US President Donald Trump has escalated his attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a "dictator" and saying he is to blame the war with Russia. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended Zelensky as "Ukraine's democratically elected leader". What should we do when the leader of the free world, Donald Trump, is in the pocket of Vladimir Putin? James speaks with Sir Bill Browder, anti-corruption campaigner and head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, to find out. This epi...
Feb 20, 2025•53 min•Ep. 29
Unbelievably, US President Donald Trump has blamed the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for starting the war with Russia, while continuing to exclude Ukraine from its own peace-talks. Considering this and the unprecedented appeasement of the Kremlin by the White House - has Putin already won the war? Also, James interviews the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who takes your phone calls. A report from the Commons' Women and Equalities Committee is warning against "ageist stereotyping" across the...
Feb 19, 2025•59 min•Ep. 28
Successive governments trying to look "tough on crime" have driven a rising prison population that's overwhelmed the system, according to a new report. Why doesn’t prison work? Why does the public still think that it does? Also, Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch has said “our country and all of western civilisation will be lost” if efforts to promote rightwing ideas fail. She implored Brits to get up off their knees and “fight”. What does she mean and who does she want us to fight? And, the head...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 27
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is "ready and willing" to put UK troops on the ground in Ukraine to help guarantee its security as part of a peace deal. Should British troops be sent to Ukraine? And, US Vice-President JD Vance has verbally attacked European democracies, saying the greatest threat facing the continent was not from Russia and China, but "from within". Why is he saying this? This episode was recorded on the 17th February. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC....
Feb 17, 2025•48 min•Ep. 26
With Donald Trump at the helm, America’s role within international politics and its relationship with Russia is changing. Do we actually understand what it means for America to stop being the leader and protector of the free world? And, according to The Times Generation Z survey, people aged 18-27 are more unhappy, in greater debt and far more pessimistic about Britain than their parents. What’s it like being Gen Z today? For those with Gen-Z children, what’s it like knowing you might not leave ...
Feb 14, 2025•48 min•Ep. 25
The man himself, James O’Brien, is back! Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. As part of a peace settlement, according to the US Defence Secretary, Ukraine should abandon hopes of winning all its territory back from Russia. Is this simply appeasement? Also, more than 100 new towns could be built under the UK government's plans for the "largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era". How’re we going to build them, and what’s it like...
Feb 13, 2025•56 min•Ep. 24
Lewis Goodall of The News Agents podcast is covering for James O’Brien, live on LBC from 10am, and of course, right here on James O’Brien Daily. The government is making it almost impossible for refugees arriving on small boats to become British citizens. Will this prevent small boat crossings and are Labour acting too much like the Conservatives? Lewis speaks with Labour MP Stella Creasy, who disagrees with the change. Also, rebel Labour MPs are pushing the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner,...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 23
Lewis Goodall of The News Agents podcast is covering for James O’Brien, live on LBC from 10am, and of course, right here on James O’Brien Daily. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater would change her proposed assisted dying bill so that cases are signed off by experts rather than a judge. Critics believe this could threaten impartial decision-making. Lewis asks whether this change would strengthen or weaken the bill and speaks with Labour MP Dr Peter Prinsley, who's in favour of the legislation. Also, Elon M...
Feb 11, 2025•46 min•Ep. 22
Lewis Goodall of The News Agents podcast is covering for James O’Brien, live on LBC from 10am, and of course, right here on James O’Brien Daily. Labour have been accused of mimicking Reform UK’s approach to immigration after sharing videos of migrant raids online. Will this tactic work to combat Reform's growing popularity? Lewis speaks with Labour MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington Diane Abbott, who shares her view. Also, a second Labour MP has apologised for offensive comments made in ...
Feb 10, 2025•57 min•Ep. 21
Lewis Goodall of The News Agents podcast is covering for James O’Brien all this week live on LBC from 10am, and of course, right here on James O’Brien Daily. Government figures show the number of young people who do not work because of long-term sickness with a mental health condition has increased by 26% in the last year. Remarking on this, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has said that too many young people see the world of work as stressful and accused some benefit claimants of “taking...
Feb 07, 2025•50 min•Ep. 20
Lewis Goodall of The News Agents podcast is covering for James O’Brien all this week live on LBC from 10am, and of course, right here on James O’Brien Daily. Britain’s head of counter-terrorism has compared the harm social media can do to children to that of cancer by smoking. Indeed, social media’s potential to radicalise was highlighted by the Southport killer Axel Rudakubana, who watched violent and extremist videos online prior to killing three girls. Should there be a social media ban for c...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 19
Last night President Donald Trump said that all Palestinians in Gaza should be resettled and promised to develop the land into the “Riviera of the Middle East”. These plans have been internationally condemned. Should the world be taking Trump seriously? Lewis speaks with Noga Tarnopolsky, freelance journalist based in Jerusalem, Chris Gunness, Former Chief Spokesperson for UNRWA and Stephen Flynn, SNP Leader in Westminster and MP, to find out. And, Prime Minister Keir Starmer declares his stance...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 18
Lewis Goodall of The News Agents podcast is covering for James O’Brien all this week live on LBC from 10am, and of course, right here on James O’Brien Daily. Reform UK has overtaken Labour and is topping a landmark YouGov poll for the first time. Lewis compares this with the rise of right wing nationalist parties across Europe and asks if populism can be stopped. Also, the parents of the late Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's daughter, are calling for changes ...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 17
Lewis Goodall of The News Agents podcast is covering for James O’Brien all this week live on LBC from 10am, and of course, right here on James O’Brien Daily. Over the weekend, Trump announced 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and hit China with a 10% levy. He’s also renewed calls for Canada to become America’s 51st state. Lewis speaks with Canada’s High Commissioner Ralph Goodale and UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and asks his listeners whether we’re witnessing the collapse of the ...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 16
Five years ago today, the UK left the European Union. YouGov polling this week showed just 3 in 10 Brits now think it was the right decision. James asks how so many fell for the promises of the Vote Leave campaign and who should take the most responsibility for Brexit. He also takes a look through the Brexit archives and plays some of the most shocking interviews with politicians and the public from the run up to the referendum… including the Nigel Farage phone-in that broke the internet. This e...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 15
The UK population is set to rise by nearly 5 million over the course of a decade, largely because of net migration, but how do you convince people that, despite what many politicians and newspapers say, the UK does in fact need significant levels of immigration? Also, according to a survey of teachers in England and Wales, some children are starting reception “unable to climb a staircase” and still in nappies. Are parents failing to support their children’s early development, or is this a result...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 14
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a major speech this morning, in which she promised to create the “right conditions” to support growth in the British economy and outlined just how Labour intends to do that. James, his listeners and LBC’s Political Editor Natasha Clark analyse the speech. Also, it’s Prime Minister’s Questions and James speaks with LBC’s Political Correspondent Aggie Chambre to digest all the details. And, a UK law firm that was used by the sanctioned Russian mercenary chief, Ye...
Jan 29, 2025•52 min•Ep. 13
England’s children’s commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, has said that children involved in last year’s race riots following the Southport attacks should have their criminal records wiped clean. James asks whether this should be the case and why. And, former Premier League referee David Coote has come out as gay and revealed that a life spent hiding his sexuality led to “really poor choices”, including using cocaine, that led to his sacking last year. To what extent is explicit homophobia still ...
Jan 28, 2025•49 min•Ep. 12
To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, James asks how the dehumanisation of an entire group of people can happen. He interviews Laurence Rees, historian and BAFTA winning documentary maker, who’s latest book is “The Nazi Mind: Twelve Warnings From History”. James also reminisces on a conversation with his late friend and Holocaust survivor, Lili Pohlmann. This episode was recorded on the 27th January. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 11
The Southport killer, Axel Rudakubana, has been sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in jail. In the aftermath of this horrific crime, in which he stabbed 3 girls to death at a Taylor Swift themed dance class, James ask what “evil” is, and whether people can be born evil. James speaks to Rudakubana’s father’s former English teacher. Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told LBC today that “there are too many young men, online, obsessing over violent material”. What are the signs that your teenager ...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 10
Following Prince Harry and Lord Watson’s emphatic victory in their lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers, which publishes The Sun, James asks two questions. Firstly, following NGN’s admission of criminal wrongdoing, should the police should pursue the case further? Secondly, have enough of the UK media already cultivated sufficient anti-Sussex sentiment to prevent this from happening? The government has pledged to build major infrastructure projects like nuclear power stations, ...
Jan 23, 2025•53 min•Ep. 9
Unprecedented news broke today: Prince Harry and Lord Watson have settled a long-running legal battle with publishers of The Sun, News Group Newspapers. James analyses Rupert Murdoch’s News Group’s "full and unequivocal apology" and payment, and finds out what the settlement means with a consultant to Prince Harry’s legal team, Dr Evan Harris. And how was Southport killer Axel Rudakubana able to buy a knife aged just 17 on Amazon and watch violent terrorist content on X in the hour before killin...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 8
The father of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana stopped his son from returning to his former school a week before he stabbed three young girls to death in July last year at a Taylor Swift dance class. James wonders how scared Rudakubana's father was at what his son was capable of and asks what parents with potentially violent children can do to prevent the worst. And Elon Musk made what many suggested to be Nazi salutes at Donald Trump’s inauguration yesterday. James contemplates just how wide ou...
Jan 21, 2025•56 min•Ep. 7
Israel has freed 90 Palestinian prisoners, after the first three Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal. James asks how this conflict has changed listener’s perception of the region’s geo-political landscape. On the day of Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, why have liberals and much of the media gone soft on Trump and the shocking behaviours that would normally prevent re-election. And James hears directly from Liverpool Crown Court as LBC’...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 6
A teenager has been found guilty of the murder of schoolgirl Elianne Andam, who was stabbed to death in South London in 2023. Her killer admitted manslaughter, claiming he was not in control of his actions because of his autism, which the jury rejected. James asks whether autism should ever be used as a reasonable defence in court? An international study has found that children of a particular gender are more likely to receive preferential treatment from their parents. This prompted James to pos...
Jan 17, 2025•56 min•Ep. 5
Israel and Hamas have agreed a ceasefire in Gaza with a hostage release deal following the past 15 months of war. With headlines stating that Palestinians will be able to “return to their homes”, James asks his listeners what they may be returning back to? And in her first major speech of 2025, Kemi Badenoch criticised her predecessors for mishandling Brexit, stating that the Conservative Party had offered policy without a plan. James asks his listeners what difference Brexit has actually made t...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 4
The founder and former boss of BrewDog, James Watt has said that Britain is one of the “least work-oriented countries in the world” and that the country’s obsession with a work-life balance is one invented by those unhappy with their own careers. James O'Brien asks his listeners whether this is true of their employees, and if so, why? With a new study finding the ‘Cost of dying’ in the UK has hit record levels, with the average funeral cost at £9,797, James asks his listeners to share their opin...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 3
Donald Trump would have been convicted of crimes over his failed attempt to cling to power in 2020, if not for his victory in last year’s US presidential election, according to the special counsel who investigated him. James speaks to a professor of American Politics and his LBC listeners to try and work out why so many people simply don’t care about political conduct that used to be unforgivable. He also tackles the recent polling that has found that one in five Britons aged 18-45 would prefer ...
Jan 14, 2025•52 min•Ep. 2
With the government readying to set out plans on how it can use artificial intelligence across the UK to boost growth and streamline public services, James calls on his most AI-qualified listeners to tell us exactly how this can change our lives, and whether we should fear its rise. He also speaks to NHS patients and professionals about the troubling normality of “corridor care” following the advertisement from a North London Hospital for a 'Corridor Nurse'. This episode was recorded on the 13th...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 1
