Oh God, What Now?

Latest Episodes:

Posh Shoes vs Cheap Earrings Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

As Sunak and Truss trade blows in a classic blue-on-blue bout, we ask if we’ve really seen the end of the Johnson era. Plus, we unpack the crises either candidate will face should they win. Growing NHS waiting lists, queues in Dover and an ever-deepening cost of living crisis. Do either of them have a plan? This week’s guest is New Statesman deputy political editor Rachel Wearmouth.

“I wonder if Sunak has lacked the stomach for the fight, that kind of killer instinct.” – Rachel Wearmouth
"Truss is running a targeted campaign. Sunak is running a glossy PR campaign." – Rachel Wearmouth
"If you're mansplaining, you're losing." – Rachel Wearmouth
"Truss is the Boris Johnson continuity candidate." – Rachel Wearmouth
"It's a bunch of old men saying, I like her, she reminds me of Thatcher." – Alex Andreou
"We heard more about earrings and shoes than we did about climate change." – Naomi Smith

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Ros Taylor with Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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BONUS: The Best of Oh God, What ELSE? Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

Every Monday we put out Oh God, What Else?, a special mini-cast exclusively for Patreon backers. To show you what you’re missing, here’s a bonus selection of some of our best episodes featuring our Ian, Naomi, Ros, Dorian, Alex and Minnie in Now That’s What I Call Oh God, What Else?

You can get a brand new “OGWE” every Monday when you back us on Patreon. Just go to www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow to find out more.

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Meal Deal vs Pork Markets Jul 22, 2022

Show notes

Sunak or Truss. No, this isn’t a fever dream – one of them will be the next Prime Minister. The panel analyses this gruesome twosome, in the immediate aftermath of Mourdant’s elimination from the Tory leadership race. This week’s guest is Independent columnist and freelance journalist Hannah Fearn. And Doomsday Watch host Arthur Snell joins to discuss his new book How Britain Broke the World.

“The debates were a terrible mistake. What was the point in them when the public have no say?” – Hannah Fearn
“I’m all for redoing Brexit in a way in which we don’t do it at all.” – Arthur Snell
“Truss matches Starmer’s worst qualities, and none of his better ones. She will be a gift for Labour.” – Hannah Fearn
“Compared to the cost of war, diplomats are very cheap.” – Arthur Snell
“PMQs was the party pushing someone out of a window and applauding as they make flapping motions before they hit the ground.” – Alex Andreou

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Fight for the Right of the Party Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

With Tory leadership contestants fighting like rats in a sack we pick apart the hopefuls vying to succeed Johnson. Is there a least worst candidate in this rotten bunch? And what policies might any winner actually push forward with? Our guest is Ali Milani, who was Labour’s candidate against Johnson in 2019 and is author of The Unlikely Candidate.

“I’m glad to see the back of Johnson. He’s one of the most dangerous men to walk into Number 10.” – Ali Milani
“This was always going to be the end of the Boris Johnson story.” – Ali Milani
“The next party leader is going to want to significantly distance themselves from Boris Johnson.” – Ali Milani
“The Speaker was giving off real substitute teacher vibes at PMQs." – Alex Andreou
"Never have I seen such a thin-skinned group of politicians." – Ali Milani

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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🚨 EmergencyCast 🚨 Disgraced, Debased, Destroyed Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

That’s it. Boris Johnson is to resign – sealing his place in history as the most shambolic excuse for a PM ever. We recorded a speedy-release edition on Wednesday, with 36 Government departures. Now we’re over 50. What the hell happened overnight? The resignations wouldn’t stop. Gove managed to get sacked. Johnson was due to fight on – before rather unceremoniously putting his fists down.

“The idea of Boris Johnson as caretaker, a man not known for taking care is ridiculous” – Dorian Lynskey
“Silver lining: if Raab agreed to become caretaker, it would mean he’d have to give up all ambitions of having a leadership campaign” – Alex Andreou
“Johnson has been a lightning rod for anger at how the government has behaved. And if you take that away, the lightning might strike the house.” - Ros Taylor
“People were hypnotised by Johnson. We all lost our minds. And he’s a reminder that we must never, never let this happen again.” – Ros Taylor
“It is one of the most astonishing self-owns we will ever see in British politics.” – Ian Dunt
“My relief that he’s finally gone is tempered with anger that we let this happen.” – Ros Taylor
“He goes through his career thinking he’s Churchill and ends up just about beating Neville Chamberlain.” – Ian Dunt

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou, Ian Dunt and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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The End of the World King Jul 06, 2022

Show notes

Amid a resignation tsunami, who knows how many ministers will have quit by the time you read this sentence? Boris Johnson is clinging to power like a leech full to the brim with the lifeblood of the Conservative Party. Is this finally the end? Plus, Fine Gael spokesperson on European Affairs Neale Richmond joins us as we unpack Starmer’s Brexit stance and the latest from that neverending conundrum.

“We deserve a better class of bastards." – Ian Dunt
"This isn't analysis, this is giggling euphoria. It's our real time reaction to resignations." – Ian Dunt
"I'm an elected TD. I've got potholes to fill and babies to kiss - so this is my problem." – Neale Richmond
"Wednesdays are my busiest day of the week. I could do without having to watch Sky News all day." – Neale Richmond
“British people say the EU would never let us back in, we’ve burned our bridges… Well the British people haven’t burned their bridges. Boris Johnson burned his bridges.” – Neale Richmond

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ian Dunt and Naomi Smith. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Humpty Numpty Has Two Big Falls Jul 01, 2022

Show notes

With Boris Johnson’s face covered in egg after two humbling by-election defeats, we assess the PM’s standing. What further turmoil is coming down the line? Plus, the post-Johnson future will need big political ideas. Guest Geoff Mulgan, former head of policy in the Prime Minister’s office under Tony Blair, gives us some pointers from his new book Another World is Possible.

“Nobody in British politics ever learns anything from any other country any more. Not Scotland, Wales, France or anywhere.” – Geoff Mulgan
“Truss, Wallace and Sunak are all looking for a reason to go off in a huff and start their leadership campaigns.” – Alex Andreou
“The time horizons of politics have shrunken to days or weeks… The mainstream media just aren’t interested in thinking about the future. And that generates enormous pessimism.” – Geoff Mulgan
“Johnson is not humble, he does not feel the effects of accountability.” – Minnie Rahman
“Johnson probably will lead the Tories into the next election because there isn’t an alternative.” – Geoff Mulgan
“What the Government needs is something that divides the public again.” – Minnie Rahman

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou and Minnie Rahman. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Wakey, Wakey – By-Election Emergencycast Jun 24, 2022

Show notes

As the Tories suffer two crushing by-election losses and Oliver Dowden resigns, mark this a good morning for Britain. In a special by-election emergencycast, Ros Taylor and Ian Dunt discuss the fallout from a disastrous night for the Conservatives, what next for Johnson’s leadership, and if Labour and the Lib Dems have finally worked out how to defeat the Tories.

“Dowden doesn’t have any honour whatsoever, it’s very good that he’s resigned.” - Ian Dunt
“The worse things are at home, the more time Johnson spends overseas” - Ros Taylor
“If the Tories are threatened with extinction, they will find the necessary changes to get rid of the problem.” - Ian Dunt
“What we’re seeing is a deal between Starmer and Davey, and voters reading the signals.” - Ian Dunt
“If the Conservatives change their leader, they can win the next election.” - Ian Dunt

Presented by Ros Taylor with Ian Dunt. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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On a Sticky Picket Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

With the Conservatives trying to blame Labour for this week’s strikes we unpack this latest bemusing attack line. Plus, we assess the ongoing Brexit dilemmas six years on from the referendum, with even ardent leavers dismayed and question marks over Labour’s position on the situation. This week’s guest is Robert Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester and co-author of Brexitland: Identity, Diversity and the Reshaping of British Politics. This week we're out early, watch out for an emergency edition on Friday…

“Both Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer are trapped in this one-dimensional narrative of how strikes play with the general public.” – Robert Ford
“It’s not going to get off the runway that strikes that are happening on your watch are the fault of the opposition.” – Robert Ford
“Boris Johnson is toxic with most voters. His ratings are terrible and they’re not getting better.” – Robert Ford
“The Government can run from the truth but they can’t hide from the truth.” – Naomi Smith
“Johnson has tried to squash the freedom of the press." – Naomi Smith
"It feels painful to look back on Britain's political leaders." – Minnie Rahman

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Ros Taylor with Naomi Smith and Minnie Rahman. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Back In The ECHR Jun 17, 2022

Show notes

Patel’s eviction flights to Rwanda fall apart at the last minute and spark the ire of the European Court of Human Rights. But is a blazing row with “European judges” exactly what this collapsing Government wants anyway? Plus the Good Friday Agreement goes under the Brexit bus, David Davis’s “Remainer’s Brexit”, and Carole Cadwalladr defeats Arron Banks in court. Jack Blanchard of Politico is our special guest. (This edition recorded before the resignation of Lord Geidt)

Also this week: A tribute to Dom Phillips, the British journalist who was murdered in the Amazon, from his friend and colleague Dorian.

“Yes it’s a horrible fiasco and a waste of our money… But from a purely political point of view, the Government are probably rather pleased at how this is going.” – Jack Blanchard
“If the Government had done the Rwanda story through legislation they’d have been on stronger ground… but they just didn’t want the scrutiny.” – Minnie Rahman
“Tories are seeing majorities like Tiverton disappearing and wondering if Johnson really is an election winner after all…” - Jack Blanchard

Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Minnie Rahman and Ian Dunt. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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