James O'Brien Daily

Sir Keir Starmer says the new UK-US trade deal will save thousands of jobs in the car and steel industries. James breaks down the detail with Dmitry Grozoubinski, Founder of Explain Trade, and asks if Starmer could have done any better.

Also, two men have been found guilty of felling the world famous Sycamore Gap Tree, a crime that enraged the nation. As a country, why were we so emotionally invested, and should the men be sent to prison for chopping down a tree?

And, Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as Pope Leo XIV...

Even in the wake of the UK-India trade deal, an actual benefit of Brexit, many Brexiteers are forgoing celebrations and instead painting Indian workers as the winners, and UK workers as the losers. In this anti-immigrant political climate, how can Labour prove to the electorate that it is benefiting them?

Also, migrants coming to live and work in the UK will be required to speak A-Level standard English under a new proposal from the Government. Who is this policy designed to appease, and will it work?

And, James also speaks with historian, broadcaster and host...

India launched air strikes on Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir last night, leaving many civilians dead, in the worst fighting between the two nations for decades. This has coincided with the near completion of a UK-India trade deal. What are the stakes here and what happens if the conflict escalates?

Also, a new report into last summer’s far-right anti-immigrant riots has found that the police force is ill-equipped to tackle the impact of online misinformation - which fuelled the disorder. Why do people spread misinformation? Is the battle with the tech platforms that have the power to re...

The Government is rethinking its controversial winter fuel payment cut as anxiety grows at potential electoral repercussions. How big a deal is the winter fuel allowance, and how would you fix it?

The Israeli security cabinet has approved a plan to 'capture' Gaza, in which troops will indefinitely occupy the region and forcibly relocate the 2.1 million Palestinians living there to the southern enclave. Was this the plan all along?

This episode was recorded on the 6th May. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour from the 1st May. The James O'Brien Daily Podcast will return after the bank holiday, on Tuesday 6th May. Have a wonderful weekend!

Nigel Farage’s Reform has this afternoon taken control of seven councils, just hours after dramatically beating Labour in a by-election for Runcorn and Helsby.

Is Keir Starmer Labour’s main problem? How can Nigel Farage, a politician with such a bad track record, enjoy such public support?

And, James speaks with the Co-Founders of Project Pure Hope, an organisation that helped bring two girls from Gaza over to the UK for urgent medical treatment. These children are the first to be granted temporary UK visas and healthcare since the beginning of the war.

Th...

The Met Police officer who was cleared of murder after shooting and killing Chris Kaba is now going to be investigated for gross misconduct by the independent police watchdog. James asks if this investigation is necessary. 

And, James speaks with Phillips O’Brien, Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews, about the resource deal that’s been finalised between Ukraine and the US. What does it mean for both parties?

This episode was recorded on the 1st May. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

James and LBC’s Washington Editor Simon Marks fact-check Donald Trump’s speech in Michigan celebrating the first 100 days of his second presidency. 

The Met Police officer who was cleared of murder after shooting Chris Kaba will face a gross misconduct hearing, the police watchdog has said. James speaks with LBC’s reporter Fraser Knight for the details.

It’s been reported that men are to blame for the so-called “motherhood penalty”, and that men still don't do enough housework in comparison to women. Why has so little changed, and is this the case in your househol...

The UK and the EU have outlined a “new strategic partnership” intended to improve trade and security in Europe - totally at odds with Donald Trump’s alignment with Russia. Should Keir Starmer lean to Europe, or America?

James is joined by LBC’s Washington Editor Simon Marks, to analyse the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term.

And, after years of posting cycling videos, broadcaster Jeremy Vine will stop sharing his content, as he’s been the victim to huge amounts of anti-cyclist trolling, including death threats. What is it about the UK that makes u...

Ultra-processed foods, including processed meats, breakfast cereal and fizzy drinks are causing almost 20,000 premature deaths in the UK each year, a study has suggested. Why are Brits so susceptible to junk food?

And, experts in child development told MPs today that children may struggle to maintain relationships as an adult if they experience verbal abuse as children - the most prevalent form of child maltreatment. Have you been affected by verbal abuse as a child?

This episode was recorded on the 28th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Can we get the social media genie back in the bottle? Technology Secretary Peter Kyle is considering a social media curfew for kids, but has said no decisions will be made unless all the data backs it. Do we need a social media curfew? How bad is the impact of social media?

