The government is considering dropping juries for certain criminal cases in an attempt to reduce court backlogs. Will this move undermine British justice? In this bumper episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to a vocal opponent to the plans, Geoffrey Robertson KC, former judge and founder of Doughty Street Chambers, where Keir Starmer, David Lammy and Attorney General Richard Herman have all practised. She also hears from criminal barrister and Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, Andrew...
Apr 29, 2026•32 min
Londoners will head to the polls next week to choose their local councillors. Since 2021, Labour has held the majority across the capital, but new polling suggests that even Sir Keir Starmer’s local borough of Camden may fall to the Greens. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Tony Travers, a professor in the Department of Government at the London School of Economics about the results of the latest London council election poll by JL Partners for LSE. They discuss possible outcomes f...
Apr 28, 2026•19 min
This week, many Londoners will gain new powers as the Renters' Rights Act comes into force. So what do tenants and landlords need to know? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to The Standard’s Homes & Property editor, Prudence Ivey, about the upcoming changes to rental agreements. The two discuss what renters should look out for in the small print, whether the new bill might inadvertently cause a housing shortage, as well as consider if the bill is enough to convince Londoners to ...
Apr 27, 2026•22 min
It’s wisteria season — and flower-filled streets in Notting Hill and Kensington have become littered with visitors keen to take a picture in front of pastel coloured houses, with the viral flowers in shot. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Standard journalist Niva Yadav, to discuss whether it is fair to take pictures of people’s homes, and whether security measures will be taken to curb the anti-social behaviour of some wisteria enthusiasts in London. Clips: Universal Pictures, I...
Apr 24, 2026•16 min
The repeated attacks on Jewish infrastructure over the past few weeks has led to the opening of a Met police counter terrorism investigation into whether the events are linked. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Jonathan Hall KC, the senior barrister responsible for reviewing the UK government’s terrorism and state threats legislation. The two discuss how the law distinguishes hate crimes from terrorist acts, why the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the military wing of the Iran...
Apr 23, 2026•19 min
Small and medium-sized enterprises accounted for 99.9% of the UK’s 5.7 million new companies last year. So what does it really take to build a business from scratch today, and how easy is it to secure funding? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick sits down with Raphael Sofoluke, the founder of the UK Black Business Show and UK Black Business Week, and Izzy Obeng, the founder and CEO of Foundervine. Both guests are on the judging panel for the AXA Startup Angel Competition from AXA Business In...
Apr 22, 2026•21 min
London is about to be brought to a standstill as a result of planned tube strikes. So why have TFL and the RMT not reached a deal, and will the disruption change how Londoners vote in upcoming council elections? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Standard journalist, Megan Howe, for a detailed breakdown of all how the strikes will affect Londoners, as well as the deal that sparked the tube strikes. Plus, Tamara also speaks to The Standard’s political editor, Nic Cecil, for his ins...
Apr 21, 2026•18 min
A new social media phenomenon, Londonmaxxing, is growing in popularity. This 2026 viral trend is about experiencing the essence of the city, and packing in the best activities London has to offer. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to the senior social features editor at the London Standard, Katrina Mirpuri, for a breakdown of this trend, plus her methods for exploring London like a curious local. Photograph: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 20, 2026•11 min
This Saturday, the Victoria and Albert museum will open its latest outpost, V&A East. So, what can London expect from its new museum? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Dr Madeleine Haddon, the senior curator of V&A East, for a sneak peek of the new museum. Together they discuss the opening exhibitions, the museum's connection to its home in East London, as well as the museum's inspired cafe offering. Image: V&A East Museum © Hufton+Crow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
Apr 17, 2026•13 min
A group of Londoners are coming together in Soho this Saturday to call on the government to introduce rent controls. But, with the renters rights act about to come into force, would freezing rents send the private rental market into chaos? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Joe Beswick, a member of the London Renter’s Union, about the upcoming protest. Tamara asks Joe about the feasibility of rent controls, how introducing this policy might interact with the Renters Rights Act, an...
