James O'Brien Daily

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said everything has changed since Brexit and that it's time for an honest discussion about a return to free movement, with an EU-UK summit looming on the 20th of November... but could the freedom of movement conversation be made toxic all over again, by the very same people as before?

Plus, Sylvester Stallone says you're not a good parent if you haven't performed a little nepotism. James agrees and tells the story of the connection that got him his first break in journalism. So when exactly does nepotism become a problem?

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Every Wednesday, get a new episode of Ask James Anything, where you can put your questions directly to James. Politics, films, music, food, video games, Halloween parties - nothing is off limits.

Then, on the last Monday of every month, catch James Reacts, as James revisits some of the funniest, most viral and most outrageous moments from his years on LBC, alongsi...

Is Britain right to prepare for the worst? As governments across Europe urge households to stockpile essential supplies, a debate over emergency preparedness raises questions about the growing threat of cyberattacks, power cuts and Russian aggression.

Plus, the disturbing sex abuse allegations surrounding Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle, raise difficult questions about what happens when allegations of this nature emerge within your own family. Thomas Markle denies the allegations, while Meghan has explained why she cut contact with her father and wanted to protect her children.

This episode was recorded on the 23rd of Oc...

Barclays has revealed £2.3bn of profit in the three months leading up to September, while at the same time around 5,000 jobs are being cut. AI is squarely in the frame to take over. So James asks his listeners the question nobody wants to answer out loud: are you next?

Plus: The UK government says it is working to identify any potential exposure in its online services, after critical cyber-security flaws were identified in the PHP programming language that underpins a significant number of the world's websites... LBC's tech correspondent Will Guyatt joined to explain it all.

More gas for Britain, but at what cost? The government’s decision to approve new North Sea gas drilling sparks a fierce debate over energy security, the climate crisis and Labour’s promise not to grant new licences. Can domestic drilling deliver cheaper energy and greater independence, or does it risk opening the door to further fossil fuel extraction?

Plus, the Covid inquiry’s damning findings bring the tragedy of Britain’s care homes back into focus. With 43,000 residents dead and thousands of patients discharged from hospitals into care homes to free up beds, the human cost behind t...

Andy Burnham has reportedly told officials to rip up their plans for fixing Thames Water because they don't go far enough. James wants to know something simpler: how was this allowed to happen at all? A company Britain used to own is now sitting on £100m of outstanding fines, asking its own creditors for another £2.4bn just to keep the taps on, while stakeholders including companies owned by foreign governments have made a fortune.

The answers come from callers who were there. Jeremy was asked to leave in 1989 after telling senior management that leakage and sewage treatment fi...

Why are protests in France so different from those in Britain — and could the same anger ever explode on British streets? James examines unrest in France, exploring the country’s revolutionary tradition, its relationship with the state and why French citizens often see protest as both a right and a responsibility.

Then, James looks at the stark postcode lottery facing children in England. From unsafe streets and overcrowded schools to access to education and mental-health support, callers reveal how the place a child grows up can shape their entire future.

This episode was recorded on the...

An undercover ITV investigation exposes racist and misogynistic views among Reform UK candidates and activists, raising serious questions about Nigel Farage’s leadership, the party’s vetting process and its repeated claims to be keeping extremists out of politics.

Plus, we teach children to read and write, but do we teach them how to actually express themselves? James questions why oracy is so often overlooked, as callers share how struggling to express themselves can leave them feeling shut down in society.

This episode was recorded on the 16th of October. James O'Brien Daily is a Glob...

What happens when America turns its back on Ukraine?

Donald Trump’s apparent alignment with Vladimir Putin raises urgent questions about Ukraine’s future, from restrictions on Starlink and military intelligence to the possibility of Europe having to fill the gap left by a retreating America. Financial Times chief Ukraine correspondent Christopher Miller joins James to explore the impact on Ukraine’s fight for survival and the fears facing its people.

Plus, an ITV investigation exposes racist comments by Reform UK candidates and councillors, raising serious questions about the party’s vetting process and Nigel Farage’s...

A national campaign has launched in the hope of finding 10,000 new foster places. James hears extraordinary, emotional accounts from foster carers - from children arriving with almost nothing, to the painful and joyful reality of letting them go, these calls reveal why fostering can change everyone involved.

Then, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich joins James to discuss his 491 days in a Russian prison, why he quickly understood he was being held as leverage, and the prisoner swap that finally brought him home.

This episode was recorded on the 14th of October. James O'Brien Daily...

Released from prison with a small discharge payment, no settled home and a long list of conditions: what could possibly go wrong? James explores why so many people return to prison so quickly, often not for a new crime but for breaching the terms of their release.

Plus, Andy Burnham begins reopening the Brexit conversation. Is Britain finally ready to admit that making trade with its closest neighbours harder was a catastrophic mistake?

This episode was recorded on the 13th of October. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global...

Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum. So why did Vladimir Putin want Britain out of the European Union - and why are so many people still reluctant to confront the answer? James examines how division, disinformation and distrust can weaken a country far more cheaply than military force.

Plus, what does Donald Trump’s apparent unwillingness to oppose Vladimir Putin mean for Ukraine, Europe and the world? James hears from callers wrestling with the unsettling possibility that the President of the United States is acting consistently in Russia’s interests.

This episode was recorded on the...

Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to broadcast a firing-squad execution. James asks what happens when state killing becomes a public spectacle - and why the presence of a camera makes it feel still more horrifying.

Plus, James examines a major new review of young people’s mental health. Its message is clear: they are not weak, overdiagnosed or “snowflakes”. They are facing pressures previous generations did not and they need support, compassion and understanding.

This episode was recorded on the 9th of October. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Globa...

Brexit, Covid lockdowns and Liz Truss's mini-budget have all taken a lasting toll on Britain's mental health, according to new research. James explores how major political decisions and global events can shake our sense of security, hearing from callers about anxiety, personal trauma and the moments that changed how they see the world.

Plus, who exactly is Kemi Badenoch trying to win over? Following her Conservative Party Conference speech, James hears from voters torn between their distrust of the Tories and their fear of Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

This episode was recorded on the 8th...

Inheritance tax affects a small proportion of estates, so why does it provoke such a powerful reaction in almost everyone else? James asks whether it is morally wrong to tax wealth passed down through families, or whether those receiving large inheritances should see themselves as fortunate.

Plus, James unpicks Kemi Badenoch’s latest speech and speaks to LBC's Washington Editor Simon Marks about mounting concerns over the integrity of the forthcoming US midterm elections.

This episode was recorded on the 7th of October. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Gl...

Cancer is increasingly affecting people under 50 - but what does it feel like to receive a diagnosis at an age when you never imagined it could happen to you? From missed symptoms and life-saving persistence with GPs to treatment, anxiety and the long road afterwards, this is an honest conversation about the reality of cancer at a younger age.

Plus, business owners respond to Jeremy Clarkson’s claim that Britain is no longer a place to build a company.

This episode was recorded on the 6th of October. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, av...

The Green Party has voted to define Zionism as a form of racism, prompting concern from Jewish members who fear it could stigmatise people simply for attending synagogues or identifying with Israel’s right to exist. James explores the crucial distinction between condemning the Israeli Government’s actions in Gaza and defining Zionism itself as racist.

Then, after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says employers are too quick to recruit from overseas, James hears from employers facing challenges finding the skilled workers they need.

This episode was recorded on the 5th of October. James O'Brien Daily is a...

Half of prisoners in England and Wales are functionally illiterate. James asks what prison is actually for when education, rehabilitation and support on release are so limited - and why a system meant to reduce crime can leave people more likely to return.

Then, James examines Suella Braverman’s comments on Englishness, hearing from callers who ask how a former Home Secretary can tell people born and raised in Britain that they do not belong.

This episode was recorded on the 2nd of October. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on...

Brexit has “done more harm than good”, says Andy Burnham, as he opens the door to a new national conversation about Britain’s future relationship with Europe. James asks if the country is ready to confront the consequences of leaving and whether the familiar lies could win again.

Then, James explores Burnham’s proposed commission on electoral reform. Would proportional representation make votes count more fairly, encourage collaboration and stop governments winning unchecked power on a minority of the vote?

This episode was recorded on the 1st of October. James O'Brien Daily is a Global producti...

Andy Burnham’s conference speech sets out a vision for a healthier, wealthier and kinder Britain - from social care, housing and water to electoral reform and a closer relationship with Europe. James reflects on a speech that put hope back at the centre of politics, and asks whether Burnham can deliver the scale of change he has promised.

Plus, LBC Political Editor Natasha Clarke reports live from the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on Health Secretary Yvette Cooper’s new national maternity plan.

This episode was recorded on the 30th of September. James O'Brien Dail...

Could ending the state pension triple lock help fund a social care system that is free at the point of use? James examines Andy Burnham’s reported plans, asking whether pensioners could accept smaller annual increases in return for protection from devastating care costs.

Then, after Martin Lewis asked fellow passengers to turn down a loud serial-killer documentary, James explores the growing problem of people playing phones at full volume in public.

This episode was recorded on the 29th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or...

Sadiq Khan wants Britain to start work on rejoining the EU, while Andy Burnham refuses to rule it out. James asks whether it is politically wise to reopen the Brexit argument — and whether the EU would trust Britain to stay.

Plus, would you support Burnham’s proposed tax-funded social care system? Callers explain the devastating financial reality of care, from families selling homes to fund dementia support to exhausted carers left without meaningful help.

This episode was recorded on the 28th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Glob...

Not every young person thrives in a traditional classroom, but is vocational education a route to opportunity or an early label that limits ambition?

Plus, more than 52,000 people are claiming benefits for back pain with no specific cause - but why are so many of them treated with suspicion rather than compassion?

This episode was recorded on the 25th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

A child leading chants of “let them drown” at a protest over Channel crossings leaves James asking what is happening to Britain. Why is hatred being taught instead of challenged?

James hears from callers who describe the fear felt by people of colour as anti-migrant rhetoric becomes more open, more extreme and increasingly detached from the facts.

This episode was recorded on the 24th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an epis...

Why is it harder to be young today? James asks why so many young people are experiencing mental distress - from insecure work and unaffordable housing to social media, climate anxiety and a future that feels impossible to plan for.

Then, James examines one of Westminster’s enduring mysteries: why aren’t the Liberal Democrats making more of an impact when British politics feels so fractured?

This episode was recorded on the 23rd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make...

Donald Trump has shredded the diplomatic rulebook - so what is a British Prime Minister supposed to do when meeting him? James examines the impossible task of dealing with a US President who demands loyalty, thrives on flattery and can reverse his position overnight.

Then, as migration figures fall sharply, James asks why the politicians and newspapers who demanded lower numbers are refusing to celebrate.

This episode was recorded on the 22nd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make...

What does it mean to lose someone while they are still physically there? James hears powerful accounts from families affected by dementia, as the disease is now being described by leading experts as Britain’s greatest health and social care crisis.

Plus, women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson has said that “all of us as women in society are unsafe”, prompting a conversation about women’s safety and why it must no longer be treated as normal.

This episode was recorded on the 21st of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day...

A lifeboat station in Portsmouth has halted operations after RNLI volunteers faced abuse for rescuing people in distress at sea. What does it say about Britain when those who risk their lives to save strangers are branded “traitors” and targeted by masked protesters?

Then, Charles Spencer has made new claims about King Charles’s reaction to Princess Diana’s death. James asks whether the Earl is honouring his sister’s memory or publicly washing the family’s dirty linen.

This episode was recorded on the 18th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available ev...

The people at the heart of artificial intelligence are warning that its development could pose a threat to humanity. James asks what we should really fear - from cyberattacks to the prospect of systems we may no longer be able to control.

Plus, what is the difference between good strict and bad strict? As a headteacher sparks backlash after suspending 25 pupils in the first week of school, James hears powerful stories of harsh discipline, corporal punishment and humiliation.

This episode was recorded on the 17th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available...

A village votes to leave the UK over plans to house asylum seekers nearby. What is really behind the anger in Piddington and what does the reaction reveal about the debate over asylum, safety and integration?

Plus, thousands of people are being pushed out of paid work to care for sick family members. With around 1,500 Britons reportedly leaving their jobs every day, James looks at the human cost of Britain’s care crisis and asks why families are being left to pick up the pieces.

This episode was recorded on the 16th of September. James O...

The UK’s political future is back in the spotlight as nationalist parties push for greater independence. What would actually happen if Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland went their separate ways and what would it mean for the rest of Britain?

And, are we scrolling our brains away? Reading for pleasure can boost memory, empathy and mental health, but as TikTok and short-form content take over our attention, are we losing one of the simplest habits that keeps our minds healthy?

This episode was recorded on the 15th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Gl...

Reform has been handed a record-breaking £72 million by two crypto billionaires. Who are they, what are they buying with that influence and does this mark a shift towards the kind of billionaire-funded politics we’ve seen in the US?

And, self-driving cars could put thousands of jobs at risk. A thinktank is calling for them to be taxed to help offset the impact. Is this fair or is it simply the price of progress?

Plus, exercise in schools is falling off. As children become less active, are we sleepwalking into a health crisis?

Thi...

Twenty-five years after 9/11, James O’Brien asks how the attacks changed the world - from America’s sense of security to the suspicion and hostility faced by Muslim communities.

James speaks to Michael Lomonaco about his extraordinary story. As executive chef at Windows on the World, he was due to be at the top of the North Tower, but a last-minute visit to an optician saved his life.

This episode was recorded on the 11th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your...

What does 'working class' mean in Britain in 2026 and can a government genuinely build education policy around it? James O’Brien explores social mobility, poverty, privilege and the children most in need of support.

Then, AI is being hailed as a potential cure for cancer. At the same time, leading researchers are warning it could kill us all. James O’Brien explores the extraordinary contradiction at the heart of the AI revolution.

This episode was recorded on the 10th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or w...

Ed Miliband has declared that Britain will no longer treat illegal Israeli settlement activity as business as usual. James asks whether sanctions are a long-overdue assertion of international law, and why calling out the Israeli Government is so often wrongly conflated with antisemitism.

Plus, what does occupation mean for children trying to get to school, access healthcare and live without fear? James is joined by Save the Children UK's Executive Director for Global Impact, George Graham.

This episode was recorded on the 9th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week...

As the UK moves to sanction goods from illegal Israeli settlements, James explores the arguments from all sides: is it a long-overdue response to injustice in the West Bank, an inadequate symbolic gesture, or a damaging political mistake?

Then, Nigel Farage wants to ban face coverings after masked men terrorised communities in Dover and Portsmouth. But why does his answer appear to focus on Muslim women rather than the men causing the fear?

This episode was recorded on the 8th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global...

Reform claims to stand for women’s safety and free speech. So why was a young woman assaulted for heckling Nigel Farage and why did party figures respond with mockery rather than condemnation?

Plus, callers reflect on the “other life” they might have lived if their ADHD, autism or learning needs had been recognised at school.

This episode was recorded on the 7th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Why do some people keep defending Nigel Farage, whatever happens? James considers the fresh allegations surrounding Reform’s funding and asks whether anger at the political establishment has become more powerful than facts, principles or self-interest.

Plus, how do you cope when your mum, dad or closest friend becomes radicalised online? James hears from listeners whose relationships have been changed by far-right politics.

This episode was recorded on the 4th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you su...

Is this the beginning of the end for Nigel Farage? As Reform UK slips behind the Conservatives in a new poll and bans critical journalists from its conference, James examines the pressure building around a party that says it stands for free speech.

Then, James explores the lives behind the figures on workless households. What does it mean for children to grow up without parents in employment?

This episode was recorded on the 3rd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your...

Has Donald Trump swapped sides? James is joined by The Guardian’s Luke Harding to examine Trump’s extraordinary relationship with Vladimir Putin, his retreat from Ukraine and the dangerous new age of conquest unfolding across the world.

But first, Andy Burnham says Britain’s malaise can be traced back to privatisation, austerity, deindustrialisation and Brexit. Is he right — and can Britain undo 40 years of wrong turns?

This episode was recorded on the 2nd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. M...