PoliticsJOE Podcast

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/Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lively breakdown of a fiery PMQs and the St Patrick’s Day backdrop. They unpack Mandelson-related questioning and a row over public Muslim prayer. There is sharp debate on multiculturalism, immigration policy and the fallout from a key resignation. They also cover AI, UK data sovereignty and North Sea energy politics.

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. Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They dig into newly released files about Peter Mandelson’s appointment drama and the hefty severance payout. The conversation covers pressure on civil servants, fast‑tracked vetting, and links to Jeffrey Epstein. They probe who pushed the appointment, political networks and reputational clean ups, and the likely public and electoral fallout.

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.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.