Pod Save the UK

Latest Episodes:

Why is it so hard to tax the rich? Would it fix our economy? With Gary Stevenson Jun 09, 2024

Show notes

The UK’s sorry state of affairs when it comes to water and railways is both a massive problem and an opportunity for the incoming government. Water companies are teetering on the brink of collapse and it feels inevitable that they will soon fall back in to public ownership. But how can we pay for renationalised services?

Cat Hobbs from We Own It talks to Nish and Coco about the history of privatisation and the opportunities that renationalised services present to the UK.

And economist and activist Gary Stevenson explores how the public can rewrite the narrative on taxation - starting with a 1% tax on people with wealth of over £10,000,000. But why stop there? Coco and Nish ask about other potential boons to the state budget.

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

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

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Guests:

Cat Hobbs, Director of We Own It

Gary Stevenson, the Activist and Economist behind Gary’s Economics

Useful links:

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

https://weownit.org.uk/

https://patrioticmillionaires.uk/

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Jeremy Corbyn & Mhairi Black: Left Culled, Centre Cracked and Right Reformed? Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

In week two of the campaigns for the upcoming General Election - the fight for the centre vote has become a focal point. But the crucial question remains - what will this do for the future of politics in the UK? Are we at risk of losing diversity across parties? And as Keir Starmer appears to be purging the left-wing factions of the Labour Party, Nish and Coco speak to former Labour leader and now independent candidate Jeremy Corbyn on whether he’s hopeful for a potential Labour government and what advice he has for Keir Starmer.

Nish and Coco also speak to Mhairi Black about the challenges facing the SNP when trying to capture the electorate. They also discuss whether we are at risk of losing the kind of representation that the Left and younger voters need to bring about hope and change in society.

There’s also a rundown of the first Sunak vs Starmer TV debate and a return of the best WTF moments from the week’s political campaigns.

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

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

Guests:

Jeremy Corbyn, Independent Candidate for Islington North

Mhairi Black, former SNP Deputy Leader and MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South

Audio credits:

BBC

ITV

Labour Party

Sky News

Useful links:

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

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Generational Warfare: Has Rishi Sunak’s electoral gambit misfired? May 30, 2024

Show notes

It’s week one of the campaign and after a comical series of false starts, Rishi Sunak and the Tories have fired the first shots in a campaign of generational warfare.

Nish and Coco are joined by political correspondent Liz Bates to find out if there are votes to be won in these wedge politics. Later, they speak to Christine Jardine from the Liberal Democrats about their differences with Labour as well as the electoral battleground that is Scotland. And, as the campaign heats up - 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

Guests:

Liz Bates, Sky News

Christine Jardine, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP

Audio credits:

BBC

Sky News

Shrek - Paramount pictures

Useful links:

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

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What do the Trans & Non-binary community need most right now? May 26, 2024

Show notes

Nish and Coco are joined by Abigail Thorn (actress, writer and host of PhilosophyTube) and Freddy McConnell (writer and journalist) to examine the issues facing the trans and non-binary community in the UK today.

In recent news, the current Tory government has proposed new guidelines for education in schools across England. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said that gender identity should not be taught in schools to students of any age. Abigail and Freddy respond to these news headlines and also discuss The Cass review, a proposed new approach from the Labour Party around the Gender Recognition Act, and which individuals need highlighting for their work on trans rights in the UK.

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:

Abigail Thorn,

Freddy McConnell, journalist

Audio credits:

ITV

BBC

Useful links:

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

https://transsafety.network/

Transactual Briefing on the Cass Review - https://transactual.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/TransActual-Briefing-on-Cass-Review.pdf

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Are these the last six weeks of Rishi Sunak and the Tories? May 23, 2024

Show notes

Nish and Coco bring you a hot off-the-press special look at the announcement of a UK general election.

On Wednesday 22nd May - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the next general election will be on Thursday 4th July 2024. It appeared to be a sudden decision that surprised even his own Conservative MPs. But this announcement brings a whole host of questions with it. What key issues will this election be fought on? Is the timing helpful to any party in particular? How will Sunak fare under the microscope? To answer those and many more - friend of the show Liz Bates makes an eager return. Alongside Nish and Coco - Liz discusses what drove Sunak to this announcement and whether Keir Starmer got something of a headstart on his campaign.

There’s also discussion of how other parties might fare in this race from Lib Dems to the SNPs. And co-leader of the Green Party Adrian Ramsay gives his point of view.

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, Sky News

Adrian Ramsay, Co-leader, Green Party

Audio credits:

BBC

Sky News

Useful links:

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

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The economy is growing, so why are we feeling poorer? May 16, 2024

Show notes

The UK is officially out of recession - Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt have been banging the drum of the 0.6% GDP growth in the Jan-March quarter, but are things actually getting better?

George Monbiot drops into the studio to demystify Neoliberalism - the invisible economic doctrine that has influenced UK politics and policy since the Thatcher years. George also brings some fresh ideas for how citizens can move away from being consumers and recapture our democracy.

Finally, Nish and Coco eviscerate Esther McVey’s campaign to ban that most dreadful example of civil service impropriety - the rainbow lanyard.

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:

George Monbiot, activist and writer

Audio credits:

BBC

LBC

The Guardian

Useful links:

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

The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism (& How It Came to Control Your Life) by George Monbiot and Peter Hutchison

The Guardian - Latest GDP figures offer some better news – but boom-boom Britain it ain’t

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Abortion rights & ending hunger with Aisling Bea May 09, 2024

Show notes

“A hung Parliament” - it’s not quite admitting defeat, but the new media lines from Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party suggest that even the Government knows its days are numbered. Nish and Coco unpack Sunak’s shock admission and some of the highlights from the local elections.

Comedian, actor and activist (and old colleague of Nish) Aisling Bea drops in to talk about campaigning against food insecurity. The “Essentials Guarantee” campaign championed by the Trussell Trust asks that political parties prioritise all citizens having basic essentials as part of their election manifestos.

Aisling also talks about the fight for abortion rights in her homeland of Ireland, while Coco reminds us that the abortion laws in England, Scotland and Wales are incredibly archaic. Abortion buffer zones, 150m no-protest areas around clinics have just hit their one-year anniversary of receiving royal ascent for England & Wales, however, the Home Office has yet to roll out the change to the law - leaving protestors free to approach women outside.

Finally, the gang mix together a metaphorical soufflé of villains, stirring in a healthy dose of uncapped banker bonuses, adding a dash of Susan Hall, and a pinch of the Labour Party’s surprise new MP.

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:

Aisling Bea

Audio credits:

BBC

The Guardian

GB News

Useful links:

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

Essentials Guarantee Campaign - Trussell Trust

Could there really be a hung parliament at the next UK general election? - The Guardian

Anti-abortion activists ramping up protests outside clinics after failure to introduce buffer zones - The Independent

Goldman Sachs’s UK gender pay gap widest in six years - Financial Times

On abortion culture wars, Britain takes a different path - Politico

What a sad little life Jane - Come Dine With Me

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Are the Local Election results the beginning of total Tory annihilation? May 03, 2024

Show notes

While the results from elections across England & Wales are still rolling in - the signs so far are pointing to a disastrous outcome for the Conservative party. So Nish & Coco have jumped on for this special bonus episode to pop the champagne - asking exactly what it means ahead of the General Election - whenever that will eventually be called!

Liz Bates from Sky News joins Nish and Coco to explain why the historic result of the byelection in Blackpool is so seismic. They also discuss whether results for Reform UK will scare the Tories into more extreme right-wing rhetoric, whether Boris Johnson forgetting his ID was a publicity stunt and whether Keir Starmer is not a good leader, but a lucky one.

We also throw ahead to the general election - if there was a dreaded hung parliament - would that work at all? And how might the Tories be trying to claw their way back into favour before they finally allow the UK to have a general election?

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, Sky News

Audio credits:

BBC Newcast

BBC News

Sky News

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Humza Yousaf's Shock Resignation: Are the Greens Seizing Power in Scotland? May 02, 2024

Show notes

The Westminster rumour mill went into overdrive last weekend peddling an ultimately incorrect rumour that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was due to call a summer election. With suggestions that this rumour was started by the Labour Party, Nish and Coco ask whether progressives might be starting to control the narrative.

And might that change in power balance towards the Left also be coming to the fore in Scotland? Following the shock resignation of First Minister and SNP Leader Humza Yousaf, Politico’s reporter Andrew McDonald unpacks how the Green Party may have greater influence in Scottish politics moving forward.

And what are the radical solutions we need to address the crisis in Britain’s care system for children? The collaborators of the new book Free Loaves on Friday poet Lemn Sissay and journalist Rebekah Pierre explain why hearing directly from care leavers is vital for addressing problems across the system.

This week - we present the PSUK hero no one asked for and the villain you never saw coming. Move aside Idris Elba - Nish Kumar is coming for your spotlight…

Finally - make sure to look out for a bonus edition of Pod Save the UK this week where we bring you analysis from the results of the elections across England and Wales with Liz Bates.

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:

Andrew McDonald, Politico

Rebekah Pierre, Journalist and Social Worker

Lemn Sissay, Poet and Activist

Audio credit:

Sky News

Useful links:

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id

https://unbound.com/books/free-loaves-on-fridays

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Nish dismantles Sunak's attack on disabled people and Coco meets Caroline Lucas Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

Rishi Sunak finally ‘got Rwanda done’ after a long and dramatic night as his Safety of Rwanda Bill ping-ponged between the Common and the Lords. Our guest, the Green MP Caroline Lucas, tells Coco what it was like to be in Westminster that night and criticises Rishi Sunak for holding a drinks party while the Bill - which she describes as “a piece of performative cruelty” - was still being debated in the Lords. She also discusses her new book about why the left needs to speak up for ‘Englishness’, and explains why she’s training to become a death doula.

Nish and Coco provide an indispensable guide to next week’s local elections, talking about why they’re important and analysing what they might mean for Tory and Labour prospects at a general election. They also discuss whether the new rules on voter ID are an attempt by the Conservative Party to suppress the vote.

For our hero and villain of the week, Nish is appalled by Rishi Sunak’s attack on the sick and disabled, while Coco has been enjoying The Menstrual Cramps! Plus what would happen if Nish and Rishi Sunak met at notorious Berlin club Berghain?

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:

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavillion

Audio credits:

parliamentlive.tv

Sky News