Take Me Home

Hilary Salt and Sebastian Moore explore the current political landscape in the UK and ask whether social democracy is needed now more than ever. Each week, they will look at important stories, attempt to offer solutions to the many crises, and share their suggestions for books, films, and events that have impacted their lives. Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.uk hilary.salt@s...

As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, what does the Fourth of July actually mean, and what does it tell us about the state of the USA today? In this episode of Take Me Home, Sebastian Moore and Hilary Salt are joined by Dr Cheryl Hudson, lecturer in US political history at the University of Liverpool, to explore the origins of the Declaration of Independen...

Hilary Salt and Sebastian Moore explore the current political landscape in the UK and ask whether social democracy is needed now more than ever. Each week, they will look at important stories, attempt to offer solutions to the many crises, and share their suggestions for books, films, and events that have impacted their lives. Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.uk hilary.salt@s...

Sebastian and Hilary are joined by sociologist and author Frank Furedi to discuss his book In Defence of Populism. They explore what populism actually means, why it is so often misunderstood, and how it relates to democracy, identity, and representation. The conversation also touches on elite culture, education, and the growing sense that many people feel politically unheard. Recommendations: In D...

Hilary Salt and Sebastian Moore explore the current political landscape in the UK and ask whether social democracy is needed now more than ever. Each week, they will look at important stories, attempt to offer solutions to the many crises, and share their suggestions for books, films, and events that have impacted their lives. Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.uk hilary.salt@s...

The World Cup is just days away, and this week, Sebastian asks whether the tournament is exposing some uncomfortable truths about modern America. From eye-watering ticket prices and transport costs to the controversy surrounding New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, he explores the online clash between European and American approaches to cities, transport, and public spaces. Hilary turns her attention...

HS2 was supposed to transform Britain's rail network. Instead, it has become a symbol of delay, spiralling costs, and a state that struggles to deliver major projects. In this episode, Sebastian and Hilary examine what went wrong with HS2, from its original vision to its current reality. They discuss why infrastructure projects cost so much in Britain, whether the country can still build ambitious...

Hilary Salt and Sebastian Moore explore the current political landscape in the UK and ask whether social democracy is needed now more than ever. Each week, they will look at important stories, attempt to offer solutions to the many crises, and share their suggestions for books, films, and events that have impacted their lives. Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.uk hilary.salt@s...

Hilary Salt and Sebastian Moore explore the current political landscape in the UK and ask whether social democracy is needed now more than ever. Each week, they will look at important stories, attempt to offer solutions to the many crises, and share their suggestions for books, films, and events that have impacted their lives.

Hilary and Sebastian explore the rise of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) and whether banning everyday behaviours undermines community responsibility, before diving into the pros and cons of citizens’ assemblies and their role in modern politics. Recommendations: The End of Politicians - Brett Hennig Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.uk hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk sebastian....

Hilary and Sebastian discuss the Green Party's attempt to soften their controversial policies and Reform’s “vibes over detail” approach. What are voters really responding to on the doorstep? How can parties adapt as they chase mainstream appeal? They also take a serious look at maternity care in the UK, breaking down the causes behind maternal deaths and what needs to change to improve outcomes. R...

In this episode of Take Me Home, Sebastian and Hilary discuss whether trade union power is really making a comeback or if today’s headlines are misleading. They explore the shift from collective action to individual rights and what that means for workers and businesses. Plus, a debate on free speech and state power following the UK’s decision to deny Kanye West a visa. Check out the SDP website or...

With Dr Ken McLaughlin, Hilary and Sebastian unpack how social forces shape mental health, from race and diagnosis to medicalising everyday life, and the trade-off between liberty and intervention. Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.uk hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk Recommendations: Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad I Swear (dir. Kirk Jones) John's Not Ma...

After Denby announced there is a risk of the British company collapsing, Sebastian suggests ways we might reinvent our manufacturing sector. Hilary looks at the recent inflation figures. The way they are measured tells us something interesting about our changing society. Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.uk hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Hilary and Sebastian are joined by Jacob Reynolds, policy director at MCC Brussels who attempts to answer the question of what role sovereignty will play in a new political settlement. Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.uk hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk Recommendations: Vassal State - Angus Hanton MCC Brussels Podcast The Academy Summer Camp Living Freedom Su...

In this episode of Take Me Home, Sebastian Moore and Hilary Salt discuss two major issues shaping politics today. First, they examine the escalating conflict involving Iran, the geopolitical importance of the Strait of Hormuz, and what the situation means for global energy supplies and Britain’s national interest. They debate whether the UK should support intervention abroad or focus on a more cau...

Hilary and Sebastian talk to author Dolan Cummings about what belonging means in the UK in 2026. What does the Raise the flag movement signify and can we talk about faith, flag, and family without veering into fascism? In a welcome return to Culture Club, Gilbert and Sullivan make a repeat appearance and we hear a poem from a 12th century monk. Dolan’s substack: https://dolancummings.substack.com/...

Hilary Salt and Sebastian Moore explore the current political landscape in the UK and ask whether social democracy is needed now more than ever. Each week, they will look at important stories, attempt to offer solutions to the many crises, and share their suggestions for books, films, and events that have impacted their lives. Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.uk hilary.salt@s...

Hilary Salt and Sebastian Moore explore the current political landscape in the UK and ask whether social democracy is needed now more than ever. Each week, they will look at important stories, attempt to offer solutions to the many crises, and share their suggestions for books, films, and events that have impacted their lives. Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.ukhilary.salt@sd...

In a special Christmas edition of Take Me Home, Hilary and Sebastian hand out their own awards for the best politician, the best speech and many others. Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk

Sebastian and Hilary talk with Dr Richard Johnson about his new YouGov poll on sovereignty — and what it really tells us about Brexit. Richard explains why public frustration isn’t about wanting to rejoin the EU, but about the UK failing to use the powers Brexit returned. They explore the 20 policy areas tested, the strong cross-party support for national decision-making, and why labels like “leav...

In this episode of Take Me Home, Sebastian Moore and Hillary Salt are joined by Ed Rennie, co-founder of Climate Debate UK, to explore climate change, energy policy, and the politics surrounding both. Ed unpacks the complexities of climate science, separating evidence from opinion, and examines the nuances within IPCC reports, including areas of consensus and ongoing debate. He critiques alarmist...

In this episode of Take Me Home, Hilary and Sebastian speak with international relations lecturer Tara McCormack about Britain’s foreign policy since 1945. They explore how the “special relationship” with the United States has shaped Britain’s global role, why foreign policy has remained outside democratic control, and what a more independent approach might look like. Get in touch:sdp.org.ukhilary...

Hilary and Sebastian are joined by veteran Labour MP Graham Stringer. Graham has represented the Blackley area in North Manchester since 1997, and before that led Manchester city council. He has a reputation for being straight-talking and independent, especially on issues such as Brexit and climate change. Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Sebastian gives an update on the new towns proposed by the Labour government. Will they be nice places where people want to live? Hilary questions the current way of assessing the amount of council tax people pay and explains what the government is doing to fix it. Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk