Craft Politics

This week, we crack open a UK import—Hawkstone Lager from Jeremy Clarkson’s farm—and break down Canada’s biggest defence spending announcement in decades. PM Mark Carney has committed to meeting NATO’s 2% target this year, nearly a decade ahead of Trudeau’s original pledge. That’s over $9 billion in new spending—including raises for CAF members, $2B in military aid to Ukraine, and major procuremen...

With Chris Spoke, developer and host of the Hogtown podcast Every party says they want to fix the housing crisis. But on the ground, very little changes. Why? This week on Craft Politics, we go deep with Chris Spoke—Toronto-based developer, housing policy advocate, and host of the Hogtown podcast. Chris isn’t just talking about the housing crisis. He’s trying to build through it. In this episode:...

With Karen Stintz, former Toronto city councillor and 2025 federal candidate What happens when Conservatives run a strong urban campaign, knock on thousands of doors, and still fall short by 1.4%? This week on Craft Politics, we sit down with Karen Stintz, a political veteran who nearly flipped Eglinton–Lawrence, one of the toughest ridings in the country for Conservatives to crack. She brings the...

This week on Craft Politics, we untangle the landmark UK–EU trade and defense deal that’s being hyped as the biggest reset since Brexit. But is it a meaningful shift—or just another half-step wrapped in headlines? To sort it all out, we’re joined by our colleague Christine Quigley, a seasoned political strategist and proud Remainer, who brings sharp insight and sharper opinions. Together with Andr...

With Ben Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley and Member of the House of Lords British politics just had its vibe checked—and the result? Reform UK is on the rise, the Tories are reeling, and Labour can’t seem to land a punch. So we called in one of the few Conservatives still winning elections to help us make sense of it all: Ben Houchen, the three-time elected Mayor of Tees Valley and a straight-talker...

After losing a chunk of our life to technical issues trying to interview our Australian colleagues, we gave up and came at you with a cheeky half from a suspicious hotel room. We cover: 1. Carney White House Visit 2. UK/India Trade Deal 3. UK Local Elections And on tap, we enjoy a Boréale IPA du Nord-Est with Krush Hops

In this deep-dive episode, we welcome The Hub’s Sean Speer for a sweeping post-election conversation that looks well beyond the seat count. Together, we unpack what the results signal about Canada’s shifting political map—and the governing challenges that come next. We cover: Why Canada may be settling into a two-party system—and what that means for the NDP and voter coalitions The trap of 42%: Wh...

Andrew and Joseph unpack the early takeaways from Canada’s federal vote—before the full dust settles. With Dead Frog and Backcountry brews in hand, we reflect on what just happened, what didn’t happen, and what we got wrong. We tackle: Why the Liberals’ minority win is both change and more of the same How early voting and older demographics gave the Liberals their edge The collapse of the NDP and...

We sit down with veteran strategist Mike McDonald for a sharp, beer-fueled breakdown of the federal campaign—with a special focus on British Columbia. We start with a big-picture analysis of the national race: Is this election a true battle of leadership vibes? Has Mark Carney neutralized the ideological contrast with Poilievre by simply being less of a liability? And why does the rise in advance...

We have a chat with Cheryl Oates about the current state of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in Canada, exploring how the NDP got to single digit support in the polls, and what it takes to turn things around. But don't lose hope progressives, Cheryl explains how the NDP may still outperform expectations! We also explore the political landscape in Alberta, comparisons with UK politics, and broader ge...

We invite fan favourite Janice Stein back to the show with Farhaan Ladhani to talk about foreign interference in Canadian elections. What is it, exactly? What implications does it have for voters? What impact does it have on the spread of polarized political views? Andrew and Joseph also touch on global economic concerns and the rising sentiment of Western separatism in Canada. This week's beer? O...

Former Cabinet Minister James Moore joins us to assess the state of the federal election, and the contrasting leadership styles of Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre. Chapters 00:00 Beers, Banter, and Things to Watch 21:00 Interview with James Moore 27:01 The Current Political Landscape 30:03 The Two-Horse Race: Carney vs. Poilievre 32:49 The Impact of Historical Context on Current Politics 36:06 Th...

Election time! In this cheeky half we take stock of the Canadian federal campaign in its nascent stage with an eye to what it takes to change the frame, and if Canada's third party, the NDP, have any hope. Plus, we talk top secret chats on Signal and why the local election in the UK matter as a reflection of national sentiments. Chapters 00:00 Beer Talk 01:57 Canadian Federal Election 04:48 Pollin...

Our first mailbag segment! Plus, we discuss the current political landscape in Canada, focusing on polling trends, the impact of Mark Carney's leadership, and strategies for the Conservative Party.

We welcome our first Liberal on the show! Dan Arnold joins us to analyze the Liberal leadership race in Canada. We analyze the performances of key candidates, particularly Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland, and explore the impact of Donald Trump on the ballot question. We also geek out on the strategies employed by Carney's campaign, the public's perception of him, and the expectations surrounding...

Percy and Joseph get really ranty in this cheeky half episode as they dig into the current political climate, focusing on the implications of Trump's leadership on global affairs, the future of NATO, and the responses from various political leaders. They reflect on the state of democracy and the challenges facing Western alliances, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of diplomatic strategies i...

Andrew Percy and Simon Hart discuss the complexities of political leadership within the UK Conservative Party, particularly during tumultuous times. They delve into Simon's new book 'Ungovernable', which reflects on the challenges faced by the party from 2019 to 2024, including leadership changes, public perception, and the impact of social media. The discussion highlights the cyclical nature of p...

In this episode, Joseph and Percy speak with James Wharton, former MP for Stockton South and ex-Minister for the Northern Powerhouse, to discuss the current state of British politics. Topics include the Conservative Party’s identity crisis, the rise of Reform UK, Labour's challenges, and the future of Brexit. James also dives into the potential impact of Trump’s second presidency on the UK-US rela...

In this conversation, the Andrew Percy and Joseph Lavoie discuss the current political landscape in Canada, focusing on the implications of recent polling data, the impact of Pierre Poilievre's rally, and the shifting dynamics within the Conservative and Liberal parties. We explore the methodologies behind polling, the significance of leadership changes, and the economic factors influencing voter...

In this conversation, Joseph Lavoie, Andrew Percy, and Ginny Roth discuss the current state of the Conservative movement in Canada, focusing on Pierre Poilievre's leadership, polling dynamics, and the coalition of voters supporting him. They explore the challenges Poilievre faces, including the influence of Trump, the balance between cultural conservatism and economic policies, and the future of t...

Andrew Percy and Joseph Lavoie welcome Janice Gross Stein on to the show to analyze the recent imposition of tariffs by Trump on Canada and Mexico. We explore the implications for trade relations, national identity, and the economic landscape. We analyze the Canadian response, the nature of economic warfare, and the challenges posed by globalization and technological advancements. Chapters00:00 In...

On this episode of Craft Politics, we dive into the latest political and economic developments with a focus on Donald Trump's impact. Join Joseph Lavoie and Andrew Percy as they discuss DeepSeek's rise in the AI sector and its implications for U.S. tech stocks, Trump's provocative stance on Greenland, and the looming threat of tariffs on Canadian imports. We also explore the broader geopolitical l...

On this episode of Craft Politics, The Cheeky Half, Joseph Lavoie and Andrew Percy chat about Donald Trump's inauguration over a beer. Join us for an insightful conversation about this historic event.‪ @CraftPolitics‬ Follow us @CraftPolitics on Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Welcome to the first-ever episode of Craft Politics! Hosts Joseph Lavoie and Andrew Percy are here to bring you a blend of politics, business, and craft beer analysis. This week, they kick things off by diving into the big headlines: Justin Trudeau’s resignation and what it means for governance and business in Canada, plus the latest drama from Meta—shutting down its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusi...