The Convince Me Podcast

In this week’s episode, we put two very different figures side-by-side: Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski. From economic stagnation to the cost of living, immigration, public services and the climate crisis, we break down how each of them diagnoses Britain’s most pressing problems and what they claim they’d do to fix them. Are the country’s challenges the result of too much state interference, high t...

In this week’s episode, we dive into the choppy waters of the UK economy as Rachel Reeves prepares for her next budget. Using the metaphor of the British economy as a sinking ship, we explore two competing theories about why it’s taking on water and what options the Chancellor really has to stop us from sinking. Is the problem that the rowers are overworked and overtaxed, and the engine is jammed...

In this week's episode, we've gone digital, to discuss the upcoming introduction by Keir Starmer and the Labour party of Digital ID cards.  A force for good, or the root of all evil?  Keeping the nation safe, or keeping the nation under watch? Let's find out... Plus we'll revisit last week's episode on Immigration, to find out just how many benefit claims are being made by non-...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Convince Me Podcast! We are in our brand new studio and have switched up the format of our episodes a little bit to make sure we are bringing you the best content that we can. In this episode, we look into the heavily debated topic of immigration and break it down into six sections: hotels, NHS, benefits, crime, legal vs illegal migration and party policies. We look at s...

In this week’s episode, we dive into the breaking political news surrounding Angela Rayner’s resignation from the cabinet after a scandal over stamp duty. What does this mean for the Labour Party and how will it impact Westminster politics ahead of the next election? We explore the timeline of the stamp duty controversy, the fallout within the party and what Rayner’s departure says about leadershi...

This week we wonder whether it would be a good idea to increase the drinking age for men only to 21.  In Front Page Face Off, we expose, and maybe not for the first time, the utter hypocrisy of a very senior politician. And Nige opens up the doors to the Rant Room, where he nearly loses his usual laid back (lazy) demeanour when talking about the Daily Telegraph. We also welcome our special guest f...

Is the UK really holding Big Tech accountable—or just talking tough while tech giants run the show? In this episode, we dive into the state of tech regulation in Britain, from the Online Safety Act to the Competition and Markets Authority’s scrutiny of digital monopolies. Are these measures bold enough to protect consumers, ensure fair competition and rein in the power of global tech giants or are...

This week we consider whether we should be made to vote in elections. As usual, we’ll look at both sides of the argument, so you can make a (relatively) well informed decision. In Front Page Face Off, we go back to the ‘B’ word, in an article from the Daily Telegraph that insists Brexit was a success. Plus we talk Mehdi Hasan on YouTube’s Jubilee. And Maya steps through to the Rant Room, does a fa...

In this episode, we dive into the debate around opinion polls. Are they an objective piece of information that politicians can use to better represent the public? Or are they able to manipulate results and people’s behaviour? Tune in to decide for yourself!  In this week’s Front Page Face-Off, we look at the lasting impact of Margaret Thatcher’s council housing giveaway and deregulation of the fin...

This week we look at the revolting state of our water in the UK, and question whether nationalisation of the industry is the answer.  In Front Page Face Off, we analyse an article that shows mortgages are becoming easier to attain, and whether that’s a good thing. And we open the doors of the Rant Room, where we discuss the slightly ridiculous defamation law suit being brought against Candace Owen...

In this episode, we dive into the debate around lowering the voting age. From the impact of young voices on democracy to the arguments about maturity and civic responsibility, we unpack why some believe it’s time to give teenagers a say—and why others aren’t convinced. Join us as we explore research, real-world examples, and perspectives from both sides of the aisle to answer one question: are we...

In this week’s episode, what we thought was going to be a gentle look at the BBC as a public service, turned out to be a little overheated… let’s blame it on the weather. Plus look out for this week’s special guest, ( a very much AI generated ), Boris Johnson. In Front Page Face Off, there were two articles that grabbed our attention, one to do with China and their green credentials, and another l...

In this episode, we tackle a heated question: Should the UK prioritise relations with the EU over the US? We break down the future of UK foreign policy, the lasting impact of Brexit, and what’s at stake in choosing between deeper ties with Europe or the United States. In this week’s Front Page Face-Off, we explore Nigel Farage’s new economic proposal: foreign residents would pay £250,000 upon arri...

