

Is Farage turning Reform into a Trump tribute act?
137 snips Sep 24, 2025
Ian McEwan, a Booker Prize-winning novelist, joins to discuss his new book exploring memory and a future steeped in metaphysical gloom. He reflects on setting his story 100 years ahead to highlight present-day crises, such as climate change and geopolitical unrest. McEwan also delves into the emotional core of his narrative focused on memory loss and societal forgetfulness. Additionally, he discusses the dangers of populist politics and the challenge of restoring optimism through community and conservation efforts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Ambiguity As A Political Tactic
- Nigel Farage's refusal to clearly reject Trump's paracetamol-autism claim lets doubt percolate in public debate.
- That ambiguity mirrors a tactic of planting suspicion without evidence, shifting conversation away from facts.
Lib Dems Betting On Anti‑MAGA Space
- Ed Davey is deliberately framing politics as a binary choice: Trump-style versus anti-Trump.
- The Lib Dems aim to position themselves as a main bulwark against a Farage-MAGA alignment.
Election Could Become Farage Cleavage
- If the next election becomes a Farage vs anti‑Farage contest, smaller parties can become defining opposition.
- The Lib Dems are exploiting that potential cleavage rather than attacking Labour directly.