Apr 16, 2026•19 min
Currently, more than a third of children leave primary school overweight or obese. The government is about to start a consultation on reforming school meals. Will having salad bars in schools make a difference? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Nika Pajda, Head of Policy and Research at Bite Back. Together they discuss whether banning deep fried foods from school canteens will have a significant impact on children's health, as well as the lurking influence of Big Foods in schools...
Apr 15, 2026•18 min
After 16 years in power, Viktor Orbán’s leadership of Hungary has come to an end. But will a comfortable majority be enough for opposition leader Péter Magyar to bring inflation — and corruption — under control? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Miklós Hajnal, a sitting Member of Parliament for the Momentum party and an opposition figure in Hungary’s National Assembly. Together, they discuss whether Hungary can truly move beyond Orbán’s rule, and the geopolitical direction the co...
Apr 14, 2026•20 min
Sickfluencers are everywhere right now — but what are they actually doing, and why has it turned into such a political flashpoint? In this episode, Martha Tipper digs into the row over social media creators who post tips on claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — from step-by-step guides to broader advice on navigating a system many people say is notoriously hard to “crack”. A new report from centre-right think tank Policy Exchange claims this kind of online coaching could fuel economic i...
Apr 13, 2026•10 min
For Episode Nine, Evgeny is joined by Michael Pollan, journalist, author, and one of the leading voices exploring the human mind. Drawing on his new book A World Appears , Pollan makes an impassioned case for consciousness as something precious, private, and increasingly under threat. Together, they explore how social media and AI are not just competing for our attention, but beginning to shape attachment, emotion, and even our sense of self. The conversation ranges from chatbots and “AI psychos...
Apr 10, 2026•14 min
With the recent closure of Corsica Studios , it felt like the right moment to revisit this episode — because the big question hasn’t gone away: can London actually keep its nightlife alive , or are we slowly watching it get priced and policed out of existence? There will be no major clubs left at all in the UK by 2030 if venue closures continue at the current rate, according to the Night Time Industries Association. Will Sadiq Khan’s London Nightlife Taskforce be able to preserve the capital’s l...
Apr 09, 2026•18 min
Today we have a special treat for you in the form of an introduction to one of our other shows, Tech & Science Daily! Alan Leer is in with a proper commute-friendly sprint through today’s tech and science. London researchers linked to UCL hit a bonkers fibre speed record — using existing installed cable — while the UK’s Online Safety regime gets sharper as a key reporting duty kicks in today. Then we go brainy with a study teasing out a “neural fingerprint” for psychedelics, before switching...
Apr 08, 2026•7 min
Elephant and Castle, tucked beneath London’s Southbank, is set for a major transformation. Long defined by its busy gyratory system and ageing brutalist buildings, the area is now at the centre of a £4 billion regeneration aiming to transform it into a desirable destination in its own right. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick is joined by The Standard’s business editor Jonathan Prynn to explore the development plans, the changes that are already in place, and whether this long-awaited “glow...
Apr 07, 2026•12 min
Wireless has booked Kayne West (Ye) as a three-day headliner for their July festival. With Ye's controversial and anti-semitic history, what message does this send to Londoners? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Josh Rom, a culture journalist who has covered many of Kanye's infamous moments. Together, they explore the festival's rationale for handing the polarising rapper the entire weekend, despite intense backlash and condemnation from the Jewish Leadership Council over his pas...
Apr 02, 2026•16 min
The UK’s leading performing arts union, Equity, is raising concerns about the role of the London Nightlife Task Force, saying that workers’ voices are being overlooked in decisions shaping the capital’s night-time economy. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Standard journalist Megan Howe to unpack Equity’s latest survey findings, before hearing from drag artist Le Fil, who shares their first-hand experience of working in London’s late night economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
Apr 01, 2026•19 min
The House of Lords is considering a proposal to charge overseas visitors admission fees at museums and galleries. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the free entry policy, but with some institutions now reporting deficits, government ministers are looking to tourists to prop up cultural institutions In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Alison Cole, the director of the Cultural Policy Unit think tank, who helped to devise the initial universal free admission policy instituted in...
Mar 31, 2026•15 min
With Easter falling early this year, what should home cooks reconsider, and which restaurants are serving the best festive menus? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to the London Standard’s Going Out Editor and resident food critic, David Ellis, for tips on how to snag tables at great restaurants over the long weekend, plus festive recipes that you can prepare ahead of time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 30, 2026•13 min
Last year, the London Marathon ballot box achieved a personal best. Over one million applicants signed up for April’s upcoming event, and with only 10,000-15,000 places reserved for ballot entries, the competition for a spot is tougher than ever. Now, rumours are circulating that the Sunday event may become a two-day weekend as early as 2027 in order to accommodate the increased demand. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Rick Pearson, the senior editor of Runner's World UK and co-...
Mar 27, 2026•21 min
Since the release of Louis Theroux latest investigation, Inside The Manosphere , discourse has turned to a particular detail from the documentary — that the alpha male influencers had absent fathers. So, why has the focus shifted to single mothers? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Rebecca Cox, author of How To Be a Happy Single Parent , who argues that single mothers are being unfairly labelled as ‘toxic’ in the debate surrounding Louis Theroux’s new documentary. Hosted on Acast...
Mar 26, 2026•18 min
Travel disruptions are pushing British holidaymakers to divert their holiday plans away from the Middle East, and a lot of people have the same ideas. So which destinations will be crowd-free over Easter? In this episode, The Standard’s lifestyle director Suzannah Ramsdale sits down with travel writer Alicia Miller to discuss holiday destinations that are unlikely to be rammed with tourists in a couple of weeks, as well as tips for finding a great last minute deal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
Mar 25, 2026•17 min
In the early hours of Monday morning, arsonists set fire to four ambulances run by a Jewish charity in a synagogue car park in North London. The attack has shaken British Jewry, amid growing concerns over the normalisation of antisemitism in the UK. In this episode, host Tamara speaks to the CEO of Campaign Against Antisemitism, Gideon Falter, about the attack and its lead up. She also speaks to Rabbi Sandor Milun, the managing director of a Jewish volunteering charity, Gift UK, about the attack...
Mar 24, 2026•21 min
London’s Harley Street is best known as a centre of medical excellence. Are unqualified “tweakment” aestheticians threatening its reputation? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Niva Yadav, the Standard’s trainee journalist, who has been investigating the world of rogue cosmetic practitioners in Harley Street. The two discuss the medical status of dermal filler, whether the government’s attempts to regulate the industry go far enough, and tips on what to ask a cosmetic practitioner...
Mar 23, 2026•16 min
While London clubs increasingly face the risk of closure, ticketed events in multi-use spaces are becoming more popular. Even art galleries have started hosting after hours events. So, how different will clubbing look over the next few years? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Rosalie Doubal, a senior curator of international art at Tate Modern, about the intersection of art, culture and clubbing, and whether she sees galleries becoming a vital part of late night infrastructure. T...
Mar 20, 2026•18 min
The 2026 awards season delivered unforgettable fashion moments, from Jessie Buckley’s sculptural pink and red Chanel gown to Timothée Chalamet’s playful white Givenchy suit. Designers like Schiaparelli and Valentino dominated headlines, with the red carpet capturing the energy and creativity of major fashion weeks. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick is joined by business writer and branding specialist, John Arlidge, to discuss the changing landscape for legacy brands in a tougher environmen...
Mar 19, 2026•20 min
A student nightclub in Canterbury, Kent, is at the centre of a meningitis B outbreak that has so far caused over a dozen hospitalisations and two deaths. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to immunisation specialist Dr Helen Burford, who is a professor of Children's Health at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. They discuss the difference between meningitis strains, why this variant might have spread in a nightclub and whether Londoners need to take action to protect t...
Mar 18, 2026•12 min
There was a significant British presence at this year’s Oscars, with UK film talent receiving 40 nominations and delivering several wins on the night. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to freelance culture writer Laura Martin, who recently wrote for the Standard about why London could be the new ‘Lollywood’. They discuss whether that idea holds up after this year’s Academy Awards, and break down some of the biggest British success stories from Sunday night. Tamara also speaks to Lis...
Mar 17, 2026•21 min
