WSJ Opinion: Free Expression

The Labour Party secured a major landslide in Britain's elections, resulting in a parliamentary majority not seen since the early days of Tony Blair. The reign of the Conservative Party, who have governed for 14 years, ended in an ignominious rout. But Labour’s victory, led by Keir Starmer, the new prime minister, was achieved with the lowest share of the vote for a winning party in British history. A strong performance by the populist Reform UK party seems to have split the right wing vote. So what does the downfall of the Tories mean for the conservative movement in the U.K. and elsewhere? And what does Britain’s future under Labour look like? On this episode of the Free Expression podcast, political commentator Tim Montgomerie tells Gerry Baker why the United Kingdom may have seen the end of the two-party system, how Keir Starmer will perform on the world stage, and how the Conservative Party can stage a comeback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By the time Thursday night’s debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump ended, one question was on everyone’s lips: will the president be persuaded to step down ahead of the Democratic convention? His weak and stumbling performance dramatically increased concerns about Biden’s age and stamina, as Donald Trump showed a discipline and focus that has not always been on display   On this episode of the Free Expression podcast, Karl Rove tells Gerry Baker Biden’s was the worst presidential debate performance he has ever seen, and he says there is no way back for him to win if he remains the party’s candidate. Rove says he therefore expects the president now to step aside and he assesses the likely field of Democratic presidential contenders.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free speech is under threat in unprecedented ways in the U.S.. University campuses deny platforms to those who dissent from progressive orthodoxies. Tech firms block heterodox news and opinion on grounds of "disinformation." Companies discipline employees for challenging nostrums about race, sexuality and gender. How did it get this way? What can be done to reverse the tide? On this episode of the Free Expression podcast, law professor and legal analyst Jonathan Turley talks with Gerry Baker about his new book, "The Indispensable Right," on the centrality of free speech to human life, and also about other threats to American rights and values including the ‘lawfare’ that is increasingly waged in American politics.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Republican congressman Mike Gallagher discusses the need to actively compete with China in the new Cold War, including legislative efforts to confront China. He talks about Beijing's advancements globally, infiltration in the US, and future of the Republican party. Gallagher also shares his decision to leave Congress for family reasons and insights on the state of Republican politics.

After Donald Trump’s conviction being on 34 felony counts of falsification of business records and as his sentence looms just ahead of the Republican National Convention, U.S. politics are deeper into uncharted territory. What might happen next? On this episode of the Free Expression podcast, former federal prosecutor and Trump lawyer James Trusty takes Gerry Baker through all the legal steps the former president will go through, including the appeals process. He explains why Mr. Trump has good reason to expect success but also expressed concern about the larger prospects for equal and independent justice in an age of partisan politics and ‘lawfare.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the current polls looking better each day for a return to the White House for Donald Trump, what could the next 4 years look like at the southern border? On this episode of the Free Expression Podcast, Gerry Baker speaks with former acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf who says a second Trump administration will make radical changes to border enforcement and immigration policy, ensure the deportation of migrants in the US illegally and seek agreements with foreign governments to take asylum seekers and deter migrants from coming to the US. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Examining the failure of US policy towards China, experts discuss the challenges of pivoting to Asia, the consequences of neglecting China's rise, and the strategic responses needed to counter China's influence. From balancing military power and economic influence to the complexities of managing global conflicts, the podcast offers insights on strengthening US position in the face of a powerful China.

Military historian Victor Davis Hanson discusses the parallels between historical wars leading to civilization annihilation and current global threats. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding past mistakes to ensure survival. The podcast also delves into America's internal fractures, weakening national security, and the role of political leaders in reversing the damage.

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels testifies in the hush-money trial of Donald Trump, raising questions about the prosecution's motive. Former prosecutor Andy McCarthy discusses the case's thin evidence, risks for Trump testifying, and his other legal troubles.

With the explosion of protests on university campuses and as Donald Trump sits in a courtroom facing felony charges, the 2024 presidential race is at a new level of volatility. Polls show Joe BIden trailing Trump in the key swing states, leaving the current President with only the slimmest of margins as a path to reelection. Six months out, what might change? On this episode of the Free Expression podcast, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report Amy Walter and Gerry Baker discuss which states may decide the future of the presidency and the issues which mean the most when going to the polls.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices