Keir Starmer has slashed the UK’s foreign aid budget to court President Trump, who has separately secured a contentious minerals deal with Ukraine. We speak to former Blair minister Clare Short about these developments. Plus: British households face yet another energy price hike, Trump has shared a grotesque video about Gaza. With Michael Walker an…

For almost six centuries Europe has been at the centre of world affairs. While the days of Empire are long gone, over the last several decades the importance and comparative wealth of Europe has declined at an extraordinary pace. Indeed for many countries, from Britain to Germany and Greece, living standards have stagnated or even declined. Now, in…

For almost six centuries Europe has been at the centre of world affairs.While the days of Empire are long gone, over the last several decades the importance and comparative wealth of Europe has declined at an extraordinary pace. Indeed for many countries, from Britain to Germany and Greece, living standards have stagnated or even declined.Now, in w…

Keir Starmer has announced a massive increase to defence spending at the cost of overseas aid. Plus: The government has launched a new crime and policing bill; and a report reveals that Israel is still detaining hundreds of Palestinian doctors. With Aaron Bastani and Kieran Andrieu.Av Novara Media

When did we all start ‘getting the ick’? And why does it mainly seem to be women who get it? Ash and Moya unpack the gender politics behind the ‘ick-course’. Plus: when is the right time to have the big money chat with your partner? Send us your dilemmas: [email protected] Music by Matt Huxley.…

Germany’s centre-right Christian Democratic Party has won the most seats in the General election – but the full results show a deeply polarised electorate. Plus: More Israeli captives freed; and Gary Stevenson debates Dave Rubin. With Michael Walker, Grace Blakeley and Loren Balhorn.Av Novara Media

For almost six centuries Europe has been at the centre of world affairs. While the days of Empire are long gone, over the last several decades the importance and comparative wealth of Europe has declined at an extraordinary pace. Indeed for many countries, from Britain to Germany and Greece, living standards have stagnated or even declined. Now, in…

When did we all start 'getting the ick'? And why does it mainly seem to be women who get it? Ash and Moya unpack the gender politics behind the 'ick-course'. Plus: when is the right time to have the big money chat with your partner?Send us your dilemmas: [email protected] by Matt Huxley.Av Novara Media

The far-right AFD party are gaining traction in the German election. Plus: Steve Bannon becomes the latest high-profile right-winger to perform a Nazi salute in public. With Michael Walker, Aaron Bastani and Katja Hoyer.Av Novara Media

This part two of our discussion about a new left party. You can listen to part 1 here: https://novaramedia.com/2025/01/30/time-for-a-new-left-party/ James Schneider, Jeremy Corbyn’s former Director of Comms, argues for a new party. But who would it speak to? Would it be democratic and in what ways? And what could it actually achieve in the volatile…

This part two of our discussion about a new left party. You can listen to part 1 here: https://novaramedia.com/2025/01/30/time-for-a-new-left-party/ James Schneider, Jeremy Corbyn’s former Director of Comms, argues for a new party. But who would it speak to? Would it be democratic and in what ways? And what could it actually achieve in the volatile…

This part two of our discussion about a new left party. You can listen to part 1 here: https://novaramedia.com/2025/01/30/time-for-a-new-left-party/James Schneider, Jeremy Corbyn’s former Director of Comms, argues for a new party. But who would it speak to? Would it be democratic and in what ways? And what could it actually achieve in the volatile …

Hamas has returned the bodies of four Israelis held in Gaza. Plus: The backlash to a BBC documentary about life in Gaza from a child’s perspective. With Dalia Gebrial, Steven Methven and Luke Tryl.Av Novara Media

Trump has called Ukrainian President Zelenskyy a dictator. Plus: Argentinian President has been involved in a crypto scam. With Michael Walker and David Adler.Av Novara Media

Russian and US officials have met in Saudi Arabia for peace talks without a representative for Ukraine. Plus: Talks on the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire are set to begin; and the right-wing ARC convention is underway in London. With Aaron Bastani and Kieran Andrieu.Av Novara Media

One whole year of If I Speak! Moya and Ash celebrate with an #AMA, tackling your questions on career growth, love songs, role models, Irish politics and whether they’re friends in real life. Plus: listener feedback on last week’s “return of the slur”. Send us your dilemmas: [email protected] Music by Matt Huxley.…

Keir Starmer has said he will send troops to Ukraine to serve as peacekeepers if a deal with Russia is reached. Plus: Shocking new details if Israeli war crimes come to light. With Michael Walker and Ash Sarkar.Av Novara Media

“I’m literally a communist, you idiot”. For almost a decade Ash Sarkar has been one of Britain’s most prominent left wing political journalists. She first met Aaron Bastani in 2010, and was later invited on to the Novara FM podcast. It wasn’t long before she was calling Piers Morgan an idiot on morning TV. Now she has written her first book, ‘Minor…

“I’m literally a communist, you idiot”. For almost a decade Ash Sarkar has been one of Britain’s most prominent left wing political journalists. She first met Aaron Bastani in 2010, and was later invited on to the Novara FM podcast. It wasn’t long before she was calling Piers Morgan an idiot on morning TV. Now she has written her first book, ‘Minor…

One whole year of If I Speak! Moya and Ash celebrate with an #AMA, tackling your questions on career growth, love songs, role models, Irish politics and whether they’re friends in real life. Plus: listener feedback on last week’s “return of the slur”.Send us your dilemmas: [email protected] by Matt Huxley.…

Trump’s foreign policy shift is unsettling Europe, the Gaza ceasefire narrowly avoided collapse, and Dominic Cummings wants to DOGE the UK. With Michael Walker and Aaron BastaniAv Novara Media

We speak to Anatol Lieven about Donald Trump’s role in the start of a new Ukraine-Russia peace process. Plus: Hamas agrees to follow through with planned hostages releases; and Keir Starmer has a run-in with some angry farmers. With Steven Methven and NoJusticeMTG. https://x.com/StevenJMethvenAv Novara Media

Your death should be your own, as much as possible. That’s one of the principles behind the Assisted Dying Bill. It lets adults with less than 6 months to live end their lives. But disability campaigners fear that people who don’t want to die might be pressured to let themselves be killed. Ellen Clifford is the author of The War on Disabled People:…

Your death should be your own, as much as possible. That’s one of the principles behind the Assisted Dying Bill. It lets adults with less than 6 months to live end their lives. But disability campaigners fear that people who don’t want to die might be pressured to let themselves be killed. Ellen Clifford is the author of The War on Disabled People:…

Your death should be your own, as much as possible. That’s one of the principles behind the Assisted Dying Bill. It lets adults with less than 6 months to live end their lives.But disability campaigners fear that people who don't want to die might be pressured to let themselves be killed.Ellen Clifford is the author of The War on Disabled People: C…

Israel has continued to violate the ceasefire agreement and is now threatening war. King Abdullah of Jordan has responded to Trump’s plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza. Plus: The UK right has upped its anti-immigration rhetoric in response to a Palestinian family winning the right to settle in the UK. With Michael Walker and @nojusticemtg…

Donald Trump has said that the Israel-Hamas ceasefire should be cancelled unless all Israeli hostages are returned. Plus: Labour continue to lose ground to Reform UK; and the feud between two tech oligarchs. With Aaron Bastani and Kieran Andrieu.Av Novara Media

Ash and Moya respond to a mystery question about femininity with a conversation about desire, agency and sexual politics. Plus: advice for a listener tangled up in their in-laws’ finances. Send us your dilemmas: [email protected] Music by Matt Huxley.Av Novara Media

After just three weeks the Israel-Hamas ceasefire appears to be unravelling. Plus: Labour’s hard right turn on migration; and new polling on Gen Z’s political leanings. With Michael Walker and Ash Sarkar.Av Novara Media

It’s official – we’re in the middle of an unprecedented vibe shift. Donald Trump’s second term in the White House tips the political balance across the world. So, what happens next? And what defines the era that we’re living in? Ash Sarkar is joined by Professor Will Davies, author of The Happiness Industry and Nervous States, to talk about ‘libert…

It’s official – we’re in the middle of an unprecedented vibe shift. Donald Trump’s second term in the White House tips the political balance across the world. So, what happens next? And what defines the era that we’re living in? Ash Sarkar is joined by Professor Will Davies, author of The Happiness Industry and Nervous States, to talk about ‘libert…

Elon Musk’s DOGE department has begun gutting the US government, announcing layoffs for nearly all USAID staff. Plus: The Labour row over whether to prioritise growth or net zero continues. With Michael Walker and Waleed Shahid.Av Novara Media

Donald Trump has doubled down on his call for the entire population of Gaza to be permanently displaced to other countries. Plus: Trump and Musk take aim at South Africa’s land expropriation laws; and Labour take a hard right turn on migration. With Steven Methven and Myriam François. https://x.com/stevenjmethven @DrMyriamFrancois1 Read Alt Reich b…

Love is supposed to be the most universal human experience after death and taxes. So why do so many people feel like they’re failing in it? Ash Sarkar is joined by Shon Faye, author of the bestselling book The Transgender Issue, to discuss her new book, Love In Exile. They talk about how marriage has changed since their grandmothers’ day, the crisi…

Ash and Moya respond to a mystery question about femininity with a chat about desire, agency and sexual politics. Plus: advice for a listener tangled up in their in-laws' finances.Send in your questions for If I Speak’s birthday AMA episode on 18th February! [email protected] by Matt Huxley.…

Trump has announced a plan to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza. Plus: Ash Sarkar calls out politicians over media complicity; we speak to Yanis Varoufakis on Trump’s return to the White House. With Michael Walker.Av Novara Media

Reform UK are ahead of Labour for the first time in a landmark YouGov poll. Plus: Labour mega-donor Lord Alli has allegedly blocked the party’s ban on foreign donations; and Donald Trump puts trade tariffs on pause for Canada and Mexico. With Aaron Bastani and NoJusticeMTG.Av Novara Media

After hearing the R-word on a comedy podcast, Moya offers an intrusive thought about the limits of language policing. Plus: what to do about a horrible housemate. Send in your questions for If I Speak’s birthday AMA episode on 18th February! [email protected] Music by Matt Huxley.Av Novara Media

Donald Trump has announced a raft of tariffs on international trade. Plus: Confessions from Keir Starmer’s inner circle published in the Sunday Times. With Michael Walker and Ash Sarkar.Av Novara Media

Love is supposed to be the most universal human experience after death and taxes. So why do so many people feel like they’re failing in it? Ash Sarkar is joined by Shon Faye, author of the bestselling book The Transgender Issue, to discuss her new book Love In Exile. They talk about how marriage has changed since their grandmothers’ day, the crisis…