PoliticsJOE Podcast

There's only one story in town at the moment. With Dario Amodei running around telling us all how dangerous he and his acolytes are, while Trump tells us we need to deregulate more than we already have, everyone's asking: Is AI about to end the world?

Cory Doctorow joins Ava to discuss this, breaking down the good and bad of the industry, and why the problem is far deeper than just the latest software Silicon Valley is imposing on the world.

Cory Doctorow's new book The Reverse Centaur's guide to Life after AI is out now: https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3584-the-reverse-centaur-s-guide-to-life-after-a

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Ava was joined by journalist for the Middle East Eye and author of Complicit, Peter Oborne. They break down the latest scandal engulfing Nigel Farage, and the Labour Party's change of heart on Palestine, by slapping sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

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In what may be Gary Stevenson's last ever interview, he spoke to PoliticsJOE about his new documentary How To Get Filthy Rich, the need for wealth taxes, and how we got into this mess in the first place.

How To Get Filthy Rich is available now on Channel 4 streaming.

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Gerry Adams is one of the most significant political figures on these islands of the last fifty years, and he has taken time out of his busy schedule to speak to PoliticsJOE.

In a conversation just days before the coronation of Andy Burnham and days after the burning of nationalist effigies on bonfires across his hometown, Adams speaks to us about the necessary next steps for Burnham's government, how to quell the rise of the far-right, and how to prepare for the end of the union with Britain.

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Baroness Beeban Kidron is a filmmaker and tech campaigner, and she joined Ava at Sunday Papers Live recently to speak about her book Users: How Big Tech Took Control and How to Fight Back.

During the course of the conversation, Kidron breaks down the ways in which big tech have wormed their way into democracy to warp regulatory structures for their own benefit. She also explains how they've knowingly harmed the lives of their users, and offers solutions for governments to fight back.

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Labour's leadership nominations opened today and, so far, Burnham remains unopposed on his march to Number 10. But who is Andy Burnham, and what does he want for Britain? Andy and Seán recap what we know so far, and speculate as to how Burnham might build a cabinet.

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With Keir Starmer away on NATO duty it's Deputies Day at PMQs, but Ava and Seán are still here to unpack the drama.

Nigel Farage's resignation stunt has lost some momentum after all the major parties announced they wouldn't be standing a candidate in Farage's 'People v Establishment' by-election, meaning the Reform leader will spend his summer battling Count Binface for the seat.

At the despatch box, David Lammy and James Cleverly clash over prison records and jury reform.

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Ava is joined by Venetia Menzies of Insight, the investigations team at The Sunday Times.

Over the weekend, Venetia and her colleagues published a story uncovering the extent of the relationship between Reform's Nigel Farage and 'Posh' George Cottrell, a convicted felon, as well as a potential breach of the parliamentary rules linked to gifts from Cottrell to Farage.

Menzies breaks down the story and the investigation leading up to it.

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Another week, another Reform scandal. Ava, Andy and Seán react to news of an investigation into Nigel Farage after it emerged he accepted gifts from one George Cottrell, an old friend and colleague, before he became an MP.

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In this interview, Yale political scientist Hélène Landemore, author of Politics Without Politicians, argues that the political systems we take for granted are no longer fit for purpose. As trust in politicians reaches historic lows across Britain, Europe and the United States, Landemore makes the case that elections alone may no longer be enough to produce governments that truly represent ordinary people.

Drawing on examples from Ancient Athens, France, Ireland, the United States, and the UK, she explains why professional politicians often become disconnected from the people they represent—and why citizens chosen by lottery could make better decisions than elected MPs.

The interview also examines the growing gap between political elites and ordinary voters, discussing the rise of career politicians, the influence of wealthy interests, and why so many voters feel ignored by Westminster, Washington and Brussels.

Landemore discusses the Yellow Vest movement in France, the Democratic Party's handling of Kamala Harris after Joe Biden stepped aside, the legitimacy of replacing prime ministers without a general election, and how public frustration has fuelled anti-establishment movements across the Western world.

She also explains how citizens' assemblies have already been used to tackle some of society's most difficult questions, including abortion rights, marriage equality and climate policy, and why she believes these experiments could point towards the future of democracy.

As public confidence in politics continues to decline, this conversation asks a provocative question: do we need fewer politicians—and more ordinary people making political decisions?

Whether you agree or disagree, this is one of the most thought-provoking conversations you'll hear about democracy, political reform and the future of representative government.

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Ava and Andy take to the studio to break down Keir Starmer's first PMQs since resigning, where he defended his government's record since taking office in 2024.

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In this episode, we sit down with renowned economist, author, and founder of the UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose, Professor Mariana Mazzucato, to discuss her new book The Common Good Economy: A New Compass, and why she believes modern capitalism is failing to deliver for ordinary people.

From Palantir's NHS contracts and the future of AI governance to Thames Water, steel, industrial strategy, and the green transition, Mariana argues that governments have lost confidence in shaping markets around public purpose. Instead, she says, we've created an economy that too often socialises risk while privatising reward.

We explore why governments fund many of the world's biggest innovations, from the internet and AI to Tesla and SpaceX, yet rarely share in the rewards when those investments succeed. Mariana explains how public investment helped create some of today's most valuable companies, why she believes Britain's relationship with business has become increasingly "parasitic", and what a more mission-driven economy could look like.

The conversation also covers Labour's economic strategy, Keir Starmer's mission-led government, the future of industrial policy, public-private partnerships, corporate subsidies, regulation, and the role of the state in driving innovation. Mariana challenges the idea that regulation stifles growth, arguing instead that smart regulation has historically been one of the biggest drivers of innovation and prosperity.

Mariana also explains why governments need clearer goals, stronger contracts, and greater accountability when working with private companies. Whether discussing water infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, AI, or clean energy, her central argument is that markets should be organised around outcomes that benefit people and the planet, not simply around short-term profit.

If you're interested in economics, politics, industrial strategy, public ownership, AI, innovation, inequality, growth, Labour politics, public services, climate policy, or the future of capitalism, this conversation is essential listening.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Do you agree with Mariana's vision of a common good economy? Can governments and businesses work together more effectively to solve society's biggest challenges?

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As Labour grapples with falling poll ratings, the rise of Reform UK, and growing questions about its political identity, Labour MP Jonathan Hinder joins PoliticsJOE to discuss the future of the party, the influence of Blue Labour, and why so many traditional Labour voters have drifted away.

In this wide-ranging interview, Hinder argues that Labour has lost touch with many of the working-class communities it was founded to represent. He discusses why issues such as immigration, economic security, national identity, workplace democracy, and public ownership have become central to political debate, and why Labour must rebuild trust with voters who increasingly feel ignored by Westminster politics.

Hinder explains the principles of Blue Labour, the political tradition associated with Maurice Glasman that combines socialist economics with a focus on community, solidarity, parliamentary sovereignty and working-class representation. He argues that Labour's current leadership has often adopted Blue Labour rhetoric without fully embracing its ideas, leaving the party struggling to reconnect with former supporters.

The conversation also explores Labour's growing challenge from Reform UK, why many trade union members are considering alternatives to Labour, and whether the party has become too focused on university graduates and metropolitan voters at the expense of its traditional base. Hinder discusses the immigration debate, the role of Parliament in shaping policy, and why he believes Labour needs a clearer vision for the future.

The interview also touches on the ongoing debate surrounding the direction of Keir Starmer's government, the fallout from the latest Labour Party controversies, and the broader question of what Labour stands for in 21st century Britain.

Could Andy Burnham represent Labour's future? Hinder discusses Burnham's political appeal, his ability to speak to different parts of Labour's coalition, and why many voters feel disconnected from the current political establishment.

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Before the people of Makerfield head to the polls to potentially crown the next Prime Minister, Ava and Seán break down what they saw on the ground there last week.

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Ava and Andy return to the PolJOE sofa to dive deep on Keir Starmer's social media ban, weighing the pros, cons, and wider implications. Is this a well-considered crackdown or a desperate lurch for legacy?

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Jeremy Corbyn is no stranger to media and political pile-ons. Neither is Hasan Piker.

Hasan was due to grace the PolJOE dungeon with his presence, for a chat with the former leader of the Labour Party, but the UK government had other ideas.

Himself and his uncle, Cenk Uygur, had their e-visas revoked by the Home Office, who believed their arrival would not be "conducive to the public good." We decided to find out whether that was true or not by carrying on with the interview regardless.

Hasan and Corbyn joined Seán for a wide-ranging chat on where their philosophies blend, and where they differ. How the global drive for equality and emancipation continues to be undermined by the very states sworn to protect them, and where the left can learn to become a true force in mainstream and grassroots political movements alike.

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Ava is joined by Claire Hanna, the Social Democratic and Labour Party MP for Belfast South and Mid Down, to break down the recent violence and unrest in Northern Ireland.

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For millions of graduates, student loans are just another deduction on the payslip. But what does Plan 2 actually mean — and why has it become one of the most controversial policies affecting young people in Britain?

This week, Ava Santina takes a deep dive into the student loan system created under the Cameron-Clegg coalition and asks whether today's graduates have been sold a raw deal. From £9,000 tuition fees and RPI-linked interest rates to frozen repayment thresholds and balances that seem to grow despite years of repayments, Ava unpacks how the system works and why it has become a political flashpoint.

Joining the podcast is former Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who reflects on the origins of the policy, the political decisions that shaped it, and whether governments have underestimated the impact on a generation of graduates.

With young people facing soaring housing costs, stagnant living standards and mounting debt, Ava asks whether Sir Keir Starmer's government should go further to reform Plan 2 loans. Would reducing interest rates, raising repayment thresholds or redesigning the system altogether put more money back into the pockets of younger workers? And can politicians afford to ignore the growing backlash?

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At the centre of this week's PMQs was the tragic killing of Henry Nowak, which some political figures seem to have used for their own ends. Seán is joined by Charlie Herbert of The London Economic to breakdown the session.

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Simon Dubbins is the Head of International at Unite the union, and came by the JOE studios to speak to us before the leadership race for General Secretary in one of Britain's biggest unions. He speaks to Laura and Andy about the union's changing relationship with the Labour party, the shift in member's politics, and how to reignite the ties between the Labour party and the workers' movement

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Monday has come around again. Andy and Seán react to Nicola Sturgeon's headline interview with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday in light of her estranged husband's admission to embezzling funds from the SNP, as well as to the news that Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has been barred from entering the UK.

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Taylor Lorenz is the journalist mapping out the culture of the internet and everything surrounding it. She took time out to swing by the JOE dungeon to speak to us about the growing power of the right in the online world, their ever-tightening grip on regulations of the internet and speech in the digital space, and how to fight back against it.

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As Britain faces a lost generation of over a million young people not in education or employment, the author of a sobering report into the epidemic, Alan Milburn, speaks to Ava about what the government need to do to put an end to the crisis in opportunities for young people.

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In the wake of Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom rallys in Central London, Ava went on Piers Morgan to debate the happenings on and off the stage.

The conversation quickly descended into chaos as contributors, wilfully or not, misunderstood what was being discussed, and the severity of it.

It all came to a head when a contributor made a baffling accusation of Ava, which led her to walk out.

Her and Seán run through the show and what led to the moment.

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Ava, Andy, and Seán brave the heat to cover Tony Blair's latest meddling, with the former PM's institute publishing an essay critical of Labour's lack of direction. Those named include Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, and of course Keir Starmer himself.

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Ava is joined by broadcaster and activist Nicola Thorp to hear what she saw on the ground at last Saturday's Unite the Kingdom rally.

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Sadiq Khan marked ten years in City Hall this May, and Ava joined the Mayor of London to walk back through a decade running Britain's capital.

Sadiq's time in charge has been far from smooth. From Conservative administrations to conspiracy theories, the Mayor of London has fought against opposition from all angles to get his agenda through.

During the chat, Sadiq speaks about the pockets of offline and online opposition to his leadership of the city, and how he pushes back against those who want to do London down.

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Laura reflects on her journey to Central London last Saturday for the Unite the Kingdom rally, fronted by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon aka Tommy Robinson. She breaks down the faces seen on the ground, the ideology, fragmented as it was, of the attendees, and key takeaways from the day.

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Jeevun Sandher is a Labour MP and economist, and swung by the studio to speak to us about the economy, Labour and Keir Starmer's woes, and how to turn around the government's fortunes.

For Sandher, affordability is key. He breaks down key issues he saw on the doorstep from 2015 until today, and how both real and imagined threats have mobilised the country around a far-right alternative in Reform UK. He explains how a drop in living standards has led to Brits up and down the land turning away from parties like Labour and turning towards Farage and his politics of blame and division.

The MP explains how the Labour Party need to re-employ a politics of hope, and plan to change the economic situation of millions of Brits up and down the land, if they are to have any chance of beating the right at the next election.

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Ava and Andy sit down to break down Keir Starmer's first PMQs back from recess as his own MPs circle and call for him to resign. Will he make it to another PMQs session?

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Ava and Andy take to the PolJOE sofa to unpack last week's chaos, from Wes Streeting's sustained meddling to Mayor Burnham's prospects in the upcoming Makerfield by-election.

Watch Ava's Your Party explainer: https://youtu.be/5WnxZFg_J9U

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Norman Finkelstein is the foremost scholar on the politics of Palestine and Israel since the foundation of the Israeli state.

He took time out of his busy schedule to speak to us about the deepening crisis in free speech across the globe that has stemmed from public opposition to Western complicity in the genocide in Gaza.

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Ava Santina and Andy Twelves sit down to answer your questions about a potential Labour leadership contest after a crazy week in British politics.

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Ava reports from Westminster as the attempted coup against Keir Starmer rages on. Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, as well as Labour MPs Brian Leishman and Ian Lavery, react in real time to the unfolding crisis.

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Ava and Seán make their way through the Labour runners and riders in a potential leadership election, as Keir Starmer battles to cling on to power while MPs implore him to resign.

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Clive Lewis came by the PoliticsJOE studio this week to break down the runners and riders in a potential leadership challenge against Keir Starmer.

After a disastrous showing in the local elections, questions over Keir Starmer's leadership of his party - and the country - have only intensified. Particularly from within his own ranks, the Prime Minister has been battling against backbenchers eager to share their fury with the running of the party.

Clive Lewis has long been a critic of Keir Starmer, calling last year for Andy Burnham to take his Norwich seat in order to contest a leadership election. Today he joins Ava to break down where his party goes from here.

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Kneecap joined PoliticsJOE, fresh off the back of having a terrorism case, against member Mo Chara, thrown out of the British Court. It's also the premise of their new album, which they discussed with our very own Irishman-in-residence Seán Hickey.

If you somehow missed the trail of the UK and Ireland's most controversial musicians, here's the TLDR. Kneecap were involved in a UK court case because member Mo Chara, real name, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a concert in London in November 2024.

UK prosecutors said this could amount to an offence under the UK Terrorism Act because Hezbollah is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. Prosecutors also alleged slogans supporting Hezbollah and Hamas were shouted during the performance.

The case was initially thrown out because prosecutors failed to get the Attorney General’s approval within the legal six-month time limit required to bring the charge. The Crown Prosecution Service later appealed, trying to reinstate the case.

In March 2026, the High Court rejected that appeal, meaning Mo Chara didn't face trial. The judges said the prosecution had been started unlawfully due to the procedural error, not because the court ruled on whether the alleged conduct itself was legal or illegal.

Kneecap argued the prosecution was politically motivated and linked to their outspoken support for Palestine. A media carnival, if you will. Hey, that's the name of one of the songs on their new album.

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Laura and Seán take to the studio to piece together the winners and losers of the 2026 local elections, as Labour's catastrophic run of form sees no sign of letting up.

Reform were the big winners with a landslide in councils across the country, with the Greens eating away at Starmer's left flank with notable wins in Hackney and Edinburgh.

In Wales, Labour's First Minister FAILED to gain reelection as the parties woes fell deeper into the abyss. Can Keir Starmer survive?

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Donald Trump's war with Iran has led many to a rethink of the global economy. With his presidency already weakening relations between Britain and the US and uniting European nations, events like the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz raise further questions about our dependency on the global oil markets, as well as fossil fuels altogether.

Edward Fitzpatrick of ConFlow Power Group joins Ava to imagine what greener, smarter, genuinely resilient infrastructure could look like in Britain and beyond, and peels back the curtain on the AI powering it.

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James Meadway is an economist and Green Party candidate for Tower Hamlets council in tomorrow's local elections.

He joined us in studio to talk about the campaign, his journey from being a member of Jeremy Corbyn's inner circle in his years of leadership of Labour to running for the Greens, and the need for the government to work in the interests of the people rather than to kow tow to big business.

The candidates running in Bromley North are:

Hirra Khan Adeogun - Green Party

John Bullard - Reform UK

Hamim Chowdhury - Labour Party

Simon Nicholas Herbert - Liberal Democrats

Samia Hersi - Conservative and Unionist Party

Mohammed Ilyas - Aspire

David Andre Lurie - Liberal Democrats

Abdul Mannan - Aspire

James George Edward Meadway - Green Party

Abdul Mumin - Tower Hamlets Independents

Sheikh Mohammed Nashar - Tower Hamlets Independents

Shaheda Rowshonara Rahman - Labour Party

Alex Reeves - Conservative and Unionist Party

Lauren Riley - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

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It's gloves off between Reform and the Greens, with Zia Yusuf vowing that, if elected, Reform will prioritise putting migrant detention centres in constituencies that vote for Zack Polanski. Also, Seán, Laura, and Andy wade into the controversy surrounding Polanski after he shared a tweet critical of the police's use of force in detaining a suspect in the Golders Green attack.

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On this episode of the PoliticsJOE Podcast, Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood joins the team for a candid and unfiltered conversation about the realities of representing her constituents—and why she believes Keir Starmer isn’t delivering for people like them.

Sorcha pulls no punches as she explains her frustrations with decisions coming from Westminster, arguing that too many ordinary voters are being left behind. She reflects on the growing disconnect between political leadership and everyday life, and why she feels her constituents deserve far better.

The conversation also turns to the culture inside Parliament itself. Sorcha shares her exhaustion with what she describes as “gentlemen’s club” politics—an outdated, exclusionary environment that still shapes how decisions are made and who gets heard. She discusses the barriers this creates, particularly for women and those outside the traditional political mould, and why meaningful change has been so slow.

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Columnist Stella Tsantekidou and Turn Left Media's Curtis Daly were feuding on Twitter earlier this week.

In response to our Hannah Spencer interview, Stella wrote: "Yeah no, sorry, MPs are often cooped up in Parliament for 15 hours a day, they will have a drink with journalists or colleagues and will still be discussing politics -their job".

Curtis replied: "I'm absolutely ok with MPs not drinking on the job, its not a human right."

Today, on the PolJOE sofa, with Ava as mediator, the two have it out.

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Ava, Seán, and Laura bear witness to what could be Keir Starmer's last PMQs as Prime Minister. Hear a man on the brink attempt to defend his record and talk up his achievements before the May elections.

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Earlier today Morgan McSweeney, formerly Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff, appeared before the Foreign Affairs Committee; thrust out from the shadows and into the spotlight to explain his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson to Washington.

Laura, and later Ava, is joined by special guests Banseka Kayembe of Naked Politics and Curtis Daly of Turn Left Media.

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Andy, Seán, and Ava wade into the discourse inferno set alight by yesterday's interview with Green MP Hannah Spencer, with one question in particular emerging: does Westminster have a drinking problem? Also, a look ahead to Morgan McSweeney's appearance before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee tomorrow.

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The Independent's Political Editor David Maddox came by the JOE studios to break down his story revealing the depth and breadth of the Peter Mandelson vetting fiasco.

Andy and David break down who knew what when, the consequences for the Prime Minister, and what it says about the credibility of his offering to the British people in 2024 of a government of honest operators working in the best interests of the nation.

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After bombshells were dropped in sacked civil servant Olly Robbins’ Select Committee appearance yesterday, Kemi Badenoch has kept up pressure on the Prime Minister as the Mandelson scandal grows. Laura and Andy react to the clash at the despatch box, and unpack what the ensuing discourse will mean for Starmer’s hopes of staying in post.

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The recently sacked Olly Robbins was called before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee this morning where he outlined what he knew and when during the appointment of Peter Mandelson to Washington. Ava and Andy spell out what his answers mean for the Prime Minister and his chances of hanging on.

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The latest Peter Mandelson revelations are still looming large over the Prime Minister despite the sacking of Olly Robins, and Starmer maintains that he wasn't told until Tuesday that Mandelson wasn't granted the highest level of clearance. Ava, Seán, and Andy unpack the discourse.

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Stephen Kapos is an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, and joins us to speak about his activism, his opposition to Israel's systemic destruction of Gaza and the West Bank, and how the memory of the Holocaust is being abused by Israel and the far-right.

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PoliticsJOE is joined by the UK's former permanent representative to Nato, Sir Adam Thomson, and former Navy Commander Kevin Rowlands to discuss the state of the UK's Armed Forces.

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Keir Starmer was back at the despatch box after the Easter break facing questions over Lord Robertson's defence review, warning the government's complacency has left the UK in a perilous situation.

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Ava is joined once again by friend of PoliticsJOE Sam Bright to break down the latest news from the continent, after Hungary's quasi dictator Viktor Orbán was toppled in a landslide on Sunday night.

Péter Magyar absolutely hammered Orbán's Fidesz party on Sunday night, ending 16 years of rule by Viktor Orbán.

Sam breaks down the victory for Magyar and what the opposition leader stands for. He also delves into the consequences for right-wing movements across Europe, as Orbán's close alignment with the Trump regime was tipped as a key reason for his downfall.

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Andy and Seán take to the poljoe dungeon to recap the Sunday shows, where America's most prominent right-wing pundit went on the BBC, and ended up coming across competent, in no small part due to the government's Palestine Action ban.

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Ava spoke to the Green Party candidate for Hackney Mayor Zoë Garbett at the Green Party's local election launch in Stoke Newington.

Zoë outlines the Greens' plans to revolutionise Britain's housing system, to be a fair and affordable system for all.

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Seán is joined by friend of the podcast Scott Lucas to make sense of the relative peace that has fallen in Tehran after the striking of a ceasefire deal on Tuesday.

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In this episode, we dive into the political storm surrounding Karl Turner, who was suspended after publicly criticising Keir Starmer. What does this moment reveal about party discipline, free speech within politics, and the current direction of the Labour Party?

We sit down to unpack Turner’s perspective, the context behind his comments, and the reaction from party leadership. Is this a case of necessary unity, or does it raise deeper concerns about dissent being silenced?

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Seán, Andy, and Ava return from the long weekend to unpack Kanye West's controversial headlining of the now-cancelled Wireless Festival and its resultant discourse. Also, the 6% cap on student loans and the latest in Trump.

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After a national four-day weekend Seán and Ava return to open up the debate and answer some of your burning questions.

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Matthew Cole is an academic and author specialising in labour and technology, and swung by the studio to talk about his book Unpaid: The Past, Present and Future of Wage Theft.

During the conversation, he breaks down the myriad ways in which employers undercut their workforce, how to stop it, and what a balanced, egalitarian labour market of the future looks like.

Preorder Unpaid here:

https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3206-unpaid

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We are once again joined by friend of the podcast Richie Jones to chew through the latest IPSOS polling in collaboration with JOE Media Group.

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We caught up with Brian Eno at DiEM last week to chat about inequality, taxes, and the urgent need to rebalance the global system to save ordinary people from extinction.

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Political economist Grace Blakeley caught up with Ava at DiEM's Resistance Is Existence: The Fight For Our Future event last week to chat about joining the Green Party, Iran, and decoupling Britain from the United States.

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Andy joins Seán to debrief his televised clash with Matt Goodwin last Friday over his accusations that the Gorton and Denton by-election loser used AI to research his book.

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Ava sits down with the co-authors of Muskism, Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff, to dive deep on the world's richest man.

