Pod Save the UK

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.

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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/ 

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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! 

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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! 

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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! 

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This week, we take a minute to remember dear Dolly Parton (Comrade Dolly!); an extraordinary force of nature, talented musician, incredibly generous person and fierce ally, whose kindness and positivity inspired millions across the world–we’ve lost one of the good ones. 

Meanwhile, Coco gets the lowdown from Cody about his latest video being flagged for bullying (billionaire Mark Zuckerberg?!) during Meta’s child privacy trial. Since we recorded this episode, Meta has settled for $17bn, agreeing major changes to its platforms including usage limits and nighttime blocks. 

Also, Reform is at it again, unveiling a policy to prioritise social housing for ‘British born workers’ and married couples. But…you have to keep your gardens tidy? Coco & Cody discuss what sits at the heart of this latest divisive declaration. 

And: are we living in a Corrupted Kingdom? Robert Barrington thinks so. As the former head of Transparency International and professor of Anti-Corruption, he joins us to talk about why we’re reluctant to use the ‘C’ word in the UK, and what we can do to safeguard against corruption across all aspects of British society. 

USEFUL LINKS
https://www.transparency.org/en 
https://antislapp.uk/

Buy Robert’s Book! https://www.waterstones.com/book/corrupted-kingdom/robert-barrington/9781805223153 

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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! 

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This week, it’s Coco & Cody Dahler while Nish is away at the Fringe! With the recent, shocking news of Jason Arday’s death, they’re joined by broadcaster and writer Natasha Devon to reflect on the role of legacy media, and where the line is drawn between public interest and pile ons. 

Also: is Britain living through a ‘nuance drought’? Coco, Cody, and Natasha wrestle with the decline of the ‘critical friend’ perspective, and ask how we can bring back the grey area when people are encouraged to pick a side–not just in politics, but wider society. 

And when pain is preferred to certainty, is Farage the devil we know? They discuss ideological fault lines, false binaries, social media bans, and burning everything down…

USEFUL LINKS
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised during this episode, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org 

Pre-order Natasha’s book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-nuance-drought/natasha-devon/9781837733170 

Petition demanding a public inquiry into Jason Arday’s death: https://goodlawproject.org/petition/jason-arday-letter/ 

‘Farage Fest’ AI music video: https://x.com/reformparty_uk/status/2089464382925205526 

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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, it’s just Nish, Coco, and you! You asked, they answered – thanks to everyone for their questions! Nish and Coco discuss how to stay positive amidst all the current political noise, how hopeful they are about our new Prime Minister, and what their favourite films have been this year…Plus, should we publish the faces of people who earn over a certain amount of money in the UK? 

Also: you listen to Nish & Coco every week, now we want to hear from you! We’re launching an audience survey to hear about what you like, dislike, and want to see more of from PSUK. Guests! Live shows! Topics! Explainers! And did we mention there’s a prize draw? You’ve got to be in it to win it - so fill out the survey here: https://forms.gle/fWp9xXb6tcWhPxSm8 

USEFUL LINKS
Audience survey here: https://forms.gle/fWp9xXb6tcWhPxSm8 

Nish’s ultimate taskmaster episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENMjwuvNZsA 

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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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