What's really driving the rise of Pauline Hanson, Nigel Farage, and the global populist wave?

Internationally renowned political strategist Isaac Levido joins the Menzies Research Centre's David Hughes to break down why voters across Australia, the UK, and the US are abandoning traditional parties in droves.

From masterminding the 2019 Conservative and Liberal Party election wins, to working inside Downing Street, Isaac brings rare, frontline insight to the biggest political question of our time: why are voters so angry, and is anyone listening?

We cover:

• Why the social contract between citizens and government has broken down
• The tech revolution that's making government look worse by comparison
• Why "small target" election strategies are backfiring on the ALP and Starmer's Labour
• What Pauline Hanson and Nigel Farage actually have in common
• How businesses can protect themselves in an era of voter rage and regulatory risk

"Voters aren't stupid. They're doing everything right — working hard, paying their taxes — and they just can't get ahead."

If you want to understand where Western democracy is heading, this is the conversation to watch.

This podcast was recorded at a Menzies Research Centre event in May 2026.

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Global populism trends and data

02:11 – Introducing Isaac Levido

03:03 – From Regional NSW to the halls of power

06:46 – Why British conservatives keep hiring Australians

10:25 – Can a great campaigner also govern? Lessons from Downing Street

13:09 - How governments should build & spend political capital

15:50 - The "Small Target" trap: how Labor & Starmer won the wrong way

18:34 - Why u-turning politicians are destroying voter trust

23:01 – The establishment has misread voters for decades

26:32 – The tech divergence: why government looks worse by comparison

30:58 - Pauline Hanson vs. Nigel Farage: leaders or movements?

36:36 – What UK business really thinks about a Farage Government

40:41 – Was post-war stability the historical anomaly?

43:50 – How businesses misread their own customers and what to do about it

48:53 – Why companies should stay out of culture wars

52:20 – Closing remarks & will Isaac return to Australia?

Why are Australians feeling poorer despite their wages increasing? Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume sat down with the MRC's Centre for Youth Policy Director Freya Leach to discuss why Gen Z in particular are feeling the pain of Australia's cost of living crisis.

Senator Hume also shuts down misconceptions that the Coalition's Super for Housing policy will rob potential home buyers of their retirement funding and explains why lifting labour productivity is critical to lifting the standard of living.

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One of the world's most recognisable former statesmen dropped by the offices of the Menzies Research Centre in December to record a bonus podcast with our very own Freya Leach.

To mark the recent publication of his new memoir, Unleashed, Boris Johnson sat down with Freya to discuss the reasons behind some of his signature policy positions, from Brexit to his strident support for Ukraine.

Boris Johnson also reveals the Australian influence behind his route to the UK prime ministership and explains why he's optimistic about a second Trump presidency.

Unleashed is available to purchase here: https://www.menziesrc.org/book-shop/unleashed

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Freya Leach, Director of the Centre for Youth Policy, is joined by Erica Komisar in this bonus episode of the Menzies Research Centre podcast, recorded on the sidelines of the ARC conference in Sydney. Erica is a psychoanalyst who brings fresh insights on how we can better raise our children. Her main work focuses on exposing the link between institutionalised childcare and the rising rates of mental health issues among young people like anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and ADHD.

Read Freya's recent editorial on rethinking childcare and suggested policy proposals for strengthening the family unit: https://www.menziesrc.org/latest-research/rethinking-childcare

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Freya Leach is joined by the MRC's new policy director and chief economist Nico Louw in this fascinating discussion covering the biggest public policy challenges of our time, from the Covid pandemic through to our current economic challenges.

Nico, who was senior adviser to Scott Morrison and did several quarantine stints with the former PM, reflects on the challenges of making big policy decisions with little information during the Covid pandemic. He also shares why our inflation woes are homegrown, Australia's productivity problem and the drivers of the nation's housing crisis.

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Brendan Nelson’s career path would confound any career counsellor.

Over three decades he has been a general practitioner; President of the Australian Medical Association; a parliamentarian; Education and Defence Minister; Leader of the Opposition; Ambassador; and Director of the War Memorial. He is currently President of Boeing Global.

Across all his fields of endeavour, Dr Nelson has been admired for his integrity and graciousness.

In a special Watercooler Conversation with the MRC's David Hughes and Freya Leach, Dr Nelson reflects on the values that have shaped his public life. He discusses his political journey from former Labor voter to Liberal Party Leader and shares insights into some of the biggest geopolitical and social challenges of our time.

A new publication of speeches delivered by Dr Nelson throughout his career is available for purchase from the MRC website: menziesrc.org/books

In this special edition of the Menzies Research Centre Watercooler podcast, Senator Jacinta Price joins Freya Leach to address the concerns of young Australians about enshrining an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution.

