Wright on the Nail

In this episode, Chris Wright and a panel of experts discuss the current geopolitical landscape, focusing on the Middle East, particularly the tensions between Israel and Iran, the implications of Trump's foreign policy, and the state of democracy in the U.S. The conversation delves into the complexities of regime change, the future of nuclear non-proliferation, and the challenges of expressing concerns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The panelists also reflect on the rise of populism and its potential consequences for global politics. Finally they get to the bottom of why UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves was crying in The Commons…

The Panel: 

Founder and Director of the Israeli Disarmament Movement, and the Middle East Treaty Organization, Sharon Dolev. Sharon was also the Israeli representative of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize laureate International Campaign for Abolishing Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)

The China correspondent, and formerly the Middle East correspondent at the Times, Richard Spencer. Since October 7th Richard has stayed reporting on the Middle East as well as China - most recently focussing on the US/Israeli conflict with Iran.

Jean-Monnet Professor of European Integration at the National University of Ireland Maynooth, John O’Brennan

Writer, broadcaster, and columnist, Christina Patterson

Director at the Middle East Treaty Organization and co-author of Weapons of Mass Destruction: A new approach to non-proliferation Emad Kiyaei

Chapters

• Introduction and Overview of Global Issues
• Middle East Tensions: Israel, Iran, and the Nuclear Threat
• The Question of Regime Change in Iran
• Israel's Objectives and the Impact of Recent Attacks
• The Future of Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Middle East
• The Complexity of Expressing Concerns about Gaza
• Global Perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
• Trump's Foreign Policy and Its Implications
• The State of American Democracy
• The Rise of Populism and Its Consequences
• Why Rachel Reeves was Crying & The Economy She Inherited
• How To Stop Nigel Farage

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

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Rock around the clock productions AB.

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This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

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In this week’s episode Chris Wright is joined by: The Independent Member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth, Rupert Lowe, political commentator Lee Harris, and finally broadcast journalist and writer, Anna McGovern. 

The panel discusses Trump’s tariffs, UK-US trade, Labour’s role in trade decisions, and the civil service’s influence on policy. They explore trade opportunities, EU policies, economic challenges, AI’s impact on jobs, and the need for political reform and better representation as the UK heads toward future elections.

Topics:

• Trump's tariffs are seen as detrimental to global trade.
• The UK is viewed as a sovereign nation post-Brexit.
• There are strategic opportunities for the UK amidst trade wars.
• The Labour Party's response to tariffs is uncertain.
• The civil service is perceived as ineffective and unaccountable.
• Political reform is necessary to address the two-party system in the UK.
• The panel believes that the British public is aware of their declining standard of living.
• There is skepticism about the Labour Party's ability to make smart trade decisions.
• The importance of respecting the 2016 Brexit vote is emphasized.
• The future of UK trade relations remains uncertain. The UK is facing higher tariffs compared to other countries entering the US market.
• Trade wars create a challenging environment with no clear winners.
• There are significant opportunities for the UK to negotiate better trade deals post-Brexit.
• The current government is perceived as failing to address economic challenges effectively.
• AI is transforming job markets, making it harder for graduates to find employment.
• The political landscape is shifting, with increasing public demand for change.
• The two-party system in the UK is seen as ineffective and outdated.
• Public sentiment is growing for a third party to emerge as a viable option.

We hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to get in touch with messages, comments or feedback at [email protected] 

Many thanks,

WOTN Team

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

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In this week’s episode Chris Wright is joined by: Labour’s Member of the London Assembly for Merton and Wandsworth since 2016, Leonie Cooper, Jean-Monnet Professor of European Integration at the National University of Ireland Maynooth, John O’Brennan, and finally, former longtime editor of the Sunday Mirror, Nigel Nelson.


Topics:

• Rachel Reeves’s Spring Statement

• Is it a choice between tackling growth or inequality? 

• John’s strong stance on Putin as a European expert.

• The Axis of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran

• Is their method to Trump’s diplomatic bulldozing of the international community? 

• Early signs of authoritarianism in the US.
  
  

The conversation covers Rachel Reeves' recent Spring Statement, the implications of austerity measures, the impact of Brexit on the UK economy, and the evolving dynamics of international relations, particularly concerning the Ukraine conflict and the role of the United States in global security. The conversation delves into the complexities of the Ukraine war, the integration of Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic states, and the geopolitical implications of NATO and EU expansion. The speakers discuss the current military situation in Ukraine, the challenges of negotiating peace with Russia, and the ongoing occupation of Crimea. They also explore the rise of strongman leaders globally and the state of American democracy, emphasizing the importance of a free press in maintaining democratic values.


We hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to get in touch with messages, comments or feedback at [email protected] 

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

Join host Chris Wright as he delves into some of the most pressing political and social topics of our time, featuring an incredible lineup of guests:

• John O’Brennan: Jean-Monnet Professor of European Integration at the National University of Ireland Maynooth
• Christina Patterson: Writer, broadcaster, executive coach, and columnist
• Daniel Freeman: Columnist and Managing Editor at the Institute of Economic Affairs

🔍 Talking Points This Week

1. Donald Trump
   • John O’Brennan reflects on why he misjudged the recent U.S. election.
   • A breakdown of how and why Donald Trump performed so well.
2. The British Right
   • Is the Reform Party becoming the de facto opposition to the Conservatives?
3. Inequality and Populism
   • Exploring the strong connection between economic inequality and the rise of populist movements.
4. Immigration
   • Why does immigration provoke such strong emotions?
   • Is it actually detrimental, or is the backlash misguided?
5. Western Fertility Rates
   • Do declining fertility rates in the West pose a serious problem?
6. Generational Divide
   • Housing inequality and its growing impact on younger generations.
7. Productivity and the Workforce
   • UK unemployment as of Q3 2024 stands at 4.3%, or 1.5 million people.
   • A staggering 2.8 million are out of work due to long-term illness, a rise exacerbated since the Covid-19 pandemic.
8. Post-Brexit Migration
   • Why have the Conservatives enabled mass legal migration despite their anti-immigration rhetoric?
9. Tory Leadership
   • Could Kemi Badenoch be the one to lead the Conservatives into the next election?

🎧 Tune In
Catch this insightful discussion now on your favourite podcast platform! Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with friends.

📢 Connect with Us
Have thoughts on today’s topics? Join the conversation on X at @ChrisWChrysalis

You can also contact the production team at [email protected] 

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Tom Platts at Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

Topics:

• Keir Starmer’s smoking ban
• The history of smoking regulation in the UK

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• Tackling obesity in the UK
• The broken food system
• Ultra Processed food
• The Ozempic weight loss drug 

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• Companies breaking gambling laws
• Immoral advertising
• Gambling addiction and how to tackle it

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• The Oasis ticketing fiasco: what really happened and will it happen again?

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• Is John as confident that Kamala Harris will win as he was last time?
• Our unhealthy obsession with polling both sides of the Atlantic.

In this week’s episode Chris Wright is joined by: 

Nick Blackburn to help us shine some light on the mass chaos around Oasis’s new tour tickets. A former director at Ticketmaster, chartered accountant in the music industry, having worked for Chrysalis and Decca records. He is also the founder of See Tickets, the international ticketing services company based in Nottingham, England.

Green Party Peer, Natalie Bennett who led the party in the years up to and through the 2015 general election. She released a book this year entitled ‘Change Everything’ which proposes complete reform to how British society and the economy works, especially in relation to food and the environment. We hear her thoughts as Chris and panel discuss the government’s proposed outdoor smoking ban, and the wider topic of government intervention in our lives, including in tackling obesity.   

Jean-Monnet Professor of European Integration at the National University of Ireland Maynooth, John O’Brennan. Following on from the health issues of smoking and obesity, John’s recent research work encompasses a focus on the societal impact of gambling in Ireland and Europe, a subject he speaks about today.



We hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to get in touch with messages, comments or feedback at [email protected] 


Many thanks,

WOTN Team



'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 



This episode was produced by Sound Sapien
soundsapien.com

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s episode Chris Wright is joined by: 

Jean-Monnet Professor of European Integration at the National University of Ireland Maynooth, John O’Brennan. John, among his many academic and journalistic accolades is a member of the Institute for European and International Affairs' 'Global Europe', Ireland's leading international affairs think tank.

We also have Edward Hardy, an accomplished journalist across a range of subjects, but for our interest today, a prominent commentator on US as well as UK politics. 

We welcome back Eric Schurenberg, a long-time journalist and media executive, former CEO of Inc. and Fast Company, and now the founder of the Alliance for Trust in Media.

We also welcome Matt Malone, the former President and Editor in Chief of America Media, which covers religion, society, politics and culture from a Catholic perspective in the US.


Talking points:

• What would have happened if Trump had been killed?
• How did Biden come to the decision to pull out the race?
• Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump?
• How will the issue of immigration play in the US election?
• Trump’s decision to make J.D Vance his running mate
• Who will Harris choose as her running mate?       
• Will Gaza play a role in the debate?
• How will women vote with abortion a major issue in the US? 
• Who will win, Trump or Harris?
  
  

We hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to get in touch with messages, comments or feedback at [email protected]

Many thanks,
WOTN Team


'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner.
© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.
Rock around the clock productions AB.
www.rockaroundtheclock.co

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien
Soundsapien.com

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s special debate episode, Chris is joined by the Conservative MP for Shipley since 2005, who is currently standing for re-election, Sir Philip Davies, Reform UK parliamentary candidate for Great Yarmouth, Rupert Lowe, conservative and Brexit supporting political commentator, Lee Harris.

WATCH IN HD ON YOUTUBE!

The fight for conservatism, or rather the fight for the right? All three guests hold similar views on immigration, the role of the state, sovereignty, individual freedoms, Brexit… to mention just a few. However, Sir Philip and Rupert are standing to be MPs from two different parties, and Lee, who is historically a diehard Conservative, is now debating which man’s party to vote for on the 4th July.

Does voting Reform make it more likely that Labour will win? What will come of Nigel Farage’s reentry into politics? Does the Tory party need to be broken before it can be fixed? How conservative really is Britain?

We hope you find this episode interesting, where leading voices from the right-wing of British politics come together, acknowledging what they agree on, and fascinatingly, disagreeing on many things too...

We hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to get in touch with messages, comments or feedback at [email protected] 

Many thanks,

WOTN Team

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s News Roundtable episode, Chris Wright is joined by Labour National Executive Committee Member Jess Barnard, Labour & Co-operative London Assembly Member representing Merton and Wandsworth Leonie Cooper, Labour Councillor and Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety at Preston Council Freddie Bailey, and former political editor of the The Mirror, which made him Britain’s longest serving political editor Nigel Nelson.

What can one say… the conversation this week is Labour, Labour, Labour, just like the panel, plus our esteemed regular commentator Nigel Nelson. The questions they tackle:

• What does Keir Starmer’s Labour Party actually stand for in the wake of his first six steps unveiling this week?
• Should Labour have welcomed formerly Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke into the party whilst kicking out figures on the left?
• Do Labour’s plans for government and reform add up? 
• Will Starmer’s criticism over his position on Israel’s post-October 7th onslaught on Gaza have an impact in the general election?
• Will the Tory attack on Angela Rayner and her tax affairs imprint on the electorate?
• Will Labour build closer ties with Europe? 
• What is Starmer’s Great British Energy strategy, and will Labour also renationalise Water?
• Will Labour do good for the North after Tory betrayal over HS2?

We hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to get in touch with messages, comments or feedback at [email protected] 

Many thanks,

WOTN Team

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s News Roundtable episode, Chris Wright is joined by political commentator, Marina Purkiss, Managing Editor of Local Government Studies and Co-Convenor of the UK Political Studies Association's Specialist Group on Local Politics, Dr Peter Eckersley, Communications Officer at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Reem Ibrahim, and Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at the National University of Ireland Maynooth, John O’Brennan.

Chris introduces with a scintillating monologue reflecting on the student protests in the US in the late 1960s, which he was a part of. He asks the panel whether today's re-engagement of the young through protest will translate into the polling booth across the Atlantic in the UK in the upcoming local elections and onwards.  

The conversation centres on the UK local elections and how much they will indicate the general election result. They discuss Sunak’s evermore controversial Rwanda rabbit hole (lately causing the migrants to escape the UK into Ireland); the practicality and the politics of the scheme. 

They dig back into the pro-Palestinian campus riots across the US that began at Columbia State University. Whether or not their branding by the media as anti-semitic is representative of the majority of anti-Israel protesters, and the UK’s diplomatic tone compared to the US’s towards Israel. 

They circle back to the local elections this Thursday 2nd May and whether the Tories would dare oust Rishi Sunak after what may be a disastrous result for his party.

Many thanks,

WOTN Team

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s News Roundtable episode, Chris Wright is joined by:

• Founder and Director of the Israeli Disarmament Movement, and the Middle East Treaty Organization, Sharon Dolev. Sharon was also the Israeli representative of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize laureate International Campaign for Abolishing Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
• Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at UCL, Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, and author of 'The Palestinian Prisoners Movement: Disobedience and Resistance', Dr Julie Norman -  she is currently writing a book on the political history of Gaza. 
• Geopolitical and financial crime researcher and consultant, Middle East Research Fellow at ITSS (The International Team for the Study of Security) Verona - an apolitical non-profit organisation focused on the study of International Security Omri Brinner. He specialises in Middle Eastern geopolitics and terror financing, namely Hamas' financing.

The panel provide the historical context for the beginnings of the current crisis in the Middle East, looking beyond the 7th October attack back to the Israeli disengagement of 2005 and The Arab Peace Initiative of 2002. They paint the picture of the political misopportunities on the behalf of the Israeli and Palestinian leadership that led to the last six months’ vast acceleration in violence. They discuss the relations between all the countries in the region including Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.  

They move onto what’s happening on the ground in Gaza, the military capabilities of Israel, analysing the reality of their proclaimed aim to eliminate Hamas. They turn their focus to Iran’s attack on Israel over the weekend. Whether it was a mistake, and whether is was a true display of Iran’s full military capabilities. Led by Sharon, they turn to the reality of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and set out a vision for how peace can truly be achieved in the whole region of the Middle East. 

Many thanks,

WOTN Team

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

soundsapien.com

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com