Pod Save the UK

This week, Nish is back from tour and joins Coco to speak to rockstar economist, Mariana Mazzucato. Her brand of ‘mazzonomics’ has influenced governments and politicians around the world, and she digs into what a ‘common good economy’ might look like: less talking, more doing; fewer silos, more collective purpose. 

Mariana also explains why we should be recognising the social value of cultural places and events, like Notting Hill Carnival, and shares how she accidentally ended up on Wikifeet… We contain multitudes at Pod Save the UK! 

Also, Coco & Nish catch up on the Labour government’s latest, as Shabana Mahmood ‘softens’ her (still pretty hardline) immigration reforms, and Burnham tries to avoid a reparations row while opening the door to a formal state apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade.

And, it’s the blue wave! Pronouns back in your emails please! We check in with Tommy Vietor from Pod Save America to hear their take on the stunning set of midterm election results and what this means for the last years of Trump 2.0.  

USEFUL LINKS
Buy Mariana’s book: https://www.hive.co.uk/product/mariana-mazzucato/the-common-good-economy--a-new-compass/32296162 

Read the Empire of AI: https://www.hive.co.uk/product/karen-hao/empire-of-ai--inside-the-reckless-race-for-total-domination/31755930 

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Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media.

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This week, while Nish is on tour, Coco is joined by journalist Zoë Grünewald to make sense of the first ‘steady-as-he-goes’ Burnham budget. From Burnham’s barnstormer, to Healey’s humdrum address… it was, fine I guess? Weeks of pitch-rolling and pre-announcements led up to this moment, which meant there were very few surprises in Parliament, but a few cans kicked into next year. 

Coco & Zoë speak to Helen Barnard, Director of Policy at the Trussell Trust, to understand what the budget means for those who really do need ‘breathing space’ the most. Keep an eye out for the Timms and Milburn reviews, due next month, to understand how the government intends to support the most vulnerable. 

Plus, Coco & Zoë discuss the recent election victories for progressive movements across the world–from Serbia to Brazil and beyond–and ask, what will it take to see the same over here in the UK? Are we too busy lime bike jousting, or are there bigger structural hurdles (electorally, and legally) that prevent the easy formation of mass protests in the same way…

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It’s a bumper episode this week! Put on your big brain hats, as Nish & Coco are joined by two incredible thinkers from around the world: PSUK goes global.

First up, it’s pioneering (or ‘OG’) trans historian Susan Stryker who discusses her new book, ‘Changing Gender’: charting the history and development of the concept and language of gender, weaving in elements of memoir and observations from the present day. As “gender” has become the bogeyman for gender-critical campaigners, ethno-nationalists and religious conservatives alike, Susan traces the development of these transphobic ideologies, and sets out how the existence of ‘transness’ itself could offer the potential for human liberation. 

Next, we’re joined by academic and economist Thomas Piketty, who runs Nish & Coco through the Global Justice Report that was released this summer: a comprehensive roadmap to achieving global equality and planetary sustainability by 2100. What’s the catch? Look away, billionaires– it’s time for global redistribution. He also explains the significance of the mass student protests in France, and the role they may play in next year’s presidential election.

No prizes for guessing the common enemy in both conversations… What a treat! Let us know what you think of the episode in the comments, and don’t forget you can email [email protected] with any questions, musings, or thoughts! 

USEFUL LINKS

Read the Global Justice Report: https://globaljusticeproject.wid.world/global-justice-report/ 

Buy Susan’s book: https://www.hive.co.uk/product/susan-stryker/changing-gender--the-history-and-future-of-a-concept/26517789 

Justice for Joelle: https://www.translegalclinic.com/justice-for-joelle 

Further information about the NHS’s ‘single sex spaces’ guidance: https://genderedintelligence.co.uk/news/37-nhs-single-sex-guidance 

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Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media.

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This week, Nish & Coco reckon with the latest act of political desperation from Farage and his ailing Reform party: returning to their single-issue roots and promising to shut down England’s asylum system altogether. 

Plus, amidst the ongoing Manchester City scandal, we dive into the PSUK vault and return to an interview from June 2023 with then-mayor Andy Burnham, where Nish & Coco quizzed him on Abu Dhabi investment in the city. Back then, he said broader issues were a “matter for government”. Now he is the government–what next? Also, Nish outs himself as a football nerd. 

