Politics Uncensored

Benjamin Netanyahu has different plans then Donald Trump, aiming to expand their territory to make "Greater Israel", argues Professor Scott Lucas.No Zoe today so Ali breaks down the war in Iran so far before being joined by Professor of International Studies at the Clinton Institute in Dublin, and founder of the EA WorldView, Scott Lucas to chat about the shaky ceasefire between the US and Iran. We also rerun Zoe's interview with Matthew Spence, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy under Obama.After this Scott Lucas joins the show, where he breaks down the different aims in this war for Israeli Leader Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, arguing that Israel wants to expand, creating "Greater Israel" in Lebanon."No one wins" a war, argues Lucas, as they explain the ever-increasing death tolls, the targeting of civilian infrastructure and JD Vance's plans to become President after Trump leaves office.They also discuss the UK's role in the war, and the US's precarious position with its allies.Guest Bio:Scott Lucas became Professor of International Politics in 2014, having been on the staff of the University of Birmingham since 1989 and a Professor of American Studies since 1997.He began his career as a specialist in US and British foreign policy, but his research interests now also cover current international affairs --- especially North Africa, the Middle East, and Iran --- New Media, and Intelligence Services.A professional journalist since 1979, Professor Lucas is the founder and editor of EA WorldView, a leading website in daily news and analysis of Iran, Turkey, Syria, and the wider Middle East, as well as US foreign policy.Host: Ali MilaniGuests: Scott Lucas and Matthew SpenceProducer: Hugh Smiley

On today’s show, we found out about the billionaires who really own London with investigative journalist Andrew Kersley. Then Zoe and Ali discuss Trump’s bold claim that his “objectives” in Iran are nearly complete.But first it's the Week Unwrapped:Grenfell was a “tragedy” but “everyone dies in the end”, this is what the now former Reform housing spokesman, Simon Dudley, said in an interview with Inside Housing. These comments have sparked outrage from Grenfell campaigners and the politicians alike. Simon Dudley this week in an interview with Inside Housing said in response to a question on whether he thought Grenfell was a warning about insufficient regulation. ‘That (Grenfell) was a tragedy. It was a failure" But he doesn’t believe the current regulatory regime is proportionate saying “Sadly, you know, everyone dies in the end. It’s just how you go, right?”--The Israeli Parliament has passed a highly controversial law mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of carrying out deadly terror attacks. The bill has been described by opponents as "Immoral"--Long serving Labour MP Karl Turner lost the whip this week after a “pattern of behaviour” for opposing the government. Turner has been especially vocal in opposing David Lammy’s Jury Trial reforms, he said he was "disappointed to be suspended without prior discussion”. --Welcome back, who is it that owns London? It’s been a well known fact that much of the capital is bought up by foreign private investors, but who are they? And how far does their ownership spread? Investigative Journalist for the Londoner Andrew Kersley joins the studio to break down his excellent piece: Revealed: the billionaires who really own London32,611 properties in London are owned by overseas entities. We can do this because a recent change in the law is forcing these foreign companies to register their real owners.a story that concerns some of London’s most iconic pubs, Camden market, President Trump’s golf buddy and even an Oxford Street Harry Potter store whose landlord is seemingly the sanctioned Libyan government.--Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali MilaniGuest: Andrew KersleyProducers: Hugh Smiley and Jules Bradford

On today’s show, Meta and Google found negligent in social media addiction trial joining us to discuss this landmark ruling is Tech Reported for Politico Aaron Mak.But first it's the week unwrapped:Failed Reform candidate Matt Goodwin’s new book is reportedly filled with falsehoods and hallucinations after allegations that he extensively used ChatGPT to write it. Prompting him to have the nickname, MattGpt.The Reform UK candidate who lost a crunch by-election last month has defended using AI to help write his latest book.Matt Goodwin came in second place, behind the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer, in the Gorton and Denton vote – a sign that Nigel Farage’s party may be losing momentum with voters.Now the ex-university academic, who came under fire during the campaign for calling for women and young girls to be given a “biological reality” check, has had to defend his use of ChatGPT on his latest book, Suicide of a Nation: Immigration, Islam, Identity.The book has been described as a “story of how Britain, one of the most remarkable countries on earth, is not just in decline but is committing national suicide”.--Morgan Mcsweeney has claimed that his phone, containing all his messages for friend of a nonce Peter Mandelson has been stolen. The convenience of which has led to some doubting this claim. Keir Starmer today said it was “far-fetched” to claim that Mcsweeney is lying. --And finally Nigel Farage has hinted that one of his former MPs in Essex, who quit Reform UK after allegations of financial misconduct, could rejoin his party.Nigel Farage has hinted that one of his former MPs in Essex, who quit Reform UK after allegations of financial misconduct, could rejoin his party.James McMurdock gave up his party whip last year over questions about his eligibility for Covid-19 support loans that he received through two companies. He denied any wrongdoing.Asked during a local election campaign visit to Corringham in Essex, Farage said "I'm hoping we can get this thing ironed out".McMurdock sits as an independent for South Basildon and East Thurrock, which includes Corringham, and he confirmed he would like to rejoin the party.--After this, Technology Reporter for Politico, based in the US, Aaron Mak joins the show to explain several landmark social media rulings.Meta has just lost a court case that could have huge implications for children in the future. The company behind Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook has just been fined $375 million dollars for damaging children’s mental health and exposing them to sexual content.But that is not the only court case which Meta has lost this week. Yesterday a woman successfully won her case over her childhood addiction to social media.In a small court in Los Angeles, both Meta and Youtube were found liable. Now they are facing a wave of 40 more similar lawsuits.Los Angeles CaseThe woman, known as Kaley, was awarded $6m in damages (NYT) She also received an additional $3m punitive damages (NYT) Jurors determined Meta and Google "acted with malice, oppression, or fraud" (NYT)Kaley said she started using Instagram aged nine and YouTube aged six, and encountered no attempts to block her because of her age (NYT)Meta and Google said they disagreed with the verdict and intended to appeal (BBC)Meta said: "Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app.”Meta faces a wave of more than 40 similar lawsuits Child Social Media CaseA court in New Mexico ruled that the company behind WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook was liable for how its platform exposed children to sexually explicit content and predators.Meta says it will appeal the decision and that it works hard to keep people safe on its platforms.Experts say the ruling could now have big consequences around the world (NYT)There are currently more than 2,000 active cases looking at social media harm in the US (BBC)Guest Bio:Aaron Mak is a technology reporter at POLITICO. As an undergraduate, he interned at POLITICO Magazine and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Aaron later worked as a technology reporter at Slate, where he won a Writers Guild of America award for a feature delving into Asian men’s rights groups on social media. Aaron holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale College and a JD from Yale Law School. In his free time, he likes watching cult classics and listening to cloud rap.Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali MilaniGuest: Aaron MakProducers: Hugh Smiley and Ruth Rashleigh

On todays show, Deputy Green Leader Mothin Ali to discuss Nick Timothy, Tory MP describing Ramadan prayers as an “act of domination”. Then, Matthew Spence, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy under Obama joins to break down the US war with Iran.But first it's the week unwrapped. Ali couldn't make it today so comedian, satirist and host of Privacy Settings on FUBAR Radio its Will Sebag-Montefiore! Zoe and Will discuss Nigel Farage's Cameo conundrum and Angela Rayner's splash back in headline politics.Nigel Farage has found himself in hot water after selling videos on Cameo in which he endorsed a neo-Nazi event, repeated extremist slogans and supported a man convicted over his involvement in a far-right riot recently.Nigel Farage has sold videos in which he endorsed a neo-Nazi event, repeated extremist slogans and supported a man convicted over his involvement in a far-right riot recently.Farage charged £155 for one video he made in 2025 for a man he was told had received a 16-month sentence for his involvement in a far-right riot. The Reform leader told the man to “keep acting in the right way”.He was paid £141 for another video in which he promoted an event by a Canadian neo-Nazi group, which used the clip in propaganda alongside fascist salutes and antisemitic imagery. Farage called the event “the best thing that ever happened”.Farage has been producing content on the platform for 5 years now, and charged at least £374,893 most clips are trivial Happy birthday’s and Happy Valentines Fellow Reform MP Lee Anderson, who had already been warned about commercial filming in Westminster, sold two videos filmed from what he called the “beating heart of democracy in Westminster” in early February 2025.In the rest of the cameo, sent as a Valentine’s Day wishes to “Steve”, a Reform voter and member. “Make sure you treat the missus to something really nice and hopefully get you down here to Westminster one day and come and say hello to Reform UK. Have a good one, fella,”--Then Deputy Green Party Leader Mothin Ali joins to discuss Tory MP and Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy, who described Ramadan prayers in Central London as "an act of domination". Many politicans across the Right have come out in defence of Timothy, including Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage.Mothin Ali describes this moment as "really dangerous", arguing that "there's no outrage when there's Passover or Hanukkah celebrations. Or there's Easter celebrations, or the or the Sikh celebrations"Guest Bio:Mothin Ali is a British politician who has served as Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, alongside Rachel Millward, since September 2025. He has also served as a member of Leeds City Council for Gipton and Harehills since 2024.--After this, as speculation that Donald Trump might call time on the Iran War grows, Matthew Spence, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy under Barack Obama, joins the show to break down the history of US-Iran relations, why Trump is struggling in the war so far and the role that Israel has played in the invasion.Guest bio:Matthew Spence is a co-Founder and Board Member of the Truman National Security Project and Truman Center for National Policy.Matt is Managing Director and Global Head of Venture Capital Banking at Barclays, where he focuses on emerging technology companies, with a focus at the intersection of defense technology, cybersecurity, and national security. He also serves as Professor of Practice at Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Management and Law School.Before entering the private sector Matt held senior roles in the government in national security. Matt served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy, where he was the principal advisor to three Secretaries of Defense on U.S. policy toward the Middle East. He received the Secretary of Defense Award for Outstanding Public Service.

Keir Starmer is beyond saving and it's time to jump ship - Ben Smoke.On todays show, the government plan to end jury trials for crimes with expected sentences of under 3 years. Ali and Zoe are joined by journalist Ben Smoke to discuss rising authoritarianism form the Labour Party. Then Pink News writer Amelia Hansford joins the show to break down NHS England’s review into HRT for trans adults.Before this, its the week unwrapped! From warnings over ‘reputational risk’ t to a £75,000 taxpayer-funded payout, the first tranche of Peter Mandelson files have been published! How damaging is this story for Keir Starmer? Ali and Zoe discuss.Here are the key points:Mandelson paid out £75,000Mandelson was offered a severance payment of £75,000 after initially asking the Foreign Office to pay him more than £500,000Starmer Warned It was flagged to Sir Keir that "Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein's house while he was in jail in June 2009" and noted there was "general reputational risk" over his relationship with Epstein .It warned the PM that a political appointment - Lord Mandelson - rather than a diplomatic one was more risky: "If anything goes wrong, you could be more exposed as the individual is more connected to you personally."Powell Mandelson's Appointment “Weirdly” rushedPowell, one of Sir Keir's most trusted advisers, found Lord Mandelson's appointment in December 2024 was "weirdly rushed" and that he had been "particularly cautious about the appointment".Minutes of a call in September 2025 show that Mr Powell had "raised concerns about the individual and reputation" to Morgan McSweeney, the PM's then chief of staff, and adds: "MM responded that the issues had been addressed."--The Iran war continues as deaths continue to rise and concerns of rising inflation mount here in the UK. Ali and Zoe break down the conflict so far and the consequences internationally.Iran's new supreme leader says key oil route will remain closed Iran’s new Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in first appointment the critical Strait of Hormuz will remain essentially closed as a “tool of pressure” and that Iran’s neighbors are being targeted due to US bases.US- Israeli targets Oil facilities causing widespread health concernBBC identify at least 4 US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilitiesSmoke plumes caused by oil depot and refinery strikes drifted across Tehran on Monday, satellite images show, as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that attacks on oil facilities could pose serious health risks to residents.--David Lammy’s plans to scrap Jury trials for crimes with sentences of less than three years has passed its first hurdle in the House, despite Labour rebels making their opposition known.Journalist Ben Smoke joins to discuss the reforms, what they mean and if Keir Starmer is an authoritarian. The measures, announced in December after a review by a retired judge Sir Brian Leveson, would scrap jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years.MPs have voted to allow a bill that would curb access to jury trials in England and Wales to progress to the next stage, despite some Labour MPs stating their opposition to the reforms.The Courts and Tribunals Bill passed by 304 votes to 203, a majority of 101, with 10 Labour MPs rebelling against the government, and dozens abstaining.--Then Pink News journalist Amelia Hansford joins to discuss NHS England's ‘evidence review’ into HRT for trans adults, a move which has some concerned about trans people's ability to access medical careNHS England is reportedly reviewing the evidence on the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for transgender adults as part of its newly announced consultation.The public health service confirmed the evidence review and several others in a report published as part of an upcoming public consultation into proposed changes to NHS youth gender services.The Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (EHIA) report was published after NHS England announced the decision to ban new masculinising and feminising (MAF) hormone prescriptions for under-18s, claiming the evidence for the medication’s benefits are “really weak.”Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali MilaniGuests: Ben Smoke and Amelia HansfordProducers: Hugh Smiley and Jules Bradford

Why has Trump gone to war with Iran? God knows...On today’s show Ali and Zoe are joined by foreign affairs journalist Colin Freeman to help break down Donald Trump’s war with Iran and the UK’s position in the chaos. Then film director Daniel Everitt-Lock will joins the studio to discuss his brand new film Our Planet, The People, My Blood, a documentary following the fight against the Ministry of Defence to get compensation and recognition for the British Atomic Veterans.Before this it's the week unwrapped:Last week the Greens shocked the political establishment by Winning the Gorton and Denton by-election. In a turn of events that was shocking for everyone, except for producer Hugh who called it (yes I did), Hannah Spencer won by a decent margin in Manchester.  3 men have been arrested on suspicion of spying for china, including the husband of a, at the time of recording, sitting Labour MP. David Taylor, husband of East Kilbride now former Labour MP Joani Reid arrested Wednesday by Counter Terrorism Police in London on suspicion of spying for China All the wrong lessons learned from Gorton and Denton as Shabanna Mahmood today announced new asylum rules, which make legal projections temporary for asylum seekers. Cases will be reviewed every 30 months, after which they could be sent to their country of origin, provided it is deemed safe to do so.After the week unwrapped Colin Freeman joins to break down the conflict in Iran. The US alongside Israel have launched strikes on Iran, in what some have described as the start of WW3.The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February. In response, Iran’s foreign ministry declared its intent to defend its homeland.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps initiated counterattacks, deploying drones and missiles towards Israel, while further strikes targeted US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Qatar.The US and Israel launched widespread strikes on 28 February, targeting Iran's missile infrastructure, military sites and leadership in the capital, Tehran, and across the country.Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the country since 1989, was killed during the first wave of strikes. Israel's military said dozens more senior figures in the powerful Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) were also killed.From 1945 to 1996 there were over 2,000 nuclear weapons tests conducted by global superpowers, including the USA, Russia, China, the UK, France, India and Pakistan. Most of these countries never tested within their respective lands, and put millions of people across the world at risk. Joining Ali and Zoe to discuss this less spoken scandal is the director for Our Planet ,The People, My Blood, Daniel Everitt-Lock.Find more information as well as the first screenings of Our Planet, The People, My Blood hereGuest Bio:Why have foreign fighters flocked to Ukraine? Veteran foreign correspondent Colin Freeman investigates and finds that Orwellian, Spanish Civil War type idealism is far from the only answer. For some, it is a yearning for adventure and a desire to embrace old-school warrior values that the West no longer seems to prize.  For some, it is a flight from a life gone wrong. ZELENSKY'S FOREIGN LEGION delivers the intense frontline storytelling of a 3-Para or Black Hawk Down, while teasing out psychological complexity from the testimony and the back-stories of the soldiers Colin has interviewed at length. His thorough research and in-person experience have combined to create a fascinating new perspective on an era-defining conflict.Colin Freeman is a former chief foreign correspondent of The Sunday Telegraph, now a freelance foreign affairs writer. He has been reporting on Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russian invasion, writing mainly for the The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator.He started his journalism career on the Grimsby Evening Telegraph, before moving to the London Evening Standard. In 2003 - bored with a job covering local government -  he moved to Iraq to pursue a career as a foreign correspondent, spending two years in Baghdad. He spent the next two decades reporting all over Africa, the Middle East and Asia, covering events including the Arab Spring uprisings, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in west Africa, and the Somali piracy crisis. Over the years, he has written for the Economist, the British Journalism Review, Tortoise Magazine, The Lady, Country Life and pretty much anywhere else that will have him. He also contributes regularly to From Our Own Correspondent on BBC Radio Four. Daniel's career started 14 years ago, shooting corporate videos and commercial. Since then he has worked his way up to an IATSE 667 Director of Photography, and associate member of the CSC. He is a British and Canadian Citizen currently living between London, UK, and Toronto, Canada. (eligible for tax credits in both countries)To date he has shot over 13 scripted feature films, multiple series, and

Hannah Spencer, the Green Party Candidate in Gorton and Denton has won the by-election. In a contest that turned out to be less close then most thought, the Greens have achieved a historic election victory, in what is a big boost for Zack Polanski's insurgent left wing party. This episode was recorded on polling day before the results were out. Ali and Zoe break down the many controversies from each major party in this election, what a loss means for Labour and Reform and why no one is talking about the Conservatives.The Gorton and Denton by-election is proving to be one of the most controversial by-elections in memory (i paper) Three incidents related to the behaviour of political parties has resulted in complaints to Greater Manchester Police (i paper) Professor Jon Tonge has described the three way race as a “toxic campaign”Campaigning Controversies:Green Local academic Professor Rob Ford found himself quoted in Green Leaflets without permission under the headline “Everyone agrees, Labour are done”Ford said he did not endorse the Greens (i paper)Green tactics have faced criticism as a video appeared showing campaigners tearing down Labour signposts and putting them in the skip.Reform Reform have also not been without their controversies A leaflet dropped through the doors in the constituency claiming to be from a ‘concerned 74 year old neighbor called Patricia Clegg,’ sparked complaints to the PoliceClegg’s son has claimed that she ‘never signed off’ on the leaflet and has received a backlash online.Reform have also been involved in a ‘printing error’. Reform sent about 81,000 leaflets to the constituency’s voters from a “concerned neighbour” which did not state they had been funded and distributed by the party.However it will not face a sanction for leaflets that omitted the party’s imprint, after a high court judge accepted this was due to an inadvertent printing error (The Guardian)Reform have also been accused of allegedly trying to ‘bus in’ supporters from as far away as Blackpool and Kent to dominate audiences.Reform admitted that it sent about 81,000 leaflets to the constituency’s voters from a “concerned neighbour”, which did not state they had been funded and distributed by the party.Labour Labour has also been embroiled in controversy over a campaign leaflet Residents in Gorton and Denton have received a flyer purporting to be from a firm called ‘Tactical Choice’ (Daily Mail)Text on the leaflet have said the strategic choice would be labour candidate Angelika Stogia.The flyer reads “The Tactical Choice says Vote Labour”Labour has also been accused of ‘gaslighting public’ with edited reform clip (Matt Goodwin)Within hours of Goodwin’s announcement as a candidate, Labour managed to dig up a clip of him speaking at an event where he appeared to deride Manchester. Labour shared video on X of Goodwin telling audience he was “unfortunate enough” to be in ManchesterMr Goodwin hit back claiming that statement was referring to Conservative Party Conference (The Telegraph)

Does Andrew's arrest mean the end of the British Monarchy?The 19th of February 2026 was the 66th Birthday of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and also the day he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. In their statement Thames Valley police said that that they are “carrying out searches at address in Berkshire and Norfolk” and that Andrew “remains in Police Custody at this time”. This marks the first time in British history that a senior, working royal has been formally arrested.This week Ali and Zoe discuss the arrest of the royal formerly known as Prince Andrew and what it means for the future of the Royal Family. They also discuss the government's social media crackdown and the highest youth unemployment rate in 10 years. On Andrew's arrest, the King Stated: I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter.Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all. Charles R.Thames Valley Police Statement:"As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk."The man remains in police custody at this time."We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court."Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: "Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office."'It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence."'We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.'"UK unemployment hit its highest rate for nearly five years. Those aged between 16-24 are bearing the brunt, with the unemployment rate rising to 16.1%, the highest in more than 10 years.'No platform gets a free pass,' Keir Starmer has said as he announces a crackdown on social media sites. The government has announced a sweeping crackdown on tech firms to protect children from illegal content. This comes after Elon Musk’s Xai generated sexualised images of women without consent and in som cases even created said images of minors.Nigel Farage has announced his own fake shadow cabinet! The party has stated what roles its leading members would take up if they were to win a general election. Alongside this and several policy announcements, Reform UK has instated James Orr, a staunch anti-abortion Christian as their head of policy. Ali, what do you make of Reform’s shadow, shadow cabinet.Reform's appointments are as follows:Robert Jenrick, chancellor Zia Yusuf, shadow home secretary. He promised to stop the Channel crossings and derogate from any international treaty which frustrates or upends deportations. Yusuf currently lists himself in his twitter bio as “Shadow Home Secretary, Reform UK” Richard Tice will be deputy prime minister and secretary for business, trade and energy.Suella Braverman, shadow secretary of state for education and skills, completing his shadow cabinet appointments. Braverman will also be tasked on taking on the “world of DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion]” in her new brief. Lee Anderson, who was the first Tory MP to defect to Reform, will remain as the party’s chief whip.Reform MPs Danny Kruger, Andrew Rosindell, Sarah Pochin are yet to receive official roles.James Orr, head of PolicyWith the Gorton and Denton by-election fast approaching, it's looking like a 3 horse race being that’s too close to call! Ali and Zoe break down the polling and what a win in Manchester would mean for Labour, Reform and the Green Party.

Is this the end of the Labour Right?This week on Politics Uncensored, Zoe Grunewald and Ali Milani break down the humiliating decline of the Starmer project: from billionaire outbursts to by-election chaos and a party machine built to crush the left now turning in on itself.In the Week Unwrapped, Manchester United part-owner Jim Ratcliffe claims Britain is being “colonised” by immigrants, citing numbers that simply don’t add up. After shifting his tax residency to Monaco during Covid, is this just another case of elite hypocrisy dressed up as patriotism?Then Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin pulls out of a key Gorton and Denton hustings at the last minute, claiming bias. Labour call him a snowflake. Polling suggests Reform could take the seat. Is this by-election now a straight referendum on Keir Starmer?We also unpack Labour’s new bill to ban foreign-controlled companies from bankrolling British politics - a move that could hit Reform hard. But does it go far enough? And why are individual overseas donors still free to give?After the break, investigative journalist Paul Holden, author of The Fraud, joins the show to explain how Morgan McSweeney and Peter Mandelson built the machine that delivered Starmer to power and why it may now be collapsing under the weight of its own factional warfare.With Anas Sarwar openly questioning the Prime Minister, and figures like Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana charting paths outside the party, we ask: is this just a bad week for Labour or the beginning of the end for Blairism itself?Guest bio:Paul Holden has over a decade of experience in investigating cases of grand corruption and corporate malfeasance, including as the senior researcher on the book and feature documentary Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade. He has published six books, three of them bestsellers in his native South Africa, and has written for publications including the Guardian and the Independent. He is a Network Fellow at the Safra Centre for Ethics at Harvard University.Hosts: Ali Milani and Zoe Grunewald Producer: Hugh Smiley

The Peter Mandelson scandal is the biggest crisis this government has faced so far, Keir Starmer won't make it to Tuesday, let alone May!Fresh evidence has emerged suggesting that Mandelson shared sensitive UK information with Jeffrey Epstein. Uncertainty lingers on the horizon for Starmer over what the document handover could hold Comedian and satirist Will Sebag-Montefiore joins Ali Milani and Zoe Grunewald this week to break down Peter Mandelson, the Epstein files and the mistreatment of his victims.Keir Starmer apologised to victims this morning “I am sorry for believing Mandelson’s lies and for appointing him.” (Sky News)The prime minister has lost many from his side yesterday, since evidence has emerged that he knew about Mandelson’s close relationship with Epstein (Sky News)Keir Starmer has been blocked twice by his own side in the last 24 hours. PM was unwilling to hand over the Mandelson documents, according to Downing Street (Sky News)Starmer wanted to have exemptions on the documents being exposed, but was again blocked by his own side, showing that he no longer commands the majority (Politico, Sky News Podcast)At Prime Minister’s question, the PM mentioned that he knew Epstein and stayed in touch with him after his Pedophilia conviction.Labour MP Rachael Maskell has called for the PM to resignEvidence suggests that Mandelson forwarded information to Epstein from No. 10 in sometimes under four minutes (Independent)Epstein and Mandelson also revealed information to each other about Gordon Brown prior and post the election, including the statementsGuest bio:Will Sebag Montefiore is an internet sensation (in the same way Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations are Thai)He has 70+ million views across his digital platforms. You can see him in Poldark (BBC), Endeavour (ITV) but not Malpractice (BBC) because his scene got cut.His comedy work includes acting in Green Wing Resuscitated alongside Olivia Colman, writing and performing for BBC Radio 4 and regular appearances on Rosie Holt's NonCensored podcast.He has performed alongside Mark Rylance at Shakespeare's Globe and did pretty well in his Year 6 SATS.His satirical videos have been shared by the likes of Adrian Lester, Alastair Campbell, Owen Jones, DermotO’Leary, Dawn Butler, Lorraine Kelly, James O'Brien, Andy Haynes and, unfortunately, Joey Barton. Will is deeply ashamedof that last one but look, a retweet’s a retweet.Hosts: Ali Milani and Zoe GrunewaldGuest: Will Sebag-MontefioreProducer: Hugh Smiley

After Andy Burnham was blocked to stand as an MP, Ali Milani asks: How can Keir Starmer still be Prime Minister if he hands Gorton and Denton to Reform.In the week unwrapped Ali and Zoe discuss if the UK a surveillance state! Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced new sweeping powers for Police including 40 new live facial recognition vans and the use of AI to track down criminals. Shabana Mahmood has said that forces are “fighting crime in a digital age with analogue methods”Then they break down Home secretary Suella Braverman's defection to Reform UK. In a not so shocking move, another former Tory MP has jumped ship and joined Nigel Farage’s Reform, with Braverman stating that she “feels like she's come home” After this they round up the segment by discussing Keir Starmer's trip to China. The broadcast of the meeting was all smiles and positivity from Xi Jinping and the PM. As the so called special relationship with the US looks and more and more unreliable, is the UK turning to China for security guarantees?For the first big topic the two discuss Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham being denied by the NEC to stand as an MP in the Gorton and Denton by election. The official Labour leadership line is that Burnham was blocked due to the cost and risk of also running a mayoral election. However, many would claim that the decision was instead about concerns over Burnham challenging Keir Starmer as PM. Labour retained a sizeable 13,413 majority in Gorton and Denton at the 2024 general election, with 50.8 per cent of the vote. However, this was down substantially from the 2019 result, when the party held a 22,175 majority and 67.2 per cent vote share.Reform came second, with 14.1 per cent of the vote – a 9.2 point increase on 2019 – while the Greens came third, with 13.2 per cent (up 10.7 points). The turnout was also down from 61.7 per cent to 46.8.Nigel Farage’s party has unveiled right-wing activist Matt Goodwin as its candidate to contest the seat. Speaking at a party press conference in the constituency, Mr Goodwin said: “This by-election is a referendum on Keir Starmer.“It’s a chance for the hardworking law abiding tax paying people from this seat to have their say on Keir Starmer and to make political history.”To round up the show Zoe and Ali discuss the several killings by ICE in Minnesota, including Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Trump has signalled 'more relaxed' federal tactics in the state but is there an end in sight to Trump's spiralling authoritarianism? Hosts: Ali Milani and Zoe Grunewald Producer: Hugh Smiley