James O'Brien Daily

How deep does racism run in Reform UK?

An undercover ITV investigation exposes racist and misogynistic views among Reform UK candidates and activists, raising serious questions about Nigel Farage’s leadership,

Has Trump just handed Putin the upper hand?

What happens when America turns its back on Ukraine? Donald Trump’s apparent alignment with Vladimir Putin raises urgent questions about Ukraine’s future, from restricti

The urgent need for more foster carers

A national campaign has launched in the hope of finding 10,000 new foster places. James hears extraordinary, emotional accounts from foster carers - from children arrivin

Britain is setting prisoners up to fail

Released from prison with a small discharge payment, no settled home and a long list of conditions: what could possibly go wrong? James explores why so many people return

Putin wanted Brexit - now we know why

Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum. So why did Vladimir Putin want Britain out of the European Union - and why are so many people still reluctant to confront the

Trump is turning execution into entertainment

Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to broadcast a firing-squad execution. James asks what happens when state killing becomes a public spectacle - and why the pres

Britain's political shocks have left lasting mental scars

Brexit, Covid lockdowns and Liz Truss's mini-budget have all taken a lasting toll on Britain's mental health, according to new research. James explores how major politica

Inheritance tax is the price of being lucky

Inheritance tax affects a small proportion of estates, so why does it provoke such a powerful reaction in almost everyone else? James asks whether it is morally wrong to

Cancer is hitting people far younger than we think

Cancer is increasingly affecting people under 50 - but what does it feel like to receive a diagnosis at an age when you never imagined it could happen to you? From missed

The Green Party vote that has alarmed Jewish members

The Green Party has voted to define Zionism as a form of racism, prompting concern from Jewish members who fear it could stigmatise people simply for attending synagogues

The scandal hiding inside Britain’s prisons

Half of prisoners in England and Wales are functionally illiterate. James asks what prison is actually for when education, rehabilitation and support on release are so li

Brexit failed... now Britain wants back in the EU

Brexit has “done more harm than good”, says Andy Burnham, as he opens the door to a new national conversation about Britain’s future relationship with Europe. James asks

The Burnham speech that put hope back into politics

Andy Burnham’s conference speech sets out a vision for a healthier, wealthier and kinder Britain - from social care, housing and water to electoral reform and a closer re

End the triple lock & save social care

Could ending the state pension triple lock help fund a social care system that is free at the point of use? James examines Andy Burnham’s reported plans, asking whether p

Britain’s long road back to the EU

Sadiq Khan wants Britain to start work on rejoining the EU, while Andy Burnham refuses to rule it out. James asks whether it is politically wise to reopen the Brexit argu

The 14-year-olds Britain is already writing off

Not every young person thrives in a traditional classroom, but is vocational education a route to opportunity or an early label that limits ambition? Plus, more than 52

A child led chants of “let them drown”

A child leading chants of “let them drown” at a protest over Channel crossings leaves James asking what is happening to Britain. Why is hatred being taught instead of cha

Young people aren’t snowflakes

Why is it harder to be young today? James asks why so many young people are experiencing mental distress - from insecure work and unaffordable housing to social media, cl

The impossible task of meeting Donald Trump

Donald Trump has shredded the diplomatic rulebook - so what is a British Prime Minister supposed to do when meeting him? James examines the impossible task of dealing wit

Dementia doesn’t just break patients - it breaks carers too

What does it mean to lose someone while they are still physically there? James hears powerful accounts from families affected by dementia, as the disease is now being des