Pod Save the UK

Latest Episodes:

Red Rebellion, Just Stop Locking Up Activists And How To Fix Our Broken NHS With Clare Farrell And Victor Adebowale Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

Three weeks haven’t yet passed since the election, but Keir Starmer’s Government has faced its first rebellion. The response to seven Labour MPs breaking rank over the Government’s stance on the two child benefit cap was swift and fierce, leading to the whip being removed and anger inside and outside the party. Nish and Coco ask if Starmer has only stoked further division within the party.

Clare Farrell drops in to discuss the landmark sentencing of five Just Stop Oil protesters and how the previous government’s draconian anti-protest legislation led to this moment.

Later, chair of the NHS Federation Victor Adebowale joins Nish and Coco to discuss the National Audit Office’s recent findings into the state of NHS finances and what can be done to fix the service, while taking the pressure off of near-breaking point staff.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guests:

Clare Farrell, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion

Lord Victor Adebowale, Chair of the NHS Confederation

Useful Links:

Open Letter:

https://defendourjuries.org/wtf/

Just Stop Oil petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/no-prison-for-protest/

Pod Save the UK: live!

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/pod-save-the-uk-live

Audio credits:

BBC Radio 4 Today

Department of Health and Social Care

parliamentlive.tv

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kings Speech, Knives Out for Vaughan Gething and An Education on Schools Policy with Liz Bates Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

As parliamentarians were ironing their robes in preparation for the King’s Speech, Trump’s new running mate JD Vance shocked the UK with flippant remarks that have sent a shiver down the spine of the New Government. Nish and Coco are joined by Liz Bates to discuss Vance’s comments, the themes behind the surprise-free King’s Speech and two shock resignations - those of Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething and England manager Gareth Southgate.

Later, Nish and Coco catch up with two young people with lived experience of our crumbling education system and check in with Janeen Hayat, Director of Collective Action at the Fair Education Alliance. Education is one of the new government’s top five priorities - where the few short-term wins to be had are balanced out by some prickly policy problems.

Later, Liz returns to unveil an MP’s (not-so) shameful secret, the neverending Tory psychodrama and the reality TV show nobody was asking for.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guests:

Liz Bates

Janeen Hayat

Useful Links:

Find us on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@podsavetheuk

Buy Tickets to see Pod Save the UK live - https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/pod-save-the-uk-live

Audio Credits:

Parliament.TV

ITV Good Morning Britain

The Guardian

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Labour the party to finally fix housing? w/ Kwajo Tweneboa, Toby Lloyd and Sam Freedman Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

It’s week one in government and Labour have hit the ground running. We’ve got a new cabinet and big moves on planning reform and international relations are underway. But what about the opposition? Nish and Coco check in with Substack superstar Sam Freedman to uncover some of the challenges the new government faces over the course of the parliament and hear who might lead a new-look Conservative Party.

Later, Kwajo Tweneboa and Toby Lloyd drop in to chew over one of the prickliest issues the UK needs to deal with - housing. From social housing, to affordability, to no-fault evictions, we cover off the biggest challenges the government faces.

Finally, things get weird when Coco declares a “Red Ed Summer” as TikTokers thirst over the new energy secretary.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guests:

Sam Freedman, political analyst

Kwajo Tweneboa, housing campaigner

Toby Lloyd, housing consultant

Useful links:

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/pod-save-the-uk-live

Audio clips:

parliamentlive.tv

The Telegraph

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Labour Landslide - will things get better? With Torsten Bell MP and Femi Oluwole Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

It’s official. The election results are in and we are in the era of a Labour government. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stepped up the 10 Downing Street - but one of the key questions for Nish and Coco is will things concretely improve under his leadership? What can we hope for in this new era?

The results of this election has shown massive changes in all directions and with all the parties. Joining Nish and Coco to analyse all the seismic shifts is political journalist, Zoe Grünewald. She discusses whether the Conservatives and the SNP are on the brink of collapse, and the implications of Reform getting seats in parliament.

We also hear from newly elected Labour MP for Swansea West, Torsten Bell, and Femi Oluwole looks at the early stats around tactical voting.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guests:

Zoe Grünewald, political journalist

Torsten Bell, Labour MP for Swansea West

Femi Oluwole, journalist and campaigner

Useful links:

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/pod-save-the-uk-live

Audio clips:

Channel 4

Sky News

BBC

Femi Oluwole

LBC

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would a Labour supermajority really be bad for democracy? Rory Stewart on why opposition is vital Jun 30, 2024

Show notes

Counting down the last five days until the election results come flooding in, the Conservative Party is still blowing themselves apart from the inside. Why has the Tory campaign been such a clusterfuck and should we care if they implode? Would a Labour supermajority be good or bad for democracy as a whole?

To discuss these points, Nish and Coco are joined by Rory Stewart - hearing what he thinks on both the future of the Conservative party, and the future of British democracy. Now known for hosting the “The Rest is Politics” podcast with former Labour spin-doctor Alastair Campbell, Rory explains why he might return to politics - even going for the top job.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guest:

Rory Stewart

Useful links:

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/pod-save-the-uk-live

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/442034/politics-on-the-edge-by-stewart-rory/9781529922868

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will “gamblegate” scandal obliterate the Tories Forever? Plus last few days of the election with Liz Bates Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

With just one week to go until the election, Rishi Sunak’s chances of avoiding a landslide defeat might have just got slimmer - all thanks to “gamble-gate”.

Nish and Coco are joined by political correspondent Liz Bates to discuss the betting scandal plaguing the government. Sunak vowed to lead the world in “standards of decency” but has been very slow to act. Might this mean a complete wipeout for them?

But that’s not all the scandals this week. Education secretary Gillian Keegan has repeatedly used a claim about children being taught there are “72 genders” to back up government plans to ban schools from talking about gender identity. Nish, Coco and Liz investigate her so-called sources.

And from politicians playing minecraft to the Reform UK Party singing the Spice Girls, the WTF moments are multiplying. Nish, Coco and Liz dissect their favourites from the week.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guest:

Liz Bates, Political Correspondent, Sky News

Useful links:

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/pod-save-the-uk-live

Audio clips:

BBC

ITV

Reform UK

TrophyTime

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Packham Vs Taylor Swift: Will People or Politics Save Our Planet? Jun 23, 2024

Show notes

The major parties have failed to pledge to make the radical changes needed to save our planet from climate catastrophe - but people power may well save us yet.

Nish and Coco are joined by conservationist Chris Packham to find out what more our politicians need to do and how citizens can get involved. Chris also questions the wisdom of Taylor Swift’s private jet usage and brings a suggestion of how she could help create change.

Later, Adrienne Buller drops by to explore GB Energy - Labour’s signature manifesto pledge that they’ve claimed to be the most radical climate policy ever.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guests:

Chris Packham - Conservationist

Adrienne Buller - Author

Useful links:

The Break Down

https://www.break-down.org/post/welcome-to-the-break-down

Restore Nature Now

https://www.restorenaturenow.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who gets the power? Devolution and the General Election. Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

It’s been a horrendous campaign for the Conservatives so far, careening from disaster to catastrophe, but the Tories don't have the exclusive on political drama. This week Nish and Coco focus on the action in the devolved nations, with a particular focus on Wales and Northern Ireland.

First, we check in with Welsh Journalist Will Hayward to learn about the recent vote of no confidence in First Minister Vaughan Gething and Labour’s manifesto pledge to tune up the current devolution agreements. Then, Coco chats to Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, to learn more about Plaid’s ambitions for Wales and their plans to turn up the heat on Labour.

Later, we check in to Northern Ireland, speaking to journalist Amanda Ferguson about the stakes of the next election and whether allegations about former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson will have any bearing on the election.

Finally, the gang break out some of Coco’s recently rebranded charming and quizzical moments.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guests:

Rhun ap Iorwerth, Leader of Plaid Cymru

Will Hayward, Welsh Affairs Editor at Wales Online

Amanda Ferguson, freelance journalist

Audio credits:

Sky News

Blue Sky.mp3 by Sergmusic -- https://freesound.org/s/639933/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

TikTok/ Suella Braverman

Useful links:

Jo Stevens interview with S4C https://x.com/NewyddionS4C/status/1802786241852707250

Constituencies and candidates:

Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr: https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/elections/parl.montgomeryshire-and-glyndwr.2024-07-04/montgomeryshire-and-glyndwr/

Ynys Mon:

https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/elections/parl.ynys-mon.2024-07-04/ynys-mon/

Dudley:

https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/elections/parl.dudley.2024-07-04/dudley/

Fareham:

https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/elections/parl.fareham-and-waterlooville.2024-07-04/fareham-and-waterlooville/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manifesto deep-dive: Is Labour’s at all progressive? Jun 16, 2024

Show notes

Following a week of political manifestoes dropping from UK parties - Nish & Coco take a deep-dive investigation to see how they hold up against one another. With a focus on manifestoes that have left-wing approaches - they discuss what policies are the most realistic and which hold up the best under scrutiny. Joined by political journalist Zoe Grünewald, Nish & Coco look closely at welfare policies, the NHS, taxes and social care.

Special guests Rebekah Pierre (author and social worker) and Helen Barnard (of the Trussell Trust) send the hosts their thoughts on which policies have the most potential for hope.

And there’s a return of WTF moments featuring an iconic UK hit song and Starmer’s comeback to a surprise protest.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guests:

Zoe Grünewald, political journalist

Audio Clips:

BBC

Institute for Fiscal Studies

Times Radio

Sky News

Dawn Butler/Elson

Useful links:

Come to see Pod Save the UK live at Edinburgh Fringe!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to make your vote count: is Tactical Voting a necessary evil? With Femi Oluwole Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

The polls are indicating a landslide victory for Labour come the election on July 4th. But that hasn’t stopped the calls - from both the left and the right - for citizens to vote tactically. But what does that really mean in Britain’s broken electoral system?

Joining Nish and Coco on the PSUK sofa is Femi Oluwole, activist and campaigner, and Joe Twyman, a seasoned pollster covering his 9th election. Together they discuss whether this is an election for people to vote with their heart or if being “strategic” is more important and whether our new parliament has any hope of delivering long overdue reform to our electoral system.

We also hear from Jessica Garland from the Electoral Reform Society.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guests:

Femi Oluwole, YouTube Campaigner, Tactical Voting activist

Joe Twyman, Co-founder and director of Deltapoll

Audio Clips: