Oh God, What Now?

At long last it’s the Rover’s Return… What are the burning issues that will be taking up Andy Burnham’s time when he takes over No.10 next week? OGWN listeners bombard us with questions and we do our best to answer them. What can Burnham do that Starmer couldn’t? Does he need to do more than move stuff to the North? And why did Labour give Starmer a carriage clock, of all things? 

Plus, Climate of Fear: Kemi Badenoch chooses the hottest moments of our Hell Summer (a period which is actually killing people) to purge Tory MPs who back Net Zero. WTF is she playing at? We look at this terrifying moment and whether the summer’s frightening scenes can push back the tide of climate change denialism. 

• Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at [email protected]. 

ESCAPE ROUTES

• Jason bought George Martin: The Scores – the collected musical works of that chap who did The Beatles. 

• Seth has been watching old episodes of Frasier – specifically S2 E18, The Club, with the 1896 vintage bottle of port. 

• Ava went to see a series of Scorsese re-runs at the cinema. 

• Ros has been re-reading Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. Buy through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Ros Taylor with Jason Hazeley, Seth Thévoz and special guest Ava Santina. Audio Production by: Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Counter-terrorism police take over the investigation into the killing of Ann Widdecombe, a crime that has shocked people across the political spectrum. Beyond legitimate questions around political violence, are Reform trying to amp up the fear for political gain? What should people in the public eye say – and what shouldn’t they? 

Plus… Andy Burnham will finally become Britain’s prime minister this week – the seventh in a decade. Lucky him… he inherits an entire Sue Gray-style s**t list of policy issues. So what might actually be on it? And is there anything Burnham can do to stop his in-tray wrecking his life?

• Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at [email protected]. 

ESCAPE ROUTES

• Jonn went to the MC Escher exhibition at Somerset House – and couldn't resist a shoutout to the Doctor Who serial, Castrovalva. 

• Hannah has been reading These Precious Days by the novelist Ann Patchett

• Raf has watched L’Amour Ouf – Beating Hearts in English – while on holiday in France 

• Zoe has been listening to Cameron Winter, the front-man of indie-rock band Geese 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Zoë Grünewald with Jonn Elledge, Hannah Fearn and Rafael Behr. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Nigel Farage wanted a “people vs. the establishment” by-election but it quickly turned into “man vs. bin”. Every major rival has refused to run against him in Clacton, leaving the Reform leader’s only real opponent as the man with a trash can on his head, Count Binface. Is this one humiliation too many for the frog-faced fraud? Plus, Farage may be the front-man but the loudest and most extreme voice behind him is Zia Yusuf. How did the one-time left-winger become Reform’s self-styled “Shadow Home Secretary”? Expert on the far-right Daniel Trilling explains all. And in the Extra Bit: If you threw a sickie last Monday to watch England beat Mexico, you’re not alone. We look at the culture of the sick day around the world.

• Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at [email protected]. 

ESCAPE ROUTES

• Ros has been letting off some steam reading Christian Wolmar’s Fastrack: The Extraordinary Global History of The Race for High Speed Rail

• Rachel went to watch Pride at the National Theatre, as Stephen Beresford’s hit moves from screen to stage

• Daniel has been reading Keza MacDonald’s Super Nintendo: How One Japanese Company Helped the World Have Fun

• Andrew went to see Robyn at the O2 and What the World Needs Now: The Songs of Burt Bacharach with Rumer, Ed Harcourt and Dionne Warwick 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison with Rachel Cunliffe, Ros Taylor and Daniel Trilling. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Tom Taylor. Art direction by James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Quick-fire reaction to Nigel Farage’s resignation with Jacob Jarvis, Andrew Harrison and Jonn Elledge… For his latest trick, the Reform leader has quit as an MP after weeks of scrutiny over his finances finally caught up with him. In a whingeing speech, teed up hours in advance, Farage triggered a by-election in Clacton and says he’s determined to win it back. Is this a genuine appeal to voters or just a stunt to take the heat off the sleaze inquiry? Above all, what might happen next?

• Back us on Patreon – www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis, with Andrew Harrison and Jonn Elledge. Producer: James Liddell. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Oh God What Now? is a Podmasters Production.

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After weeks of defending the £5m “gift” that won’t go away, Farage finds himself at the centre of another uncomfortable money story: undeclared finance from a convicted criminal with the unimprovable nickname “Posh George”. And Reform is faltering in the polls. Is Farage becoming a liability to the party that supposedly revolves around him? 

Plus: The astonishing story of how Trump strong-armed FIFA into suspending the Folarin Balogun red card, thus poisoning the whole World Cup. And as Burnham prepares to inherit a financial nightmare, should he bite the bullet and repeal the pensioners’ Triple Lock?

ESCAPE ROUTES

• Marie went to see the Olivia Wilde comedy The Invite at the cinema. 

• Matt has been reading Murder: The Biography by Kate Morgan.

• Jonn recommends the Russell T Davies drama Tip Toe, streaming on Channel 4.

• Seth has been reading Swiss Watching by Diccon Bewes.   

• Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at [email protected]. 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Seth Thévoz with Jonn Elledge, Marie le Conte and Matt Green. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Now that the Age of Andy is starting to take shape, will our panel stick their necks out and say they can support the King Half In The North? Is there enough going on here to re-energise Labour voters who were burnt out by the last lacklustre regime? Are Shabana Mahmood and Starmer himself trying to box in the new PM on immigration and defence? And is Burnham really going to be as Left as some think? 

Plus: In a truly selfless sacrifice, our Seth Thévoz and James Ball go to the Telegraph’s “Big Debate” on “How to make Brexit a success” (!). What wonders and horrors did they witness? And in a special American semiquincentennial Extra Bit, what was the first time our panel visited the USA? And the last? 

