James O'Brien Daily

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned junior doctors that the public will “not forgive them” for launching another wave of disruptive strikes as he made clear that a pay rise was off the table. Is he right?Also, James speaks with James Ball, Political Editor of The New World, who explains how and why Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot praised Hitler on X (formerly known as Twitter). And, James is joined by Lara Lewington, whose new book Hacking Humanity reveals how we can harness the power of technology to improve our lives now and transform our healthcare system for a better future.This episode was recorded on the 9th July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.

The government has declined to rule out a wealth tax, following former Labour leader Lord Kinnock championing the policy. Such a tax remains public enemy number 1 for many right wing figures and their supporters. How are poor people persuaded to protect the interests of the super rich by opposing a wealth tax?And, the Chief Executive of the College of Policing has said the smell of cannabis made him feel unsafe in his own community and that police “ought to do something about” it. Is he right?This episode was recorded on the 8th July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.

Today is the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings, when four bombers attacked central London, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds more. James remembers those who lost their lives, plays back LBC audio from the day itself and speaks with several brave people who were deeply impacted by the attacks.First, Emma Craig, a survivor, who was 14 years old and travelling into the city for work experience when an explosive went off in the carriage next to hers. Next, Marcelle Stroud, former Met Police CCTV Coordinator DC, who investigated the attacks in the aftermath of the bombings and discovered footage of the bombers.Finally, Azuma Wundowa, who was 16 years old when her mother Gladys was killed in the bus which was blown up at Tavistock Square. This episode was recorded on the 7th July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has set out a digital overhaul of the NHS, centred around a new NHS app. He said “The NHS app will become a doctor in your pocket, bringing our health service into the 21st century”.  ​​Will this work?Also, prolific shoplifters are to be barred from stores and prosecuted using the first national database of repeat offenders. Why has there been an epidemic of such successful shoplifting?And, the producer of a documentary, Gaza: Doctors under Attack, that was dropped by the BBC has accused the corporation of trying to gag him and others over its decision not to show the documentary. James analyses this in the context of the BBC’s so-called “impartiality” regulations.This episode was recorded on the 4th July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.

In her first public comments since crying at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she was having a "tough day", but that she is "totally" up for the job. How did you respond to the Chancellor's tears and how do you think she’d been treated in the media since?And, The Health Secretary has announced he will give more people access to weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, stating that “the jabs are a route not just to lower weight, but lower taxes”. Are weight loss jabs going to change the world?This episode was recorded on the 3rd July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.

Keir Starmer was humiliated during yesterday’s welfare reform vote, losing control of the Commons and swathes of his own MPs. What has Starmer done that has led him here, after winning an unassailable majority just a year ago? To James chew this over, he speaks with Tom Baldwin, former Labour Party advisor, journalist and author of the upcoming “Keir Starmer: The Biography.”And, the cost of the UK’s obesity epidemic has soared to £126bn a year according to a new study. Why don’t we make the obvious and necessary changes to fight obesity?This episode was recorded on the 2nd July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.

The government's welfare bill passed by 335 votes to 260 today, after ministers made last-minute concessions to avoid a possible defeat. What would actually help you get back to work?Also, a criminal investigation has been launched into the Glastonbury performances of both Bob Vylan and Kneecap after the police reviewed footage. Is anyone more outraged by Bob Vylan's words than civilian deaths at the hands of the IDF?And, three former senior staff at the hospital where nurse Lucy Letby murdered seven babies and attempted to kill seven others have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. James speaks with Liam Gotting, LBC's reporter in the North West, for the details.This episode was recorded on the 1st July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has criticised the ‘appalling’ anti IDF Chants made by Bob Vylan during their Glastonbury performance at the weekend. Today, James asks how is it that we are still discussing a festival chant rather than how many people have been killed in Gaza since the incident happened?And, new research has revealed the number of entry level jobs in the UK has dropped 32% since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022. James asked listeners how their lives and jobs have been impacted by AI.This episode was recorded on 30th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Another U-turn from Sir Keir Starmer, and this time on the controversial welfare bill. Today, James asked his listeners what these constant policy shifts mean for the public’s perception of the Prime Minister? Can a government change its mind this often without losing credibility?In a deeply troubling story, James also discussed the dismissal of two Met Police officers after a tribunal into the inappropriate strip-search of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in 2020. James heard from listeners — including Sam from Acton, whose own daughter was recently searched — about the disturbing patterns of bias in our institutions.After a heavy week of headlines, the show closed with some lighter fare, including some of the most-changed names in the UK, and James was joined by writer and producer Patrick Dalton, whose film Chicken Town hits cinemas this weekend.This episode was recorded on 27th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

In today’s episode, James O’Brien unpacks another political crisis for Sir Keir Starmer’s government. With over 100 Labour MPs demanding a delay to the controversial Welfare Bill, pressure is mounting on the Prime Minister to perform yet another policy U-turn. What’s going wrong inside Number 10 — and why is Labour’s grip on power already showing signs of strain?Then, on a lighter note, James dived into the surprising decline of dating apps among Gen Z. Why is the generation raised online suddenly swiping left on digital romance?This episode was recorded on the 26th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.