Oh God, What Now?

Jeremy Hunt’s budget has arrived. We unpack the good, bad and ugly – and ask: “Are we all going to be much richer now?” Short answer: No. Also, the BBC’s first-ever disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring joins the panel to discuss her new book Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland, how she wards off online hate – and why social media is so rife with conspiracy theorists. Buy Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland 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.• “What this government is doing is really last chance saloon.” – Zoë Grünewald• “They nicked Labour’s non-dom policy, which will cause some headaches later.” – Zoë Grünewald• “I think we should treat social media companies as we do governments… they’re just as powerful.” – Marianna SpringWe’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Dorian Lynskey, with Jonn Elledge, Zoë Grünewald, and guest Marianna Spring. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn and Jade Bailey. 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

Is Galloway’s victory in Rochdale quite the seismic event that Gorgeous George claims it is? With even Mail readers more likely to vote Labour than Tory, do the papers still have the power they used to? And there’s a debate brewing on assisted dying. What do our panel think? Plus, Budget tips, the Supreme Court on whether Trump gets on the ballot, and why Marie le Conte considers herself a Space Arab.   • “Literally nobody wants tax cuts. If your ceiling is leaking, the upstairs neighbour giving you £20 towards your service charge is not an answer to your problems.” – Alex Andreou • “Interesting that Galloway is able to channel all that discontent into election wins, and yet Farage isn’t.”  – Rachel Cunliffe • “Even the really right wing papers want Sunak out of the way so they can have their leadership battle between Badenoch, Jenrick and whoever…” – Alex Andreou • “The Sun is just pretending that politics isn’t happening any more… Like, look, Jesus on a piece of toast!” – Marie le Conte   Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more.   Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Alex Andreou, Rachel Cunliffe and Marie le Conte. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music by Cornershop. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Lee Anderson and Suella Braverman’s recent outbursts, why are the Tories so scared of the word Islamophobia? And how deep does this issue run in the party? Plus, it’s a But Your Emails special! In the second half the panel answers as many of our listeners burning political questions as possible. Then in the Extra Bit for subscribers, what are political marches good for? The panel discusses their own experiences. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Dorian Lynskey, with Matt Green, Rafael Behr, and Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn and Jade Bailey. 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

30p Lee has shown his real worth by claiming that Islamists have “got control” of Sadiq Khan. Suella Braverman, however, says they’re already in charge. Why hasn’t she lost the whip but Lee Anderson has? The panel discusses whether we have an intimidation issue in politics. Plus, as the Tories head for oblivion, why do political parties fail to learn from their mistakes before it’s too late?• “The Tories are Anderson’s enablers and for a reason – because it’s useful to them to have someone blowing that particular dog whistle.” – Alex Andreou.• “I actually find it really hard to get into Rishi’s head.” – Marie Le Conte• “People sounded angrier than they did at the height of the Brexit years.” – Marie Le Conte.• “The right, not just here but all around the world, is suffering a crisis in ideology.” – Alex Andreou.• “MPs are behaving like small children who have been in the car too long.” – Marie Le Conte.We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Andrew Harrison with Marie Le Conte and Alex Andreou. Producers: 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

We can’t believe we’re asking this, but is David Cameron showing some competence in his role as foreign secretary? Or is he just the best of a terrible Cabinet? The panel discusses how he’s performed so far – and whether we can ever really forgive him. The answer is no, we can’t, by the way. Plus, Our Ros Taylor’s written a book! The Future of Trust is out now! She discusses her work with the panel. Buy The Future of Trust 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.• “Geo-strategic thinking is not Cameron’s strong point.” – Rafael Behr.• “The thing you have to remember about David Cameron is that he is VERY arrogant.” – Rafael Behr.• “This isn’t the first time Marjorie Taylor Greene has told off a Brit.” – Yasmeen Serhan.• “Trust is a very, very slippery concept.” –  Ros Taylor.• “You’d think trust would increase with greater scrutiny, but that’s not necessarily the case.” – Ros Taylor.We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor, Rafael Behr and Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: 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

Why do the right-wing intelligentsia keep talking Britain down? Didn’t they get all they ever wanted when we left the EU? And who are the worst culprits? Plus: Remember when Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister and promised to fix the economy? Yes, well last week it emerged that Britain had entered a recession – nailed it. Has he completely failed on all his other goals too? That’s Oh God, What Now? with our special guest, political comedian Alistair Barrie. “The blame game is the only game in town as far as Sunak’s concerned.” – Alistair Barrie. “Reform has done nothing but set about alienating black, ethnic minority voters.” – Zoe Grunewald. “Down with the NIMBYS!” – Rachel Cunliffe. “Oh that woke blob with their tofu!” – Alistair Barrie. “Most of us don't give a fuck about tax cuts, most of us care about things actually working.” – Alistair Barrie. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Alex Andreou with Zoe Grunewald, Rachel Cunliffe, and guest Alistair Barrie. Producers: 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

The Tories have been trounced in the latest by-elections – who’d have guessed that would happen?! Sunak’s colleagues blamed a low turnout for the results in Kingswood and Wellingborough – is that fair? Or is the Tory electorate collapsing? What can we learn from these by-elections and what does this indicate, if anything, for the upcoming general election? Andrew Harrison is joined by Ros Taylor in an emergency edition.  “There was a feeling people might turn a little against Labour, but that has not happened.” – Ros Taylor “I think Sunak will be wondering how he can emerge from this with any personal dignity intact.” – Ros Taylor www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Andrew Harrison with Ros Taylor. Producers: 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

Labour has disowned its candidate for the upcoming Rochdale byelection – how has Keir Starmer handled this? And has this turmoil over Azhar Ali’s comments damaged the Labour Party’s hopes of beating the Tories at the next election? Plus, we discuss New Labour Derangement Syndrome which we’ve DEFINITELY NOT made up. How influential is New Labour still? And in the Extra bit for subscribers – is platforming still a thing? We unpack the interview between Tucker Carlson and Vladimir ‘The Historian’ Putin.• “I would not say I’m entirely confident Ali will win, but I think it’s the most likely outcome still.” – Marie Le Conte.• “Mandelson hasn’t come out and said ‘I’m just a normal bloke’ which I think has happened with the rest of them.” – Matt GreenWe’re on YouTube!www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou, Matt Green, and Marie Le Conte. 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

It’s been called “the mother of all U-turns”, but is Labour’s backtracking on its £28bn green policy pledge justified? And should we stop moaning and learn to love U-turns anyway? Plus, the UK’s education system isn’t in brilliant shape. What needs solving, and does Labour have a plan? Special guest Charlotte Santry, news editor for TES Magazine, FKA the Times Education Supplement, marks our report card.• “The £28b figure? I'm not bothered about it, it was just a pointless round number.” – Hannah Fearn.• “I wouldn’t rule out Labour making a U-turn on the U-turn.” – Seth Thevoz.• “Because of how the costs are calculated there are schools that have been charged £8k for a tap or £4k for a sink.” – Charlotte Santry.• “In some areas in particular places like London, you’re seeing schools that aren’t attracting enough pupils to be sustainable.” – Charlotte Santry.• “Labour has pledged a lot of things on education, but there aren’t a lot of details.” – Charlotte Santry.We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowWritten and presented by Ros Taylor with Hannah Fearn, Seth Thevoz and guest Charlotte Santry. 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

It’s the 500th episode since we started as Remainiacs! To mark the occasion we’ve highlighted 10 of the worst Brexit bad guys we love to hate… because you can’t spell “schadenfreude” without E.U. Plus, immigration under the microscope with migration expert Zoe Gardner. Are we in the crisis the Tories claim? And how will the next government handle it? And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, why are our MPs swearing so much and do we really give a shit?• “It still amazes me that Farage did not pay the price like Johnson and is massively influential, now more than ever.” – Zoe Gardner.• “So much of Brexit was just bad policy… It was founded in fantasy.” – Raf Behr.• “Refugees on small boats has been pushed as a huge issue but they account for well under 10% of migration to the UK.” – Zoe Gardner.• “The choice is chaos or control, but what we have now is chaos.” – Zoe Gardner.We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A Keep OGWN going by supporting us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor, Rafael Behr and guest Zoe Gardner. Producers: 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