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Liam Byrne is a Labour MP and the chair of the Commons Business and Trade Committee. He came by the studio to speak to Ava about his new book, Why Populists are Winning.

In a wide ranging conversation, Liam and Ava break down Labour's victories and losses in the last 18 months, how operators on the left and right have capitalised on the actions of the government, and how the government come back from a slew of bad results at the polls.

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Ava caught economist Yanis Varoufakis before his conversation with Zack Polanski, Jeremy Corbyn, and Grace Blakeley at DiEM25. She talks to him about Keir Starmer, Iran, Donald Trump, and the weakness of European leaders.

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Laura, Seán and Andy react to today's bout at the despatch box, as well as questions from MPs and Nigel Farage's storm out.

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Daniel Levy is an expert in Israeli geopolitics and the President of the U.S./Middle East Project.

He spoke to us about the unfolding situation in Iran and how Benjamin Netanyahu continues to drag an unsuspecting Donald Trump deeper into an unwinnable war.

Subscribe to Daniel's Substack: https://substack.com/@daniellevy2

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Andy's been looking into Gorton and Denton by-election loser Matthew Goodwin's new book over the weekend, and has some hefty claims about its author. He tells Ava about his discoveries.

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Paul Holden is an investigative journalist and author of The Fraud: Keir Starmer, Morgan McSweeney, and the crisis of British Democracy.

He came by the PoliticsJOE studio to chat to us about his book, which has become essential reading for anyone trying to make sense of the chaos surrounding Keir Starmer's time in charge of the country.

He sits down with Ava to speak about the slow drip of news stories that have in one way or another began in his investigations, what will bring the downfall of Keir Starmer's regime, and the players within the operation that tried to end his career.

Buy The Fraud here: https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-fraud/

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Kate Dearden is the Employment Rights Minister, and she sat down with Ava to break down the government's new plan to crack down on employers failing to pay their workers fairly.

This comes after the Department for Business and Trade published the names of hundreds of companies that have failed to pay their employees minimum wage, amounting to £7 million in lost wages.

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Laura sits down with Lena Swedlow of Compass to uncover the flaws of Britain's electoral system, as well as imagining what a future without it could look like.

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Laura and Seán are back to react to another fiery PMQs. Despite mentions of Iran and the Mandelson files, today's real headline comes from outside the Commons: Angela Rayner’s speech at a Momentum event last night which loomed large over today's session.

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Last week, Netflix dropped Louis Theroux's exploration of the manosphere. But, some watchers of the patriarchal online world were left unimpressed. James Bloodworth, who embedded himself in the manosphere for his book Lost Boys, was "underwhelmed". He tells PoliticsJOE why.

In his documentary, Theroux meets several prominent manosphere figures, including HSTikkyTokky and Jay Waller, who argue that modern society disadvantages men and that women hold too much power in relationships. Mixing self-help advice, fitness and financial motivation with messages that critics say are misogynistic or manipulative, Theroux questions their beliefs, challenges their claims about masculinity and dating, and explores how their upbringings may have led them to their views on gender.

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Another Monday, and the US-Israeli war with Iran continues. Ava, Seán, and Andy debate Keir Starmer's position, who's idea it really was, and how tenable it will continue to be as energy prices are likely to rise. They also touch on the Greens' Hannah Spencer.

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Thomas Bourne has been a Palestine activist for around a decade. His prominence in the movement has seen him face online abuse in the past. Last month the line between his personal life and his activism was broken.

After Thomas confronted Matt Lucas in an underground station, the online world went into overdrive. Prominent figures were calling out his actions, and newspapers delved into his personal life to an extent he'd never experienced.

It reached a peak when Thomas lost his job as a result of the attention put on him by some of Britain's biggest right-wing papers.

Thomas came by the studio to walk us through the events of the day that changed his life.

Thomas's identity has been protected at his request.

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Following the Humble Address that forced the government to publish internal material surrounding Peter Mandelson’s appointment and dismissal as UK ambassador to the United States, the first tranche of files has dropped and Ava and Laura are here to break them down.

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Another Wednesday, another blockbuster PMQs. Kemi Badenoch's enthusiasm for entering the war with Iran last week has aged poorly, and the Prime Minister wasted no time reminding her of the fact. Laura and Seán break it down.

An earlier version of this podcast stated that Trident needs the approval of the US before launch. The UK does not need prior approval from the United States before launching nuclear missiles. Trident is operationally independent, but is maintained and serviced in the United States.

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Laura and Seán discuss the rumoured end of Trump's war with Iran, the fall and sale of Brewdog, and the recent fire on Glasgow's Union Street.

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At a private lunch last Friday, Tony Blair said thatKeir Starmer "should have backed America from the very beginning". Andy and Laura discuss the former PM's meddling, as well as anti-trans protestors putting Hannah Spencer at risk, and polling on Gen-Z men's uniquely conservative views.

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Today Seán is joined by none other than Ash Sarkar as her book Minority Rule hits paperback. After a turbulent 2025 and an utterly batshit start to 2026, Ash reflects on the permacrisis as it continues to warp and destabilise the fabric of society, and reality as we know it.

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Ava is joined by Editor-in-Chief of Middle East Eye David Hearst to break down the foreign policy nightmare Donald Trump could be facing in his continued war against Iran.

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Laura caught up with Jeremy Corbyn outside parliament yesterday after Rachel Reeves' Spring Forecast speech.

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Sam Bright is an investigative journalist and author. He came by the studio to talk to Ava about Nigel Farage's strategy at the helm of Reform UK, the funders propping up Britain's new right, and how a collapse may be right around the corner.

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Lisa McKenzie is an academic who fell into an online storm when her tweets about Hannah Spencer and class went viral.

Lisa joins Andy in our first episode of Cancelled to share her views from the time, whether they've changed, and the wider class dynamics at play in British politics.

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Andy, Laura, and Seán react to a particularly heated PMQs showdown between Kemi Badenoch and Keir Starmer, as the Tory leader ramps up the rhetoric over Trump’s escalating conflict with Iran.

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We are once again joined by the great Scott Lucas to make sense of another chaotic weekend in Donald Trump's foreign policy escapades.

This time, the President decided to join forces with Benjamin Netanyahu to make a martyr of Ayatollah Khamenei, for which the Iranians have attacked multiple gulf states and Israel.

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Seán, Ava, and Andy unpack what Hannah Spencer and the Green Party's victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election means for British politics, as well as the attack lines Reform have been putting out since Matt Goodwin's loss.

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Laura is joined by Lib Dem MP Martin Wrigley to find out just how deep Palantir's influence stretches in British society, including in the NHS, the MOD, and even the police.

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Earlier this week we spoke to Green Party co-deputy leader Rachel Millward about the party's surge in support under Zack Polanski, their prospects as the new party of the left, and the downfall of Labour under Keir Starmer.

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With the shroud of purdah descending this fine Thursday, we take to the studio to answer some of your burning questions.

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Ava, Laura, and Seán sit down after PMQs to make sense of Keir Starmer's claims that the country is on the up and up, even though nobody feels it.

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Just hours after Peter Mandelson was released on bail by police investigating allegations of misconduct in a public office, Ava, Laura, and Seán head to the studio to break down today's Opposition Day debate.

The Lib Dems are planning to get MPs to back the release of documents detailing the process behind Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as a trade envoy under Tony Blair.

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It's Monday once again. Seán, Laura, and Andy get stuck into Nigel Farage's thwarted attempt to accompany a humanitarian mission to the Chagos Islands, further abuses of the Royal name by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as well as Bridget Phillipson's SEND reforms.

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Ava sits down with economist Clara Mattei to explore a bold and unsettling idea: capitalism isn’t failing - it’s functioning exactly as intended.

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Today Ava is joined by journalist Peter Oborne to discuss the Labour party under Keir Starmer, and the man that dragged him into power: Morgan McSweeney.

Peter breaks down the allegiances that McSweeney built over a long career campaigning for the Labour Party, leading to his links to the man that almost brought down Starmer's premiership - the former American Ambassador Peter Mandelson.

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Ava and Seán discuss Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain project, and who or what is responsible for pulling British politics to the right.

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