Slow News Day

Afleveringen

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  Could the United Kingdom Break Up? 14.09.2026 19min

  Is the UK about to break up? The first ministers of Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland met today in Cardiff to sign a "memorandum of understanding" declaring each nation's desire to separate from both one another and England. This is just days after Donald Trump claimed over the weekend that a united Ireland would be “fantastic”, Not long after, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham had explicitly shut down prospects of a referendum on reunification. Could we be viewing the possibility of the UK breaking up? And, as ever when we’re talking about matters of devolution, can I manage to shoe a horn in a bit about Cornwall at the very end? Find out, on today's Slow News Day.The Slow NewsroomCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  The UK Just Sanctioned Israel 10.09.2026 21min

  The UK government announced sanctions on Israel earlier this week in a move which was closely coordinated with allies in eleven other countries. On Monday, British foreign secretary Ed Miliband delivered a statement to Parliament in which he announced a significant change in the UK’s relationship with Israel. It is now the official position of the UK government that the Israeli occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and that their government is supporting settler terrorists in their mission to remove Palestinians from their homes.What will the impact of these sanctions be? Why has it taken the UK government so long to act, and what will the reaction from Israel as well as the US be?The Slow NewsroomCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia BurrowsImage Courtesy of Getty Images See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  How Germany Learned To Love The Far Right (Again) 08.09.2026 16min

  The far right look to be on their way back to government in Germany. Sunday's election saw a thumping victory for Alternative for Deutschland, the country's populist far-right party which is led at the federal level by Alice Weidel. This represents the best result for a far-right party in Germany since the Second World War. All of which was supposed to be impossible. What does this mean for Germany? Is the country retreating back to fascism, and what does it mean for far-right parties elsewhere in Europe and across the world?The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Why Just Stop Oil Are Back | EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW 03.09.2026 31min

  Just Stop Oil are back! Perhaps the world’s most controversial activist group, JSO were rarely out of the headlines a couple of years ago. From their throwing of soup over a Van Gogh painting to the smashing of the glass around the Magna Carta (which we just so happened to be in the room for), Just Stop Oil were masters at attracting controversy. That is, until they hanged up their buckets of orange paint last year. However, yesterday they returned during Andy Burnham's first PMQs, supergluing their hands to the road outside Parliament. I've had a chat with Just Stop Oil spokesperson Gill Tavner to find out why they've come back on today's SND.The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  The Plan to Make Democracy Impossible 01.09.2026 28min

  The global right wants to stop you from voting. Right wingers in both the US and the UK are currently pushing forward with plans to heavily restrict the right to vote. Both claim they are trying to stamp out various forms of electoral fraud, despite independent experts saying there is little to no evidence of that fraud actually existing. So what exactly are their plans and will they succeed?Find out on Slow News Day.The SND TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Mark Zuckerberg's Addiction Problem* 20.08.2026 26min

  Mark Zuckerberg and Meta are currently in the legal battle of their lives, as a jury trial which started this week sees them facing-off against a coalition of 29 US states. Those states are seeking $200 billion in damages from the company as well as to enforce changes in the way their social media products, specifically Facebook and Instagram, work to keep children engaged. This case could turn out to be incredibly consequential for how Meta's apps are and aren't allowed to work.The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Nigel Farage’s Empty Victory 18.08.2026 21min

  Nigel Farage won a stonking by-election victory last Thursday, beating 33 rival candidates of varying degrees of oddness to take back his seat as Member of Parliament for Clacton. On the surface, Farage's decision to resign his own MP seat in order to distract from accusations of financial misconduct by proving people love him regardless, appears to have paid off. But, has it really?The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Should Meta Glasses Be Banned? 06.08.2026 22min

  Smart glasses are facing a backlash. Whilst the privacy-eroding spectacles had been on a good run, the sheer amount of weirdos using them to covertly film other people has resulted in the Meta Glasses receiving a nickname: "pervert glasses". Is there a chance that governments could ban them or regulate them out of existence or will Meta fight back?The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Does Parliament Have a Drinking Problem? 04.08.2026 17min

  A new report by the Institute of Alcohol Studies published this weekend has revealed the worrying extent to which parliament’s many on-site bars and frequent booze-soaked events fuels a culture in which MPs are spending excessive amounts of time getting sloshed. What does it say about the culture among parliamentarians that the people who hold the highest offices in the land are frequently sinking a few cold ones before voting on laws which affect us all? Does an increasingly outdated drinking culture in parliament risk further alienating people from politics at a time when trust in government has never been lower?The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Could Zohran Mamdani's Nationalised Stores Help the Cost of Living Crisis? 30.07.2026 17min

  Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s democratic socialist mayor revealed more details about his plans for city-owned grocery stores earlier this week. The move is part of a plan to tackle rising food prices in New York; with those price rises having been felt across America and much of the rest of the world too. What’s really interesting to me, however, is the manner in which the particular project reflects a far bigger trend in both US and UK politics over recent years towards a politics of price. Can this project, and others like it, help fight against predatory pricing models? The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Where Has Zack Polanski Gone? 21.07.2026 22min

  Where is Zack Polanski? Not too long ago, he was everywhere. He won the Green Party leadership against two sitting MPs, the Green Party membership exploded and then they won the Gorton and Denton by-election. It was all looking up for the Green Party. Now, it seems that that momentum has all but gone. Why has this happened? Has the Green Party taken a wrong turn somewhere? Have press attacks on Zack Polanski worked to turn potential Green voters against the party? Has Andy Burnham already managed to win left voters back to Labour? And is there any chance of them working their way back into the conversation?Find out on Slow News Day.The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  What is the Legacy of Ann Widdecombe? 15.07.2026 14min

  The death of a British politician is now being investigated as a potential act of terrorism. The former Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Maidstone and, more recently, spokesperson for the Reform Party, was found dead in her home in Haytor in Devon last Friday. But, with so much still unknown, as much of today’s story is going to be about Widdecombe’s political life, and about the public response to it. Because Widdecombe’s death has quickly come to be drawn into the debate surrounding Nigel Farage’s seemingly habitual acceptance of undisclosed funds for party political purposes.The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Marine Le Pen’s Legal Troubles, Explained 08.07.2026 17min

  Nigel Farage isn't the only scandal-ridden far-right political leader right now. His former MEP colleague, and French Presidential hopeful, Marine Le Pen, has just been found guilty (yet again) of the misappropriation of public funds. Yesterday afternoon, the leading figure in France’s far-right National Rally party headed to court to hear the verdict in her appeal against her conviction, last year, for embezzling European Parliamentary funds in order to use them for party political campaigning.The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Why Nigel Farage Might Lose His Seat 06.07.2026 18min

  Two alleged instances of dodgy dealings with dodgy funders, including fresh allegations revealed this weekend of undeclared support from a convicted fraudster have opened up a path to Nigel Farage, the Reform Party leader, being removed from office. In today’s episode of SND, we’re going to take a look at those allegations, as well as explain what the potential consequences of these are. Could this spell big trouble for the Reform Party?The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Tom's Hottest Takes: The SND Q&A Episode 02.07.2026 34min

  In this special episode of Slow News Day, you ask the questions and Tom answers! Last week, we asked you to message in on what topics you would like Tom to cover and we've got a selection of Tom's hottest takes on everything from voting reform to Doctor Who's cancellation.If you would like to see another Q&A SND, please email your questions over to [email protected] Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Can Andy Burnham De-London-ify the UK? 30.06.2026 15min

  The presumed next Prime Minister of the UK, Andy Burnham, has said that he plans to move at least part of 10 Downing Street to the north of England. Not physically. The door and Larry the Cat are staying where they are. But, in a speech this Monday, he said he was looking at establishing an additional office for his Prime Ministerial activities in Manchester, where he had been mayor for nine years. The idea is to try to rebalance political power in the UK, drawing civil servants and politicians into different parts of the country other than London. Will it work? Can Andy Burnham actually do anything about London's political, financial and cultural dominance over the UK?The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Al Carns: The Next Possible Prime Minister (That No-One's Heard Of) 25.06.2026 19min

  Can anyone stop Andy Burnham from becoming Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister of the UK? No, is almost certainly the answer to that. And yet that’s not going to stop politicians on the right wing of the Labour Party (who aren’t super keen on Burnham) from trying. If there is to be a challenge to Andy Burnham taking over as Prime Minister, rather than him simply becoming leader of the Labour Party unopposed, it currently appears that there is one man left who can be that challenger. You’ve possibly never heard of him. (Or at least hadn’t until a couple of months ago). Most Labour MPs probably hadn’t heard of him until a couple of months either. In fact, among Labour Party members, he polls at just 2%. Let's talk about Al Carns.The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasProducer: Jack CarterEditor: Georgia Burrows See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  What Does Andy Burnham Believe? 23.06.2026 24min

  Keir Starmer has officially announced that he will be standing down as Prime Minister, and Leader of the Labour Party, leaving the door wide open for Andy Burnham to replace him. Having just found his way back to Parliament, as the winner of the Makerfield by-election, the “King in the North” is all but certainly our next Prime Minister.But what does Andy Burnham actually believe? What kind of policies would be looking to implement should he enter 10 Downing Street? What is his thesis for what is wrong with Britain right now and how we might fix it? One of the challenges for Keir Starmer is that, while he was able to become Leader of the Labour Party and then Prime Minister, he didn’t particularly have a good answer to that question. Will Andy Burnham be any different?On this episode of SND, we’re going to find out.The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasEditor: Georgia BurrowsProducer: Jack Carter See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Makerfield: Keir Starmer's Judgement Day 18.06.2026 21min

  Keir Starmer’s future as Prime Minister will be decided today, in the most unusual of ways: a by-election in the North West of England. Usually, Prime Minister's fates are decided in General Elections, and by-elections are somewhat inconsequential, outside of the constituency. Makerfield, however, is different because Andy Burnham is standing for Labour. If he is elected to Parliament, he may just become the next Prime Minister. Will he win? Or Will Reform UK scupper his plans?It's all happening today on SND.Apologies for only one episode this week. Tom's been sick, but don't worry, he's feeling much better now!The Slow News Day TeamCreator and Host: Tom NicholasEditor: Georgia BurrowsProducer: Jack Carter See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Donald Trump's UFC Fight Night Birthday Party 11.06.2026 14min

  Donald Trump will be celebrating his 80th birthday this Sunday, and he will be celebrating with style. If by style we mean gaudy excess. Donald Trump’s big birthday bash will consist of a specially-arranged, double title fight night of UFC matches being held on the South Lawn of the White House. The meeting of the American Presidency and the UFC might seem a little odd. So, today, I want to both take a look at the event itself, and recap the fairly long collaboration between Trump and America’s premier cagefighting franchise.The Slow NewsroomCreator and Host: Tom NicholasEditor: Georgia BurrowsProducer: Jack Carter See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.