James O'Brien Daily

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

They terrorised lifeboat volunteers for saving lives

A lifeboat station in Portsmouth has halted operations after RNLI volunteers faced abuse for rescuing people in distress at sea. What does it say about Britain when those

The people building AI are telling us to be afraid

The people at the heart of artificial intelligence are warning that its development could pose a threat to humanity. James asks what we should really fear - from cyberatt

A vote to leave the UK over migrant plan

A village votes to leave the UK over plans to house asylum seekers nearby. What is really behind the anger in Piddington and what does the reaction reveal about the debat

Is Great Britain on the brink of a break-up?

The UK’s political future is back in the spotlight as nationalist parties push for greater independence. What would actually happen if Scotland, Wales and Northern Irelan

Reform’s £72m crypto cash: why should we be bothered?

Reform has been handed a record-breaking £72 million by two crypto billionaires. Who are they, what are they buying with that influence and does this mark a shift towards

9/11: How one day, twenty-five years ago, reshaped the world

Twenty-five years after 9/11, James O’Brien asks how the attacks changed the world - from America’s sense of security to the suspicion and hostility faced by Muslim commu

Nobody can define ‘working class’ any more

What does 'working class' mean in Britain in 2026 and can a government genuinely build education policy around it? James O’Brien explores social mobility, poverty, privil

Ed Miliband calls out Israel’s illegal settlements

Ed Miliband has declared that Britain will no longer treat illegal Israeli settlement activity as business as usual. James asks whether sanctions are a long-overdue asser

Britain’s divisive sanctions on Israel

As the UK moves to sanction goods from illegal Israeli settlements, James explores the arguments from all sides: is it a long-overdue response to injustice in the West Ba

Farage’s supporters attacked a woman... and he laughed

Reform claims to stand for women’s safety and free speech. So why was a young woman assaulted for heckling Nigel Farage and why did party figures respond with mockery rat

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