Oh God, What Now?

They debate whether Trump’s foreign adventures and broken promises have wrecked his political movement. They map the economic shock from the Strait of Hormuz and how rising energy costs could trigger a UK cost-of-living crisis. They explore shifting voting patterns, populist media tactics, insider trading rumours, and whether Trumpism can survive or be rebuilt. Plus quick cultural escape recommendations.

Steve Richards, seasoned political commentator and Rock & Roll Politics host, offers sharp perspective on UK politics. He dissects Reform UK's polling drama and Farage's attacks on pollsters. He explains why Reform’s rallies may mask weaknesses, compares third-party surges to historical precedents, and explores how Labour, the Tories and the Greens are reshaping the electoral map.

Debate over a shift toward an independent British nuclear deterrent and what that says about party politics. Discussion of why Richard Tice’s tax avoidance story has not landed politically. A look at Louis Theroux’s exploration of the manosphere and whether influencers perform or sincerely believe their views. A side note on the fuss about adding hummus and alcohol-free beer to inflation metrics.

Adrian Wooldridge, Bloomberg columnist and author of Centrists of the World Unite, critiques modern liberalism and champions a centrist revival. He maps three strains of liberal thought, warns that tech platforms now threaten liberal order, and argues for antitrust and legal fixes. Short, sharp conversations on political reputation, cultural conditions, and why centrism must rethink priorities.

They unpack why the British right leans into macho, militaristic rhetoric and how that clashes with public opposition to war in Iran. They examine Farage’s cosy alignment with Trump and whether that strategy could backfire. The discussion also dives into proposed justice reforms, the controversy over jury trials, and what those changes could mean for civic engagement.

Stella Creasy, Labour MP and campaigner on social justice, rails against migration plans she calls socially unjust and economically wasteful. Dr Surekha Davies, historian of science and author, explores why humans invent monsters and how categories shape fear. They discuss limbo for refugees, harmful temporary status, monsters as boundary-breakers, and how politics weaponizes dehumanisation.

Rafael Behr, political columnist and author; Marie Le Conte, writer and cultural commentator; Jonn Elledge, political commentator. They dissect Trump’s Iran strikes and how Starmer navigates a fraught UK‑US relationship. They debate right‑wing press fervour, limited British agency in foreign policy, the Greens’ by‑election shock and what it means for Labour and the legacy parties.

A post-by-election roundtable on the political fallout from Gorton and Denton. They debate whether Green momentum can scale beyond local wins and how tactical voting reshaped the result. The future of Labour under Starmer and timing of any leadership test is questioned. They scrutinise Reform’s hardline rhetoric and a proposed deportation command, and examine coalition maths among progressive parties.

Paul Salem, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and founder of the Carnegie Middle East Center, gives on-the-ground geopolitical analysis from Beirut. He unpacks why the US struck Iran now and how Iran’s leadership losses and proxy networks shape the conflict. He maps regional economic and military pressures, risks of prolonged war, and the hard realities of seeking regime change.

The Greens take Gorton and Denton and Labour take a pounding. What does it all mean? Is there more going on than all the hot takes suggest? Is the Starmer Doomsday Clock ticking again? And will we ever get enough of Matt Goodwin’s sour defeat face? Ros Taylor and Steve Richards of the Rock & Roll Politics podcast join Andrew Harrison for a fast reaction by-election minicast.  Join us next Tuesday (Monday for Patreons!) for a broader look at how the major parties will handle the result, and more too. • Hear more of Steve Richards on Gorton and Denton on the Rock & Roll Politics podcast www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Ros Taylor and Steve Richards. Audio Production by: Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Cornershop. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices