WE NEED TO CUT THE CHORD WITH ISOLATIONIST U.S. - THE MID-TERMS CHANGE NOTHING

In his Weekend Blast, Nick Cohen criticises the assumption that the world, including Britain, understands America. For far too long, we Brits have obsessed about U.S politics and trusted too much to U.S. security guarantees. It's high time that we, with our European friends, decided to cut the chord with an unreliable and unstable partner and stood on our own two feet.

Nick argues that America has turned inward and no longer wants to...

THE DANGEROUS FUTURE LAME PRESIDENCY DUCK DONALD TRUMP

In this special pre-mid terms Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to legendary Never Trump commentator and podcaster Charle Sykes about corrupt U.S. president Donald Trump and his greedy, grifting family and its potential impact on the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. Charlie and Nick discuss how Trump’s financial scandals had become blatant and easily understandable to the public, contrasting this with more complex political corruption in Europe. Charlie observes how U.S. voters appear to be increasingly sensitive to this corruption as their own ec...

WILL ANDY BURNHAM GO TO THE COUTRY FOR HIS OWN MANDATE FOR CHANGE?

In his weekend blast, Nick Cohen criticises his own previous belief that political opponents should simply be removed from power without considering what comes next. He argued that Labour's massive 2024 election victory with a 165-seat majority was cursed by self-imposed restrictions that prevented implementing any meaningful policies. Nick explains how Keir Starmer ruled out virtually every radical policy option during the campaign, leaving the new government with no programme or momentum once in power. Nick highlights how this approach led to...

TRUMP IS SELLING OUT UKRAINE TO BUDDY TYRANT VLADIMIR PUTIN - & ALL FOR A QUICK BUCK!

In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen interviews Sir Bill Browder, where they discuss Browder's experiences with Russian corruption and Putin's regime. Browder shared how he ran a successful investment fund in Russia in the 1990s exposing corporate corruption, but faced expulsion in 2005 and later the murder of his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in 2009 after investigating a $230 million tax fraud. Sir Bill described the challenges of pursuing justice for Magnitsky, including being sentenced to 18 years in prison in absentia...

AN EPITAPH ON 2 TYRANTS - VLADIMIR PUTIN & DONALD TRUMP

In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks about what happens when power passes from autocrats, using Donald Trump as a primary example. The great British-American poet W.H Auden would have recognised the deeply sinister but darkly ridiculous figures of Trump and Putin in his 1939 poem Epitaph on a Tyrant [*see below] and the lines: "When he laughed, respectable senators burst with laughter, And when he cried the little children died in the streets."

Today, Trump trips the light fantastic, apparently...

The UK's Labour Tory Punch and Judy show could be back with a vengeance!

In his latest podcast interview, Nick Cohen talks to doyen pollster Peter Kellner, founder of YouGov, to discuss the current state of British politics and the potential return to a two-party system dominated by Labour and the Conservatives. Peter and Nick talk about how Reform Party support has declined from around 30% to the low 20s due to controversies over racism and financial issues, while Labour has gained under new leader Andy Burnham, reaching 26-28% in polls.

They...

TORY OBSESSION WITH LEAVING ECHR COMPOUNDS THE EXTRAORDINARY FOLLY OF BREXIT

Nick Cohen argues that the Conservative Party's latest obsession with leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is stupid, wrong headed, is deeply damaging to the UK, destroys the basis of our human rights and and replicates the Tories' enduring stupidity in dragging the country out of the European Union, a move which has led to international isolation and is causing huge damage to the economy.

Nick argues against the UK leaving the European Convention on Human Rights and...

THE UK MUST NOT WASTE PRECIOUS TIME MOURNING THE DEATH OF THE OLD U.S.

In the latest episode of The Lowdown, Nick Cohen talks to David Frum, the former George W. Bush speechwriter turned leading “Never Trump” conservative and Atlantic writer, for a wide-ranging discussion on Trump, the deteriorating UK-U.S. relationship, America’s place in the world, and the crisis facing the democratic right.

David Frum begins by challenging easy assumptions about the withdrawal of U.S. heavy bombers from RAF Fairford. Was it another sign of Donald Trump admini...

The Holborn by-election result is a disaster for the Greens

Nick Cohen delivers his thoughts on the recent Holborn and St Pancras by-election results, where Labour comprehensively defeated the Green Party candidate, and its leader, Zack Polanski. Cohen criticises Polanski's leadership, particularly his absence during the controversial Green Party conference where motions on Israel and Palestine were debated, and highlighted how Jewish members' amendments were rejected. Nick talks about the broader implications for the Green Party's direction, comparing Polanski's approach to different "Islamist-leftist" political movements across Europe and North America, and warned about the...

CLIMATE CHANGE - COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU!

In his latest The Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author & former diplomat Arthur Snell about the growing climate crisis and its global impacts. Aftera summer of 2026 & that will be remembered for its relentless record-breaking heatwaves, Arthur, the author of Elemental, his latest book, describes the grim s tate of climate change response, noting missed targets and the persistence of fossil fuel reliance despite the affordability of renewables. Arthur and Nick discuss the role of China in driving down renewable costs and the geopolitical shifts...

Nigel Farage & the radical right have tried to use the strange events at RAF Fairford to feed the politics of hate

In his latest Lowdown podcast short, Nick Cohen discusses Nigel Farage's extraordinary and irresponsible attempts to make political capital from the strange events at RAF Fairford this week, including allegations of an alleged Iranian-linked terrorism. Without any evidence, and before anyone was even charged, Farage rushed headlong onto social media and heavily suggested this was an Iranian plot, using terrorists who got into the UK on one of the small boats!

TRUMP'S "EMPIRE OF GRIFT" - WHY THE U.S. WE ONCE KNEW & TRUSTED MAY BE STONE COLD DEAD

In this episode of The Lowdown, Nick Cohen talks with author and journalist Anne Applebaum about her recent essay in The Atlantic, which describes the current U.S. administration under Trump as an "empire of grift." Anne Applebaum explains that this administration has abandoned America's traditional role as a leader of democracies, instead promoting corruption, far-right ideologies, and imperialist policies both domestically and abroad. Canada's PM Mark Carney was among the first of prominent western leaders...

HOW CRYPTO BUYS AND SELLS POLITICANS ON THE FAR RIGHT ACROSS EUROPE

In this Lowdown short, Nick Cohen discusses the influence of the crypto industry on politics, focusing on how crypto billionaires have been buying support from radical right politicians. He highlighted cases such as Christopher Harbourne and Ben Delo's large donations to Nigel Farage and his party, and Donald Trump's involvement in the crypto industry. Cohen criticises the lack of regulation in the crypto sector and its use by criminals and authoritarian regimes. He argued that honest industries do not need to buy...

PUTIN IS AT WAR WITH US - WHETHER WE'RE WILLING TO RECOGNISE THE FACT, OR NOT! WITH LUKE HARDING OF THE GUARDIAN

In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen discusses the Kremlin's current Russian influence operations against and other countries in Europe with Luke Harding, Guardian foreign cortrespondent, and the author of "Betrayal: Trump, Putin, and A New Age of Conquest."

Luke explains how Russian intelligence has shifted its focus from left-wing groups to right-wing populist parties, particularly targeting figures like Nigel Farage and the Reform Party...

Trump has swamped the U.S. in corruption - Nick Cohen argues that the UK must act now to escape the same fate

Nick Cohen delves into the history of past political donations as he argues that the UK must do all it can not to be plunged into the brazen corruption of Donald Trump's crooked White House.

The controversial gift of £1 million to the Labour Party by former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone produced an exception to a tobacco-advertising ban for Formula One. Uniquely among Western democracies, Britain also lets m...

