The Convince Me Podcast

In this week’s episode, we put two very different figures side-by-side: Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski. From economic stagnation to the cost of living, immigration, public services and the climate crisis, we break down how each of them diagnoses Britain’s most pressing problems and what they claim they’d do to fix them.Are the country’s challenges the result of too much state interference, high taxes and weak borders, as Farage argues? Or is the real issue a failure to invest in communities, public services and a green future, as Polanski insists? We explore the political philosophies behind both approaches, how their strategies differ and what their solutions would mean in practice for the economy, society and the environment.We also discuss where their messages overlap, where they completely diverge and why each appeals to such different parts of the electorate.If you’d like to share your take on this week’s discussion, drop a comment below and don’t forget to subscribe to keep up with future episodes. You can also find us on Spotify, iTunes or Instagram at @theconvincemepodcast.If you'd like to get in touch, email us at [email protected] you next time,Nige & Maya

In this week’s episode, we dive into the choppy waters of the UK economy as Rachel Reeves prepares for her next budget. Using the metaphor of the British economy as a sinking ship, we explore two competing theories about why it’s taking on water and what options the Chancellor really has to stop us from sinking.

Is the problem that the rowers are overworked and overtaxed, and the engine is jammed with red tape? Or is it that the owners on the upper decks haven’t maintained the hull, let the structure rot, and left the lower decks to do all the rowing? We break down how each political story diagnoses the slowdown and what each explanation means for Reeves’ choices on tax, spending and investment.

We also look at the big headlines that say the UK is a high tax country. We look at the tax burden in the UK and how we compare internationally and what might be making taxes feel higher than they are. 

If you’d like to share your take on this week’s discussion, leave comments down below and don’t forget to follow the podcast to keep up to date with our future episodes. You can also head to YouTube, iTunes or Instagram, all the usernames are @theconvincemepodcast. 

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at [email protected]

See you then, 

Nige & Maya

Rachel Reeves Budget

Rachel Reeves tax decisions

UK Budget 2025

UK economy slowdown

British economy analysis

UK economic crisis

UK economy explained

why is the UK economy shrinking

Labour economic policy

Labour Party budget plans

UK tax debate

UK tax burden

UK tax comparison

UK tax system explained

UK public finances

UK debt and deficit

UK taxation levels

UK economic policy podcast

Rachel Reeves economy

Rachel Reeves podcast discussion

UK public services funding

Labour Party economy

UK politics podcast

In this week's episode, we've gone digital, to discuss the upcoming introduction by Keir Starmer and the Labour party of Digital ID cards. 

A force for good, or the root of all evil? 

Keeping the nation safe, or keeping the nation under watch?

Let's find out...

Plus we'll revisit last week's episode on Immigration, to find out just how many benefit claims are being made by non-UK citizens.

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at [email protected]

See you next time!

Nige & Maya

START: 00:00

What Are Digital ID Cards: 00:54

Why Have Digital ID Cards Been Introduced: 02:22

What Do The Main Parties Think Of Digital ID Cards: 04:24

Pros and Cons of Digital ID Cards: 07:50

What Happens Next: 24:48

The Evidence: 27:27

Myth-Busting: 30:20

Rant Room: 33:30 Benefit claim by non UK citizens

Who Said What: 41:11 Zack Polanski Vs Nigel Farage

Outro: 42:09

Welcome to Season 2 of the Convince Me Podcast! We are in our brand new studio and have switched up the format of our episodes a little bit to make sure we are bringing you the best content that we can. In this episode, we look into the heavily debated topic of immigration and break it down into six sections: hotels, NHS, benefits, crime, legal vs illegal migration and party policies. We look at some common misconceptions, debunk some myths and look at what can and can't be said about immigration in this country. In Front Page Face Off, we try out a new platform called Ground News and discuss story blindspots on the left and the right, in other words, what are left/right leaning news papers not talking about? This week's blindspot on the left is all about Farage calling to ban second home owners from buying new-builds in tourist locations to protect local communities. The blindspot on the right is about a Chinese company investing in Scottish renewable energy. In the Rant Room, Nige takes on Zia Yusuf (again....) and talks about his most recent appearance on BBC's Question Time. Let us know your thoughts on this episode in the comments below and don't forget to like and subscribe to our channel! Follow us on social media: Youtube: @theconvincemepodcast TikTok: @theconvincemepodcastInstagram: @theconvincemepodcast To get in touch, email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠See you in the next one, Nige and Maya Timestamps: Intro: 00:00-00:52Hotels:00:52-06:46NHS: 06:46-10:31Benefits: 10:31-12:47Crime: 12:47-22:25Illegal vs Legal: 22:25-29:15Party Policy: 29:15-32:37FPFO: 32:37-39:00Rant Room: 39:00-47:13End: 47:13-48:00

In this week’s episode, we dive into the breaking political news surrounding Angela Rayner’s resignation from the cabinet after a scandal over stamp duty. What does this mean for the Labour Party and how will it impact Westminster politics ahead of the next election?

We explore the timeline of the stamp duty controversy, the fallout within the party and what Rayner’s departure says about leadership, accountability and the state of UK politics. From the pressure inside the Labour cabinet to the wider public reaction, this episode asks: was Angela Rayner’s resignation inevitable or was it avoidable?

In this week’s Front Page Face-Off, we look at the state of the House of Lords and Keir Starmer’s new peerage list as well as a new report about the varying impacts of social media on young girls and young boys. 

Links to articles mentioned or discussed: 

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/02/starmer-lords-peerage-politics-parliament?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/video/2025/sep/04/how-tiktok-harms-boys-and-girls-differently-video?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at [email protected]

We are taking a short break but will be back at the beginning of October in a brand new studio for season 2 of the Convince Me Podcast! 

See you then, 

Nige & Maya

Timestamps:  

START 00:00

Intro: 00:14

Debate Start:  01:32

FPFO: 25:52

Rant Room: 38:22

Leave Comments Outro: 49:32

Angela Rayner resignation

Angela Rayner stamp duty scandal

Angela Rayner cabinet resignation

Labour Party scandal

UK cabinet scandal

Westminster politics scandal

political scandal UK

Labour Party

Labour cabinet 

Labour Party crisis

Labour Party Leadership

UK politics

British politics

Westminster politics

UK political news

breaking political news UK

UK government crisis

politics podcast UK

British politics podcast

UK political podcast

Westminster politics podcast

Labour Party podcast

This week we wonder whether it would be a good idea to increase the drinking age for men only to 21. 

In Front Page Face Off, we expose, and maybe not for the first time, the utter hypocrisy of a very senior politician.

And Nige opens up the doors to the Rant Room, where he nearly loses his usual laid back (lazy) demeanour when talking about the Daily Telegraph.

We also welcome our special guest for this week - leader of the Tories, Keri Badenoch (not the real)!

LINKS TO ARTICLES

BBC Report on Alcohol https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20180618-why-alcohol-affects-women-more-than-men 

Prioiry Group https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/poll-shows-public-support-for-alcohol-age-rise 

Front Page FaceOff article https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/aug/22/checked-out-jenricks-migrant-hotel-record-haunts-his-rightwing-bid-for-attention?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 

Rant Room article https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/25/sex-crimes-foreign-nationals-surge/ 

Reddit link about Robert Bates https://www.reddit.com/r/GreenAndPleasant/comments/1j8agii/who_is_the_centre_for_migration_control/ 

Govt Stats on Ethnicity https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/ethnicity-and-the-criminal-justice-system-2022/statistics-on-ethnicity-and-the-criminal-justice-system-2022-html#introduction 

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast.

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at [email protected]

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

TimeStamps:

START 00:00

Intro: 00:51 We welcome Kimi Badenoch (not the real) to the podcast 

Debate Start:  02:10 Should we increase the drinking age for men only?

FPFO: 25:40 Robert Jenrick and his ever changing stance on immigration

Rant Room: 32:29 Nige vents his frustration at Charles Hyman, the Home Affairs Editor of the Daily Telegraph 

Leave Comments Outro: 44:35

Is the UK really holding Big Tech accountable—or just talking tough while tech giants run the show? In this episode, we dive into the state of tech regulation in Britain, from the Online Safety Act to the Competition and Markets Authority’s scrutiny of digital monopolies. Are these measures bold enough to protect consumers, ensure fair competition and rein in the power of global tech giants or are they too little, too late?

In this week’s Front Page Face-Off, we look at the home office’s decision to grant the police the right to release the ethnicities of their suspects and the problematic university system.

Links to articles mentioned or discussed: 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/13/disclosing-asylum-status-suspects-transparency?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/14/university-teenagers-student-debt-graduate-britain?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at [email protected]

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

Timestamps:  

START 00:00

Intro: 00:18

Debate Start:  01:13

FPFO: 36:50

Leave Comments Outro: 50:57

This week we consider whether we should be made to vote in elections. As usual, we’ll look at both sides of the argument, so you can make a (relatively) well informed decision.

In Front Page Face Off, we go back to the ‘B’ word, in an article from the Daily Telegraph that insists Brexit was a success. Plus we talk Mehdi Hasan on YouTube’s Jubilee.

And Maya steps through to the Rant Room, does a fantastic impression of Sydney Sweeney and gets angry about jeans….. or genes.

We also welcome our special guest for this week - Rachel Reeves (not the real)!

LINKS TO ARTICLES

Economics Observartory https://www.economicsobservatory.com/what-do-we-know-about-voter-turnout-in-parliamentary-elections

Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/07/brexit-has-been-a-success-labour-are-slowly-killing-it/  

Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/aug/08/surrounded-show-jubilee-media-mainstream-has-it-succumbed-hateful-vitriol  

Daily Telegraph - Sydney Sweeney - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2025/08/01/left-wants-everything-to-be-ugly-why-hate-sydney-sweeney/?recomm_id=467973c0-00a7-4a9e-8793-8798b0924900  

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast.

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at [email protected]

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

TimeStamps:

START 00:00

Intro: 00:39 We welcome Rachel Reeves (not the real) to the podcast 

Debate Start:  02:55 Should we make voting in elections compulsory?

FPFO: 32:30 Brexit and Mehdi Hasan on Jubilee Surrounded

Rant Room: 42:13 Maya lets rip on Sydney Sweeney and American Eagle jeans

Leave Comments Outro: 48:44

In this episode, we dive into the debate around opinion polls. Are they an objective piece of information that politicians can use to better represent the public? Or are they able to manipulate results and people’s behaviour? Tune in to decide for yourself! 

In this week’s Front Page Face-Off, we look at the lasting impact of Margaret Thatcher’s council housing giveaway and deregulation of the financial markets as well as an article about the new Online Safety Act. 

In the rant room, Nige brings up private schools once again, because an article in the Telegraph suggests that the rich parents have found a way around it… 

Links to articles mentioned or discussed: 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/property/buying-selling/revealed-britains-194bn-bill-for-right-to-buy/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/01/everything-right-left-politics-getting-wrong-online-safety-act?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at [email protected]

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

Timestamps:  

START 00:00

Intro: 00:18

Nice Debate Start:  01:45

Maya Debate Start: 13:16

FPFO: 28:35

Rant Room: 42:52

Leave Comments Outro: 45:50

This week we look at the revolting state of our water in the UK, and question whether nationalisation of the industry is the answer. 

In Front Page Face Off, we analyse an article that shows mortgages are becoming easier to attain, and whether that’s a good thing.

And we open the doors of the Rant Room, where we discuss the slightly ridiculous defamation law suit being brought against Candace Owens by the French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife. 

We also welcome our special (AI) guest, Mr Jeremy Corbyn.

LINKS TO ARTICLES

Addleshaw Goddard: 

https://www.addleshawgoddard.com/en/insights/insights-briefings/2018/energy/nationalisation-how-would-it-be-done-and-what-would-it-mean/ 

Water Org - Myth Busting

https://www.water.org.uk/news-views-publications/views/myths-facts 

Guardian - Mortgage Affordability:

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/29/new-mortgage-affordability-rules-help-uk-housing-market-avoid-summer-lull?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 

Telegraph - Employing Spouse:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/income/why-employing-spouse-could-save-thousands-tax/ 

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast.

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at [email protected]

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

TimeStamps:

START 00:00

Intro: 00:43

Maya Debate Start:  02:12 - Water Companies like Thames Water should be nationalised

Nige: Debate Start: 14:52  - Water Companies like Anglin Water should not be nationalised

FPFO: 25:02 - The Guardian - new mortgage affordability rules

Rant Room: 32:34 Candace Owens v The Macrons. Tax advice from the Daily Telegraph

Leave Comments Outro: 41:28