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

In this episode, we dive into the debate around lowering the voting age. From the impact of young voices on democracy to the arguments about maturity and civic responsibility, we unpack why some believe it’s time to give teenagers a say—and why others aren’t convinced. Join us as we explore research, real-world examples, and perspectives from both sides of the aisle to answer one question: are we underestimating the political power of the next generation?

In this week’s Front Page Face-Off, we explore the Royal Estate’s financial success with the King set to receive £132 million in profit. 

In the rant room, we talk about one of Nigel Farage’s recent TV appearances where he discusses water quality issues and his work in local councils (or lack there of). 

Links to articles mentioned or discussed: 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/01/king-charles-crown-estate-profit-land-property?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:  01:44

Maya Debate Start: 16:04

FPFO: 26:55

Rant Room: 31:58

Leave Comments Outro: 38:46

In this week’s episode, what we thought was going to be a gentle look at the BBC as a public service, turned out to be a little overheated… let’s blame it on the weather. Plus look out for this week’s special guest, (a very much AI generated), Boris Johnson.

In Front Page Face Off, there were two articles that grabbed our attention, one to do with China and their green credentials, and another looking at the explosion of weight loss drugs and the effect on the NHS. 

Finally, we open the door of the Rant Room, and welcome Robert Jenrick….. or do we?

LINKS TO ARTICLES

China - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/26/china-breaks-more-records-with-massive-build-up-of-wind-and-solar-power?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 

NHS Weight Loss Drug Rollout https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/23/nhs-begins-mass-rollout-of-weight-loss-jabs-to-patients-in-england?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 

NHS Weight Loss Drug Problems https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/26/weight-loss-diabetes-jab-users-report-pancreas-problems?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 

Robert Jenrick video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HZ6Mb8uOtk 

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: 00:56

Nige Debate Start:  02:30

Maya: Debate Start: 08:57 

FPFO: 32:24  

Rant Room: 43:05

Leave Comments Outro: 48:08

In this episode, we tackle a heated question: Should the UK prioritise relations with the EU over the US? We break down the future of UK foreign policy, the lasting impact of Brexit, and what’s at stake in choosing between deeper ties with Europe or the United States.In this week’s Front Page Face-Off, we explore Nigel Farage’s new economic proposal: foreign residents would pay £250,000 upon arriving in the UK and, in return, be exempt from the new Non-Dom tax rules. The funds raised would be redistributed to the UK’s poorest citizens as an annual top-up.Sound great or like it's too good to be true? We will also look at an article about Glastonbury and Kneecap's controversial appearance. In the rant room, Maya talks Jeff Bezos and his extortionate wedding in Venice that has p*ssed off all the locals. Links to articles mentioned or discussed: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jun/21/kneecaps-glastonbury-performance-not-appropriate-says-keir-starmerhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/22/reform-unveils-plan-to-top-up-poorest-workers-from-250000-fee-on-rich-uk-newcomers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Otherhttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0vjr07570ohttps://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/01/04/the-uks-strategic-shift-entering-external-association-with-the-united-states/https://www.techuk.org/resource/techuk-and-iti-u-s-uk-trade-deal-can-set-global-tech-agenda.htmlhttps://www.ey.com/en_uk/newsroom/2025/05/uk-fdi-projects-second-in-europe#:~:text=Fall%20in%20US%20projects%20drives,to%2018%25%20of%20European%20projectshttps://www.geostrategy.org.uk/research/who-are-britains-most-important-allies-and-partners/If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcastIf you'd like to get in touch, email us at [email protected] you next week!Nige & MayaTimestamps: START 00:00Intro: 00:18Maya Debate Start: 01:14Nige Debate Start: 18:35FPFO: 32:38Rant Room: 42:37Leave Comments Outro: 44:49

This week, we leave UK politics in the rear view, and delve into a bit of pop culture. Anyone noticed how the price of concert tickets has been increasing to an almost unaffordable level (see Oasis, Taylor Swift etc)? Is this just the free market at work, or are we being ripped off? 

In Front Page Face Off, we revisit a topic that is highly emotive, tragic and equally enraging.

And finally, Nige opens up the Rant Room door on last week’s Question Time. Thank God for Fiona is all we can say.

LINKS TO ARTICLES

Grooming Gangs

Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/06/16/asylum-seekers-behind-new-grooming-gang-cases/ 

Guardian - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06/16/read-grooming-gang-report-in-full/ 

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: 00:47

Nige Debate Start:  02:13

Maya: Debate Start: 15:08 

FPFO: 24:28  

Rant Room: 37:05

Leave Comments Outro: 44:42