James O'Brien Daily

How Farage is radicalising our relatives

Why do some people keep defending Nigel Farage, whatever happens? James considers the fresh allegations surrounding Reform’s funding and asks whether anger at the politic

Farage’s "party of free speech" banned the journalists

Is this the beginning of the end for Nigel Farage? As Reform UK slips behind the Conservatives in a new poll and bans critical journalists from its conference, James exam

Putin’s man in the White House

Has Donald Trump swapped sides? James is joined by The Guardian’s Luke Harding to examine Trump’s extraordinary relationship with Vladimir Putin, his retreat from Ukraine

Burnham’s plan to make Britain optimistic again

Six weeks into his premiership, Andy Burnham says he wants to bring optimism back to Britain. James asks why the country appears willing to believe in him — and whether a

Middlesbrough in crisis: what’s really going on?

More than 200 extra police officers have been sent into Middlesbrough following a series of violent incidents in recent days. But what’s behind the sudden surge in police

AI is coming for your job

Could AI replace your job? And, if it can, what should society do about it? James considers warnings that the technology may soon outpace our ability to manage its conseq

Israel is testing Andy Burnham’s Labour government

As Israel moves ahead with settlement plans that could destroy any remaining prospect of a two-state solution, James asks whether Andy Burnham’s government can continue t

We blame TikTok — but we’re watching the dangerous driving videos

Following the deaths of two police officers in a fatal wrong-way crash, James examines the online videos that glamorise dangerous driving. Is it enough to blame TikTok, o

The Conservatives’ identity crisis

As lifelong Conservative voters describe themselves as politically homeless, has Kemi Badenoch abandoned the party’s traditional values in favour of culture wars and soci

The racists don’t even hide it anymore

Racism and sexism are becoming normalised in Britain, according to Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson. From casual racist language to far-right narratives online, whe

Britain was told to hate Meghan Markle

As Harry and Meghan prepare to return to the UK later this month, what would they need to do to make a life in Britain possible again? James explores the racism and misog

Children’s lungs recovered and the ULEZ haters went quiet

As Andy Burnham launches his 'national drive' to get rough sleepers off the streets by Christmas, James examines why homelessness has become part of the backdrop of city

We’ve normalised Donald Trump

Donald Trump has threatened to bomb US ally Oman if it “gets in the way” of talks with Iran. As he fuels instability across the world, why has the public conversation abo

Jason Arday: when scrutiny became a witch-hunt

When does legitimate scrutiny become something crueler? James reflects on the death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday, the media frenzy surrounding the allegation

The night Nigel Farage bottled it

In today’s episode, James unpicks the extraordinary events in Clacton, where Nigel Farage’s by-election gamble ended with an absent winner, a cancelled press conference a

The workers sent home without pay

No guaranteed hours, no guaranteed income and no way to plan ahead: James examines the lives shaped by zero-hours contracts and the government’s proposed ban. Then, afte

The truth about asylum seekers in our communities

Why are we so reluctant to confront our fear about climate change? As extreme heat grips Britain, James asks what the government can do to prepare for a future of water s

Should Andy Burnham decide when a killer deserves release?

Can Andy Burnham reverse the decline of Britain’s high streets? James explores why so many town centres are filled with empty units, vape shops and betting shops. Then,

Why are asylum seekers being treated like criminals?

After anti-migrant violence and disorder in Thetford, James asks what could possibly justify a baying crowd outside someone’s front door. Is online misinformation spillin

Why has the Jason Arday scandal exploded?

In today’s episode, James shares his personal sense of disappointment over the claims surrounding former Cambridge professor Jason Arday, before asking why the case has c