ESCAPE ROUTES

• James has been mainlining three World Cup games a day. 

• Seth has been stalking Sepp Blatter and Gianni Infantino across social media.

• Hannah went to see Lily Allen at the O2. 

• Zoë has been indulging in the Serpentine Lido in London’s Hyde Park. 

• Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at [email protected]. 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Zoë Grünewald with Seth Thévoz, Hannah Fearn and James Ball. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

www.podmasters.co.uk 

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Will spreading power throughout the UK be Burnham’s secret weapon? Will “No.10 North” be located at Salford Lads’ Club? And will Britain’s PM in waiting really get ten years at the helm? Plus: from Manchesterism to Trumpism… America turns 250 this week and the vibe feels a bit off. Trump’s flop of a state fair has already been branded “embarrassing” and “sad” with tentfuls of melted ice cream and a cancelled Vanilla Ice. We welcome special guest David Plotz of the Slate Political Gabfest to pick apart Trump’s lacklustre semiquincentennial celebrations… and whether Trump really is losing.

• Does the US needs a total reboot once Trump has gone? Find out on Fables of The Reconstruction: How to Fix the USA, a three-part miniseries from The Bunker.

• Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at [email protected].

• Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow.

ESCAPE ROUTES

• Jonn has been hooked on Apple TV’s much-hyped comedy-horror Widow’s Bay.

• Ros watched England’s cricketers stumble to a series defeat against New Zealand

• David has been gripped by the “soccer” as the World Cup knockouts get underway back home in the US

• Andrew might be six years late to season one of space race counterfactual For All Mankind on Apple TV+, but he’s making up for lost time.

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Jonn Elledge and Ros Taylor. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

www.podmasters.co.uk

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What a difference a week makes… Andy Burnham is now number one in a field of one, and planning to move a chunk of No.10 to Manchester. How is Labour adjusting itself to the Age of Andy? Is there more to Burnhamism than just vibes? What about Burnhanomics? And do the people really want a General Election or can they just not face one?  

Plus: Forgetting all the inexplicable rabid anger about “worst PM ever!!”, was Keir Starmer actually a good Prime Minister or not? We run the rule over his record. And in the Extra Bit for Patreon people, we’ve got three comics on the pod. Was Starmer good or bad for the jokes biz?  

• This show is sponsored by CarVertical.com - Get 20% off any vehicle history check at ⁠⁠carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow

• Get tickets for Ahir Shah’s next show Golden.  

ESCAPE ROUTES 

• Hannah has been listening to the gorgeous dreamscapes of Skying by The Horrors.  

• Jason went to see the Marilyn Monroe exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. 

• Matt and his nephew are collecting the M&S Panini football sticker album .  

• Ahir has been appreciating The Thong Song by Sisqo on many, many levels.  

• Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at [email protected].  ⁠

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow 

Presented by Matt Green with Hannah Fearn, Jason Hazeley and Ahir Shah. Audio Production by: Jade Bailey. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. 

www.podmasters.co.uk  

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“We voted Brexit and all we got was this lousy podcast…” Ten years since the vote that sent Britain round the bend, could we finally break out of the trap of 2016? We’re joined by the Obi Wan Kenobi of Brexit bloggers Chris Grey to look into the enormity of Pandora’s Referendum. In a world so violently changed from 2016, is there hope for Britain to get back into the EU? Despite populism, are the stars aligning for the UK and the EU? And should anyone serious about reuniting Britain and the EU be talking about joining, not rejoining? As Raf says: “With a bit of political courage we could be in a very different debate.” 

• Want more on Brexit? Hear friend of the pod Anand Menon on The Reality of Rejoin on the latest Bunker – Apple and Spotify.

• Read Chris Grey’s blog Brexit and Brexitism.

• Pre-order Jonn’s new book 31 Inventions That Made Our World. 

• Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at [email protected]. 

ESCAPE ROUTES

• Jonn has been watching the Russell T. Davies drama Tip Toe.  

• Raf has been reading Fred Vargas’s The Chalk Circle Man (in French, of course). 

• Ros has been reading The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendahl and enjoying The Archers podcast. 

• Chris Grey has been watching vintage spy drama Mr Palfrey of Westminster on the Classic British Telly YouTube channel. 

When you buy books through our affiliate bookshop you help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• This show is sponsored by CarVertical.com - Get 20% off any vehicle history check at ⁠⁠carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow⁠⁠

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Ros Taylor with Jonn Elledge and Rafael Behr. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

www.podmasters.co.uk 

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As we sadly file away that ‘Keep Keir And Carry On’ headline in the bottom drawer… Keir Starmer steps down and our panel look at what the Starmer era really means. Are we now in a world where petty politics will always trump service to country? Why was this decent, vaguely boring man so loathed in the country? Does this public bloodletting help or hinder Labour’s existential battle against Reform? And why can’t Britain hang on to its Prime Ministers? We’re joined by Chris Grey, the don of Brexit bloggers to discuss it all. 

This is a special two-part split edition, enabling us to get you the Farewell to Keir Starmer portion of the pod as fast as possible. Be here tomorrow as our panel “celebrate” ten years of the Brexit Referendum that pitched Britain into a psychodrama it still can’t escape. 

• Read Chris Grey’s blog Brexit and Brexitism

• Pre-order Jonn’s new book 31 Inventions That Made Our World through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at [email protected]. 

• Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow. 

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Presented by Ros Taylor with Jonn Elledge and Rafael Behr. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

www.podmasters.co.uk 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices