The Lowdown from Nick Cohen

Trump and MAGA see European values and societies as the real enemiesNick Cohen talks to the leading US commentator Charlie Sykes about the impact of the highly controversial US National Security Strategy 2025 which has overturned 80 years of post-war security strategy and threatens the very social and political fabric of Europe, as well as its security.Incredibly, in this document, the US says it will support nationalist far right parties in overturning European governments and says it will do all it can to destroy the European Union. The document - described as "obscene" by one former US ambassador to the EU - also strikes a dagger to the heart of NATO, clearly marking out its former security partners in the Alliance as the real enemies while failing to criticise the brazen illegality and aggression of Putin's Russia.The US has "switched sides" to stand shoulder to shoulder with our enemiesCharlie's stark conclusion: "This is what they're saying to the entire world. And again, the loathing for the democracies of Western Europe, the loathing for the allies who have been with us since World War II really can't be overstated. It is deep and, quite frankly, there has to come a moment when I think the rest of the world has to say that the United States has switched sides."Discussion summaryCharlie and Nick discuss the implications of the new strategy for American foreign policy, particularly regarding relations with Russia and Europe. The discussion explores how the strategy aligns with Moscow's vision and promotes radical right-wing parties, while contrasting conservative reactions between the US and UK. The conversation concluded with an examination of Trump's presidency and its potential dangers, including immigration policies, weaponisation of justice departments, and the broader implications for American democracy and political norms.Read all about it!Charlie Sykes @SykesCharlie is a leading highly respected United States conservative political commentator who was formerly editor-in-chief and founder of the highly influential website The Bulwark. Charlie has been a leading Never Trump Conservative since Trump stood for the presidency in 2015. Charlie's Substack - To the contrary is a must read, and his regular podcast - also called To the contrary - a must listen. He has also been a columnist and author for the progressive channel MSNBC.Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour's threat to the ancient right of Trial by JuryNick Cohen and Francis FitzGibbon KC - a prominent barrister and former chair of the Criminal Bar Association - discuss the proposal by Labour politicians, including Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, to restrict the right to trial by jury, which Nick finds astonishing given Starmer's previous advocacy for human rights and anti-racism. Francis argues against the proposed changes, which Nck thinks could expose ethnic minority defendants to unchecked racism. Francis argues that once the politicians have removed the right to trial by jury - it will be gone for ever.Throwing out the baby with the bathwater! Attacking jury trials to deal with deepening courts crisisThe discussion focuses on the legal system's backlog crisis, with Francis describing it as a disaster with 80,000 cases and delays extending to 2030. Nick and Francis discuss the report by former Appeal Court judge Sir Brian Leveson which Francis criticises for recommending strict curtailment of jury trials, a proposal he viewed as unnecessary and ineffective. Nick raises concerns about the independence of judges reviewing jury trials, suggesting that judges might be inclined to support removing juries from complex cases. Francis argues that judges are no better than juries in investigating human behaviour and coming to the right verdict.Juries, Francis FiztGibbon KCargues, are not just vital for the administration of justice - they give ordinary members of the public a stake in the system of rules and laws by which they are governed.Read all about it! Francis FitzGibbon KC was chair of the Criminal Bar Association (2016-2017) and has a wide-ranging and diverse trial practice covering all types of serious crime (prosecuting and defending). High profile cases include R. v Marten (gross-negligence manslaughter of a baby), R. Mohammadi (the Colindale allotment murder) and R v Alemi (fraud by successfully working as a psychiatrist with forged educational certificates). Francis has been recognised as a leading barrister in Crime for many years (Tier 2 Silk), and is ranked in the Legal 500, as ‘a highly intelligent Silk’. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SummaryNick Cohen and Professor Alan Manning - economist and one of the country's leading experts on immigration - discuss the impact of immigration on Western democracies, including its role in recent and upcoming elections, as well as the resurgence of right-wing movements driven by immigration-related fears. Alan Manning, a professor at the London School of Economics, explains the complexities of immigration policy and the challenges of balancing migration capacity with global inequality. Nick and Alan discuss various policy approaches, including temporary protection measures and the need for international cooperation, while criticising overly simplistic solutions and highlighting the importance of realistic immigration policies.Political charlatans such as Nigel Farage mis-sold Brexit claiming it would help the uK "take back control" of its borders. Ironically, they may helped helped create huge increases in net immigration in recent years, as well as encourage the small boats bringing asylum seekers across the Channel from France. Now the same political grifters are relentlessly campaigning on the issue of immigration to get votes and win power. It's time to explain the issues driving immigration and explode the myths of immigration, rather than exploit them.Read all about it!Professor Alan Manning - @alanmanning4 formerly Chairman of UK's Migration Advisory Committee has been investigating the issue for his new book, Why Immigration Policy Is Hard: And How to Make It Better is published by PolityNick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Center-Left's Struggle Against Radical RightNick Cohen talks to The Guardian's chief political correspondent Rafael Behr discuss the failure of the Western centre-left to effectively counter the rise of the radical right, using examples from the United States and Britain. They highlighted the Democrats' inability to stop Trump's return to power and Labour's struggles under Keir Starmer despite a significant majority. The discussion touched on the fragmentation of the centre-left vote into Greens and socialists, which has weakened their ability to present a unified front against their opponents.Rafael's chilling warning of the UK's political directionRafael is very pessimistic about the future as a result of Labour's ability to fight the Radical Right: "it is increasingly my view that the evidence that we need - historically - to track the trajectory of where a lot of the salient politics that we're in at the moment leads is into the abyss, right? Although we don't know exactly what is in that abyss, we know that, you know, nationalism that is on this sort of self-reinforcing, spinning outward ever into, increasingly extreme versions of itself leads to really, really dark places..."Rafael adds, "the best arguments we have against extreme nationalism are, for fuck's sake, read some history! Look at who these people are! Just, you know, pay attention to who, what these people are, what they're saying, who their friends are. What a bunch of nasty, angry, racist, thieving, kleptocratic, psycho self-serving, venal bastards they actually are! Look at that. Just look at them in the face! Look in the face of the Gorgon! Be petrified and don't vote for it. Right. And that argument, which I feel is, should be incredibly compelling, isn't working."Read all about it!Rafael's recent book Politics: A Survivor's Guide: How to stay engaged without getting enraged is published by W.F.Howes Ltd and available at Amazon and in all good bookshops.Support the show You can also read his wonderful columns in the Guardian. His X handle is @rafaelbehrNick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE - FROM EUROPE'S RADICAL RIGHT, AND EX-BREXIT PARTY MEP NATHAN GILL!Nick Cohen and Arthur Snell - the author and ex-diplomat - discuss political corruption and treason - following the sentencing of Nathan Gill, the former Brexit Party MEP and ex-leader of UKIP in Wales. They discuss the deply disturbing case of Gill- convicted of eight counts of bribery, after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing uncovered how he received payment in return for making statements which supported the presence of pro-Russian media outlets in Ukraine.Arthur explains the enduring love affair between Putin's Russia and Europe's Radical Right politicians. Gill and others have collaborated with pro-Kremlin politicians to spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda. Nick and Arthur explore the unique aspects of corruption across different countries and highlighted an upcoming trial involving charges of bribery related to pro-Kremlin propaganda activities. The discussion concluded with an examination of the complex relationship between the radical right in Western countries and Russian President Vladimir Putin.Russian Influence in European PoliticsArthur explains the widespread pro-Russian sentiment among far-right European politicians, noting examples like Farage's admiration for Putin and Tice's connection to a Russian financier. He emphasises that while Nathan Gill's influence was limited, his propaganda echoed broader Russian efforts to insert pro-Russian narratives into mainstream media Nick highlights how Russian disinformation, amplified through social media and media outlets, can shape public opinion, referencing instances like Nigel Farage's paid appearances on Russia Today, the Putin propaganda channel now banned from UK airwaves. Both Arthur and Nick agree about the reluctance of British authorities to investigate Russian interference, particularly in the context of Brexit, due to political sensitivities.Read all about itArthur Snell's substack column is Not all doom & his regular inciteful podcast is Behind the Lines. Arthur's first not fiction book is How Britain Broke the World: War, Greed and Blunders from Kosovo to Afghanistan, 1997-2022 .Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Read Nick's latest column, Can Europe resist Trump's gangsterism? Does it have the willpower to try? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Cohen and Robert Saunders, the author and academic, discuss historical political party splits in Britain, particularly in the 1920s when the Liberals split and Labour formed, contrasting with the current situation where both left and right-wing votes are fragmented. Nick and Robert analyse the current political landscape, noting that while the right-wing vote is divided with Nigel Farage being popular, the centre-left could dominate British politics if it remains united. The discussion highlighted the challenges of multi-party democracy under the first-past-the-post system and the potential for new parties like the Greens and a Corbyn-led radical left party to impact the political landscape.They talk about the decline of the two-party system in the UK, highlighting how Labour's popularity has dropped significantly since the 2024 election. Labour barely won a third of the vote in 2024 but still secured a majority of seats under the first-past-the-post system, leading to concerns about the system's fairness. Robert explains that the decline of the two-party system can be traced back to the 1950s, when Labour and the Conservatives together accounted for 97% of the vote, compared to 65% by 2010. They also discuss how Brexit and the implosion of the Liberal Democrats in 2015 temporarily reversed this trend, but Robert believes these were anomalous elections and that the longer-term pattern of decline continues.Tory party is dying on its feet Possibly the most dramatic and most influential event driving current politics is the slow agonising death of the Conservative Party. Robert says "This is a party that used to be anchored in all sorts of important institutions that was very deeply rooted in the world of British business. That was connected to institutions like the Church of England, the armed forces, the kind of voluntarist culture, and that also meant it had a lot of kind of different sources of information and ideas flowing into it. It's either cut itself off from those things, or those