Labour must confront the far right & its fascism head-on - with Rafel Behr

In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author and leading Guardian columnist Rafael Behr about the interconnectedness of ultra-capitalism and reactionary right-wing forces in politics. They discuss how both radicalised elderly voters nostalgic for the past and wealthy tech billionaires like Elon Musk are supporting extreme right-wing movements, creating a more dangerous political landscape than the "cosy" narrative of just elderly voters being concerned about change. Rafael analyses the Labour Party's failure to adequately confront far-right threats, particularly noting...

Labour must take on Farage and the UK's new blackshirts but where is Andy Burnham?

Hundreds of anonymous men turn up at Dover dressed in black shirts and balaclavas; Reform leader and Brexit con artist Nigel Farage threatens to scrap the House of Lords, purge the civil service and judiciary and use emergency decrees to pass sinister legislation if he ever takes power; women hecklers are beaten with a crutch during a Farage conference speech and grabbed by their hair by thugs and dragged out of the hall - but the silence in the...

The growing debt crisis of no-growth Brexit Britain

In his latest Lowdown podcast, host Nick Cohen interviews economics and geopolitics commentator and columnist Simon Nixon about the UK's national debt crisis and broader economic challenges. Simon explains that while the UK faces significant debt sustainability concerns, the current high bond yields reflect primarily inflation expectations rather than immediate financial crisis.

Simon attributes the UK's inflation problem to being a price taker in global markets, energy price vulnerabilities, and Brexit's impact on supply chains. Simon...

BURSTING THE BREXIT BUBBLE! HOW BREXITEERS ARE CAUGHT IN THEIR OWN "PURTY SPIRAL"

In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen interviews Roland Smith, one of the few Brexit supporters who has publicly admitted the Brexit project was a mistake. Roland discusses how British right-wing politics has descended into a purity spiral since 2016, with no senior conservative politicians acknowledging failures in Brexit or austerity policies. He explains that right-wing figures genuinely believe they haven't gone far enough with their policies rather than admitting mistakes, and...

ISRAEL - THE NEW WEDGE ISSUE OF U.S. POLITICS

In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to the journalist Jo-Ann Mort about Israel, Jews, and anti-Semitism in left-wing politics. Jo-Ann Mort,who is also former founder of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), discussed how the DSA has shifted dramatically from its original anti-communist, anti-totalitarian stance to a position that is increasingly critical of Israel and supportive of BDS movements. Jo-Ann and Nick discuss how Israel has become a wedge issue in American politics, with left-wing candidates opposing pro-Israel...

THE CENSORS' THREAT TO ART

In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Sally Gimson, editor of Index on Censorship, discussing her report on censorship and the lack of political drama in the British arts scene. Sally explains that despite a strong left-wing political passion in the arts, there is a dearth of political theatre, with institutions playing it safe to avoid controversy. She describes how plays are now heavily workshopped and censored by committees, leading to bland and inoffensive productions. Sally highlights specific examples, such as...

HOW TRUMP'S U.S. STUPIDLY ENGINEERED ITS OWN HUMILIATION

This week, Nick Cohen interviews Phillips O'Brien, a professor of strategic studies at St. Andrews University, about the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. O'Brien explained how Iran has effectively "toyed with America" by continuing attacks despite Trump's attempts to de-escalate, forcing the U.S. to resume military operations. He describes how Iran is exploiting two key American vulnerabilities: Trump's need to declare victory and the pressure on U.S. allies in the Gulf region.

No end in sight to Trump's moronic war of choice with Iran

Nick Cohen and Charlie Sykes discuss what they describe as Donald Trump’s two reckless “wars”: the shooting conflict with Iran and the trade war with Canada. Sykes argues both are driven largely by Trump’s personal whims, lack public support, and have not been properly authorised or explained to Americans.

On Canada, Sykes says almost no ordinary Americans see Canada as an enemy, making Trump’s tariffs especially irrational and damaging. He argues the episode shows allies can no longer...

The Right has power & money to destroy our world

Nick Cohen talks to academic Emma L.Briant about a neglected threat: right-wing attacks on free speech. While acknowledging that left-wing censoriousness has damaged liberal politics, he argues that conservatives who claimed to defend open debate are now adopting authoritarian methods. The central example is the Trump administration’s attempt, through Marco Rubio and the State Department, to revoke or threaten visas and immigration status for foreign researchers who study misinformation, disinformation, platform harms, and technology policy. Emma L Briant explains that th...

