Oh God, What Now?

The panel unpacks our eternally wise Government’s ingenious cost of living fix – simply try to be richer! How did certain politicians come to suggest better jobs and working more as quick fixes to escape poverty? Is the old “no such thing as society” mantra rearing its head? Plus, the Article 16 standoff goes on, who were the charlatans who signed up to this dodgy deal? “What Rishi Sunak actually does with his money is give fuck-off donations to his old private school.“ – Ros Taylor “The Bank of England doesn’t have many levers it can pull, and raising interest rates is quite a painful one.” – Ian Dunt “As an MP, even visiting a food bank you’re a tourist in a strange land.” – Alex Andreou “When you’re poor, a trip to the dentist can knock your finances out of orbit for a year.” – Alex Andreou “Big Dog is not under immediate pressure, so Big Dog does not need to act.” – Ros Taylor Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou, Ian Dunt and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Starmer goes bhuna or bust, we discuss his big gamble and the ongoing curry furore. Lib Dem MP Layla Moran joins us to discuss who’s pushing the story and whether Keir’s response was the right move? Plus, the panel unpacks the local elections, now the dust from the ballot boxes has settled. And, what are the big things we should be worried about from the Queen’s Speech? “Johnson is a great asset for the Labour Party.” – Naomi Smith “What Keir Starmer is in fact doing is what I think most people would hope most politicians would do in this situation.” – Layla Moran “The Durham Police get to decide who gets to be leader and deputy leader of the Labour Party." – Ros Taylor "The media mudslinging affects all politicians." – Layla Moran "The government hasn't made new laws, just scrapped old ones." – Ros Taylor "It's just 38 bills of awfulness." – Layla Moran Come to OGWN Live in Brighton with special guest Rafael Behr on Weds 8 June: https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/oh-god-what-now-live-in-brighton www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock talks Westminster sleaze, Starmer’s fighting spirit and tussles with the ultra-left. He and the panel unpack the rot in Government and the decline in standards – which he suggests could undo Johnson in the long run. Neil also reflects on his own time heading up Labour, while addressing what the party needs to do now and for the future. “Keir Starmer is not Kinnock, or John Smith, or Tony Blair. He is in fact Keir Starmer.” – Neil Kinnock “I think that Keir was probably born mature.” – Neil Kinnock “Keir is not a warrior but a consistent relentless fighter, and that’s why he’s a forensic lawyer. That’s why in his case, he says: ‘Don’t get mad, get even.’” – Neil Kinnock “Labour leaders most of the time have to manage their parties to an extent that other party leaders don’t have to do.” – Neil Kinnock “Compromise for a realistic political leader is like oxygen for human beings.” – Neil Kinnock “If you live in the real world, as you must, a life without compromise is unlivable.” – Neil Kinnock “It’s no good Labour leader’s whinging about mistreatment from the press.” – Neil Kinnock "Labour has a galaxy of meaningful policies, but no overall mission.” – Neil Kinnock "Blair's fall from esteem was almost Greek in dimension." – Neil Kinnock "Elections are won and lost over years, not weeks." – Neil Kinnock https://www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ian Dunt and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Boris Johnson’s teflon covering is scratched away, we chart a potential path to his political demise. The panel analyses the latest x-rated scandal in the Commons, that newspaper article and the Prime Minister’s turmoil. Plus, we look at Elon Musk’s controversial Twitter takeover. Sir Anthony Seldon, political historian and author of The Impossible Office? The History of the British Prime Minister, is this week’s guest. “Boris Johnson has passed the supposed point of no return in his leadership about 97 times.” – Sir Anthony Seldon “Tories love power, that’s why they’re the longest serving party in history, whereas Labour are more purist.” – Sir Anthony Seldon “This drip, drip of partygate information has helped Johnson, but harmed the Conservatives.” - Alex Andreou “After the past few years the public expect politicians to break the law and get away with it.” – Minnie Rahman “To be a successful leader you need to appreciate history… arrogance will only lead to your downfall.” – Sir Anthony Seldon “All his life Johnson has played his own game, by his own rules and got his own way.” – Sir Anthony Seldon “The cost of living crisis feels like a Tory crisis, and that’s where Labour's political opportunity is.” – Minnie Rahman www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Naomi Smith with Alex Andreou and Minnie Rahman. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We unpack Johnson’s latest partygate pseudo-apology and analyse the Government’s controversial Rwanda asylum plans. Might the PM’s hubris finally catch up with him? The panel also casts an eye to France as the nation’s presidential election comes to its climax, with veteran correspondent John Lichfield joining as this week’s guest. “The Conservatives are looking around thinking: 'This is a party absolutely stacked with shite.'” – Ian Dunt “If the worst Johnson can do is compare Starmer to Corbyn, then he's in a pretty terrible state.” – Ian Dunt "The Rwanda plan is designed to rile up people like us." – Ian Dunt “France is, very dangerously, becoming split in three ways” – John Lichfield “The French have written off Boris some time ago as someone not to be taken seriously.” – John Lichfield “I think Macron is going to be re-elected, and that is an extraordinary exploit.” – John Lichfield “I don’t think anyone is actually going to get sent to Rwanda… the plan has so many holes in it I just can’t see it working” – Arthur Snell www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Arthur Snell and Ian Dunt. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Johnson becomes the first PM to be convicted of a crime when in office. We look at the times Britain HAS changed its PM during a war, the fines that are coming – and how Johnson is now hiding behind the Ukrainian people so he doesn’t get No Confidenced. Aussi, la merde frappe le ventilateur in the French elections. And Penny Mordaunt, Tank Girl. Labour MP for Leeds NW Alex Sobel is our special guest. “You don’t have to be a Non-Dom to be a Chancellor – but it helps, right?” – Naomi Smith “The question is, where is the bottom of the Tories’ moral compass? How low can Johnson go?” – Alex Sobel “My own father died during COVID and I wasn’t able to touch him – because I, like everyone else except our leaders, followed the rules.” – Naomi Smith “I would be willing to put my hand on my heart and say that Rishi Sunak will never be Conservative Party leader.” – Alex Sobel “Populism is the promise that the harshest possible laws will apply to everyone else. That is the Le Pen offer.” – Alex Andreou “Everyone forgets that the main reason Sunak became Chancellor was simply because he was compliant.” – Alex Sobel Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production Alex Rees. Theme music by Cornershop. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dorries decides to sell Channel 4 (definitely not out of revenge), it’s two years of Keir, and populism wins again with Orbán. Guest Matt Forde, comedian and host of The Political Party podcast, joins us to look at how Labour has shifted under two years of Starmer and where it goes next. Plus, we look at what’s behind Nadine Dorries’ decision – and what will come of another Orbán victory in Hungary? “Starmer didn’t want to be in a position where he had to remove the whip from Corbyn, it didn’t make his life easier.” – Ian Dunt “For the first time since Gordon Brown, Labour has the better candidate to be Prime Minister.” – Matt Forde “Labour might not be 20 points ahead of the Tories, but they are 25 points ahead of where they were under Corbyn.” – Ros Taylor “I think he [Johnson] has totally underestimated how livid people are… I think he is totally out of touch with the anger and the hurt.” – Matt Forde “Channel 4 is an easier target than the BBC. People are less attached to it, and Dorries is less afraid to take it on.” - Ros Taylor www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Alex Andreou with Ian Dunt and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Partygate fines being dished out, special guest Emily Thornberry joins us to discuss Government scandals and sleaze. The shadow attorney general weighs in on Boris Johnson’s position, as it appears evermore untenable. Plus, we discuss the Labour’s future prospects, hopes for change …and the Tories eternally wading into the war on woke. “You can’t have some rules for some people and no rules for other people. We don’t have gods among us.” – Emily Thornberry “Of course the British people want to help people, but we don’t have a government that can step up to that.” – Emily Thornberry “We have to win so many seats back and to do it in one leap is going to be difficult.” – Emily Thornberry “You can be as radical and beautiful as you want to be, but if you don’t get elected, you’re no use to anybody.” – Emily Thornberry "If Labour isn't the party for the disempowered and marginalised, then why are we here?" – Emily Thornberry www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We analyse whether there was anything but jam tomorrow from the chancer Chancellor in his Spring Statement. During a historic cost of living crisis, has Rishi Sunak come anywhere close to meeting the moment? Plus, as scandals surrounding Boris Johnson and his Government resurface, we dive into the sleaze. Will Davies, a professor in political economy and co-author of Unprecedented?: How COVID-19 Revealed the Politics of Our Economy, is this week’s guest. “This statement struck the wrong note for the challenge we as a country are facing.” – Alex Andreou “It is useful for Johnson to draw a line between himself and Europe, and the EU can get more done without Britain.” – Ros Taylor “Johnson will no doubt want to use Ukraine in any way he can to distract from partygate.” – Will Davies “Sunak had the choice of doing right by the country or right by the party, and he chose the latter.” – Alex Andreou www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Government shortcomings amid Ukraine’s invasion are clear, with questions over refugee support and Russian influence in British politics. The panel discusses oligarch controversy, issues for those trying to flee to Britain and global shifts the present crisis is sparking. Guardian columnist and The Long View presenter Jonathan Freedland is our special guest this week. “You can’t deal with this on your own, of course not. It has to be European solidarity.” – Jonathan Freedland “If you’re mixing at parties with celebrities and politicians, you’re going to have gossip on them.” – Naomi Smith “We’ve seen a realignment of the world into dictatorship vs democracy.” – Jonathan Freedland “Russians are the first victims of Putinism, they’ve been both gagged and blindfolded, and we need to liberate them.” – Jonathan Freedland www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Ian Dunt and Naomi Smith. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Live in London… How will Putin’s Ukraine gamble play out? Has Johnson got away with Partygate? Which pundit wins the Worst Take on Ukraine award? Ian, Dorian, Ros, Minnie (live debut!) and special crossover guest Arthur Snell of Doomsday Watch/The Bunker discuss these issues and more before a brilliant live audience at the Leicester Square Theatre. Text the word SUPPORT to 70150 to send £10 to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor, Minnie Rahman, Arthur Snell and Ian Dunt. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production Alex Rees. Theme music by Cornershop. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Special thanks to Jess Davies and all at the Leicester Square Theatre. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Ukrainian resistance awes the world, can EU sanctions stop Russia – or are the risks of confronting Putin just too great? Plus the Government’s cruel refugee policy, unexplained oligarch wealth, and the ignominy of Stop The War. This week’s special guest is former Conservative MP, defence minister and Change UK leader Anna Soubry. “Ukraine has made people realise what the nature of a refugee really is.” – Anna Soubry “The financial assault on Russia is economic warfare of the highest order.” – Ian Dunt “Parliament voting against airstrikes in Syria in 2013 was a dreadful mistake. It showed Putin he could essentially do what he wanted.” – Anna Soubry “There are two frontlines. There’s the battle in Ukraine and the financial assault on Russia.” – Ian Dunt “This is almost a betrayal… We have spent eyewatering amounts of money on nuclear weapons and it turns out that the bully can win anyway?” – Ann Soubry “Zelenskyy puts himself in the public eye and in harm’s way, exactly the way Putin doesn’t.” – Naomi Smith Find resources to help the Ukrainian people here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ian Dunt and Naomi Smith. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

**This episode was recorded prior to Russia's assault on Ukraine on Thursday.** Putin pounces. Ukraine in peril. COVID sidelined at home. Romeo Kokriatski, managing editor of New Voice of Ukraine, joins us from Kyiv to talk about the horror posed by Russia’s aggression. Plus, comedian and creator of The Room Next Door Michael Spicer joins us to discuss what’s going on domestically, as Boris Johnson tries to ignore his way out of the pandemic. “Putin is a dictator, he doesn’t need a reason to do anything.” - Romeo Kokriatski “Russia’s demands were completely unacceptable. It would leave NATO countries on Russia’s borders completely undefended.” - Romeo Kokriatski “Apart from the US, Britain can hurt Russia the most, yet we aren’t fulfilling our obligations.” - Ian Dunt “Covid is not the same as a cold. How are people meant to protect others if they don’t know they have it?” - Minnie Rahman “There’s been a running narrative of ‘when will they get this right?’ about this government.” - Michael Spicer “As long as this Government is in charge, there will always be material for comedy.” - Michael Spicer www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ian Dunt and Minnie Rahman. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russia insists troops are being withdrawn from the Ukrainian border, but is there a genuine deescalation? What happens next? We assess the crisis and Britain’s reaction to it. Plus, with our institutions in disarray as the Government remains embroiled in scandal, what needs to change? Former diplomat and civil servant Alexandra Hall Hall is today’s special guest. “I find it so frustrating that Russia is spinning this narrative that NATO’s actions are somehow provocative.” - Alexandra Hall Hall “This situation is the best opportunity for Boris Johnson to perform his ‘wannabe Churchill’ routine.” - Alexandra Hall Hall “There has been a hollowing out of the ethos of the senior civil service.” – Alex Andreou “In order to deliver Brexit, so many conventions were trampled upon.” – Alexandra Hall Hall www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Boris Johnson is busted with bubbly, will new No.10 arrivals come to his rescue – or are they too late to the parties? Journalist and author Marie Le Conte joins us from sister podcast The Bunker to discuss the latest ins and outs at Downing Street and the mini Cabinet reshuffle. Plus, while the PM loses friends at a rapid rate, a constant ally remains in the form of Nadine Dorries. We ask, what’s her deal? “Like Matt Hancock, this rambling scandal will disable Johnson – but it’ll be something else that gets rid of him.” – Alex Andreou “It doesn’t matter if Johnson apologises about the Savile smear. The point is, in the country the moral line has held.” – Ian Dunt “The penalties for accusing someone of lying are far worse than the lying itself, and that cannot stand.” – Ian Dunt "Johnson has built a parliamentary party of morons, and surrounded himself with the worst of them." - Alex Andreou "Dorries' behaviour is so bizarre that people have to come up with explanations, but the basic answer is she's shit." - Ian Dunt www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Naomi Smith with Alex Andreou and Ian Dunt. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boris Johnson remains consistent in at least one regard – he continues to disappoint yet fails to surprise with his actions. With the PM’s bluster having backfired of late, journalist and author of Just Boris: A Tale of Blond Ambition Sonia Purnell joins us to discuss his position. Meanwhile, questions have been raised over “dirty money” from Russia “flowing into” London. How does this tie in with our politics – and place on the world stage? “Boris was driven by the agenda of his own career. He had to be number 1 and of course the most powerful person in the country is the Prime Minister.” - Sonia Purnell “It’s getting hard to defend the system.” - Ian Dunt “Tory MPs have essentially desensitised themselves, and there are no boundaries to what they will defend.” - Ros Taylor “Johnson is not a nice, cuddly teddy bear. There is a loss of control when he’s under threat.” - Sonia Purnell “For the Tory party to change, you have to hurt it at the ballot box.” - Ros Taylor www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ian Dunt and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the party nearly over for Boris Johnson, or can he continue to have his cake and eat it? With a police investigation launched into Downing Street’s lockdown shenanigans, and the publication of Sue Gray’s report apparently imminent, we assess the Prime Minister’s seemingly ever-precarious position. Beyond that we look at Rishi Sunak’s manoeuvres and motivations, as he’s touted as a successor to Johnson. What are the Chancellor’s chances? “The Government has lied so many times, over and over, that it’s genuinely impossible to tell whether they’re telling the truth at all.” – Naomi Smith “The people of Ukraine are not a press office for you to fire off press releases when things aren’t going well for you in the Commons.” – Ian Dunt “What sort of crazy world is it where Johnson welcomes an actual criminal investigation by the police, where he could be prosecuted, as some sort of relief, just because it extends his time in power.” – Naomi Smith “How can the Met investigate these breaches when they happened under their noses.” – Ros Taylor www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ian Dunt, Naomi Smith and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Sue Gray report is imminent, Tory backbenchers are sending in their letters to the 1922 committee, and Bury North MP Christian Wakeford has defected to Labour. Is Boris Johnson a dead man walking, or can he really ride this out? Plus, we discuss the Government’s latest attack on the BBC, and how to fund the national broadcaster in the age of streaming. The Financial Times’ Chief Features Writer Henry Mance is our special guest this week. “Johnson must have thought he was home free, then on the last question David Davis called for his resignation in the strongest terms.” - Alex Andreou “Christian Wakeford having a majority of only 402 in a red wall seat is probably a motivating factor in him having switched.” - Minnie Rahman “Older MPs rebelled against Cameron and May, yet they now think they’re in a position to tell newer MPs ‘you shouldn’t rebel’.” - Henry Mance “Attacks on the BBC are incoherent, the Government want it to be a patriotic national broadcaster, yet they also want it to be like Netflix.” - Henry Mance www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Minnie Rahman and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When is a party not a party? As Boris Johnson slobbers out a pitifully insincere apology for No.10’s Turbo Garden Rave 2020, has he finally lost the Tory Party as well as most of the country? Plus, Liz Truss: Portrait of a Woman Who’s Dire. What makes Cosplay Thatcher run? And who would our panel put in the Lords? Comedy writer of HIGNFY fame Sara Gibbs is our special guest. “I can’t pretend I’m not enjoying this absolute lying bastard getting his comeuppance… He is boxed in by his own bullshit.” – Ian Dunt “I’ve been to some bad parties but none so bad I thought they were work meetings.” – Naomi Smith” “Trying to get a COVID LFT is like trying to get a five star meal.” – Ian Dunt “In Liz Truss’s infamous cheese speech you could see her brain going ‘Do a smile now.’ I have no idea what’s going on in there. She’s naked ambition in a skin suit.” – Sara Gibbs “It’s a lie within a lie within a lie, tumbling into oblivion.” – Ian Dunt “The mistake with Boris Johnson was treating him like a bumbling buffoon… We made him seem innocuous. I worry about doing the same with Liz Truss.” – Sara Gibbs “I’d rather Boris Johnson stayed there as a dead man walking… But the alternatives do look very, very beatable.” – Ian Dunt Back us at www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith and Ian Dunt. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music by Cornershop. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s the first Oh God, What Now? of 2022, and we’re going back to our roots by looking at good old Brexit. What joys will our prolonged divorce from Europe bring in the year ahead? Plus Keir Starmer put his “Contract with the British public” on the table in a speech earlier this week, but what exactly is it? And in the extra bit, we discuss Netflix’s apocalyptic comedy Don’t Look Up. “Macron has nothing to lose with this rhetoric, anti-vaxxers aren’t going to vote for him anyway and the vaxxed don’t want a lockdown.” - Ros Taylor “What we’ve learnt is that the sub-tribes within the Brexit tribe want very different things.” - Alex Andreou “The Brexiteers promised IMAX, but instead they’re huddling round a black and white TV showing the Australia trade deal again.” - Dorian Lynskey “The Tories are really struggling to maintain the culture war, and without it politics returns to a discussion of material conditions.” - Ian Dunt “The Tony Blair peerage debate is one of the most boring debates, there should be a button on Twitter to shut down discussion on Blair.” - Ian Dunt www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou, Ian Dunt and Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our intra-Christmas special to tide you over til January, we present some of the best bits of OGWN from 2021. From scourge of the No.10 party person Pippa Crerar to representative of endangered species the ‘sensible Tory’ David Gauke, from the Sunday Times Insight Team’s incredible work on the Government’s pandemic failures to favourite guests Andy Burnham and Sarah Gibb, here are some of our favourite moments. Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou, Ian Dunt, Minnie Rahman and Ros Taylor. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music by Cornershop. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🎶 “Simply having/A terrible cheese and wine…” 🎶 In the last OGWN of 2021, our Christmas stocking bulges with troubles for Boris Johnson. Lord Frost bails out, the UK caves over the ECJ and the Northern Ireland Protocol, people have never been so angry about cheese and/or wine, and he’s lost control of COVID measures – again. What a way to end the year. Plus: The panel reads the tea leaves for reasons to be optimistic in 2022. The many faces of the Liz Truss Multiverse. And what’s the worst Christmas our panel have ever had? “The Brexiters can’t let Northern Ireland be seen as the only part of the UK to make a success of Brexit… because it’s still in the Single Market.” – Naomi Smith “Lord Frost’s resignation was timed to cause maximum damage to an already damaged Johnson. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the rivals had offered him a job.” – Alex Andreou “Liz Truss is oozing with desperation for the top job, it’s almost embarrassing.” – Naomi Smith “If the Government is saying we need something in a week, the science is probably saying we needed it a week ago.” – Minnie Rahman Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou, Minnie Rahman and Ros Taylor. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHORT SHARP SHROP: Christmas comes early as Johnson’s Tories are utterly humiliated in the North Shropshire by-election, with the ignominious loss of a 23,000-vote majority in a Tory heartland – and the biggest swing to the Lib Dems since 1993. What brought about this debacle: sleaze, scandal, Christmas parties, Johnson selling out farmers, Owen Paterson’s arrogance, or Johnson’s own repellent personality? And did Labour play it right by not campaigning too hard? Ros, Naomi and Dorian gather for a nice hot glass of mulled schadenfreude. “This shows there isn’t yet huge appetite for a Starmer government. What there is, is disgust at the Conservative government.” – Ros Taylor “Unlike Chesham and Amersham this wasn’t Remainers’ Revenge. This was very much a verdict on Johnson.” – Naomi Smith “The Paterson affair shows Johnson’s fatal flaw: hubris. This will be his downfall.” – Ros Taylor Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith and Ros Taylor. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boris Johnson finally looks vulnerable, but should we really want him to go on the eve of the Omicron Wave? Is Partygate plus COVID fatigue a recipe for non-compliance? Did Plan B happen so fast to save Johnson’s skin – and should Lib Dems, Greens and the Left really make common cause with libertarian Tories over vaccine passports and mandatory vaccinations? Plus, the Afghanistan Withdrawal was among the most shameful episodes of 2021. We ask Kim Ghattas – Middle East expert and author of Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Rivalry that Unravelled the Middle East – if the West will ever have positive influence in the region again. “This is a hugely weakened Johnson… Nobody could have predicted he’d collapse so badly, so soon.” – Naomi Smith “We are in a very scary place now with the virus. Soon we’ll run out of testing capacity – and we will have no idea how many people have COVID.” – Ros Taylor “I look at Partygate and think maybe we should be kinder to our own politicians in Lebanon. Maybe they’re not so bad.” – Kim Ghattas “If there’s one thing worse than going into this stage of the pandemic with the Tories in charge, it’s going in with nobody in charge.” – Ros Taylor “The Taliban have realised they can’t operate like they did in the 90s… They have to let technocrats who are women to go back to work, because they know how to run a country.” – Kim Ghattas Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith and Ros Taylor. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Thanks to Stephen and Mandy for the graphic. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s their party and they’ll lie if they want to… Mere hours after Allegra Stratton fell on her sword, the Oh God, What Now? panel assemble before a baying crowd at the Leicester Square Theatre, London, for our Christmas special. What does the party-that-wasn’t mean? What were the ten worst things about 2021? And what would our panelists do if they were suddenly made Dictator? Back us at www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Ian Dunt. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music by Cornershop. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you thought the Culture War was a recent invention, you’d be wrong. Investigative mischief-maker JON RONSON joins us to explain how its roots run a lot deeper than you might think – as he learned from making his new podcast series Things Fell Apart. Plus, are progressive politics finally turning the corner? The Guardian’s RAFAEL BEHR on the difference between where Starmer is and where he needs to be. And what will the NEXT Culture War be about? • “If you fill your head with ideology then there is no room for curiosity.” – JON RONSON • “The Government only has two approaches: total lockdown or Plague Party.” – NAOMI SMITH • “There is no Blairism left in the Labour Party. But there is anti-Corbynism.” – RAF BEHR • “Every generation wants to solve the problems of the previous one.” – JON RONSON • “Brexit was sold on controlling the borders – but you can’t do that if you only control one side of the border.” – RAF BEHR Listen to Jon Ronson’s Things Fell Apart: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m0011cpr Back us at www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Naomi Smith. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music by Cornershop. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Johnson makes a pig's ear out of his speech to the CBI, and with unrest sizzling on the Tory backbenches over social care, is the Prime Minister in danger of getting smoked out, or can he use red meat to buy off his MPs? Plus continental Europe is facing a fourth wave of COVID, reaching case rates the UK has seen for months! Will Britain avoid another lockdown, and are we changing our behaviour as Christmas approaches? Naomi, Dorian and Alex are joined by special guest Gavin Esler on this week’s show. “Johnson turning up and winging his speech is effectively another way of saying ‘fuck business’.” - Alex Andreou “I hate commentators using the word ‘authentic’, some people are authentically shit.” - Gavin Esler “Johnson is under attack from all groups in the party, this makes it very difficult for him to buy them off.” - Naomi Smith “One person I think has a good chance is Jeremy Hunt. He’s biding his time, outside the cabinet of disasters.” - Gavin Esler “The UK became desensitised after the 80,000 death second wave, something that other European countries didn’t go through.” - Alex Andreou Back us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the House of Funds… Parliament’s sleaze scandal rolls into yet another week. But have no fear! Boris Johnson has announced plans to reform the rule for second jobs MPs can do, and this time it’s totally going to work, you guys. Gracie Mae Bradley from human rights group Liberty joins us to discuss the week’s news... Will the Tory old guard be impressed with Johnson threatening to take away their nice little earners, and is there any stopping serial filibusterer Christopher Chope from ruining votes at the last minute? Plus, President Putin is piling the pressure on his regional allies, and refugees are being used a political pawn by Belarus. We take a look at why the story isn’t bigger here in the UK, and how the erosion of democracy on the other side of Europe affects us all. “Johnson had a torrid time at PMQs, the speaker told him in politer terms to sit down and shut up” - Alex Andreou “MPs are paid to be full time representatives of their constituency, so any jobs should be agreed with that in mind” - Alex Andreou “Conservative MPs elected in marginal seats look at Christopher Chope and think ‘what impression is he giving the public of us?’” - Ros Taylor “All that Johnson has going for him is that he wins, that’s the only reason people in the party like him” - Dorian Lynskey “There is a horrible continuity between the accounts of people in Calais and on the Belarus/Poland border” - Gracie Bradley “All of this is Putin’s way of testing Biden’s resolve” - Alex Andreou www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Don’t forget the OH GOD, WHAT NOW? Christmas live show - tickets are selling fast so get yours at https://bit.ly/3CvhpqH Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vultures circle as the Owen Paterson scandal disintegrates into a circular Tory firing squad featuring Geoffrey Cox (hon. member for the Virgin Islands), vengeful whips, an absentee unmasked PM… and a collapsed Conservative poll lead. Plus COP26 winds down, we talk to PETER STOTT, author of Hot Air to find out how climate denial has morphed into a campaign to smear climate mitigation as “too costly”. And ARTHUR SNELL drops in to introduce our new sibling podcast Doomsday Watch, a deep dive into mammoth global threats that media and leaders are ignoring. “Being in power is not enough. They need to be in power with nobody looking over their shoulders. And now, everyone is looking over their shoulders.” – ALEX ANDREOU “The Paterson story is so simple. Man took money. Government changed rules to get him off. Even the Mail could see it.” – NAOMI SMITH “There’s an internal implosion going on in the Conservative Party – and it’s delightful to witness.” – ALEX ANDREOU “We need to stop talking about climate ‘sceptics’. They’re not sceptics. Scepticism is a tool of science. They’re deniers.” – PETER STOTT “The Tories are terrified at this story that they’ve all got their noses in the trough because… they’ve all got their noses in the trough.” – ALEX ANDREOU Paterson no, Patreon yes! Back us at www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Buy Peter Stott’s Hot Air: https://amzn.to/31JkIxD Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A sneak peek at a brand new series from the producers behind Oh God, What Now? To hear more, visit kite.link/doomsday The world has never stood as close to the apocalypse as it does today. Hosted by ARTHUR SNELL, a former British diplomat and counter-terrorism operative who has seen service in Yemen, Helmand and Zimbabwe, DOOMSDAY WATCH meets experts and eyewitness for an unflinching look at the threats that conventional media ignores. On this first edition: Is a toxic combination of extreme partisanship, detached elites and Trump’s incitement driving the world’s greatest democracy to a second Civil War? • “This is the story of a great project that has torn itself apart from the inside.” – ARTHUR SNELL • “At what point do we stop saying this is a democratic country?” – BRIAN KLAAS • “Where there is anger and polarised states, democracy may not work any more.” – JACK GOLDSTONE DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell and produced by Robin Leeburn – with assistant production from Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music is by Paul Hartnoll. The group editor is Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“A bingo card of Tory sleaze…” It’s COP26 week so naturally the Tory Government puts the recycling out – bringing back 90s corruption by overturning the suspension of self-enriching paid lobbyist MP OWEN PATERSON. What were they thinking, will it bite them back in the end, what exactly were Randox getting for their money, and can we consign “standards in public life” to the box of quaint historic relics? Plus our guest this week is PAUL HAWKEN, author of Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation. • “Johnson's like a greasy pastry. The sleaze is baked in.” – NAOMI SMITH • “Politics is the most environmentally destructive industry in the world.” – PAUL HAWKEN • “The Brexit Party saved Labour from an even worse defeat in 2019… ‘Thank God for Nigel Farage’ is quite a statement” – DORIAN LYNSKEY • “The only thing Bolsonaro hates more than trees are the indigenous people living among them.” – NAOMI SMITH www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Buy Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Paul-Hawken/Regeneration--Ending-the-Climate-Crisis-in-One-Generation/25990481 Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith, Ian Dunt and Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Government sanctions explosive leaks of noxious material, leaving the country nauseated. But enough about the Budget. As National Sewage Week comes to a glorious end, we reach around the political S-Bend to see what Rishi Sunak has left in Britain’s economic pan. Also we welcome guest MICHAEL BRADDICK, author of 'A Useful History of Britain: The Politics of Getting Things Done’ to ask if ‘Britishness’ really exists. Plus, what would our panel do if they were dictators? * “Clean water would bankrupt the water industry? I see problem there…” – Alex Andreou * “If you drink liqueurs on domestic flights, this is the Budget to help you.” – Ian Dunt * “If you want people to feel British, then make Britain work for them. Don’t just tell them they’re British” – Michael Braddick www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Alex Andreou with Minnie Rahman and Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MPs want the Online Harms Bill to be tightened to take in “hateful speech” – yet the murder of David Amess appears to have had nothing to do with social media. Are they trying to insulate themselves from criticism. Special guest, news and policy blogger David Allen Green, joins us to look at the fallout from David Amess’s killing, plus the confirmation that, yes, the UK government signed the Withdrawal Agreement always intending to break it. “Just because extremists are on social media, it doesn’t mean that social media is the reason they’re extremists” - Alex Andreou “It’s strange that MPs are demanding the end of anonymity online when they’re so deft at using ‘off the record’ to get messages into the media.” – David Allen Green “It’s always fun to see the ones who brought you ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE bringing up Angela Rayner’s ‘scum’ comments.” – Dorian Lynskey “This is a betrayal of the central argument that got the Government elected – and everyone just shrugs?” – Alex Andreou “Think how different things would be if we’d had the wit to call the EU the Winston Churchill Memorial Organisation…” – David Allen Green www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brexit’s back! Unelected bureaucrat Lord Frost resurrects the nightmare by tearing into the disgraceful deal and NI Protocol negotiated by dastardly unelected bureaucrat Lord Frost. Wait til he finds that guy… Plus, Johnson re-enacts the late 70s by going on holiday during a national crisis and unfortunately misses the interim COVID report which pins a large chunk of blame on Boris Johnson. Just another perfectly normal week in a perfectly normal country. “Johnson is like a man who has pissed themselves and then says they’re wearing yellow trousers” - Ian Dunt “When you have a Government who wants to shrink the state, you can’t be surprised that when a crisis does occur the state can’t handle it” - Alex Andreou “What kind of Government would tear up their own territorial customs arrangements?” - Ian Dunt “The DUP’s handling of Brexit when they had the whip-hand at Westminster has seen their support plummet” - Naomi Smith “Johnson is not going to go without a turkey at Christmas. This is class war, plain and simple.” - Alex Andreou www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An extra for Oh God What Now listeners! Every Monday morning we put out an exclusive, brand new microcast for our Patreon backers, called (inevitably) OH GOD, WHAT ELSE? Our regulars tide you over between episodes by talking about politics but also politics-adjacent stuff like movies, food and the terrible decisions they’ve made in life. Here’s a supercut taster edition so you can hear what you’re missing. If you’d like to get OH GOD WHAT ELSE every Monday morning, search PATREON OH GOD WHAT NOW PODCAST and back us for as little as £2 a month. It’ll be the best few quid you spend all month… (Oh, and Ian meant to say Cenobites, not Cenotaphs) Featuring Minnie Rahman, Ros Taylor, Alex Andreou, Dorian Lynskey, Naomi Smith and Ian Dunt. Assistant producer Jelena Sofrenijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. Oh God, What Else is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Conservatives drift through a self-congratulatory conference, special guest David Gauke – former Conservative Justice Secretary, now rōnin of old-school Toryism – joins us to sieve Johnson’s speech for an atom of real content. Plus, does the BBC’s Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution give us new insight into the TBGBs? And after Facebook goes down, would we miss it if it went away forever? “Johnson’s speech was jibbered nonsense, like a human jelly spitting at you for 45 minutes.” – Ian Dunt “Article 16 isn’t quite what everyone thinks… It’s not like in one bound Britain will be free.” – David Gauke “It was pathetic see a grown man, with all the power and influence he has, making jokes about beavers.” – Ros Taylor “If the Conservatives cared about free speech they wouldn’t introduce any of Patel’s measures – but they only cares about it as something to beat the Left with.” – Ian Dunt “No Russians ever came to me offering donations. What was I doing wrong? I had to rely on little old ladies giving £50…” – David Gauke www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor and Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So, how did that Labour conference go? Did Keir Starmer snatch victory from the jaws of fratricidal defeat with that closing speech? Special guest Clive Lewis MP joins us to work out whether Labour is back on the road to recovery – and what was missing from the Conference. Plus, the German elections a row of light for the centre-left? And is it really so terrible if politicians call other politicians “scum”? “If you were casting hecklers to look mad and unsympathetic, you couldn’t have done a better job.” – Alex Andreou “Starmer won on a platform of sensible Corbynism. Now he’s changed into a New Labour tribute band.” – Clive Lewis “Labour’s choice is they can be the biggest coalition party under PR – or be in opposition forever under FPTP.” - Naomi Smith “The Conservative Party is the most successful party in the world – which by default makes Labour the most unsuccessful.” – Clive Lewis www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Mr Spaff Goes to Washington. But as Boris Johnson chums up to Joe Biden, an energy crisis is looming back home. With two providers collapsing and more on the way, what does the winter have in store? And on Saturday the Labour Party conference kicks off at the scene of Neil Kinnock's seaside tumble in Brighton. Can Keir Starmer capture a post-Covid comeback with his own Militant moment? Guardian journalist and host of Politics on the Couch RAFAEL BEHR joins the panel to hash out this week's stories. "At least The Simpsons' power plant is still running. Well done, Mr. Burns." - Dorian Lynskey "The government should be buying out, not bailing out, the companies that are failing." - Minnie Rahman "Our energy market is failing consumers and the planet." - Minnie Rahman. "People have stopped listening to Labour." - Rafael Behr. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor and Minnie Rahman. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recorded before this week’s reshuffle was finalised. For full analysis, listen to our Emergency Pod! As Boris Johnson kicks Gavin Williamson out from the cabinet, the issues of trade with the EU, especially in Northern Ireland, have been kicked into the long grass once again. Independent MLA Claire Sugden joins the panel for the view from across the Irish Sea. Plus, as the chess pieces move around him, Health Sec Sajid Javid announces the government’s plan to tackle Covid in England over the winter. And, a year since Ian’s book was released, he reflects on Covid’s effect on liberalism and what it means to be free in a world where freedoms are being suppressed across the world… "Liberalism demands of you to imagine what life is like for others." - Ian Dunt "How can it be five years, and we're still talking about Percy Pigs at the border?" - Ian Dunt "Our government has got its eyes on lowering food standards." - Naomi Smith "I'm less concerned about when the Northern Ireland administration collapses, and more what happens afterwards." - Claire Sugden www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow How to be a Liberal is out in paperback now with an exclusive chapter at Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-to-be-a-liberal/ian-dunt/2928377065010 Presented by Alex Andreou with Naomi Smith and Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The mince pies and P45s arrive on the shelves earlier every year. That’s right, it’s reshuffle season - and we’re here with an emergency pod to assess the latest shower of sycophants. With Oliver Dowden taking over as party chair, are the Tories now on election footing? What awaits the justice system with Dominic Raab in charge? Can the panel bring themselves to speak the name of the new Culture Secretary, Nadin- Nadine Do- Na- oh, never mind, we can’t do it either. “It’s sense of moral despair that the Justice system is a consolation prize to someone who’s messed up elsewhere” - Ian Dunt “Tory members see Truss as a modern day Thatcher” - Naomi Smith “Liz Truss has been able to produce ‘copy and paste’ trade deals very effectively” - Naomi Smith “You get the sense this will be the team that will lead the Tories into the next election” - Ian Dunt “The best cabinet is where you have people who disagree, who raise problems, rather than closing yourself in an echo chamber” - Ian Dunt “Grant Shapps is doing an awful job at transport, especially on HGV drivers, yet he’s still in there” - Alex Andreou www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Alex Andreou with Naomi Smith and Ian Dunt. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does it matter when a Government breaks a keystone promise? Former Blair advisor John McTernan joins us to look at Boris Johnson’s punitive National Insurance hike and ask whether even a serial liar can get away with a whopper like this. What sort of devil is in the detail of the Government’s social care plans? Plus, on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 we ask whether the baleful effects of the terrorist attacks on Western politics could ever have played out differently. “Breaking a promise is a profoundly important moment for any government… Promises go to leadership, and that matters.” – John McTernan “The likelihood that we’ll fall into a conspiracy theory is so much greater that at the time of 9/11 simply because of the way we access information now.” – Minnie Rahman “There are people within Labour who want to seek out new ideas and energy with the aim of crushing them.’” – John McTernan “It’s not the rate that matters, it’s the complexity. This is a new layer of complexity, and that always benefits the rich.” – Alex Andreou “Johnson was elected on levelling up and now he’s going to level down, to the tune of £1,000 a year for some people.” – John McTernan www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Minnie Rahman and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Afghanistan left to the mercies of the Taliban, Dominic Raab filibusters his own Foreign Affairs committee and ensures that no lessons are learned. Ian gives his verdict on the Pen Farthing pet evacuation spectacle. Plus, the five big issues on the Government’s plate in the autumn. And with Michael Gove out dancing in Aberdeen, we ponder the loneliness of the single politician on the pull. “Pen Farthing made me so angry I could burst through my skin.” – Ian Dunt “The very wealthy old men who own our press don’t care about saving the planet in the future. They want low taxes now.” – Alex Andreou “The international law around drones is not clear. But Biden will keep using them anyway.” – Ros Taylor “Even as you’ve got these medieval fanatics coming for people, the response from Britain is still ‘Papers please.’” – Ian Dunt www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor, Ian Dunt and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Dominic Raab tries to get his deposit back from Tui, we ask how he got here and what he wants. Meanwhile the pandemic recedes, exposing supply chains and worker pools dangerously denuded by Brexit – meaning empty shelves, shuttered shops, care homes without carers, and missing milkshakes at McDonald’s. How is the Government going to get out of this one? Our special guest is Independent sketchwriter Tom Peck. “If you’re fleeing the Taliban, you don’t have time to fill in a form and wait for a Government to protect you.” – Minnie Rahman “If we have a crap Christmas there will be plenty of Brexiteers saying this is what a REAL Christmas looks like.” – Tom Peck “Brexit has created a new kind of brain drain, an EXPERIENCE drain, and it’s going to be a big drag on the British economy for years to come.” – Alex Andreou “People will regret throwing their milkshakes at Nigel Farage now they can’t get another one…” – Tom Peck www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Minnie Rahman and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. Intern: Nat Amos. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Government’s flat-footed and callous response to the collapse of Afghanistan and the resultant refugee crisis has enraged even the House of Commons. What should Britain do to help the people who helped us? And was the whole enterprise for nothing? Also, after the the horrific killings in Plymouth, should we see the incel culture as terrorism? “This is cutting deep into the Tories’ idea of who we are… They have woken up to the fact that Biden like Trump is pursuing an America First policy.” – Ian Dunt “The Government has called this wrong… The British public are bloody sympathetic to Afghan refugees and want them helped.” – Naomi Smith “The promise to people who helped us was that we will protect you. That’s a promise we have completely broken.” – Ian Dunt “This is not a reformed, humane Taliban… Everyone who disagrees with their interpretation of Islam is in danger of violent, painful death.” – Nina Schick www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Naomi Smith, Nina Schick and Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. Intern: Nat Amos. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the shine comes off the Prime Minister and the Cabinet gets fractious, is the country ready for a brutal Rishi-on-Boris battle? Special guest Gracie Bradley, interim director of Liberty, takes us through the Government’s suite of repressive civil liberties legislation. What can listeners can do about them? Plus, in the Extra Bit, the frankly astonishing tale of teenage Minnie Rahman’s meeting with… David Cameron? “Boris Johnson has no principles. Rishi Sunak has terrible principles. Take your pick.” – Ian Dunt “It’s a complete myth that Boris Johnson is a libertarian. As London Mayor he a bought a water cannon. There’s nothing libertarian about him.” – Gracie Bradley “The Home Office is using the costs of cases against them for behaving unlawfully as a reason to cancel judicial review. Why not just stop behaving unlawfully?” – Ian Dunt “We don’t protest because there’s a law that says we can protest. We protest because it’s our freedom to do so.” – Gracie Bradley www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Naomi Smith with Ian Dunt and Minnie Rahman. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With new cases of COVID declining, are we really seeing COVID dwindle? Or is this the calm before the next wave? The expert’s expert Christina Pagel of independent SAGE joins us to explain whether we really are turning the corner. Plus, what does the Tories’ ‘Advisory Board’ tell us about cronyism, nepotism and how our governing party preserves its privilege? Ete operae pretium sit Latine discendi? “It’s fair to say that nobody was expecting the decline in COVID infections… What this ISN’T is herd immunity emerging.” – Christina Pagel “Relations with France are as bad as they’ve ever been… We’re danger of becoming a country that nobody can do business with at all.” – Alex Andreou “State aid could well become another way for friends and colleagues of the Conservative party to enrich themselves – enabled again by Brexit.” – Ros Taylor “After Spanish Flu in 1918 there was a mini-epidemic of Parkinson’s. We just don’t know the risk of NOT vaccinating.” – Christina Pagel www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Ian Dunt and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if they held a Culture War and nobody turned up? A new report says Jo and Josephine Public are less riled by hot button rage issues than we think. Plus, all of a sudden Johnson is wobbling, with a disastrous crime policy launch, his vapid “levelling up” speech, and cratering approval numbers. Are Labour finally making headway on policy or is Johnson getting found out? Plus, the world’s least sporty panel discusses the Olympics. “Maybe the Government’s plan is to make the roads so unsafe we can’t get to the supermarket to see how empty the shelves are.” – Naomi Smith “Parts of the system aren’t holding firm because the Prime Minister is marking his own homework.” – Ian Dunt “The strange this is that for a lot of people Johnson has DE-toxed the Tory Party…” – Ros Taylor “Finance, farming, fashion… All the F’s have been F’d by Brexit.” – Naomi Smith www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor, Naomi Smith and Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Cummings:Kuenssberg gives us yet more Classic Dom content, are we now fine with unelected advisors trying to topple Prime Ministers – or for that matter, Prime Ministers giving the Queen COVID? Freedom Week: has the Government just given up trying to control the virus? Special guest Charles Arthur, author of Social Warming: The Dangerous and Polarising Effects of Social Media, explain the forces that make Facebook and Twitter increasingly noxious. And 60 glorious years of Prime Minister’s Questions. “Cummings’ sniggering face when he gives his answers tells you far more than the answers themselves.” – Ian Dunt “If you shove everyone into a room and make them talk to one another, you’re going to get fights.” – Charles Arthur “PMQs is the absolute worst of Parliament and the best at the same time.” – Minnie Rahman “You do not go for the barricades for the most embarrassing people on your side.” – Dorian Lynskey Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Minnie Rahman and Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Johnson and Patel’s dog-whistling finally brings all the racists to football’s yard (who could have predicted this??) but England’s young black players are making fools of their critics. As the country lines up behind Rashford, Saka, Sancho and Mings, is the Culture War about to consume the chancers who started it? Plus, libertarian dogma is frogmarching us towards the indiscriminate unlocking of ‘Freedom Day’ – but what are we going to do with the fun-hating 26% of the population who think clubs, casinos and other seats of depravity should stay closed forever? “They thought they could ride the Culture War tiger to power. But when arrive, you might be finished with that tiger – but it’s not finished with you.” – Alex Andreou “What the Sun’s ‘We’ve Got Your Back’ front page shows is that The Sun can spot political danger better than our government.” – Naomi Smith “We shouldn’t have to look to football for leadership, but it’s so hard to find anywhere else.” – Ros Taylor “This is the fourth time we’ve relaxed lockdown. And every previous time it’s gone horribly wrong.” – Alex Andreou www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor, Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Government abandons clear rules for “common sense” and “personal responsibility”, even Sajid Javid admits we’re entering “uncharted territory”. We find out why Priti Patel’s latest immigration regulations amount to one big xenophobic, mendacious grey area. Our special guest is Sara Gibbs, comedy writer for HIGNFY, Dead Ringers and The Mash Report and author of the memoir of her autism diagnosis Drama Queen. And friend of the podcast Gavin Esler risks his status as a Scot by telling us why he’s been supporting England in the Euros. “What this means for asylum seekers is a decade of life with no safety at all and the constant threat of being returned to the country you fled from.” – Ian Dunt “OK the George Cross for the NHS is a lovely honour, but you can’t pay your bills with honours.” – Sara Gibbs “What the unlocking policy is showing is that the Government are a set of moral delinquents with no capacity for sustained inquiry.” – Ian Dunt “Would any major business decide on a massive move by committing to the date before deciding what it is?” – Gavin Esler www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Naomi Smith with Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Sara-Gibbs/Drama-Queen-One-Autistic-Woman-and-a-Life-of-Unhelpful-Labels/25681162 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices