James O'Brien Daily UK media is pro Iran-US war… why aren’t the public?
Mar 6, 2026
Calvin Bailey, Labour MP and former RAF officer who commanded expeditionary air operations, discusses UK media support for war with Iran and why the public disagrees. He reflects on Iraq and Chilcot lessons and stresses the need for clear military objectives and realistic logistics. Conversations cover media influence, public scepticism, legal and coalition complexities, and the risks of repeating past planning failures.
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Episode notes
Manufactured Consent Is Failing This Time
- Manufacturing consent describes how mass media can persuade populations to act against their interests, but O'Brien notes it's not (yet) working for war with Iran.
- He lists past media-driven errors (Brexit, Truss, Johnson, austerity) to show the pattern and why this moment is worrying.
War Rationale Keeps Changing And Undermines Support
- Pro-war arguments are inconsistent and contradictory, making them unconvincing to the public.
- O'Brien catalogues shifting rationales (nuclear threat, human rights, regime change, religious Armageddon) to show lack of coherent justification.
Media Uses War To Target Domestic Politics
- Corporate media and right-wing figures use the war to attack Keir Starmer and British sovereignty rather than present clear strategic reasons.
- O'Brien highlights columnists and politicians aligning with US policy while opposing the elected UK government.
