Oh God, What Now?

Bernard Hogan-Howe, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, shares his expertise on the political landscape and policing. The discussion investigates how farmers' protests could signal a right-wing opposition to Labour and critiques the party's messaging on inheritance tax. Hogan-Howe addresses issues of two-tier policing, especially concerning rural concerns. The conversation also highlights public trust in the legal system and the complexities of police data practices, revealing the social and economic implications of current policies.

Jim Waterson, founder of London Centric and former Media Editor for The Guardian, discusses Keir Starmer's global diplomacy and its perception against domestic responsibilities. The panel tackles the decline of local journalism and the potential revival through community-focused media initiatives. They explore the importance of local roots for a healthy national media landscape. Additionally, they delve into the challenges faced by the Labour Party and examine the political implications of recent tax reforms.

Alison Phillips, a former editor of the Daily Mirror known for her sharp political insights, joins the discussion to unpack Twitter's impact on political polarization. They explore the risks of echo chambers as users migrate from Twitter to Blue Sky, and the challenges posed by political theatrics and identity politics. The conversation dives into the dark backgrounds of controversial figures like Donald Trump and examines the changing dynamics within the Republican Party. With humor and wit, they tackle issues like voter backlash and the essential need for meaningful political dialogue.

Andy Kroll, an award-winning investigative reporter for ProPublica and author of A Death on W Street, joins the panel to dissect the political machinations of Trump and Kemi Badenoch's cabinets. They delve into Project 2025's controversial policies, Trump's ambiguous initiatives, and the struggles within the Tory shadow cabinet. Kroll highlights the unwavering support from Trump's base despite election controversies, while the group reflects on the broader implications of recent political events and the emotional fallout of electoral defeats.

Seth Thévoz, an insightful historian and author, joins journalist Hannah Fearn and comedian Matt Green to discuss the ripple effects of Trump's victory on European politics. They delve into how far-right populism is evolving both across the Atlantic and within the UK, examining the challenges facing leaders like Giorgia Meloni. The trio also critiques social media regulation for teens and explores how lessons from the American left can shape future politics. Humor and sharp analysis weave through their engaging conversation, making complex issues accessible.

• Get your tickets to our 10th December live show at the Comedy Store London here!It’s happened, Trump has retaken the White House. How did the orange felon who’s also racist win the election and what might he do now? Andrew Rudalevige is a professor of government at Bowdoin College and joins the panel to confront it all. Plus, in the run-up to Remembrance Day, we dig up the strange evolution of poppy mania. And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, the panel ventures out of their comfort zones to get stuck into a bit of culture that they otherwise wouldn’t touch with a barge pole.• We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow • Back us on Patreon. • Don’t miss Series 2 of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma Kennedy – listen here.Presented by Andrew Harrison with Ros Taylor and Jonn Elledge. 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

Get your tickets to our 10th December live show at the Comedy Store here!On the eve of the US election, nobody is quite sure how Donald Trump still has a chance of becoming president. But should the orange man lose, how does the Republican Party recover from his reign? Home Front podcast host and Republican campaign veteran. Reed Galen, has been a vehement anti-Trumper for years and joins the panel to get into it all. And back home, Kemi Badenoch is at the helm of the Tory party - what does that mean for the future of the centre-right? And what can we learn from what Trump has done to the GOP?Listen to Reed's podcast, The Home Front.Want more American politics from Podmasters? Listen to Jarv's show, American Friction. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow• Don’t miss Series 2 of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma Kennedy - listen here.Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Zoe Grunewald and Rafael Behr. 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

• Get your tickets to Oh God, What Now? live at the Comedy Store on Tue 10 Dec – now with special guest John Crace of The Guardian.Kemi “start a fight in an empty room” Badenoch wins the Tory leadership, beating Robert Jenrick in a surprisingly low turnout. Will an electorate that’s just turfed out the Conservative Party be in the mood for more of the same only more combative and obnoxious? Will Badenoch’s promise to “tell the truth” just mean more woke-bashing? And would Labour HQ be wise to keep the champagne on ice? The New Statesman’s Rachel Cunliffe and Andrew Harrison interrupt their Saturdays for some Torygazing. Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more. Presenter and Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Produced by Simon Williams. Theme music by Cornershop. 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

Go here to get tickets for Oh God, What Now? live at the Comedy Store on Tue 10 Dec – now with special guest John Crace of The Guardian. Big tax rises, big ambition. Labour’s first budget since regaining power, from Britain’s first-ever female chancellor, is rocking the nation. Beyond frantic headlines in the Tory press, what’s Rachel Reeves up to? Former chief economist at the Cabinet Office Jonathan Portes joins us to explain. Plus, anger is an energy – is angertainment the real force shaping the world right now? And will Trump win the White House because of it? And in the Extra Bit for supporters: as fares go up by a quid will we witness Mutiny On The Buses? We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow   Support us on Patreon.Don’t miss Series 2 of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma Kennedy – listen here. Presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn and Seth Thévoz. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: 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

• Go here to get tickets for Oh God, What Now? live at the Comedy Store on Tue 10 Dec.Labour’s first budget since regaining power is an opportunity to get back on the front foot and silence its critics on the right. What could Rachel Reeves introduce in this budget, how key is a focus on the NHS going to be, and, importantly, WHO THE HELL does the bins at Buckingham Palace?! Plus, the vote for the Assisted Dying Bill is about 5 weeks away. Some MPs feel there hasn’t been enough time to debate it properly. Wes Streeting won’t back it, nor will Justice Sec Shabana Mahmood. Will Parliament fumble one of the most important decisions it could have to make? Guardian Columnist Polly Toynbee joins the panel to get stuck into all of that.We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow• Don’t miss Series 2 of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma Kennedy – listen here.Presented by Ros Taylor with Zoë Grünewald and Rachel Cunliffe. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Simon Williams. 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