PoliticsJOE Podcast

At the centre of this week's PMQs was the tragic killing of Henry Nowak, which some political figures seem to have used for their own ends. Seán is joined by Charlie Herbert of The London Economic to breakdown the session.EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/politicsjoe. Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeSubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Dubbins is the Head of International at Unite the union, and came by the JOE studios to speak to us before the leadership race for General Secretary in one of Britain's biggest unions. He speaks to Laura and Andy about the union's changing relationship with the Labour party, the shift in member's politics, and how to reignite the ties between the Labour party and the workers' movementSubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monday has come around again. Andy and Seán react to Nicola Sturgeon's headline interview with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday in light of her estranged husband's admission to embezzling funds from the SNP, as well as to the news that Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has been barred from entering the UK.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Lorenz is the journalist mapping out the culture of the internet and everything surrounding it. She took time out to swing by the JOE dungeon to speak to us about the growing power of the right in the online world, their ever-tightening grip on regulations of the internet and speech in the digital space, and how to fight back against it.Download SAILY in your app store and use our code joesunday at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/joesundaySubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Britain faces a lost generation of over a million young people not in education or employment, the author of a sobering report into the epidemic, Alan Milburn, speaks to Ava about what the government need to do to put an end to the crisis in opportunities for young people.Download SAILY in your app store and use our code politicsjoe at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/politicsjoeSubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom rallys in Central London, Ava went on Piers Morgan to debate the happenings on and off the stage.The conversation quickly descended into chaos as contributors, wilfully or not, misunderstood what was being discussed, and the severity of it. It all came to a head when a contributor made a baffling accusation of Ava, which led her to walk out.Her and Seán run through the show and what led to the moment.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava, Andy, and Seán brave the heat to cover Tony Blair's latest meddling, with the former PM's institute publishing an essay critical of Labour's lack of direction. Those named include Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, and of course Keir Starmer himself.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava is joined by broadcaster and activist Nicola Thorp to hear what she saw on the ground at last Saturday's Unite the Kingdom rally.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sadiq Khan marked ten years in City Hall this May, and Ava joined the Mayor of London to walk back through a decade running Britain's capital. Sadiq's time in charge has been far from smooth. From Conservative administrations to conspiracy theories, the Mayor of London has fought against opposition from all angles to get his agenda through.During the chat, Sadiq speaks about the pockets of offline and online opposition to his leadership of the city, and how he pushes back against those who want to do London down.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura reflects on her journey to Central London last Saturday for the Unite the Kingdom rally, fronted by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon aka Tommy Robinson. She breaks down the faces seen on the ground, the ideology, fragmented as it was, of the attendees, and key takeaways from the day.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeevun Sandher is a Labour MP and economist, and swung by the studio to speak to us about the economy, Labour and Keir Starmer's woes, and how to turn around the government's fortunes.For Sandher, affordability is key. He breaks down key issues he saw on the doorstep from 2015 until today, and how both real and imagined threats have mobilised the country around a far-right alternative in Reform UK. He explains how a drop in living standards has led to Brits up and down the land turning away from parties like Labour and turning towards Farage and his politics of blame and division.The MP explains how the Labour Party need to re-employ a politics of hope, and plan to change the economic situation of millions of Brits up and down the land, if they are to have any chance of beating the right at the next election.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava and Andy sit down to break down Keir Starmer's first PMQs back from recess as his own MPs circle and call for him to resign. Will he make it to another PMQs session?Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava and Andy take to the PolJOE sofa to unpack last week's chaos, from Wes Streeting's sustained meddling to Mayor Burnham's prospects in the upcoming Makerfield by-election.Watch Ava's Your Party explainer: https://youtu.be/5WnxZFg_J9USubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Norman Finkelstein is the foremost scholar on the politics of Palestine and Israel since the foundation of the Israeli state.He took time out of his busy schedule to speak to us about the deepening crisis in free speech across the globe that has stemmed from public opposition to Western complicity in the genocide in Gaza.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava Santina and Andy Twelves sit down to answer your questions about a potential Labour leadership contest after a crazy week in British politics. Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava reports from Westminster as the attempted coup against Keir Starmer rages on. Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, as well as Labour MPs Brian Leishman and Ian Lavery, react in real time to the unfolding crisis.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava and Seán make their way through the Labour runners and riders in a potential leadership election, as Keir Starmer battles to cling on to power while MPs implore him to resign.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clive Lewis came by the PoliticsJOE studio this week to break down the runners and riders in a potential leadership challenge against Keir Starmer. After a disastrous showing in the local elections, questions over Keir Starmer's leadership of his party - and the country - have only intensified. Particularly from within his own ranks, the Prime Minister has been battling against backbenchers eager to share their fury with the running of the party. Clive Lewis has long been a critic of Keir Starmer, calling last year for Andy Burnham to take his Norwich seat in order to contest a leadership election. Today he joins Ava to break down where his party goes from here.