James O'Brien Daily

James O'Brien Daily

Global

50 episodes

Episodes

The scandal hiding inside Britain’s prisons
Oct 2, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O'Brien challenges listeners to assess their awareness of current affairs, revealing that 50% of prisoners in England and Wales are…
Brexit failed... now Britain wants back in the EU
Oct 1, 2026 · 57m
James O'Brien reacts to Andy Burnham's announcement of a potential second Brexit referendum and a national commission on electoral reform.
The Burnham speech that put hope back into politics
Sep 30, 2026 · 55m
James O'Brien and guests reflect on Andy Burnham’s historic Labour Party conference speech, praising his emotional authenticity and bold proposals for social care, housing, and electoral reform.
End the triple lock & save social care
Sep 29, 2026 · 1h 1m
James O'Brien explores the political and economic complexities of potentially ending the state pension triple lock to fund social care, challenging common misconceptions about the policy's impact.
Britain’s long road back to the EU
Sep 28, 2026 · 1h 2m
James O’Brien explores the political and psychological complexities of reversing Brexit, noting Sadiq Khan’s call for rejoining the EU and the resulting internal Labour divisions.
The 14-year-olds Britain is already writing off
Sep 25, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O'Brien challenges Andy Burnham’s education reforms, arguing that labeling 14-year-olds as "non-academic" is premature and reflects deep societal inequality.
A child led chants of “let them drown”
Sep 24, 2026 · 1h 1m
James O'Brien opens his show with a personal reflection on the "fascist flash mobs" targeting RNLI stations, expressing deep horror at reports of a child leading chants of "let them drown.
Young people aren’t snowflakes
Sep 23, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O’Brien opens the show by questioning why the Liberal Democrats are languishing in fifth place despite polling data suggesting they should be…
The impossible task of meeting Donald Trump
Sep 22, 2026 · 55m
James O'Brien questions the media's failure to offer practical advice for Andy Burnham's upcoming meeting with Donald Trump, highlighting the absurdity of navigating such an unpredictable leader.
Dementia doesn’t just break patients - it breaks carers too
Sep 21, 2026 · 55m
James O’Brien explores the UK’s dementia crisis, highlighting a recent report by 28 experts that labels it the nation’s greatest health and social care emergency.
They terrorised lifeboat volunteers for saving lives
Sep 18, 2026 · 1h 3m
James O’Brien confronts the escalating "flirtation with fascism" in the UK, focusing on the shutdown of a Portsmouth RNLI lifeboat station due to harassment by anti-migrant protesters.
The people building AI are telling us to be afraid
Sep 17, 2026 · 59m
James O'Brien opens the show by expressing deep concern over AI, contrasting the warnings from top scientists and industry leaders with the dismissal of risks by Donald Trump and JD Vance.
A vote to leave the UK over migrant plan
Sep 16, 2026 · 1h 1m
James O’Brien analyzes the Piddington referendum, where 285 residents voted to separate from the UK over the placement of 1,256 asylum seekers.
Is Great Britain on the brink of a break-up?
Sep 15, 2026 · 57m
James O’Brien opens the show by acknowledging his past bias against Scottish and Welsh independence, attributing it to ignorance of historical…
Reform’s £72m crypto cash: why should we be bothered?
Sep 14, 2026 · 56m
James O'Brien opens the show by questioning whether the UK can resist the influence of foreign cryptocurrency billionaires who donated £72 million to…
9/11: How one day, twenty-five years ago, reshaped the world
Sep 11, 2026 · 57m
James O'Brien marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 by exploring how the attacks reshaped global politics and societal attitudes.
Nobody can define ‘working class’ any more
Sep 10, 2026 · 57m
James O'Brien opens by critiquing the government's new "class unit" and the ambiguous definition of "working class," arguing that policy should target poverty rather than vague cultural labels.
Ed Miliband calls out Israel’s illegal settlements
Sep 9, 2026 · 57m
James O’Brien discusses the UK’s new sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements, highlighting Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband’s speech and the critical need to separate the Israeli state from Judaism.
Britain’s divisive sanctions on Israel
Sep 8, 2026 · 59m
James O'Brien discusses the UK's expected sanctions on Israeli settlements, analyzing the polarized reactions from pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian…
Farage’s supporters attacked a woman... and he laughed
Sep 7, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O’Brien reacts with shock to violent assaults on a heckler at the Reform UK conference, criticizing MP Robert Jenrick’s dismissive comments and the party’s celebration of the abuse.
How Farage is radicalising our relatives
Sep 4, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O’Brien critiques Nigel Farage’s Reform UK for alleged illegal foreign donations and hypocrisy, contrasting Farage’s elite lifestyle with his populist image.
Farage’s "party of free speech" banned the journalists
Sep 3, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O’Brien argues that Nigel Farage and Reform UK are not finished despite recent scandals, citing their ability to exploit racism and media bias.
Putin’s man in the White House
Sep 2, 2026 · 59m
James O’Brien analyzes Andy Burnham’s speech blaming UK decline on 40 years of privatization, austerity, and Brexit.
Burnham’s plan to make Britain optimistic again
Sep 1, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O’Brien tracks the "Burnham Optimism Barometer" as Andy Burnham prepares for his first parliamentary speech, contrasting his perceived authenticity with the rapid turnover of recent PMs.
Middlesbrough in crisis: what’s really going on?
Aug 28, 2026 · 53m
James O'Brien investigates why Middlesbrough is currently the most dangerous place in England, discussing gang violence, police cuts, and industrial decline with listeners.
AI is coming for your job
Aug 27, 2026 · 58m
James O'Brien explores the impact of AI on employment, citing Bill Gates’ warnings and listener stories ranging from security consulting to university assessment challenges.
Israel is testing Andy Burnham’s Labour government
Aug 26, 2026 · 58m
James O'Brien examines whether Prime Minister Andy Burnham will impose sanctions on Israeli settlements, contrasting this with the previous…
We blame TikTok — but we’re watching the dangerous driving videos
Aug 25, 2026 · 1h 1m
James O’Brien examines the fatal crash involving two police officers, arguing that while social media amplifies dangerous driving, the audience’s appetite for such content shares blame.
The Conservatives’ identity crisis
Aug 24, 2026 · 1h 5m
James O'Brien examines the shifting value of manual trades versus university degrees, highlighting how AI and housing shortages make skilled labor increasingly lucrative despite physical tolls.
The racists don’t even hide it anymore
Aug 21, 2026 · 1h 1m
James O'Brien discusses the normalization of racism and sexism in the UK, citing the casual use of terms like "deportation" and the N-word as evidence of a "boiling frog" effect.
Britain was told to hate Meghan Markle
Aug 20, 2026 · 57m
James O'Brien discusses Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK, comparing the media’s vitriol against them to the backlash over London’s ULEZ scheme.
Children’s lungs recovered and the ULEZ haters went quiet
Aug 19, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O’Brien discusses the normalization of homelessness, sharing personal anecdotes and insights from guests who highlight systemic failures and the need for holistic support.
We’ve normalised Donald Trump
Aug 18, 2026 · 58m
James O'Brien argues that public discourse has abandoned Donald Trump because his contradictory foreign policy threats against allies like Oman and South Korea defy logical analysis.
Jason Arday: when scrutiny became a witch-hunt
Aug 17, 2026 · 1h 3m
James O’Brien discusses the tragic death of Jason Arday, condemning the "gleeful" media witch hunt and racist tropes that contributed to his suicide.
The night Nigel Farage bottled it
Aug 14, 2026 · 55m
James O’Brien critiques Nigel Farage for skipping the Clacton by-election count, labeling it cowardice and highlighting the ongoing financial inquiry.
The workers sent home without pay
Aug 13, 2026 · 56m
James O'Brien critiques the exploitation of zero-hours contracts, highlighting listener stories of financial insecurity and abuse in sectors like education and care.
The truth about asylum seekers in our communities
Aug 12, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O'Brien explores the rising public fear surrounding climate change, contrasting it with political denialism and discussing the urgent need for infrastructure investment.
Should Andy Burnham decide when a killer deserves release?
Aug 11, 2026 · 57m
James O'Brien analyzes Andy Burnham’s "optimistic" political style, focusing on his pledges to revive declining high streets and prevent the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.
Why are asylum seekers being treated like criminals?
Aug 10, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O'Brien condemns violent anti-asylum seeker mobs in Thetford as pogroms, highlighting the hypocrisy of protesters who attack police despite claiming to protect women.
Why has the Jason Arday scandal exploded?
Aug 7, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O'Brien discusses Alan Milburn’s proposal to identify children at risk of becoming NEET in primary school, exploring how early intervention and systemic support could prevent youth worklessness.
Britain's mental health crisis: why do so many people suffer in silence?
Aug 6, 2026 · 1h 2m
James O’Brien discusses the new government’s plan to open mental health centers in libraries and banks, emphasizing the need to destigmatize seeking help.
Who decides who belongs in a women’s toilet?
Aug 5, 2026 · 1h 2m
James O'Brien discusses the EHRC’s new guidance on single-sex spaces, highlighting its unenforceability and the resulting harassment faced by women like caller Lil.
Should a former neo-Nazi be allowed to stand for election?
Aug 4, 2026 · 58m
James O'Brien critiques the prison crisis, praising Andy Burnham’s transparent communication while discussing early release policies and listener experiences with probation.
Is Britain being gaslit about a wealth tax?
Aug 3, 2026 · 58m
James O'Brien examines Education Secretary Lucy Powell’s critique of the rigid, test-heavy curriculum, debating whether schools should prioritize academic metrics or holistic child development.
Is Donald Trump the Boy Who Cried Wolf?
Jul 31, 2026 · 58m
James O'Brien critiques Donald Trump’s credibility, comparing his false ceasefire announcements to the "boy who cried wolf" and a chess-playing pigeon.
Climate change feels like a holiday — but at what cost?
Jul 30, 2026 · 54m
James O'Brien critiques a Daily Telegraph column suggesting Britain embrace a Mediterranean lifestyle amid climate change, arguing that while…
Should Farage call the police on himself?
Jul 29, 2026 · 56m
James O’Brien analyzes Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s speech on social care, praising his empathetic approach and genuine desire to improve the system.
Why are we looking away while Europe burns?
Jul 28, 2026 · 1h 0m
James O'Brien examines Andy Burnham’s push for vocational education, confronting his own academic snobbery through listener calls that highlight the value of practical skills.
The 'dementia tax' destroyed Theresa May... but was she right?
Jul 27, 2026 · 1h 4m
James O'Brien explores the UK’s social care crisis, highlighting how families are forced to sell homes to fund elderly care.
Should Britain help Trump bomb Iran?
Jul 24, 2026 · 59m
James O'Brien analyzes the UK's dilemma regarding US military operations against Iran from British bases, weighing treaty obligations against the chaos driven by Trump and Netanyahu.
Listen ad-free on Castria