
Pod Save the UK
Pod Save the UK is your weekly fix of political news, big ideas and a shot of inspiration. Each week hosts, comedian Nish Kumar and journalist Coco Khan are joined by politicians, experts, and famous friends to unpick the latest news, look for solutions, and inspire action. From Crooked Media – the creators of Pod Save America – in partnership with Reduced Listening, tune in to new episodes of Pod Save the UK every Thursday wherever you pod.
Latest episodes

Jun 13, 2024 • 47min
How to make your vote count: is Tactical Voting a necessary evil? With Femi Oluwole
Activist and campaigner Femi Oluwole discusses the necessity of tactical voting in the UK's flawed electoral system. The podcast explores the debate between voting with the heart vs. strategically, along with hopes for electoral reform. Guests also discuss the impact of tactical voting on election outcomes and the push for proportional representation in UK politics.

Jun 9, 2024 • 50min
Why is it so hard to tax the rich? Would it fix our economy? With Gary Stevenson
Economist and activist Gary Stevenson discusses the potential of a 1% tax on the wealthy to reshape the economy. Cat Hobbs from We Own It talks about the failures of privatization in the UK, emphasizing the need for renationalized services. The podcast delves into nationalizing Welsh water, renationalizing British Rail, and challenging political parties to address economic plans before the upcoming election.

Jun 6, 2024 • 57min
Jeremy Corbyn & Mhairi Black: Left Culled, Centre Cracked and Right Reformed?
In week two of the campaigns for the upcoming General Election - the fight for the centre vote has become a focal point. But the crucial question remains - what will this do for the future of politics in the UK? Are we at risk of losing diversity across parties? And as Keir Starmer appears to be purging the left-wing factions of the Labour Party, Nish and Coco speak to former Labour leader and now independent candidate Jeremy Corbyn on whether he’s hopeful for a potential Labour government and what advice he has for Keir Starmer.Nish and Coco also speak to Mhairi Black about the challenges facing the SNP when trying to capture the electorate. They also discuss whether we are at risk of losing the kind of representation that the Left and younger voters need to bring about hope and change in society.There’s also a rundown of the first Sunak vs Starmer TV debate and a return of the best WTF moments from the week’s political campaigns.Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukWhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld Guests:Jeremy Corbyn, Independent Candidate for Islington NorthMhairi Black, former SNP Deputy Leader and MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South Audio credits:BBC ITVLabour PartySky News Useful links:Come to see Pod Save the UK live at Edinburgh Fringe!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 30, 2024 • 45min
Generational Warfare: Has Rishi Sunak’s electoral gambit misfired?
Political correspondent Liz Bates and Liberal Democrat representative Christine Jardine discuss generational warfare in the UK election campaign, highlighting differences between parties, Scotland's electoral landscape, and the controversial tactics employed. They also discuss young voters' impact, national service proposals, healthcare policies, and Nigel Farage's divisive strategies, along with humorous incidents involving politicians' engagement with the public.

May 26, 2024 • 52min
What do the Trans & Non-binary community need most right now?
Abigail Thorn and Freddy McConnell discuss the challenges facing the trans community in the UK, addressing government proposals, the Gender Recognition Act, and notable figures advocating for trans rights. They also highlight the need for visibility, healthcare access, self-identification rights, and the impact of regressive comedy on the transgender community.

May 23, 2024 • 50min
Are these the last six weeks of Rishi Sunak and the Tories?
The podcast discusses UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's surprise announcement of the next general election and the potential impact on various parties. Topics include key election issues, Sunak's strategy, Labour and Green Party preparations, progressive policies, housing policies, and audience engagement for the upcoming election.

4 snips
May 16, 2024 • 50min
The economy is growing, so why are we feeling poorer?
Activist George Monbiot demystifies Neoliberalism and its impact on UK politics. Discusses moving away from consumerism to reclaim democracy. Hosts criticize Esther McVey's campaign against rainbow lanyards. Touches on economic challenges, privatization woes, Labour's Green Investment Pledge, and reclaiming democratic engagement.

May 9, 2024 • 55min
Abortion rights & ending hunger with Aisling Bea
“A hung Parliament” - it’s not quite admitting defeat, but the new media lines from Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party suggest that even the Government knows its days are numbered. Nish and Coco unpack Sunak’s shock admission and some of the highlights from the local elections. Comedian, actor and activist (and old colleague of Nish) Aisling Bea drops in to talk about campaigning against food insecurity. The “Essentials Guarantee” campaign championed by the Trussell Trust asks that political parties prioritise all citizens having basic essentials as part of their election manifestos.Aisling also talks about the fight for abortion rights in her homeland of Ireland, while Coco reminds us that the abortion laws in England, Scotland and Wales are incredibly archaic. Abortion buffer zones, 150m no-protest areas around clinics have just hit their one-year anniversary of receiving royal ascent for England & Wales, however, the Home Office has yet to roll out the change to the law - leaving protestors free to approach women outside. Finally, the gang mix together a metaphorical soufflé of villains, stirring in a healthy dose of uncapped banker bonuses, adding a dash of Susan Hall, and a pinch of the Labour Party’s surprise new MP. Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukWhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld Guest:Aisling Bea Audio credits:BBCThe Guardian GB News Useful links:Come to see Pod Save the UK live at Edinburgh Fringe!Essentials Guarantee Campaign - Trussell TrustCould there really be a hung parliament at the next UK general election? - The Guardian Anti-abortion activists ramping up protests outside clinics after failure to introduce buffer zones - The Independent Goldman Sachs’s UK gender pay gap widest in six years - Financial Times On abortion culture wars, Britain takes a different path - PoliticoWhat a sad little life Jane - Come Dine With Me
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 3, 2024 • 46min
Are the Local Election results the beginning of total Tory annihilation?
Journalist Liz Bates from Sky News joins Nish and Coco to discuss the seismic byelection results in Blackpool. They debate if Reform UK's results will push the Tories to extreme rhetoric, Boris Johnson's ID mishap, and Keir Starmer's leadership. They also speculate on a potential hung parliament, Tory strategies to regain favor, and the looming general election.

May 2, 2024 • 52min
Humza Yousaf's Shock Resignation: Are the Greens Seizing Power in Scotland?
The Westminster rumour mill went into overdrive last weekend peddling an ultimately incorrect rumour that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was due to call a summer election. With suggestions that this rumour was started by the Labour Party, Nish and Coco ask whether progressives might be starting to control the narrative.And might that change in power balance towards the Left also be coming to the fore in Scotland? Following the shock resignation of First Minister and SNP Leader Humza Yousaf, Politico’s reporter Andrew McDonald unpacks how the Green Party may have greater influence in Scottish politics moving forward.And what are the radical solutions we need to address the crisis in Britain’s care system for children? The collaborators of the new book Free Loaves on Friday poet Lemn Sissay and journalist Rebekah Pierre explain why hearing directly from care leavers is vital for addressing problems across the system.This week - we present the PSUK hero no one asked for and the villain you never saw coming. Move aside Idris Elba - Nish Kumar is coming for your spotlight…Finally - make sure to look out for a bonus edition of Pod Save the UK this week where we bring you analysis from the results of the elections across England and Wales with Liz Bates.Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukWhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld Guests:Andrew McDonald, PoliticoRebekah Pierre, Journalist and Social WorkerLemn Sissay, Poet and Activist Audio credit:Sky News Useful links:https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-idhttps://unbound.com/books/free-loaves-on-fridays
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices