Politics Uncensored

This episode went live on polling day for the local elections, here's why local politics matters.

But first it's the week unwrapped with winner of Make me a Prime Minister Natalie Balmain

STORY 1: Hantavirus Outbreak, how worried should we be?

Earlier this week, The World Health Organisation confirmed an outbreak of the deadly rodent-borne Hantavirus aboard a Dutch cruise ship. So far 3 of the 150 passengers have died and one British citizen has been taken into intensive care.

The vessel, MV Hondus, was in transit from Argentina to the Canary Islands. The ship is expected to arrive at Granadilla on the island of Tenerife “within three days”

STORY 2: Graduate jobs fall by a third as employers cut hiring

Fresh figures from jobs platform Adzuna, published in The Times on Wednesday shows a 34.9 percent decline in vacancies for graduates in the year to March. Many companies are cutting back on hiring and using AI tools and technologies instead.

STORY 3: Cost of a pint has reached £10 in London

And finally, if you’re heading for a drink in London this weekend, prepare not to get any change from that £10 note - According to the Telegraph, a number of bars in the capital are now charging a tenner or more for a pint of beer.

--

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accepted a £5million “gift” from billionaire backer Christopher Harborne. Farage has claimed that he had “no obligation” to declare the gift, said to pay for his security.

In a Telegraph interview last week, Farage revealed that in early 2024, Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne had given him the money to pay for his security.

Labour and other rival parties have accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by not declaring the £5m gift in the register of interests for MPs - and the Conservatives have referred the Reform UK leader to the parliamentary standards commissioner.

But speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Farage said the £5m gift was "purely private" and "wasn't political in any sense at all". "The rules are very clear," Farage said.

"And believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift.

--

And then to wrap up the show, whilst voting was ongoing, Zoe was joined by Steve Akehurst (PRONO: Ache-hurst), Director of electoral think-tank, Persuasion UK to discuss the history, influence and importance of local elections.

Why May's local elections are more important than you might think - ITV:

This year's elections in the UK are much more important than you might think - and the results could have a huge impact in both the immediate aftermath and in years to come.

On May 7, millions of people in England, Scotland, and Wales will elect over 5,000 politicians in elections that could produce a set of results the UK has never seen before.

The Welsh and Scottish national elections could set a path for the breakup of the UK.

England's council elections could decimate Labour and the Conservatives, and the results across the board could be the end of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

What's happening where? And what’s changed?

In England, elections are being held for 4,851 council seats across 134 of England’s 317 council areas.

The areas include big cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, as well as counties including Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

What is happening in Scotland and Wales?

In Wales, the electoral system has changed for the first time since its first devolved election in 1999.

The number of Senedd seats up for grabs is increasing from 60 to 96, but the number of constituencies is decreasing from 40 to 16, and each will elect six politicians.

People in Wales will now only cast one vote, rather than the two in previous elections - and ballot papers will only display party names rather than candidates.

Scotland, which is electing 129 members to the Scottish parliament, is still using the Additional Member Electoral System

This means Scots will cast two votes - one for a candidate and another for a party.

In Scotland and Wales, 16-year-olds can vote.

The voting age in England will still be 18 until the government lowers it across the UK ahead of the next general election.

Politicians elected in Wales and Scotland will make decisions that affect their whole country, while councillors in England only preside over their local areas.

All of these elections are critical for the Labour Party and could be fatal for Starmer.

Host: Zoe Grunewald

Guests: Natalie Balmain and Steven Akehurst

Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

This episode went live on polling day for the local elections, here's why local politics matters.

But first it's the week unwrapped with winner of Make me a Prime Minister Natalie Balmain

STORY 1: Hantavirus Outbreak, how worried should we be?

Earlier this week, The World Health Organisation confirmed an outbreak of the deadly rodent-borne Hantavirus aboard a Dutch cruise ship. So far 3 of the 150 passengers have died and one British citizen has been taken into intensive care.

The vessel, MV Hondus, was in transit from Argentina to the Canary Islands. The ship is expected to arrive at Granadilla on the island of Tenerife “within three days”

STORY 2: Graduate jobs fall by a third as employers cut hiring

Fresh figures from jobs platform Adzuna, published in The Times on Wednesday shows a 34.9 percent decline in vacancies for graduates in the year to March. Many companies are cutting back on hiring and using AI tools and technologies instead.

STORY 3: Cost of a pint has reached £10 in London

And finally, if you’re heading for a drink in London this weekend, prepare not to get any change from that £10 note - According to the Telegraph, a number of bars in the capital are now charging a tenner or more for a pint of beer.

--

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accepted a £5million “gift” from billionaire backer Christopher Harborne. Farage has claimed that he had “no obligation” to declare the gift, said to pay for his security.

In a Telegraph interview last week, Farage revealed that in early 2024, Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne had given him the money to pay for his security.

Labour and other rival parties have accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by not declaring the £5m gift in the register of interests for MPs - and the Conservatives have referred the Reform UK leader to the parliamentary standards commissioner.

But speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Farage said the £5m gift was "purely private" and "wasn't political in any sense at all". "The rules are very clear," Farage said.

"And believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift.

--

And then to wrap up the show, whilst voting was ongoing, Zoe was joined by Steve Akehurst (PRONO: Ache-hurst), Director of electoral think-tank, Persuasion UK to discuss the history, influence and importance of local elections.

Why May's local elections are more important than you might think - ITV:

This year's elections in the UK are much more important than you might think - and the results could have a huge impact in both the immediate aftermath and in years to come.

On May 7, millions of people in England, Scotland, and Wales will elect over 5,000 politicians in elections that could produce a set of results the UK has never seen before.

The Welsh and Scottish national elections could set a path for the breakup of the UK.

England's council elections could decimate Labour and the Conservatives, and the results across the board could be the end of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

What's happening where? And what’s changed?

In England, elections are being held for 4,851 council seats across 134 of England’s 317 council areas.

The areas include big cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, as well as counties including Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

What is happening in Scotland and Wales?

In Wales, the electoral system has changed for the first time since its first devolved election in 1999.

The number of Senedd seats up for grabs is increasing from 60 to 96, but the number of constituencies is decreasing from 40 to 16, and each will elect six politicians.

People in Wales will now only cast one vote, rather than the two in previous elections - and ballot papers will only display party names rather than candidates.

Scotland, which is electing 129 members to the Scottish parliament, is still using the Additional Member Electoral System

This means Scots will cast two votes - one for a candidate and another for a party.

In Scotland and Wales, 16-year-olds can vote.

The voting age in England will still be 18 until the government lowers it across the UK ahead of the next general election.

Politicians elected in Wales and Scotland will make decisions that affect their whole country, while councillors in England only preside over their local areas.

All of these elections are critical for the Labour Party and could be fatal for Starmer.

Host: Zoe Grunewald

Guests: Natalie Balmain and Steven Akehurst

Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

This episode went live on polling day for the local elections, here's why local politics matters.

But first it's the week unwrapped with winner of Make me a Prime Minister Natalie Balmain

STORY 1: Hantavirus Outbreak, how worried should we be?

Earlier this week, The World Health Organisation confirmed an outbreak of the deadly rodent-borne Hantavirus aboard a Dutch cruise ship. So far 3 of the 150 passengers have died and one British citizen has been taken into intensive care.

The vessel, MV Hondus, was in transit from Argentina to the Canary Islands. The ship is expected to arrive at Granadilla on the island of Tenerife “within three days”

STORY 2: Graduate jobs fall by a third as employers cut hiring

Fresh figures from jobs platform Adzuna, published in The Times on Wednesday shows a 34.9 percent decline in vacancies for graduates in the year to March. Many companies are cutting back on hiring and using AI tools and technologies instead.

STORY 3: Cost of a pint has reached £10 in London

And finally, if you’re heading for a drink in London this weekend, prepare not to get any change from that £10 note - According to the Telegraph, a number of bars in the capital are now charging a tenner or more for a pint of beer.

--

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accepted a £5million “gift” from billionaire backer Christopher Harborne. Farage has claimed that he had “no obligation” to declare the gift, said to pay for his security.

In a Telegraph interview last week, Farage revealed that in early 2024, Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne had given him the money to pay for his security.

