The Progressive Britain Podcast

Conor Pope speaks to Richard Angell, Henna Shah and Hope Not Hate’s Gurinder Singh Josan about how the far right diversified its tactics, the use of terror, the alliance of Ukip and Steve Bannon, and why we still have reason to hope. Further reading: * Inside Bannon’s plan to hijack Europe for the far-right * #FreeTommy – the making of a far-right English martyr  * If Farage returns to frontl...

Should Amazon run libraries? Conor Pope and Henna Shah discuss the social importance of shared spaces, and why the latest election is one worth participating in. Further reading: Why public libraries are still essential in 2018   How the digital skills divide must be stopped Centre-left NEC candidates: Luke Akehurst Lisa Banes Johanna Baxter Jasmin Beckett Eda Cazimoglu Gurinder Singh Josan M...

Jo Maugham talks to Conor Pope, Richard Angell and Henna Shah about his work at the Good Law Project, trying to enact progressive change through the courts – and how he might get a £1bn for the country’s coffers. Further reading: *Find out more about the Good Law Project here   * Uber challenges: how Labour can lead the debate on the gig economy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Conor Pope and Henna Shah discuss the latest general election that never was, Ian Paisley’s apology, and Labour’s antisemitism definition. Further reading: * Join the Jewish Labour Movement * Learn about the centre-left NEC candidates * Why this week makes a People’s Vote more likely Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The trials forcing voters to bring identification with them to polling stations could start reversing the rising turnout levels in British general elections. So what should we do about it? The Electoral Reform Society’s Darren Hughes speaks to Conor Pope, Alison McGovern and Henna Shah. Further reading: * UK’s voter ID trial in local elections could be illegal * ‘It’s a warning shot’: Experts say...

How should the last few days have played out for Theresa May? Can you remember exactly who has resigned? What does it all mean for Trump’s visit? And does the relative success of the England football team actually have a wider cultural impact on the country? Conor Pope and Sam Bright discuss a quiet week. Further reading: * Chris Leslie says this week has merely seen the deckchairs rearranged on H...

Following a dramatic day of resignations from the Tory frontbench, Alison McGovern joins Sam Bright and Stephanie Lloyd to discuss the fall out and what this means for Brexit. Further reading: * Sign up to the LabourSay. EU campaign * Chris Leslie MP on why today shows we need a People’s Vote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Angell and Stephanie Lloyd reflect on their different experiences of attending Pride marches all over the country ahead of London Pride this weekend, as well as discussing the issues from this week’s show. Hosted by Conor Pope Further reading: * We cannot be complacent in the campaign for LGBT rights, writes Richard Angell * Progress Pride reception celebrates England win Hosted on Acast....

Is pride a parade or a protest? What is PrEP, and what is the prejudice around it? Richard Angell and Katie Curtis talk to Peter Kyle MP, patron of LGBT Labour, and Greg Owen, founder of founder of  IwantPrEPnow.co.uk  and part of a recent BBC documentary about the availability of HIV drugs on the NHS. Future reading / viewing: * Trans Rights: The next frontier for equality –&n...

Conor Pope and Sam Bright look ahead to the 70th anniversary of the NHS, discuss why the health service is so important to British identity, and whether the sunshine makes people more politically active. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NHS celebrates its 70th anniversary next week. How has it changed, what has stayed the same, and what challenges does the service face for the next 70 years? Conor Pope, Richard Angell and Alison McGovern discuss that with Karin Smyth, a former NHS manager and MP for Bristol South.  Further reading: * Karin Smyth writes that social class persists as a key determinant for life expecta...

Why care means so much more than policy, when meaningful votes are not meaningful votes, when rebels are not rebellious, and supporting LabourSay. EU to give members a voice on Brexit. Conor Pope and Richard Angell discuss the week in British politics. Further reading: * Sign up to support LabourSay. EU here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The idea was missing from the founding of the welfare state, but how do we now build a care system fit for the 21st century? Alex Smith, founder of the Cares Family, and Mary Wimbury, chief executive of Care Forum Wales, join Richard Angell and Alison McGovern to discuss the future of care services. Further reading: * Alex Smith essay: What does it take to improve a place? * TUC’s Matt Dykes says...

Parliament’s big Brexit votes: what do they all mean? Conor Pope and Richard Angell look at the legislative repercussions versus the political repercussions, and discuss whether the lack of a Tory rebellion means single market membership is dead in the water. Further reading: *Sign up to the campaign to give Labour members a say on Brexit at LabourSay. EU * Progress editorial: How we pick apart th...

How big is this week in parliament? Bridget Phillipson joins Conor Pope, Alison McGovern and Richard Angell to chat about Brexit. In part one, they discuss the Tories' lack of trade plans, and how a Trump-Trudeau tariff war affects Theresa May. In part two, they focus on the EU Withdrawal bill, how the whips will act, and what all the amendments mean. Further reading: * Progress editorial: Th...

Barack Obama won re-election in 2012 on a message of hope – so how do we cultivate progressive messages for conservatives? Conor Pope, Stephanie Lloyd and Sam Bright discuss after chatting with Amelia Showalter, the Obama campaign's head of digital analytics, this week. We also find out what Progressive Britain listeners think of online voting. Further reading: * How we won the US 2012 election –...

Can new technology be harnessed to get more people involved in politics and our democratic process? And has the internet dragged political debate into the gutter? Conor Pope, Stephanie Lloyd and Sam Bright speak to Webroots Democracy's Areeq Chowdhury about how opening up our political system and regulating the online platforms could be the way forward. Further listening: * Progressive Britain LIV...

Conor Pope and Stephanie Lloyd look at populism in the news, Kardashians in the White House and women in the boardrooms. Further reading: * NEC candidates urge Labour to support equal marriage in Northern Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yascha Mounk speaks to Conor Pope, Alison McGovern and Richard Angell about why the number of democracies in the world is falling – and whether Trump, Brexit and populism spells the end for liberal democracies the world over. Further reading: * Claudia Chwalisz reviews Yascha Mounk’s The People vs Democracy for Progress   * How populist uprisings come bring about the end of liberal democracy...

Richard Angell speaks to activists supporting the Repeal the Eighth campaign in Ireland, and discusses the final days of the vote with Conor Pope and Stephanie Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of this week’s referendum in Ireland on whether to repeal the country’s anti-abortion legislation, Conor Pope, Alison McGovern and Stephanie Lloyd talk to writer and activist Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin about the campaign, as well as the effects of using referendums to determine social reform. Further reading: * Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin on why conservative messaging is key to the repeal campaign * C...

Conor Pope and Richard Angell reflect on Tessa Jowell’s contribution to centre-left politics, and look at Labour’s evolving position on the European Economic Area. Further reading: * Robert Philpot pays tribute to his old boss, Tessa Jowell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could Tory splits over the customs union give progressives the opportunity to set the agenda – and what would that look like? Conor Pope, Alison McGovern and Richard Angell discuss that – as well as the new LabourSay campaign to give members a say on Brexit at conference – with Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds. Further reading: *Sign up to the campaign to give Labour members a say on Brex...

Want Labour members to have a say on the party’s Brexit policy? Conor Pope and Stephanie Lloyd discuss Progress annual conference 2018 and the launch of the LabourSay campaign. Further reading: * Sign up for the campaign to give Labour members a say on Brexit at LabourSay. EU   * The crucible of our hope – Alison McGovern’s opening remarks to Progress annual conference   * The new route...

John O'Farrell talks to Alison McGovern and Conor Pope about decades of campaigning for the Labour party and his memoirs of being an activist, Things Can Only Get Better and his new book, Things Can Only Get Worse?. Further reading: * Buy Things Can Only Get Worse? here   * Sophie Francis-Cansfield reviews Things Can Only Get Worse? for Progress magazine   Hosted on Acast. See acast...