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James covers all the big stories which will make you think - and possibly change your outlook.
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Trump has threatened to pull the US out of NATO over lack of support shown for his attack on Iran. Have we reached a point where we need to treat his words with some level of plausibility? And if so, what happens if he pulls the trigger and withdraws the US from the NATO alliance? Kanye West has announced three headline dates at Wireless Festival in London in July. Ed Davey has called on the government to ban him from coming to the country and performing at the festival. Should he be banned on a...
In an address to the nation, Keir Starmer has set out his two priorities in response to the war in Iran: deescalation and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. So, is it time for us to make a deal with Iran? And if negotiation isn’t on the table, what are our other options? LBC’s Washington Correspondent Simon Marks joins James in the studio ahead of this evening's presidential primetime address. Should we be taking Donald Trump seriously when he says that he is strongly considering pulling out of NAT...
As oil prices hit above $112 a barrel, the IMF has warned that the United Kingdom will be left particularly vulnerable to the impact of the war in Iran. We’re left to ask - how does the war end? And with the media and right-wing politicians diverting blame for the price of petrol to Keir Starmer - what would an end to the war look like for the UK? Keir Starmer has given the BMA 48 hours to call off their planned six-day strike, or else face losing 1000 extra training places. Whose side are you o...
After Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine and Donald Trump attacked Iran, it became clear that the UK has a potentially crippling dependency on fossil fuels. When it comes to energy we cannot afford to be beholden the unpredictability of the world, so why is the move toward sustainable energy the subject of political debate? Following reports that 92% of burglaries went unsolved in Britain last year, why is burglary no longer being taken seriously? Has it always been like this and is there a way to t...
Today, as thousands of U.S. troops head towards the Gulf and speculation grows over whether Donald Trump could order “boots on the ground” in Iran, James asks what would a major escalation really mean? James is also joined by Simon Marks, LBC’s Washington Correspondent, for the latest from the U.S., as tensions rise and the stakes reach a potentially catastrophic new level. This episode was recorded on the 27th of March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC....
Meta and Google have been found liable for social media addiction in a landmark trial in Los Angeles. A young woman sued the companies saying that the addictive design features of their platforms Facebook, Instagram and YouTube caused her harm and worsened her depression. When does social media use become a problem and cross the line into addiction? What happens when we shift our focus from dangerous content on social media to the platforms themselves? And when can wholesome content become harmf...
Donald Trump declares the war with Iran “won” - even while deploying thousands more troops to the region and requesting military support from NATO states. What have the past three weeks of the war in the Middle East taught you about the modern world? And despite the chaos, one statistic refuses to budge: 36% of American voters still back Trump. Why? What explains this enduring loyalty in the face of war, controversy, and contradiction? This episode was recorded on the 25th of March. Catch James ...
It's looking like the President of the United States could very well have lied through his teeth about the supposed peace talks with Iran. We’re being asked to decide who to believe out of Donald Trump, or the remaining leaders of a tyrannical theocratic regime - tricky. What in the world will happen next? Also, Conservative MP, Charlie Dewhirst, has said more needs to be done to address the "underachievement" of white working class boys in the UK. What should - and what could - society be doing...
James unpack today's breaking claims from Donald Trump that the United States and Iran have held “very good and productive” talks on a “complete and total resolution of hostilities” in the Middle East—prompting a temporary pause in planned military strikes. But with Tehran denying direct negotiations and the region still on edge after weeks of escalating conflict, what's really going on? This episode was recorded on the 23rd of March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC....
Benjamin Netanyahu says that true regime change will not be achievable through military force alone - despite supposedly undertaking this war with that ambition. With the U.S. and Israel now deep into a war that has destabilised global energy markets and triggered deadly retaliation across the Middle East, James asks the question at the heart of it all: why did Donald Trump go to war in the first place? This episode was recorded on the 20th of March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC...
Sir Keir Starmer has called on Kemi Badenoch to sack shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy after he described a mass Muslim public prayer as an "act of domination and division". Why haven’t the Tories sacked Timothy yet, and how does it feel that many in the political establishment promote bigoted views? And, James is joined by Simon Marks for an update on the US - specifically Donald Trump’s attempts at distancing himself from Israel’s strikes on Iranian oil sites. This episode was recorded on ...
A meningitis case has been confirmed at a second Kent university, with officials believing the outbreak originated at a Canterbury nightclub. Of the 20 confirmed cases thus far, two people have died. James asks his listeners who’ve suffered with meningitis what it was like and what processes are in place to protect people from it. Also, James is joined by LBC reporter Henry Riley, for the next instalment of Riley’s Reform Round-up , complete with listener-made jingles. And, former Labour deputy ...
James has been waiting for this one… today he asks why it’s so hard for society and the media to call out President Donald Trump as the “deranged liar” that the evidence suggests he is. Then, if we did, would it even matter? And, the Government has set out plans to tackle the spiralling number of young people not in employment, education or training, including a £3000 grant for each company that hires unemployed under 24 year olds… James asks young people and employers how this sounds to them. T...
President Trump urged Britain and other countries to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping passage that is vital for global oil supplies, that Iran has closed to enemy states. In response, Sir Keir Starmer today confirmed that the UK is working with the US and other allies on a "viable, collective plan" to reopen the passage. Is this the right decision? This episode was recorded on the 16th of March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC....