Labour and other rival parties have accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by not declaring the £5m gift in the register of interests for MPs - and the Conservatives have referred the Reform UK leader to the parliamentary standards commissioner.

But speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Farage said the £5m gift was "purely private" and "wasn't political in any sense at all". "The rules are very clear," Farage said.

"And believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift.

--

And then to wrap up the show, whilst voting was ongoing, Zoe was joined by Steve Akehurst (PRONO: Ache-hurst), Director of electoral think-tank, Persuasion UK to discuss the history, influence and importance of local elections.

Why May's local elections are more important than you might think - ITV:

This year's elections in the UK are much more important than you might think - and the results could have a huge impact in both the immediate aftermath and in years to come.

On May 7, millions of people in England, Scotland, and Wales will elect over 5,000 politicians in elections that could produce a set of results the UK has never seen before.

The Welsh and Scottish national elections could set a path for the breakup of the UK.

England's council elections could decimate Labour and the Conservatives, and the results across the board could be the end of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

What's happening where? And what’s changed?

In England, elections are being held for 4,851 council seats across 134 of England’s 317 council areas.

The areas include big cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, as well as counties including Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

What is happening in Scotland and Wales?

In Wales, the electoral system has changed for the first time since its first devolved election in 1999.

The number of Senedd seats up for grabs is increasing from 60 to 96, but the number of constituencies is decreasing from 40 to 16, and each will elect six politicians.

People in Wales will now only cast one vote, rather than the two in previous elections - and ballot papers will only display party names rather than candidates.

Scotland, which is electing 129 members to the Scottish parliament, is still using the Additional Member Electoral System

This means Scots will cast two votes - one for a candidate and another for a party.

In Scotland and Wales, 16-year-olds can vote.

The voting age in England will still be 18 until the government lowers it across the UK ahead of the next general election.

Politicians elected in Wales and Scotland will make decisions that affect their whole country, while councillors in England only preside over their local areas.

All of these elections are critical for the Labour Party and could be fatal for Starmer.

Host: Zoe Grunewald

Guests: Natalie Balmain and Steven Akehurst

Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

This episode went live on polling day for the local elections, here's why local politics matters.

But first it's the week unwrapped with winner of Make me a Prime Minister Natalie Balmain

STORY 1: Hantavirus Outbreak, how worried should we be?

Earlier this week, The World Health Organisation confirmed an outbreak of the deadly rodent-borne Hantavirus aboard a Dutch cruise ship. So far 3 of the 150 passengers have died and one British citizen has been taken into intensive care.

The vessel, MV Hondus, was in transit from Argentina to the Canary Islands. The ship is expected to arrive at Granadilla on the island of Tenerife “within three days”

STORY 2: Graduate jobs fall by a third as employers cut hiring

Fresh figures from jobs platform Adzuna, published in The Times on Wednesday shows a 34.9 percent decline in vacancies for graduates in the year to March. Many companies are cutting back on hiring and using AI tools and technologies instead.

STORY 3: Cost of a pint has reached £10 in London

And finally, if you’re heading for a drink in London this weekend, prepare not to get any change from that £10 note - According to the Telegraph, a number of bars in the capital are now charging a tenner or more for a pint of beer.

--

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accepted a £5million “gift” from billionaire backer Christopher Harborne. Farage has claimed that he had “no obligation” to declare the gift, said to pay for his security.

In a Telegraph interview last week, Farage revealed that in early 2024, Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne had given him the money to pay for his security.

Labour and other rival parties have accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by not declaring the £5m gift in the register of interests for MPs - and the Conservatives have referred the Reform UK leader to the parliamentary standards commissioner.

But speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Farage said the £5m gift was "purely private" and "wasn't political in any sense at all". "The rules are very clear," Farage said.

"And believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift.

--

And then to wrap up the show, whilst voting was ongoing, Zoe was joined by Steve Akehurst (PRONO: Ache-hurst), Director of electoral think-tank, Persuasion UK to discuss the history, influence and importance of local elections.

Why May's local elections are more important than you might think - ITV:

This year's elections in the UK are much more important than you might think - and the results could have a huge impact in both the immediate aftermath and in years to come.

On May 7, millions of people in England, Scotland, and Wales will elect over 5,000 politicians in elections that could produce a set of results the UK has never seen before.

The Welsh and Scottish national elections could set a path for the breakup of the UK.

England's council elections could decimate Labour and the Conservatives, and the results across the board could be the end of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

What's happening where? And what’s changed?

In England, elections are being held for 4,851 council seats across 134 of England’s 317 council areas.

The areas include big cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, as well as counties including Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

What is happening in Scotland and Wales?

In Wales, the electoral system has changed for the first time since its first devolved election in 1999.

The number of Senedd seats up for grabs is increasing from 60 to 96, but the number of constituencies is decreasing from 40 to 16, and each will elect six politicians.

People in Wales will now only cast one vote, rather than the two in previous elections - and ballot papers will only display party names rather than candidates.

Scotland, which is electing 129 members to the Scottish parliament, is still using the Additional Member Electoral System

This means Scots will cast two votes - one for a candidate and another for a party.

In Scotland and Wales, 16-year-olds can vote.

The voting age in England will still be 18 until the government lowers it across the UK ahead of the next general election.

Politicians elected in Wales and Scotland will make decisions that affect their whole country, while councillors in England only preside over their local areas.

All of these elections are critical for the Labour Party and could be fatal for Starmer.

Host: Zoe Grunewald

Guests: Natalie Balmain and Steven Akehurst

Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

This episode went live on polling day for the local elections, here's why local politics matters.

But first it's the week unwrapped with winner of Make me a Prime Minister Natalie Balmain

STORY 1: Hantavirus Outbreak, how worried should we be?

Earlier this week, The World Health Organisation confirmed an outbreak of the deadly rodent-borne Hantavirus aboard a Dutch cruise ship. So far 3 of the 150 passengers have died and one British citizen has been taken into intensive care.

The vessel, MV Hondus, was in transit from Argentina to the Canary Islands. The ship is expected to arrive at Granadilla on the island of Tenerife “within three days”

STORY 2: Graduate jobs fall by a third as employers cut hiring

Fresh figures from jobs platform Adzuna, published in The Times on Wednesday shows a 34.9 percent decline in vacancies for graduates in the year to March. Many companies are cutting back on hiring and using AI tools and technologies instead.

STORY 3: Cost of a pint has reached £10 in London

And finally, if you’re heading for a drink in London this weekend, prepare not to get any change from that £10 note - According to the Telegraph, a number of bars in the capital are now charging a tenner or more for a pint of beer.

--

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accepted a £5million “gift” from billionaire backer Christopher Harborne. Farage has claimed that he had “no obligation” to declare the gift, said to pay for his security.

In a Telegraph interview last week, Farage revealed that in early 2024, Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne had given him the money to pay for his security.

Labour and other rival parties have accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by not declaring the £5m gift in the register of interests for MPs - and the Conservatives have referred the Reform UK leader to the parliamentary standards commissioner.

But speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Farage said the £5m gift was "purely private" and "wasn't political in any sense at all". "The rules are very clear," Farage said.

"And believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift.

--

And then to wrap up the show, whilst voting was ongoing, Zoe was joined by Steve Akehurst (PRONO: Ache-hurst), Director of electoral think-tank, Persuasion UK to discuss the history, influence and importance of local elections.

Why May's local elections are more important than you might think - ITV:

This year's elections in the UK are much more important than you might think - and the results could have a huge impact in both the immediate aftermath and in years to come.

On May 7, millions of people in England, Scotland, and Wales will elect over 5,000 politicians in elections that could produce a set of results the UK has never seen before.

The Welsh and Scottish national elections could set a path for the breakup of the UK.

England's council elections could decimate Labour and the Conservatives, and the results across the board could be the end of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

What's happening where? And what’s changed?

In England, elections are being held for 4,851 council seats across 134 of England’s 317 council areas.

The areas include big cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, as well as counties including Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

What is happening in Scotland and Wales?

In Wales, the electoral system has changed for the first time since its first devolved election in 1999.

The number of Senedd seats up for grabs is increasing from 60 to 96, but the number of constituencies is decreasing from 40 to 16, and each will elect six politicians.

People in Wales will now only cast one vote, rather than the two in previous elections - and ballot papers will only display party names rather than candidates.

Scotland, which is electing 129 members to the Scottish parliament, is still using the Additional Member Electoral System

This means Scots will cast two votes - one for a candidate and another for a party.

In Scotland and Wales, 16-year-olds can vote.

The voting age in England will still be 18 until the government lowers it across the UK ahead of the next general election.

Politicians elected in Wales and Scotland will make decisions that affect their whole country, while councillors in England only preside over their local areas.

All of these elections are critical for the Labour Party and could be fatal for Starmer.

Host: Zoe Grunewald

Guests: Natalie Balmain and Steven Akehurst

Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

The Week Unwrapped: 

Police are treating the stabbing of two men in Golders Green, in north London as terrorism. The assaults, claimed by Iran-linked terror group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) follow a series of arson attacks on Jewish targets in the capital since March. The suspect, who has been named as Essa Suleiman, has been described as hunting for anyone “visibly Jewish” to attack. Zoë and Ali discuss the rise of antisemitism in the UK, the concern around growing political violence and what the government can do beyond increased police funding. 

Then, new analysis shows the world’s 100 biggest oil companies made more than $30 million every hour in unearned profit in the first month of the US-Israeli war in Iran. This includes UK petroleum giant BP who saw their profits double. Ali tells us why the narrative that 'we are all in this together' when it comes to rising prices is wrong.

Finally, recently elected Green Party MP, Hannah Spencer caused a stir in political circles after describing her “unease” over the smell of booze in Westminster. Fellow parliamentarians, including Nigel Farage, were quick to criticise her comments, raising questions and eyebrows around the drinking culture in parliament. Zoë and Ali unpack the risks surrounding this and whether this is a class issue.

Is Labour on week footing going into next week’s local elections?

The story that is still dominating the headlines is the fallout from the Mandelson scandal. 

This week, Keir Starmer dodged a parliamentary investigation over claims he misled parliament about the process to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador. The Conservative led motion was dismissed, with MP’s voting against it 335 to 223.

Downing Street deployed its full weight to force Labour MPs to block a referral to the privileges committee, however some 15 MPs defied the party whip and did not vote against the motion as instructed.

Zoë and Ali unpack why Keir Starmer didn’t refer himself to the privileges committee himself if he was confident enough and ask whether this has irreparably damaged his reputation. With local elections coming up next week, we discuss how all this will impact Labour, especially with fresh forecasts that the party are set to lose 1850 seats.

Then, speaking of the local elections, Labour is doing its best to squash the number of voters for The Reform Party next week. The party this week published a so-called - “uncensored” version of its election broadcast, highlighting comments made by Reform UK politicians too offensive to be aired on TV. Zoë and Ali tell us why they think this reverse psychology strategy is a strong campaign choice.

King Charles’ State Visit to the US 

This week King Charles paid a state visit to the United States - the first trip of its kind since 2007. Ties between the US-UK have been fractured of late with President Trump openly expressing his dislike for Keir Starmer and his policies. The Royal visit comes with the hope that the special relationship can be repaired and it has seemingly gone well. Amanda Matta, Royal Commentator joined the show to explain the state of the ‘special relationship’, the Royal Family’s role in diplomacy and American perception of the King. 

Guest: Amanda Matta, Royal Commentator. You can find her on TikTok and Instagram @matta_of_fact 

Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

It’s been a busy week in Westminster as it continues to reel from the news of Peter Mandelson’s failed vetting. To recap: last week, The Guardian published the explosive revelation that Mandelson did not secure vetting clearance before he was appointed as Ambassador to Washington in late 2024. However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he was in the dark about the decision. On Monday afternoon, Starmer defended himself in the commons saying that it was “beggars belief" that the result was withheld from him by the since-sacked Foreign Office Chief, Oliver Robbins. In his own questioning, Robbins told the Foreign Affairs Select Committee that there was a “very strong expectation” that Mandelson should hold the post - claims which No10 deny. Zoë Grünewald and Matthew Torbitt unpack the fallout and whether Keir Starmer will survive the scandal. 

Up next, we unpack the ties between Big Tech and Britain’s institutions with Director of Advocacy at Foxglove, Donald Campbell. Over the weekend, US based Data Analytics firm Palantir posted on X what they called a ‘brief’ summary of CEO Alex Karp’s book “The Technological Republic.” Dubbed as the company’s mini manifesto, the post sets out Palantir’s controversial ideology and denounces inclusivity and ‘regressive pluralist cultures’ Palantir has operations in multiple government agencies across the world, including here in the UK. According to the Good Law Project, NHS trusts are rolling out Palantir software and in 2023, the government handed a £330 million NHS data contract to Palantir. The software is designed to link up otherwise incompatible databases, fixing an issue that has hampered the NHS where unrelated IT systems are used in different locations. However, Donald Campbell tells Zoë that he thinks that the Labour Government should bring their contract to an end, and according to the British Medical Association, Palantir are ‘not an appropriate partner to have working in the NHS.’ Critics also point to Palantir's funding links to the CIA, leading to allegations around surveillance, its contracts with the Israeli Defence Force, and its co-founder Peter Thiel being a major donor to Donald Trump's presidential campaign. Also, according to Novara Media, the most recent dump of Epstein files sheds light on the links between Palantir, Thiel, Epstein and the former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson. 

Guests: Matthew Torbitt and Donald Campbell 

Producer: Monica Lillis

Peter Mandelson was appointed as Ambassador to the US, despite failing his security check. The decision was overruled by the Foreign Office to ensure he could take up his post as ambassador to the US, an investigation by the Guardian revealed.

Ali and Zoe discuss this breaking story, the "partygate" vibes and if this is the end for Keir Starmer.

Via the Guardian: According to multiple sources, Mandelson was initially denied clearance in late January 2025 after a developed vetting process, a highly confidential background check by security officials.

Keir Starmer had by then announced he would be making Mandelson the UK’s chief diplomat in Washington, posing a dilemma for officials at the Foreign Office, who decided to use a rarely used authority to override the recommendation from security officials.

The decision, which rests with the Cabinet Office, has not yet been taken. Any attempt to withhold the documents from the intelligence and security committee could amount to a breach of a parliamentary motion to release “all papers relating to Mandelson’s appointment”.

Starmer will also be pressed over whether he misled the public in remarks about the security vetting process, which he said had given Mandelson “clearance for the role”.

--

Then with local elections coming up in the UK, parties are doubling down on their stance on affordable housing and particularly the issue of Leasehold. The Labour Party pledged in their 2024 manifesto that they would abolish the so-called ‘feudal’ agreements, but so far progress has been slow. Ali and Zoe are joined by founder Free Leaseholders, a grassroots campaign for the abolition of leasehold, Harry Scoffin, to discuss.

Key Facts and Figures

Total Leasehold Homes: Approximately 5 million leasehold homes exist in England, representing 20% of the housing stock.

Composition: 70% of leasehold properties are flats, and 30% are houses.

Transaction Volume: In 2023, 24% of all residential property transactions in England and Wales were leasehold.

Ground Rent Statistics: As of 2023/24, 77% of leaseholders paid ground rent, with a median of £120 per year; however, 23% paid zero ground rent.

The 2-Year Rule: The requirement to own a property for two years before extending a lease or buying the freehold has been abolished

In the build up to the 2024 general election all major UK political parties pledged some form of leasehold reform, with Labour and the Liberal Democrats committing to abolition, and the Conservatives promising further reform.

With the local elections coming up on the 7th May, Green Party leader Zack Polanski also claimed the government had U-turned on its promise to scrap the "feudal" leasehold system "because it's more interested in pleasing property developers than freeing five million people from the financial burden of service charges".

Guest Bio:

Free Leaseholders is a grassroots group of leaseholders fighting for so-called ‘true’ homeownership.

The group claims that 5.3 million homes in England and Wales are under leasehold.

This means that you pay for the right to occupy the property you live in but you don’t truly own the flat itself or the ‘bricks and mortar’.

Occupiers are therefore subject to ground rents, service charges, and the threat of forfeiture

Free Leaseholders say that the law dates back to 1066 and it no longer exists in most of the world

They’re campaigning because governments have been pledging for decades to abolish it but each time they’ve given into pressure from powerful lobbies that benefit from leasehold.

--

To wrap up the show Zoe and Ali give an update on the War in Iran, where local and US officials are still hashing out a plan for a ceasefire. Indirect talks are said to be “ongoing and productive” but fundamental differences still remain.

US Secretary of ‘War’ Pete Hegseth says the US will maintain the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz for as long as it takes.

Pakistan’s Army chief is in Iran as part of ongoing mediation efforts to renew negotiations as the deadline for the fragile US-Iran ceasefire looms.

Iranian officials say that fundamental disagreements remain between the warring parties, specifically over Iran’s nuclear programme.

The White House says discussions around a possible second round of peace talks between the US and Iran are "ongoing" and "productive" - but no time or place have been confirmed.

The two-week ceasefire is due to end on 22 April.

Hosts: Ali Milani and Zoe Grunewald

Guest: Harry Scoffin

Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

Benjamin Netanyahu has different plans then Donald Trump, aiming to expand their territory to make "Greater Israel", argues Professor Scott Lucas.

No Zoe today so Ali breaks down the war in Iran so far before being joined by Professor of International Studies at the Clinton Institute in Dublin, and founder of the EA WorldView, Scott Lucas to chat about the shaky ceasefire between the US and Iran. We also rerun Zoe's interview with Matthew Spence, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy under Obama.

After this Scott Lucas joins the show, where he breaks down the different aims in this war for Israeli Leader Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, arguing that Israel wants to expand, creating "Greater Israel" in Lebanon.

"No one wins" a war, argues Lucas, as they explain the ever-increasing death tolls, the targeting of civilian infrastructure and JD Vance's plans to become President after Trump leaves office.

They also discuss the UK's role in the war, and the US's precarious position with its allies.

Guest Bio:

Scott Lucas became Professor of International Politics in 2014, having been on the staff of the University of Birmingham since 1989 and a Professor of American Studies since 1997.

He began his career as a specialist in US and British foreign policy, but his research interests now also cover current international affairs --- especially North Africa, the Middle East, and Iran --- New Media, and Intelligence Services.

A professional journalist since 1979, Professor Lucas is the founder and editor of EA WorldView, a leading website in daily news and analysis of Iran, Turkey, Syria, and the wider Middle East, as well as US foreign policy.

Host: Ali Milani

Guests: Scott Lucas and Matthew Spence

Producer: Hugh Smiley

On today’s show, we found out about the billionaires who really own London with investigative journalist Andrew Kersley. Then Zoe and Ali discuss Trump’s bold claim that his “objectives” in Iran are nearly complete.

But first it's the Week Unwrapped:

Grenfell was a “tragedy” but “everyone dies in the end”, this is what the now former Reform housing spokesman, Simon Dudley, said in an interview with Inside Housing. These comments have sparked outrage from Grenfell campaigners and the politicians alike.

Simon Dudley this week in an interview with Inside Housing said in response to a question on whether he thought Grenfell was a warning about insufficient regulation. ‘That (Grenfell) was a tragedy. It was a failure" But he doesn’t believe the current regulatory regime is proportionate saying “Sadly, you know, everyone dies in the end. It’s just how you go, right?”

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The Israeli Parliament has passed a highly controversial law mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of carrying out deadly terror attacks. The bill has been described by opponents as "Immoral"

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Long serving Labour MP Karl Turner lost the whip this week after a “pattern of behaviour” for opposing the government. Turner has been especially vocal in opposing David Lammy’s Jury Trial reforms, he said he was "disappointed to be suspended without prior discussion”.

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Welcome back, who is it that owns London? It’s been a well known fact that much of the capital is bought up by foreign private investors, but who are they? And how far does their ownership spread? Investigative Journalist for the Londoner Andrew Kersley joins the studio to break down his excellent piece: Revealed: the billionaires who really own London

32,611 properties in London are owned by overseas entities. We can do this because a recent change in the law is forcing these foreign companies to register their real owners.

a story that concerns some of London’s most iconic pubs, Camden market, President Trump’s golf buddy and even an Oxford Street Harry Potter store whose landlord is seemingly the sanctioned Libyan government.

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Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali Milani

Guest: Andrew Kersley

Producers: Hugh Smiley and Jules Bradford