💰In June, Keir Starmer’s Labour government proposed significant cuts to disability benefits for the UK's most vulnerable citizens. 

🟢 With his party holding a clear majority in Parliament,  there should have been no issue getting it done.

💥 But in a surprise move, 126 Labour backbenchers rebelled - refusing to vote for the cuts,  which had no basis in any real vision beyond saving money, or a bald “cash grab” as Starmer’s detractors put it.

☝️ This was just one of many high profile gaffes for the troubled government, which has now been surpassed in the polls by Nigel Farage’s right-wing nationalist Reform Party.

❓❓So what went wrong, and can Labour recover before it’s too late?

John McTernan, Former communications director for Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Julia Gillard, sits down with Stephen Donnelly to spill the tea.

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Welcome back to Socially Democratic!

This week, we’ve got planes, trains, and ornery Teals.

The Transport Workers’ Union wins a landmark case against Qantas. Where to from here?

The Economic Reform Roundtable took place in Canberra last week. Journalists tried to spice it up with a Chalmers vs. Albo angle, but we think construction codes are more exciting!

The Albanese Government moves to recognise the State of Palestine. Where do the Australian people stand?

This, plus Jessie’s comms breakdown examines the latest hit piece on Deputy PM Richard Marles, and David’s filibuster unpacks the Victorian Liberal party squabbles.

#auspol #labor #progressivepolitics #campaign #podcast #politics #expertguests #SRL #Greens #PartyRoom #StateofPalestine #Albanese #government #EconomicReformRoundtable #Chalmers #Teals #Greens #ALP #Liberals #TWY #TransportWorkersUnion #Qantas #ruling #listenerquestions

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🤔 How much do you really know about Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan ?

She joins us in the Socially Democratic office for a special episode with Stephen Donnelly.

📺 You can also watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/gm-AP9OcHUw

While “some” people have their knickers in a twist over her government’s Work From Home announcement, and the Suburban Rail Loop remains hotly contested, at least by one newspaper - 

🔥Jacinta Allan is un-phased by the critics. 

She takes us through her personal story, the values that ground her, and the bold, pragmatic vision she has for the Education State.

What did you think of the episode? Let us know in the comments.

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The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Dive into the latest episode of Socially Democratic as Stephen Donnelly and Chicago-based Democratic strategist Katie Parsons unpack the whirlwind first six months of the Trump administration. ​ 

From record-breaking executive orders to controversial immigration policies, the duo explores the political landscape, the Democrats' response, and what’s next for the American left.

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📣Attention all shoppers - the Mailbag Episode is here! 📫

Our listeners have thoughts. Lots of thoughts. They wanted to hear more about:

🖊️Labor’s agenda. Will it be bold this term? Is now the time to act on tax reform?

♟️Without support of the crossbenches, how long with the Rockliff Tasmanian government last?

📹FriendlyJordies - why is he supposedly persona non grata with many in the Labor Party?

🇬🇧With cross-cultural tensions supposedly at a breaking point, is UK Labour on thin ice?

🧐And more!

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The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Federal Labor Minister Chris Bowen wants Australia to be on the frontlines of the fight against climate change.

And he’s in a hurry. 

Stephen Donnelly sits down with him for a fact-packed half-hour to discuss Australia’s most urgent energy challenges. 

They cover:

🇦🇺 COP31: Why he’s pushing to bring the world’s largest climate summit to Australia. 

🎯 Labor’s bold target of 82% renewables by 2030.

🌳 Advice for climate activists when working with the government.

🔥 Australia’s domestic gas market and why it needs a review.

🌬️ Offshore wind: The power, the potential, and the headwinds.

Listen in to get caught up on Australia’s climate ambitions. 

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It’s the end of the month and Feeney Files with Jessie McCrone is back.

We’ve got a lot to cover this month, including:

✈️ Albanese's trip to China. Did he bring enough treats back for all of us?

🟢 The Greens Party’s internal fracas.  What hill are they prepared to die on and why are they so bad at dissent?

🚄 The Age’s single-handed crusade against the Suburban Rail Loop. Why so mad?

🗳️ The Tasmanian election results. In keeping with the theme, Jessie and David just can’t agree on the best way forward.

And much more. Take a listen.

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“If not us, then who? And the answer is no one. So you kind of find the other gear that you didn't know you had and you just keep going no matter how hard it gets.”

This week, Stephen Donnelly sat down for an exclusive with Lissie Ratcliff, former Chief of Staff to Daniel Andrews, for her first-ever public interview. 

With 14 years of experience in Labor government and opposition, Lissie shares her candid reflections on political strategy and communication, crisis management, and what it feels like to lose. 

From the key foundation stones that took Victorian Labor from opposition to government in 2014, to the relentless grind of implementing Victoria’s Covid response (complete with 120 daily press conferences in a row), Lissie takes us behind the scenes of the three-peat election winning Andrews government in its most crucial moments.

You may never have heard the name Lissie Ratcliff, but after this episode, you won’t forget it. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson https://tr.ee/fgjAt9

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Meet the man challenging the Libs for the leadership of Tasmania: Dean Winter.

It’s been only 15 months since Jeremy Rockliff was re-elected the Premier of Tasmania, but last month a nail-biting, nearly-tied no-confidence vote in the government threw the state into political uncertainty. 

Opposition Leader Dean Winter was behind that motion. Now Tasmanians are returning to the polls on Saturday 19 July. This week he speaks to us about why he did it, how the Liberals have bungled the budget, and what he envisions for the future of Tasmania.

Donate here: https://taslabor.org.au/donate/donate/

Volunteer here: https://taslabor.org.au/get-involved/volunteer/

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The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au 

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On May 8, 2025, Vatican reporter Colleen Dulle was in Rome, covering the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor. Her days were long, spent trawling through international coverage, meeting with sources inside the Vatican and other journalists, as well as attending daily Vatican press conferences. 

But once the conclave began, the flow of information screeched to a halt. Millions of eyes watched their only source: the chimney on the Sistine Chapel. 

In this stillness, the air hung with anticipation, Colleen thought she had time for a quick bathroom break in the press office. That’s when she heard the shouts: “Bianca! Bianca!” White smoke! White smoke!

Follow this story and more in our latest episode with the captivating Colleen Dulle. And congratulations to her on her new promotion to Vatican Correspondent at America Media!

Mentioned in the show:

Colleen’s Book Struck Down, Not Destroyed - Available on Pre-Order
Colleen at America Magazine
IG: @colleendulle
Twitter: @colleendulle

Father James Martin on IG: jamesmartinsj

Elise Ann Allan at Crux

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Show Start
02:08 Meet Colleen
13:25 Reporting on a Closed Process
21:50 Factions in the Catholic Church
31:34 Pope Leo
40:32 Scandals in the Church
59:57 Wrap Up

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