James O'Brien Daily

Should Andy Burnham decentralise Britain? 17.07.2026 52мин

As Andy Burnham prepares to become Prime Minister on Monday, James asks whether the new Labour leader's plan to move decision-making out of the capital is the right thing to do. Is this the start of a genuine political reset?Then, with two million parents taking their child out of school during term-time, James asks whether it is ever acceptable to prioritise a holiday over their education.This episode was recorded on the 17th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

What do we owe young people out of work? 16.07.2026 58мин

After England’s defeat to Argentina, James asks what’s changed in the national mood around the team — and why this group of players feels so different from those of the past. Then he turns to a more urgent question: if simply paying benefits isn’t enough, what would actually help young people who are out of work get into the workplace?This episode was recorded on the 16th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Why does football make us feel so much? 15.07.2026 55мин

In today’s episode, James dives into the powerful, often irrational emotions football stirs in us, as England prepare to face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final. Why does supporting our team move us to tears?From sporting nerves to a different national anxiety: retirement. With the state pension age rising and many feeling unprepared for life after work, James asks what happens when retirement comes too soon — or never feels within reach at all. This episode was recorded on the 15th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Heatwaves, child health and why Britain’s getting both wrong 14.07.2026 1ч 2мин

In today’s episode, James takes on two urgent questions shaping life in modern Britain: why coverage of extreme heat so often avoids mentioning the climate crisis, and why the UK is raising one of the unhealthiest generations of children in Europe.This episode was recorded on the 14th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Why this Farage scandal is different 13.07.2026 1ч 6мин

James O’Brien is back - and straight into the storm.In today’s episode, James asks whether this time really is different for Nigel Farage, as questions mount over his secretive £5 million "gift', his shifting explanations, and a response that James argues has made him look rattled, thin-skinned and weak.If Farage has always sold himself as the outsider taking on the establishment, has the mask finally slipped?This episode was recorded on the 13th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Will Andy Burnham succeed where Keir Starmer failed? 10.07.2026 46мин

Independent MP Karl Turner guest presents James O’Brien Daily as he asks whether Andy Burnham would make a better Prime Minister than Keir Starmer.Callers weigh in on Burnham’s communication style, Labour’s direction after Starmer, the pressures of modern media scrutiny, and whether a more devolved, regionally driven model of government could reconnect Westminster with the rest of the country.(James is back on Monday!)This episode was recorded on the 10th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Robert Jenrick defends Farage's $5M "gift" and the Clacton by-election 09.07.2026 45мин

Robert Jenrick guest hosts the James O’Brien Daily podcast as Nigel Farage’s shock decision to quit as MP for Clacton and trigger a by-election dominates the national conversation.Is this a bold democratic move that puts the question back to voters — or a political stunt designed to dodge scrutiny? Robert hears from callers on both sides as they clash over accountability, the parliamentary standards process, media coverage, and whether Farage is being targeted by the establishment or simply refusing to face the facts.This week's guest hosts:Friday: Independent MP Karl TurnerThis episode was recorded on the 8th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Jess Phillips takes on Nigel Farage 08.07.2026 46мин

Jess Phillips guest hosts the James O’Brien Daily podcast and doesn’t hold back.With Nigel Farage triggering a by-election in Clacton rather than facing parliamentary scrutiny over questions about his finances, Jess asks whether this is political genius, political cowardice, or just a desperate grab for attention. As callers weigh in, the conversation turns to standards in public life, accountability, and whether Farage is playing the public for fools.This week's guest hosts:Thursday: Reform UK Treasury Spokesperson Robert JenrickFriday: Independent MP Karl TurnerThis episode was recorded on the 8th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Wes Streeting on the NHS Crisis 07.07.2026 49мин

Former Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting guest hosts the James O’Brien Daily podcast and takes on one of the biggest rows in public life: should NHS consultants be demanding more pay right now?Drawing on his time in government, Wes reflects on the strikes threat, the pressures facing the NHS, and the difficult balance between valuing doctors properly and protecting the wider health service. Along the way, callers share powerful personal experiences of care, waste, staffing shortages, disability support, student debt, and what it really feels like trying to build a life in Britain today.This week's guest hosts:Wednesday: Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley Jess PhillipsThursday: Reform UK Treasury Spokesperson Robert JenrickFriday: Independent MP Karl TurnerThis episode was recorded on the 7th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Angela Rayner takes on Farage — and asks what Britain must fix 06.07.2026 47мин

Angela Rayner guest hosts the James O’Brien Daily podcast and brings a mix of optimism, anger and straight-talking politics.After England’s World Cup victory over Mexico lifted the mood, Angela asks what needs to change in Britain to make life feel fairer and more hopeful - from flexible working and better jobs to stronger public services and more opportunity for young people. She also takes on Nigel Farage over fresh questions about money, donations and transparency, and later turns to the care system to hear from those living and working through its daily pressures.This week's guest hosts:Tuesday: Former Health and Social Care Secretary Wes StreetingWednesday: Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley Jess PhillipsThursday: Reform UK Treasury Spokesperson Robert JenrickFriday: Independent MP Karl TurnerThis episode was recorded on the 4th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Can Andy Burnham really change British politics? 03.07.2026 47мин

For his final turn in James' chair for now, Lewis Goodall asks whether Andy Burnham’s promised “circuit breaker” in British politics could really change anything at all.After Burnham sets out his ambition to do politics differently - less point scoring, more problem solving, more power outside Westminster - Lewis and callers explore what people most dislike about the way British politics works now: the adversarial culture, the whipping system, the media-politics machine, and the grip of Whitehall. But even if everyone agrees the system is broken, can it actually be fixed from within?This episode was recorded on the 3rd of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Why aren't Brits having kids? 02.07.2026 43мин

Lewis Goodall sits in for James O’Brien and takes on a quiet but profound crisis: Britain’s birth rate has fallen so far that deaths are now outnumbering births for the first time.What does that mean for the future of the country, the economy, and the welfare state? And why are so many people choosing not to have children - or finding that they simply can’t afford to? From childcare costs and housing to careers, relationships and changing expectations, callers share the personal realities behind a huge national shift.This episode was recorded on the 2nd of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Nigel Farage’s money problem 01.07.2026 49мин

Lewis Goodall sits in for James and asks a blunt question about Nigel Farage: if you want to be Prime Minister, how much outside money is too much?With fresh questions over Farage’s earnings from a gold bullion company, on top of the already controversial £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire, Lewis explores whether Reform’s leader is starting to look less like an anti-establishment insurgent and more like a politician with too many financial interests to explain away. As callers weigh in, the debate turns to trust, standards in public life, and whether British politics is becoming numb to conflicts of interest that would once have ended careers.This episode was recorded on the 1st of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Is Britain now ready for war? 30.06.2026 51мин

Lewis Goodall sits in for James O’Brien and takes on one of the biggest questions facing the country: are we spending enough on defence in a far more dangerous world?As Keir Starmer unveils his final defence investment plan in what feels like one of the last big acts of his premiership, Lewis asks whether Britain is genuinely prepared for the threats ahead - from Russia and the High North to cyber warfare and a less reliable America. With ministers promising more money for drones and deterrence, but critics warning it still falls short, the debate turns to what the UK can actually do, what it can’t, and whether politicians are being honest enough about the risks.This episode was recorded on the 30th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Can Andy Burnham really "rewire" Britain? 29.06.2026 53мин

Lewis Goodall sits in for James O’Brien and reacts to Andy Burnham’s first major speech as Prime Minister-in-waiting.Broadcast from Manchester, Burnham sets out an ambitious vision for a “rewired Britain” - with a new Number 10 North, a huge shift of power away from Whitehall, major council house building, industrial strategy, and a promise to spread “good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart”. Lewis and callers ask the big question: is this the bold reset Britain has been waiting for, or a hopeful speech without the money to match?This episode was recorded on the 29th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Is climate change denial over? 26.06.2026 45мин

With scientists linking the extreme temperatures directly to fossil fuel emissions, James explores why so many people still look away, why net zero is under political attack, and whether the heat itself might finally succeed where years of warnings have failed.This episode was recorded on the 26th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Record UK temperatures - how to survive the heat 25.06.2026 1ч 1мин

As Britain braces for another record-breaking June scorcher, James O’Brien asks the question beyond the weather forecast: what are we actually going to do about extreme heat becoming the new normal?Then, with Andy Burnham reportedly looking to move part of Number 10’s operation to Manchester, James turns to a thorny political and cultural question: does it matter if the next Prime Minister has a northern accent - and if so, why?This episode was recorded on the 25th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

The UK is cooking... why don't we care about climate change? 24.06.2026 1ч 3мин

The UK is experiencing another red weather warning heatwave this week. So why, even as temperatures soar and climate warnings become impossible to ignore, don't we feel the urgency?And, on the 10th anniversary of Brexit, James O’Brien asks the question that still matters most: who was most responsible for it? From David Cameron and Boris Johnson to the media, Jeremy Corbyn and beyond, James and his callers revisit the decisions, lies and absurd moments that pushed Britain towards a national act of self-harm. This episode was recorded on the 24th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Should Andy Burnham be crowned, or contested? 23.06.2026 48мин

James reacts to the resignation of Keir Starmer and asks the question now hanging over British politics: should Labour move fast to "crown" Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, or does the party need a proper contest?This episode was recorded on the 23rd of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Keir Starmer is out 22.06.2026 1ч 5мин

Keir Starmer is out. James reflects on where it all went wrong, why his premiership became so brittle, and whether Britain may come to regret forcing him out. With Andy Burnham moving quickly to the front of the pack, the conversation turns to what comes next for Labour - and whether a new leader can succeed where Starmer could not.Later, in honour of Windrush Day, James speaks to Justice4Windrush campaigners including the daughter of Herbert Hewey, a man whose life was destroyed by Home Office during the Windrush scandal, in a powerful reminder that justice is still far from done.This episode was recorded on the 22nd of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.