And, Sir Keir Starmer and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, met yesterday to discuss plans for a new UK/EU defence pact. Contrastingly, 10 years ago, Brexiteers such as Nigel Farage used the idea of a European Army as a highly...

In the wake of a deadly Russian drone attack on a bus in Ukraine, which killed 9 people, Donald Trump has accused the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of harming peace negotiations by refusing to relinquish sovereignty of Crimea to Russia. James believes the US and Russia are now allies. What does this mean for both Ukraine and the world?

James is also joined by LBC’s Political Editor Natasha Clark, who shares her interview with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, during which they discussed the potential for a UK-US trade deal.

This episode was recorded on the 24th Ap...

The list of states, institutions and people around the world that US President Donald Trump offends grows by the day - but why does Trump never do a single thing that upsets Vladimir Putin's and the Kremlin?

And, as he marked St George’s Day, Sir Keir Starmer urged the public to reclaim the English flag from the far-right. James asks a question that is simultaneously simple and complex - what is Englishness and why do you feel English?

This episode was recorded on the 23rd April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Pope Francis died in the early hours of Easter Monday. His funeral will take place on Saturday, which will start the first of nine days of global mourning. A liberal Pope, his attitudes were both loved and controversial. James asks what it means to be Catholic, and why Pope Francis’ death has generated such an extraordinary response.

Also, for the first time, the Home Office is to publish the nationalities of criminal immigrants in the UK. Why are Labour doing this and why would anyone welcome this policy?

And, James speaks to Fatima Whitbread MBE, fo...

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour from the 17th April. The James O'Brien Daily Podcast will return after the bank holiday, on Tuesday 22nd April. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, has said the West as we know it no longer exists. Given Donald Trump’s rejection of America’s role as leader of the free world, James thinks she’s right - do you? 

And, in an open letter in the Financial Times, dozens of members of the largest body representing UK Jews have condemned Israel's government for the war in Gaza. How significant is this moment?

This episode was recorded on the 17th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

The Supreme Court has ruled that "woman" in UK law refers to biological sex, rather than one’s gender identity. This is being celebrated by some, while others feel dismay and that trans-people are being erased from society. What does the court ruling mean and what are people celebrating?

James is also joined by the journalist and author David A Graham, to speak about his upcoming book “The Project: How Project 2025 is Reshaping America”, which explains why many people believe that a mysterious document by a conservative think tank is the blueprint for Donald Trump’s America.

Thi...

The Birmingham bin collector strikes will continue after the latest pay offer by the city council was "overwhelmingly" rejected. Do you support the strikers? What would you do if your boss wanted to cut your wages?

Also, James speaks with LBC’s Washington Editor Simon Marks for the latest from the US, including Donald Trump blaming the Ukraine war - again - on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

And, the Prime Minister has pledged to give 16 year olds the right to vote, which would extend the franchise to around 1.5 million young people. Is he right to do...

A report by MPs has found no evidence for “two tier policing” during last summer’s violent far-right riots, following the murder of three little girls by the Southport killer. The report also stated that the law preventing the police revealing more information about the suspect, who was a British Christian, should be reviewed, as the truth could have countered the disinformation claiming that he was a Muslim asylum seeker, which fuelled much of the violence. 

Shouldn’t the government be focusing on punishing those who spread false information, rather than changing the system? Does the report’s findings...

The US-China trade war has deepens - again. Beijing retaliates to yesterday’s 145% levy with a 125% tariff on US goods, with President Xi Jinping calling on the EU to join China in opposing "bullying" from the US. 

With the future global economic and political landscape hugely uncertain, James asks whether Keir Starmer should take bold action to protect the country’s interests by softening Brexit?

And, James discusses the BBC’s reinstallation of a statue sculpted by the paedophile and artist Eric Gill, on the outside of its London HQ. Can the artist ever be separat...

Donald Trump paused his tariff hike on all global economies bar China’s, where the trade war has deepened even further - at the time of writing, tariffs on China stand at 145%. Why has Trump done this? What does the future look like? Should these actions prompt Keir Starmer to rebuild bridges with the EU?

James also plays back an interview with psychologist, writer, and Donald Trump's niece, Mary Trump, in which she describes what she claims are her uncle’s worsening delusions.

And, James speaks with LBC’s Washington Editor Simon Marks, who brings inside...

Donald Trump continues to dismantle democratic institutions, defy court orders, deport innocent green card holders and facilitate cronyism. Time for James to ask the big question - is the Trump administration fascist?

And, the UK government is developing a “murder prediction” programme which it hopes will identify members of the public most likely to become killers. Is this pragmatic, or dystopian?

This episode was recorded on the 9th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Following days of tariff turmoil, US stocks rally, while European and Asian markets also stabilise. China, so far, is refusing to withdraw its retaliatory tariffs, saying it will “fight to the end”. Trump has threatened to hit Beijing with an additional 50% tariff if they don’t withdraw their levy by the end of today.

How do you make sense of what Trump is doing? Are we wasting our time trying to analyse him using the normal methods? What comes next? 

This episode was recorded on the 8th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

The head of the Muslim World League says young British Muslims are growing more disillusioned because of the war in Gaza, while the shocking video of Israeli forces opening fire on the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, before killing 15 medics, contradicts the IDF’s initial explanation for the killings. How much damage has Benjamin Netanyahu’s government done to the Israeli cause?

Also, health workers will be sent into the community door-to-door, under drastic new NHS plans to tackle sickness rates across England. Will the scheme work?

And, James speaks to Dmitry Grozoubinski, founder of Explain Trad...

In the wake of Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, should Keir Starmer retaliate or negotiate? James also tackles another possibility - how long could it take for this all to blow up in Trump’s face?

And, James speaks with Neil Henderson, the father of Jim Henderson, an aid worker and former Royal Marine that was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza last April. Neil shares his son’s story and legacy.

This episode was recorded on the 4th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Stock markets across the world dropped today after Donald Trump's sweeping tariff announcements. Sir Keir Starmer has said this will "clearly" have an economic impact on Brits, but that the UK will keep a "clear head", while also considering retaliatory measures. What should Starmer do?

James is also joined by Ta-Nehisi Coates, an American journalist and author, for a brilliant conversation about the dramatic reaction to his latest book, “The Message”, which explores destructive nationalist myths and describes the segregation he witnessed first hand in Israel and the West Bank.

This episode was recorded on the...

Donald Trump is set to announce his global tariffs at 9pm tonight. Can Keir Starmer, who’s being urged to fight back with retaliatory tariffs, stand up to Trump? James also analyses some of the New Jersey Senator Cory Booker’s record breaking anti-Trump speech from yesterday.

Also, Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch has said she opposes protest-free buffer zones around abortion clinics and thinks they undermine free speech in the UK. Why are certain powerful individuals so against abortion and are the buffer zones actually an assault on free speech?

And, James speaks with Nebal Fars...

Sir Keir Starmer has admitted that the UK is likely to be hit by Donald Trump’s global trade tariffs, as the US refuses to sign an economic deal with Britain. James gets into the nitty gritty: What's the reason for tariffs? When did they originate? How will these tariffs affect us?

The Prime Minister has described Netflix’s hugely influential series Adolescence as something that the entire nation is talking about. Yet today on LBC the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch revealed that she hasn’t watched it. James and his listeners break this down.

This e...

The number of men becoming secondary school teachers has plummeted to a record low, while conversations about the effects of online misogyny and healthy role models are being had more than ever. Do boys need male role models specifically, and if so, why?

NHS bosses have decided to shut the maternity unit at a major London hospital in response to a dramatic fall in the birthrate in its area in recent years. If you’re child free - why? And how do people react when you tell them?

This episode was recorded on the 31st Ma...

Labour has come under fire from its welfare cuts, with affected families forecasted to lose £1,720 on average a year. James and his listeners look to identify exactly who Labour is trying to appeal to right now.

Also, mid show, Keir Starmer’s director of communications quit - after just 9 months in the job. LBC’s Political Correspondent Aggie Chambre shares the details.

And, Just Stop Oil is to cease its campaign of civil resistance after 3 years of climate action. The group stated that its initial demand to end new oil and gas is now Government polic...

More than 3 million UK households will lose out as a result of the government’s cuts to welfare, according to official analysis, with an extra 250,000 people forecasted to fall into relative poverty by the end of the decade. How will this impact you?

And, the Netflix drama Adolescence has brought much needed attention to toxic masculinity and dangerous online influences such as Andrew Tate. James speaks to women about their thoughts on the show and the conversations it's opened up.

This episode was recorded on the 27th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LB...

As well as plans to bomb Yemen's Houthis being leaked in the US security breach yesterday, messages also revealed a contempt toward America's European allies. One of US Vice President JD Vance’s messages stood out: "I just hate bailing Europe out again". Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth replied: "I fully share your loathing of European freeloading. It's PATHETIC". Why does JD Vance have this attitude towards Europe?

James also speaks with Phillips O'Brien, Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews, who explains why yesterday’s US-negotiated "Black Sea Ceasefire" is a betrayal of Ukraine.

A journalist was accidentally added to a group chat on which the US Government was planning the bombing of Yemen's Houthis. The chat included US Vice President JD Vance, Defence secretary Pete Hegseth and the leaders of US national security and intelligence. When questioned this morning, Donald Trump said he knew nothing about it. Is this indicative of the incompetence of the Trump administration?

And, the Palestinian director of the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land” has been arrested by the IDF after being attacked by Israeli settlers. James speaks with Raviv Rose, a jewish activist of the Cent...

The UK’s first live facial recognition cameras, intended to make fighting crime easier, are being set up in south London. Would you be comfortable with these cameras arriving on your street, or is this an invasion of privacy?

Brits spend less time in the office than workers in every other country bar the Philippines, research claims. Why are Brits resisting the call back to the office?

Elton John, Stormzy and Coldplay are among a group of artists backing Ed Sheeran’s call for Keir Starmer to commit £250m to music education. Would you be the s...

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is considering a smartphone ban in England schools. Pressure mounts from MPs to act on the effect of social media on teenagers, encapsulated by the viral Netflix drama, Adolescence. Is totally banning phones from schools possible?

Also, there’s been a huge rise in women working beyond the state pension threshold simply in order to survive. Simple question here - will you ever be able to retire?

And, James speaks with LBC’s Scotland Political Editor, Gina Davidson, for the details on Nicola Sturgeon’s clearance of wrongdoing in regards to the ca...

Donald Trump has suggested the US takes over ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants as part of a truce between Ukraine and Russia. Is Trump’s second term changing the West beyond all recognition?

Also, James speaks with LBC’s Political Editor Natasha Clark, who shares the highlights from her recent interview with the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey.

Also, James speaks with Jerusalem-based journalist Noga Tarnopolsky, who details why Israeli protestors are saying that Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest bombardment of Gaza is ‘cover’ for his campaign to retain power.

And, Labou...

Over 1 million disabled people could be set to lose thousands of pounds under the government’s welfare overhaul. James asks his listeners if these changes go too far.

Also, Former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate says that young men are suffering from a lack of positive role models and are being influenced by toxic online figures, gambling and pornography. Why are young men so susceptible to these dangers?

And, James speaks with Suzanne O'Sullivan, neurologist and author of “The Age of Diagnosis: Sickness, Health and Why Medicine Has Gone Too Far”, to ask whether we’re...

Despite the ceasefire, more than 400 Palestinians were killed by Israeli air strikes overnight, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Humanitarian organisations have expectably been overwhelmed. James speaks with Rosalia Bollen, spokesperson for Unicef, who is in Southern Gaza and asks listeners what the likelihood is that Benjamin Netanyahu will continue this war until Gaza is entirely destroyed?

Also, millions of people in England and Wales should have their BMI checked regularly to curb obesity, an NHS watchdog is recommending. What was your wake up call to lose weight and what does it feel like to have loved on...

According to a new study, almost 4 in 10 members of Generation Z are considering leaving their job, with mental health identified as a “major driver” of this. Why is this happening and what can we do about it? 

Also, the author of the new book, “Why I Would Never Fight for My Country”, argues that ordinary people should never be sent into battle. The 27 year old German states that he’d “rather be occupied than dead.” Why is he wrong?

And, I speak with Steve Herman, Chief National Correspondent for the Voice of America (VOA), which has had almost...

Sir Kier Starmer announced yesterday his intention to abolish NHS England to bring the healthcare service back under government control to reduce bureaucracy and costs. Today, James searched for the lived experiences of those who have worked with NHS England, to highlight why the abolition may be welcome.

 Following Monday’s focus on online safety, James also returned to this topic as the UK Schools Leader announced that social media platforms must be held accountable for their role in bullying and the spread of “deepfakes.” He asked his listeners a unique question, how much damage has social media d...