The Progressive Britain Podcast

Conor Pope and Matthew Doyle go through the likely amendments for the return of the big Brexit vote next week, as well as the proposed partnership between Northern Ireland’s SDLP and the Republic of Ireland’s Fianna Fail, and the early frontrunners in the race for the Democratic presidential nominee in America. Further reading: * Explained: All the ‘plan B’ Brexit amendments MPs could get a vote o...

What does Keir Starmer’s speech mean for Labour’s Brexit position? Does Theresa May secretly want no deal to be blocked? And what will parliament do for the next week before the big Brexit vote? Conor Pope, Alison McGovern and Stephanie Lloyd discuss, while Jess Phillips explains why the Brexit conversation needs to be taken out of Westminster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...

Theresa May suffered the biggest government defeat of all time, then her Tory backbenchers kept her in office – while the campaign for Labour to lead a pro-European referendum campaign steps up a gear. Conor Pope discusses what next for Brexit with Alison McGovern, Stephanie Lloyd and guest Alastair Campbell. ALSO: Find out what happened when Alison and Alastair had a run-in with Boris Johnson on...

Alison McGovern and Stephanie Lloyd reveal how the night of Theresa May’s big vote will unfold, while Conor Pope speaks to Hope Not Hate’s Matthew McGregor about the growing harassment outside parliament by a small cabal of rightwing thugs – does this relate to wider growth of a far right ecosystem? Further reading: * Support the Hope Not Hate Action Fund * Who are ‘they’? Rosie Carter on how a ba...

Next week sees Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement finally come before the House of Commons. With the government already suffering two Brexit defeats this week, it is unlikely to pass – but what will Labour’s response be? Conor Pope and Stephanie Lloyd discuss which way things are likely to go, and how much time there is to call a general election. Further reading: * Theresa May calls the unions *...

This week, MPs return to parliament ahead of next week's big vote on Theresa May's withdrawal agreement. Initially scheduled for last month, the vote was postponed under concern that it would fail to pass.  But is the agreement any different now? Have any MPs changed their mind? And what role will Labour members now play in shaping the course of Brexit. Stephanie Lloyd and Alison McGovern dis...

Conor Pope and Stephanie Lloyd look at the political cynicism the Tories have approached the recent refugee story with, and discuss what the implications of the latest polling of Labour members might be. Further reading: * Sign up to the LabourSay WhatsApp * Corbyn rejects Labour members’ calls for a second EU vote * Politicians could ease refugee suffering, but instead they stoke fear Hosted on A...

Conor Pope, Alison McGovern and Stephanie Lloyd discuss some of the progressive successes of 2018. Further reading: * 209 Women exhibition free tickets * 209 Women project – see some of the pictures * Conor Pope: LabourSay – on the winning side Further listening: * Parenting and politics with Darren Jones * Seni’s Law, with Steve Reed * Labour’s antisemitism problem, with Marlon Solomon * Repealin...

Alison McGovern and Stella Creasy go head-to-head in the Progressive Britain quiz of 2018 – including Ukip leaders, reality television and who will replace Theresa May in 2019. Further watching: * Jonathan Dimbleby Show debate on Europe, 1996 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conor Pope and Matthew Doyle discuss whether Theresa May’s new deadline is really a new deadline, what happened with the no confidence vote that wasn’t, and whether parliament should be forced to sit over Christmas. Further reading: * Donate to Streetlink in memory of Gyula Remes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could we still see a parliamentary vote on Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement before Christmas? Is there any way the 29 March deadline can be done about? And why are these still unanswered questions?  Conor Pope discusses that with Alison McGovern and Stephanie Lloyd, while Stefan Rollnick interviews journalist Luke Lythgoe from InFacts. Further reading: * Luke Lythgoe: Good luck ‘manging’ no...

Conor Pope, Alison McGovern and Phil Wilson discuss the lack of a withdrawal agreement, Theresa May’s precarious leadership and why being a north east MP doesn’t mean being pro-Brexit. Further reading: * Conor Pope on why now is the time for a no confidence vote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So that's it. Theresa May realised she was about to lose the meaningful vote, and she's responded by trying to take her ball home. Steph and Alison catch up about what's going to happen next – could Boris Johnson's haircut hold the answer? (Answer: maybe.) Also on the pod, Alison chats to Rachel Reeves MP – chair of the business select committee – to talk about the economic outlook for the UK in t...

Just when you think it couldn't get any worse for Theresa May's government, they are now not only incompetent at governing, but in contempt of parliament. This week on the extra show Progress deputy director Stephanie Lloyd is joined by Matthew Doyle to talk about whether Geoffrey Cox will be sent to the Tower of London, May's mathematical mistakes and how parliament can use their newfound control...

With the House of Commons poised to hear the Government's legal advice, Stephanie Lloyd and Progress Chair Alison McGovern MP discuss the ongoing Brexit mayhem and explore what it all might mean for our economy. Further reading: * The Institute for Government: understanding the economic impact of Brexit * Alison McGovern: Our last chance to tell the truth about the economics of Brexit Hosted on Ac...

John McDonnell has said that a People’s Vote could be “inevitable” – what has brought about this new positioning? Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May have agreed to debates, but won’t agree what kind of debate – how will that end? And warnings that a no deal Brexit could in fact be bad for the economy have brought back accusations of “project fear”. Conor Pope and Stephanie Lloyd go through the big topi...

How do we ‘combat extremism’? Radicalisation is an extremely complex issue, and its manifestations are rapidly changing. Conor Pope and Alison McGovern are joined by Lara Frumkin, senior lecturer in psychology at the Open University, who researches the psychology behind radicalisation. Further reading: * Alison McGovern: This much-needed fund will let Jo Cox’s ideas and values shine on * Hope Not...

Conor Pope and Stephanie Lloyd discuss the latest from the Brexit saga, including Theresa May’s Commons statement, how her leadership limps on, and the ingenious play to save her deal by, er, tanking the economy. Further reading: * MPs told off for playing football in Commons chamber Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A prime minister on the brink, a cabinet in revolt, a Brexit deal in tatters, and no clear plan to guide us out of this mess. Conor Pope, Alison McGovern and Stephanie Lloyd discuss how the Conservatives have made a mess of their own internal division, and what the withdrawal agreement would really mean for Britain. Further reading: * What would happen if Jacob Rees-Mogg became PM? * Editorial: Th...

Richard Angell is joined by Alison McGovern and former political secretary to Neil Kinnock, Neil Stewart to discuss May’s Brexit deal and where we go from here. Further reading: * This month’s Progress editorial – This isn’t what anyone voted for * Matthew Doyle on the politics of a People’s Vote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political anoraks in this country are fascinated by the extra pizzazz of American politics. Last week saw number of UK-based US experts skyrocket for the midterm elections. But who can you really trust on this stuff? And what was the real story in the results? Matthew Doyle is on hand to explain. Meanwhile, Alison McGovern discusses the refugee crisis following her trip to Lebanon, where over a mi...

Conor Pope and Stephanie Lloyd discuss the overlooked good news from this week’s US elections, as well as what different responses to the budget tell us about Labour’s new approach. Further reading: * Afzal Khan on the boundary review * Mary Creagh on strong men leaders * Conor Pope on Labour’s budget response Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Labour losing its traditional support? If so, what can be done. Stephen Kinnock and Joe Jervis believe that what, ‘many people in Labour are failing to see is so many Communtarian values are traditional Labour values’. They explain the thinking outlined in their latest book Spirit of Britain, Purpose of Labour and the ‘six shifts’ the party needs! Further reading: * Download the Spirt of Britai...

Conor Pope and Alison McGovern look at what the budget really means, including universal credit, how austerity would end, and those controversial tax cuts. Further reading: * Budget preview – Alison McGovern’s 10 things to watch out for Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How should the Windrush scandal change the way we talk about immigration and citizenship? Has Donald Trump emboldened racism in the UK? And would a People’s Vote see a resurgence of the far right? Conor Pope, Henna Shah and David Lammy discuss in this episode to mark Black History Month 2018. Further reading: * David Lammy: The economic and social grievances that led to Brexit were not caused by t...