Socialist Think Tank Podcasts

Jon Trickett joins us to discuss the alternatives to a spring statement for the wealthiest for the wealthiest.

The Big Story is the Spring Statement.   Also discussed, Ukraine developments, the P&O neoliberal dream, Covid and the Royal backlash.

Now that the western world are paying attention, Socialist Think Tank discusses the refugee crisis and how humane policies would benefit us all.  With guests Mike Tapp, Julie Ward and Moses Chikwekwete Mbano.

The much anticipated return of host John D Clare!    Topics   Ukraine   Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs Cost of Living Crisis Rally P&O Ferries   Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

As the Saudi Monarchy performs mass executions and continues to attack Yemen with British support, Boris goes begging for oil. Why does Britain continue help Saudi create what the UN described as the worst humanitarian crisis in the 21st Century?    Other stories   Is press freedom under attack?  Ukraine update

Writer and producer, Ed Waugh, Unsung Hero, Jane Harker and director Russell Floyd join host Paul Daly to talk about their new play, "Wor Bella". Wor Bella is the brilliant story of heroic WWI Munitionettes who not only selflessly served the war effort on the home front from 1914 to 1918 but also played to raise money for charity.

Steve Topple guest presents as we discuss the frightening situation in Ukraine.

On the day after what would have been Harry Leslie Smith's 99th birthday we speak to NHS campaigners & Harry's son, John Smith, about the crisis facing the NHS after 11 years of underfunding. What would life without the NHS be like and what we can do to protect it?

THE BIG STORY  Unions condemn lifting restrictions and sick pay changes   OTHER STORIES    Banker Bonus Bonanza bumper profit for Lloyd's and Barclays with big bonus set to make a comeback.    Zimbabwe political activists arrested. Is this our future?    Storm Eunice is there a North South divide when it comes to weather?

What is happening in UK Education?  The right wing Govian agenda has caused lasing damage, yet still education is accused of being too left wing.   We speak to some education experts including President of the NEU, Daniel Kebede and General Secretary of the Socialist Educational association James Whiting about what we need to do for a better future in education.

Chantelle Lunt guest presents on the return of Political Unmuted   THE BIG STORY  Cressida Dick Resigns    OTHER stories   Cost of living crisis    Ukraine vs Russia   UCU University Strike

Everything is going up in the UK.   Food   Energy   National Insurance   Bills   Everything except for wages.  And, of courses, taxes on the rich.   James Meadway joins us to talk about the cost of living crisis

Dr Deepa Govindarajan Driver (@deepa_driver) from @socialistlawyer  joins us on the show to discuss Julian Assange

The Big Story   Emma Watson pro-Palestinian post sparks antisemitism row  Other questions:   Boris Johnson accused of corruption after ‘great exhibition’ text emerges    BLM protesters cleared over toppling of Edward Colston statue   Johnson hopes to ‘ride out’ Omicron but acknowledges parts of NHS may be overwhelmed

The Big Story : Julian Assange can be extradited to US to face espionage charges, court rules The Other Topics : Is the government doing enough to protect exploited minimum wage workers? That No.10 party – do we give a damn ?

We are joined by Cat Cray, activist in the RMT Union and the Assistant General Secretary of the RMT, Steve Hedley to talk about their actions, their solidarity and what makes a strike work!

The Big Story:    Covid Crisis and the NHS     The Other Topics:  1.       Labour’s main union backer says it will cut political funding  2.       Starmer’s reshuffle   3.       Family costs predicted to rise

The Big Story : · UK ministers urged to ‘stop playing politics’ over Channel crossings . ( 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) The Other Topics : 1. Speaker announces review on bringing babies into Commons . ( 2 ) 2. Priti Patel quietly adds further measures to the policing bill . ( 2 , 3 , 4 ) 3. New Covid variant . ( 2 , 3 … and 4 ).

The Big Story:  •       NHS is at breaking point and putting patients at high risk, bosses warn.     The Other Topics:  1.       ‘A betrayal of the north’: HS2 and levelling up  2.       The England social care cap: how will it work and is it fair?

Cop 26 has been a game of blame and broken promises. We discuss why capitalism can only deepen the climate crisis.   Other stories   Have we lost sight of the true meaning of Remembrance Day?   The Poland-Belarus border migrant crisis.

The Big Story is the Owen Paterson scandal    Other Topics   • Yorkshire Cricket Club racism scandal   • Bonfire Night: Should we ban noisy fireworks for our pets’ sake   • Charge … retreat!  Boris Johnson’s top U-turns in No 10

Aoife Mercedes Rodriguez-Uruchurtu, Carlos Tornel and  Liam Tuckwood join host Paul Daly to discuss why COP26 was a con and why capitalism will never solve the climate crisis.

The Big Story is the UK  Budget?    Other Stories  Was Angela Rayner right to back down on her ‘Tory Scum’ comment?   Spiking – a storm in a wine glass?    Israel bans six Palestinian NGOs – what can we do about Palestine?

The Big Story is the government's Net Zero by 2050 strategy   Other Topics:  With Covid running out of control, why are the Tories doing nothing?    Brace yourself for poverty: UK inflation rising as economy stutters

We are joined by John Smith and Cal Shaw to talk about how we treat refugees. Can we call ourselves humane when people fleeing for their lives are treated so badly?