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kneecap joined PoliticsJOE, fresh off the back of having a terrorism case, against member Mo Chara, thrown out of the British Court. It's also the premise of their new album, which they discussed with our very own Irishman-in-residence Seán Hickey. If you somehow missed the trail of the UK and Ireland's most controversial musicians, here's the TLDR. Kneecap were involved in a UK court case because member Mo Chara, real name, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a concert in London in November 2024.UK prosecutors said this could amount to an offence under the UK Terrorism Act because Hezbollah is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. Prosecutors also alleged slogans supporting Hezbollah and Hamas were shouted during the performance.The case was initially thrown out because prosecutors failed to get the Attorney General’s approval within the legal six-month time limit required to bring the charge. The Crown Prosecution Service later appealed, trying to reinstate the case.In March 2026, the High Court rejected that appeal, meaning Mo Chara didn't face trial. The judges said the prosecution had been started unlawfully due to the procedural error, not because the court ruled on whether the alleged conduct itself was legal or illegal.Kneecap argued the prosecution was politically motivated and linked to their outspoken support for Palestine. A media carnival, if you will. Hey, that's the name of one of the songs on their new album. Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura and Seán take to the studio to piece together the winners and losers of the 2026 local elections, as Labour's catastrophic run of form sees no sign of letting up.Reform were the big winners with a landslide in councils across the country, with the Greens eating away at Starmer's left flank with notable wins in Hackney and Edinburgh.In Wales, Labour's First Minister FAILED to gain reelection as the parties woes fell deeper into the abyss. Can Keir Starmer survive?Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's war with Iran has led many to a rethink of the global economy. With his presidency already weakening relations between Britain and the US and uniting European nations, events like the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz raise further questions about our dependency on the global oil markets, as well as fossil fuels altogether.Edward Fitzpatrick of ConFlow Power Group joins Ava to imagine what greener, smarter, genuinely resilient infrastructure could look like in Britain and beyond, and peels back the curtain on the AI powering it.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Meadway is an economist and Green Party candidate for Tower Hamlets council in tomorrow's local elections.He joined us in studio to talk about the campaign, his journey from being a member of Jeremy Corbyn's inner circle in his years of leadership of Labour to running for the Greens, and the need for the government to work in the interests of the people rather than to kow tow to big business.The candidates running in Bromley North are:Hirra Khan Adeogun - Green PartyJohn Bullard - Reform UKHamim Chowdhury - Labour PartySimon Nicholas Herbert - Liberal DemocratsSamia Hersi - Conservative and Unionist PartyMohammed Ilyas - AspireDavid Andre Lurie - Liberal DemocratsAbdul Mannan - AspireJames George Edward Meadway - Green PartyAbdul Mumin - Tower Hamlets IndependentsSheikh Mohammed Nashar - Tower Hamlets IndependentsShaheda Rowshonara Rahman - Labour PartyAlex Reeves - Conservative and Unionist PartyLauren Riley - Trade Unionist and Socialist CoalitionSubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's gloves off between Reform and the Greens, with Zia Yusuf vowing that, if elected, Reform will prioritise putting migrant detention centres in constituencies that vote for Zack Polanski. Also, Seán, Laura, and Andy wade into the controversy surrounding Polanski after he shared a tweet critical of the police's use of force in detaining a suspect in the Golders Green attack.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the PoliticsJOE Podcast, Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood joins the team for a candid and unfiltered conversation about the realities of representing her constituents—and why she believes Keir Starmer isn’t delivering for people like them.Sorcha pulls no punches as she explains her frustrations with decisions coming from Westminster, arguing that too many ordinary voters are being left behind. She reflects on the growing disconnect between political leadership and everyday life, and why she feels her constituents deserve far better.The conversation also turns to the culture inside Parliament itself. Sorcha shares her exhaustion with what she describes as “gentlemen’s club” politics—an outdated, exclusionary environment that still shapes how decisions are made and who gets heard. She discusses the barriers this creates, particularly for women and those outside the traditional political mould, and why meaningful change has been so slow.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Columnist Stella Tsantekidou and Turn Left Media's Curtis Daly were feuding on Twitter earlier this week.In response to our Hannah Spencer interview, Stella wrote: "Yeah no, sorry, MPs are often cooped up in Parliament for 15 hours a day, they will have a drink with journalists or colleagues and will still be discussing politics -their job".Curtis replied: "I'm absolutely ok with MPs not drinking on the job, its not a human right."Today, on the PolJOE sofa, with Ava as mediator, the two have it out.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava, Seán, and Laura bear witness to what could be Keir Starmer's last PMQs as Prime Minister. Hear a man on the brink attempt to defend his record and talk up his achievements before the May elections.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier today Morgan McSweeney, formerly Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff, appeared before the Foreign Affairs Committee; thrust out from the shadows and into the spotlight to explain his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson to Washington.Laura, and later Ava, is joined by special guests Banseka Kayembe of Naked Politics and Curtis Daly of Turn Left Media.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy, Seán, and Ava wade into the discourse inferno set alight by yesterday's interview with Green MP Hannah Spencer, with one question in particular emerging: does Westminster have a drinking problem? Also, a look ahead to Morgan McSweeney's appearance before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee tomorrow.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Independent's Political Editor David Maddox came by the JOE studios to break down his story revealing the depth and breadth of the Peter Mandelson vetting fiasco.Andy and David break down who knew what when, the consequences for the Prime Minister, and what it says about the credibility of his offering to the British people in 2024 of a government of honest operators working in the best interests of the nation.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After bombshells were dropped in sacked civil servant Olly Robbins’ Select Committee appearance yesterday, Kemi Badenoch has kept up pressure on the Prime Minister as the Mandelson scandal grows. Laura and Andy react to the clash at the despatch box, and unpack what the ensuing discourse will mean for Starmer’s hopes of staying in post.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The recently sacked Olly Robbins was called before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee this morning where he outlined what he knew and when during the appointment of Peter Mandelson to Washington. Ava and Andy spell out what his answers mean for the Prime Minister and his chances of hanging on.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest Peter Mandelson revelations are still looming large over the Prime Minister despite the sacking of Olly Robins, and Starmer maintains that he wasn't told until Tuesday that Mandelson wasn't granted the highest level of clearance. Ava, Seán, and Andy unpack the discourse.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Kapos is an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, and joins us to speak about his activism, his opposition to Israel's systemic destruction of Gaza and the West Bank, and how the memory of the Holocaust is being abused by Israel and the far-right.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PoliticsJOE is joined by the UK's former permanent representative to Nato, Sir Adam Thomson, and former Navy Commander Kevin Rowlands to discuss the state of the UK's Armed Forces. Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer was back at the despatch box after the Easter break facing questions over Lord Robertson's defence review, warning the government's complacency has left the UK in a perilous situation.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava is joined once again by friend of PoliticsJOE Sam Bright to break down the latest news from the continent, after Hungary's quasi dictator Viktor Orbán was toppled in a landslide on Sunday night.Péter Magyar absolutely hammered Orbán's Fidesz party on Sunday night, ending 16 years of rule by Viktor Orbán.Sam breaks down the victory for Magyar and what the opposition leader stands for. He also delves into the consequences for right-wing movements across Europe, as Orbán's close alignment with the Trump regime was tipped as a key reason for his downfall.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy and Seán take to the poljoe dungeon to recap the Sunday shows, where America's most prominent right-wing pundit went on the BBC, and ended up coming across competent, in no small part due to the government's Palestine Action ban.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava spoke to the Green Party candidate for Hackney Mayor Zoë Garbett at the Green Party's local election launch in Stoke Newington. Zoë outlines the Greens' plans to revolutionise Britain's housing system, to be a fair and affordable system for all.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seán is joined by friend of the podcast Scott Lucas to make sense of the relative peace that has fallen in Tehran after the striking of a ceasefire deal on Tuesday.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive into the political storm surrounding Karl Turner, who was suspended after publicly criticising Keir Starmer. What does this moment reveal about party discipline, free speech within politics, and the current direction of the Labour Party?We sit down to unpack Turner’s perspective, the context behind his comments, and the reaction from party leadership. Is this a case of necessary unity, or does it raise deeper concerns about dissent being silenced?Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seán, Andy, and Ava return from the long weekend to unpack Kanye West's controversial headlining of the now-cancelled Wireless Festival and its resultant discourse. Also, the 6% cap on student loans and the latest in Trump.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a national four-day weekend Seán and Ava return to open up the debate and answer some of your burning questions.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew Cole is an academic and author specialising in labour and technology, and swung by the studio to talk about his book Unpaid: The Past, Present and Future of Wage Theft.During the conversation, he breaks down the myriad ways in which employers undercut their workforce, how to stop it, and what a balanced, egalitarian labour market of the future looks like.Preorder Unpaid here: https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3206-unpaidSubscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are once again joined by friend of the podcast Richie Jones to chew through the latest IPSOS polling in collaboration with JOE Media Group. Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We caught up with Brian Eno at DiEM last week to chat about inequality, taxes, and the urgent need to rebalance the global system to save ordinary people from extinction.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political economist Grace Blakeley caught up with Ava at DiEM's Resistance Is Existence: The Fight For Our Future event last week to chat about joining the Green Party, Iran, and decoupling Britain from the United States.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy joins Seán to debrief his televised clash with Matt Goodwin last Friday over his accusations that the Gorton and Denton by-election loser used AI to research his book.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava sits down with the co-authors of Muskism, Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff, to dive deep on the world's richest man.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liam Byrne is a Labour MP and the chair of the Commons Business and Trade Committee. He came by the studio to speak to Ava about his new book, Why Populists are Winning. In a wide ranging conversation, Liam and Ava break down Labour's victories and losses in the last 18 months, how operators on the left and right have capitalised on the actions of the government, and how the government come back from a slew of bad results at the polls.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava caught economist Yanis Varoufakis before his conversation with Zack Polanski, Jeremy Corbyn, and Grace Blakeley at DiEM25. She talks to him about Keir Starmer, Iran, Donald Trump, and the weakness of European leaders.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.