Oh God, What Now?

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.

Are we the sick man of Europe? We’ve got all the symptoms: broken economy, falling living standards, we could go on. Does anyone have the remedy to get us back up and running again? Plus, it’s nearly the bank holiday, so let’s look on the bright side. The panel discusses who in politics they admire. And in the extra bit for subscribers, what’s the BEST summer you’ve ever had? That’s Oh God, What Now? With guest We Are History’s John O’farrell. “It’s not just the poor who are poorer, it’s the middle class as well.” – Ros Taylor. “People are going to have huge expectations for change, and the money just isn’t there for Labour.” – John O’Farrell. “I have seen lots of people who I thought were sensible go further and further to extreme views because they are pushed that way.” – John O’Farrell. “George Orwell could’ve been a real dick on Twitter.” – Dorian Lynskey. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor, Rachel Cunliffe and We Are History’s John O’Farrell. Producers: Alex Rees & Chris Jones. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Social Media Producer: Jess Harpin. Audio production by: Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Living standards are falling to the lowest since the 1950s, government shouts of success. Building more homes is crucial, but politicians lack action. The podcast explores nostalgia and its impact, discussing the decline of living standards and the UK's economic problems. The need for affordable and accessible housing in England is highlighted. The hosts also share their escape routes from politics and recommend some cultural excursions. The episode ends with a discussion on the music record 'Tilt' by Confidence Man.

The Tories have been way behind in the polls for a long time. But could a comeback be on the cards? The data shows that a Labour government isn’t guaranteed after 2024’s general election. What does Keir Starmer need to do? And has Sunak found the next Brexit in the European Court on Human Rights. Not many people fully understand what it is, but perhaps that plays into the Tory’s hands. Could they take us out? And in the extra bit for subscribers, our panel recounts the worst paid jobs they’ve ever had. That’s Oh God, What Now? with special guest, chair of human rights charity EachOtherm Adam Wagner. “I think a lot of people know that a new Labour government wouldn’t be a magic bullet to solve the cost of living crisis.” – Zoë Grünewald. “When you talk about reform over spending it’s just not as sexy, so selling that will be a big challenge for Labour.” – Zoë Grünewald. “Sometimes they’ll say the idea of human rights is completely unBritish and unnecessary.” – Adam Wagner. “What underlies this all is that it’s not all about sovereignty, it’s also about the fundamental ideas of these rights … protecting refugees.” – Adam Wagner. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowWe’re on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0AWritten and Presented by Ros Taylor with Zoë Grünewald, Marie Le Conte and guest Adam Wagner. Producers: Alex Rees & Chris Jones. 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