As the media increasingly turns against the war in Iran, even those publications that, until very recently, were criticising Sir Keir Starmer for not joining in with America and Israel's attacks, James asks if it’s a waste of time trying to figure out why Trump started this war - and what we should do if the President is simply mad. This episode was recorded on the 13th of March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Sir Keir Starmer has attacked Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage over their stance on the war in Iran, accusing both of U-turning on their support for Donald Trump. Could this be a turning point for Keir Starmer? And, the head of the Treasury Select Committee has warned that young adults in the UK face a “perfect storm” of economic challenges, as it launches an inquiry into student loans. What is it like to be a young adult facing today’s economic challenges? This episode was recorded on the 12th of...
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian who was detained as a political prisoner in Iran for 6 years, has joined more than 100 Iranians living in the UK urging Sir Keir Starmer not to draw Britain further into America and Israel’s war in Iran. James speaks with his listeners across the Iranian diaspora and asks where this leaves us now. And, James is joined by former diplomat Arthur Snell, who’s first book How Britain Broke the World documented how the Iraq war helped fuel sectarian violenc...
British public opposition to US and Israeli military action against Iran up ten points since last week - why have we got it right this time? And, why is our political and media establishment dominated by those who want Sir Keir Starmer to bomb Iran with Donald Trump? And, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey says that King Charles should not go ahead with his scheduled trip to the US next month, during which he’d meet President Donald Trump, because of the president’s criticism of Starmer and his respons...
Tony Blair - yes, disgraced Iraq-war orchestrator Tony Blair - has allegedly criticised Sir Keir Starmer for not joining Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s attacks on Iran. You can imagine James’ reaction - what was yours? Also James is joined by LBC reporter and presenter Henry Riley for the newly coined Riley’s Reform Round-Up , and speaks with Alex Tait, co-founder of the campaign group Reform Political Advertising , to hear more about why we desperately need greater transparency and accur...
It’s the seventh day of the war in the Middle East. President Trump has stated that, other than an "unconditional surrender", there will be no deal made with Iran. The UK’s corporate media is largely supportive of active British involvement in the war, but YouGov polling shows that only 8% of Brits feel the same. Why is much of the British media supportive of America and Israel’s war with Iran - and why isn’t this working on the public? This episode was recorded on the 6th of March. Catch James ...
The White House press secretary has said President Trump’s decision to attack Iran was grounded in “feeling based on fact”. So, as the sixth day of the war in the Middle East rages on, the Trump administration continues to change its story as to why it even started this war. Why do you think it started it? This episode was recorded on the 5th of March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
James breaks down the latest from the war in the Middle East, asks why President Trump really started this conflict, discusses whether Sir Keir Starmer’s belittling by Trump is actually a very good thing and receives Washington Correspondent Simon Marks’ analysis. Also, James also speaks with Victoria Rose, a consultant plastic surgeon and one of the many medics who say they have been barred from Gaza after speaking out against Israel. And, James is joined by Usman Shah, the London man who was r...
The US has warned of an "imminent" Iranian attack in the Saudi city of Dhahran, a major centre for the oil industry and where a US consulate is located. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump tells Iran it's "too late" to talk, adding their armed forces are “gone”. The death toll continues to sky rocket, and Trump has again criticised Sir Keir Starmer for initially denying access to British bases.How can anyone oppose Starmer’s actions thus far, and, more importantly - how does this war end? This ...
Sir Keir Starmer "stands by" his decision not to join in with Israeli and US strikes on Iran, stating that the UK had learned lessons from the "mistakes of Iraq" - but has agreed to a US request to use British military bases for "defensive" strikes on Iranian missile sites. Has Starmer got this right? This episode was recorded on the 2nd of March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
34-year-old plumber Hannah Spencer marked her victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election with an apology to her customers, saying: "I think I might have to cancel the work that you had booked in, because I'm heading to Parliament. Is something seismic happening in the Green Party? This episode was recorded on the 27th of February. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
A damning report published on England’s maternity care revealed systemic problems, including bereaved mothers facing cruelty from maternity staff, shocking incidents of racism, and a lack of accountability. Hospitals that have caused harm to women and babies were often found to “cover-up” their mistakes, falsify medical records and deny bereaved parents answers. James’ callers share their experiences. This episode was recorded on the 26th of February. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LB...
Time to discuss the Green Party. No scaremongering, no lazy stereotypes, just these simple questions: Why are the Greens surging in popularity, and how are they reaching parts that no other parties can? Also, James is joined by LBC’s Washington Editor, Simon Marks, for a breakdown of Donald Trump’s longest State of the Union address yet, in which he claimed the US would see an “economic turnaround for the ages”. And, James speaks with Evan Edinger, the YouTuber whose video Something Very Strange...
The head of the British Armed Forces and the Chief of MI6 have warned of the distinct possibility that Britain will be pulled into war with Russia. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that Putin has already started World War 3. Why then, are we all so relaxed about it? And, the BBC has apologised for not editing out the n-word racial slur from its BAFTA Film Awards coverage, after a guest with Tourette's syndrome shouted it out when two of film’s biggest stars, Michael B Jordan a...
“I’ll ensure no child with special needs is left behind”... Sir Keir Starmer has set out a £4 billion package to reform special needs education, as he states that the current system supporting disabled children in schools “does not work”. James’ callers bravely share what it was like to be at school before special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. This episode was recorded on the 23rd of February. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Following Prince Andrew's arrest for alleged misconduct, James O'Brien questions the Royal Family's ability to survive this scandal and the public's continued belief in the monarchy. The discussion delves into past royal crises like Diana's death, the media's role in shaping public perception, and the inherent contradictions of a system where the monarch is legally above the law. Callers contribute diverse perspectives on soft power, accountability, and how the education system perpetuates deference, ultimately asking why such an illogical institution persists.
