James O'Brien Daily

As Britain braces for another record-breaking June scorcher, James O’Brien asks the question beyond the weather forecast: what are we actually going to do about extreme heat becoming the new normal? Then, with Andy Burnham reportedly looking to move part of Number 10’s operation to Manchester, James turns to a thorny political and cultural question: does it matter if the next Prime Minister has a...

The UK is experiencing another red weather warning heatwave this week. So why, even as temperatures soar and climate warnings become impossible to ignore, don't we feel the urgency? And, on the 10th anniversary of Brexit, James O’Brien asks the question that still matters most: who was most responsible for it? From David Cameron and Boris Johnson to the media, Jeremy Corbyn and beyond, James and h...

James reacts to the resignation of Keir Starmer and asks the question now hanging over British politics: should Labour move fast to "crown" Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, or does the party need a proper contest? This episode was recorded on the 23rd of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscri...

Keir Starmer is out. James reflects on where it all went wrong, why his premiership became so brittle, and whether Britain may come to regret forcing him out. With Andy Burnham moving quickly to the front of the pack, the conversation turns to what comes next for Labour - and whether a new leader can succeed where Starmer could not. Later, in honour of Windrush Day, James speaks to Justice4Windrus...

James reacts to the political shockwaves from Makerfield, where Andy Burnham’s victory piles huge pressure on Keir Starmer and raises the question that now feels unavoidable: should he fight on, or step aside? This episode was recorded on the 19th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe...

Following the England men’s squad triumphant defeat of Croatia in their first game of the World Cup, James discusses that fact that, win or lose, it's inevitable that our black players will have to deal with racism both on, and off thew pitch. So damaging is the online racism that our players receive, England manager Thomas Tuchel has said it’d be better for players to stay off social media entire...

James asks if Starmer is really failing, or whether a culture of online conspiracy, media distortion and political chaos is shaping how the country sees him. Do you want to see a leadership challenge? Then, James turns to the future king’s education, and what Eton represents in modern Britain: privilege, power, tradition, and the enduring grip of class. This episode was recorded on the 17th of Jun...

James examines the widespread conspiracy theory - spread by Russia - that the firebombing of a house owned by Sir Keir Starmer was carried out by disgruntled "rent-boys" that he had failed to pay. Why are so many of us willing to believe obvious nonsense? Then, James turns to the heartbreaking case of baby Preston Davey, exploring whether repeated warning signs were missed by professionals - or wh...

James welcomes Keir Starmer’s plan to ban under-16s from social media, calling it one of the boldest and most important decisions of his premiership. As James reflects on the damage these platforms can do - from addiction and anxiety to self-harm content and relentless bullying - callers share their own experiences of trying to protect children from an online world designed to keep them hooked. Th...

If Britain really faces a growing military threat, why has no one made the case clearly enough to the public? After the resignations of two defence ministers heap fresh pressure on Keir Starmer, James opens up a bigger, more serious conversation about national security, cyber warfare, Russia, NATO and whether the UK is truly prepared for what may be coming. If the danger is real, what exactly shou...

James opens the phones on the biggest event in world sport and asks two deceptively simple questions: why aren’t more of us excited, and why aren’t more fans going? From eye-watering prices and tournament overload to FIFA, Donald Trump and the politics surrounding this year’s competition, callers explain why even lifelong football lovers are struggling to feel the usual magic. This episode was rec...

James confronts the horror of anti-immigrant violence on UK streets after homes are attacked in Belfast, asking how crimes committed by individuals are being twisted into collective punishment against entire communities. He also turns to the role of Elon Musk, social media and far-right agitators in stoking hatred — and asks why this is being allowed to happen in plain sight. This episode was reco...

James asks a deeply uncomfortable question: is university still worth it? For generations, higher education was sold as the great route to opportunity, independence and a better life - but with soaring fees, huge debt and shrinking returns, James wonders whether that promise still holds true, or whether it now belongs to a different era. This episode was recorded on the 9th of June. James O'Brien...

James asks why politicians, including Keir Starmer, still seem so timid in tackling the harm social media can do to children. With callers from the tech world weighing in, he explores whether the safeguards already exist and why the biggest platforms so often fail to act. Later, he analyses an extraordinary interview between NBC's Kristen Welker and Donald Trump, which the president ended abruptly...

After misinformation spread on Twitter by Elon Musk and others about the police officers involved in the tragic murder of Henry Nowak, is it time the government, politicians and media companies come off the platform? In today's episode James takes passionate calls from the nation who give their verdict. And should we teach boys and girls differently in schools to help them reach their maximum pote...

Reflecting on the reaction to the killing of Henry Nowak, James examines how parts of the media and public life seize on race, policing and grievance - and asks what they really want when they sideline the truth. Later, he also speaks to Labour MP Jess Asato about taking legal action over the sexualised images of her created and published on X using the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, and what that s...

James contrasts the dignified plea from Henry’s father not to use his son’s death to fuel “division, hatred or tension” with Nigel Farage’s inflammatory intervention, asking why so many were willing to ignore the family and the judge’s remarks... and why in the world is Kemi Badenoch drawing comparisons with the racist killing of Stephen Lawrence? This episode was recorded on the 3rd of June. Jame...

James reflects on the killing of Henry Novak, the appalling police response in his final moments, and the anguish of a family now forced to watch their son’s death turned into a weapon of divison by Nigel Farage. James takes passionate contributions from listeners, including the former Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu. This episode was recorded on the 2nd of June. James O'Brien...

James unpacks the fallout around Nicola Sturgeon and asks the million dollar question: do you actually believe she knew nothing about her husband’s embezzlement of SNP funds? Later, the focus shifts to recent reports of NHS maternity care failures - from understaffed wards to traumatic postnatal experiences, callers share heartbreaking stories that reveal where the system is falling short. This ep...

James tries to make sense of a week in which the White House line on Iran seemed to change by the day: ceasefire, threats, victory, retaliation, then talk of a "deal". James asks how Donald Trump has taken us here. Later, James turns to figures showing tens of thousands of school suspensions in England linked to racist, homophobic and ableist abuse. Parents share heartbreaking accounts of what hap...

As new figures show more than a million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training, James opens the phones to hear from the people living it: young jobseekers, parents and employers. What actually happens to young people when they leave educattion and try to find work? Later, James speaks to Carol Vorderman after she called for an apology from Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon ov...

Tony Blair has stuck his neck back out, warning that Labour risks "relegating Britain" from the premier league of nations. Do you care what Tony Blair has to say any more? If you do, how do you explain the 180-degree change in his politics? And… is he right? And, as climate scientists sounded the alarm, the UK experienced its two hottest ever May days over the bank holiday weekend. The European he...

Today, top doctors warned that social media may be as harmful to young people as smoking — but what actually is the worst thing about it? Is it addiction, anxiety, misinformation, vanity, or something even harder to define? And after two boys avoided jail for rape because a judge feared prison would “damage” their futures, listeners try to make sense of a decision that has sparked outrage and conf...

Time for your bank holiday instalment of Mystery Hour, the game in which James invites his callers to ask and answer questions about absolutely anything. You are guaranteed to learn something new after listening to this (however please note James cannot guarantee the usefulness of any newly acquired knowledge). The James O'Brien Daily podcast is back from the 26th May.

Immigration is plummeting - so why is the right-wing press screaming about a "brain drain"? James unpacks the ONS figures the Mail and Telegraph don't want you to understand. Plus, the disturbing footage of Israel's Security Minister abusing detained British citizens — including a 72-year-old RAF veteran whose hands were tied around his neck. James asks: why did he film it, and why hasn't he been...