The Political Dispatch

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom and Lily take a deep dive into one of the most significant democratic reforms in recent UK history: lowering the voting age to 16 years-old. From the role of education and political literacy to questions about maturity, motivation, and turnout, Tom and Lily examine the opportunities and concerns posed regarding the potential expansion of the franchise in the UK.

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To get connected with Tom or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom and @lilymott3.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode, Tom, Lily, and Sidd discuss the evolving and often contentious relationship between Donald Trump and the media. The Political Dispatch team explores recent shifts in the U.S. media landscape, from the cancellation of a top-rated late-night show to the defunding of public radio and changes to the White House press corps.

This episode was recorded on 29th July 2025

You can also check out previous episodes related to this topic:

Meta, Musk, and the Politics of Social Media: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/e/meta-musk-and-the-politics-of-social-media/

Lessons in Democracy: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/e/lessons-in-democracy/

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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode, Tom, Lily, and Sidd examine a year of unprecedented conflict across Asia.

Join the hosts for a sweeping international news bulletin, from the nuclear standoff between India and Pakistan to the escalating war in Gaza, the renewed civil conflict in Myanmar, and a dangerous confrontation between Israel and Iran. With tensions rising in the South China Sea and new border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, this episode explores the structural forces driving Asia’s descent into instability, and what it means for the future of global peace and security.

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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode, Tom, Lily, and Sidd reflect on the UK’s higher education system at a pivotal moment, as over 800,000 students, including the three of them, graduate from universities across the country.

Join the hosts for a deep dive into the financial crisis facing UK universities, as well as a personal reflection on their experiences studying at the School of Journalism, Media and Culture (JOMEC) at Cardiff University.

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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this special anniversary episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd reflect on one year of podcasting, one year of international politics, and one year of conversations that tried to make sense of it all.

From elections and education to Gaza, AI, Star Wars, and everything in between, the team revisits the moments, guests, and episodes that have shaped the show since it launched.

We’re so grateful for everyone who’s listened, shared, and supported us this past year. Here’s to more stories, more interviews, and more Political Dispatches to come.

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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd sit down with Chad Mott, a history and government teacher from Evergreen, Colorado, to talk about the state of public education in the US and what it’s like to teach the next generation of voters in 2025.

From students' attitudes on America’s role in the world, to the impacts of the Trump administration on the education system, the conversation explores how high school classrooms are responding to the political tensions shaping the country today.

And a little disclaimer... Chad also happens to be Lily’s dad.

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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

Over 2,000 miles from the UK, Gaza is starving, cut off by an Israeli blockade. In this episode of the Political Dispatch, Tom speaks to Zoe Daniels from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), to discuss the situation on the ground in Gaza.

Everyone at the Political Dispatch echoes what the IRC and so many other organisations are calling for: an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of aid into Gaza. 

The content of this episode is distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

You can find out more about the IRC’s work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) on the IRC’s website: https://www.rescue.org/uk/country/occupied-palestinian-territory-opt

You can view the IRC’s emergency watchlist here: https://www.rescue.org/uk/article/10-crises-world-cant-ignore-2025

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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd mark 10 years since Ireland became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. They explore how a conservative, Catholic nation transformed so rapidly, examining the role of activists, the decline of Church influence, and the landmark 2015 referendum. Join the team as they reflect on the global impact of Ireland’s vote, as well as the progress and challenges that remain.

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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom interviews Fr Damian Howard, the Senior Catholic Chaplain at Oxford University, to talk about the life and legacy of Pope Francis.

Tom and Fr Howard discuss the impact of the Jesuit order on Pope Francis’s early life, his early career in Argentina and the papacy. As well as talking about what distinguished the 266th pontiff from his predecessors, Tom and Fr Howard discuss the role the Conclave plays in choosing a new Pope. 

Please note: this episode was recorded on 1st May, before the election of Pope Leo XIV.

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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

To celebrate May 4th, Sidd, Lily and Tom travel to a galaxy far, far away to explore the politics of Star Wars. The franchise’s creator, George Lucas, didn’t just draw on the mythology of Joseph Campbell or the cinematic style of Akira Kurosawa. He also held up a mirror to the politics, economics, and society of 1970s America.

The Political Dispatch team discuss the influence of the Vietnam War and Watergate on Lucas’s early writing, how the prequel trilogy reflects the anxieties of the War on Terror, and how a once-great democracy can backslide into tyranny.

If you’re celebrating Star Wars Day on May the 4th, here are some of Tom’s recommended viewings:

And finally, Tom’s top three Star Wars films:

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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.