The Abundance Agenda

On this week’s Abundance Agenda, James reveals the secrets of what Tony Blair actually said about climate policy – by actually reading the words he has written.Then because it’s the 80th anniversary of VE Day this week, Martin shares some utterly mind-boggling numbers from D-Day – and explains why it was Abundance wot won it.And finally, we speak to Lindy Fursman, author of the aforementioned Tony Blair Institute climate paper, The Climate Paradox: Why We Need To Reset Action On Climate Change, and we explore the actual policy ideas within, instead of reacting hysterically.The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.You can read James’s piece on why he hates Reels and other shortform video here.And Martin’s piece on diagnosis will be published later in the week here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

On this week’s episode of The Abundance Agenda, Martin tells James a frankly horrifying story about another attempt to delay the construction of HS2, and then we speak to former OpenAI frontier AI researcher Rosie Campbell about why her new non-profit, Eleos Research, is focusing on the emerging field of “AI Welfare”.The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.You can find Martin’s detailed Substack posts with maps, diagrams and much more detail here.You can read James’s solution to the AI/copyright problem here.And you can find Rosie’s colleague Rob Long, whose newsletter she recommended, here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

On this week’s episode of The Abundance Agenda, hosts James O’Malley and Martin Robbins make a bold prediction about when the Sizewell C nuclear plant will get the green light.Then Martin horrifies James with a frankly shocking deep dive into caravans – or trailer homes.And finally, we speak to Robert Colvile, Director of the right-leaning Centre for Policy Studies about his views on the Planning Bill, and whether the Conservative Party can ever be persuaded to embrace Abundance.The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.Robert Colvile is on Twitter, Bluesky, and is at the Centre for Policy Studies.James steals the opinions of the excellent Zion Lights at one point. (You can listen to James and Zion in conversation here.)00:00 Introduction to The Abundance Agenda00:27 Nuclear Power Predictions02:26 Energy Security and Nuclear Benefits05:08 Challenges in Nuclear Plant Construction06:52 Regulatory Hurdles and International Comparisons10:30 Caravans and Housing Issues12:24 History of Trailer Parks in America16:00 Trailer Living in Modern America19:02 Caravan Living in the UK22:32 The Housing Crisis and Future Trends28:20 Housekeeping and Social Media Call to Action28:47 Substack Newsletters and Upcoming Content29:48 Discussing Political Views and Ideologies31:07 Interview with Robert Colville on Planning Bill32:55 Challenges in Housing and Planning Reforms39:10 Political Dynamics and Housing Crisis53:44 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

In Episode 6 of The Abundance Agenda podcast, hosts James O'Malley and Martin Robbins explore positive developments in the UK, particularly focusing on new theme park projects and the challenges facing British Steel. The episode kicks off discussing Universal's plan to build a massive theme park resort in Bedfordshire, expected to create thousands of jobs and boost the local economy. The conversation then shifts to the recent crisis with British Steel, the government’s intervention, and the implications for the industry’s future. The hosts also cover an amendment to the planning bill proposed by Labour MP Chris Hinchcliffe, which has sparked debate among YIMBYs and developers. Additionally, the episode features an in-depth interview with JP Spencer, author of a new report by Labour Together that discusses strategies for addressing regional economic disparities and rebalancing the UK's growth. Themes of transport infrastructure, regional development, and the planning process are thoroughly examined.00:00 Introduction to the Abundance Agenda00:32 Theme Parks: A Fascinating Business02:44 Universal's New Theme Park in Bedfordshire03:11 Local Impact and Community Response03:59 Challenges and Comparisons with Other Theme Parks09:23 Planning and Development Insights12:11 The Rise and Fall of the London Paramount Entertainment Resort15:20 British Steel: A Crisis Unfolds24:05 The Uncertain Future of British Steel24:29 Historical Context of British Steel Nationalization25:04 Challenges Facing the British Steel Industry25:46 Potential Solutions for Revitalizing British Steel26:31 Planning Bill Controversies and Local Politics27:20 The Role of Planning in Economic Growth28:38 The Debate Over Housing and Planning Amendments29:34 The Future of Planning and Development in the UK30:25 Housekeeping and Personal Updates32:21 The Concept of 'Leveling Up' in UK Politics34:05 Interview with JP Spencer on Regional Imbalances41:43 The Role of the Treasury Green Book45:05 Political Attitudes Towards Rebalancing the Economy46:47 Conclusion and Call to Action This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

David Lawrence, co-founder of the Centre for British Progress and advocate for economic growth in progressive politics, joins the conversation. They dissect a controversial proposal to curb the Mayor of London's power, emphasizing the need for strong central leadership. The discussion shifts to Luton Airport's expansion, weighing job creation against environmental concerns. They also highlight how media perceptions can hinder effective governance while exploring the potential of new political movements to rejuvenate the UK’s economic policies.

Joe Hill, Policy Director at the Reform think tank, is the guest, known for coining the term 'Everythingism' to describe the overloading of policies. He discusses the complexities of the Lower Thames Crossing project and the challenges of balancing infrastructure with environmental concerns. The conversation reveals how Everythingism leads to inefficiencies in policymaking and the need for a focused approach. Additionally, the podcast critiques the cultural resistance to housing development and advocates for innovative solutions to pressing societal issues.

In this episode of 'The Abundance Agenda,' hosts James O'Malley and Martin Robbins dive into a story from Braintree in Essex where local resident Barry Thompson has faced ongoing challenges from the council in his efforts to install solar panels on his house. They discuss the irony of councils blocking green initiatives while declaring climate emergencies. The hosts also touch on broader issues such as the difficulty of carrying out decarbonization efforts, geopolitical tensions affecting renewable energy resources, and disputes within environmental organizations.Additionally, James and Martin discuss the Peter Hitchens' obsession with British Summer Time and the politics of changing time zones. The main interview features Lord Ben Gascoigne, Chair of the Built Environment Select Committee, who shares insights on the potential of new towns and the necessity of integrating community engagement and nature into urban planning.The New Towns Inquiry call for evidence:https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/3626/James's newsletter on the origins of Abundance ideology and the on-going vibe shift:https://takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-abundance-vibe-shiftMartin's post on taking his trousers off at his local station car park:https://martinrobbins.substack.com/p/britains-car-parking-is-a-completeBook tickets for James's event with Anya Martin on How The YIMBYs Won:https://lu.ma/x265utjx00:00 Introduction to the Abundance Agenda Podcast00:22 A Solar Powered Nightmare in Braintree03:30 The Irony of Declaring a Climate Emergency05:09 The Tension Between Climate Action and Conservation12:57 The Ethical Dilemma of Solar Panel Sourcing18:29 Peter Hitchens and British Summertime25:30 Permanent British Summertime: Effects and Controversies26:01 The Scottish Influence on Time Policy26:45 The Great Time Zone Debate: BST vs GMT27:04 Public Opinion and Political Movements27:35 The Future of Time Zones in Britain29:39 Podcast Housekeeping and Substack Highlights31:33 New Towns and Urban Development32:27 Interview with Ben Gas Coin: New Towns Inquiry37:11 Rewilding and Urban Planning44:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

In this episode of the Abundance Agenda, hosts James O'Malley and Martin Robbins delve into the implications of the new planning and infrastructure bill, exploring its potential to address issues like high-speed rail project inefficiencies and the infamous 'bat tunnel' problem. They discuss how the bill seeks to simplify the planning process and remove bureaucratic hurdles, emphasizing the significance of these changes for the UK's future growth. The episode also features an interview with Chris Curtis MP, who highlights Milton Keynes' exemplary development and the bill's potential impact on local and national infrastructure projects. Additionally, James and Martin debate the future of lab-grown meat, its economic feasibility, and its potential to revolutionize the food industry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

The Abundance Agenda: Navigating the Impatience of Progress In the inaugural episode of 'The Abundance Agenda,' hosts James O'Malley and Martin Robbins delve into the concept of abundance and why it matters in today's world. They discuss the slow progress of major infrastructure projects in the UK, like HS2 and the Bakerloo Line extension, and the resulting frustration. The conversation also covers broader topics including the importance of housing, energy sufficiency, and climate change. Later, they pivot to discuss the implications of defense spending in the wake of geopolitical tensions, particularly the strain on the Western Alliance and the need for robust investments in military and infrastructure to ensure security. O'Malley and Robbins emphasize the importance of adopting an 'abundance mindset' to meet these challenges.00:00 Introduction to The Abundance Agenda00:20 The Concept of Abundance01:08 High-Speed Rail and Infrastructure Delays06:29 Housing Crisis and Economic Growth07:31 Energy Abundance and Climate Change09:31 Parking Apps and National Coordination17:20 Podcast Housekeeping and Substack Newsletters18:59 Defense and the Decline of the American-Led World Order22:08 Romney's Russia Stance in 201224:36 Obama's Syria Red Line and Western Response26:46 Russia's Annexation of Crimea29:02 UK's Defense Spending and European Security33:07 Modern Military Challenges and Drone Warfare37:58 The Case for Increased Defense Spending43:53 Conclusion and Future Discussions This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com