Voters head to the polls in Clacton-on-Sea by-election

Voters are heading to the polls in Clacton-on-Sea for perhaps the weirdest by-election in a generation. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigned his seat last month following scrutiny over his financial support. He said he hoped that the vote would silence his critics and prove he has a mandate with voters. And a record 34 candidates are standing, presenting voters with the longest ballot paper in history. Zoë and Ali discuss what they think might happen.

Trump confirms he switched planes after Nato summit because of possible Iran threat

Donald Trump confirmed this week that he secretly swapped planes after leaving a Nato summit in Turkey, due to a possible Iranian assassination threat. The Washington Post revealed that after publicly boarding Air Force One, the US President was covertly smuggled onto a catering truck and then moved to a different military aircraft. Meanwhile, over 100 aides, officials and reporters remained on the flight, raising questions about whether he knowingly put them at risk. Zoë and Ali question the unprecedented move.

Reform UK Tells Its Activists ‘Don’t Drink and Tweet’

Leaked training videos reveal Reform UK is warning its activists not to ‘drink and tweet’ and to treat ‘every social media post like a press release’ because, as the materials say, its own members are the "biggest threat to Reform."

According to the Byline Times, the videos also appear to tell canvassers to ignore "no junk mail" signs and leaflet houses anyway. They're also told to avoid wearing any party branding while doing so, to stay "unidentifiable." Zoë and Ali analyse what this says about the credibility of Reform’s activists.

Andy Burnham’s Cost of Living Tour 

Andy Burnham is back from his holiday, and this week he’s been touring the UK as part of his plan to “bring back hope” to every postcode. One of the problems he wants to tackle is the state of Britain’s high streets. Burnham has pledged to give local councils more power to stop betting shops and vape shops from “taking over”. Zoë and Ali unpack the changing face of the highstreet and why the new PM needs to tap into the politics of happiness. They also discuss the government's lack of action on the climate crisis so far.

Can the government ease prison overcrowding without risking public safety?

Andy Burnham's move to pause early prisoner releases has sparked backlash from police and the family of PC Andrew Harper, whose killers are due out in January. Shortly after becoming PM, Burnham announced that people convicted of rape, serious child sex offences and grooming offences would be exempt from early release - but manslaughter convictions were not included.

The government is set to release 5,000 offenders later this year to create space in overcrowded prisons. Meanwhile, Reform UK says it would tackle overcrowding by sending foreign offenders abroad to serve their sentences.

With prisons already close to capacity, and ministers warning they could run out of space as soon as November, how will the government balance the need to relieve pressure on the prison system without compromising public safety? Antonia May Cross, Director of Communications and Campaigns at Revolving Doors, a justice reform charity, joins us to tell us more.

Guest: Antonia May Cross, Director of Communications and Campaigns at Revolving Doors

Producer: Monica Lillis

Bev Craig wins in Greater Manchester
Labour has won a decisive victory in the Greater Manchester mayoral election, with Bev Craig securing a strong result to succeed Andy Burnham. Zoë and Ali unpack what this means for Burnham’s premiership and why the scale of Labour’s win could be an important sign that voters are willing to give the party another chance. 

Jeremy Clarkson’s welfare solution?
Jeremy Clarkson has offered his answer to Britain’s welfare crisis, suggesting in the Sunday Times, that unemployed young people claiming benefits should be made to write weekly letters thanking taxpayers for funding them. Zoë and Ali discuss why they think the proposal is insulting to disabled people and fails to recognise the wider problems facing young people trying to find work. 

Infantino or Autocrat?
We’re dabbling in football again this week...Gianni Infantino is set to remain as FIFA president despite growing criticism of his leadership, including scrutiny over a now-shelved plan involving private investment in FIFA competitions. Some critics of Infantino say he is turning the organisation into a dictatorship, but just how authoritarian does he sound? Zoë and Ali play a game of “Infantino or Autocrat” and attempt to work out whether a series of increasingly bizarre quotes came from the FIFA president or a historical dictator.

The Migration Crisis in Ceuta

Last week, more than 70,000 unauthorised migrants arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, creating the latest flashpoint in Europe’s migration debate. Zoë and Ali are joined by independent journalist Jack Hadfield to discuss what happened. They also challenge his claims about the criminal backgrounds of migrants and examine how Reform UK has responded to the crisis, including its plans to use the Royal Navy to stop small boat crossings. Jack also gives us his take on the division on the British right and why he thinks Nigel Farage is more right wing than Rupert Lowe.

What will US-UK ties look like under Burnham?

Ed Miliband has travelled to Washington to meet his U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio, in what was seen as an opportunity to reset relations with an administration that has previously been sceptical of him. Zoë and Ali discuss the meeting, the awkward moment when Miliband was asked about his previous comments describing Donald Trump as a racist and misogynist, and what the encounter tells us about the future of the UK-US relationship under Andy Burnham’s government.

Guest: Jack Hadfield, Independent journalist. You can find him on X here

Producer: Monica Lillis

Rejoin EU, say two thirds of Londoners 

A new poll by a team at Queen Mary University of London, has found that more than 65% of Londoners would vote to rejoin the European Union if a referendum was held 'tomorrow'. The survey also found the figure was even higher amongst young adults ages 18-35. Zoë and Ali unpack why they think this figure is quite low in reality as well as the regional and age-group divisions on Brexit.

Reform UK reports Zack Polanski to police over guillotine T-shirt post

Earlier this week, Reform UK reported Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police, after he shared what Nigel Farage called an “inciteful post” on Instagram. Polanski re-shared a collection of photos on the social media platform including one of a man wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “We’re only making plans for Nigel” accompanied by an image of a guillotine. The police have said they are taking no further action, and The Green Party leader has so far refused to apologise. This all comes at a time around heightened fears for the security of politicians following the murder of Reform UK Spokesperson, Ann Widdecome. Zoë and Ali discuss why they believe it would benefit Polanski to apologise and the significance of digital communications and social media strategy in politics.

Count Binface reveals his manifesto for Clacton-on-sea by-election

Another update from the Clacton-on-Sea by-election…Nigel Farage’s main rival, Count Binface, has revealed his full manifesto ahead of the vote next month. Some of his pledges include capping the cost of 99 Flake ice-creams to 99p, building at least one affordable house and a windfall tax on cosy crime novels ‘written’ by celebrities. Zoë and Ali tell us why they think the ice-cream issue is more important than some might think. 

The Burnham Bounce

It's only Andy Burnham’s second week as Prime Minister, but it looks like the public are liking what they see. Earlier this week, Labour overtook Reform UK in a voter intention poll for the first time in over a year. It’s being dubbed as ‘The Burnham Bounce’ but how long will the momentum behind the new PM last?

Zoë and Ali unpack the wider context including why weeks of bad headlines for Reform UK and Greens might be contributing to Labour’s revived popularity. After that, Burnham’s policy blitz this week includes reform on education and social care - Zoë and Ali analyse why these changes could be so significant for the country. 

After the break, Zoë and Ali discuss the challenge of climate change for the new Prime Minister. Record-breaking temperatures, drought and wildfires here in the UK, mean that environmental policy is more important than ever. However, with plans for oil drilling in the North Sea set to go ahead, will our new leader take it seriously enough?

Producer: Monica Lillis

Andy Burnham is the UK’s latest Prime Minister

We start with the biggest political story of the week. On Monday, Andy Burnham officially became the UK’s fifth Prime Minister in four years. This comes just over a month after he was elected as MP for Makerfield. Zoë and Ali unpack what they made of his first speech outside Downing Street. 

Mamdani says he lacks legal power to arrest Netanyahu

From a former mayor to a current one. Since campaigning for New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani has promised to honour an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, if he were to ever show up in the city. However, in a video posted on social media on Tuesday, Mamdani conceded that he won’t be able to do so without federal government help. Zoë and Ali discuss Mamdani’s popularity, why he didn’t have this particular legal power and the effectiveness of using your words in politics.

Trump backs Gianni Infantino to be next UN boss

Although the World Cup is over, Trump’s friendship with the head of FIFA, Gianni Infantino seems to be going strong. Earlier this week, the US President said that Infantino would be his pick to be the next head of the United Nations. He told the New York Post that the football administrator was “respected by everyone around the world", and "recognises he has a special ability to bring people together”.

Ben Habib on Nigel Farage and the upcoming Clacton by-election

Nigel Farage will face a record 33 opponents in the contest he triggered after resigning his seat, citing parliamentary and media scrutiny of his financial affairs. The number of candidates is thought to be the largest in a modern UK by-election, featuring 20 independents and a number of joke contenders. However, with the main Westminster parties not fielding candidates, and questions being asked about the level of support in the constituency, what could this all mean for Nigel Farage and Reform UK? Ben Habib, former MEP, Brexiteer and current Chairman of the Great British Political Action Committee joins us to share his thoughts. He tells us why he thinks the move from Farage was “desperate” and discusses the Reform UK leader’s need for media attention. Habib also speaks about his own affiliation with Restore Britain and where he’s drawing the line. 

What will Andy Burnham’s Britain look Like?

We continue with our top story. Andy Burnham has officially become the UK's fifth Prime Minister in four years. Since taking office on Monday, Burnham has announced his first Cabinet appointments and outlined his initial policy priorities, including a pledge to end rough sleeping, cut VAT on energy bills and pause the early prisoner release scheme. It's been a busy first few days in office, but what do these early decisions tell us about the direction of his government? Zoë and Ali discuss his first policy moves and what they make of his communication style. 

Guest: Ben Habib, Former MEP, Brexiteer and current chairman of the Great British Political Action Committee. You can find him on ‘X’ here. 

Producer: Monica Lillis

The Week Unwrapped:

Former Conservative MP and Reform UK spokesperson, Ann Widdecombe, dies

Former Conservative MP and Reform UK spokesperson, Ann Widdecombe was found dead in her home in South West England on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries. A man in his twenties has been arrested, and counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation. The authorities say the alleged murder was a targeted attack, and are looking into a possible leftwing motivation.  Her death has reignited debate over the safety and security of politicians in this country. Zoë and Ros unpack the shocking news, the media reaction to her death and what it tells us about society. 

Green MP Hannah Spencer to introduce bill on maximum workplace temperatures

Record breaking temperatures and increasingly frequent heatwaves here in the UK have renewed calls for stronger action on climate adaptation. One of those is maximum workplace temperatures, which Green MP Hannah Spencer is planning to introduce to Parliament. If passed, the legislation will create an independent body to recommend safe temperatures to work in, and set out guidance on how employers should implement them. Zoë and Ros discuss how difficult it is to work in the heat, the importance of climate adaptation and how businesses might be able to adapt.

Australia’s teen social media ban struggles to clear age-verification hurdle, study finds

Last year, Australia became the first country to ban under-16s from using social media. But a new study suggests enforcing that ban may be harder than expected. Researchers from testing firm KJR found that several major platforms weren't asking for proof of age when they created test accounts claiming to be 16, raising fresh questions about whether current age-verification technology is fit for purpose. Zoë and Ros analyse why these new laws aren’t working.

Keir Starmer’s Best Moments

Keir Starmer will formally resign as Prime Minister on Monday, after just two years in office. Despite a landslide election win and an end to 14 years of Conservative rule, his time in Downing Street was overshadowed by economic pressures, internal divisions and flailing public support. But was his record more successful than many people give him credit for? Zoë and Ros look back on some of the things he got right including on immigration, progress in the NHS and renewable energy.

Keir Starmer’s Worst Moments

Despite a string of wins, Keir Starmer never managed to win the hearts of the public. Opinion polls suggested he was the most unpopular Prime Minister in modern history. So, where did it all go wrong? Zoë and Ros reflect on what Starmer could have done better, including his communication style and multiple policy U-turns.

Guest: Ros Taylor, Writer, Journalist and Broadcaster. You can find her on X here.

Producer: Monica Lillis

Farage Resigns: First Reactions

Another big week in British politics. Nigel Farage announced he will stand down as MP for Clacton. The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny of his finances. Earlier this week, The Times reported that Farage had failed to declare benefits, including staff and security, provided by his long-time ally George Cottrell. Farage is already under investigation by the Parliament standards commissioner over an alleged failure to register a £5 million gift from a Thailand-based British cryptocurrency billionaire. Since Farage’s announcement, Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Restore Britain have all ruled out contesting in the Clacton by-election. Zoë and Ali discuss what they made of his resignation speech, whether it was the right decision for the main parties not to stand, and his main challenger: Count Binface.

Trump’s Red Card Intervention 

Heading across the pond now, where the FIFA World Cup and politics have become intertwined once again this week. One of the USA's star players had his one-match suspension, following a red card, overturned by FIFA after intervention from President Donald Trump. The decision has raised questions about the relationship between football’s governing bodies and political leaders, with critics questioning whether the president’s intervention crossed a line. Ali and Zoë unpack the backlash, and discuss why they think this World Cup has been particularly bad for FIFA’s reputation. 

Voting Intention by Taste in Pop Music

A new survey by polling company More in Common suggests your playlist might reveal more about your politics than you think. According to the results, Reform UK voters are most likely to be Dua Lipa fans, One Direction tops the charts for Conservative supporters, while Chappell Roan is the artist of choice for Green Party voters. Ali and Zoë try to make sense of the new figures. 

Farage’s Resignation Gamble

Back to the top political story of the week….Nigel Farage’s resignation as MP for Clacton. Ellie Hodges, political journalist & commentator joins the show to unpack why, in her view, Farage’s decision to trigger a by-election was an important move and why she believes the ‘establishment’ media are against the Reform UK leader. 

Nato Summit: Key Takeaways

This week saw dozens of world leaders gather in Turkey for this year’s NATO summit. The meeting comes at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, with the war in Ukraine showing no signs of ending and tensions continuing to rise in the Middle East.  There is also growing pressure from Donald Trump for NATO allies to shoulder more of the burden on defence spending. Kateryna Lisunova, a Ukrainian journalist based in Washington, DC, and media adviser with the American nonprofit Razom for Ukraine, joins us to unpack the key moments.

Guests: 

Ellie Hodges, Political Commentator and Journalist. You can find her on X here.

Kateryna Lisunova, Ukrainian journalist based in Washington, DC, and media advisor with the American nonprofit Razom for Ukraine. You can find her on X here.

Producer: 

Monica Lillis

US-UK drug deal could result in 229,000 excess deaths in England, analysis suggests

A pharmaceutical trade deal between the UK and the US could lead to more than 200,000 avoidable deaths over the next decade, according to new analysis by the British Medical Journal. The agreement, struck last December, removed tariffs on UK pharmaceutical exports to the US but committed the NHS to higher spending on branded medicines. This could now see around £45 billion diverted away from NHS care towards purchasing new drugs. 

While ministers called it a “landmark deal”, critics say it amounts to “pacifying Donald Trump and big pharma’s demand for higher medicine prices.” Zoë and Ali unpack the pressure on the UK government from Donald Trump and the impact of Brexit on the pharmaceutical market. 

Refugees would be told to repay around £10,000 under new asylum bill

Asylum seekers will be required to repay up to £10,000 towards the cost of their accommodation and support once they start earning, under new government plans. The scheme, part of a revised Immigration and Asylum Bill introduced to Parliament on Tuesday, aims to recoup the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels, HMOs and other accommodation. But critics say it will push the immigration system in a more restrictive direction. Zoë and Ali discuss why this legislation might be considered cruel and the government’s shifting messaging towards immigration. 

250 years of American Independence 

This Saturday marks 250 years since the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence. But celebrations of the milestone have become politically divided. Congress created the bipartisan America250 Commission in 2016 to plan the anniversary. But upon returning to office last year, President Trump launched a rival organisation, Freedom 250. This weekend, the two groups are hosting separate celebrations: a Trump-led rally in Washington, D.C., while America250 is holding a concert in Los Angeles hosted by Queen Latifah. Zoë and Ali explore the political divisions and issues that the relatively young country continues to face.

Plus: Breaking news whilst we were on air: Keir Starmer has passed emergency legislation to allow pubs in England and Wales to stay open until 5am on Monday for England’s World Cup match against Mexico! Let’s hope for celebrations, not commiserations!

Burnham sets out Westminster Devolution vision

On Monday, Prime Minister-in-waiting, Andy Burnham, delivered his first major policy speech since winning the Makerfield by-election. 

Speaking at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, the former Mayor of the city set out his plans for the country if he becomes Prime Minister. His offer to the public centres on a major transfer of power from Westminster to local communities. Other pledges include reforming utilities, reindustrialisation, and a major push to build council housing. Burnham is on course to take over from Keir Starmer in just over two weeks’ time - but do his policies hold up? Zoë and Ali give their first impressions of Burnham’s speech, what ‘Manchester-ism’ might look like in practice and how he might get people to trust in politics again.

Starmer unveils Defence Investment Plan 

On Wednesday, outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled his long-delayed Defence Investment Plan to the public. The plan sets out the UK’s defence budget, including targets for key weapons programmes. Since the resignation of defence secretary John Healey last month, the plan has been revised and extra spending over the next four years has increased to £15 billion. 

However, the plan is already becoming a political headache. Critics say it still falls well short of what is required and questions still remain over how it will be funded. Mason Boycott-Owen, Politico’s UK Defence Reporter, joins us to talk through what the deal entails, why defence is an increasing priority for the UK and the so-called black hole in funding that this will leave for Andy Burnham if he becomes PM. 

Guest: Mason Boycott Owen, UK Defence Reporter. You can find his most recent work here and follow him on ‘X’ here.

Producer: Monica Lillis

The Week Unwrapped: 

Keir Starmer Steps Down as Prime Minister

After months of mounting pressure, Keir Starmer resigned as Prime Minister on Monday after just 23 months in office. Andy Burnham has now confirmed that he will stand in the Labour leadership contest following his dramatic victory in the Makerfield by-election. With support reportedly growing among Labour MPs and senior ministers, many now believe he is on course to become Britain's next Prime Minister. Ali and Zoë unpack what they made of Starmer’s resignation speech and what they think might happen next.

King Charles Reveals Personal Tax Bill

King Charles has become Britain’s first monarch in modern times to reveal his personal tax bill. His tax payments were shared on Thursday, showing the figures covering the 2024-25 financial year. Buckingham Palace said the move was part of a modernising drive for greater transparency. Zoë and Ali discuss how unusual this move is and how much impact this will have on public opinion of the Royal Family.

Sturgeon and Gove to Team Up for Reality TV ‘War Game’

This week, Sky announced a new reality television series, The War Game, which will see a host of political figures simulate a response to a Russian attack on the UK. Its main stars are ex-Conservative minister Michael Gove and former First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, who will serve as PM and Deputy PM respectively. Zoë reveals to Ali her role in the upcoming programme! The pair also unpack what they think about political reality shows. 

Why Did Keir Starmer Resign? 

We continue with the big story of the week - Keir Starmer’s resignation and what’s next for the Labour Party. John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington and former Shadow Chancellor, joined Zoë and Ali to discuss where Starmer went wrong and why he had to step down.

What Would an Andy Burnham Premiership Look Like?

Everything is pointing to Andy Burnham becoming the next Prime Minister. On Tuesday, he held a private meeting with Keir Starmer and cabinet ministers have been calling for a swift transition. 

Ahead of the 2015 Labour leadership election - which Burnham ultimately lost - FUBAR spoke to him about the key issues he wanted to tackle if he became leader. We revisit this exclusive archive interview with MP John McDonnell to try and discern what Burnham’s policies could be.

Guest: John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington. You can find him on 'X' here.

Producer: Monica Lillis

The Week Unwrapped: 

The US and Iran sign a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ - 

Just as we thought things in the Middle East were getting boring…The US announced that a framework peace deal with Iran has been reached, bringing the 15 week conflict to a tentative end. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by Washington and Tehran, and both parties are set to meet in Switzerland later this week for the initial talks. Ali and Alex discuss whether the US has achieved its foreign policy goal, how Iran will fare from the deal and the reaction from Israel.

Ban on Palestine Action was lawful, court of appeal rules

On Monday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the government's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation is lawful. Earlier this year, the High Court found the proscription was disproportionate, in a judgment that threatened to undermine hundreds of ongoing criminal prosecutions. That ruling has now been overturned, in a win for the government. Ali and Alex unpack the significance of this and what it means for the right to protest in this country.

Voters head to the polls in Makerfield

All eyes are on Makerfield as voters head to the polls after weeks of build-up for one of the biggest by-elections this country has seen. Ali and Alex look ahead to what it might mean for the Labour Party if Andy Burnham wins, and what the scenario might be if he doesn’t.

Elon Musk becomes the world’s first trillionaire 

Entrepreneur Elon Musk is the world's first trillionaire. The milestone came over the weekend after the stock market debut of SpaceX, the company behind his rocket launches, satellite internet network and artificial intelligence business. Musk was already the richest person on the planet, but reaching a net worth of $1 trillion marks a new era of affluence. Ali and Alex discuss what this means for Musk’s power and political influence and public attitudes towards extreme wealth. 

Keir Starmer announces a ban on social media for under-16’s

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for the UK to restrict social media access for under-16s. The government says the measures would go further than ‘any country in the world’ to protect children from online harms. The new rules will mean that starting from 2027, young people under-16 would be barred from a range of major platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram. 

Cosima Wiltshire, Lead of Strategy and Public Affairs at FlippGen, tells us her thoughts on the ban, how young people have reacted and how the government can make social media a safer place for all. 

Guests:

Alex von Tunzelmann, Author and Historian. You can find her on Instagram: @alexvontunzelmann 

Cosima Wiltshire, Lead of Strategy and Public Affairs at FlippGen. You can find her on Instagram: @cosimawiltshire

Producer: 

Monica Lillis 

What’s next for the war in the Middle East?

Hopes for a truce in the Middle East are fading, as the United States launched a second round of airstrikes into Iran on Thursday morning. The attacks were launched after the downing of an American helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by targeting the US’s allies in the Gulf: Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday night that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalling peace negotiations. Zoë and Ali discuss what these breaches mean for peace, whether it is turning into a long-term war, and what the cost is domestically for Donald Trump.

Defence Secretary John Healey resigns over military spending plans

Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned from Keir Starmer’s government over military spending plans. In a letter to the PM on Thursday, he says the defence investment plan "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time" and that he had no choice but to stand down. Zoë and Ali unpack why this comes as a surprise and what this significant move means for Keir Starmer’s future. 

One week to go until the Makerfield By-election

Ali is in Makerfield again this week, so he brings us the latest from the constituency ahead of the consequential by-election. Ali also tells us about the mood locally, why he thinks it is going to be a tight race and why he is concerned about the rise of the right-wing Restore Britain.

Violence breaks out in Belfast after protests over a knife attack

Earlier this week, footage was widely circulated on social media of a serious knife attack in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Authorities say the suspect is a Sudanese refugee, a detail that has fuelled anti-immigration protests. Some were peaceful, but others descended into violence.

Demonstrators have set fire to vehicles and buildings, largely in Belfast, with residents reporting that many of those targeted were people of colour. 

The unrest comes as anger over the fatal stabbing of Southampton student Henry Nowak remains raw. While the two cases are unrelated, both have sparked protests and renewed debate around immigration and asylum in the UK. 

Zoë and Ali unpack why this is more than an immigration issue, how this casts light on increasing racist rhetoric in the UK and the role of social media. 

Albania’s Flamingo Revolution: Jared Kushner’s hotel development sparks fierce backlash

To Albania now, where thousands of people have taken to the streets of the capital, Tirana, to protest a multi-billion-dollar development linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trump.

Plans for a 10,000-room luxury resort complex on the former military outpost of Sazan Island, alongside a development near the neighbouring Vjosa-Narta Lagoon, a protected stretch of Albania's coastline, have sparked opposition. Albania's government is backing the investment and appears determined to push ahead. 

Una Hajdari, Politico Europe contributor and Balkans expert joins us to explain the political difficulty of the project, why Albanians are so angry and what this might mean for the country’s future.

Guest: Una Hajdari, Politico Europe contributor and Balkans expert. You can find Una on X here. 

Producer: Monica Lillis

The Week Unwrapped: 

Two weeks to go until the Makerfield by-election:

Ali is in Makerfield again this week ahead of the consequential by-election on 18th June which could determine the future of leadership in Britain. Ali tells Zoë about the mood on the ground, what the polls are saying right now and the scrutiny that the Reform candidate, Robert Kenyon, is under.

Hungary set to be the first EU country to introduce a wealth tax 

In April, long-term far right leader, Viktor Orban, was ousted from government and lost his 16 year grip on power. His replacement, Péter Magyar, won his campaign on the promise that he would crack down on corruption, funneling funds towards public services. And it seems he will be delivering on that promise - with his centre-right Tisza party expected to announce a wealth tax in the coming days. Zoë and Ali discuss how this originally left-wing policy has become mainstream, whether this feeling will spread across Europe and whether it will work in practice. 

The second set of Mandelson files are released 

A second set of files relating to Peter Mandelson’s time as UK ambassador to the US were released on Monday. The documents were published in an attempt to reveal what ministers know about Mandelson’s links to Epstein, but it seems we have been left with more questions than answers. Zoë and Ali unpick why this slow drip of new information will continue to make the public lose faith in the current administration. 

Murder of Henry Nowak sparks identity politics row

The murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak has sent shockwaves across the UK. Last year, the Southampton student was handcuffed after killer Vickrum Digwa falsely claimed to police that Nowak had racially abused him. In reality, Digwa had stabbed Nowak five times with a blade he claimed to carry as part of his Sikh faith.

Footage released this week shows Nowak pleading with officers that he'd been stabbed, one officer dismissed him. Nowak died shortly after. The case has sparked fierce political debate. Critics, including Nigel Farage and Elon Musk say the tragedy highlights two-tier policing, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused Farage of "exploiting tragedy to create grievance and division". Zoë and Ali consider the importance of centering his family in the discussions, how certain figures are using this as a political tool and the Right-wing’s changing views towards the police. 

Why are so many young people out of work in the UK?

A new report released by the government last week says that one million young people aged 16-24 in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET) - the highest level in more than a decade. The report’s author, Alan Milburn, outlined that career opportunities for young people are “not growing, they’re shrinking” and warned that “we are at risk of a lost generation.”  So why are so many people currently out of work? Dani Payne, Head of Education and Social Mobility at the Social Market Foundation joins us to dispel the myths of the ‘snowflake generation.’ She tells us about the factors that have led to such a high level of youth unemployment, the death of the ‘Saturday job’ and what the government can do next. 

Guest: Dani Payne - You can find her @danihpayne on Instagram and TikTok

Producer: Monica Lillis

The Week Unwrapped:

Former SNP Chief, Peter Murrell, Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Party Funds

Earlier this week, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, Peter Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. Murrell, who is also the estranged husband of previous first minister Nicola Sturgeon, used illicit party funds to purchase luxury goods including jewellery, two cars and a motorhome. Ros and Ali discuss how the SNP have survived the scandal, whether Sturgeon deserves to be scrutinised and some of Murrell’s questionable purchases. 

Robert Kenyon’s Old Social Media Accounts Exposed

Last week, Reform UK announced local plumber, Robert Kenyon, as their candidate in the Makerfield by-election. However, several social media accounts linked to Kenyon have come under scrutiny, after a series of historic posts resurfaced online. Some posts attributed to the account appear to express controversial views on issues including Covid vaccines and immigration as well as degrading comments about women and anti-Ukraine sentiment. Ros and Ali question whether Kenyon is right for the role, the vetting process for Reform UK and his refusal to apologise. 

Why does every Labour frontbencher have the same haircut?

Finally, a recent article by Hannah Camilleri on her Substack ‘Soft Power’ has pointed out an interesting phenomenon in Westminster. She writes that if you cast your eye over the Labour benches at the moment, there is an exceptionally high rate of what has been nicknamed the “Labour Right Bob” From Shabana Mahmood to Rachel Reeves, it seems that plenty of the top women in the Commons all have the same short haircut. Ali and Ros unpack why that might be. 

Up Next:

Is a Social Media Ban on the Horizon?

On Tuesday, the government wrapped up a consultation on whether to impose an Australian-style social media ban for under 16s. Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, vowed to take "decisive” action to tackle the impact of social media on children in the UK. This is part of a wider debate about how the government can increase pressure on tech companies over online safety concerns, especially for young people. The Labour party is expected to announce a crackdown within weeks. Ali and Ros unpick the complex debate, what can be done and whether the legislation will actually work.

Heatwaves: Should the Government be doing more?

The UK has experienced a record breaking heatwave this week. The hottest ever May temperature was recorded on Tuesday in London - 35.1C. This warm weather is, however, a cause for concern. High temperatures have led to deaths, infrastructure failures as well as economic disruption. Scientists expect that heatwaves will happen more often as a result of climate change. So, is the UK doing enough to prepare itself for this shift? Issey Gladston, Climate Journalist and Communications Strategist, joins us to unpack why it’s currently so hot in Europe, the rise of conspiracy theories and why we should frame this as a national security issue. 

Guests: Ros Taylor - Writer, Broadcaster and Journalist. You can find her on Bluesky here

Issey Gladston - Climate Journalist and Communications strategist. You can find her on Instagram here. 

Producer: Monica Lillis

Files related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as trade envoy in 2001 have been released -

A fresh batch of files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appointment as trade envoy in 2001 has been released by the government. Earlier this year, lawmakers agreed to publish the documents after the disgraced royal was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The pages reveal that there was no formal due diligence or vetting process undertaken prior to his appointment. Ali and Martha unpack whether this new information will be damaging to Buckingham Palace, whether Andrew was qualified enough for the position and the difficulties placing Royals in political positions. 

UK loosens Russian oil sanctions as fuel prices rise -

This week, the government has loosened strict sanctions on Russian oil as concerns over supply grow as a result of the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Since the start of the US-Israel war in Iran, fuel prices have skyrocketed which is having a huge knock on effect on British industry. The government has expressed the need to be flexible, but in the meantime has signed a G7 statement reaffirming its "unwavering commitment" to Ukraine. Ali and Martha discuss realpolitik: will the general public care if it’s making prices cheaper or is this an immoral move? 

UK formally assesses bid for England to host Olympics in 2040s -

The UK government is looking into a potential bid to host the Olympics and Paralympic Games in the 2040’s. Ministers have commissioned UK Sport to assess whether the competition could return to Britain, this time in the north of the country. Ali and Martha reminisce on the excitement of London 2012, and how the soft-power benefits of hosting another Games. 

Campaigns for the Makerfield By-Election begin: 

Up next, Andy Burnham has officially launched his campaign for the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a potential challenge to Keir Starmer’s leadership. Reform UK also announced their candidate - local man, Robert Kenyon. Meanwhile, Starmer remains insistent that he isn’t going anywhere. Ali and Martha unpack why this is such a pivotal moment in British politics, what to expect in the coming weeks and what might happen if Labour don’t win.

Putin’s Visit to China: 

This week, Xi Jinping welcomed the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, just days after the Chinese leader hosted Donald Trump in the same location. Putin touched down in Beijing on Tuesday, confident that despite the US’s touting of trade deals, there is little evidence of significant progress for Washington and Beijing. George Magnus, Research associate at China Centre, Oxford University, and SOAS and Author of ‘Red Flags: Why Xi’s China is in Jeopardy”, joined Ali to unpack 

Guests: 

Martha Gill (@Martha_Gill on X and @marthagill.bsky.social on BlueSky)

George Magnus (@georgemagnus1 on X)

Producer: Monica Lillis

US President, Donald Trump, is on a rare visit to China this week to meet with premier Xi Jinping. The summit aims to ease the fragile relationship between the two superpowers. Zoe and Ali discuss Trump’s surprising change of heart on China, the importance of Taiwan in these discussions and whether Beijing will assist Washington on Iran. 

Then, following on from our discussion last week: Reports confirm that Nigel Farage bought a £1.4 million property in cash shortly after he received a £5 personal gift from a Thailand based crypto billionaire. The revelation comes after The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner separately confirmed that he will be facing a formal investigation over the fact he didn’t declare the gift. The Reform UK leader says he was under “no obligation” to make it public because it was given before he was an MP. His opponents however say he should have. Zoë and Ali question the reasons why this wasn’t declared, Farage’s comments to The Sun newspaper that it was a ‘reward’ for pioneering Brexit and what the consequences might be for him. 

Finally, over the weekend, French President Emmanuel Macron angrily interrupted a speech at an event in Kenya, to demand silence from the audience. Macron appeared visibly upset at the level of noise in the room, and stormed onto the stage. The summit was meant to show off France’s new policy for the continent and improve relations in a shift from a dominating former colonial power to what Paris describes as an equal partnership. Zoë and Ali unpack the backlash. 

Threats to Keir Starmer’s Leadership:

Keir Starmer is facing serious threats to his leadership. Following on from Labour’s worst ever performance in the local elections, nearly a quarter of the party’s MP’s have called for Starmer to resign. 

Earlier this week, Wes Streeting resigned from his position as Health Secretary saying that he has lost confidence in him. Reports say but he is expected to launch a challenge for leadership, but this is yet to happen. 

But waiting in the wings was Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Former Starmer ally, Josh Simons, has said he will step down from his seat in Makerfield, to pave the way for Burnham to be the next leader. Zoë and Ali unpack another wild week in the Commons, Westminster’s short-termism problem and where the Labour Party will go next. 

Eurovision - Can It Ever Be Free of Politics?

Finally, the grand final of the Eurovision, now in its 70th year, is being held in Vienna on Saturday night and hundreds of millions of people will be tuning in. However, this year’s competition is shrouded in controversy. Disputes are growing over Israel’s participation and as a result, five countries, including Spain and Ireland are boycotting. 

Chris West, author of Eurovision!: A History of Modern Europe Through the World's Greatest Song Contest joins us to tell us the history of the politics of Eurovision, the accusations of political double standards threatening to overshadow the music, and what this year’s edition will look like. 

Guest: Chris West 

Producer: Monica Lillis

But first it's the week unwrapped with winner of Make me a Prime Minister Natalie Balmain

STORY 1: Hantavirus Outbreak, how worried should we be?

Earlier this week, The World Health Organisation confirmed an outbreak of the deadly rodent-borne Hantavirus aboard a Dutch cruise ship. So far 3 of the 150 passengers have died and one British citizen has been taken into intensive care.

The vessel, MV Hondus, was in transit from Argentina to the Canary Islands. The ship is expected to arrive at Granadilla on the island of Tenerife “within three days”

STORY 2: Graduate jobs fall by a third as employers cut hiring

Fresh figures from jobs platform Adzuna, published in The Times on Wednesday shows a 34.9 percent decline in vacancies for graduates in the year to March. Many companies are cutting back on hiring and using AI tools and technologies instead.

STORY 3: Cost of a pint has reached £10 in London

And finally, if you’re heading for a drink in London this weekend, prepare not to get any change from that £10 note - According to the Telegraph, a number of bars in the capital are now charging a tenner or more for a pint of beer.

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accepted a £5million “gift” from billionaire backer Christopher Harborne. Farage has claimed that he had “no obligation” to declare the gift, said to pay for his security.

In a Telegraph interview last week, Farage revealed that in early 2024, Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne had given him the money to pay for his security.

Labour and other rival parties have accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by not declaring the £5m gift in the register of interests for MPs - and the Conservatives have referred the Reform UK leader to the parliamentary standards commissioner.

But speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Farage said the £5m gift was "purely private" and "wasn't political in any sense at all". "The rules are very clear," Farage said.

"And believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift.

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And then to wrap up the show, whilst voting was ongoing, Zoe was joined by Steve Akehurst (PRONO: Ache-hurst), Director of electoral think-tank, Persuasion UK to discuss the history, influence and importance of local elections.

Why May's local elections are more important than you might think - ITV:

This year's elections in the UK are much more important than you might think - and the results could have a huge impact in both the immediate aftermath and in years to come.

On May 7, millions of people in England, Scotland, and Wales will elect over 5,000 politicians in elections that could produce a set of results the UK has never seen before.

The Welsh and Scottish national elections could set a path for the breakup of the UK.

England's council elections could decimate Labour and the Conservatives, and the results across the board could be the end of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

What's happening where? And what’s changed?

In England, elections are being held for 4,851 council seats across 134 of England’s 317 council areas.

The areas include big cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, as well as counties including Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

What is happening in Scotland and Wales?

In Wales, the electoral system has changed for the first time since its first devolved election in 1999.

The number of Senedd seats up for grabs is increasing from 60 to 96, but the number of constituencies is decreasing from 40 to 16, and each will elect six politicians.

People in Wales will now only cast one vote, rather than the two in previous elections - and ballot papers will only display party names rather than candidates.

Scotland, which is electing 129 members to the Scottish parliament, is still using the Additional Member Electoral System

This means Scots will cast two votes - one for a candidate and another for a party.

In Scotland and Wales, 16-year-olds can vote.

The voting age in England will still be 18 until the government lowers it across the UK ahead of the next general election.

Politicians elected in Wales and Scotland will make decisions that affect their whole country, while councillors in England only preside over their local areas.

All of these elections are critical for the Labour Party and could be fatal for Starmer.

Host: Zoe Grunewald

Guests: Natalie Balmain and Steven Akehurst

Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

Police are treating the stabbing of two men in Golders Green, in north London as terrorism. The assaults, claimed by Iran-linked terror group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) follow a series of arson attacks on Jewish targets in the capital since March. The suspect, who has been named as Essa Suleiman, has been described as hunting for anyone “visibly Jewish” to attack. Zoë and Ali discuss the rise of antisemitism in the UK, the concern around growing political violence and what the government can do beyond increased police funding. 

Then, new analysis shows the world’s 100 biggest oil companies made more than $30 million every hour in unearned profit in the first month of the US-Israeli war in Iran. This includes UK petroleum giant BP who saw their profits double. Ali tells us why the narrative that 'we are all in this together' when it comes to rising prices is wrong.

Finally, recently elected Green Party MP, Hannah Spencer caused a stir in political circles after describing her “unease” over the smell of booze in Westminster. Fellow parliamentarians, including Nigel Farage, were quick to criticise her comments, raising questions and eyebrows around the drinking culture in parliament. Zoë and Ali unpack the risks surrounding this and whether this is a class issue.

Is Labour on week footing going into next week’s local elections?

The story that is still dominating the headlines is the fallout from the Mandelson scandal. 

This week, Keir Starmer dodged a parliamentary investigation over claims he misled parliament about the process to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador. The Conservative led motion was dismissed, with MP’s voting against it 335 to 223.

Downing Street deployed its full weight to force Labour MPs to block a referral to the privileges committee, however some 15 MPs defied the party whip and did not vote against the motion as instructed.

Zoë and Ali unpack why Keir Starmer didn’t refer himself to the privileges committee himself if he was confident enough and ask whether this has irreparably damaged his reputation. With local elections coming up next week, we discuss how all this will impact Labour, especially with fresh forecasts that the party are set to lose 1850 seats.

Then, speaking of the local elections, Labour is doing its best to squash the number of voters for The Reform Party next week. The party this week published a so-called - “uncensored” version of its election broadcast, highlighting comments made by Reform UK politicians too offensive to be aired on TV. Zoë and Ali tell us why they think this reverse psychology strategy is a strong campaign choice.

King Charles’ State Visit to the US 

This week King Charles paid a state visit to the United States - the first trip of its kind since 2007. Ties between the US-UK have been fractured of late with President Trump openly expressing his dislike for Keir Starmer and his policies. The Royal visit comes with the hope that the special relationship can be repaired and it has seemingly gone well. Amanda Matta, Royal Commentator joined the show to explain the state of the ‘special relationship’, the Royal Family’s role in diplomacy and American perception of the King. 

Guest: Amanda Matta, Royal Commentator. You can find her on TikTok and Instagram @matta_of_fact 

Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

Up next, we unpack the ties between Big Tech and Britain’s institutions with Director of Advocacy at Foxglove, Donald Campbell. Over the weekend, US based Data Analytics firm Palantir posted on X what they called a ‘brief’ summary of CEO Alex Karp’s book “The Technological Republic.” Dubbed as the company’s mini manifesto, the post sets out Palantir’s controversial ideology and denounces inclusivity and ‘regressive pluralist cultures’ Palantir has operations in multiple government agencies across the world, including here in the UK. According to the Good Law Project, NHS trusts are rolling out Palantir software and in 2023, the government handed a £330 million NHS data contract to Palantir. The software is designed to link up otherwise incompatible databases, fixing an issue that has hampered the NHS where unrelated IT systems are used in different locations. However, Donald Campbell tells Zoë that he thinks that the Labour Government should bring their contract to an end, and according to the British Medical Association, Palantir are ‘not an appropriate partner to have working in the NHS.’ Critics also point to Palantir's funding links to the CIA, leading to allegations around surveillance, its contracts with the Israeli Defence Force, and its co-founder Peter Thiel being a major donor to Donald Trump's presidential campaign. Also, according to Novara Media, the most recent dump of Epstein files sheds light on the links between Palantir, Thiel, Epstein and the former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson. 

Guests: Matthew Torbitt and Donald Campbell 

Producer: Monica Lillis

Ali and Zoe discuss this breaking story, the "partygate" vibes and if this is the end for Keir Starmer.

Via the Guardian: According to multiple sources, Mandelson was initially denied clearance in late January 2025 after a developed vetting process, a highly confidential background check by security officials.

Keir Starmer had by then announced he would be making Mandelson the UK’s chief diplomat in Washington, posing a dilemma for officials at the Foreign Office, who decided to use a rarely used authority to override the recommendation from security officials.

The decision, which rests with the Cabinet Office, has not yet been taken. Any attempt to withhold the documents from the intelligence and security committee could amount to a breach of a parliamentary motion to release “all papers relating to Mandelson’s appointment”.

Starmer will also be pressed over whether he misled the public in remarks about the security vetting process, which he said had given Mandelson “clearance for the role”.

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Then with local elections coming up in the UK, parties are doubling down on their stance on affordable housing and particularly the issue of Leasehold. The Labour Party pledged in their 2024 manifesto that they would abolish the so-called ‘feudal’ agreements, but so far progress has been slow. Ali and Zoe are joined by founder Free Leaseholders, a grassroots campaign for the abolition of leasehold, Harry Scoffin, to discuss.

Key Facts and Figures

Total Leasehold Homes: Approximately 5 million leasehold homes exist in England, representing 20% of the housing stock.

Composition: 70% of leasehold properties are flats, and 30% are houses.

Transaction Volume: In 2023, 24% of all residential property transactions in England and Wales were leasehold.

Ground Rent Statistics: As of 2023/24, 77% of leaseholders paid ground rent, with a median of £120 per year; however, 23% paid zero ground rent.

The 2-Year Rule: The requirement to own a property for two years before extending a lease or buying the freehold has been abolished

In the build up to the 2024 general election all major UK political parties pledged some form of leasehold reform, with Labour and the Liberal Democrats committing to abolition, and the Conservatives promising further reform.

With the local elections coming up on the 7th May, Green Party leader Zack Polanski also claimed the government had U-turned on its promise to scrap the "feudal" leasehold system "because it's more interested in pleasing property developers than freeing five million people from the financial burden of service charges".

Guest Bio:

Free Leaseholders is a grassroots group of leaseholders fighting for so-called ‘true’ homeownership.

The group claims that 5.3 million homes in England and Wales are under leasehold.

This means that you pay for the right to occupy the property you live in but you don’t truly own the flat itself or the ‘bricks and mortar’.

Occupiers are therefore subject to ground rents, service charges, and the threat of forfeiture

Free Leaseholders say that the law dates back to 1066 and it no longer exists in most of the world

They’re campaigning because governments have been pledging for decades to abolish it but each time they’ve given into pressure from powerful lobbies that benefit from leasehold.

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To wrap up the show Zoe and Ali give an update on the War in Iran, where local and US officials are still hashing out a plan for a ceasefire. Indirect talks are said to be “ongoing and productive” but fundamental differences still remain.

US Secretary of ‘War’ Pete Hegseth says the US will maintain the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz for as long as it takes.

Pakistan’s Army chief is in Iran as part of ongoing mediation efforts to renew negotiations as the deadline for the fragile US-Iran ceasefire looms.

Iranian officials say that fundamental disagreements remain between the warring parties, specifically over Iran’s nuclear programme.

The White House says discussions around a possible second round of peace talks between the US and Iran are "ongoing" and "productive" - but no time or place have been confirmed.

The two-week ceasefire is due to end on 22 April.

Hosts: Ali Milani and Zoe Grunewald

Guest: Harry Scoffin

Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

No Zoe today so Ali breaks down the war in Iran so far before being joined by Professor of International Studies at the Clinton Institute in Dublin, and founder of the EA WorldView, Scott Lucas to chat about the shaky ceasefire between the US and Iran. We also rerun Zoe's interview with Matthew Spence, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy under Obama.

After this Scott Lucas joins the show, where he breaks down the different aims in this war for Israeli Leader Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, arguing that Israel wants to expand, creating "Greater Israel" in Lebanon.

"No one wins" a war, argues Lucas, as they explain the ever-increasing death tolls, the targeting of civilian infrastructure and JD Vance's plans to become President after Trump leaves office.

They also discuss the UK's role in the war, and the US's precarious position with its allies.

Guest Bio:

Scott Lucas became Professor of International Politics in 2014, having been on the staff of the University of Birmingham since 1989 and a Professor of American Studies since 1997.

He began his career as a specialist in US and British foreign policy, but his research interests now also cover current international affairs --- especially North Africa, the Middle East, and Iran --- New Media, and Intelligence Services.

A professional journalist since 1979, Professor Lucas is the founder and editor of EA WorldView, a leading website in daily news and analysis of Iran, Turkey, Syria, and the wider Middle East, as well as US foreign policy.

Host: Ali Milani

Guests: Scott Lucas and Matthew Spence

Producer: Hugh Smiley

But first it's the Week Unwrapped:

Grenfell was a “tragedy” but “everyone dies in the end”, this is what the now former Reform housing spokesman, Simon Dudley, said in an interview with Inside Housing. These comments have sparked outrage from Grenfell campaigners and the politicians alike.

Simon Dudley this week in an interview with Inside Housing said in response to a question on whether he thought Grenfell was a warning about insufficient regulation. ‘That (Grenfell) was a tragedy. It was a failure" But he doesn’t believe the current regulatory regime is proportionate saying “Sadly, you know, everyone dies in the end. It’s just how you go, right?”

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The Israeli Parliament has passed a highly controversial law mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of carrying out deadly terror attacks. The bill has been described by opponents as "Immoral"

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Long serving Labour MP Karl Turner lost the whip this week after a “pattern of behaviour” for opposing the government. Turner has been especially vocal in opposing David Lammy’s Jury Trial reforms, he said he was "disappointed to be suspended without prior discussion”.

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Welcome back, who is it that owns London? It’s been a well known fact that much of the capital is bought up by foreign private investors, but who are they? And how far does their ownership spread? Investigative Journalist for the Londoner Andrew Kersley joins the studio to break down his excellent piece: Revealed: the billionaires who really own London

32,611 properties in London are owned by overseas entities. We can do this because a recent change in the law is forcing these foreign companies to register their real owners.

a story that concerns some of London’s most iconic pubs, Camden market, President Trump’s golf buddy and even an Oxford Street Harry Potter store whose landlord is seemingly the sanctioned Libyan government.

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Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali Milani

Guest: Andrew Kersley

Producers: Hugh Smiley and Jules Bradford

But first it's the week unwrapped:

Failed Reform candidate Matt Goodwin’s new book is reportedly filled with falsehoods and hallucinations after allegations that he extensively used ChatGPT to write it. Prompting him to have the nickname, MattGpt.

The Reform UK candidate who lost a crunch by-election last month has defended using AI to help write his latest book.

Matt Goodwin came in second place, behind the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer, in the Gorton and Denton vote – a sign that Nigel Farage’s party may be losing momentum with voters.

Now the ex-university academic, who came under fire during the campaign for calling for women and young girls to be given a “biological reality” check, has had to defend his use of ChatGPT on his latest book, Suicide of a Nation: Immigration, Islam, Identity.

The book has been described as a “story of how Britain, one of the most remarkable countries on earth, is not just in decline but is committing national suicide”.

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Morgan Mcsweeney has claimed that his phone, containing all his messages for friend of a nonce Peter Mandelson has been stolen. The convenience of which has led to some doubting this claim. Keir Starmer today said it was “far-fetched” to claim that Mcsweeney is lying.

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And finally Nigel Farage has hinted that one of his former MPs in Essex, who quit Reform UK after allegations of financial misconduct, could rejoin his party.

Nigel Farage has hinted that one of his former MPs in Essex, who quit Reform UK after allegations of financial misconduct, could rejoin his party.

James McMurdock gave up his party whip last year over questions about his eligibility for Covid-19 support loans that he received through two companies. He denied any wrongdoing.

Asked during a local election campaign visit to Corringham in Essex, Farage said "I'm hoping we can get this thing ironed out".

McMurdock sits as an independent for South Basildon and East Thurrock, which includes Corringham, and he confirmed he would like to rejoin the party.

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After this, Technology Reporter for Politico, based in the US, Aaron Mak joins the show to explain several landmark social media rulings.

Meta has just lost a court case that could have huge implications for children in the future. The company behind Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook has just been fined $375 million dollars for damaging children’s mental health and exposing them to sexual content.

But that is not the only court case which Meta has lost this week. Yesterday a woman successfully won her case over her childhood addiction to social media.

In a small court in Los Angeles, both Meta and Youtube were found liable. Now they are facing a wave of 40 more similar lawsuits.

Los Angeles Case

The woman, known as Kaley, was awarded $6m in damages (NYT)

She also received an additional $3m punitive damages (NYT)

Jurors determined Meta and Google "acted with malice, oppression, or fraud" (NYT)

Kaley said she started using Instagram aged nine and YouTube aged six, and encountered no attempts to block her because of her age (NYT)

Meta and Google said they disagreed with the verdict and intended to appeal (BBC)

Meta said: "Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app.”

Meta faces a wave of more than 40 similar lawsuits

Child Social Media Case

A court in New Mexico ruled that the company behind WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook was liable for how its platform exposed children to sexually explicit content and predators.

Meta says it will appeal the decision and that it works hard to keep people safe on its platforms.

Experts say the ruling could now have big consequences around the world (NYT)

There are currently more than 2,000 active cases looking at social media harm in the US (BBC)

Guest Bio:

Aaron Mak is a technology reporter at POLITICO. As an undergraduate, he interned at POLITICO Magazine and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Aaron later worked as a technology reporter at Slate, where he won a Writers Guild of America award for a feature delving into Asian men’s rights groups on social media. Aaron holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale College and a JD from Yale Law School. In his free time, he likes watching cult classics and listening to cloud rap.

Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali Milani

Guest: Aaron Mak

Producers: Hugh Smiley and Ruth Rashleigh

But first it's the week unwrapped. Ali couldn't make it today so comedian, satirist and host of Privacy Settings on FUBAR Radio its Will Sebag-Montefiore! Zoe and Will discuss Nigel Farage's Cameo conundrum and Angela Rayner's splash back in headline politics.

Nigel Farage has found himself in hot water after selling videos on Cameo in which he endorsed a neo-Nazi event, repeated extremist slogans and supported a man convicted over his involvement in a far-right riot recently.

Nigel Farage has sold videos in which he endorsed a neo-Nazi event, repeated extremist slogans and supported a man convicted over his involvement in a far-right riot recently.

