Has Keir Starmer developed a credibility problem with the public? As frustration grows across the country and speculation intensifies over divisions inside Labour, is there actually a real appetite for a leadership challenge right now? And if change did happen, would any alternative genuinely connect better with voters, or risk making things worse? Plus, the rumours and rising political pressure surrounding Wes Streeting, and the bigger question hanging over the party: would a new leader steady ...
May 14, 2026•58 min•Ep. 335
Keir Starmer came into office promising a clean break. An end to the chaos, the incompetence, and the slow decay that’s defined British politics since 2016. But the sense of political rot hasn’t gone away. Public trust is still shattered, institutions are fragile, and voters across the spectrum are more cynical than ever. So what went wrong? Why hasn’t Starmer managed to turn things and now as he faces a leadership challenge, is it too late? And, the King’s Speech today set out the roadmap for t...
May 13, 2026•55 min•Ep. 334
The tide appears to have turned on Kier Starmer with reports that 81 Labour MPs want him to stand down. But Starmer says he won't go down without a leadership challenge. So, what’s actually gone wrong? And if Labour did move on from him, who could realistically step up and change the party’s direction? Plus, Zack Polanski admits he made a mistake after failing to pay council tax, adding to a difficult few weeks for the Greens. As the party gains more attention ahead of the general election, so d...
May 12, 2026•58 min•Ep. 333
Keir Starmer is under pressure after Labour’s bruising losses last week. In an impassioned defence of his leadership, Starmer insisted he is “not going anywhere,” warning Labour MPs that changing leader wouldn’t solve the party’s problems. He also laid out priorities including closer ties with Europe, taking control of British Steel in the national interest, and renewed support for working people and young families. But with questions growing over leadership, is Starmer safe in his role? And can...
May 11, 2026•58 min•Ep. 332
Britain’s political map is shifting, and Labour is feeling the backlash. The party has lost many council seats across the country, even in traditional strongholds. With gains for Reform and The Green Party, a big question looms: was Labour wrong to tact to the right, or is something deeper reshaping politics? Who’s gaining momentum, who’s on the back foot, and what do these first signals tell us about the road to 2026? This episode was recorded on the 8th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global ...
May 08, 2026•59 min•Ep. 331
It started as a job interview, and ended as live TV history. Congolese finance graduate Guy Goma was mistakenly pulled into a BBC interview and thrust on air as a tech expert. What followed was panic, confusion, and accidental viral fame that still echoes 20 years later. Guy joins James in the studio to relive the moment that turned him into an internet legend. Plus, a Sainsbury’s worker has been sacked after tackling a champagne thief just hours after performing CPR on a security guard colleagu...
May 07, 2026•52 min•Ep. 330
Oil is spiking, ships are stranded, and the world’s most critical shipping lane is on edge. Now, President Trump says a peace deal with Iran is within reach. But is this real diplomacy, or just a pause before the next escalation, and who really wins if a deal happens? And, who is Zack Polanski really? The Green Party leader has quickly risen into the spotlight and is in the headlines for a second time this week. Supporters see a bold new voice in British politics, while critics aren’t so sure hi...
May 06, 2026•58 min•Ep. 329
Why isn’t this front-page news? Nigel Farage reportedly pocketed £5 million from a billionaire donor before becoming an MP, and yet the story has barely made a ripple. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East are escalating. Iran warns “we are just getting started” after attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, putting global security on edge. And back home, a major crackdown on antisemitism is underway. Universities could soon be forced to publish data on campus incidents as part of a sweeping effort to ...
May 05, 2026•52 min•Ep. 328
As it's a Bank Holiday Monday, we wanted to give you a dose of James O'Brien still - so here's a special Mystery Hour where he's discussing all about bread...as you were. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every weekday on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.
May 04, 2026•47 min•Ep. 327
Met police defend the “extraordinary” response in the Golders Green terrorist attack after fierce backlash to Zack Polanski’s post accusing officers of violence. Was this a reckless misstep or a justified call for scrutiny? James breaks down the fallout as the stabbing suspect appears in court. Plus, Police review London pro-Palestine marches amid rising terror concerns, reigniting heated debate. Who gets to decide what qualifies as a “hate march” and if bans are introduced, will it backfire by ...
May 01, 2026•52 min•Ep. 326
Yesterday’s antisemitic attack in Golders Green has shaken London’s Jewish community, prompting urgent calls for “more protection.” But with little agreement on what that actually means in practice, the tragedy is already being pulled into political point-scoring. And, just a week after warnings about the dangers of cryptocurrency money flowing into politics, explosive revelations have emerged about a UK politician allegedly receiving a huge personal sum from a Thailand-based crypto tycoon. Plus...
Apr 30, 2026•56 min•Ep. 325
A targeted stabbing in Golders Green has sent shockwaves through the Jewish community, with Keir Starmer calling it “deeply concerning” as counter terrorism steps in. Fears are growing over rising antisemitic attacks, online radicalisation, and the dangerous blurring of lines between political rhetoric and real-world violence. Plus, The King’s US Speech lays out a vision of unity, diversity, and support for Ukraine, but what’s really behind the emphasis on “checks and balances” at this moment of...
Apr 29, 2026•51 min•Ep. 324
The King has met Trump with a message: Britain and America willl always find common ground. But why now? And what does Keir Starmer really wants out of this high-stakes moment on the world stage? And, former Foreign Office chief says there was “absolutely” pressure to rush vetting. Meanwhile, criticism mounts over Mandelson’s ambassador appointment called a “serious error of judgement.” Plus, Rachel Reeves is weighing a rent freeze to soften the economic shockwaves of conflict with Iran. What is...
Apr 28, 2026•53 min•Ep. 323
King Charles embarked today on his US state visit to the White House, despite gunshots being fired at a dinner attended by Donald Trump on Saturday night. Assassination attempts aside, what’s the best and worst case scenarios for his time spent with the US President? And, over the past decade, healthy life expectancy in the UK has dropped by around two years to just under 61. Why the UK? Why the last 10 years? And, why is London doing better than the rest of the country? This episode was recorde...
Apr 27, 2026•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 322
A proposed law to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales will run out of time on Friday, almost 17 months after MPs first voted in favour of it…although the their may be another attempt to get the bill through in the next session of Parliament. James’ callers candidly share their experiences, and whether people should, under certain circumstances, be allowed to end their life. And, James believes Starmer’s rejection of Trump’s demands to join in on strikes against Iran is some of the best ...
Apr 24, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 321
James unpacks growing doubts over the future of the UK-US “special relationship”, after stark warnings from former NATO figures were met by firm reassurances from the American ambassador. Is the alliance over? If so, how should Britain respond? Then, as social media executives deny their platforms are inherently addictive to children, the callers share whether social media mirrors more traditional forms of addiction - and what living with serious addiction really feels like. This episode was rec...
Apr 23, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 320
Considering how the Peter Mandelson scandal has been dealt with over the last few days, is Sir Keir Starmer actually up to the job of Prime Minister? And, half of young people have said they would categorically never fight for Britain, according to the Youth Poll. If that's you - why? This episode was recorded on the 22nd of April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 22, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 319
Today, former Foreign Office official, Olly Robbins, sacked by Sir Keir Starmer for not disclosing Lord Mandelson’s vetting failure, told the Foreign Affairs Select Committee that No 10 had a "dismissive" approach to Mandelson's vetting - Downing Street denies this. James is joined by LBC’s Political Editor, Natasha Clark, to break down the 2.5 hours of evidence provided by Robbins, and asks the listeners whether this is as big a deal as it appears. This episode was recorded on the 21st of April...
Apr 21, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 318
With Keir Starmer facing MPs in the Commons over the Peter Mandelson scandal, James asks how serious the mounting pressure really is - and what today’s showdown could mean for his leadership. And, as three very different columnists separately conclude that Donald Trump has “gone mad”, what evidence do you see of mental decline? This episode was recorded on the 20th of April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 20, 2026•56 min•Ep. 317
The Foreign Office's most senior civil servant has been effectively sacked by the Prime Minister, who claims the office failed to inform him that Peter Mandleson had failed his security vetting for the role of US ambassador. Does is even matter whether Starmer knew or not - and should he go? This episode was recorded on the 17th of April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 17, 2026•59 min•Ep. 316
New findings reveal that well-off people can expect to live 20 more “good years” than those with financial stress. Why does this gap exist, what drives it, and what practical steps could help close it? And, LBC’s Political Editor, Natasha Clark, joins James to discuss her interview with the Prime Minister today, during which Sir Keir Starmer told her there is an “overwhelming case” for tighter social media restrictions. This episode was recorded on the 16th of April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays...
Apr 16, 2026•50 min•Ep. 315
Following the Southport Inquiry, the lawyer for the murdered girls’ families says that the local authority officials at fault should be “named and shamed”, unless suitable disciplinary measures are taken. Would this be fair? Also, James is joined by the UK's leading money saving expert, Martin Lewis, who, alongside his charity, is set to fix the currently vicious council tax debt collection system. And, James is joined by Washington Correspondent, Simon Marks, for an update on Donald Trump, Amer...
Apr 15, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 314
The Southport murders could have been prevented by the killer’s parents and the authorities, according to an inquiry. What could have been done differently, and what is it like to fear your own child? And, a former Nato secretary general, Lord George Robertson, has warned that the UK’s security is "in peril". How do we know we’re at risk of military attack, and why isn’t the public more concerned? This episode was recorded on the 14th of April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC....
Apr 14, 2026•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 313
The US blockade of Iran’s ports has begun, while the Strait of Hormuz stays closed, with oil prices surging above $100 a barrel. What's going to happen next? Joining James to break it all down is the inimitable Simon Marks, LBC's Washington Correspondent. This episode was recorded on the 13th of April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 13, 2026•57 min•Ep. 312
Lewis Goodall sits in for James O’Brien at the end of a week where the temporary ceasefire in Iran seems increasingly out of reach. With the US and Iran willing to have talks and a possibility of relative stability in the Middle East on the horizon - why is Israel pressing ahead with attacks on southern Lebanon? Is there anything that could persuade Netanyahu to sign up for a ceasefire that includes Lebanon, and if not, what is his game plan? Ayala Panievsky, presidential fellow at City Universi...
Apr 10, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 311
Lewis Goodall sits in for James O’Brien as the US-Iran ceasefire is called into question. Within 24 hours of the ceasefire agreement, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon. Israel and the US say that Lebanon wasn’t covered by the ceasefire - Iran disagrees. So, which side do you believe? And why has this agreement crumbled so quickly? Alex Gandler, spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in London, and Lord Ricketts, UK National Security Advisor under ...
Apr 09, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 310
Lewis Goodall sits in for James O’Brien as yet more momentous events unfold in the Middle East. A two-week ceasefire has been agreed: the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, and the guns, bombs and rockets have fallen silent across Iran. So, who is the winner here? Did Donald Trump blink, or will he claim this as a victory? And does this change the US’s political standing on the world stage? As Keir Starmer heads to talks with Gulf leaders - we reflect on the UK government’s response to the war in Ira...
Apr 08, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 309
Lewis Goodall sits in for James O’Brien on the eve of the day that Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges unless it reopens the Strait of Hormuz. With the president threatening moves that could be considered as war crimes against the Iranian civilian population, and given the president’s profane statements made over the Easter weekend: has Trump lost what’s left of his mind? And if that is the case, is there any route left for the US to get rid of him? The governm...
Apr 07, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 308
Time for your next Easter instalment of Mystery Hour, the game in which James invites his callers to ask and answer questions about absolutely anything. You are guaranteed to learn something new after listening to this (however please note James cannot guarantee the usefulness of any newly acquired knowledge). The James O'Brien Daily podcast is back from the 7th April. Have a very happy easter!
Apr 06, 2026•47 min
While indulging in your Easter eggs, why not also tuck into another instalment of Mystery Hour! It's the feature in which James' callers ask and answer questions about absolutely anything... the type of questions that Google doesn't even know the answer to (well, Google might know, but it's much more fun this way). Enjoy! The James O'Brien Daily podcast is back from the 7th April. Have a very happy Easter!
Apr 03, 2026•49 min
