James O'Brien Daily

Net migration has plummeted to 193,000 - down more than 80% in just three years. So will it actually make any difference to the national conversation, or has the immigration debate moved beyond the reach of facts? Plus, James speaks with Claire Zugar, who's father, Malcolm Ducker, a 72 year-old-British RAF veteran, has been filmed being detained and taunted by Israel's far-right security minster,...

Life for young people seems to be harder than ever. How are young people coping with the astronomical cost of living, soaring house prices and rising youth employment? And, with AI use on the rise as it infiltrates daily life, James ponders the question, when does AI use become cheating? As judges of a writing competition can’t be sure that AI wasn’t involved – where is the line for ‘proper’ use o...

HS2 could cost up to £102.7bn (up from £32bn) and may not open until 2039. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also explained today that the so-called “high-speed” trains will likely be ran slower, to trim costs. Why is HS2 taking so much time and money and why has the UK become so bad at building things? And, Justice Secretary David Lammy is to consider raising the age of criminal responsibility...

Brexit is back in the political spotlight thanks to the two biggest threats to Keir Starmer’s leadership - former Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. Streeting has advocated for a return to the EU, whereas Burnham believes re-running Brexit would leave the UK in rut. Do you welcome this renewed national conversation about rejoining the EU? This episode was...

Today, James tackles the political bombshell shaking Labour: MP Josh Simons has resigned, clearing a path for Andy Burnham to return to Westminster - and potentially mount a future leadership challenge. Is this a smart political move, blatant career choreography, or exactly what Labour needs right now? And if you’re from Manchester, why does Burnham remain so popular? From the Bee Network to his “...

Has Keir Starmer developed a credibility problem with the public? As frustration grows across the country and speculation intensifies over divisions inside Labour, is there actually a real appetite for a leadership challenge right now? And if change did happen, would any alternative genuinely connect better with voters, or risk making things worse? Plus, the rumours and rising political pressure s...

Keir Starmer came into office promising a clean break. An end to the chaos, the incompetence, and the slow decay that’s defined British politics since 2016. But the sense of political rot hasn’t gone away. Public trust is still shattered, institutions are fragile, and voters across the spectrum are more cynical than ever. So what went wrong? Why hasn’t Starmer managed to turn things and now as he...

The tide appears to have turned on Kier Starmer with reports that 81 Labour MPs want him to stand down. But Starmer says he won't go down without a leadership challenge. So, what’s actually gone wrong? And if Labour did move on from him, who could realistically step up and change the party’s direction? Plus, Zack Polanski admits he made a mistake after failing to pay council tax, adding to a diffi...

Keir Starmer is under pressure after Labour’s bruising losses last week. In an impassioned defence of his leadership, Starmer insisted he is “not going anywhere,” warning Labour MPs that changing leader wouldn’t solve the party’s problems. He also laid out priorities including closer ties with Europe, taking control of British Steel in the national interest, and renewed support for working people...

Britain’s political map is shifting, and Labour is feeling the backlash. The party has lost many council seats across the country, even in traditional strongholds. With gains for Reform and The Green Party, a big question looms: was Labour wrong to tact to the right, or is something deeper reshaping politics? Who’s gaining momentum, who’s on the back foot, and what do these first signals tell us a...

It started as a job interview, and ended as live TV history. Congolese finance graduate Guy Goma was mistakenly pulled into a BBC interview and thrust on air as a tech expert. What followed was panic, confusion, and accidental viral fame that still echoes 20 years later. Guy joins James in the studio to relive the moment that turned him into an internet legend. Plus, a Sainsbury’s worker has been...

Oil is spiking, ships are stranded, and the world’s most critical shipping lane is on edge. Now, President Trump says a peace deal with Iran is within reach. But is this real diplomacy, or just a pause before the next escalation, and who really wins if a deal happens? And, who is Zack Polanski really? The Green Party leader has quickly risen into the spotlight and is in the headlines for a second...

Why isn’t this front-page news? Nigel Farage reportedly pocketed £5 million from a billionaire donor before becoming an MP, and yet the story has barely made a ripple. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East are escalating. Iran warns “we are just getting started” after attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, putting global security on edge. And back home, a major crackdown on antisemitism is underway. Un...

As it's a Bank Holiday Monday, we wanted to give you a dose of James O'Brien still - so here's a special Mystery Hour where he's discussing all about bread...as you were. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every weekday on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Met police defend the “extraordinary” response in the Golders Green terrorist attack after fierce backlash to Zack Polanski’s post accusing officers of violence. Was this a reckless misstep or a justified call for scrutiny? James breaks down the fallout as the stabbing suspect appears in court. Plus, Police review London pro-Palestine marches amid rising terror concerns, reigniting heated debate....

Yesterday’s antisemitic attack in Golders Green has shaken London’s Jewish community, prompting urgent calls for “more protection.” But with little agreement on what that actually means in practice, the tragedy is already being pulled into political point-scoring. And, just a week after warnings about the dangers of cryptocurrency money flowing into politics, explosive revelations have emerged abo...

A targeted stabbing in Golders Green has sent shockwaves through the Jewish community, with Keir Starmer calling it “deeply concerning” as counter terrorism steps in. Fears are growing over rising antisemitic attacks, online radicalisation, and the dangerous blurring of lines between political rhetoric and real-world violence. Plus, The King’s US Speech lays out a vision of unity, diversity, and s...

The King has met Trump with a message: Britain and America willl always find common ground. But why now? And what does Keir Starmer really wants out of this high-stakes moment on the world stage? And, former Foreign Office chief says there was “absolutely” pressure to rush vetting. Meanwhile, criticism mounts over Mandelson’s ambassador appointment called a “serious error of judgement.” Plus, Rach...

King Charles embarked today on his US state visit to the White House, despite gunshots being fired at a dinner attended by Donald Trump on Saturday night. Assassination attempts aside, what’s the best and worst case scenarios for his time spent with the US President? And, over the past decade, healthy life expectancy in the UK has dropped by around two years to just under 61. Why the UK? Why the l...

A proposed law to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales will run out of time on Friday, almost 17 months after MPs first voted in favour of it…although the their may be another attempt to get the bill through in the next session of Parliament. James’ callers candidly share their experiences, and whether people should, under certain circumstances, be allowed to end their life. And, James bel...

James unpacks growing doubts over the future of the UK-US “special relationship”, after stark warnings from former NATO figures were met by firm reassurances from the American ambassador. Is the alliance over? If so, how should Britain respond? Then, as social media executives deny their platforms are inherently addictive to children, the callers share whether social media mirrors more traditional...

Considering how the Peter Mandelson scandal has been dealt with over the last few days, is Sir Keir Starmer actually up to the job of Prime Minister? And, half of young people have said they would categorically never fight for Britain, according to the Youth Poll. If that's you - why? This episode was recorded on the 22nd of April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Today, former Foreign Office official, Olly Robbins, sacked by Sir Keir Starmer for not disclosing Lord Mandelson’s vetting failure, told the Foreign Affairs Select Committee that No 10 had a "dismissive" approach to Mandelson's vetting - Downing Street denies this. James is joined by LBC’s Political Editor, Natasha Clark, to break down the 2.5 hours of evidence provided by Robbins, and asks the l...

With Keir Starmer facing MPs in the Commons over the Peter Mandelson scandal, James asks how serious the mounting pressure really is - and what today’s showdown could mean for his leadership. And, as three very different columnists separately conclude that Donald Trump has “gone mad”, what evidence do you see of mental decline? This episode was recorded on the 20th of April. Catch James O'Brien we...

The Foreign Office's most senior civil servant has been effectively sacked by the Prime Minister, who claims the office failed to inform him that Peter Mandleson had failed his security vetting for the role of US ambassador. Does is even matter whether Starmer knew or not - and should he go? This episode was recorded on the 17th of April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.