Oh God, What Now?

Trump’s decision to rip up 80 years of transatlantic security co-operation leaves Europe in a panic. What happens when America lines up with a despot like Putin? Can Europe afford to defend itself? Dr Julie Norman of UCL joins us to look at the alarming new security environment. Plus, with Badenoch’s Tories in an apparent doom spiral, we look at why politics needs a functioning opposition. And in the Extra Bit for Patreons: White Lotus is back and the Murdoch family hate each other. Why do we love watching the rich suffer? • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more. Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey with Rachel Cunliffe and Rafael Behr. Audio production by 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

US Vice President JD Vance proves himself to be as much an arse as his boss with a hateful, trollish performance at the Munich Security Conference. Will his culture war insults and support for the European far-right signal the final end of the Atlanticist dream… and is Ukraine now doomed? Plus, only 40% of 18-27 year olds say they’re proud of Britain. Can we blame them? And should we persuade them otherwise? And we go inside Labour’s pledge to build 12 new towns nationwide by the next election to fight housing affordability?Some Escape Routes choices:• Stream Ahir’s choice, Paradise, on Disney+.• Read Issue 1 of Andrew’s choice, comics series The Department Of Truth, for free.• Stream John’s choice, Big Boys from C4.• Ros’s choice Bridget Jones 4: Mad About the Boy is in cinemas. You know how they work.• We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Andrew Harrison, with Jonn Elledge, Ros Taylor and Ahir Shah. 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

Labour’s ‘crackdown’ on illegal workers was an obvious ploy to tame Reform UK’s growing influence. But will Starmer’s Labour alienate its own supporters just to chase voters who’ll always hate them? Plus, only one in five Brits approve of the government’s handling of crime. Will Labour turn that around with the PM’s experience of the justice system? Are the police even fit for purpose? Former Met Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe joins the podcast.And in the Extra Bit for Patreons… After James Graham’s TV drama Brian and Maggie, we look at the art of the political interview. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  • Join our free live Zoom when you back us on Patreon. You’ll get ad-free listening and much, much more. Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Matt Green 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

Keir Starmer may have been enduring stormy weather since winning power – but is the sky really falling in, as parts of the media think? And why are so many UK commentators and pundits addicted to the idea that we’re living in times of ultimate crisis? Plus, it’s 100 days since Kemi Badenoch took on the Tory leadership. Has she turned the party's fortunes around and made her party a laughing stock no longer? No, no she hasn’t. Why not? And what type of leader has she shown herself to be? • We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  Our panel’s Escape Routes:• Hannah’s choice is 4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkemann.• Rachel chooses Good Material by Dolly Alderton.• Andrew’s choices of We Stand On Guard and Ever Crashing by SRSQ. • Alison chooses Persuasion by Jane Austen. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn, Rachel Cunliffe and Alison Phillips. 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

Donald Trump and his evil nerd henchman Elon Musk continue to “flood the zone” with new harmful executive orders and bullshit headlines. How do we figure out what matters and what doesn’t? Plus, Reform UK has – somehow – topped a poll as the UK’s most popular political party. Should we stop paying so much attention to polls, and letting them set the agenda? Plus in the Extra Bit for supporters: research suggests some people get as many as two scam phone calls a day! The panel discusses how to spot them and whether they’re putting us all off from answering the phone.• We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  • www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow • Go to proton.me/ohgodwhatnow to receive a 38% discount on Proton Mail Presented by Dorian Lynskey, Jonn Elledge, Ros Taylor and Matt Green. 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

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.

Anand Menon, Director of UK in a Changing Europe and Brexit expert, joins the discussion on the fifth anniversary of Brexit. They reflect on its massive implications for the UK and the Tory party's decline amidst various leadership crises. Menon examines why Labour avoids the topic, the complexities of rejoining the EU, and the novel considerations of a radicalizing Europe. The conversation humorously touches on which EU country to expel if Britain were to rejoin, as well as concerns about AI's role in shaping our writing and identity.

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.