Farage charged £155 for one video he made in 2025 for a man he was told had received a 16-month sentence for his involvement in a far-right riot. The Reform leader told the man to “keep acting in the right way”.

He was paid £141 for another video in which he promoted an event by a Canadian neo-Nazi group, which used the clip in propaganda alongside fascist salutes and antisemitic imagery. Farage called the event “the best thing that ever happened”.

Farage has been producing content on the platform for 5 years now, and charged at least £374,893 most clips are trivial Happy birthday’s and Happy Valentines

Fellow Reform MP Lee Anderson, who had already been warned about commercial filming in Westminster, sold two videos filmed from what he called the “beating heart of democracy in Westminster” in early February 2025.

In the rest of the cameo, sent as a Valentine’s Day wishes to “Steve”, a Reform voter and member. “Make sure you treat the missus to something really nice and hopefully get you down here to Westminster one day and come and say hello to Reform UK. Have a good one, fella,”

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Then Deputy Green Party Leader Mothin Ali joins to discuss Tory MP and Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy, who described Ramadan prayers in Central London as "an act of domination". Many politicans across the Right have come out in defence of Timothy, including Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage.

Mothin Ali describes this moment as "really dangerous", arguing that "there's no outrage when there's Passover or Hanukkah celebrations. Or there's Easter celebrations, or the or the Sikh celebrations"

Guest Bio:

Mothin Ali is a British politician who has served as Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, alongside Rachel Millward, since September 2025. He has also served as a member of Leeds City Council for Gipton and Harehills since 2024.

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After this, as speculation that Donald Trump might call time on the Iran War grows, Matthew Spence, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy under Barack Obama, joins the show to break down the history of US-Iran relations, why Trump is struggling in the war so far and the role that Israel has played in the invasion.

Guest bio:

Matthew Spence is a co-Founder and Board Member of the Truman National Security Project and Truman Center for National Policy.

Matt is Managing Director and Global Head of Venture Capital Banking at Barclays, where he focuses on emerging technology companies, with a focus at the intersection of defense technology, cybersecurity, and national security. He also serves as Professor of Practice at Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Management and Law School.

Before entering the private sector Matt held senior roles in the government in national security. Matt served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy, where he was the principal advisor to three Secretaries of Defense on U.S. policy toward the Middle East. He received the Secretary of Defense Award for Outstanding Public Service.

On todays show, the government plan to end jury trials for crimes with expected sentences of under 3 years. Ali and Zoe are joined by journalist Ben Smoke to discuss rising authoritarianism form the Labour Party. Then Pink News writer Amelia Hansford joins the show to break down NHS England’s review into HRT for trans adults.

Before this, its the week unwrapped!

From warnings over ‘reputational risk’ t to a £75,000 taxpayer-funded payout, the first tranche of Peter Mandelson files have been published! How damaging is this story for Keir Starmer? Ali and Zoe discuss.

Here are the key points:

Mandelson paid out £75,000

Mandelson was offered a severance payment of £75,000 after initially asking the Foreign Office to pay him more than £500,000

Starmer Warned 

It was flagged to Sir Keir that "Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein's house while he was in jail in June 2009" and noted there was "general reputational risk" over his relationship with Epstein .

It warned the PM that a political appointment - Lord Mandelson - rather than a diplomatic one was more risky: "If anything goes wrong, you could be more exposed as the individual is more connected to you personally."

Powell Mandelson's Appointment “Weirdly” rushed

Powell, one of Sir Keir's most trusted advisers, found Lord Mandelson's appointment in December 2024 was "weirdly rushed" and that he had been "particularly cautious about the appointment".

Minutes of a call in September 2025 show that Mr Powell had "raised concerns about the individual and reputation" to Morgan McSweeney, the PM's then chief of staff, and adds: "MM responded that the issues had been addressed."

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The Iran war continues as deaths continue to rise and concerns of rising inflation mount here in the UK. Ali and Zoe break down the conflict so far and the consequences internationally.

Iran's new supreme leader says key oil route will remain closed 

Iran’s new Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in first appointment the critical Strait of Hormuz will remain essentially closed as a “tool of pressure” and that Iran’s neighbors are being targeted due to US bases.

US- Israeli targets Oil facilities causing widespread health concern

BBC identify at least 4 US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilities

Smoke plumes caused by oil depot and refinery strikes drifted across Tehran on Monday, satellite images show, as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that attacks on oil facilities could pose serious health risks to residents.

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David Lammy’s plans to scrap Jury trials for crimes with sentences of less than three years has passed its first hurdle in the House, despite Labour rebels making their opposition known.

Journalist Ben Smoke joins to discuss the reforms, what they mean and if Keir Starmer is an authoritarian.

The measures, announced in December after a review by a retired judge Sir Brian Leveson, would scrap jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years.

MPs have voted to allow a bill that would curb access to jury trials in England and Wales to progress to the next stage, despite some Labour MPs stating their opposition to the reforms.

The Courts and Tribunals Bill passed by 304 votes to 203, a majority of 101, with 10 Labour MPs rebelling against the government, and dozens abstaining.

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Then Pink News journalist Amelia Hansford joins to discuss NHS England's ‘evidence review’ into HRT for trans adults, a move which has some concerned about trans people's ability to access medical care

NHS England is reportedly reviewing the evidence on the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for transgender adults as part of its newly announced consultation.

The public health service confirmed the evidence review and several others in a report published as part of an upcoming public consultation into proposed changes to NHS youth gender services.

The Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (EHIA) report was published after NHS England announced the decision to ban new masculinising and feminising (MAF) hormone prescriptions for under-18s, claiming the evidence for the medication’s benefits are “really weak.”

Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali Milani

Guests: Ben Smoke and Amelia Hansford

Producers: Hugh Smiley and Jules Bradford

On today’s show Ali and Zoe are joined by foreign affairs journalist Colin Freeman to help break down Donald Trump’s war with Iran and the UK’s position in the chaos. Then film director Daniel Everitt-Lock will joins the studio to discuss his brand new film Our Planet, The People, My Blood, a documentary following the fight against the Ministry of Defence to get compensation and recognition for the British Atomic Veterans.

Before this it's the week unwrapped:

Last week the Greens shocked the political establishment by Winning the Gorton and Denton by-election. In a turn of events that was shocking for everyone, except for producer Hugh who called it (yes I did), Hannah Spencer won by a decent margin in Manchester. 

3 men have been arrested on suspicion of spying for china, including the husband of a, at the time of recording, sitting Labour MP. David Taylor, husband of East Kilbride now former Labour MP Joani Reid arrested Wednesday by Counter Terrorism Police in London on suspicion of spying for China

All the wrong lessons learned from Gorton and Denton as Shabanna Mahmood today announced new asylum rules, which make legal projections temporary for asylum seekers. Cases will be reviewed every 30 months, after which they could be sent to their country of origin, provided it is deemed safe to do so.

After the week unwrapped Colin Freeman joins to break down the conflict in Iran. The US alongside Israel have launched strikes on Iran, in what some have described as the start of WW3.

The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February. In response, Iran’s foreign ministry declared its intent to defend its homeland.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps initiated counterattacks, deploying drones and missiles towards Israel, while further strikes targeted US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Qatar.

The US and Israel launched widespread strikes on 28 February, targeting Iran's missile infrastructure, military sites and leadership in the capital, Tehran, and across the country.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the country since 1989, was killed during the first wave of strikes. Israel's military said dozens more senior figures in the powerful Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) were also killed.

From 1945 to 1996 there were over 2,000 nuclear weapons tests conducted by global superpowers, including the USA, Russia, China, the UK, France, India and Pakistan. Most of these countries never tested within their respective lands, and put millions of people across the world at risk. Joining Ali and Zoe to discuss this less spoken scandal is the director for Our Planet ,The People, My Blood, Daniel Everitt-Lock.

Find more information as well as the first screenings of Our Planet, The People, My Blood here

Guest Bio:

Why have foreign fighters flocked to Ukraine? Veteran foreign correspondent Colin Freeman investigates and finds that Orwellian, Spanish Civil War type idealism is far from the only answer. For some, it is a yearning for adventure and a desire to embrace old-school warrior values that the West no longer seems to prize.  For some, it is a flight from a life gone wrong. 

ZELENSKY'S FOREIGN LEGION delivers the intense frontline storytelling of a 3-Para or Black Hawk Down, while teasing out psychological complexity from the testimony and the back-stories of the soldiers Colin has interviewed at length. His thorough research and in-person experience have combined to create a fascinating new perspective on an era-defining conflict.

Colin Freeman is a former chief foreign correspondent of The Sunday Telegraph, now a freelance foreign affairs writer. He has been reporting on Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russian invasion, writing mainly for the The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator.

He started his journalism career on the Grimsby Evening Telegraph, before moving to the London Evening Standard. In 2003 - bored with a job covering local government -  he moved to Iraq to pursue a career as a foreign correspondent, spending two years in Baghdad. He spent the next two decades reporting all over Africa, the Middle East and Asia, covering events including the Arab Spring uprisings, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in west Africa, and the Somali piracy crisis. Over the years, he has written for the Economist, the British Journalism Review, Tortoise Magazine, The Lady, Country Life and pretty much anywhere else that will have him. He also contributes regularly to From Our Own Correspondent on BBC Radio Four. 

Daniel's career started 14 years ago, shooting corporate videos and commercial. Since then he has worked his way up to an IATSE 667 Director of Photography, and associate member of the CSC. He is a British and Canadian Citizen currently living between London, UK, and Toronto, Canada. (eligible for tax credits in both countries)

To date he has shot over 13 scripted feature films, multiple series, and 2 feature documentaries.

He has also had the pleasure and honour of working 2nd unit alongside prolific cinematographers, including Seamus MacGarvey ASC, BSC, on 'The Nevers' for HBO.

Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali Milani

Guests: Colin Freeman and Daniel Everitt-Lock

Producer: Hugh Smiley

This episode was recorded on polling day before the results were out. Ali and Zoe break down the many controversies from each major party in this election, what a loss means for Labour and Reform and why no one is talking about the Conservatives.

The Gorton and Denton by-election is proving to be one of the most controversial by-elections in memory (i paper)

Three incidents related to the behaviour of political parties has resulted in complaints to Greater Manchester Police (i paper)

Professor Jon Tonge has described the three way race as a “toxic campaign”

Campaigning Controversies:

Green

Local academic Professor Rob Ford found himself quoted in Green Leaflets without permission under the headline “Everyone agrees, Labour are done”

Ford said he did not endorse the Greens (i paper)

Green tactics have faced criticism as a video appeared showing campaigners tearing down Labour signposts and putting them in the skip.

Reform

Reform have also not been without their controversies

A leaflet dropped through the doors in the constituency claiming to be from a ‘concerned 74 year old neighbor called Patricia Clegg,’ sparked complaints to the Police

Clegg’s son has claimed that she ‘never signed off’ on the leaflet and has received a backlash online.

Reform have also been involved in a ‘printing error’. 

Reform sent about 81,000 leaflets to the constituency’s voters from a “concerned neighbour” which did not state they had been funded and distributed by the party.

However it will not face a sanction for leaflets that omitted the party’s imprint, after a high court judge accepted this was due to an inadvertent printing error (The Guardian)

Reform have also been accused of allegedly trying to ‘bus in’ supporters from as far away as Blackpool and Kent to dominate audiences.

Reform admitted that it sent about 81,000 leaflets to the constituency’s voters from a “concerned neighbour”, which did not state they had been funded and distributed by the party.

Labour 

Labour has also been embroiled in controversy over a campaign leaflet 

Residents in Gorton and Denton have received a flyer purporting to be from a firm called ‘Tactical Choice’ (Daily Mail)

Text on the leaflet have said the strategic choice would be labour candidate Angelika Stogia.

The flyer reads “The Tactical Choice says Vote Labour”

Labour has also been accused of ‘gaslighting public’ with edited reform clip (Matt Goodwin)

Within hours of Goodwin’s announcement as a candidate, Labour managed to dig up a clip of him speaking at an event where he appeared to deride Manchester. 

Labour shared video on X of Goodwin telling audience he was “unfortunate enough” to be in Manchester

Mr Goodwin hit back claiming that statement was referring to Conservative Party Conference (The Telegraph)

The 19th of February 2026 was the 66th Birthday of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and also the day he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. In their statement Thames Valley police said that that they are “carrying out searches at address in Berkshire and Norfolk” and that Andrew “remains in Police Custody at this time”. This marks the first time in British history that a senior, working royal has been formally arrested.

This week Ali and Zoe discuss the arrest of the royal formerly known as Prince Andrew and what it means for the future of the Royal Family. They also discuss the government's social media crackdown and the highest youth unemployment rate in 10 years.

On Andrew's arrest, the King Stated:

I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.

In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.

As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter.

Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all. Charles R.

Thames Valley Police Statement:

"As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.

"The man remains in police custody at this time.

"We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.

"Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: "Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.

"'It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.

"'We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.'"

UK unemployment hit its highest rate for nearly five years. Those aged between 16-24 are bearing the brunt, with the unemployment rate rising to 16.1%, the highest in more than 10 years.

'No platform gets a free pass,' Keir Starmer has said as he announces a crackdown on social media sites. The government has announced a sweeping crackdown on tech firms to protect children from illegal content. This comes after Elon Musk’s Xai generated sexualised images of women without consent and in som cases even created said images of minors.

Nigel Farage has announced his own fake shadow cabinet! The party has stated what roles its leading members would take up if they were to win a general election. Alongside this and several policy announcements, Reform UK has instated James Orr, a staunch anti-abortion Christian as their head of policy. Ali, what do you make of Reform’s shadow, shadow cabinet.

Reform's appointments are as follows:

Robert Jenrick, chancellor

Zia Yusuf, shadow home secretary. He promised to stop the Channel crossings and derogate from any international treaty which frustrates or upends deportations. Yusuf currently lists himself in his twitter bio as “Shadow Home Secretary, Reform UK”

Richard Tice will be deputy prime minister and secretary for business, trade and energy.

Suella Braverman, shadow secretary of state for education and skills, completing his shadow cabinet appointments. Braverman will also be tasked on taking on the “world of DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion]” in her new brief.

Lee Anderson, who was the first Tory MP to defect to Reform, will remain as the party’s chief whip.

Reform MPs Danny Kruger, Andrew Rosindell, Sarah Pochin are yet to receive official roles.

James Orr, head of Policy

With the Gorton and Denton by-election fast approaching, it's looking like a 3 horse race being that’s too close to call! Ali and Zoe break down the polling and what a win in Manchester would mean for Labour, Reform and the Green Party.

This week on Politics Uncensored, Zoe Grunewald and Ali Milani break down the humiliating decline of the Starmer project: from billionaire outbursts to by-election chaos and a party machine built to crush the left now turning in on itself.

In the Week Unwrapped, Manchester United part-owner Jim Ratcliffe claims Britain is being “colonised” by immigrants, citing numbers that simply don’t add up. After shifting his tax residency to Monaco during Covid, is this just another case of elite hypocrisy dressed up as patriotism?

Then Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin pulls out of a key Gorton and Denton hustings at the last minute, claiming bias. Labour call him a snowflake. Polling suggests Reform could take the seat. Is this by-election now a straight referendum on Keir Starmer?

We also unpack Labour’s new bill to ban foreign-controlled companies from bankrolling British politics - a move that could hit Reform hard. But does it go far enough? And why are individual overseas donors still free to give?

After the break, investigative journalist Paul Holden, author of The Fraud, joins the show to explain how Morgan McSweeney and Peter Mandelson built the machine that delivered Starmer to power and why it may now be collapsing under the weight of its own factional warfare.

With Anas Sarwar openly questioning the Prime Minister, and figures like Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana charting paths outside the party, we ask: is this just a bad week for Labour or the beginning of the end for Blairism itself?

Guest bio:

Paul Holden has over a decade of experience in investigating cases of grand corruption and corporate malfeasance, including as the senior researcher on the book and feature documentary Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade. He has published six books, three of them bestsellers in his native South Africa, and has written for publications including the Guardian and the Independent. He is a Network Fellow at the Safra Centre for Ethics at Harvard University.

Hosts: Ali Milani and Zoe Grunewald

Producer: Hugh Smiley

Fresh evidence has emerged suggesting that Mandelson shared sensitive UK information with Jeffrey Epstein. Uncertainty lingers on the horizon for Starmer over what the document handover could hold 

Comedian and satirist Will Sebag-Montefiore joins Ali Milani and Zoe Grunewald this week to break down Peter Mandelson, the Epstein files and the mistreatment of his victims.

Keir Starmer apologised to victims this morning “I am sorry for believing Mandelson’s lies and for appointing him.” (Sky News)

The prime minister has lost many from his side yesterday, since evidence has emerged that he knew about Mandelson’s close relationship with Epstein (Sky News)

Keir Starmer has been blocked twice by his own side in the last 24 hours. PM was unwilling to hand over the Mandelson documents, according to Downing Street (Sky News)

Starmer wanted to have exemptions on the documents being exposed, but was again blocked by his own side, showing that he no longer commands the majority (Politico, Sky News Podcast)

At Prime Minister’s question, the PM mentioned that he knew Epstein and stayed in touch with him after his Pedophilia conviction.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell has called for the PM to resign

Evidence suggests that Mandelson forwarded information to Epstein from No. 10 in sometimes under four minutes (Independent)

Epstein and Mandelson also revealed information to each other about Gordon Brown prior and post the election, including the statements

Guest bio:

Will Sebag Montefiore is an internet sensation (in the same way Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations are Thai)

He has 70+ million views across his digital platforms. You can see him in Poldark (BBC), Endeavour (ITV) but not Malpractice (BBC) because his scene got cut.

His comedy work includes acting in Green Wing Resuscitated alongside Olivia Colman, writing and performing for BBC Radio 4 and regular appearances on Rosie Holt's NonCensored podcast.

He has performed alongside Mark Rylance at Shakespeare's Globe and did pretty well in his Year 6 SATS.

His satirical videos have been shared by the likes of Adrian Lester, Alastair Campbell, Owen Jones, Dermot

O’Leary, Dawn Butler, Lorraine Kelly, James O'Brien, Andy Haynes and, unfortunately, Joey Barton. Will is deeply ashamed

of that last one but look, a retweet’s a retweet.

Hosts: Ali Milani and Zoe Grunewald

Guest: Will Sebag-Montefiore

Producer: Hugh Smiley

In the week unwrapped Ali and Zoe discuss if the UK a surveillance state! Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced new sweeping powers for Police including 40 new live facial recognition vans and the use of AI to track down criminals. Shabana Mahmood has said that forces are “fighting crime in a digital age with analogue methods”

Then they break down Home secretary Suella Braverman's defection to Reform UK. In a not so shocking move, another former Tory MP has jumped ship and joined Nigel Farage’s Reform, with Braverman stating that she “feels like she's come home” 

After this they round up the segment by discussing Keir Starmer's trip to China. The broadcast of the meeting was all smiles and positivity from Xi Jinping and the PM. As the so called special relationship with the US looks and more and more unreliable, is the UK turning to China for security guarantees?

For the first big topic the two discuss Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham being denied by the NEC to stand as an MP in the Gorton and Denton by election. The official Labour leadership line is that Burnham was blocked due to the cost and risk of also running a mayoral election. However, many would claim that the decision was instead about concerns over Burnham challenging Keir Starmer as PM.

Labour retained a sizeable 13,413 majority in Gorton and Denton at the 2024 general election, with 50.8 per cent of the vote. However, this was down substantially from the 2019 result, when the party held a 22,175 majority and 67.2 per cent vote share.

Reform came second, with 14.1 per cent of the vote – a 9.2 point increase on 2019 – while the Greens came third, with 13.2 per cent (up 10.7 points). The turnout was also down from 61.7 per cent to 46.8.

Nigel Farage’s party has unveiled right-wing activist Matt Goodwin as its candidate to contest the seat. Speaking at a party press conference in the constituency, Mr Goodwin said: “This by-election is a referendum on Keir Starmer.

“It’s a chance for the hardworking law abiding tax paying people from this seat to have their say on Keir Starmer and to make political history.”

To round up the show Zoe and Ali discuss the several killings by ICE in Minnesota, including Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Trump has signalled 'more relaxed' federal tactics in the state but is there an end in sight to Trump's spiralling authoritarianism?

Hosts: Ali Milani and Zoe Grunewald

Producer: Hugh Smiley

This week on the week unwrapped:

Former Tory MP, former shadow Minister and still the MP for Romford Andrew Rosindell has defected to reform. This comes after Robert Generic’s not so shocking defection last week.

Andrew Rosindell has resigned from the Conservative Party and defected to Reform UK.

The former shadow minister and MP for Romford said the Tories were "irreparably bound to the mistakes of previous governments" and not willing to take "meaningful accountability" for poor decisions.

He said he had spoken to Nigel Farage on Sunday evening before agreeing to join his party. The Reform UK leader called him "a great patriot" who "will be a great addition to our team".

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has not ruled out banning British under-16-year-olds from social media, saying "all options are on the table".

Sir Keir said: "We need to better protect children from social media.

"We're looking at what is happening in Australia - all options are on the table in relation to what further protections we can put in place - whether that's under-16s on social media or an issue I am very concerned about, under fives and screen time.

"Children are turning up age four at reception having spent far too much time on screens."

Then after this Ali and Zoe discuss Blue Monday, which refers specifically to the third Monday in January, though some variations place it on the second or fourth. In 2026, it lands on 19 January, coinciding with the current date and amplifying its relevance amid ongoing winter conditions.

Then Ali and Zoe discuss Keir Starmer's response to Donald Trump's threat of a 10% tariff on NATO allies for opposing US control of Greenland.The Prime minister pushed back in his speech this morning, calling for “calm discussion between allies” and stating that Trump was “completely wrong” to slap tariffs on the UK and other European countries.

Keir Starmer has stated that the decision about the future of Greenland “belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone.” (Source, BBC)

“The use of tariffs is completely wrong” Keir Starmer

“A partnership does not mean abandoning principle.” Keir Starmer

Starmer has also added that a tariff war isn’t in anybody’s interests because it will be businesses, workers and families across the country who will be hit by a trade war.”

Then to wrap up the show the two discuss Zoe's new Substack article When “what’s good for us” stops meaning "us". About how wellness culture promises control and self-care — but what happens when it starts to hollow out our shared collective lives?

--

Politics Uncensored gives you the news that matters. With unfiltered analysis and debate from leading politicians, journalists and experts, this show removes the political fluff to offer an honest and uncensored look at how Westminster really works.

--

FUBAR is radio as it should be: uncensored talk, comedy, entertainment, sports, and music without the long, boring commercial breaks.

FUBAR has the best presenters and comedians fronting shows you won’t hear anywhere else. It’s like hearing them live at a gig, or on post-watershed TV—but all coming from that shiny vibrating biscuit you keep in your pocket. Or the screen in front of you now.

Robert Jenrick was sacked from the shadow cabinet today with Kemi Badenoch citing “irrefutable evidence” that he was planning on defecting to Reform in the most damaging way possible. Perhaps that evidence is everything he’s done since Kemi became leader, or perhaps, the fact that he has now ditched the Conservatives.

After discussing Robert Jenrick's not so shocking departure, Callum Mason, deputy money editor at the I joins the show to discuss how student loans have screwed over young people.

Kemi Badenoch's Statement:

Badenoch said in a statement: “I have sacked Robert Jenrick from the shadow cabinet, removed the whip and suspended his party membership with immediate effect.

“I was presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging as possible to his shadow cabinet colleagues and the wider Conservative party.

“The British public are tired of political psychodrama and so am I. They saw too much of it in the last government, they’re seeing too much of it in THIS government. I will not repeat those mistakes.”

“When I was elected leader, I committed to doing politics differently. Disloyalty and dishonesty undermine trust in politics,” she said.

“When individuals choose to walk away from that effort for personal ambition, that tells you nothing about the Conservative party and everything you need to know about them.”

Student Loans:

Since 2017 interest on student loans has vastly overtaken the annual loan repayments made by university leavers, with the total interest added reaching £15bn in 2023-2024.

In 2012, tuition fees were tripled – from £3,000 to £9,000 a year – and the terms of student loans were changed so that we paid sky-high amounts of interest on the balance.

Zoe and Ali then discuss Former Conservative former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi defects to Reform ‘after begging Tories for peerage’ and Increasingly further far right party UKIP have taken their next big leap forward by choosing a logo that looks suspiciously like the Nazi iron cross… allegedly

Guest bio:

Callum Mason is a Money and Business Reporter at The i Paper. He specializes in finance, personal finance, construction and real estate, as well as banking and financial services, exploring the intricate dynamics of financial markets. Callum's work has been featured in notable publications such as Tes, Global Finance Herald, Headlinemoney, and Cigalah Group.

Joining Ali and Zoe to try make sense of this break down in international order is Professor of International Studies at the Clinton Institute in Dublin, and founder of the EA WorldView, Scott Lucas.

Beyond the international chaos, the three discuss internal struggles as well. ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) shot Renee Nicole Good, in her car in Minnesota. They claimed that she attempted to run over ICE officers but videos of the incident suggest she was attempting to drive away.

"What has happened to my country" says Scott Lucas as he outlines the increasing divide in the US. A Fox news host highlighting that Renee Nicole Good, the woman killed, has “pronouns in her bio” and “leaves behind a lesbian partner and a child from a previous marriage”. JD Vance on Twitter described her as a “deranged leftist”.

On Greenland, the three outlines the weak response from the UK and other European countries:

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has since warned that, in the event of a US invasion of the territory, "everything stops… including NATO".

"It makes absolutely no sense to ⁠talk about the US needing to take over Greenland.

"The US has no right to annex any of the three countries in ​the Danish Kingdom.

"I would therefore strongly urge the ‌US to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people, who have very clearly ​said that they are not for sale."

Responding, Sir Keir told Sky News: "I stand with her. She's right about the future of Greenland."

"Denmark is a close European ally, a close NATO ally. And the future therefore has to be for Greenland, for the Kingdom of Denmark, and only for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark."

In the week unwrapped Ali and Zoe discuss the backlash to Elon Musk's X Ai Grok unconsensually undressing women, even minors on the platform. Keir Starmer has responded to Elon Musk's inaction describing the issue as “disgraceful, it’s disgusting and it’s not to be tolerated. X has got to get a grip of this”. Elon Musk has since limited the image editing feature of Grok to paid users.

Guest Bio

Scott Lucas became Professor of International Politics in 2014, having been on the staff of the University of Birmingham since 1989 and a Professor of American Studies since 1997.

He began his career as a specialist in US and British foreign policy, but his research interests now also cover current international affairs --- especially North Africa, the Middle East, and Iran --- New Media, and Intelligence Services.

A professional journalist since 1979, Professor Lucas is the founder and editor of EA WorldView, a leading website in daily news and analysis of Iran, Turkey, Syria, and the wider Middle East, as well as US foreign policy.

Scott Lucas has also featured on Times Radio and Politics Joe

Sources:

https://www.ucdclinton.ie/our-staff/scott-lucas

https://eaworldview.com/about/the-editor/

https://news.sky.com/story/trump-says-hes-very-serious-about-taking-greenland-despite-warnings-it-will-end-nato-13490953

After this Labour MP Richard Burgon gets grilled on the importance of jury trials, the government's scapegoating of migrants and why he is staying in the Labour Party.

Before this Ali Zoe break down the sentencing of Nathan Gill for bribery, the potential end of jury trials the majority of criminal cases and "premium" car brand being removed from the Motability scheme.

After this, Laura and Zoe discuss the government's "harsh" new asylum seeker restrictions proposed by Shabana Mahmood. To round out the show Ali interview Aditya Chakrabortty to discuss the efficacy of a wealth tax

Keir Starmer’s position as PM is looking more and more unstable as he wishes to “investigate” briefings against Wes Streeting and other would be challengers.

And to end the show, Zoe and Ali discuss the 23,000 released emails from Jeffrey Epstein, that shine new light in his relationship with president Donald Trump

After this, Sam Atwell from the Health Foundation joins to discuss the Mayfield Report's findings that 800,000 more people are out of work sick then in 2019.

Finally, Green Party co-Deputy Leader Mothin Ali joins the show to discuss what lessons his party will learn from Zohran Mamdani's victory, why Wes Streeting is nothing like the soon to be New York Mayor and his message to Labour MPs tempted to join the Greens

Then Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South joins to break down the "embarrassing" Keir Starmer political project and why he would "consider" joining the Green Party.

Next, Ali and Professor Ellis Cashmore have an extremely heated debate over the Maccabi Tel Aviv supporter’s ban… and whether they trust the police reports.

Finally.. Ali and Tom Allingham from Save the Student discuss the government’s plan to increase university fees- will this wipe out the last of our students or make universities great again?

But before that in the Week Unwrapped they break down Nigel Farage's connections to extreme anti abortion activists in the US, Zack Polanski's Green Party reaching 115k members and London reaching the lowest Murder rate since monthly records began.

Then Ali and Zoe celebrate the 0.1% increase in forecasted growth! But UK inflation rate is still at 3.8%, food costs continue to rise steeply, job openings are dropping and unemployment is rising. But don’t worry! Thanks to the triple lock, pensions will grow by 4.8%.

They are then joined by Deputy Editor of Conservative Home Henry Hill to discuss Conservative Conference, namely Robert Jenrick's anger at seeing "no white faces" in Birmingham.

Finally, Ali and Zoe are joined by co-leader of the Progressive Judiaism group, Rabbi Charley Baginsky to discuss how we cab heal religious divides after the attack on a Synagogue in Manchester and an arson attack on a mosque.

Check out Milo Edwards' Stand-up tour here: https://www.miloedwards.co.uk/liveshows

This week on Politics Uncensored Ali is away, so Zoe is instead joined by New Statesman Policy Correspondent Harry Clarke Ezzidio to break down the weeks news: The introduction of Digital ID cards, the Your Party's membership chaos and Ed Davey's public spat with Nigel Farage.

After this, local democracy reporter for MyLondon Kumail Jaffer joins to break down Donald Trump's attacks on Sadiq Khan and London. Rounding the episode off political advisor and activist Matthew Torbitt makes the case for an Andy Burnham rebellion

First with Dr Georgios Samaras, who is an assistant professor of public policy at King’s College London on the London protests this weekend, to break down Tommy Robinson's far-right rally.

Then they speak to Dr Erica Frantz to discuss Trump’s state visit and it’s implications following the wave of political violence in the US after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

They are joined by political commentator Chloe Dobbs to discuss the Government’s new pilot scheme that will see some migrants arriving on small boats detained and returned across the Channel, while the UK agrees to take in an equal number of asylum seekers who haven’t attempted the journey and pass security checks. Plus, they dive into the backlash around Channel 4’s new Bonnie Blue documentary — with critics accusing the programme of glamorising and normalising extreme pornography.