Politics Uncensored

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Politics Uncensored gives you the news that matters. With unfiltered analysis and debate from leading politicians, journalists and experts, this show removes the political fluff to offer an honest and uncensored look at how Westminster really works.  

  1. 6D AGO

    Is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor the Ultimate Nepo Baby?

    The Week Unwrapped: Files related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as trade envoy in 2001 have been released - A fresh batch of files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appointment as trade envoy in 2001 has been released by the government. Earlier this year, lawmakers agreed to publish the documents after the disgraced royal was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The pages reveal that there was no formal due diligence or vetting process undertaken prior to his appointment. Ali and Martha unpack whether this new information will be damaging to Buckingham Palace, whether Andrew was qualified enough for the position and the difficulties placing Royals in political positions.  UK loosens Russian oil sanctions as fuel prices rise - This week, the government has loosened strict sanctions on Russian oil as concerns over supply grow as a result of the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Since the start of the US-Israel war in Iran, fuel prices have skyrocketed which is having a huge knock on effect on British industry. The government has expressed the need to be flexible, but in the meantime has signed a G7 statement reaffirming its "unwavering commitment" to Ukraine. Ali and Martha discuss realpolitik: will the general public care if it’s making prices cheaper or is this an immoral move?  UK formally assesses bid for England to host Olympics in 2040s - The UK government is looking into a potential bid to host the Olympics and Paralympic Games in the 2040’s. Ministers have commissioned UK Sport to assess whether the competition could return to Britain, this time in the north of the country. Ali and Martha reminisce on the excitement of London 2012, and how the soft-power benefits of hosting another Games.  Campaigns for the Makerfield By-Election begin:  Up next, Andy Burnham has officially launched his campaign for the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a potential challenge to Keir Starmer’s leadership. Reform UK also announced their candidate - local man, Robert Kenyon. Meanwhile, Starmer remains insistent that he isn’t going anywhere. Ali and Martha unpack why this is such a pivotal moment in British politics, what to expect in the coming weeks and what might happen if Labour don’t win. Putin’s Visit to China:  This week, Xi Jinping welcomed the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, just days after the Chinese leader hosted Donald Trump in the same location. Putin touched down in Beijing on Tuesday, confident that despite the US’s touting of trade deals, there is little evidence of significant progress for Washington and Beijing. George Magnus, Research associate at China Centre, Oxford University, and SOAS and Author of ‘Red Flags: Why Xi’s China is in Jeopardy”, joined Ali to unpack  Guests:  Martha Gill (@Martha_Gill on X and @marthagill.bsky.social on BlueSky) George Magnus (@georgemagnus1 on X) Producer: Monica Lillis

    48 min

  2. MAY 14

    Andy Burnham Paves the Way to Challenge Keir Starmer for Labour Leadership. Plus: The Politics of Eurovision

    The Week Unwrapped: US President, Donald Trump, is on a rare visit to China this week to meet with premier Xi Jinping. The summit aims to ease the fragile relationship between the two superpowers. Zoe and Ali discuss Trump’s surprising change of heart on China, the importance of Taiwan in these discussions and whether Beijing will assist Washington on Iran.  Then, following on from our discussion last week: Reports confirm that Nigel Farage bought a £1.4 million property in cash shortly after he received a £5 personal gift from a Thailand based crypto billionaire. The revelation comes after The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner separately confirmed that he will be facing a formal investigation over the fact he didn’t declare the gift. The Reform UK leader says he was under “no obligation” to make it public because it was given before he was an MP. His opponents however say he should have. Zoë and Ali question the reasons why this wasn’t declared, Farage’s comments to The Sun newspaper that it was a ‘reward’ for pioneering Brexit and what the consequences might be for him.  Finally, over the weekend, French President Emmanuel Macron angrily interrupted a speech at an event in Kenya, to demand silence from the audience. Macron appeared visibly upset at the level of noise in the room, and stormed onto the stage. The summit was meant to show off France’s new policy for the continent and improve relations in a shift from a dominating former colonial power to what Paris describes as an equal partnership. Zoë and Ali unpack the backlash.  Threats to Keir Starmer’s Leadership: Keir Starmer is facing serious threats to his leadership. Following on from Labour’s worst ever performance in the local elections, nearly a quarter of the party’s MP’s have called for Starmer to resign.  Earlier this week, Wes Streeting resigned from his position as Health Secretary saying that he has lost confidence in him. Reports say but he is expected to launch a challenge for leadership, but this is yet to happen.  But waiting in the wings was Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Former Starmer ally, Josh Simons, has said he will step down from his seat in Makerfield, to pave the way for Burnham to be the next leader. Zoë and Ali unpack another wild week in the Commons, Westminster’s short-termism problem and where the Labour Party will go next.  Eurovision - Can It Ever Be Free of Politics? Finally, the grand final of the Eurovision, now in its 70th year, is being held in Vienna on Saturday night and hundreds of millions of people will be tuning in. However, this year’s competition is shrouded in controversy. Disputes are growing over Israel’s participation and as a result, five countries, including Spain and Ireland are boycotting.  Chris West, author of Eurovision!: A History of Modern Europe Through the World's Greatest Song Contest joins us to tell us the history of the politics of Eurovision, the accusations of political double standards threatening to overshadow the music, and what this year’s edition will look like.  Guest: Chris West  Producer: Monica Lillis

    48 min

  3. MAY 7

    Local elections day: Why Local Politics Matters and Nigel Farage's £5mil Crypto "Gift"

    This episode went live on polling day for the local elections, here's why local politics matters. But first it's the week unwrapped with winner of Make me a Prime Minister Natalie Balmain STORY 1: Hantavirus Outbreak, how worried should we be? Earlier this week, The World Health Organisation confirmed an outbreak of the deadly rodent-borne Hantavirus aboard a Dutch cruise ship. So far 3 of the 150 passengers have died and one British citizen has been taken into intensive care. The vessel, MV Hondus, was in transit from Argentina to the Canary Islands. The ship is expected to arrive at Granadilla on the island of Tenerife “within three days” STORY 2: Graduate jobs fall by a third as employers cut hiring Fresh figures from jobs platform Adzuna, published in The Times on Wednesday shows a 34.9 percent decline in vacancies for graduates in the year to March. Many companies are cutting back on hiring and using AI tools and technologies instead. STORY 3: Cost of a pint has reached £10 in London And finally, if you’re heading for a drink in London this weekend, prepare not to get any change from that £10 note - According to the Telegraph, a number of bars in the capital are now charging a tenner or more for a pint of beer. -- Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accepted a £5million “gift” from billionaire backer Christopher Harborne. Farage has claimed that he had “no obligation” to declare the gift, said to pay for his security. In a Telegraph interview last week, Farage revealed that in early 2024, Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne had given him the money to pay for his security. Labour and other rival parties have accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by not declaring the £5m gift in the register of interests for MPs - and the Conservatives have referred the Reform UK leader to the parliamentary standards commissioner. But speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Farage said the £5m gift was "purely private" and "wasn't political in any sense at all". "The rules are very clear," Farage said. "And believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift. -- And then to wrap up the show, whilst voting was ongoing, Zoe was joined by Steve Akehurst (PRONO: Ache-hurst), Director of electoral think-tank, Persuasion UK to discuss the history, influence and importance of local elections. Why May's local elections are more important than you might think - ITV: This year's elections in the UK are much more important than you might think - and the results could have a huge impact in both the immediate aftermath and in years to come. On May 7, millions of people in England, Scotland, and Wales will elect over 5,000 politicians in elections that could produce a set of results the UK has never seen before. The Welsh and Scottish national elections could set a path for the breakup of the UK. England's council elections could decimate Labour and the Conservatives, and the results across the board could be the end of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. What's happening where? And what’s changed? In England, elections are being held for 4,851 council seats across 134 of England’s 317 council areas. The areas include big cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, as well as counties including Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk. What is happening in Scotland and Wales? In Wales, the electoral system has changed for the first time since its first devolved election in 1999. The number of Senedd seats up for grabs is increasing from 60 to 96, but the number of constituencies is decreasing from 40 to 16, and each will elect six politicians. People in Wales will now only cast one vote, rather than the two in previous elections - and ballot papers will only display party names rather than candidates. Scotland, which is electing 129 members to the Scottish parliament, is still using the Additional Member Electoral System This means Scots will cast two votes - one for a candidate and another for a party. In Scotland and Wales, 16-year-olds can vote. The voting age in England will still be 18 until the government lowers it across the UK ahead of the next general election. Politicians elected in Wales and Scotland will make decisions that affect their whole country, while councillors in England only preside over their local areas. All of these elections are critical for the Labour Party and could be fatal for Starmer. Host: Zoe Grunewald Guests: Natalie Balmain and Steven Akehurst Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

    50 min

  4. APR 30

    The rise of political violence in the UK following antisemitic attacks in London. Plus: The role of the Royal Family in diplomacy

    The Week Unwrapped:  Police are treating the stabbing of two men in Golders Green, in north London as terrorism. The assaults, claimed by Iran-linked terror group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) follow a series of arson attacks on Jewish targets in the capital since March. The suspect, who has been named as Essa Suleiman, has been described as hunting for anyone “visibly Jewish” to attack. Zoë and Ali discuss the rise of antisemitism in the UK, the concern around growing political violence and what the government can do beyond increased police funding.  Then, new analysis shows the world’s 100 biggest oil companies made more than $30 million every hour in unearned profit in the first month of the US-Israeli war in Iran. This includes UK petroleum giant BP who saw their profits double. Ali tells us why the narrative that 'we are all in this together' when it comes to rising prices is wrong. Finally, recently elected Green Party MP, Hannah Spencer caused a stir in political circles after describing her “unease” over the smell of booze in Westminster. Fellow parliamentarians, including Nigel Farage, were quick to criticise her comments, raising questions and eyebrows around the drinking culture in parliament. Zoë and Ali unpack the risks surrounding this and whether this is a class issue. Is Labour on week footing going into next week’s local elections? The story that is still dominating the headlines is the fallout from the Mandelson scandal.  This week, Keir Starmer dodged a parliamentary investigation over claims he misled parliament about the process to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador. The Conservative led motion was dismissed, with MP’s voting against it 335 to 223. Downing Street deployed its full weight to force Labour MPs to block a referral to the privileges committee, however some 15 MPs defied the party whip and did not vote against the motion as instructed. Zoë and Ali unpack why Keir Starmer didn’t refer himself to the privileges committee himself if he was confident enough and ask whether this has irreparably damaged his reputation. With local elections coming up next week, we discuss how all this will impact Labour, especially with fresh forecasts that the party are set to lose 1850 seats. Then, speaking of the local elections, Labour is doing its best to squash the number of voters for The Reform Party next week. The party this week published a so-called - “uncensored” version of its election broadcast, highlighting comments made by Reform UK politicians too offensive to be aired on TV. Zoë and Ali tell us why they think this reverse psychology strategy is a strong campaign choice. King Charles’ State Visit to the US  This week King Charles paid a state visit to the United States - the first trip of its kind since 2007. Ties between the US-UK have been fractured of late with President Trump openly expressing his dislike for Keir Starmer and his policies. The Royal visit comes with the hope that the special relationship can be repaired and it has seemingly gone well. Amanda Matta, Royal Commentator joined the show to explain the state of the ‘special relationship’, the Royal Family’s role in diplomacy and American perception of the King.  Guest: Amanda Matta, Royal Commentator. You can find her on TikTok and Instagram @matta_of_fact  Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

    49 min

  5. APR 24

    Can Keir Starmer Survive the Mandelson Scandal? Plus: Why Palantir is ‘not an appropriate partner’ for the NHS

    It’s been a busy week in Westminster as it continues to reel from the news of Peter Mandelson’s failed vetting. To recap: last week, The Guardian published the explosive revelation that Mandelson did not secure vetting clearance before he was appointed as Ambassador to Washington in late 2024. However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he was in the dark about the decision. On Monday afternoon, Starmer defended himself in the commons saying that it was “beggars belief" that the result was withheld from him by the since-sacked Foreign Office Chief, Oliver Robbins. In his own questioning, Robbins told the Foreign Affairs Select Committee that there was a “very strong expectation” that Mandelson should hold the post - claims which No10 deny. Zoë Grünewald and Matthew Torbitt unpack the fallout and whether Keir Starmer will survive the scandal.  Up next, we unpack the ties between Big Tech and Britain’s institutions with Director of Advocacy at Foxglove, Donald Campbell. Over the weekend, US based Data Analytics firm Palantir posted on X what they called a ‘brief’ summary of CEO Alex Karp’s book “The Technological Republic.” Dubbed as the company’s mini manifesto, the post sets out Palantir’s controversial ideology and denounces inclusivity and ‘regressive pluralist cultures’ Palantir has operations in multiple government agencies across the world, including here in the UK. According to the Good Law Project, NHS trusts are rolling out Palantir software and in 2023, the government handed a £330 million NHS data contract to Palantir. The software is designed to link up otherwise incompatible databases, fixing an issue that has hampered the NHS where unrelated IT systems are used in different locations. However, Donald Campbell tells Zoë that he thinks that the Labour Government should bring their contract to an end, and according to the British Medical Association, Palantir are ‘not an appropriate partner to have working in the NHS.’ Critics also point to Palantir's funding links to the CIA, leading to allegations around surveillance, its contracts with the Israeli Defence Force, and its co-founder Peter Thiel being a major donor to Donald Trump's presidential campaign. Also, according to Novara Media, the most recent dump of Epstein files sheds light on the links between Palantir, Thiel, Epstein and the former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson.  Guests: Matthew Torbitt and Donald Campbell  Producer: Monica Lillis

    48 min

  6. APR 16

    "It's Giving Partygate" - Peter Mandelson Failed Security Check but Still Appointed

    Peter Mandelson was appointed as Ambassador to the US, despite failing his security check. The decision was overruled by the Foreign Office to ensure he could take up his post as ambassador to the US, an investigation by the Guardian revealed. Ali and Zoe discuss this breaking story, the "partygate" vibes and if this is the end for Keir Starmer. Via the Guardian: According to multiple sources, Mandelson was initially denied clearance in late January 2025 after a developed vetting process, a highly confidential background check by security officials. Keir Starmer had by then announced he would be making Mandelson the UK’s chief diplomat in Washington, posing a dilemma for officials at the Foreign Office, who decided to use a rarely used authority to override the recommendation from security officials. The decision, which rests with the Cabinet Office, has not yet been taken. Any attempt to withhold the documents from the intelligence and security committee could amount to a breach of a parliamentary motion to release “all papers relating to Mandelson’s appointment”. Starmer will also be pressed over whether he misled the public in remarks about the security vetting process, which he said had given Mandelson “clearance for the role”. -- Then with local elections coming up in the UK, parties are doubling down on their stance on affordable housing and particularly the issue of Leasehold. The Labour Party pledged in their 2024 manifesto that they would abolish the so-called ‘feudal’ agreements, but so far progress has been slow. Ali and Zoe are joined by founder Free Leaseholders, a grassroots campaign for the abolition of leasehold, Harry Scoffin, to discuss. Key Facts and Figures Total Leasehold Homes: Approximately 5 million leasehold homes exist in England, representing 20% of the housing stock. Composition: 70% of leasehold properties are flats, and 30% are houses. Transaction Volume: In 2023, 24% of all residential property transactions in England and Wales were leasehold. Ground Rent Statistics: As of 2023/24, 77% of leaseholders paid ground rent, with a median of £120 per year; however, 23% paid zero ground rent. The 2-Year Rule: The requirement to own a property for two years before extending a lease or buying the freehold has been abolished In the build up to the 2024 general election all major UK political parties pledged some form of leasehold reform, with Labour and the Liberal Democrats committing to abolition, and the Conservatives promising further reform. With the local elections coming up on the 7th May, Green Party leader Zack Polanski also claimed the government had U-turned on its promise to scrap the "feudal" leasehold system "because it's more interested in pleasing property developers than freeing five million people from the financial burden of service charges". Guest Bio: Free Leaseholders is a grassroots group of leaseholders fighting for so-called ‘true’ homeownership. The group claims that 5.3 million homes in England and Wales are under leasehold. This means that you pay for the right to occupy the property you live in but you don’t truly own the flat itself or the ‘bricks and mortar’. Occupiers are therefore subject to ground rents, service charges, and the threat of forfeiture Free Leaseholders say that the law dates back to 1066 and it no longer exists in most of the world They’re campaigning because governments have been pledging for decades to abolish it but each time they’ve given into pressure from powerful lobbies that benefit from leasehold. -- To wrap up the show Zoe and Ali give an update on the War in Iran, where local and US officials are still hashing out a plan for a ceasefire. Indirect talks are said to be “ongoing and productive” but fundamental differences still remain. US Secretary of ‘War’ Pete Hegseth says the US will maintain the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz for as long as it takes. Pakistan’s Army chief is in Iran as part of ongoing mediation efforts to renew negotiations as the deadline for the fragile US-Iran ceasefire looms. Iranian officials say that fundamental disagreements remain between the warring parties, specifically over Iran’s nuclear programme. The White House says discussions around a possible second round of peace talks between the US and Iran are "ongoing" and "productive" - but no time or place have been confirmed. The two-week ceasefire is due to end on 22 April. Hosts: Ali Milani and Zoe Grunewald Guest: Harry Scoffin Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

    49 min

  7. APR 9

    Netanyahu Wants to Create "GREATER ISRAEL" By Expanding into Iran - Professor Scott Lucas

    Benjamin Netanyahu has different plans then Donald Trump, aiming to expand their territory to make "Greater Israel", argues Professor Scott Lucas. No Zoe today so Ali breaks down the war in Iran so far before being joined by Professor of International Studies at the Clinton Institute in Dublin, and founder of the EA WorldView, Scott Lucas to chat about the shaky ceasefire between the US and Iran. We also rerun Zoe's interview with Matthew Spence, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy under Obama. After this Scott Lucas joins the show, where he breaks down the different aims in this war for Israeli Leader Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, arguing that Israel wants to expand, creating "Greater Israel" in Lebanon. "No one wins" a war, argues Lucas, as they explain the ever-increasing death tolls, the targeting of civilian infrastructure and JD Vance's plans to become President after Trump leaves office. They also discuss the UK's role in the war, and the US's precarious position with its allies. Guest Bio: Scott Lucas became Professor of International Politics in 2014, having been on the staff of the University of Birmingham since 1989 and a Professor of American Studies since 1997.He began his career as a specialist in US and British foreign policy, but his research interests now also cover current international affairs --- especially North Africa, the Middle East, and Iran --- New Media, and Intelligence Services.A professional journalist since 1979, Professor Lucas is the founder and editor of EA WorldView, a leading website in daily news and analysis of Iran, Turkey, Syria, and the wider Middle East, as well as US foreign policy. Host: Ali Milani Guests: Scott Lucas and Matthew Spence Producer: Hugh Smiley

    49 min

  8. APR 2

    Simon Dudley's Awful Grenfell Comments and the Billionaires who own London

    On today’s show, we found out about the billionaires who really own London with investigative journalist Andrew Kersley. Then Zoe and Ali discuss Trump’s bold claim that his “objectives” in Iran are nearly complete. But first it's the Week Unwrapped: Grenfell was a “tragedy” but “everyone dies in the end”, this is what the now former Reform housing spokesman, Simon Dudley, said in an interview with Inside Housing. These comments have sparked outrage from Grenfell campaigners and the politicians alike. Simon Dudley this week in an interview with Inside Housing said in response to a question on whether he thought Grenfell was a warning about insufficient regulation. ‘That (Grenfell) was a tragedy. It was a failure" But he doesn’t believe the current regulatory regime is proportionate saying “Sadly, you know, everyone dies in the end. It’s just how you go, right?” -- The Israeli Parliament has passed a highly controversial law mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of carrying out deadly terror attacks. The bill has been described by opponents as "Immoral" -- Long serving Labour MP Karl Turner lost the whip this week after a “pattern of behaviour” for opposing the government. Turner has been especially vocal in opposing David Lammy’s Jury Trial reforms, he said he was "disappointed to be suspended without prior discussion”. -- Welcome back, who is it that owns London? It’s been a well known fact that much of the capital is bought up by foreign private investors, but who are they? And how far does their ownership spread? Investigative Journalist for the Londoner Andrew Kersley joins the studio to break down his excellent piece: Revealed: the billionaires who really own London 32,611 properties in London are owned by overseas entities. We can do this because a recent change in the law is forcing these foreign companies to register their real owners. a story that concerns some of London’s most iconic pubs, Camden market, President Trump’s golf buddy and even an Oxford Street Harry Potter store whose landlord is seemingly the sanctioned Libyan government. -- Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali Milani Guest: Andrew Kersley Producers: Hugh Smiley and Jules Bradford

    49 min
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About

Politics Uncensored gives you the news that matters. With unfiltered analysis and debate from leading politicians, journalists and experts, this show removes the political fluff to offer an honest and uncensored look at how Westminster really works.  

Information

  • Creator
    Fubar Radio
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    143
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © @ Fubar Radio Ltd. 2023
  • Show Website
    Politics Uncensored

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