Oh God, What Now?

Why are we so obsessed with ‘The Red Wall’? What does it mean and are the Tories about to lose all of those seats in the North? Plus, new research shows the government’s levelling-up project has not worked… at all. Only 10% of the approved fund has been spent by councils. Why? And were the government’s missions ever achievable? 

• “The red wall are actually voters who should’ve been Tory for quite a long time.” – Marie Le Conte

• “It was more of an F YOU to the whole system.” – Hannah Fearn

• “It’s quite fun to have a lot of nutters.” – Marie Le Conte

• “Rather than levelling-up, everybody is in a worse situation.” – Hannah Fearn

We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow 

And Andrew’s Introduction to Microdisney: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5xAQv7A4imZLX5pkBtuYk9?si=jFp0aVJGRAyahhjyAvDMIA&pi=e-pUunf_m0QuaQ 

Andrew’s Escape Route: Microdisney — The Clock Comes Down The Stairs on iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001x9fs/the-story-of-microdisney-the-clock-comes-down-the-stairs 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Yasmeen Serhan, Marie Le Conte and Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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As the Tories face another racism row, we imagine a world where the Conservative Party simply didn’t exist. Would that be for the best for everyone? Plus, according to new research, only Uzbekistan is more miserable than the UK. What does this tell us about the British psyche? And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, is Kate Middleton just bad at Photoshop or is there a darker conspiracy at play? (PS. It’s definitely the first one.)

• “There are certain trends that are making Conservative MPs really worried.” – Rachel Cunliffe

• “I think that Anderson is being consistent in one thing – and that’s that he’s always been a tw*t.” – Jacob Jarvis

• “I think what could come in the Tories’ place could be even worse.” – Matt Green

• “We find being cynical quite sexy in the UK – what is that?” – Ava Santina

We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Rachel Cunliffe, Matt Green and Ava Santina. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn and Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Lee Anderson has thrown a strop and joined Reform UK. What is this political journeyman trying to do – other than seek a load of attention? And, the budget hasn’t managed to win hearts and minds for the Tories. In fact, it made the dial creep in the wrong direction. What will they try next?

• “If the Tories choose to radicalise, then I’m sure Lee Anderson could find a home back within the party.” – Hannah Fearn 

• “Talking up the numbers of defectors is just a way of spooking the Tories.” – Rafael Behr 

• “Sunak has very clumsy, clunky, tactical judgement.” – Rafael Behr 

We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Alex Andreou with Hannah Fearn, Rafael Behr and Ros Taylor. Producers: Chris Jones and Alex Rees. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Jeremy Hunt’s budget has arrived. We unpack the good, bad and ugly – and ask: “Are we all going to be much richer now?” Short answer: No. Also, the BBC’s first-ever disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring joins the panel to discuss her new book Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland, how she wards off online hate – and why social media is so rife with conspiracy theorists. 

Buy Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Oh God, What Now? by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• “What this government is doing is really last chance saloon.” – Zoë Grünewald

• “They nicked Labour’s non-dom policy, which will cause some headaches later.” – Zoë Grünewald

• “I think we should treat social media companies as we do governments… they’re just as powerful.” – Marianna Spring

We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Dorian Lynskey, with Jonn Elledge, Zoë Grünewald, and guest Marianna Spring. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn and Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Is Galloway’s victory in Rochdale quite the seismic event that Gorgeous George claims it is? With even Mail readers more likely to vote Labour than Tory, do the papers still have the power they used to? And there’s a debate brewing on assisted dying. What do our panel think? Plus, Budget tips, the Supreme Court on whether Trump gets on the ballot, and why Marie le Conte considers herself a Space Arab.  

• “Literally nobody wants tax cuts. If your ceiling is leaking, the upstairs neighbour giving you £20 towards your service charge is not an answer to your problems.” – Alex Andreou 

• “Interesting that Galloway is able to channel all that discontent into election wins, and yet Farage isn’t.”  – Rachel Cunliffe 

• “Even the really right wing papers want Sunak out of the way so they can have their leadership battle between Badenoch, Jenrick and whoever…” – Alex Andreou 

• “The Sun is just pretending that politics isn’t happening any more… Like, look, Jesus on a piece of toast!” – Marie le Conte 

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Alex Andreou, Rachel Cunliffe and Marie le Conte. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music by Cornershop. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. 

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After Lee Anderson and Suella Braverman’s recent outbursts, why are the Tories so scared of the word Islamophobia? And how deep does this issue run in the party? Plus, it’s a But Your Emails special! In the second half the panel answers as many of our listeners burning political questions as possible. Then in the Extra Bit for subscribers, what are political marches good for? The panel discusses their own experiences. 

We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Dorian Lynskey, with Matt Green, Rafael Behr, and Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn and Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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30p Lee has shown his real worth by claiming that Islamists have “got control” of Sadiq Khan. Suella Braverman, however, says they’re already in charge. Why hasn’t she lost the whip but Lee Anderson has? The panel discusses whether we have an intimidation issue in politics. Plus, as the Tories head for oblivion, why do political parties fail to learn from their mistakes before it’s too late?

• “The Tories are Anderson’s enablers and for a reason – because it’s useful to them to have someone blowing that particular dog whistle.” – Alex Andreou.

• “I actually find it really hard to get into Rishi’s head.” – Marie Le Conte

• “People sounded angrier than they did at the height of the Brexit years.” – Marie Le Conte.

• “The right, not just here but all around the world, is suffering a crisis in ideology.” – Alex Andreou.

• “MPs are behaving like small children who have been in the car too long.” – Marie Le Conte.

We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Marie Le Conte and Alex Andreou. Producers: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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We can’t believe we’re asking this, but is David Cameron showing some competence in his role as foreign secretary? Or is he just the best of a terrible Cabinet? The panel discusses how he’s performed so far – and whether we can ever really forgive him. The answer is no, we can’t, by the way. Plus, Our Ros Taylor’s written a book! The Future of Trust is out now! She discusses her work with the panel. 

Buy The Future of Trust through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Oh God, What Now? by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• “Geo-strategic thinking is not Cameron’s strong point.” – Rafael Behr.

• “The thing you have to remember about David Cameron is that he is VERY arrogant.” – Rafael Behr.

• “This isn’t the first time Marjorie Taylor Greene has told off a Brit.” – Yasmeen Serhan.

• “Trust is a very, very slippery concept.” –  Ros Taylor.

• “You’d think trust would increase with greater scrutiny, but that’s not necessarily the case.” – Ros Taylor.

We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor, Rafael Behr and Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Why do the right-wing intelligentsia keep talking Britain down? Didn’t they get all they ever wanted when we left the EU? And who are the worst culprits? Plus: Remember when Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister and promised to fix the economy? Yes, well last week it emerged that Britain had entered a recession – nailed it. Has he completely failed on all his other goals too? That’s Oh God, What Now? with our special guest, political comedian Alistair Barrie.

We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Alex Andreou with Zoe Grunewald, Rachel Cunliffe, and guest Alistair Barrie. Producers: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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The Tories have been trounced in the latest by-elections – who’d have guessed that would happen?! Sunak’s colleagues blamed a low turnout for the results in Kingswood and Wellingborough – is that fair? Or is the Tory electorate collapsing? What can we learn from these by-elections and what does this indicate, if anything, for the upcoming general election? Andrew Harrison is joined by Ros Taylor in an emergency edition. 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Ros Taylor. Producers: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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