Pod Save the UK

Latest Episodes:

Is Keir Starmer a Kid Starver? Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

Nish and Coco ask “what’s going on with Labour?” Sir Keir Starmer caused consternation within his own ranks, by saying he wouldn’t abolish a two-child limit on claiming some benefits - a Tory policy that many of his frontbench colleagues have condemned. Nish and Coco wonder why politically tough decisions only ever seem to come at the expense of the poorest in society.

SNP MP Mhairi Black tells Nish and Coco about dodging falling masonry, sociopaths and bullies in the corridors of Westminster - part of the reason she’s quitting at the age of 28.

We also have a handy guide to three crucial by-elections. Plus why you should never accept a plum from Coco - or invite her to a picnic!

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

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guest:

Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, and deputy leader of the SNP at Westminster.

Audio credits:

Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

BBC News

parliamentlive.tv

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Tea with Biden, scandal at the BBC and drugs with the Greens Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

While the UK was losing its senses over a sex scandal, the BBC and a tabloid newspaper, Nish brings some sanity. His advice to journalists and politicians: if you know nothing, why not shut up? What we learn from the story is that the UK needs more facts and less speculation.

In Nish’s crosshairs is Tory MP Lee Anderson. He called the BBC a “safe haven for perverts” while his party and Westminster faces an epidemic of sexual harassment allegations.

Carla Denyer - co leader of the Green Party in England and Wales - is Coco and Nish’s special guest. The Greens could offer the most radical policies at the next General Election: taxing on multi millionaires, decriminalising drugs and welcoming migrants. But can the party persuade trans people the Greens are their ally?

President Biden drops in for tea at Number 10 but his British best mate is not the Prime Minister, it’s King Charles. And immigration minister and cartoon destroyer, Robert Jenrick, is villain of the week.

https://www.change.org/p/robert-jenrick-restore-cartoons-at-children-s-asylum-centres?source_location=search

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

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

Carla Denyer, co-leader of The Green Party

Audio credits:

Sky News

Parliamentlive.tv

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Does Rishi Sunak give a sh*t about the climate? Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

Does Rishi Sunak care about the climate crisis? A former minister accuses him of apathy, and a leaked memo suggests he’s considering rolling back one of the UK’s key financial climate pledges. Just Stop Oil’s Chloe Naldrett joins Nish and Coco with a personal message for the Prime Minister. While we’re recording, Wimbledon becomes the latest sporting event to be hit by protestors, so we drag Chloe back into the studio to give us an instant reaction. She also tells why being shouted at by Piers Morgan was worth it, and why she was willing to go to prison for what she believed in. Plus advice on how you can get involved if you’re feeling helpless about climate change.

Nish and Coco examine Rishi Sunak’s grilling by the House of Commons Liaison Committee. Meanwhile his enemies within the party form a new not-so-supergroup called The New Conservatives - although they’re singing a familiar song…about “culturally secure borders”.

Plus Coco has a run in with Twitter and reveals that she loves a parody knock off fashion item - and heroes and villains returns, much to the relief of Nish’s mum!

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

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

Chloe Naldrett, spokesperson for Just Stop Oil

Audio credits:

Just Stop Oil

Parliamentlive.tv

Sky Sports

The Diary of a CEO podcast

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Matt Hancock vs The Grim Reaper Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

Matt Hancock fails to win over bereaved families at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, as they turn their backs on him while another confronts him dressed as the grim reaper. Nish and Coco get to grips with ‘greedflation’ as MPs question supermarket bosses about their huge salaries. Plus Coco questions why Labour has an all-white all-male line up of candidates for the upcoming by-elections. And Nish is disheartened by a report that finds cricket is racist, sexist and elitist - the “full fruit machine” of prejudice!

We continue ‘Chat Shit Get Banged’, our campaign to stop politicians lying, with the help of John Humphrys, former presenter of Radio 4’s Today programme. The man once labelled the BBC’s ‘Rottweiler in chief’ reflects on his 33 years holding politicians to account, including memorable encounters with Boris Johnson and Margaret Thatcher.

Also, tales from Glastonbury, and Prigozhin v Putin - how did a hotdog seller build up his own private army? Plus Coco gets a surprise Patreon request.

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

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

John Humphrys, Classic FM presenter and former presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme

Audio credits:

Uk Covid-19 Inquiry

Parliamentlive.tv

Sky News

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The King of the North, Windrush and ChickenNugNugz Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Labour’s Andy Burnham, tells Nish and Coco why he doesn’t mind being labelled ‘The King of the North’ and why he thinks our political system needs a complete rewiring. He also gives his reaction to the demise of his old pandemic-era foe Boris Johnson, and shrugs off concerns about the city of Manchester getting into bed with Abu Dhabi - the owners who’ve brought such success to Manchester City F.C.

We celebrate the 75th Windrush anniversary with a member of the Windrush generation, Catherine Ross, who tells us how Caribbean people introduced the British to moisturising amongst many things! Nish and Coco meanwhile, take the Home Office to task for backtracking on promises made in the wake of the Windrush scandal.

Plus, the mortgage time bomb set to go off before the next election, the return of austerity twins David Cameron and George Osborne, and why Rishi Sunak is “chicken shit”. Coco also reveals why footballing hardman Graeme Souness made her cry, and who is the mystery PSUK fan known only as ChickenNugNugz?

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

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

Andy Burnham, Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester

Catherine Ross, Founder and Director of Museumand, The National Caribbean Heritage Museum

Audio credits:

Good Morning Britain (ITV)

BBC Breakfast TV

BBC News

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The end of Boris Johnson and the start of the Covid Inquiry Jun 15, 2023

Show notes

Nish and Coco are reunited in the studio following a tumultuous week in politics that saw Boris Johnson resign and Nicola Sturgeon arrested. Sky News’ Liz Bates tells us why Johnson’s demise could be good news for the strength of UK democracy, and explains why the independence movement is holding firm despite the SNP’s woes.

Given it was Johnson’s party-ing during Covid that brought him down, it’s timely that the public hearings in the Covid Inquiry got underway this week. Labour frontbencher, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, tells us why she went back to working 12 hour shifts in hospital during the worst of the pandemic. She reveals some of the harrowing things she saw, and why she felt pity for Matt Hancock when she faced him in the Commons.

Is Manchester United fan Nish bitter about Manchester City’s success? His choice for villain of the week answers that question, while Coco’s hero is an acting legend who always keeps an onion in her handbag. Plus get ready for the latest bit of PSUK merch - the “left-wing Barbie”.

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

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

Liz Bates, Sky News Political Correspondent

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Shadow Minister for Mental Health and MP for Tooting

Audio credits:

Talk TV

UK Covid-19 Inquiry

Parliamentlive.tv

British Vogue

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Labour’s Emily Thornberry promises a “no bullshit” manifesto Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

Can the Labour Party save the UK? Labour frontbencher Emily Thornberry is challenged by Nish and Coco over her party’s attack ads, and on the Labour manifesto - which she promises will help young people, and be bullshit free. Find out why she thinks being Labour leader is the hardest job in the world, and what she got up to behind the bike sheds with David Cameron.

Plus, Mr Sunak goes to Washington, Prince Harry goes to court, and a familiar Brexit campaigner returns (clue: his blood type is real ale). Plus find out why Nish feels like he’s in Mad Max, and why Coco is celebrating Bristol’s toilets!

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

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

Emily Thornberry, Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, and Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales

Audio credits:

Parliamentlive.tv

@Nigel_Farage

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Don’t mess with a Baroness Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

Nish and Coco ask how we can save the UK from knife crime. It turns out we have evidence of what works - so why aren’t we doing it?

We meet Jon Yates, who leads a charity that has been given £200 million by the Home Office to research what works and then put it into practice. He’s trialling a targeted, interventionist approach, called ‘focused deterrence’ which helped Glasgow dramatically reduce violent crime. Those lessons are now going to be applied in 5 cities in the UK. One of those is Nottingham, a city that’s home to Dr Marcellus Baz, a community champion who turned his life around after being stabbed - what does he think of Jon’s plans?

Nish and Coco also cut through the rows about notebooks and WhatsApp messages to talk about why the Covid Inquiry really matters - they have a message for the government: “don’t mess with a Baroness”. Plus we salute the Secret Tory and ask is the Post Office racist?

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

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

Jon Yates, Chief Executive of the Youth Endowment Fund

Dr Marcellus Baz, founder and CEO of Switch Up, which supports young people away from crime in Nottinghamshire

Audio credits:

Sky News

@secrettory12

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Speedy Sue and other myth-takes May 25, 2023

Show notes

Why did Suella Braverman’s speeding ticket take up so much oxygen, and who did it serve? Nish and Coco discuss whether the leaks against the Home Secretary are symptomatic of a party that’s heading into yet another bout of self-destructive psychodrama. As if that’s not enough, Boris Johnson is back in trouble too!

As another set of record migration figures are published, Nish and Coco reflect on the immigrant experience and how it forged their own friendship. And there’s a big serving of hope too…in the form of economist and philosopher Daniel Chandler and his ideas to improve our politics - democracy vouchers anyone?

Plus Coco delivers a lesson in Greek Mythology, and find out what Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Succession’s Logan Roy have in common.

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

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guest:

Daniel Chandler, economist, philosopher and author of Free and Equal: What would a fair society look like?

Audio credits:

Parliament.tv

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Facts, Rats and Rents May 18, 2023

Show notes

Never ones to shirk a challenge, Nish and Coco launch ‘Chat Shit Get Banged’, their campaign to stop politicians from lying. They get some expert help from Will Moy, from fact checkers Full Fact - he’s dedicated his life to correcting the mistakes and mistruths of the people elected to lead us…not mislead us. With a general election on the horizon next year, he tells them he’s done with “bullshit manifestos”, and reveals how AI could help root out the liars.

Campaigning works! Nish and Coco dissect the new Renters Reform Bill, which has finally been published thanks to the tireless efforts of people like our guest Anny Cullum, one of the founders of the community union Acorn. But does it go far enough? The Bill doesn't really address rocketing rents, so we ask if rent controls are the next battleground.

Plus, Nish takes on the NatCons, but has a rare good word for Jacob Rees-Mogg. We also introduce you to Marvel’s newest superhero: Ombudsman, and find out why Coco knows so much about rats’ mating habits.

If you want to support Full Fact’s campaign to amend the rules to make it easier for politicians to correct mistakes, then you can sign their petition here: https://actions.fullfact.org/petitions/mps-owe-us-truth/?utm_source=%2F&utm_medium=home

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

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests: