James O'Brien Daily

The grooming gangs inquiry has been plunged into disarray this week - before it has even started - with four survivors quitting the panel and two frontrunners for chairperson withdrawing. Why is this, and what should the success of the inquiry look like? And, one in 12 secondary pupils report being put into school isolation rooms at least once a week where they often spend in excess of eight hours...

The family courts will no longer work on the presumption that having contact with both parents is in the best interests of a child. Campaigners say this will save many children’s lives. James asks his listeners to share their experiences and is joined by Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno, Director and Founder of SHERA, whose research was instrumental for this ruling. Also, Rachel Reeves has stressed the long...

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in front of the Covid Inquiry today, speaking about the effect of the pandemic and his own policy decisions on young people. How did the lockdowns affect you or the young people in your life? And, The Economist has argued that legalising cocaine would have myriad societal benefits, eliminating the price premium that incentivises dangerous gang activity, free...

Parliament is under mounting pressure to examine what the royal family knew about Prince Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein and strip him of his titles. Why do we care so much about this shameful story? And, Conservative MP Katie Lam says that all immigrants in the UK legally that have indefinite leave to remain should be deported. Her comments have gone largely unchallenged - how do you feel about...

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned a decision banning fans of Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv from supporting their Europa League fixture against Aston Villa in November. The decision has been taken because of the perceived potential for violent clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli fans. Was this the right decision? And, new research shows that millennial fathers want to sp...

The UK government is facing questions after a case against two men accused of spying for China collapsed just weeks before the trial was due to go ahead, when prosecutors unexpectedly dropped the charges. No one seems to fully understand this story, but luckily enough, James knows who to ask… Also, James speaks with James Ball, the Political Editor of the New World, who tells the story of the man...

According to recent UK data, nearly a million young people are not in education, employment, or training, with the graduate job market becoming increasingly scarce. What are the causes of this? And, vets in the UK could be forced to cap prescription prices after an investigation by the markets watchdog found pet owners may be paying twice as much for some common medicines from practices than onlin...

Yesterday, President Donald Trump spoke alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, in front of the world’s leaders, to declare the war in Gaza over as a result of his peace-deal. The speech had to be heard to be believed. James breaks it all down with the callers. And, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said he is delighted that the government can now speak about the problems caused by Brexit, specifically, it...

Earlier today, President Donald Trump addressed the Knesset, declaring the end of the war in Gaza and the “age of terror”, as a result of the US-brokered ceasefire. The bombing has stopped, the final 20 Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas and almost 2000 detained Palestinians, including 22 children, are due to be released by Israel. Despite Trump's numerous and egregious misdeeds, could t...

Palestinians are beginning to return to Gaza's north following the Israeli government’s approval of the first phase of Trump's ceasefire and hostage return deal. What happens now? Will justice actually be brought to those who’ve committed war crimes? And, how much damage Netanyahu has done to Israel's reputation?  And, public support for digital IDs has bombed following Keir Starmer announcin...

An Israel-Hamas ceasefire is expected to begin within 24 hours of an Israeli government sign-off - a move that is expected to happen today. In the meantime, explosions have continued being reported in Gaza. Is this finally a time for optimism, or will this go the same way as previous ceasefires? James speaks with Noga Tarnopolsky, the freelance reporter in Jerusalem who’s guided LBC through the la...

During her speech at the Conservative Party Conference today, Kemi Badenoch said the party will scrap stamp duty on main home purchases if she comes to power. James analyses this speech with LBC’s Political Editor Natasha Clark, and asks whether the Conservative Party is over as we know it. And, James is joined by Simon Marks, LBC’s Washington Correspondent - is President Donald Trump taking the U...

Today marks two years since the October 7th terror attacks in Israel by Hamas. Sir Keir Starmer is urging students not to join today’s planned pro-Palestinian protests, saying it would be "un-British" for the rallies to go ahead given the anniversary. Does he have a point, or not? Also, James is joined by peace activist Magen Inon, whose parents Bilha and Yakovi were killed during the October 7th...

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced additional police powers that will be used to restrict repeat protests, a day after nearly 500 Palestine Action protesters were arrested. Has the government gone too far? And, Gary Neville, football pundit and former England and Manchester United footballer, revealed on social media that he removed a Union Jack flag from one of his development sites a...

Yesterday, two people were killed in a terror attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, a synagogue in Manchester. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, their families, and the three people that remain in hospital.  Today saw a highly distressing development to the tragedy - one of the victims killed was hit by police gunfire, as was one of the surv...

Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley says the sexist and racist police behaviour uncovered by BBC secret filming, broadcast yesterday, is "reprehensible", but stopped short of saying these problems were institutional. What’s the difference between racism and institutional racism in the police and other workplaces?  And, two people from the Jewish community were killed and four patients are in hos...

It seems that the UK is becoming more racist. The far-right have hi-jacked the St George’s flag, protests led by Tommy Robinson spread fear and division, and newspapers are criticising the Prime Minister for calling out Nigel Farage. Why is this? And, if you’re part of a minority group, what experiences have you had that show things are getting worse? This episode was recorded on the 1st of Octobe...

Hamas says they’re reviewing the Gaza peace plan announced by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference yesterday. James digs into what’s actually in this plan, what it might mean for the people of Gaza, and why, despite understandable cynicism, he thinks it should at least be tried. This episode was recorded on the 30th of September. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on...

Sir Keir Starmer has labelled Reform UK's policy of scrapping indefinite leave to remain as "racist" and "immoral". This morning, the Daily Mail ran with the headline: “If you worry about migration Labour will call you racist…”. Has Starmer made a mistake in telling the truth? Rachel Reeves that she no longer stands by a pledge last year not to raise taxes , saying “the world has changed” due to a...

It’s Speak to Sadiq! James was joined in-studio by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who took your calls and shared his thoughts on President Trump’s claim that he was “a terrible mayor” who was ushering in “sharia law”, Tommy Robinson’s far-right protest (with an appearance from Elon Musk), Gaza and more. And, Sir Keir Starmer's used his keynote speech at today’s Global Progress Action Summit to cr...

The British Chambers of Commerce says the UK must tackle its status as the sick man of the G7 if it wants to grow the economy. Around 7% of the UK workforce are currently out of work due to long-term sickness, compared to 3.5% in Japan. What are we getting wrong? Also, deprived areas of the UK will be given tens of millions of pounds each from a new regeneration fund to address Britain’s neglected...

Donald Trump used his address to the UN General Assembly yesterday to attack the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. After saying Khan, born to Pakistani parents, was a “terrible mayor”, Trump claimed he’d introduced “sharia law”, an Islamic system of law, to the capital. This is of course entirely untrue. Is it time to call out racism as racism? This episode was recorded on the 24th of September. Catch...

President Donald Trump has claimed a link between common over-the-counter painkillers and autism, contradicting major medical groups. Is there any strategy in this apparent idiocy? And, GPs in England are being urged to "think again" if they see a sick patient three times but can't pin down a diagnosis, or find their symptoms are getting worse. “Jess's Rule” is named after Jessica Brady, who was d...

Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state yesterday, alongside Canada, Australia and Portugal. Around 151 UN member states now do so. Benjamin Netanyahu said the recognition is "a huge reward to terrorism". How do you greet this moment, and what do you think it’ll actually mean? And, several of Europe's busiest airports have spent the past few days in chaos after a maj...

President Trump’s state visit to the UK has come to a close. For some, Starmer’s played a blinder. He’s secured a new technology prosperity deal that’s set to draw in billions in investment and strengthened his relationship with Trump. For others, he’s capitulated to an immoral, fascistic President. How do you think it went? And, the French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are sui...