This week, we leave UK politics in the rear view, and delve into a bit of pop culture. Anyone noticed how the price of concert tickets has been increasing to an almost unaffordable level (see Oasis, Taylor Swift etc)? Is this just the free market at work, or are we being ripped off?  In Front Page Face Off, we revisit a topic that is highly emotive, tragic and equally enraging. And finally, Nige o...

In this provocative episode, we ask a controversial question: Does the UK need more nuclear weapons? With rising global tensions, shifting alliances, and emerging nuclear powers, is Britain's current deterrent enough—or dangerously outdated? In front page face off, we look at the decriminalisation of cannabis - whether it will improve police-civilian relationships or turn London into a crime-r...

This week, Maya has a few camera issues (!), we introduce a new theme tune, and we talk U-Turns - does it show a government listening to the public, or is it just a lack of strategic direction? In Front Page Face Off, we discuss Nick, apparently not his real name, who has succumb to the manosphere so much that he does unspeakable things to a lamp post. And in TikTok Takedown, Maya discusses the si...

This week came as a bit of surprise as what seemed like an innocent debate about abolishing income tax, turned into a feisty family feud….. well, almost. In Front Page Face Off, we look at the real reasons why the Tory government gave up on their plans to make healthier foods cheaper for everyone, and also in another article, we ask whether political reporting and discussion is created with a defi...

In this week’s caffeine-induced episode, we would first like to apologise for the incessant drilling going on in Maya’s ‘recording studio’, hope it’s not too distracting. Today, we discuss Labour’s new immigration White Paper, is it a step in the right direction, or are they kneeling at the feet of Farage? In Front Page Faceoff, we bring up the cultural phenomenon that is celebrity court cases, in...

In this week's episode, we dive into a question that often gets overlooked: Do local elections in the UK actually make a difference? In light of the recent local elections, does Nigel Farage and Reform's success suggest a shift in public opinion or just a lucky coincidence? With turnout typically low and national politics dominating the headlines, it’s easy to assume local votes don’t carr...

In this week’s episode, we discuss whether MPs should be allowed to have side hustles second jobs, is it necessary given the potentially short lived career of MPs, or should they be fully focussed on the job at hand? In Front Page Faceoff, we talk anxious women, and why young people can’t be bothered to get out of bed unless you pay them well. Plus we open up the Rant Room, because this week there...

In this week’s episode, we talk about reducing everyone’s working week to 4 days. Sounds like a great idea? Well you better listen in.  In Front Page Faceoff, we talk about the right to vote at the age of 16 - are 16 yr olds only good for a bit of fun, or are they actually mature enough to take an interest in their political future?  And we open up the Rant Room, where we discuss the recent Suprem...

In this week’s episode, we don’t mention Gary Stevenson once (unbelievable) but we do talk ‘strike action’ in the midst of the Birmingham Bin Strikes, which see rats running riots on the streets of the city (maybe?). Are strikes effective? What have we learnt from the junior doctors strike, the nurses strike, the Royal Mail strikes, the RMT strikes, aside from the fact that there have been a lot o...

In this week’s episode, we take on the controversial subject of privatising the NHS (gasp!). As always, we try to avoid the drama as we present both sides of the issue, and suggest some reasons as to why this institution is so sacred among the British public.  In FrontPage FaceOff, we stay on topic and discuss the introduction of the NHS stamp by the Royal Mail, and another journalist is on a rant...

In this week’s episode, we get religious, kind of. Following the (right wing) media outburst last week when a Head Teacher at a primary school decided not to celebrate Easter, we decided to tackle the big question of whether Religious Education should be taught in schools at all. In Front Page Faceoff, we’ll look at the phenomenon of ‘news avoidance’, and the value of ‘Mickey Mouse’ degrees. We’ll...

Having recently watched the brilliant Adolescence on Netflix, we decided to look at the pros and cons of banning social media for under 16s. Would this help to tackle the mental health crisis among 16-24 year olds, where there has been a noticeable increase in anxiety, depression, eating disorders etc? And what should we class as Social Media - TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat are the obvious ones, but...