John Connolly

In this engaging discussion, John Connolly, a leader linked to the Continuity IRA, shares his controversial views on the Ukraine war, dubbing it a NATO-funded proxy conflict. The conversation reveals alarming allegations of the INLA receiving dark money from the Russian state, possibly fueling a rise in violent activities, including an attack on a charity. Connolly also delves into historical ties between the INLA and Russia, shedding light on the broader implications of foreign influence on Northern Irish politics and the complexity of misinformation surrounding these issues.

Rishi Sunak's conference speech took a gamble with three big policy announcements on HS2, smoking, and A-levels. The speakers analyze the impact and divisions within the Conservative Party. They also discuss Sunak's controversial introduction and risky policies, including the smoking ban and abolishing A-levels. The chapter explores the branding strategy for the levelling-up project, UK's cigarette ban policy, and challenges of preventive medicine. Additionally, they discuss the popularity of policies that may not directly impact adults and skepticism towards infrastructure promises like HS2.