And, Brexit’s back on the table– again?! We’re joined by Professor of European Politics Anand Menon, to talk about whether rejoining the EU is desirable, or even possible anymore. Will this dominate the next ten years’ worth of political debate? Does Europe even want us back? We discuss, using a lot of Marvel metaphors…

USEFUL LINKS

Manchester Mill’s reporting on Abu Dhabi’s relationship with Manchester City Council: https://manchestermill.co.uk/exclusive-sheikh-mansour-contract-manchester/ 

UK in a Changing Europe website and resources: https://ukandeu.ac.uk/ 

Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: [email protected] if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings! 

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Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media.

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This week, Nish & Coco are joined by Megan Kenyon, Political Correspondent at the New Statesman, to unpack some of the noisy headlines coming out of the Green Party conference over the weekend. They discuss what the passing of the ‘Zionism is Racism’ means for the party, and how the Greens are positioning themselves in relation to Labour: as a wholesale replacement, or as a way to hold Burnham to account? 

They also look ahead to the Holborn & St Pancras by-election (which is happening today as you listen!), and ask: who is the Conservative Party actually for in 2026? Dinkwads, Dumpys, or something in-between? 

Also, newly elected SNP MP Lara Bird joins us! She shares her experience navigating Westminster, reflects on how her work for Britain Palestine Project has shaped her politics, and explains why achieving the SNP’s core mission would put her out of a job…

**Coco was a little under the weather in this week’s episode, so you may hear some coughs. We tried to remove as many as we could, but there was so much interesting conversation we didn’t want to lose! ** 

USEFUL LINKS
Catch up with Megan’s reporting on the Green Party Conference and the ‘Zionism is Racism’ motion: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/10/greens-vote-to-declare-zionism-as-racism 

Watch the I Think You Should Leave Hot Dog sketch Nish references: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLfAf8oHrMo 

Join the National March for Palestine on the 10th October: https://palestinecampaign.org/events/national-march-for-palestine-save-the-date/ 

Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: [email protected] if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings! 

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Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media.

Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK 
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This week, Nish & Coco catch up on the Labour Party Conference, and react to Andy Burnham’s promises to break with the politics of the past, and build a sustainable future…but what about the present? 

We’re also starstruck in the studio as we’re joined by Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor to discuss their latest book, ‘End Times Fascism: And the Fight for the Living World’. They talk about the consequences of a dangerous alliance of tech bros, Christian fundamentalists, and ethno-nationalists, wary of the so-called “great replacement”. 

But there’s also hope in community organising, action, and championing the natural world; staying grounded, while the billionaires plan their exit to space. Nish wanted to call this episode “gay porn and soup”... you will have to listen to find out why! 

USEFUL LINKS
Buy Naomi & Astra’s book: End Times Fascism : Naomi Klein, : 9780241816288 : Blackwell's 

Read Jane Bradley’s reporting for the New York Times into Nigel Farage and Reform UK’s links to one of America’s most influential conservative Christian groups, the ‘Alliance Defending Freedom’: They Helped Topple Roe v. Wade. Now Their Sights Are Set on Britain. - The New York Times 

Join the National March for Palestine on the 10th October: https://palestinecampaign.org/events/national-march-for-palestine-save-the-date/ 

CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS 
VANTA: https://www.vanta.com/PSTUK
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Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media.

Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: [email protected] if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings! 

Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK 
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This week, Nish & Coco are left reeling from the news that Tom Watson is the latest in a long line of politicians swapping the ballot box for big tech bucks. They consider the implications of Palantir’s cosy relationship with former government officials, and ask where the line is with lobbying. 

Also, we’re joined by 33.3% of the hosts of Crooked’s new podcast, ‘Still Counting’ - Galen Druke. He demystifies all things polls, explaining the methodology in the madness and how much we can learn from all these numbers. Plus, have you ever wondered who’s the most optimistic about fighting a bear? 

And, Coco & Nish reunite with Nikesh Shukla, ten years after the publication of The Good Immigrant. They consider the role identity politics has played in the last decade, and how we can stay optimistic–and active–members of our communities during increasingly scary times. 

