James O'Brien Daily

An internal Metropolitan police review has found the “racial harm” the force inflicts on black people is “institutionally defended”. Also, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned of a “rising tide” of “1970s and 1980s style racism” in the NHS and Britain more widely. What is the difference between racism and institutional racism? And, the parents of the three girls murdered by Axel Rudakubana ha...

Two prisoners were mistakenly released from Wandsworth Prison in the last week. William Smith handed himself back in to HMP Wandsworth today, while a manhunt is still underway for Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, an Algerian national who is a sex offender. How can this be happening? Also, 15 local areas have closed ADHD support waiting lists and another 31 that have introduced tighter criteria, making it mo...

Following the first review of the national curriculum in over a decade, children will be taught about budgeting, mortgages and how to spot fake news and AI generated content. Sounds dangerously useful. What do you wish you’d been taught in school, and how do you teach disinformation discernment? And, Zohran Mamdani is the new Mayor of New York City - the first South Asian and muslim person to be s...

Rachel Reeves has “no regrets” over potential breaches of Labour’s manifesto pledge not to raise certain taxes in the upcoming Budget… why has she only addressed this and the fallout from 14 years of Conservative austerity, Brexit and Covid-19 now? Also, experts have stated that women must be given clearer warnings on the potentially fatal dangers of giving birth at home. Is it selfish to demand a...

A “32 year old black British national” has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder following a knife attack on a train in Cambridgeshire on Saturday evening and a separate incident in London hours before.  Following new guidance, police are now being forced to disclose the ethnicity of suspects in response to a rise in far-right speculation on social media. Why do people want to know...

Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Andrew is to lose his prince title and will be leaving his Royal Lodge home in Windsor. What are the Royal Family for, what impact will Andrew have on the monarchy and why are we expected to bow for them? James is also joined by Emily Matlis, presenter of The News Agents podcast, whose 2019 interview with Andrew was a catalyst for his downfall. This epis...

Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed calls for an investigation into Chancellor Rachel Reeves after she apologised for breaking housing rules when renting out her family home… Is it just party politics driving this story or should she have known better?  Also, Hurricane Melissa has continued its devastating sweep across the Caribbean, leaving dozens dead. The storm was fuelled by warming oceans, wh...

Labour's Employment Rights Bill, which would protect workers against zero-hour contracts and unfair dismissals has been sent back to Commons after large defeats in the House of Lords. James digs into the details and asks why employers would vote against this. And, the Government is defending its plan to use military barracks to house asylum seekers, despite these looking set to cost more than the...

The Treasury is considering a “mansion-tax” for owners of higher-value properties to help pull the country out of its multi-billion pound hole. Is this fair? And, hundreds of asylum seekers could be housed in two military barracks as the government seeks to end the use of “asylum-hotels”. Is this good or bad politics from Sir Keir Starmer? This episode was recorded on the 28th of October. Catch Ja...

“It drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people”. Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s racist comments have even drawn widespread criticism - but many from her party refuse to label the comments as racist. How can we best discuss the increase of racism in our public discourse? And, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a former asylum seeker and convicted sex offender who was released fr...

With a potential tax rise on the horizon, James asked whether Rachel Reeves could handle the political and economic fallout. The UK currently relies on roughly 500,000 taxpayers for a third of all income and capital gains tax revenue, raising big questions about fairness, fiscal policy, and whether Labour risks breaking another key pledge if income tax increases. And, James turned to a stark new f...

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...