Chancellor Rachel Reeves has indicated that spending cuts will have to be found to fund a boost to the defence budget. How do you persuade the public that we need to spend more on defence and what is the current state of the British military? 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is meeting with Donald Trump next Thursday, in his first visit to the White House since the President’s inauguration. How should Starmer approach this visit and the lies that Trump has told about Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week?

And, LBC Political Correspondent Aggie Chambre will be explaining just what the Alliance for Responsible Citizens - the right wing conference at which Jordan Peterson, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch have been in attendance - is all about.

This episode was recorded on the 21st February. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

US President Donald Trump has escalated his attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a "dictator" and saying he is to blame the war with Russia. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended Zelensky as "Ukraine's democratically elected leader". What should we do when the leader of the free world, Donald Trump, is in the pocket of Vladimir Putin? James speaks with Sir Bill Browder, anti-corruption campaigner and head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, to find out.

This episode was recorded on the 20th February. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Unbelievably, US President Donald Trump has blamed the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for starting the war with Russia, while continuing to exclude Ukraine from its own peace-talks. Considering this and the unprecedented appeasement of the Kremlin by the White House - has Putin already won the war?

Also, James interviews the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who takes your phone calls. 

A report from the Commons' Women and Equalities Committee is warning against "ageist stereotyping" across the UK. When did you first realise that the outside world saw you as old?

This episode was recorded on the 19th February. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Successive governments trying to look "tough on crime" have driven a rising prison population that's overwhelmed the system, according to a new report. Why doesn’t prison work? Why does the public still think that it does? 

Also, Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch has said “our country and all of western civilisation will be lost” if efforts to promote rightwing ideas fail. She implored Brits to get up off their knees and “fight”. What does she mean and who does she want us to fight?

And, the head teacher of a school in Monmouth has introduced Saturday detentions for disobedient pupils. He’s said his school has “zero-tolerance towards defiance”. Do most kids perform better under strict teachers? How much do disruptive children impact teachers and peers?

This episode was recorded on the 18th February. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is "ready and willing" to put UK troops on the ground in Ukraine to help guarantee its security as part of a peace deal. Should British troops be sent to Ukraine?

And, US Vice-President JD Vance has verbally attacked European democracies, saying the greatest threat facing the continent was not from Russia and China, but "from within". Why is he saying this?

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

With Donald Trump at the helm, America’s role within international politics and its relationship with Russia is changing. Do we actually understand what it means for America to stop being the leader and protector of the free world?

And, according to The Times Generation Z survey, people aged 18-27 are more unhappy, in greater debt and far more pessimistic about Britain than their parents. What’s it like being Gen Z today? For those with Gen-Z children, what’s it like knowing you might not leave your kids better off than you were?

This episode was recorded on the 14th February. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

The man himself, James O’Brien, is back!

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. As part of a peace settlement, according to the US Defence Secretary, Ukraine should abandon hopes of winning all its territory back from Russia. Is this simply appeasement?

Also, more than 100 new towns could be built under the UK government's plans for the "largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era". How’re we going to build them, and what’s it like moving to a brand new town?

And it’s Thursday, meaning the return of mystery hour!

This episode was recorded on the 13th February. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Lewis Goodall of The News Agents podcast is covering for James O’Brien, live on LBC from 10am, and of course, right here on James O’Brien Daily.

The government is making it almost impossible for refugees arriving on small boats to become British citizens. Will this prevent small boat crossings and are Labour acting too much like the Conservatives? Lewis speaks with Labour MP Stella Creasy, who disagrees with the change.

Also, rebel Labour MPs are pushing the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, to adopt a four-day working week in her employment rights bill. Lewis speaks with Peter Dowd MP who put forward the amendment and asks if a 4-day working week would be realistic.

Lewis also speaks with Leila Molana-Allen, Special Correspondent for PBS NewsHour, about Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump’s claim that they’ll remove the ceasefire in Gaza if Hamas does not release all Israeli hostages by Saturday.

And, Lewis catches up with LBC’s Washington Correspondent for all the details on Elon Musk’s denial of a 'hostile takeover' of the US government.

This episode was recorded on the 12th February.

Lewis Goodall of The News Agents podcast is covering for James O’Brien, live on LBC from 10am, and of course, right here on James O’Brien Daily.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater would change her proposed assisted dying bill so that cases are signed off by experts rather than a judge. Critics believe this could threaten impartial decision-making. Lewis asks whether this change would strengthen or weaken the bill and speaks with Labour MP Dr Peter Prinsley, who's in favour of the legislation.

Also, Elon Musk is leading a bid of $97.4bn for the purchase of OpenAI, the operator of Chat GPT. Considering the billionaire’s recent takeover of state institutions as well, Lewis asks if we’re witnessing state capture and what his ultimate aim is.

And, Lewis speaks with LBC reporter Fraser Knight for all the details on today’s High Court ruling that The Metropolitan Police cannot dismiss officers by removing their vetting clearance, thus limiting the force’s ability to sack officers who might be a danger to women and vulnerable people.

This episode was recorded on the 11th February. Catch Lewis Goodall, in for James O'Brien, tomorrow from 10am on LBC.

Lewis Goodall of The News Agents podcast is covering for James O’Brien, live on LBC from 10am, and of course, right here on James O’Brien Daily.

Labour have been accused of mimicking Reform UK’s approach to immigration after sharing videos of migrant raids online. Will this tactic work to combat Reform's growing popularity? Lewis speaks with Labour MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington Diane Abbott, who shares her view.

Also, a second Labour MP has apologised for offensive comments made in a WhatsApp group after Andrew Gwynne was sacked for his messages in the same chat. Where should the line should be drawn when sharing potentially offensive messages?

And, Lewis interviewed Conservative Shadow Minister, Alex Burghart, who defended Boris Johnson's infamous comment about muslim women looking like “letterboxes”. Lewis compares this sentiment to that of anti-semitism and asks if there’s a hierarchy of racism in this country.

This episode was recorded on the 10th February. Catch Lewis Goodall, in for James O'Brien, tomorrow from 10am on LBC.