Pod Save the UK

Caroline Lucas criticizes Rishi Sunak for his actions on the Safety of Rwanda Bill, discusses 'Englishness', and trains to become a death doula. Nish and Coco analyze local elections, voter ID rules, and condemn Sunak's attack on disabled people. Plus, fun hypothetical scenarios and hero/villain of the week.

Labour MP Jess Phillips joins the hosts to discuss Angela Rayner's tax controversy, Iran's attack on Israel, Sunak's anti-smoking legislation, and the need for Diane Abbott to get the whip back. Liz Truss is labeled the villain, while Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham gets praise for standing up to sexism. Songwriting tips for Megan Thee Stallion are also shared.

Coco is back from holiday and the first order of business is for Nish to explain the Westminster “honeypot” scandal, which has seen the vice-chairman of the 1922 committee resign. But beyond a salacious story about MPs texting, what are the broader security issues this raises? Nish and Coco also take issue with Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting attacking “middle-class lefties” in a tabloid newspaper.Special guest Shami Chakrabarti joins Nish and Coco to discuss human rights - what they are, why we need them, and how we need to define them in a future that’s powered by technology and AI. The Labour peer also gives her verdict on Keir Starmer’s leadership, Diane Abbott’s suspension, and responds to listener comments about the importance of voting. Plus she takes an unexpected detour into film criticism.Nish laments the fall of a heroic shoe, and Coco aims a government department for the way it treats carers in her villain of the week.Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld Guests:Baroness Shami Charkrabarti, human rights lawyer and author of Human Rights: The Case for the Defence’.  Audio credits:Dr Luke Evans MPSky NewsElent Finance/InstagramLBC Useful links:https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast delves into the UK's asylum policy, featuring discussions on the Rwanda Bill and refugee rights. Nish visits the House of Lords to speak with Lord Dubs and explores the challenges asylum seekers face in Calais. They highlight the importance of establishing safe routes for refugees and the power of art in shaping perceptions. The episode offers insightful reflections on engaging with policymakers and emphasizes the need for international cooperation in aiding refugees.

Special guest George the Poet joins Nish and Coco for a fascinating conversation about disillusionment with Westminster politics and the pitfalls of social media arguments. They discuss a villainous Tory campaign ad, the plight of WASPI women, and why Alan Titchmarsh's trousers were censored in North Korea.

Discussing political corruption, a historic moment in Welsh politics with the first black leader in Europe, and the surprise visit of Obama for tea. Plus, insights into donation impact on politics, Welsh leader's challenges, and the importance of independent journalism. A Glasgow record shop raises funds for medical aid in a unique way. Humorous takes on Prince Andrew and contact details for the podcast.

Another shocker of a week for the Conservatives which saw their biggest donor caught up in a race row, and their former Deputy Chairman defect to Reform UK. Beth Rigby, Political Editor at Sky News, tells Nish and Coco that the Tories don’t want to give back the £10 million they received from Frank Hester last year, despite the racist language he’s alleged to have used about the MP Diane Abbott. Beth also reveals what happened at the surprisingly tetchy press conference held by Reform to unveil Lee Anderson as their party’s first ever MP in the Commons.Beth tells Nish and Coco why she’s obsessed with THAT Royal Mother’s Day picture, they discuss Princess Catherine’s questionable photoshop skills, conspiracy theories and what it all means for the Royal Family. Nish’s hero of the week is film director Jonathan Glazer, while Coco isn’t happy with Times columnist Matthew Parris. Plus hear about Beth’s Arsenal bantz with Keir Starmer, Coco’s visit to the dentist…and more badger chat!Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukWhatsApp: 07514 644 572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644 572Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld Guest:Beth Rigby, Political Editor, Presenter and Podcaster, Sky News Audio credits:Sky NewsSBS/7 Network/Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Useful links:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/electoral-dysfunction/id1613562765https://www.tortoisemedia.com/listen/who-trolled-amber/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did the Chancellor’s much anticipated pre-election budget fall flat? Nish and Coco pick over the details and wonder why our public services are being sacrificed for the sake of tax cuts. There’s reaction from Westminster from political journalist Kiran Stacey, who says that there are signs of the budget unravelling already. Rachelle Earwaker from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation says it does nothing for the poorest in society, calling it a budget for “big earners and big owners”.Find out how a sleepy corner of Devon could be about to shake up our political system. Fed up of a first past the post system that’s delivered a Tory MP for the last 99 years, voters in Totnes are organising their own series of primaries to pick a progressive candidate to oust their MP Anthony Mangnall. Could it catch on in other places too?There’s an International Women’s Day theme to this week’s hero and villain…find out what Lucy Moore and the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have done to deserve their accolades. Meanwhile Coco’s got a bone to pick with King Harold of 1066 fame, plus there are tales of micro-pigs, badgers and naughtiness at Disneyland.Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukWhatsApp: 07514 644 572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644 572Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworldGuests:Kiran Stacey, political correspondent at The GuardianRachelle Earwaker, senior economist at The Joseph Rowntree FoundationAudio credits:parliamentlive.tvX / @SDevonPrimaryX / @lucyajmmooreUseful links:https://www.jrf.org.uk/https://crooked.com/podcast-series/pod-save-america/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a huge lead in the polls, all the signs point to Keir Starmer moving into Downing Street by the end of the year, so how well do we know the man who would be PM? Guest co-presenter Liz Bates attempts to get behind the rather dull public image, by interrogating Tom Baldwin, who spent hours talking to Starmer for his new authoritative biography of the Labour leader. The conversation takes an emotional turn when Liz and Tom discuss Starmer’s difficult relationship with his dad; how he couldn’t hug him on his deathbed, and then later found a hidden scrapbook that showed how proud of his son he really was. They also talk about what makes Starmer tick politically - is there such a thing as Starmerism? - as well as his love of football and music…and Tom reveals what Starmer thinks of the book!Nish joins Liz from Crooked HQ in LA to discuss the fallout from Lee Anderson’s expulsion from the party, and whether the Tories have an islamophobia problem. They also discuss the rogues gallery of candidates competing to win the Rochdale by-election, and Liz reveals what it’s like to get up close and personal on the campaign trail, with the bookies favourite George Galloway.Plus find out why Nish gave one very lucky New York cab driver a massive tip, and why he loves smelly books!Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukWhatsApp: 07514 644 572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644 572Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworldGuest:Tom Baldwin, author of Keir Starmer: The Biography   Audio credit:GB NewsUseful link:https://crooked.com/podcast-series/lovett-or-leave-it/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nish and guest co-presenter Liz Bates set the scene on what went on to become a chaotic night  in the Commons, that put speaker Lindsay Hoyle’s job at risk. They call out the “pathetic and petty” political game playing that sought to use the suffering of people in Gaza to embarrass the  Labour Party. There are also harsh words for Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch for using the Commons to settle scores in her row with the former Post Office chairman Henry Staunton.Former Pop Idol winner Will Young reveals his life-long interest in politics, and tells us what it was like to see his petition on ending medical testing on dogs, debated at Westminster. For his next foray into politics, Will says he’s planning to go to Somerset to troll Jacob Rees-Mogg, and says he’s even thinking about becoming an MP himself.In heroes and villains, Liz takes inspiration from Samatha Morton, while Nish defends Indian cuisine. Plus find out why Nish is channelling Carrie Bradshaw!Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukWhatsApp: 07514 644 572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644 572Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworldGuest:Will Young: singer, actor and writer Audio credits:Sky Newsparliamentlive.tvThames Television / Freemantle MediaBAFTA Useful links:https://crooked.com/podcast-series/keep-it/https://www.careleaveroffer.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices