Oh God, What Now?

HS2 was greenlit over a decade ago and now the Manchester extension seems doomed. What does that say about Sunak’s priorities? Does he even have a mandate anymore? And even if he does, is it too late to make it make sense? Plus, hands up, who hates London? Will the UK ever sort out the North vs South debate? That’s Oh God, What Now? with Andrew Harrison, Alex Andreou and Marie Le Conte. “In the end it will just be two steam trains between two villages ironically named HS2.” – Alex Andreou. “A government has to follow through. There comes to a point where a debate has to come to an end.” – Alex Andreou. “If you take out finance and the oligarchs, London is as poor as anywhere else!” – Alex Andreou. Thanks to this week's sponsors, the Disorder Podcast. You can listen here: https://linktr.ee/disorderpodWe’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 and Alex Rees. Social Media Producer: Jess Harpin. Audio production by: Alex Rees. 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

Rupert Murdoch has finally retired… kind of. He’s stepping down as Fox and News Corps chairman. His son, Lachlan, will now take on the role, how will he rule? And what does this all mean for Fox News and the rest of the media mogul’s empire? Dan Cassino is a Professor of Government and Politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He’s also the author of Fox News and American Politics: How One Channel Shapes American Politics and Society. “I think we are past a crisis point with Fox News … and I think Murdoch saw that.”“The big crisis we had at Fox News is that the inmates were running the asylum.” “For the future of Fox News – they’re in trouble.” “If the empire stops making money, we have potential here for revolt.”  We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's sponsor is the Disorder Podcast - listen here: https://linktr.ee/disorderpodRishi Sunak disappoints again on the environment – the panel give their reaction to the delays he announced on key Net Zero deadlines. Plus, ‘Broken Britain’ is a phrase we’ve been hearing for a while but now it’s not just the left saying it. Is there a general consensus across all sides? And the online safety bill is still knocking around but it’s getting ever close to passing. Tech expert and founder of Fairvote UK, Kyle Taylor, joins the panel to discuss whether it’s fit for purpose. And in the extra bit for EVERYONE for one week only - we take a trip back to the noughties for a chat about pop culture, why was it so cruel and how did we let it happen?   “In Westminster, MPs seem to have the vibe at the moment that they’ve given up.” – Geri Scott. “Labour are going to come into a load of shit that they’re going to have to clean up, no money, schools are crumbling - there’s a lot to clean up.” – Geri Scott. “I don’t think Labour are doing a good enough job of priming the public on how big the mess is.” – Kyle Taylor. “Originally what we had was truly world leading… but the online safety bill has now become more about politics than policies.” – Kyle Taylor. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Dorian Lynskey with Marie Le Conte, Geri Scott and guest Kyle Taylor. Producers: Chris Jones and Alex Rees. Social Media Producer: Jess Harpin. Audio production by: Alex Rees. 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 a pension crisis looming? Starmer's attempts to fix the damage of the last 13 years. Are borders becoming more important for the EU? The live issue of retirement for younger generations. Exploring Liz Truss's stumbling speech. Rejoin, major global problems, and global summits. The use of fabricated migration figures by the Conservatives. Keir Starmer's global influence and electoral risk. Critiques of TV shows' misogyny and gay panic themes.

With unions gathering for the TUC conference, parties are setting out how to engage with workers. Will Sunak change, and how will Starmer deal with them? Plus, we take a deep dive into Starmer’s leadership. How does he compare to the likes of Harold Wilson - when (if ever) will he have his own ‘white heat’ moment? That’s Oh God, What Now? With special guest Anthony Broxton, who runs the Tides of History project and is author of Hope and Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher’s Britain.https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/hope-and-glory  “On workers rights it’s been somewhat of a trade-off.” – Zoë Grünewald “Angela Rayner’s basically been the darling of the TUC of late.” – Zoë Grünewald “I think as Labour gets closer to government a distance needs to develop… if they’re in bed together neither can do their jobs properly.” – Alex Andreou “Starmer, even though he’s ahead in the polls, he hasn’t had his white heat moment.” – Anthony Broxton We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou, Zoë Grünewald and guest Anthony Broxton. Producers: Chris Jones and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Social Media Producer: Jess Harpin. 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

There’s no escape for Justice Secretary Alex Chalk as he faces questions over the state of our justice system. Daniel Khalife’s runner from HMP Wandsworth is only a small example of its decaying state. So why does a government with such a hardline stance on crime struggle to fund the justice system? Plus, comedian Matt Green tells us why our plight often makes us want to laugh as he discusses political comedy in bleak times. And hope is on the horizon – literally. The UK’s rejoining the EU’s Horizon project. Could it pave the way for a return to the bloc? Probably not, but what could be next – if anything? “What happens when you don’t fund prisons is you get these terrible conditions, it becomes a safety risk.” – Rachel Cunliffe. “Even on things you’d expect Labour to have softer views on, they’ve been quite hardline.” – Rachel Cunliffe. “I think any word with the ‘re’ prefix is a bit of a problem … we now have a bespoke WORSE deal with Horizon.” – Matt Green We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Ros Taylor with Rachel Cunliffe and Matt Green. Producer: Chris Jones. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Social Media Producer: Jess Harpin. 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

There’s concrete evidence the Tories have messed up again – literally. School roofs are crumbling, but the Government is bragging at least most are fine… Plus, the PM says he cares about Net Zero, but does he really? And in the extra bit for subscribers, hot mic moments can reveal more than a whole interview. But are they ethical? That’s Oh God, What Now? With very special guest, Labour MP for Brent North, Barry Gardiner. “It’s a perfect physical manifestation of 13 years of the Tories being in charge, in every conceivable way.” – Alex Andreou “This is Sunak’s f*ck up as much as anyone else’s.” – Alex Andreou “Every time it’s this generation of kids that have faced up to the problems created by this government.” – Barry Gardiner “We will only borrow to invest, we will not borrow to consume.” – Barry Gardiner “Why are the poorest people in our society having to subsidise those energy companies? It is simply wrong!” – Barry Gardiner We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou and Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Social Media Producer: Jess Harpin. 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

As Rishi Sunak wrangles with the school cement fiasco, he’s also been forced into a timid reshuffle. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has also tweaked his top team. Who’s in, who’s out and who cares? And Penny Mordaunt wants to give young people National Service (but not really) to increase "resilience and pride". Out of touch? Or is this a scheme that could actually work?  “It’s not so much mismanagement as it is the entire Conservative approach.” – Ros Taylor “It really is the epitome of everything a government SHOULDN’T be doing.” – Zoë Grünewald “I think it’s really important to give young people something other than ‘finish these exams or you're screwed’ which it does now.” – Ros Taylor We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor, and Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Chris Jones. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Social Media Producer: Jess Harpin. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discussion of tough police stance, tagging migrants, and Labour slogans, along with predicted Tory seats. Also explore decriminalizing protests, alternative phrases for Labour, and ways to bring about political change. Class action against fast food ads, Scottish election results, and childhood fears of foot measurement.

Labour MP for Walthamstow, Stella Creasy, joins the hosts to discuss the abysmal parliamentary standards of the Tory government. They also explore how Labour can repair the problems created by Brexit and advocate for a closer relationship with Europe. The need for a codified constitution and inclusivity in candidate selection for elections are also discussed. Brexit's impact on the economy and the challenges of advocating for rejoining the EU are addressed. The panelists also share their escape routes from busy lives and recommend TV shows.