Best Rob Keir Podcasts (2025)

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Liz Truss is still, in some sense, running the country 27:11

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18m ago27:11

27:11

Three years ago, Liz Truss announced her “mini”-Budget. Since then, the phrase “crashed the economy” has been used 238 times in the Commons. It can be found just three times in the records before then. Will Dunn sat down with the former PM for an exclusive interview. He joins Anoosh Chakelian to discuss Truss's lasting impact on the economy. LISTEN…

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Leo Varadkar: Former Prime Minister of Ireland on Power and Letting Go 1:05:21

1d ago1:05:21

1:05:21

Before becoming Ireland’s youngest Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar was a Dublin GP with bold ambitions and a belief that politics could be a kind of medicine for society. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with the former Prime Minister to explore his extraordinary rise from a mixed-heritage childhood in 1980s Ireland, to leading h…

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Andy Burnham has a plan for Britain 1:08:58

8m ago1:08:58

1:08:58

Inside his Manchester kingdom, Labour’s prince across the water outlined his radical blueprint to the New Statesman's editor, Tom McTague. Tom McTague joins Will Lloyd to discuss the mayor's vision. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics ne…

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Ed Davey attacks Trump, Trump attacks world 31:29

21m ago31:29

31:29

Ed Davey came out swinging at the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth this week, saying "Reform wants Britain to be like Trump’s America." He said it was the Lib Dem’s moral duty to defeat Nigel Farage, and warned that over in the US, people are "really fearful for democracy." Meanwhile, at the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump was firing on all…

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Getting to Yes, And… | Maryellen MacDonald – ‘The Science of Talking’

11h ago

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By WGN Plus

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Britain recognises Palestinian statehood 20:52

17h ago20:52

20:52

This weekend Keir Starmer announced that the UK has formally recognised Palestine as an independent state. The Prime Minister said, "In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution." Benjamin Netanyahu called the decision “absurd” and “a reward for terrorism”. This w…

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GP 49: How to unlock Co-Living: Redefining Urban Living with James Armitage-Hobbs of DP9 32:34

1d ago32:34

32:34

In this episode of the Grow Places podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with James Armitage-Hobbs, Director at DP9, to ask a big question: What role does co-living play in the future of our cities? They explore: How co-living has evolved over the past decade from a niche idea into a recognised housing model. Why loneliness, affordability, and housing sho…

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Reform's deportations & Your Party's implosion 17:34

1d ago17:34

17:34

Nigel Farage has escalated Reform’s approach to the deportation of migrants, announcing that his party would abolish indefinite leave to remain should they take power … and Zarah Sultana drops her legal threats against fellow Your Party founder, Jeremy Corbyn. Hannah Barnes is joined by Megan Kenyon and Ethan Croft. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the Ne…

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Episode 191 - Anaconda (1999) - Creature Feature Season 1:26:12

2d ago1:26:12

1:26:12

The Cast Me To Hell boys are taking a trip along the Amazon River for this weeks creature feature, the Razzie nominated and cult classic Anaconda! Featuring yet another stacked cast of Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube ( another American rapper in a blockbuster 90s horror movie), , Owen Wilson (wow) and Jon Voight doing possibly the strangest accent ever as…

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Has history overlooked the enslaved who fought for freedom? | Sudhir Hazareesingh interview 33:15

7d ago33:15

33:15

The abolition of the slave trade and of slavery itself in the 19th Century is generally understood to have been instigated by European and American abolitionists. However, has history overlooked how the enslaved themselves resisted their oppressors? Author and politics tutor at Oxford University, Sudhir Hazareesingh, has explored these stories of r…

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The US has bought Britain 31:46

5d ago31:46

31:46

The US dollar is about to flood Britain. American firms have pledged £150bn worth of investment in the UK, the government celebrates this as part of a wider plan to deepen economic ties with the US. But is there a bigger cost? As the pound flows back across the Atlantic, are we slowly but surely becoming American? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Andr…

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Dr Richard Shepherd: Lessons from 23,000 Postmortems- including Hungerford, Hillsborough and Princess Diana 1:01:49

8d ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Britain’s leading forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd has performed over 23,000 postmortems and given evidence in some of the most high-profile cases of our time, from Hungerford to Hillsborough, from Princess Diana to David Kelly. But his fascination with death began much earlier, when his mother died suddenly from heart disease and he was le…

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Your Party meltdown 26:54

6d ago26:54

26:54

Donald Trump and Keir Starmer have just finished their joint press conference from Chequers, drawing a close to the US president’s state visit. Andrew Marr and Will Dunn will be joining Anoosh tomorrow on the podcast to discuss what these deals mean for Britain as dollars and pounds wash across the Atlantic Ocean - but today we’re looking at someth…

