translate nationwide.

This episode was recorded on the 15th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Has Keir Starmer developed a credibility problem with the public? As frustration grows across the country and speculation intensifies over divisions inside Labour, is there actually a real appetite for a leadership challenge right now? And if change did happen, would any alternative genuinely connect better with voters, or risk making things worse?

Plus, the rumours and rising political pressure surrounding Wes Streeting, and the bigger question hanging over the party: would a new leader steady the ship, or plunge Labour into even deeper uncertainty at exactly the wrong time?

This episode was recorded on the 14th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Keir Starmer came into office promising a clean break. An end to the chaos, the incompetence, and the slow decay that’s defined British politics since 2016. But the sense of political rot hasn’t gone away. Public trust is still shattered, institutions are fragile, and voters across the spectrum are more cynical than ever. So what went wrong? Why hasn’t Starmer managed to turn things and now as he faces a leadership challenge, is it too late?

And, the King’s Speech today set out the roadmap for the country ahead - housing, immigration, energy, policing, and economic reform all on the table. But is this a serious plan for renewal, or just a familiar list of promises in a system already under strain?

This episode was recorded on the 13th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

The tide appears to have turned on Kier Starmer with reports that 81 Labour MPs want him to stand down. But Starmer says he won't go down without a leadership challenge. So, what’s actually gone wrong? And if Labour did move on from him, who could realistically step up and change the party’s direction?

Plus, Zack Polanski admits he made a mistake after failing to pay council tax, adding to a difficult few weeks for the Greens. As the party gains more attention ahead of the general election, so does the scrutiny.

This episode was recorded on the 12th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Keir Starmer is under pressure after Labour’s bruising losses last week.

In an impassioned defence of his leadership, Starmer insisted he is “not going anywhere,” warning Labour MPs that changing leader wouldn’t solve the party’s problems. He also laid out priorities including closer ties with Europe, taking control of British Steel in the national interest, and renewed support for working people and young families.

But with questions growing over leadership, is Starmer safe in his role? And can his message still rebuild trust before the next big political test?

This episode was recorded on the 11th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Britain’s political map is shifting, and Labour is feeling the backlash. The party has lost many council seats across the country, even in traditional strongholds.

With gains for Reform and The Green Party, a big question looms: was Labour wrong to tact to the right, or is something deeper reshaping politics?

Who’s gaining momentum, who’s on the back foot, and what do these first signals tell us about the road to 2026?

This episode was recorded on the 8th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.