Oh God, What Now?

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

Who gave the tip-off that resulted in Peter Mandelson’s sensational arrest? And will this mess ever stop unraveling? Plus, an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is gathering pace. Can it work and is it such a good idea to protect teens from the online world only to throw them in the deep end once they turn 18? Also: Meeting Alastair Campbell at the Lido. Marie’s extraordinary experience of interviewing Gisèle Pelicot. And in the Extra Bit, the joy (or not) of making kids do terrible Saturday jobs. You won’t believe what Seth had to do.  ESCAPE ROUTES • Marie recommends I’m No Angel with Mae West.  • Zöe recommends Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind [[ ]]  • Matt has been reading Life Is Rosi by Jess Robinson • Seth has been enjoying the John Major edition of Gyles Brandreth’s podcast Rosebud Major  Keep independent podcasting alive and kicking by backing OGWN at www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Seth Thévoz with Zöe Grünewald, Marie le Conte and Matt Green. 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

Jack Walton, a Manchester Mill reporter covering local politics, describes the charged Gorton and Denton by-election. He paints the on-the-ground mood, campaign nastiness and who might benefit from tactical voting. Short, vivid snapshots of local candidates, Reform’s antics and the Greens’ appeal keep the conversation lively and immediate.

James Ball, political editor of The New World and author of The Other Pandemic, tackles whether Reform UK could pull off a Project 2025-style overhaul of Britain’s institutions. He unpacks constitutional weak spots, immigration plans, threats to the BBC and how norm-busting could play out in practice. Short, sharp, and alarming takes on the balance between political ambition and institutional resistance.

Ed Arnold, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, offers expert analysis on defence and Russia. He discusses Russia’s hybrid grey-zone attacks and how they erode NATO’s political will. He examines the true meaning and limits of Article 5, risks of deniable sabotage and state-backed terrorism, and why Britain must rethink national resilience, military priorities and preparedness for future threats.

Morgan Jones, journalist and author of No Second Chances, shares first-hand reporting from the anti-Brexit campaign. Short, punchy takes on Keir Starmer’s survival and vulnerabilities. A dive into Labour factions, misogyny and culture in Westminster. Reflections on grassroots organising, campaign fractures and what a Rejoin strategy might look like.

Ian Hughes, author focused on political psychology and authoritarianism, riffs on why cruel, venal leaders thrive today. He traces malignant normality, how leaders and followers form a toxic triangle, and why democratic guardrails are eroding. Short, sharp takes on historical dictators, impunity among elites, and what might rebuild collective defenses.

Rafael Behr, Guardian columnist and UK politics commentator, breaks down the fallout from Morgan McSweeney’s departure and what it means for Keir Starmer. Short takes on communication shakeups, loyalty and resentment within the parliamentary party. Quick sketches of possible timelines, replacement contenders and a caution about a chaotic future for Labour.

A heated probe into Peter Mandelson’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the new scandal rocking British politics. Debate over whether recent judgment calls will stain the current government. Discussion of political resilience, vetting failures and the collateral damage to reputations. Quick detour into AI fakes, media literacy and a gritty by-election preview.

A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. If young people decide a degree isn’t worth the massive debt, where does that leave British cities that depend on free-spending undergraduate populations – and universities that are hooked on no-longer-welcome foreign students? Can academia expect much sympathy from graduate generations whose aspirations are held back by crushing loan repayments? And can Labour do anything about it?  In a fascinating conversation Oxford Brookes history professor and education commentator Glen O’Hara walks Ros Taylor and Hannah Fearn through the unfolding mess. Abstract: “The only way to wake up Westminster and Whitehall is to have a crisis.”   • Buy Glen O’Hara’s book New Labour, New Britain through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.  ESCAPE ROUTES  • Hannah recommends Intermezzo by Sally Rooney.  • Glen recommends Kingdom Come by JG Ballard.   • Ros has been watching David Baddiel’s Cat Man on C4.   Support us on Patreon. Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more Presented by Ros Taylor with Hannah Fearn. Audio Production by Chris Jones and 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