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Can Zohran Mamdani save the American left? 46:03

7d ago46:03

46:03

Zohran Mamdani has upended New York City politics – and potentially revitalised the American left. Born in Uganda, raised in Manhattan - the socialist mayoral candidate has captivated voters with his viral social media videos and progressive policies. He became the democratic nominee this June, beating political veteran and former governor of New Y…

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Trump, Starmer and Mandelson don't walk into a banquet 37:57

8d ago37:57

37:57

Trump is arriving in the UK today for his much anticipated state visit. Rachel Cunliffe and Will Lloyd look at how it might play out in the aftermath of the emergency debate which took place in parliament this afternoon concerning the appointment of Peter Mandelson. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask …

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Getting to Yes, And… | Martin Dubin – ‘Leadership Blindspots’

8d ago

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Kelly talks to Martin Dubin, a clinical psychologist, serial entrepreneur, business coach, and adviser to C-suite executives and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, about his new book: “Blindspotting: How to See What’s Holding You Back as a Leader.” https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7711876/7711876_2025-09-16-023416.64kmono.mp3 “Things go well until they …

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Tommy Robinson's protests & Danny Kruger's defection 32:26

9d ago32:26

32:26

This weekend more than 110,000 people from across the country took part in a far-right protest in central London organised by the activist Tommy Robinson - in his words, to “Unite the Kingdom”. This is thought to be the largest nationalist event in decades. St George’s flags flooded the streets, speakers including Katie Hopkins and Elon Musk were p…

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Episode 190 - The Long Walk - Spoiler Review 50:24

12d ago50:24

50:24

The Cast Me To Hell boys keep on marching this week as we discuss our full thoughts on Stephen King's The Long Walk. We're talking the brutal kills, the harrowing moments and the heartbreaking deaths of this mix of Stand By Me and The Hunger Games. Is this one of the best Stephen King adaptations, and is where does this rank with the best horror mo…

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Are politicians LARPing? | Listener questions 16:23

13d ago16:23

16:23

Are the Greens ‘anarchists’? Has British politics become Americanised? And why was Theresa May prime minister? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe to answer listener questions and explain LARPing to Andrew Marr. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Ge…

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Where does JK Rowling get the time to obsess about me? | Nicola Sturgeon interview 58:57

11d ago58:57

58:57

In power for nearly a decade, Nicola Sturgeon is Scotland’s longest-serving First Minister. She reshaped Scottish politics, leading the SNP through moments of crisis and opportunity, from the 2014 independence referendum to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since stepping down in 2023, Sturgeon has remained a powerful and sometimes polarising figure in public…

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Political violence becomes mainstream in the US 24:11

12d ago24:11

24:11

Earlier this week the prominent right-wing activist, and close Trump-ally, Charlie Kirk was shot during a public appearance in Utah. Graphic videos of the shooting immediately circulated online and his death was soon confirmed by Donald Trump. While many politicians across the spectrum have denounced the killing of Charlie Kirk - Trump has blamed w…

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Arabella Weir: At nine my mum said, “I can’t bear the sight of you” 1:00:56

15d ago1:00:56

1:00:56

Actor, comedian and bestselling author Arabella Weir grew up in a family that prized intellect and appearances but struggled to offer love. In this episode of Full Disclosure, she tells James O’Brien how an unsettled childhood shaped her fearless streak, her need to perform, and her instinct to turn pain into comedy. From the brutal remarks of her …

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Starmer's mess 19:26

13d ago19:26

19:26

Following the disarray caused by Angela Rayner’s resignation and the sacking of Peter Mandelson, Keir Starmer’s latest reset is a mess. His newly reshuffled cabinet appears to be largely a response to the very real threat of Nigel Farage. It seems, to his critics, that the Prime Minister is drawn to Reform’s magnetic force to the right. But what do…

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The Long Walk (2025) - Spoiler Free Review 23:45

13d ago23:45

23:45

This week we bring you our spoiler free review of Stephen King's The Long Walk. First written in 1979 and later released under the Richard Bachman pseudonym, this dystopian precursor to films such as The Hunger Games and Battle Royale sees fifty kids take the long walk, in which there can only be one winner. We give our spoiler free thoughts on thi…

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Mandelson and the friends he keeps 19:12

14d ago19:12

19:12

This week in part of an ongoing battle for the release of the “Epstein files”, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released a trove of documents related to the pedophile financier. This comprised his will and personal address book - but generating the most controversy is an alleged "birthday book" given to Epstein in 2003 celebrating his fif…

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In Britain's broken housing market, does the Renters' Rights Bill go far enough? 32:23

15d ago32:23

32:23

This week the renters’ rights bill returns to the House of Commons for its final debate. But in a country where tenants are spending around 40% of their income on rent, amidst an increasingly inflating housing market - does the bill go far enough? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by the New Statesman's business editor Will Dunn, and director of the Rente…

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Getting to Yes, And… | Maya Smart – ‘The Reading Crisis in America’

16d ago

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Kelly talks to educator Maya Smart about her new book “Reading for Our Lives: The Urgency of Early Literacy and the Action Plan to Help Your Child.” https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7700601/7700601_2025-09-09-031401.64kmono.mp3 “Alarms ring; they don’t teach. And often when an alarm rings for too long, we tune it out.” “Spoken words are the precurs…

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GP 48: Can Architects Stay Relevant? AI and More with Keir Regan Alexander of Arka Works 50:54

15d ago50:54

50:54

In this episode of the Grow Places podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with Keir Regan Alexander of Arka Works to ask a big question: Can architects stay relevant in the age of AI? They explore: Why architects need to move beyond aesthetics to embrace responsibility, coordination, and strategy. How AI tools—from masterplanning software to generative mod…

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Reform conference: "Farage has accepted the inevitability of being PM" 31:47

19d ago31:47

31:47

As Keir Starmer spent the weekend trying to glue his cabinet back together, another party leader was basking in the glow of the NEC spotlights and a governmental crisis. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enj…

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Episode 189 - Deep Blue Sea (1999) - Creature Feature Season 1:08:47

16d ago1:08:47

1:08:47

This week, we're trying to help fight Alzheimers by genetically engineering mako sharks. Why you ask? Because this is a Renny Harlin's late 90s action horror Deep Blue Sea. Featuring an absolutely stacked cast including a pre The Punisher Thomas Jane, Samuel L. Jackson (I don't think we do any Pulp Fiction quotes somehow), and LL Cool J (because it…

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What will Zack Polanski do first with the Green Party? | Listener questions 28:36

17d ago28:36

28:36

The Greens have a new leader. Listeners want to know what's in store for the left now. Tom McTague is joined by Andrew Marr, Rachel Cunliffe and Megan Kenyon to answer listener questions on: the future of the Green Party under Zack Polanski Jeremy Corbyn and Your Party's position on trans rights whether a pro-immigration left party could win workin…

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The long and winding road to Brexit | Tom McTague interview 1:24:07

18d ago1:24:07

1:24:07

From the battlefields of Algiers to the corridors of Westminster, Britain’s uneasy relationship with Europe has been shaped by thinkers, politicians, financiers, and strategists. In his new book, Between the Waves, the New Statesman's editor Tom McTague traces a previously uncovered history spanning eight decades of how Britain came to say “no” to …

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Rayner out, Labour moves right | Politics with Rachel Cunliffe 39:15

19d ago39:15

39:15

Angela Rayner resigned from government, and stood down as deputy Labour leader, following her failure to pay enough tax on a property in Hove. With this Keir Starmer has reshuffled his top cabinet, where are they headed now? Rachel Cunliffe is joined by Andrew Marr, Tom McTague and Megan Kenyon. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE …

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Natalie Haynes: Greek Myths, Medea and the Comedy of Classics 1:04:23

19d ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Natalie Haynes has never been easy to categorise. A stand-up comedian turned broadcaster and best-selling author, she has built a career out of making the ancient world vivid, funny and urgent. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien talks with the presenter of Stand Up for the Classics about her unusual path from Birmingham bookshops to …

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Should Angela Rayner resign? | Politics with Tom McTague 38:48

20d ago38:48

38:48

Andrew Marr joins the show to discuss Rayner, Immigration and Graham Linehan's arrest. *** Housing Secretary Angela Rayner is under fire for underpaying Stamp Duty. The right are gleeful but Keir Starmer is standing by his deputy PM. Is he making the right move? Tom McTague is joined by Andrew Marr, Rachel Cunliffe, Megan Kenyon and George Monaghan…

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The age of deportation | Cover story with Tanjil Rashid 47:00

21d ago47:00

47:00

Who gets to belong in Britain? In the past year, the conversation around immigration in Britain - across the political spectrum - has become increasingly vicious. As Tanjil Rashid, the New Statesman’s culture editor, writes for this week’s cover story - we are no longer in “an age of migration”. We have been propelled into something altogether new,…

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Britain’s booming export: stolen goods | Tom Sasse interview 28:31

22d ago28:31

28:31

How your snatched iPhone feeds a global criminal supply chain. Britain’s exports have declined in many areas over the past few years, but there is one category in which trade is booming. The UK has become a leading exporter of stolen goods. From iPhones snatched by gangs on the streets of London to luxury cars stolen to order, criminal organisation…

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Getting to Yes, And… | Keir Graff – ‘Murder, Music, Magic and More in Chicago’

22d ago

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Kelly digs in with author Keir Graff, who has written a new book about a legendary building in the Windy City, “Chicago’s Fine Arts Building: Music, Magic and Murder.” https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7689385/7689385_2025-09-02-151125.64kmono.mp3 “All passes – Art alone endures.” “You’ll feel as you’ve just stepped out of a time machine.” “Let the …

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Keir Starmer's reshuffle reveals his priorities | Politics 18:11

23d ago18:11

18:11

Who's in, who's out - and why? * Keir Starmer has reshuffled the treasury team and some key parliamentary staff, creating a new "Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister" role and restructuring the government's communication department. The changes indicate a renewed focus for the government, putting economic issues front-and-centre of operations ahea…

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Episode 188 - Lake Placid (1999) - Creature Feature Season 50:21

23d ago50:21

50:21

This week's creature feature takes us to Maine, where there's something sinister lurking in the serene waters of Lake Placid. Directed by Steve Miner and starring a stacked cast featuring Bill Pullman (handsome king), Brendan Gleeson, and a foul mouthed Betty White (RIP). This was a horror film we both loved in the 90s, and we're chomping at the bi…

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Author Nicola Barker: "we are all weirdos" | Culture with Tanjil Rashid 37:57

25d ago37:57

37:57

The experimental novelist on finding God, being "a misfit" and her return to writing. -- Nicola Barker is "has broken the mould so many times it's almost beyond repair". She's a post-punk literary anarchist who writes from the peripheries of the UK. Her experiments with narrative form have won her many plaudits, including the Goldsmith's Prize for…

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Has the English flag been co-opted by the far-right? | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 16:24

26d ago16:24

16:24

“⁠Do you think the English flag has been so easily co-opted by by the far right because there is no English government that is proudly flying the flag and building a better narrative around English national pride?” Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Harry Clarke-Ezzidio and George Eaton to answer listener quesitons. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Sta…

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From The Vault: Brian Cox 1:09:05

26d ago1:09:05

1:09:05

From a childhood in Dundee marked by loss, poverty and resilience, to becoming one of the most respected actors of his generation, Brian Cox’s life and career have been defined by an unrelenting pursuit of truth on and off stage. In this in-depth conversation with James O’Brien, the Emmy and Golden Globe winner reflects on the death of his father a…

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"The UK government is complicit in genocide" | Humza Yousaf interview 39:36

27d ago39:36

39:36

It was foreseen for months, as Israel cut off all aid, but this month the UN declared that more than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine. By the end of September, more than 640 000 people will face Catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Leading to preventable deaths on a devastating scale. For Humza Yousaf, the former First Ministe…

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Inside the making of the Employment Rights Bill | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 25:03

28d ago25:03

25:03

Last October, the government published the Employment Rights Bill, a slate of reforms set to change workers' rights in the UK - from banning “fire and rehire” tactics, to ending exploitative zero-hours contracts, to giving workers employment protection from day one. The bill has passed through the Commons and is currently on its third reading in th…

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What the Treasury reshuffle reveals about the budget | Politics with Will Dunn 25:46

29d ago25:46

25:46

Ahead of this autumn’s budget there has been a reshuffle in Rachel Reeves’ treasury team. What’s at play? And what might it tell us about the trajectory of Britain’s finances? Will Dunn, the New Statesman's business editor, is joined by George Eaton. Read: Torsten Bell rises as Rachel Reeves reshuffles her team; Rachel Reeves will never get serious…

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Getting to Yes, And… | Dr. Adam Dorsay – ‘The Vital Role of Connection’

30d ago

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Kelly talks with psychologist Dr. Adam Dorsay about how connection is our path to a happy and meaningful life. Adam’s latest book is Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the 4 Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7678934/7678934_2025-08-26-144234.64kmono.mp3 “Connection is vital for life.” “Our brains are …

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Episode 187 - Jaws - 50th Anniversary 1:36:56

1M ago1:36:56

1:36:56

We return with a new seasonal feature. Creature Features where we look at the best feature film that contain well a creature of some form. This time on real common water based creatures. We are beginning with the pinnacle of all creature features - Steven Spielberg's Jaws. On its 50th anniversary, features in our Must See Horror list and we will be…

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The Manosphere: Red pills, incels and a misogyny epidemic | James Bloodworth interview 25:12

1M ago25:12

25:12

Students across the UK have reported a dramatic rise in misogyny in their schools. The government has described this as being on an "epidemic scale". This is often connected to social media content targeted at young men and boys, but is there more to it? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by journalist James Bloodworth, author of Lost Boys: A Personal Jour…

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Can the UK solve the plummeting birthrate dilemma? | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 21:11

1M ago21:11

21:11

Due to Britain’s falling birth rates and the government’s desire for lower immigration levels, does the government have any plan to financially encourage and support couples to have children? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and George Eaton to answer listener questions. Download the app LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app …