THE RIGHT & THE RISE OF INTOLERANCE

Nick talks about the the rise of intolerance and the suppression of debate, highlighting how both right and left-wing political movements are moving toward authoritarianism by excluding individuals who disagree with core policies. He gives specific examples including Kemi Badenoch's statements that Conservative candidates must accept Net Zero targets and European Convention on Human Rights, and Amnesty International's controversial report targeting organisations that disagree with gender ideology. Nick argues that while these movements claim to be protecting their respective ideologies, they...

FARAGE'S CRYPTO-BUNG WOES ARE MOUNTING & RIGHTLY SO!

In his latest "The Lowdown" podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Peter Geoghegan, author of "Democracy for Sale," about the corruption allegations surrounding Nigel Farage and the Reform Party. Their chat centres on Farage receiving a £5 million personal donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harbourne and being funded by convicted fraudster George Cottrell, with money potentially being funnelled through Richard Tice's companies. Peter explains how Farage's policies on cryptocurrency align with his donors' interests, noting that Reform Party has concrete policies on crypto deregulation despite having few other d...

THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA MUST NOT FALL FOR NIGEL FARAGE'S LATEST RUSE

Nick Cohen addresses the mainstream media's missed aspect of the story regarding Nigel Farage's links to the crypto industry. He highlights that Farage received £5 million from British Thai crypto billionaire Christopher Harbourn without declaring this donation, and that his convicted fraud pal, George Cottrell ,provided gifts in kind for Farage's political operations. Nick slams Farage's claim to be tough on crime while simultaneously lobbying against a digital pound and supporting the crypto industry, noting that crypto serves as a tool for c...

"LONDONOV!" HOW THE SLOANE RANGERS WHORED THEMSELVES OUT TO DODGY OLIGARCHS & SHEIKHS

In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Peter York, the legendary social commentator who co-wrote the influential "Sloane Ranger's Handbook" in the 1980s about the English upper class in London.

Peter discusses how London has transformed from an English-dominated city to a global centre for wealthy international elites, with properties like the One Hyde Park development being owned primarily by Russian oligarchs, Middle Eastern investors, and other foreign billionaires rather than British residents. They examined how American and Russian...

The tide has turned on Brexit - the "Brexiteers" have only the dead to rally

In his latest Lowdown" podcast, Nick Cohen discusses the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum with Mark Leonard, director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, and the significant changes in global politics over the past 10 years since 2016 that make Brexit an even worse decision than it was a decade ago.

They both examine how Europe has moved from a "Kantian" rule-based system to an "unorder" world where international rules no longer have...

Keir Starmer resigns - can Andy Burnham save the country from the disaster of a Reform government?

Nick Cohen talks about Keir Starmer's resignation as Britain's sixth Prime Minister in ten years, reflecting on the implications for the country and the wider West. Nick explores concerns about Britain's political stability, comparing the situation to historical examples of governments collapsing, and talks about how nationalist parties are gaining power across the UK. Nick defends Starmer's leadership, highlighting his handling of Trump's presidency and his efforts on Ukraine, while acknowledging his political shortcomings. Nick expresses optimism...

The World Cup - the goals, the corruption and the colonialism!

In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Professor Stefan Szymanski, Professor of the Economics of Sports at Michigan University, about the World Cup and the evolution of global football. They explore how the tournament has shifted from being hosted by nation-states to being controlled by oligarchical interests, with Stefan explaining how FIFA's corruption stems from colonialism's legacy and the post-colonial power struggle within the organisation. The conversation covered dramatic price increases in World Cup tickets from 1994 to the present, with final...

Mackerfield shows why Andy Burnham must lead Labour in the fight against the Radical Right

Nick Cohen gives a comprehensive analysis of the Makerfield by-election results from early Friday morning, where Andy Burnham emphatically defeated Nigel Farage's Reform Party, arguing this victory represents both an opportunity and a significant challenge for the Labour Party.

Nick criticises the unprecedented propaganda campaign against Keir Starmer, including claims about a racist police incident and allegations of abuse, which Nick attributes to foreign interference led by Donald Trump's administration and supported by figures like...

UK needs a a strong liberal voice in the south to counter the predictable catastrophe of Farage and Reform

In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to historian and author James Hawes about parallels between current political developments and fascist movements in the 1930s and 1970s. James compares Elon Musk's influence to that of Alfred Hugenberg in 1930s Germany, noting how both used media control to promote extreme right-wing parties. Nick and James discuss conservative establishment figures like Michael Grade at Ofcom were failing to enforce impartiality laws, how the government was unwilling...

Rail to nowhere - HS2 - the poster child project of a failed British political class

In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author and doyen transport writerChristian Wolmar about the serial UK failed high-speed railway project. HS2 has spiralled to an estimated cost of £87-102 billion pounds due to political fickleness, mismanagement, inefficiency, and excessive environmental requirements. Christian Wolmar, author of "Fast Track: The Extraordinary Story of High-Speed Rail," explains how Treasury interference, lack of coherent government strategy, and environmental concerns (including a notorious £130 mi...

Iran and the Strait of Hormuz crisis reveal how much we owe to our merchant mariners

This week, Nick Cohen talks to author, travel writer and writer-mariner Horatio Clare about the hidden world of merchant marines and the critical role they play in global trade. Horatio shares insights from his experience as a writer-in-residence on container ships, describing the challenging conditions faced by seafarers stuck in the Gulf during the ongoing conflict, including extreme heat, isolation, and the constant threat of Iranian drone attacks...

Is instability the new normal with the UK's broken polticis.

In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author and historian Robert Saunders about Britain's transition from decades of political stability to having six prime ministers in ten years and how this reflects deep systemic pressures rather than just poor individual leadership. Robert explains that modern leaders have faced an unprecedented convergence of global crises—including Brexit, COVID-19, and soaring public debt—with very little governance experience. He views Brexit as both a symptom of long-term political decline and an a...

Why we think what we think! The factors beyond our control that form our beliefs!

Nick Cohen chats to author, journalist and entrepreneur Turi Munthe about his latest book "Why We Think What We Think," which explores how non-rational factors significantly influence political and social beliefs.

In an increasingly polarised and fractious world, the issue of people's beliefs and think and why they hold them is becoming increasingly of importance, and for our sinister tech giants, of monetary value!

Turi Munthe discusses various research findings showing how physical...

Lowdown election special with Rafael Behr of The Guardian

Brexit Britons away with the fairies- and believing in at least 6 impossible things before Breakfast!

In the local - and national elections, British voters voted for parties in Wales & Scotland that want to destroy the United Kingdom and for Nigel Farage and his fellow Reform con artists who conned 17.4 million people into voting for Brexit and geo-political isolation and economic impoverishment!

Trumps disastrous foreign policy on Iran and Ukraine isolates the U.S and the UK!

In this latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to distinguished defence expert, Phillips O'Brien from St. Andrews University, about military developments in Ukraine and Iran, focusing on how drone technology is changing the nature of warfare. Phillips explains how Ukraine's use of cheap, mass-produced drones has transformed battlefield dynamics, making traditional heavy armour systems obsolete and causing significant Russian casualties. Phillips and Nick discuss Trump's Iran strategy, with Phillips analysing Trump's psychological dependence...

Is there are braver new world out there for Brits or they doomed for ever to be the no-can-do nation?

Nick Cohen talks to journalist and author, John Kampfner, about his book "Brave a New World," which examines democratic governments that successfully address long-term challenges like aging populations, renewable energy, and housing. Kampfner highlights Japan's approach to demographic change through cross-party collaboration, insurance systems, and integrating older citizens into mainstream society.

Climate change, low birth rate amd and ageing populations, the dangerous instability of the US - these...