Pod Save the UK

A shouting match in the Oval Office probably should have been on everyone’s Trump 25 bingo card - but the extraordinary breakdown in relations between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy shocked the world. Keir Starmer rolled up his sleeves and spent the weekend in full-blown diplomacy mode - leading to Politico calling him the “unlikely leader of the free world”. But with Trump pulling the plug on military aid to Ukraine, leaving the UK and Europe scrambling to increase defence spending - will Starmer’s peace plan work? And what does it all mean for the future of the war? Coco and Nish discuss.With International Women’s Day this week, Political Editor at PoliticsJoe Ava-Santina Evans calls in to discuss what the government has achieved when it comes to women’s equality.And with less than one in five young women identifying as a feminist and self-described feminists like Kemi Badenoch calling maternity pay ‘excessive’ - Coco wants to know if changing labels and groups would make a difference. Author Sophie Lewis digs into the true heart of feminism and how we can reclaim it. CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORSSHOPIFY https://www.shopify.co.uk/podsavetheukSKY SPORTS F1 https://www.sky.com/tv/sports Useful LinksSophie Lewis - Enemy Feminisms: TERFs, Policewomen and Girlbosses against Liberation https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2440-enemy-feminisms GuestsAva-Santina EvansSophie LewisAudio CreditsBBCPod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukInsta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, dives into the implications of the UK's boosted defense budget, revealing how it jeopardizes foreign aid for the world's poorest. He advocates for taxing big tech as an alternative funding source. With a dash of humor, the discussion touches on Keir Starmer's upcoming visit to the U.S. and how to tackle Trump's leadership style. They also explore innovative ways to engage the public on climate change—like the surprising connection to kebabs. It's a lively take on politics and diplomacy!

Shon Faye, a journalist and author renowned for her work on transgender issues, joins the discussion to unravel the complexities of modern love and loneliness in a capitalist society. She highlights how societal pressures and consumerism impact emotional connections, particularly amongst men. The conversation also shifts to geopolitical tensions as Trump brokers a controversial meeting with Russia over Ukraine, sidelining key players and raising ethical questions. Humor and political critique abound as they confront the profit motives behind arms manufacturing amidst conflicts.

Ash Sarkar, a contributing editor at Novara Media and author of ‘Minority Rule,’ discusses the chaos of identity politics and its impact on progressive movements. She critiques the UK government’s harsh immigration policies while exposing how a minority elite thrives on societal divisions. Sarkar humorously navigates the complexities of culture wars and the media's role in shaping public perception, urging a more unified and compassionate approach to immigration and identity issues. The conversation blends serious insights with personal anecdotes.

Lewis Goodall, a seasoned journalist and co-host of the News Agents podcast, joins the conversation to dissect Donald Trump's shocking plans for Gaza, which some are dubbing ethnic cleansing. They also explore Keir Starmer's evasive responses and the implications for UK politics. On a positive note, activist Tessa Khan celebrates a significant court ruling stopping the controversial Rosebank oilfield project, linking it to broader environmental advocacy. The discussion wraps up with humor about Bristol's recycling struggles amid political chaos.

Nish and Coco dive into alarming trends among Gen Z, revealing a disturbing preference for authoritarianism and skewed views on gender rights. YouTuber JimmyTheGiant shares his journey through the alt-right landscape, shedding light on the complexities of young men's political identities. The conversation expands to explore how social norms influence perceptions of masculinity and the impact of media on political beliefs. They also discuss the challenges of balancing growth with sustainability in UK governance, urging a united front for social justice.

A trigger warning for progressives: this episode contains explicit Trump content.Nish and Coco’s nightmare begins with inauguration Trump meme coins, grinning tech bros and disputed Nazi salutes. Then comes the blizzard of executive orders targeting migrants and freeing rioters.  But this is not just a bad dream for our liberal hosts. This is the reality of Trump world. The groundwork of MAGA 2.0 has been laid.How should Britain react? The UK’s very own “basket of deplorables” including Farage, Truss and Braverman donned their MAGA caps and descended on the US. But they didn’t even scrape an invitation to the main event. Back home Keir Starmer and David Lammy opted for love-bombing the new President. But there is an alternative to a sucking up strategy. Pod Save the UK has spotted some green shoots of resistance.  While Trump has thrown the Paris Climate Agreement out the window - again - the UK has an opportunity to lead the way on the environment. Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer joins the pod to explain how clever cross party collaboration and campaigning could push through the new Climate and Nature Bill.And Jon Favreau, host of ‘Pod Save America’ and ‘Offline’, joins Nish and Coco from across the pond to find out what’s in store for the US, UK and the world.Useful LinksWrite to your MP about the Climate and Nature Billhttps://action.zerohour.uk/https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/GuestsJon FavreauCarla Denyer MPAudio CreditsX / Lawrence FoxChannel 4 NewsSky NewsBBCPod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukInsta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Stokel-Walker, a technology journalist and author, dives into the UK government's ambitious AI action plan, weighing its potential against risks like job displacement and environmental impacts. Nafeez Ahmed, an investigative journalist and author, explores the alarming rise of far-right ideologies and their implications for democracy and social cohesion. The conversation also tackles misinformation and the influence of figures like Elon Musk, all while introducing a fun segment to debunk out-of-touch political comments. It’s a critical look at technology and extremism!

In this engaging discussion, Zoë Grünewald, a political journalist and disinformation expert, unpacks the alarming rise of misinformation in 2025, particularly focusing on Elon Musk's outrageous claims against UK leaders. The conversation critiques how tech moguls influence political narratives and discusses the chaotic implications of Meta's decision to end its fact-checking service. Zoë highlights the importance of crafting strong counter-narratives in the face of disinformation, while the hosts navigate the politically charged atmosphere fueled by media dynamics and celebrity influence.

Join comedian Desiree Burch and political correspondent Liz Bates as they hilariously dissect the chaotic political year in the UK. They delve into Rishi Sunak’s scandals, from questionable donor ties to his infamous D-Day debacle. The discussion also covers Labour's rocky start, with its blend of optimism and public disappointment. Expect a cringe-worthy review of the year’s worst political pop songs, alongside sharp insights into political disconnect and the complexities of leadership. Laughter meets insight in this engaging political recap!