Best Defence In The Union Podcasts (2025)

1
Black Oak Anarchist Social Space 41:09

4h ago41:09

41:09

An interview with one of the collective members behind Black Oak Anarchist Social Space, which launched in Hamilton in Spring 2025. LINKS Black Oak Anarchist Social Space Hamilton Anarchist Bookfair North Shore Counter-Info RELATED EPISODES The Locke Street Affair (Part 1) Queers Fight Back Cedar on #FreeCedar Five Years After The Brawl At Hamilton…

1
In Defence of Banter and Books 41:42

17m ago41:42

41:42

That’s Debatable!’ is the weekly podcast of the Free Speech Union. Hosts Tom Harris and Jan MacVarish – both staffers at the FSU – talk about the free speech controversies that have erupted in the past week. Please like, subscribe and share. In this week’s episode, Jan Macvarish and Connie Shaw discuss the FSU’s campaign against the ‘banter ban’. C…

1
The Rapidly Evolving EU Media Scene in Brussels 24:10

16h ago24:10

24:10

Victoria Main, Media Strategist at SEC Newgate EU, talks to Paul Adamson about the rapidly evolving EU media scene in Brussels.By Paul Adamson

1
Can Britain be great again? 30:17

5h ago30:17

30:17

Is Britain chasing faded glory or forging a credible future? As the government lays out its latest spending review, Bronwen Maddox is joined by Jeremy Hunt and Samir Puri to ask whether bold talk of growth, defence and science hides a deeper strategic drift – or a real path back to global influence. Read our latest: Europe could win the battle for …

1
Connie’s Campus Strife 45:54

6d ago45:54

45:54

That’s Debatable!’ is the weekly podcast of the Free Speech Union. Hosts Tom Harris and Jan MacVarish – both staffers at the FSU – talk about the free speech controversies that have erupted in the past week. Please like, subscribe and share. In this week’s episode, Jan Macvarish and Connie Shaw discuss the FSU’s campaign against the ‘banter ban’. C…

1
War plan or wish list - The UK Strategic Defence Review 35:24

7d ago35:24

35:24

Drones, AI, cyber warfare and nuclear weapons are a key part of the UK’s new Strategic Defence Review, along with conventional weapons. Chatham House experts unpack the strategy, spending pledges and how Britain should adapt its military to deal with Putin, China, and Donald Trump. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Chatham House experts Grace Cassy, Mari…

1
The Global Month Ahead: The G7 and NATO summits, Trump's Gulf tour, and the future of UK-EU energy policy 45:48

8d ago45:48

45:48

As we look ahead to June, host Sewar Quran is joined by Global Counsel colleagues to unpack three major developments shaping global politics: the G7 and NATO Summits, President Trump’s Gulf tour, and the UK-EU joint summit. First, Sewar is joined by Denzil Davidson, Director, to preview the G7 and NATO Summits. They discuss the growing influence of…

1
Poland's New Politics and Driving the EU's Competitiveness Agenda 22:43

15d ago22:43

22:43

Pawel Karbownik, Poland's Deputy Finance Minister, talks to Paul Adamson about his country's new politics after the recent presidential elections and his concerns about driving the EU's competitiveness agenda.By Paul Adamson

1
Classroom Battles 43:36

15d ago43:36

43:36

That’s Debatable!’ is the weekly podcast of the Free Speech Union. Hosts Tom Harris and Jan MacVarish – both staffers at the FSU – talk about the free speech controversies that have erupted in the past week. Please like, subscribe and share. This week, the Free Speech Union’s Education and Events Director Jan Macvarish takes the steering wheel as T…

1
What's the future for Gaza? 34:01

17d ago34:01

34:01

As Gaza reels from staggering humanitarian devastation, Bronwen Maddox speaks with Yossi Mekelberg, Stephen Farrell, and Julie Norman to unpack the political drivers of Israel’s war, the role of Donald Trump, and the region’s competing visions for Gaza’s future. From internal power struggles to shifting U.S. policy and Arab diplomatic proposals, th…

1
EU-UK relations post Summit, the European Parliament and the EU's new 'deregulatory' agenda and Ireland's 2026 presidency of the EU 23:45

18d ago23:45

23:45

Barry Andrews, Member of the European Parliament since 2020, talks to Paul Adamson about EU-UK relations post Summit, the European Parliament's reaction to the EU's new 'deregulatory' agenda and insights into Ireland's presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026.By Paul Adamson

1
Is Brexit finally done? 29:32

22d ago29:32

29:32

Nine years after the Brexit vote, a new UK–EU deal promises smoother trade and deeper cooperation — but is it the end of the Brexit saga or just another chapter? Bronwen Maddox digs into what the deal really means with Rod Liddle and Nicolai von Ondarza, from political fallout to Britain’s shifting role on the world stage. Read our latest: The diss…

1
Police Our Streets Not Our Tweets 38:24

29d ago38:24

38:24

With the FSU’s backing, Lucy Connolly, jailed for a tweet about migrants that she posted following the Southport murders, has been fighting her 31-month sentence in the Court of Appeal. Although a verdict was expected on Thursday when the hearing concluded, the Court will now be providing a written judgement, somewhat vaguely scheduled for “as soon…

1
Can the UK take on the EU, US and China? 33:42

1M ago33:42

33:42

As trade tensions, security concerns, and diplomatic crossroads converge, the UK’s bid for economic growth faces hard choices on the global stage. In this episode host Bronwen Maddox explores the UK’s complex balancing act between the EU, US, and China with guests Janka Oertel and Sir Martin Donnelly. Read our latest: The UK–EU summit will bring so…

1
Licence to Offend 36:14

1M ago36:14

36:14

Julian Foulkes, a retired Special Constable, was arrested and held in a cell for eight hours over a tweet warning about the threat to British Jews posed by the pro-Palestinian marches. In October of 2023, he responded to another tweet criticising Suella Braverman for describing the pro-Palestinian protests that were sweeping the country in the afte…

1
Understanding Donald Trump's Second Presidency 27:14

1M ago27:14

27:14

Kim Darroch (Lord Darroch of Kew), UK Ambassador to the U.S. 2016-2019, talks to Paul Adamson about the differences between the first and second Donald Trump presidencies.By Paul Adamson

1
Can India and Pakistan step back from the brink? 30:07

1M ago30:07

30:07

Tensions between India and Pakistan have surged following a deadly attack in Kashmir and air strikes by India inside Pakistan. With nuclear risks, regional diplomacy, and rising domestic pressures in play, what could prevent this crisis from spiralling further? In this episode, Bronwen Maddox discusses what this means for South Asia and the world w…

1
Ukraine’s impossible choice 37:33

2M ago37:33

37:33

As Donald Trump floats a controversial peace deal that could leave Ukraine facing territorial losses and NATO exclusion, Kyiv is forced to weigh an impossible choice between sovereignty and survival. Bronwen Maddox speaks with Orysia Lutsevych from Chatham House and Matthew Savill from RUSI about battlefield fatigue, shifting alliances, and the fut…

1
The Global Month Ahead: Presidential elections in Poland and Romania, Qatar Economic Forum and 2025 ASEAN Summit 47:25

2M ago47:25

47:25

As we look ahead to May, host Sewar Quran is joined by Global Counsel colleagues from across the globe to unpack Romania and Poland’s presidential elections, the Qatar Economic Forum, and the 2025 ASEAN summit. First, Sewar is joined by Anikó Zsebik, Associate Director, to discuss the upcoming presidential elections in Romania and Poland. They expl…

1
Journalism in the Dock 40:26

2M ago40:26

40:26

According to College of Policing guidance, Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs) help forces build an intelligence picture of community tensions and understand where they need to allocate resources for prevention. Indeed, during a House of Lords debate in November 2024, Lord Hanson, the Home Office minister, told peers: “It is vital that the police moni…

1
Is the US dollar losing its dominance? 29:40

2M ago29:40

29:40

As the IMF Spring Meetings unfold in Washington DC, Bronwen Maddox asks whether we are witnessing the twilight of the US dollar’s global dominance. Amid political shocks and shifting financial allegiances, could the world be inching towards a post-dollar era? Bronwen is joined by Isabelle Mateos y Lago, chief economist at BNP Paribas, and David Lub…

1
The UK in a Changing Europe 23:40

2M ago23:40

23:40

Anand Menon, director of the academic think thank 'UK in a Changing Europe', talks to Paul Adamson about the upcoming EU-UK Summit and how the UK and EU are reacting to the Trump administration.By Paul Adamson

1
How can Nigeria tackle corruption? 32:23

2M ago32:23

32:23

In this episode of Independent Thinking, we explore the root causes of corruption in Nigeria, its impact on everyday life, and potential solutions for change. Bronwen Maddox speaks with Leena Koni Hoffmann about her in-depth report on the issue, as well as insights from speakers at a Chatham House conference focused on Nigeria’s ongoing fight again…

1
Sports Delta 1:18:48

2M ago1:18:48

1:18:48

A B&I Lions Back row, 9 and 10 special with a few extra bits thrown in for your listening delight. probably best not listened to with kids in the car. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Mauloverpodcast

1
FSU Case Data Highlights 48:11

2M ago48:11

48:11

We have just completed our quarterly analysis of FSU casework and dive into the results of that during today’s episode. The first quarter of 2025 was our busiest ever with 411 new incidents received in the FSU inbox. This growth in caseload is directly related to the continuing increase in FSU active membership, which is now running at over 4,000 n…

1
Is the US confronting China in Latin America? 33:14

2M ago33:14

33:14

This week on Independent Thinking, we explore the growing battle for influence in Latin America between the U.S. and China. In just two decades, China has gone from a minor player in the region to a dominant force—challenging the US. How is President Trump’s government responding and could his policies actually give Beijing more room to expand? Gue…

1
An Emerging New World Order 23:30

2M ago23:30

23:30

Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic Editor of The Guardian, talks to Paul Adamson about an emergng new world order.By Paul Adamson

1
Cheeks Full of Pizza 1:02:57

2M ago1:02:57

1:02:57

Phil HOSTS!!! Dougie and Ben talk Rugby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Mauloverpodcast

1
Are Donald Trump's tariffs the end of globalization? 29:14

2M ago29:14

29:14

President Trump has unveiled sweeping new trade tariffs—but what happens next? Bronwen Maddox explores the global reaction, the economic fallout, and whether this marks the beginning of the end for globalization. She’s joined by Jason Furman, former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama, alongside Dame DeAnne Julius…

1
The Global Month Ahead: IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, Navigating the UK Local Elections and Ukraine’s Defence Future 33:58

3M ago33:58

33:58

As we look ahead to April, host Sewar Quran is joined by Global Counsel colleagues from across the globe to discuss the UK local elections, the IMF World Bank Spring Meetings taking, and the next phase of international defence coordination for Ukraine. First, Sewar is joined by Max Mandich, Senior Associate in our US Financial Services practice, to…

1
Pray for Shackleton! 44:26

3M ago44:26

44:26

Both The Times and Sky News have reported on a landmark ruling from the Office for Students (OfS), which has fined the University of Sussex a record £585,000 for “serious and significant” free speech failings in the case of Professor Kathleen Stock, accused of ‘transphobia’ for her gender-critical views. Professor Stock was forced out of the univer…

1
Can Europe replace the US as a global power? 29:31

3M ago29:31

29:31

In this week’s episode of Independent Thinking, Bronwen Maddox discusses whether Europe can take up the mantle of the US, and lead the world as an economic and political powerhouse. Can Europe can fill the vacuum caused by America’s shifting foreign policy, and in doing so, become more of an economic force? Bronwen explores this topic with three Ch…

1
Germany and the Defence of Europe 25:18

3M ago25:18

25:18

Daniela Schwarzer, the leading expert on European and International Affairs, talks to Paul Adamson about Germany's new stance on defence and the ramifications for Europe.By Paul Adamson

1
Rick Prior & The Police Federation of England and Wales 37:51

3M ago37:51

37:51

With the FSU’s support, the Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation – Rick Prior – is suing his own union after he was ‘cancelled’ for suggesting frontline officers are increasingly nervous about challenging people from ethnic minorities whom they suspect of breaking the law, given the spate of internal investigations into officers accused o…

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