The UK government is facing questions after a case against two men accused of spying for China collapsed just weeks before the trial was due to go ahead, when prosecutors unexpectedly dropped the charges. No one seems to fully understand this story, but luckily enough, James knows who to ask… Also, James speaks with James Ball, the Political Editor of the New World, who tells the story of the man who controls the political right and is set to become the most influential non-politician in the cou...
Oct 16, 2025•50 min•Ep. 197
According to recent UK data, nearly a million young people are not in education, employment, or training, with the graduate job market becoming increasingly scarce. What are the causes of this? And, vets in the UK could be forced to cap prescription prices after an investigation by the markets watchdog found pet owners may be paying twice as much for some common medicines from practices than online. Why is the vet so expensive? This episode was recorded on the 15th of October. Catch James O'Brie...
Oct 15, 2025•59 min•Ep. 196
Yesterday, President Donald Trump spoke alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, in front of the world’s leaders, to declare the war in Gaza over as a result of his peace-deal. The speech had to be heard to be believed. James breaks it all down with the callers. And, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said he is delighted that the government can now speak about the problems caused by Brexit, specifically, its catastrophic impact on the UK economy. Is it finally time for the government to punish their oppon...
Oct 14, 2025•57 min•Ep. 195
Earlier today, President Donald Trump addressed the Knesset, declaring the end of the war in Gaza and the “age of terror”, as a result of the US-brokered ceasefire. The bombing has stopped, the final 20 Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas and almost 2000 detained Palestinians, including 22 children, are due to be released by Israel. Despite Trump's numerous and egregious misdeeds, could this peace deal have been any better? And, James plays Trump's speech and provides analysis in real t...
Oct 13, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 194
Palestinians are beginning to return to Gaza's north following the Israeli government’s approval of the first phase of Trump's ceasefire and hostage return deal. What happens now? Will justice actually be brought to those who’ve committed war crimes? And, how much damage Netanyahu has done to Israel's reputation? And, public support for digital IDs has bombed following Keir Starmer announcing plans for their compulsory introduction. How on earth did Keir Starmer manage to turn an initially popul...
Oct 10, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 193
An Israel-Hamas ceasefire is expected to begin within 24 hours of an Israeli government sign-off - a move that is expected to happen today. In the meantime, explosions have continued being reported in Gaza. Is this finally a time for optimism, or will this go the same way as previous ceasefires? James speaks with Noga Tarnopolsky, the freelance reporter in Jerusalem who’s guided LBC through the last 2 years of this conflict, to hear exactly what the peace deal involves for both sides of the conf...
Oct 09, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 192
During her speech at the Conservative Party Conference today, Kemi Badenoch said the party will scrap stamp duty on main home purchases if she comes to power. James analyses this speech with LBC’s Political Editor Natasha Clark, and asks whether the Conservative Party is over as we know it. And, James is joined by Simon Marks, LBC’s Washington Correspondent - is President Donald Trump taking the US closer to civil war? This episode was recorded on the 8th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays...
Oct 08, 2025•58 min•Ep. 191
Today marks two years since the October 7th terror attacks in Israel by Hamas. Sir Keir Starmer is urging students not to join today’s planned pro-Palestinian protests, saying it would be "un-British" for the rallies to go ahead given the anniversary. Does he have a point, or not? Also, James is joined by peace activist Magen Inon, whose parents Bilha and Yakovi were killed during the October 7th attacks. And, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick’s highly controversial comments about the Hand...
Oct 07, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 190
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced additional police powers that will be used to restrict repeat protests, a day after nearly 500 Palestine Action protesters were arrested. Has the government gone too far? And, Gary Neville, football pundit and former England and Manchester United footballer, revealed on social media that he removed a Union Jack flag from one of his development sites as it was being “used in a negative fashion”. What do you think of this? And, why are people putting ...
Oct 06, 2025•53 min•Ep. 189
Yesterday, two people were killed in a terror attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, a synagogue in Manchester. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, their families, and the three people that remain in hospital. Today saw a highly distressing development to the tragedy - one of the victims killed was hit by police gunfire, as was one of the survivors who remain in hospital. Now, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and the Met Police have called for tomor...
Oct 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 188
Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley says the sexist and racist police behaviour uncovered by BBC secret filming, broadcast yesterday, is "reprehensible", but stopped short of saying these problems were institutional. What’s the difference between racism and institutional racism in the police and other workplaces? And, two people from the Jewish community were killed and four patients are in hospital after a car and stabbing attack took place at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Mancheste...
Oct 02, 2025•45 min•Ep. 187
It seems that the UK is becoming more racist. The far-right have hi-jacked the St George’s flag, protests led by Tommy Robinson spread fear and division, and newspapers are criticising the Prime Minister for calling out Nigel Farage. Why is this? And, if you’re part of a minority group, what experiences have you had that show things are getting worse? This episode was recorded on the 1st of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 01, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 186
Hamas says they’re reviewing the Gaza peace plan announced by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference yesterday. James digs into what’s actually in this plan, what it might mean for the people of Gaza, and why, despite understandable cynicism, he thinks it should at least be tried. This episode was recorded on the 30th of September. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Sep 30, 2025•38 min•Ep. 185
Sir Keir Starmer has labelled Reform UK's policy of scrapping indefinite leave to remain as "racist" and "immoral". This morning, the Daily Mail ran with the headline: “If you worry about migration Labour will call you racist…”. Has Starmer made a mistake in telling the truth? Rachel Reeves that she no longer stands by a pledge last year not to raise taxes , saying “the world has changed” due to a mixture of conflicts, US tariffs and higher borrowing costs. Do you agree? This episode was recorde...
Sep 29, 2025•54 min•Ep. 184
It’s Speak to Sadiq! James was joined in-studio by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who took your calls and shared his thoughts on President Trump’s claim that he was “a terrible mayor” who was ushering in “sharia law”, Tommy Robinson’s far-right protest (with an appearance from Elon Musk), Gaza and more. And, Sir Keir Starmer's used his keynote speech at today’s Global Progress Action Summit to criticise the far-right and announce the introduction of mandatory digital ID cards. He called out lie...
Sep 26, 2025•57 min•Ep. 183
The British Chambers of Commerce says the UK must tackle its status as the sick man of the G7 if it wants to grow the economy. Around 7% of the UK workforce are currently out of work due to long-term sickness, compared to 3.5% in Japan. What are we getting wrong? Also, deprived areas of the UK will be given tens of millions of pounds each from a new regeneration fund to address Britain’s neglected communities, and, Starmer hopes, tackle the threat posed by Reform UK. And, James plays a film from...
Sep 25, 2025•58 min•Ep. 182
Donald Trump used his address to the UN General Assembly yesterday to attack the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. After saying Khan, born to Pakistani parents, was a “terrible mayor”, Trump claimed he’d introduced “sharia law”, an Islamic system of law, to the capital. This is of course entirely untrue. Is it time to call out racism as racism? This episode was recorded on the 24th of September. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Sep 24, 2025•59 min•Ep. 181
President Donald Trump has claimed a link between common over-the-counter painkillers and autism, contradicting major medical groups. Is there any strategy in this apparent idiocy? And, GPs in England are being urged to "think again" if they see a sick patient three times but can't pin down a diagnosis, or find their symptoms are getting worse. “Jess's Rule” is named after Jessica Brady, who was diagnosed with long Covid, but was actually suffering from cancer, which she died from shortly after....
Sep 23, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 180
Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state yesterday, alongside Canada, Australia and Portugal. Around 151 UN member states now do so. Benjamin Netanyahu said the recognition is "a huge reward to terrorism". How do you greet this moment, and what do you think it’ll actually mean? And, several of Europe's busiest airports have spent the past few days in chaos after a major cyber-attack. In recent years we’ve also seen Marks & Spencers, Jaguar Land Rover, the Co-Op ...
Sep 22, 2025•56 min•Ep. 179
President Trump’s state visit to the UK has come to a close. For some, Starmer’s played a blinder. He’s secured a new technology prosperity deal that’s set to draw in billions in investment and strengthened his relationship with Trump. For others, he’s capitulated to an immoral, fascistic President. How do you think it went? And, the French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are suing right wing influencer Candace Owens for promoting her belief that Brigitte Macron is in fact a ma...
Sep 19, 2025•57 min•Ep. 178
US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has had his programme axed after suggesting that President Donald Trump used Charlie Kirk’s assassination to score political points. Arriving in Chequers today as part of his UK state visit, Trump described the decision to axe the show as “great news for America”. How serious is this moment for freedom of speech? James discusses this and more LBC’s Washington Editor Simon Marks and Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. This episode was recorded on the 18th of September. C...
Sep 18, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 177
The UK has rolled out the red carpet for Donald Trump on his second state visit, with Keir Starmer preparing to welcome him to Chequers tomorrow for talks on tariffs, steel, and aluminium. But has Starmer played a stellar game in managing his relationship with Trump, or should he have stood up more firmly to the US president’s demands? James put the question to his listeners: Is Keir playing his cards right, or not? Meanwhile, Health Minister Wes Streeting has condemned the weekend’s far-right m...
Sep 17, 2025•46 min•Ep. 176
A United Nations inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. It is the first time the allegation has been made publicly by a UN body, and has been greeted with fury by the Israeli government. With this conclusion, James asked listeners: What has Benjamin Netanyahu done to Israel’s reputation? And, currently in America, a growing number of organisations have fired workers over comments made online about remarks they made about Charlie Kirk's death or his...
Sep 16, 2025•57 min•Ep. 175
Over the weekend, Elon Musk made a speech online for the Far-Right “Unite the Kingdom” march in London, organised by Tommy Robinson. Musk told attendees to “either fight back or you die”, remarks that Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has condemned as dangerous incitement to violence. Today, James turned his focus to Musk’s words and asked listeners: how should Keir Starmer respond? And the political landscape shifted again as Tory MP and shadow minister Danny Kruger defected to Reform. Accusing ...
Sep 15, 2025•47 min•Ep. 174
Despite Keir Starmer’s insistence that he has full confidence in his “top team”, his leadership faces fresh scrutiny after losing two key allies: his Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, and, more recently, US Ambassador Peter Mandelson, who resigned following revelations of his links to Jeffrey Epstein. But while Downing Street backs Keir, does the country still back him? James also turned to international news, reflecting on the death of Charlie Kirk and the fallout surrounding MSNBC’s firing...
Sep 12, 2025•49 min•Ep. 173
A manhunt is ongoing for the “college age” killer of conservative activist and influential Trump ally Charlie Kirk, who died after being shot at a university in Utah yesterday. Donald Trump has blamed the killing on "radical left political violence" - yet next to nothing is known about the killer. What did Charlie Kirk stand for and why has his killing prompted this extraordinarily political outpouring? And, the UK Ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, has been sacked by the Prime Minister...
Sep 11, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 172
Israel has launched a strike on Hamas officials in Qatar’s capital, Doha, reportedly including the group’s chief ceasefire negotiator, who was meeting there to discuss the potential for a ceasefire in Gaza. Is there any point in negotiating with Israel? And, Sir Keir Starmer has rejected growing calls to sack the UK’s ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, over his dealings with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. These indlude claims that Epstein brokered a deal involving Mandelson af...
Sep 10, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 171
The NHS has for the first time published league tables ranking every trust in England. Is this really a good idea? And, the London tube strike concludes its second full day, with a union leader warning that industrial relations have "totally collapsed". How do you decide whether or not to support a strike? This episode was recorded on the 9th of September. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Sep 09, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 170
It’s Online Safety Day at LBC - James discusses what unfettered access to pornography has done to children and how we can know if the Online Safety Act is actually working to protect kids from harmful content. Also, the Met Police arrested almost 900 people at a protest against the proscribing of Palestine Action as a terror group on Saturday. Has the government made a mistake in banning the group and should they reverse it? And, James speaks with Meetali Jain, Director of the Tech Justice Law P...
Sep 08, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 169
James navigated an extraordinary moment in British politics with the breaking news of Angela Rayner’s resignation from Government. Before the announcement, James invited listeners to share their perspectives on the independent investigation led by Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister’s adviser on ministerial standards. Although the story has dominated headlines since Wednesday, James sought insights directly from professionals within the field. Midway through the programme, the news broke: Ange...
Sep 05, 2025•44 min•Ep. 168