USEFUL LINKS
Read the Nerve’s excellent reporting on Palantir poaching government officials: https://www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-revolving-doors-peter-thiel-transparency-corruption-risk 

Listen to Still Counting: https://crooked.com/podcast-series/still-counting/

Buy Nikesh’s book (10th anniversary edition)! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Immigrant-writers-reflect-contemporary/dp/1837266220 

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Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media.

Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: [email protected] if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings! 

Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK 
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This week, journalist and friend of the show Will Hayward joins to unpack a landmark summit between the leaders of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. With pro-independence parties joining forces and declaring that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end” – bold words, but what does it really mean? 

Plus, Jordan Stephens, musician, writer and one half of Rizzle Kicks, joins Nish and Coco to discuss the rise of hyper-masculine figures online, and whether human connection can offer a healthier model and an alternative to the politics of division.

USEFUL LINKS
Subscribe to Will Hayward’s substack here
Watch Jordan Stephens ‘In Search Of Peace’ here 

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Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media.

Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: [email protected] if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings! 

Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK 
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This week, there’s a lot of news! Nish & Coco react to the announcement of sanctions on the West Bank, after Ed Miliband accuses Israel of turning a blind eye to the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians by illegal settlers. As Andy Burnham wrote in the Guardian, it’s time for Britain to ‘stand for something’...finally.

Also, are we taking the threat of the far right seriously enough? Following a series of anti-migrant ‘protests’ by a self-styled ‘Patriot Army’ helmed by yet another ‘Tommo’, Nish & Coco ask why we don’t call out these radicalised groups for what they are. And despite Nigel’s best efforts to distance himself from the balaclava-wearing vigilantes, Reform UK knows that this is the support they need to make it to Number 10. 

And, the King of enshittification, Cory Doctorow, joins us to talk about the AI bubble and why it’s going to burst. Meanwhile, these tech bros are blowing smoke up each other’s share prices, and we’re all inadvertently part of the marketing machine. Cory tackles the ‘collective action problem’ and what we can actually do to change the narrative. Just because there’s a huge pile of s**t, doesn’t mean there’s automatically a pony underneath it… 

There's an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling for a national moratorium on new AI data centres, put forward by Richard Burgon, the MP for East Leeds. You can ask your local MP to support the new national moratorium. You can also read up on the campaign and sign Global Action Plan’s petition: globalactionplan.org.uk. 

USEFUL LINKS

Check out http://noleedsdatacentre.com/ and sign their petition. 

Buy Cory’s book! The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI: How to Think About Artificial Intelligence Before It's Too Late | Verso Books

Andy Burnham’s Guardian op-ed: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/08/uk-sanctions-israel-two-state-solution-middle-east-palestinians-andy-burnham  

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Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media.

Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: [email protected] if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings! 

Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK 
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This week, Nish is back from his fringe frolics, and joins Coco to talk about parliament’s return from summer recess. The revolving door continues as Keir Starmer resigns, Nigel Farage gets sworn in (again) and Andy Burnham tests his stamina with nearly three and a half hours’ worth of questions in the commons. With Zack Polanski rumoured to run in St Pancras and Holborn, how might the next by-election (another one?!) play out?

Also on the pod, we’re joined by journalist and historian Taj Ali. He unpacks what we can learn from grassroots organising and community resistance in the 1970s, shares reflections from the worst racist violence in over a century, and explains why the white working class has more in common with the South Asian community than they might think. Also, PSUK exclusive: fellow Luton native Stephen Yaxley-Lennon eats halal? 

Content note: the conversation between Nish, Coco and Taj is a full and frank discussion of racism, and includes the use of a racial slur that’s historically been used towards the South Asian community. 

USEFUL LINKS
Taj’s book is out on the 15th September: https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/come-what-may-were-here-to-stay/taj-ali/9781526177582?srsltid=AfmBOoqg8Daxime9FB1T9FFCKNn6tUFY2bAbY75ybjQm_J4PKibB_KX4FB0 

Anti-racist RADAR: https://antiracistradar.co.uk/ - report an incident of racism here. 

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Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media.

Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: [email protected] if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings! 

Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk 
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