John Lanchester, Tom Crewe, and Florence Sutcliffe-Braithwaite discuss Keir Starmer's victory and the Conservative Party collapse. They analyze the country's needs, Labour's promises, and Harold Wilson comparisons. The podcast reflects on the recent UK general election results, future political strategies, challenges for Labour governments, voting trends, Rachel Reeves' energy strategy, Labour's new deal, and hopeful political change.

Tom Crewe, Patricia Lockwood, Deborah Friedell, John Lanchester, and Rosemary Hill discuss their favorite pieces from the LRB archive, including Terry Castle's analysis of Jane Austen's letters and Alan Bennett's nuanced portrayal of Philip Larkin. Topics covered include controversial literature, bestiality in poetry, and mistaken identity at a party.

Historical expert Tom Crewe discusses the last men hanged in England for sodomy in the 1830s, revealing Londoners' ambivalence towards 'unnatural crimes'. He explores how crimes were euphemistically spoken of, the reluctance to talk about certain topics, and the surprising societal perceptions of that time.