Senator Price, known for her work on Indigenous issues, provides her insights as a Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs. The episode delves into the distinction between constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians, which has had bipartisan support since 2007, and an institutionalised Voice. This informative conversation sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding Indigenous representation.

Presented by David Hughes, Executive Director of Menzies Research Centre.

Timeline:

[00:01:25] Constitutional recognition and the voice.

[00:04:23] Racism in Australian society.

[00:09:59] The voice being legally risky.

[00:13:27] The voice and family diversity.

[00:16:28] Migrant community concerns.

[00:20:07] Racial heritage and Indigenous disadvantage.

[00:24:09] Democracy and the Uluru Statement.

[00:29:59] Concerns of Indigenous Australians.

[00:34:02] Land Rights Act reform.

[00:36:26] Guilt and responsibility of colonisation.

[00:40:50] Everyone has a right.

[00:45:17] Human stories and hardships.

[00:49:29] The most divisive referendum.

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Email David or Freya: [email protected]

In this series of Watercooler podcasts, we’re attempting something big: to define the virtues that unite Australian Liberals in the 21st century.

Our starting point is the We Believe statement issued to mark the 10th anniversary of the Liberal Party in 1954.

Each episode examines one of the 17 We Believe statements to discover the abiding Liberal virtues they contain.

If a similar statement was to be written today, should the original statements be retained, revised or rejected?

In this episode, Nick Cater is joined by former New South Wales premier Nick Greiner to discuss the role of the free individual and the free market.

In the True Believers podcast series, Nick Cater revisits the 1954 We Believe statement which attempted to articulate the key Liberal Party virtues.

In this episode, he is joined by Australia's 28th Prime Minister, The Hon Tony Abbott, AC, to discuss the influence of government policy on character, individual freedom and the confidence needed to resist the accepted wisdom of our day.

Nick Cater is Senior Fellow at Menzies Research Centre.

Email us: [email protected]

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Make a tax-deductible donation today: www.menziesrc.org/donate

[00:02:33] Liberalism and Australian values.

[00:04:35] Climate change and leadership.

[00:09:00] Elections and climate change.

[00:14:38] Welfare and Indigenous communities.

[00:19:34] Fundamental virtues and dystopian dysfunction.

[00:25:41] The millennial bug.

[00:28:56] Censorship and Free Speech.

[00:34:39] Renewable energy and unintended consequences.

[00:37:09] Peak insanity and cultural self-loathing.

[00:41:06] Australian citizenship and equal rights.

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott delves into the essence of Australian Liberalism and identifies two key elements: a preference for freedom and a deep pride in the country. He emphasises that these aspects form the foundation of the Liberal Party's values and beliefs.

Abbott explains that the preference for freedom is a fundamental principle of Australian Liberalism, encompassing individual liberty, limited government intervention, and personal responsibility. This freedom extends to both economic aspects, such as free markets and minimal regulation, and personal aspects, including individual rights and civil liberties.

Abbott underscores the significance of a deep pride in the country as a defining characteristic of Australian Liberalism. This pride stems from a genuine love and appreciation for Australia's history, culture, and achievements. It reflects a sense of patriotism and a desire to safeguard and promote the nation's interests.

For Abbott, these two elements of Australian Liberalism work in harmony. The preference for freedom allows individuals to pursue their own goals and aspirations, while the deep pride in the country fosters a sense of unity and collective identity. He suggests that this combination of freedom and pride forms the basis for a successful society and should be embraced by the Liberal Party.

In this episode of the Watercooler podcast, David Hughes welcomes Scott Yung, an education entrepreneur and advocate for Robert Menzies' vision for Australia.

Scott shares his inspiring story of starting from humble beginnings in Sydney's Waterloo, growing up in a Housing Commission, and attending a public selective school.

He worked his way up the corporate ladder before challenging now Premier Chris Minns for the state seat of Kogarah. Despite limited resources, Scott's campaign made the seat the most marginal in the state.

Today, Scott runs a primary school coaching college called the Primary Way, focusing on STEM education and practical skills for children. Join Dave as he delves into Scott's upbringing, his parents, and life in Waterloo.

Timeline:

[00:01:26] Scott's upbringing and parents.

[00:04:05] Falling in love with politics.

[00:08:55] Birthplace of Clive James.

[00:12:23] Working at Yellowbrick Road.

[00:16:28] Equipping students for the future.

[00:19:14] Education system decline.

[00:23:00] Valuing teaching as a profession.

[00:28:24] Starting a business in Australia.

[00:33:22] Peter Dutton's genuine listening.

[00:35:51] Financial stability and family.