Oh God, What Now?

Nobody wants to imagine a large-scale war in Europe. But after Putin invaded Ukraine and Trump tore up Europe’s security guarantee, it’s horribly plausible. Is Russia as powerful as Putin wants us to think? Is there more to military power than tanks and guns? Why do strategists keep making the wrong predictions? And what does Pete Hegseth’s unhinged locker-rom pep talk/incitement to the US military to commit war crimes mean for any American role in the world? In a fascinating, surprise-packed conversation Phillips Payson O’Brien, Professor of Strategic Studies at St Andrews University and author of new book War and Power: Who Wins Wars and Why gives Andrew Harrison and Jacob Jarvis an urgent update on the realities of military power.  • Buy War and Power through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund OGWN by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. ESCAPE ROUTES  • Phillips recommends Better Call Saul on Netflix.  • Jarv recommends horror movies Weapons and Bring Her Back.  • Andrew went to see Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals. Buy any book through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund OGWN by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Head to nakedwines.co.uk/ohgodwhatnow to get 6 top-rated wines from our sponsor Naked Wines for £39.99, delivery included. • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Jacob Jarvis. Audio/video production by Chris Jones. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keir Starmer finally takes a stand against Farage, sparking debate about Labour's coherence and strategy. The panel discusses Andy Burnham's aspirations to lead and his call for the UK to rejoin the EU. They explore whether that's a desirable or feasible option for Europe. Public sentiment towards Starmer's policies is also examined, revealing mixed reactions. Plus, a fun look at what the hosts are currently watching, including some intriguing documentaries.

Join Anna Minton, a Reader in architecture and author on housing issues, as she dives deep into the challenges of urban regeneration. She reveals the pitfalls of private-led projects and how they prioritize land value over community needs. Minton compares regeneration horror stories from around the world, discusses the limitations of placemaking, and highlights models from Europe that focus on social housing. The conversation also touches on the political implications of local decline and the urgent need for a shift in housing policy.

The ghost of Enoch Powell punches the air as Farage announces jaw-dropping plans for mass deportations and tearing up Indefinite Leave to Remain, claiming it will save Britain over £230bn (it won’t). Is Reform succumbing to the gravitational pull of the far-far-far right or just showing its true, cruel face? And does Labour’s feeble response that “this plan won’t work” just accept the premise of a hateful piece of self-harm? Plus, Trump’s Tariffs: how they started and how they’re going, with international trade expert and friend of the pod Dmitry Grozoubinski. And in the Extra Bit, what was the exciting new tech innovation that made you say “OK that’s enough exciting new tech innovations, thanks”? • See Matt Green on his Legitimate Concerns tour, beginning on 17 October.  • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!  ESCAPE ROUTES  • Matt recommends The Girlfriend on Amazon Prime.  • Marie watched the whole of Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon and seems to want a medal for it. And Modern Family too.  • Dmitry has been rewatching the Australian political satire Utopia which you can see on Apple TV+.  • Ros (mostly) recommends The Hack on ITV.  Claim the Naked Wines offer here: ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/ohgodwhatnow⁠ • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Marie le Conte and Matt Green. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peter Geoghegan, an investigative journalist and author of the Democracy for Sale newsletter, joins political analyst John Elledge to dive into the implications of Project 2025. They explore how American dark money influences the UK’s right-wing landscape, including the rise of Reform UK and the threat of a Farage-led government. The duo discusses the potential for a similar playbook in Britain, emphasizing the importance of political donation transparency and the need for reforms to curb elite influence in politics.

British politics is increasingly divided – but where are voters really going as they shift between parties? And how should Labour recalibrate their tactics? The Economist’s Matthew Holehouse joins us to discuss the new ‘Battle for Britain’. Plus, the panel discusses the reaction to Charlie Kirk’s death worldwide and how it might change politics. And in the extra bit for subscribers – political pets! Because we all need something fun to listen to don’t we? Escape Routes  Rachel has been reading Terry Pratchett books: Jingo, Thud & The Truth  Zoe is watching The Real Housewives of London on Hayu Matthew is reading When The Clock Broke by John Ganz  Seth recommends the drama series Crown Court Claim the Naked Wines offer here: ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/ohgodwhatnow⁠ • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more  • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.   Written and presented by Seth Thevoz with Zoe Grunewald and Rachel Cunliffe. Audio production by Robin Leeburn and Tom Taylor. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.  www.podmasters.co.uk    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Starmer is Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party – but does he feel totally in charge of things? Plus, the race to be Deputy Leader of the Labour Party is down to the final two. Who’s the most likely to take the role? And Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is being increasingly tipped to swoop back to Westminster. Could he be the answer Labour has been searching for, realistically? Join Ros Taylor, Jonn Elledge, and Rafael Behr for all of that and a deep dive into the reality of party democracy. Escape Routes: • Jonn: Buy Clown Town through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Oh God, What Now? by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Ros: Buy Waterland through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Oh God, What Now? by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. She also watched Hostage on Netflix. • Raf recommends a band called This Is The Kit - specifically a song called Our Socks Forever More www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Claim the Naked Wines offer here: nakedwines.co.uk/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Rafael Behr and Jonn Elledge. Audio/ Video Production by: Chris Jones. Art direction: James Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reform UK kicked off party season in the weirdest way possible – will any of the other parties be able to overshadow them in the coming weeks? Perhaps not for singing and conspiracy theories, but hopefully in policy. The panel previews party conference season. Plus, we discuss who should be the next Labour deputy leader and in the extra bit dive into some dodgy Boris Johnson accusations.  • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!  • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more • Back us on Patreon or ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Presented by Alison Phillips with Zoë Grünewald, Jason Hazeley and Hannah Fearn.  Audio Production by: Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The (former) Deputy Prime Minister resigns literally two minutes before we press “record”. Regulars Rafael Behr and Andrew Harrison plus special guest Steve Richards of the Rock’n’Roll Politics podcast rage at the brutal destruction of Angela Rayner and the uncontrolled power of the far-right press – and ask if there’s any place for flawed humans or the working class in politics at all. Plus: As Steve publishes Tony Blair a razor-sharp analysis of Britain’s last great Prime Minister, we look at the long reign of the leader they once called “Bambi” and ask whether Labour will ever get over it.  • Buy Tony Blair [through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund OGWN by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!  ESCAPE ROUTES  • Steve has been watching classic Michael Parkinson interviews on YouTube, especially this one with Peter Sellers.  • Raf has been playing folk-style live shows with a bit of blues with Theo Bard.  • Andrew recommends the scorching Swedish rock’n’roll of The Hives. • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more • Back us on Patreon or ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Rafael Behr. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Angela Rayner’s out. The resignation, which most of us saw coming, finally happened on a Friday afternoon. Was her position really untenable, or could she have toughed it out? Plus – what now and how does this leave Starmer’s party? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Ros Taylor, to react to Rayner’s decision and ask what it means for the future of the Labour government.   • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more   • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.    • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/ohgodwhatnow⁠⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!   Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Liam Tait. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.   www.podmasters.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices