What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel Ep 168 with Jeremy Corbyn (Part 1)
Oct 20, 2025
Mark Steel welcomes Jeremy Corbyn, the former UK Labour leader, for an engaging discussion on the state of British democracy. Corbyn delves into the rising cost of living, media misinformation, and grassroots activism. He shares insights on the dangers of contemporary populism, pointing out the influence of figures like Trump. The conversation touches on the normalizing of racism in media and the rise of the far-right in Europe, as well as recalling historical anti-racist movements. It's a thought-provoking dialogue filled with personal anecdotes and reflections on political shifts.
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Deliberate Unpredictability As Power
- Jeremy Corbyn argues Trump is deliberately unpredictable and that unpredictability is a source of political power.
- That cultivated instability forces global leaders to flatter him because they cannot predict his moves.
Media Normalizes Far‑Right Momentum
- Corbyn links mainstream media normalization of racist remarks to the broader rise of far-right movements.
- He says conservatives shift right to avoid losing voters, often ending in coalitions with the far right.
Left Fragmentation Fuels The Far Right
- Corbyn observes left parties' failures have opened space for far‑right gains across Europe.
- He highlights Germany's left regrouping as an example of how a serious left alternative can recover support.