The discussion kicks off with Keir Starmer's delicate dance with EU leaders amid looming US tariffs, raising questions about the UK's political balancing act. A critique of Blairism sheds light on the disconnect between media strategies and everyday voters' needs. Trump's erratic foreign policies add to the uncertainty, while the journey of controversial figure Father Calvin Robinson sparks a debate on public discourse. Lastly, the panel dives into the role of disruptive innovations and escapism through culture, blending humor with insightful commentary.

It’s five years this week since we left the EU. Isn’t everything going brilliantly? Special guest Anand Menon of UK In A Changing Europe joins us to assess the many, many achievements of Global Britain. Has Brexit changed Britain irrevocably? What destroyed the Tory party: leaving the EU, Liz Truss or Boris Johnson’s own hubris? What’s the real reason why Labour won’t touch this issue? And what happens if a radicalising Europe stops looking like such a secure place to rejoin after all? Plus, in the Extra Bit for Patreons: should we stay strong and not let AI “improve” our writing? • Support us on Patreon for ad-free listening and much, much more. Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Hannah Fearn and Marie le Conte. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. 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

Steve Richards, a seasoned political commentator and former BBC correspondent, dives into the BBC's struggles with chaotic political coverage. He highlights the erosion of public trust and critiques the superficial nature of reporting, suggesting a return to in-depth journalism. They explore cultural expectations on politicians, like Kemi Badenoch's 'Yellow Submarine' choice, and the influence of Gen Z on political narratives shaped by social media. The conversation is filled with humor, as they draw parallels between political leadership and football management.

Trump starts as viciously as he means to go on, with a confected state of emergency on immigration, attacks on gay and trans people, withdrawals from the Paris Climate agreement and the World Health Organisation, and pardons for the anti-democracy rioters of Jan 6. Reed Galen, co-founder of the anti-MAGA Republican group The Lincoln Project and host of The Home Front podcast, joins us to assess Trump’s first moves and the state of the resistance against him. And in the Extra Bit for Patreon backers: Could you boycott visiting the United States while Trump is President?  • “Very bad things are going to happen. The question is, how are we going to react to them?” – Reed Galen• Support us on Patreon for an ad-free listening experience – and to help keep independent podcasting alive! Go to proton.me/ohgodwhatnow to receive a 38% discount on Proton Mail Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey with Rachel Cunliffe and Rafael Behr. Audio production by Robin Leeburn and Simon Williams. Theme music by Cornershop. 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

Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, brings his extensive union experience to the discussion on navigating the chaos of Trump's presidency. The conversation dives into the implications of the Employment Rights Bill and whether the Labour Party is staying true to its promise of supporting workers. As Trump shakes political foundations, the podcast explores Britain's diplomatic strategies and the evolving challenges for labor in the gig economy. Expect insights on the intersection of politics, workers' rights, and the gig economy in a turbulent time.

Alan Finlayson, a Professor of Political and Social Theory at the University of East Anglia, sheds light on the Right's dominance over social media and its impact on political discourse. He discusses how the allure of radical right ideologies is gaining traction among younger generations, especially in the chaotic online landscape. The conversation also touches on ethical dilemmas for tech leaders amid rising extremism, the implications of AI on UK politics, and the shifting engagement dynamics within different demographics. A thought-provoking dive into digital politics and social change!

As Britain’s economic growth slows and gilt returns go up (no, we can’t remember what it means either) the Tory press are eager to construct a narrative of “Labour’s mess”. How real is it – and is Chancellor Rachel Reeves really at risk? Plus: Trump wants to annex Canada, Greenland and possibly your house. Are we back to 19th century foreign policy where the world is basically a game of Risk? Seth Thévoz, The New Statesman’s Rachel Cunliffe, comedian Matt Green and Andrew Harrison try to make sense of it all. Support us on Patreon for an ad-free listening experience – and to independent podcasting alive! Written and presented by group editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. 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

Alison Phillips, former editor of The Mirror, shares her expertise on the Conservative Party's alarming shift towards far-right ideologies and their desperate tactics in the political landscape. The discussion highlights figures like Kemi Badenoch and their provocative strategies, questioning if any moral boundaries remain. They delve into the implications of stoking inflammatory narratives, as well as explore public dissatisfaction with the party's direction. In a lighter twist, the panel debates whether January might secretly be the best month of the year.

We did it, we survived 2024. Now, we face 2025 – a year where the world’s most influential country is headed by a convicted felon. How consequential will Donald Trump and his nerdy henchman, Elon Musk, be? And back home, Labour is taking on its first full year in charge. Keir Starmer has made a lot of promises, can he and his government get any of it done? And what will happen to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK? Our first panel of the year gets into the biggest issues of 2025 and the cast of characters that COULD be the most influential this year.We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Andrew Harrison with Rafael Behr, Ros Taylor and Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

• Last chance to get 20% off a year’s Patreon support for OGWN!Rishi in the rain? Musk ruining everything? Boris Johnson’s stupid book? In the OGWN Political Awards of the Year we choose the defining moments of the year – but also the heroes, villains, and even the reasons to be optimistic for 2025. Dorian Lynskey, Marie le Conte, Ros Taylor and Rafael Behr gather to pore over the entrails of 2024 and name the totemic people and events of the year.Plus, in the Extra Bit for Patreon people: What do the panel want for Christmas? Not Electoral Reform socks and Donald Tusk action figures, but the ideas and policy moves they want to see in 2025?Support us on Patreon to keep independent podcasting alive and ’casting! Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Audio production by Robin Leeburn and Tom Taylor. Theme music by Cornershop. 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