things have essentially died. So it's become a kind of tree with no roots, and then I don't think it's entirely surprising, therefore, that it crashed down in the way that it did in 2024. "He adds "The biggest danger for the conservative party was that they took refuge in comfortable myths about their defeat. And I think that's what they've been doing."Read all about it! Robert Saunders - @redhistorian - author and academic. Author of "Yes to Europe! The 1975 Referendum & Seventies Britain". "A jaw-dislocating page turner"(Andrew Marr). Co-director the Mile End Institute @MileEndInst , Reader Queen Mary's @QMHistoryNick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Cohen talks to and Ronan McCrea about the current state and future challenges of the gay rights movement. Ronan expressed concerns about the potential reversal of LGBTQ+ gains due to weakening secular and liberal forces, arguing that the movement's expansion beyond gay rights has become counterproductive and risks alienating straight allies. The discussion concluded with Ronan emphasising the need for continued vigilance and moderate strategies to maintain long-term gay rights gains, while acknowledging the challenges of balancing conservative and liberal approaches in an evolving political landscape.Andrew and Ronan discussed the scheduling of a program to air at the end of October, prioritizing it over live political news. They then delved into the topic of gay rights, with Ronan expressing concern that the gains of the past 60 years could be reversed due to the weakening of broader forces such as secularism and liberalism. Ronan emphasized the importance of maintaining the unprecedented freedom already achieved rather than pushing for further expansions of the LGBTQIA+ agenda, which he believes could make the movement more vulnerable to setbacks.Ronan warns, "It's really dangerous for us, because it's not only in the US Interestingly in the UK, in France, the numbers of people who say that homosexuality is morally acceptable are now declining.For the first time in 40 years, they've been, they had been just steadily rising. Rising, rising. you know, the, the change is not yet huge, but there is a kind of, there's a definite change. It's no longer rising. It's falling, and we are, people are much more vulnerable than the gay People are much more vulnerable than they realise".Ronan adds "All of the political dynamics are, are, are now that were, that had sustained the gay rights movement and given it energy for 50 years are now fading." He says of LGBTQ+ campaigner, " by making gay rights appear part of a movement that challenges all their, all conservatives cherished norms. They make gay rights their top target, and they alienate moderate conservative support that the gay rightsmovement absolutely will need to be long term viable."Gays rely on straight majority for their rightsRonan articulates a tragic fact about gay people and theirn reliancer on the straight majority for their rights. " it'd be lovely if gay people could say, screw you. We're not gonna think about what straight people think of us, " he says. We're just gonna get on and, and determine our own future. But until they find they form some gay micro state, that's not gonna happen. That's just the tragic reality of gay politics. We will always depend on what I call in the book, the Kindness of Strangers, and that is. I think the straight, the straight majority."Read all about it! Ronan McCrea @RonanMcCrea is professor of constitutional & European law at @ucl His book 'The End of the Gay Rights Revolution - How Hubris and Overreach Threaten Gay Freedom is published by @politybooksNick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can the Centre hold in France?Nick Cohen discusses the dire state of French politics with journalist, author & academic Agnès Poirier. They discuss the chaos of politics in France over the last years which has seen 4 prime ministers come and go in barely a year. Extremists on the far right and far left are becoming ever more dominant - their voices ever more shrill.In 2017, Emmanuelle Macron became the youngest man since Napoloeon to head the French state and to become President of France, voted in off the back of his own centrist En Marche movement. In 18 months' time, Macron's second term and presidential career come to an end. And there are growing fears about what next presidential elections of May 2027 could herald a major extremist upset, as disappointed French political opinion seems to rush to the extremes of either the hard left firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon - defacto leader of La France Insoumise - or Marine Le Pen and the far right Le Rassemblement National (The National Ralley, formerly the National Front).Agnès Poirier explains the disillusionment and the current political landscape divided among Islamified left, failed Macron-centered centre, and radical right factions. Agnès and Nick explore Macron's challenges in maintaining power despite a lack of majority support, the rise of extreme parties, and the shifting dynamics within the French socialist movement. The discussion concludes with an examination of France's welfare system, the transformation of the National Rally under Marine Le Pen, and concerns about the potential rise of far-right leaders in future elections.French are more scared of hard left that far rightWhat if the Centre continues to collpase and the French are left with a choice between extreme right and left? Agnes Poirier says people are more concerned and worried about Jean-Luc Mélenchon and the left than the far right of Marine Le Pen, saying, "They [the Left] they go to the National Assembly dressed in t-shirts, um, or in football, shirts; they insult each other. They just want insurrection. They look dangerous. They speak dangerous, and they don't care. Whereas Marine Le Pen party is much more clever in the way they present themselves. They don't insult people. They're not loud; they put on a suit, and so at least on the surface, they are not scaring people and, and it works. It does work. Um, you'd rather have somebody who's not insulting you or shouting at you the way they do with their hard left." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is is already too late to save US democracy?In this week's The Lowdown, Nick Cohen asks Edward Luce - the Washing-based editor & columnist of the Financial Times - is it already too late to save the US? Trump is already trying to gerrymander the critical 2026 mid-term elections by demanding re-districting of states like Texas to produce more Republican states. Also, he repeatedly threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act to further threaten freedom, and sends ICE agents and troops into peaceful Democrat cities to intimidate them. Nick and Edward discuss the institutional purges, widespread corruption, and the chilling effect of Trump's personal vendettas on free speech and political opposition. Edward Luce, explores how Trump's presidency has eroded traditional American values and institutions, noting the widespread fear and self-censorship that has developed across society.Fear stalks AmericaLuce says fear stalks the US and that the richest are the most afraid because they feel they have the most to lose. Trump's henchmen denounce Democrats as terrorists and traitors, while destroying the freedoms of much of the mainstream media. Edward says, " [Trump's] not only getting away with it, but sort of doing it so easily, steamrolling these guardrails, these traditions so easily... because he comes at the end of 20/30 years worth of declining trust in institutions, and of growing cynicism about institutions and about the media, not just about elected politicians."No King's Day but no objective for the opposition either!Luce says the US needs a Martin Luther King type figure to lead the opposition against Trump's growing tyranny, adding "What is it that the No Kings Rally (on October 18th) is demanding? I don't know. It's, it's saying Trump's a king. He's behaving like a king. He's doing what he likes. There's no restraint on him, all of which is true. But what's the deliverable here?"Edward adds, "Democracy is about. Winning and winning is about building coalitions. And building coalitions is an additive game. You actually link arms with people you might disagree with on important issues like, for example, abortion, or gun control, whatever it might be, or taxes and you hold your nose and say, look, we've got something bigger in common here."Read all about it! Edward Luce @EdwardGLuce is Associate Editor, Financial Times, a US-based writer/columnist. Author of books including The Retreat of Western Liberalism, &, Time to Start Thinking.Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Cohen and historian and author James Hawes explore the rise of far-right sentiment in Britain and the Conservative Party's transformation, including their evolving definition of English identity and embrace of discriminatory immigration policies. Historical parallels were drawn between contemporary political events and pre-World War I era, with particular focus on the party's strategic shifts and potential mergers with right-wing factions. The conversation concluded with analysis of current political dynamics, including the challenges of governing under a first-past-the-post system and the implications of right-wing.populism on British society.The end of the UK is nighJames predicts the Tories' lurch to the far right will inevitably lead to the brea-up of the UK, if, as he sees likely, Reform and the Tories enter into some sort of merger. An ethno-nationalist far right government is bound to boost the prospects of nationalists elsewhere in the UK, particularly the SNP in Scotland and Plad Cymru in Wales.Rise of Far-Right Sentiment in BritainNick and Jim discuss the rise of far-right sentiment in Britain, highlighting events such as Tommy Robinson's march and Elon Musk's controversial statements. They examine how right-wing figures like Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick have embraced discriminatory immigration policies targeting black and brown migrants. Nick and James also critique the lack of pushback from the conservative press and party, while noting the emergence of pro-Palestinian sentiment and anti-Semitic attacks. They draw parallels to the Weimar Republic era, expressing concern about the current state of British society.Read all about it! James Hawes @jameshawes2 Renaissance man, historian, writer and novelist. James, the author of The Shortest History of England and The Shortest History of Germany. His latest in the series, The Shortest History of Ireland, out In the new year.Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Cohen talks to leading US political commentator Charlie Sykes about the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on American politics and conservative institutions, with Charlie sharing his perspective as one of the first "Never Trump" conservatives and discussing the erosion of traditional conservative values and principles. They examine how Trump's rise was connected to broader trends in right-wing politics, including the appeal to "own the libs" and the normalisation of previously unacceptable behaviour. They discuss their concerns about Trump's potential future political influence and the need for institutions, media, and individuals to push back against extreme political trends in both the US and U.K.Conservatives voices must take on Trump & the radical rightCharlie says his fellow "Never Trump" Conservatives made a huge strategic error in confronting Trump and MAGA before the 2024 presidential election, saying, "I think it was a major mistake for much of the Never Trump movement to basically become Liberal Democrats. Because what happened is they were no longer speaking to those centre Right. Conservative swing voters. They were perceived to be simply just parroting the other lines. And by the way, take some responsibility. I'm a contributor for the Progressive network, MSNBC, and I think this is a real problem."The other problem was that during the Biden years, I think that one of the, the fundamental roles of the centre. You know, the centre should have been to keep the administration from, from going too far left on all of the issues on crime, on immigration, on the trans issue. And by the way, Democrats are still deeply in denial."You have to stop Farage now - before it's too late Charlie Sykes warns the UK that Nigel Farage and Reform have to be stopped now before it is too late. Ciservative vocies must play their part in preventing the UK sinking into a Trump-like darknes, adding, " If in late 2015 if you had big conservative voices like Rush Limbaugh, not a fan, but if Rush Limbaugh would've told his audience, come on, people. Donald Trump's a joke. Donald Trump is not what we have fought for all these years. the best time to get these to stop these guys is on the launchpad before they achieve velocity."Maybe too late. but it's gotta be done early and it's gotta be done forceful because it's if you, if if you, if you don't do it now, it's gonna be exponentially harder a year from now. "Read all about it!Charlie Sykes @SykesCharlie is a leading highly respected United States conservative political commentator who was formerly editor-in-chief and founder of the highly influential website The Bulwark. Charlie has been a leading Never Trump Conservative since Trump stood for the presidency in 2015. Charlie's Substack - To the contrary is a must read, and his regular podcast - also called To the contrary - a must listen. He has also been a columnist and author for the progressive channel MSNBC.Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Farage be stopped, and if so, by who?Nick Cohen talks to Ed Hodgson from the More in Common think-tank about growing concerns over the potential shift towards extreme right-wing politics by Nigel Reform & his latest insurgent party Reform and the implications for British society and the political landscape. Ed Hodgson explores divisions in British society and the rise of the Reform, while examining public sentiment towards immigration policies and the challenges facing Labour under Keir Starmer's leadership. The conversation concluded with an analysis of the current political dynamics, including the complexities of the British electoral system and the challenges of polling and predicting future elections.Farage's Right-Wing Political ShiftNick and Ed discuss Reform's potential shift towards extreme right-wing politics, citing Farage's recent proposals to abolish indefinite leave to remain and his embrace of pseudoscientific claims. He argues that Farage's rhetoric is being influenced by Trump and that the British media and political class have not adequately recognised this shift. Ed and Nick discuss ways in which mainstream parties can counter the toxic messaging from the extreme right and & its apparently unstoppable rise. these divisions in British society and the need to address extremism.Farage Trump worship could backfire Ed says Farage's craven worship of Donald Trump and his copying out of the worst of MAGA excesses - particularly on prurient and untrue allegations again migrants - could backfire among Brits who increasingly see the US as a hositle power, adding, "...people who say America is an ally in Britain has fallen to less than half. Right. In America, More than 80% of Americans think that Britain is an ally. So there's this weird sort of one way relationship going on, at least in a public opinion perspective, where Americans still feel very close to Britain and Britain's in many way do feel quite close to America."Who are More in Common?More in Common is a think-tank that seeks to understand polarisation and to work on initiatives to tackle division in our society. The innovative and extensive research we have carried out in the UK forms the basis of our efforts to tackle division.Ed HodgsonEd Hodgson @edhodgsoned is deputy director for More in Common in 2022 @Moreincommon. Ed manages More in Common UK's polling function on a day-to-day basis, and has led More in Common's in-depth research into topics such as assisted dying, Progressive Activists, the Israel-Gaza war, and tackling climate change.Read all about it!Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SummaryLet's face it - Labour inherited a total shit show after 14 years of Tory misrule - an economy crippled by Brexit, immigration chaos, turds in our rivers and seas, and rapidly deteriorating public services. But - inevitably - it's Sir Keir Starmer who's getting the blame for the country's woes, thanks mainly to the the fickleness of the electorate as well as the country's evident decline. But Labour seems to have bent over backwards to help its opponents with self-inflicted wounds such as inept communications, avoidable scandal and bouts of epic political bungling.As the Labour Party Conference gets under way next weekend, Nick Cohen talks to Keir Starmer's biographer Tom Baldwin about the prime minister's leadership position within the Labour Party, examining the PM's challenges and potential future in politics.Labour needs to expose the malice and plastic patriotism of the Far RightNick and Tom discuss the current state of Labour's position, focusing on whether Sir Keir Starmer's leadership is in jeopardy. They highlighted Labour's low vote share in the 2024 election and recent poor opinion poll ratings, including a recent approval rating of minus 54 for Keir Starmer. The discussion touches on the potential leadership challengers within the Labour Party, including, possibly the current metro-mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, with Nick noting the historic difficulty of replacing a sitting Prime Minister, particularly in the Labour Party. In contrast, as we know, the Tories have never had any problem knifing their leaders in the back - or front.Both Tom and Nick explore the broader topic of combating the far right in politics. Tom says Starmer should articulate Labour values more forcefully and espouse his own more gentle and inclusive version of patriotism in stark contrast to the nationalist bombast of Nigel Farage and and the more sinister extremism of Tommy Robinson/Yaxley-Lennon.Starmer needs to articulate & lead national renewalTom says Starmer needs to be able to convincingly argue for a gentle and inclusive patriotism, to lead a sense of national renewal and take on the plastic patriots of Farage and the far right, He says, "It's not some sepia-tinted restoration of the past. It's not some like we're going to like back ruling the waves like Boris Johnson pretended, or you where the country invented liberties. So we don't need to be members of the ECHR or this nonsense."Read all about it!The paperback version of Tom's must-read bestseller, Keir Starmer, the biography, is out now with updated chapters.Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SummaryNick Cohen and Anne Applebaum discuss the current state of democracy in the United States and Europe, focusing on the rise of populism and identity politics, while exploring how political figures maintain support despite policy failures. They examined the systematic dismantling of American institutions under Trump's administration, including attacks on the civil service and potential weakening of military capabilities, while also discussing the emerging alliance between authoritarian states opposed to American influence. The conversation concluded with a discussion of the current state of American politics, including the narrow margins in recent elections and the need for effective opposition strategies to defend democratic values both in the U.S. and across Europe.Democracy's Challenges in Populist EraAnne and Nick talk about the current state of democracy in the United States and Europe, focusing on the rise of populism and the shift towards identity politics. Anne highlighted how political figures like Nigel Farage in the UK and Donald Trump in the US have maintained support despite policy failures, attributing it to the emotional appeal of their cultural identities. They explored the question of whether real-world issues like inflation and healthcare are now less important than online cultural battles. Andrew asked Anne about the dangers facing American democracy, to which she responded that it is indeed in danger, but the outcome is still uncertain.The UK must wake up to the MAGA reality! Anne argues that the UK should wake up to the new reality - Powerful elements at the top of the Trump White House & MAGA not only consider the so-called "special relationship" as not only over but see the UK as an enemy. Anne says, there's a very powerful strain. Inside this administration and inside the American far right who really hate Britain. And they hate Europeans and they hate the Germans. ... there's a constant narrative about how the British violate free speech and how, you know, Britain is, an extreme left country and so on."She says, " I'm not saying they dominate this administration, and you won't hear this from Marco Rubio, but there is a strain inside MAGA, which essentially reflects Russian propaganda. ... there's a piece of, of that movement that doesn't really want anything to do with Britain or Europe anymore....I would watch out for that and as I said, have a contingency plan and think about a world in which the United States is run by people who are hostile to Britain." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Cohen and Sunder Katwala engage in a detailed discussion about the rise of right-wing extremism in Britain, analysing rabid right rabble-rousers like Nigel Farage and examining how his evolving stance and ambiguous approach appeal to both mainstream voters and extreme elements. They explored the current political climate, focusing on the challenges faced by mainstream conservative parties and the need for addressing legitimate concerns about immigration while drawing clear boundaries against racist ideologies. The conversation concluded with discussions about the fragmented state of British politics, the need for a coherent centre-right party, and the challenges faced by political leaders in navigating complex social and cultural issues.Nick & Sunder discuss the rise of right-wing extremism in Britain, comparing current political figures like Nigel Farage to historical fascists. Sunder expresses concern about the right setting the agenda and the dominance of emotional arguments over factual evidence. However, he remained optimistic about the long-term progress of British society, drawing on his personal experiences of racial and cultural diversity.Sunder says "we are under policing absolute fascism and racism. Elon Musk has brought it in and what [Steve] Bannon and Trump did is they said there will be no boundary between the respectful right and the racist." Sunder says the sinister issue of so-called "re-migration" - in other words expelling ethnic minority Brits - will eventually do for the rabid right, saying, "There's immigration there's asylum. And these are tough issues in the centre left, but remotion, which is, you know, more people should leave them come in and re migration is a far right code ultimately for the people who really want to hear the word Remi.It's about, you know, Sunder Katwala shouldn't been allowed to be born here. So if he was, let's get him out.... Okay. It's not gonna happen. But about from kick out the ethnic minority." Hope can still beat hate For all its problems, and the ranting of the right, Sunder argues the UK still has a lot going for it as a tolerant and diverse society, saying ":Britain is the most Successful multi-ethnic democracy in the western world. It's a generation ahead of Western Europe." Overall, Sunder has a message of hope after a summer of far right race-baiting, demagoguery and even predictions of civil war: "It was a very sinister, silly season. We had people predicting civil war every weekend and it never quite erupting; Farage setting the asylum debate."It's felt like it's going backwards for a couple of years. We can and will reverse that...And you know, if people are making impossible promises to give us sort of fantasy politics that if you quit three more international treaties, your lives will be better. Let's make the opposite case."Read all about it!Sunder Katwala @sundersays is a director of the British Future think tank and a former general secretary of the Fabian Society. His book, How to be a patriot, is published by HarperNorthNick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Goodbye Normal - it was nice knowing you!Nick Cohen and author & academic Yascha Mounk explore the enduring presence of populism and the challenges faced by centrists in adapting to changing political realities, discussing how assumptions about the world have evolved over the past 25 years. They examine various economic and political challenges across different countries, including Britain, Poland, and the United States, while analyzing how populists like Modi and Trump have capitalised on claims of representing the people against elites. The conversation concluded with discussions about the challenges facing American progressives and centre-left parties, emphasising the need for strategic adjustments and effective messaging to counteract populist threats and regain political credibility.Challenges of Centrism in Populism EraYascha explains the enduring presence of populism and the challenges faced by centrists in the current political landscape. Yascha highlighted how assumptions about the world, particularly those held by liberal democrats, have been swept away over the past 25 years, similar to the period after World War II. He emphasises that centrists are often out of tune with the present because they cling to outdated worldviews rather than adapting to new realities. Andrew agreed, noting that Peter Mandelson's comment about Trump being the most consequential president in living memory reflects the shift from a neoliberal to a populist order.Defending democracy and academic freedomYascha also emphasises the importance of defending democratic institutions and academic freedom against threats like Donald Trump, arguing that while some may have been willing to compromise on issues like diversity statements in the past, it is now crucial to stand firm. He criticises the tendency of some liberal professors and journalists to impose their values on society, which can backfire and drive people towards Trump-like figures.Read all about it!Yascha is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Persuasion Substack - @JoinPersuasion - and also has his own Yascha Mounk Substack column. A man of many talents, Yascha hosts his own podcast, The Good Fight. Yascha's latest and highly acclaimed book - The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time - is published by Penguin. A political scientist, Yascha is also Professor of Practice at the School of Advanced International Studies of John Hopkins University in the U.S.Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SummaryIn this discussion, Nick Cohen and former diplomat Arthur Snell explore the complex relationship between Donald Trump and Russia, examining evidence suggesting Trump may be serving Russian interests either knowingly or unwittingly. They analyze Christopher Steele's controversial intelligence work on Trump-Russia connections, noting that despite criticism, many of his key allegations have proven accurate according to subsequent investigations, including the Senate Intelligence Committee report. The conversation concludes by addressing concerns about Trump's deferential behaviour toward Putin, his appointment of pro-Russian officials to intelligence positions, and the implications for US-UK intelligence sharing should Trump return to power.In this discussion, Nick Cohen and former diplomat Arthur Snell explore the complex relationship between Donald Trump and Russia, examining evidence suggesting Trump may be serving Russian interests either knowingly or unwittingly. They analyse Christopher Steele's controversial intelligence work on Trump-Russia connections, noting that despite criticism, many of his key allegations have proven accurate according to subsequent investigations, including the Senate Intelligence Committee report. The conversation concludes by addressing concerns about Trump's deferential behaviour toward Putin, his appointment of pro-Russian officials to intelligence positions, and the implications for US-UK intelligence sharing should Trump return to power.Trump's Russian Connection ExaminationNick Cohen introduces a discussion on whether Donald Trump is a Russian asset, with guest Arthur Snell, a former Foreign Office diplomat. Arthur explains there's a spectrum of possibilities, from Trump being a recruited KGB/FSB asset to him being an unwitting "agent of influence" serving Russian interests. They note Trump's unusual connections to the Soviet bloc during the Cold War, including his 1987 Moscow visit and marriage to Ivana from Czechoslovakia, emphasising how rare it was for American businessmen to engage with communist countries at that time.Read all about it.Arthur Snell's substack column is Not all doom & his regular inciteful podcast is Behind the Lines. Arthur's first not fiction book is How Britain Broke the World: War, Greed and Blunders from Kosovo to Afghanistan, 1997-2022 .Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Read Nick's latest column, Can Europe resist Trump's gangsterism? Does it have the willpower to try? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of the mainstream media has emboldened far right charlatans Nick Cohen talks to author and journalist James Bloodworth about the evolving nature of politics and media in today's digital age. James explores how traditional media institutions are losing influence while online platforms and personalities mainly of the radical and far right have become more prominent, particularly noting how successful figures leverage algorithms and controversial content to gain attention.The strange death of the mainstream mediaJames Bloodworth discusses the changing media landscape, noting that traditional media outlets like newspapers and TV networks are losing relevance, especially among younger audiences. He observes that podcasts and social media have become more influential, with figures like Joe Rogan and Andrew Tate gaining significant followings. Bloodworth explains that successful online personalities often understand algorithms and use outrageous statements to gain attention, both from supporters and critics.Victimhood is pay-dirt for online Radicalised RightJames Bloodworth says radical right figures are earning online fortunes with simple messaging, saying "You slowly learn that the nuanced articles don't get as many clicks and subscriptions, and people sending you money as the more inflammatory articles." He described figures such as Matthew Goodwin as "very obviously leaning into the white supremo types who give him money on his Substack." He adds, "I don't know how much of this stuff he actually believes, but he's willing to surf that wave because it because it seems to be making him quite a lot of money."Online far right wingers are guilty of bad faith & hypocrisy James says right wing charlatans are always banging on about free speech when it came to people jailed for inciting violence against immigrants like the wife of a Tory councillor, Lucy Connolly, while demanding the banning of pro-Palestinian protests. James adds, "I know there are people at those protests who have said anti-semitic things, and that there have been anti-semitic chants. But... there's a complete double standard. I think it's all bad faith, and I think the accusations, particularly against Keir Starmer of two-tiered justice, are completely absurd, considering he was involved in the prosecution of people following the 2011 riots."Read all about it!James Bloodworth, @J_Bloodworth, the author of The Lost Boys, A personal journey through the Manosphere published on June 5th by Atlantic Books. James's Sustack is For the Desk Drawer.Nick Cohen's regular Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond is another must-read. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Cohen talks to former Conservative MP and minister Dr Phillip Lee about the Brexit Omertà that is killing the Conservative Party. Dr Lee, now a practising GP, blames the party's spectacular demise partly on its failure to call out Nigel Garage and the Reform Party for the failure of Brexit and the dire consequences. The elephant in the roomPhillip Lee that although few people want to talk about Brexit, they are prepared to talk about the many problems either caused or exacerbated by Brexit. He says, "Look at the boats thing... when we were members of the European Union and Dublin protocols, we could turn these people around to where they'd first entered the European Union. Okay. That was what we were able to do. Now that we're outside the European Union, we can't turn these boats around once they're on the beach."He adds, "Now, how many people in this country actually realise that Brexit has made, dealing with the boats coming across the channel harder? I suspect very, very few people understand that factual point. So why isn't the Labour government saying that? Because they don't want to open up the discussion of. European Union membership being positive."Government by focus group is wrong Phillip Lee asserts that UK political parties mistakenly and all to frequently delegate their political judgment to poorly informed focus groups, saying "we rely upon focus groups from people who are often ill-informed...It is just a fact. They don't understand the complexity of trading in negotiations. They don't understand the complexity of just-in-time manufacturing, they don't understand the challenges of geopolitics or whatever. The reason in great part is not because they can't, it's because they've gotta get the kids to school. They've gotta put food on the table. They've got busy, busy lives. They're being stretched, left, right, and centre to care for elderly and everything else..." He warns, That just takes us down the path, which we are now too far down almost, of having a country that's not fit for purpose and not sustainable, not tenable. In fact, in the medium term, we have to be, we've gotta turn that around. We've gotta start to get to a situation where our democracy people are more informed."Public is being manipulated all over again on Brexit Phillip Lee argues that Nigel Farage counters the obvious failure of Brexit with the absurd claim that it just hadn't been "done right". He adds," Farage is cleverly tapping into the fact that nothing's changed. In fact, everything's got worse. But instead of people concluding it's got worse because of Brexit, he twists it as...t's not the Brexit that people voted for."Well, the Brexit that people voted for was never going to happen again. People were lied to and manipulated, and I think until a political party that's got a chance of forming a government in this country is honest with people about this straightforward, informs them of the reality." Failure to be honest with the public could lead to Reform in power Phillip Lee says failure to treat the public as adults could lead to the disaster of Farage in Number 10, saying "It's just going in the path of Reform, isn't it? ... we're going to have our Trump moment and most of us are gonna have heads in our hands about it."Read all about it!Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK voting system is falling into disrepair and disreputeNick Cohen talks to the distinguished pollster and political commentator Peter Kellner @PeterKellner1 about the parlous state of British democracy and the UK's creaking and increasingly unfit-for-purpose First Past the Post voting system. Peter explains how First Past the Post (FPTP) has become problematic with increased party fragmentation and changing voter demographics. He explains how economic shifts, declining manufacturing industries, and changing education patterns have influenced class structures and voting patterns, with particular attention to how university education has impacted political loyalties. Peter and Nick examine the current state of political fragmentation and the challenges facing traditional parties like Labour and Conservatives, concluding with a discussion about potential electoral reform options and the evolving nature of British politics.British Democracy and Electoral ChallengesNick and Peter discussed the state of British democracy and the electoral system. They explored how the first-past-the-post system has become increasingly problematic with the rise of multiple political parties, leading to situations where governments can be formed with a small percentage of the overall vote.Class Structure and Political LoyaltiesPeter explaines that the decline of traditional manufacturing industries and the corresponding decrease in union membership have led to a shift in the class structure of Britain. He also noted that the strong family-based political loyalties of the past have diminished, contributing to the reduced influence of class in modern politics. Education is an important factor in political allegiance with university graduates more likely to be more liberal with a small "l", and more open, and much less likely to vote Conservative or Reform than non-graduates.Voter Motivations and Party LoyaltyPeter presents findings from a study on voter motivations, revealing that the primary reason voters support their party is that it is "better than the others," particularly for Labour and Conservative supporters. He noted that Labour and Conservative voters are more likely to give "consumer" reasons for their support, while Green and Reform voters are more likely to cite "devotee" reasons such as shared values or specific policies.Read all about it!Peter's Substack is Peter Kellner's must-read and free to access Substack column on the state of UK politics. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.