PoliticsJOE
What could a wealth tax look like in the UK?
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- What could a wealth tax look like in the UK?
- Runtime
- 10:57
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In a clip from today's PMQs reaction (still available in full on audio platforms), Oli and Ava debate the future of taxation in the UK, and outline what a more progressive system might look like. After last week's welfare rebellion and the Autumn budget fast-approaching, Rachel Reeves has holes in government finances to fill and limited options.
Reacting to recent proposals from Aaron Bastani, Oli and Ava debate the idea of lowering the income tax threshold from £12,500 to £8,000, and what that could mean for fairness, revenue generation, and public perception. They also explore broader proposals like a wealth tax, land value tax, inheritance tax reform, and fixing the broken council tax band system.
Would taxing household income rather than individuals create a fairer system? Is it time to overhaul how we fund local services, given ballooning council deficits? Ava and Oli grapple with these questions and the longer term economic case for public investment, ...
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- BEST BITS: Nigel Farage openly mocked by MPs at PMQs
- Runtime
- 8:47
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Catch all the biggest moments from this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in our unmissable highlights compilation. With Keir Starmer at the dispatch box, MPs from across the House lined up to challenge, mock, and grandstand — and we’ve got it all covered.
In a session that veered from serious scrutiny to political theatre, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage came under fire from across the benches, with MPs ridiculing his divisive rhetoric and limited impact since entering Parliament. The chamber buzzed as veteran MPs took turns landing blows — a dramatic and hostile Commons debut for Farage.
Meanwhile, Tory MP Lee Anderson used a point of order to lavish praise on Farage, delivering a sycophantic defence that left even some of his Conservative colleagues cringing.
The Liberal Democrat leader delivered one of the most blistering moments of the session, tearing into government plans to cut funding for Special Educational Needs and Disab...
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- Cute x
- Runtime
- 1:10
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- Ooop
- Runtime
- 1:05
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- HIGHLIGHTS: Keir Starmer makes Kemi Badenoch look silly at PMQs
- Runtime
- 9:00
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this sharp and unmissable exchange from this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Labour leader Keir Starmer delivers a composed but devastating rebuttal to Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch, exposing the track record of failure under the previous Tory government.
The clash begins as Badenoch, now a prominent figure in the opposition, attempts to land political jabs on Starmer over Labour’s economic plans and leadership style. But Starmer remains unflustered — using the moment to turn the spotlight back on 14 years of Conservative mismanagement, with a particular focus on Badenoch’s own time in Cabinet.
From crumbling public services to a stagnating economy, Starmer calmly walks through key failures that occurred on Badenoch’s watch — including damaging policies on business, inequality, and civil rights. He challenges the credibility of Conservative attacks by highlighting the deep public distrust left in the wake of their governance.
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- Late wedding present? #ukpolitics #jeffbezos #amazon
- Runtime
- 0:12
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Uhoh
- Runtime
- 0:12
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Emmanuel Macron calls on UK to recognise Palestinian state in speech to Parliament
- Runtime
- 8:01
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In a landmark speech during his official state visit to the United Kingdom, French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a powerful and unexpected call for the UK to formally recognise the State of Palestine. Speaking directly to members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, Macron’s address marks a bold diplomatic intervention — and places pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s new government to shift the UK’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Macron draws on France’s recent announcement of its intent to recognise Palestinian statehood, and frames the move as a moral obligation and a necessary step toward long-term peace in the Middle East. His speech links the UK’s historical role in the region — from the Balfour Declaration to its post-colonial responsibilities — with its present-day capacity to champion a just and peaceful solution.
The address touches on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the urgent need for a two-state solut...
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- Tax them til the pips squeak #ukpolitics
- Runtime
- 1:15
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- MPs grill David Lammy over UK support for Israel's campaign in Gaza
- Runtime
- 9:07
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In a Foreign Affairs Select Committee hearing this afternoon, Foreign Secretary David Lammy was questioned by MPs Emily Thornberry, Uma Kumaran, and Richard Foord over the UK government’s position on the Israeli plan to establish a so-called "humanitarian city" in Rafah; a plan that would see 600,000 Palestinians forcibly relocated into a militarily controlled encampment.
Lammy is pressed on whether he has been briefed on Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz’s recent statements outlining the camp's construction on the ruins of Rafah, its perimeter controlled by Israeli forces, and reports that Palestinians would be screened and barred from leaving once inside. Thornberry challenges the Foreign Secretary to clarify whether the UK will oppose the scheme and whether any British entities will be involved.
The committee also raises the UK’s role in arms export licenses and its involvement in the global F-35 spare parts supply chain. Lammy defends the governme...
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- Is Keir Starmer teasing a wealth tax?
- Runtime
- 12:15
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Are Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves softening on a wealth tax? In this clip from the PoliticsJOE podcast (still available in full on audio platforms), Ed, Oli, and Seán unpack the signals coming from Downing Street before the much-speculated-on autumn budget.
After former Labour leader Neil Kinnock publicly backed a 2% tax on assets over £10 million, pressure has mounted on Chancellor Reeves to find bold ways to plug the UK's £22 billion fiscal black hole. Number 10 hasn’t ruled out targeting the wealthiest, but they haven't necessarily ruled it in either. Are Labour really prepared to break with the cautious tax promises they made on the campaign trail? Might Reeves break her iron financial rules?
The boys touch on Starmer’s past rhetoric about "broadest shoulders", and whether Reeves feels politically cornered. Despite previously ruling out a wealth tax, Labour’s options have narrowed after last week's welfare rebellion over PIP payments.
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- Watch the full video now 👀
- Runtime
- 1:14
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Donald Trump unleashes on “train wreck” Elon Musk
- Runtime
- 20:10
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this insightful and wide-ranging interview, academic and political analyst Scott Lucas breaks down the shockwaves sent through the American political landscape by Elon Musk’s announcement of a new political party. As one of the world’s most powerful tech moguls, Musk’s decision to pivot from business titan to political leader marks a dramatic new chapter in the intersection of wealth, influence, and democratic governance.
Lucas explores the driving forces behind Musk’s move into party politics, from disillusionment with both Republicans and Democrats, to growing culture war clashes and his deepening alignment with libertarian and anti-establishment rhetoric. The interview examines how Musk’s online influence, business empire, and media ventures are being weaponised to build a political base — and how his proposed party is already resonating with disaffected voters across the political spectrum.
From his battles with regulators to his involvement...
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- Reform lost another MP this weekend after James McMurdock suspended himself from the party
- Runtime
- 1:31
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Bernie Sanders rips Big Beautiful Bill to shreds on Senate floor
- Runtime
- 22:41
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this powerful and emotionally charged Senate speech, Senator Bernie Sanders delivers a searing critique of Donald Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — a sweeping piece of legislation that Sanders warns will devastate working-class Americans while handing billions in tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy.
Speaking directly from the Senate floor, Sanders exposes how the bill would gut Medicare, stripping healthcare access from millions of low-income seniors, disabled Americans, and working families. He outlines in stark terms how the legislation threatens to plunge millions into poverty, all while further enriching the richest 1% and large corporations already benefiting from a deeply unequal system.
Throughout the speech, Sanders reads out personal testimonies from constituents and Americans nationwide who stand to lose vital care and coverage under the bill — including elderly patients, cancer survivors, and parents of chronically ill children. Thei...
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- Does Corbyn's new party actually exist?
- Runtime
- 10:07
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Is Jeremy Corbyn about to launch a new political party with Zarah Sultana? If so, has someone told him?
In this clip from the now Patreon-exclusive PoliticsJOE podcast (still available on audio platforms), Oli and Ed dive into the rumours swirling around Sultana's new project: a left wing challenger to Labour.
With Labour accused of abandoning progressive voters and taking the left for granted, this new movement promises an alternative rooted in peace, justice, and progressivism. But is it a genuine attempt to reshape British politics, or just another messy splinter doomed to fail under First Past the Post?
Ed and Oli unpack the reporting and rumours, Corbyn’s apparent reluctance to formally endorse the initiative, and Sultana’s motivations. And what does this mean for voters who feel politically homeless on the left? Could another split in the left vote end up benefiting the right? Could Zack Polanksi's Greens finally be in with a shot?
...
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- Fontaines D.C. - I Love You at Finsbury Park
- Runtime
- 0:54
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Ooop
- Runtime
- 0:30
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- Anne Applebaum: UK must respect international law
- Runtime
- 9:01
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and journalist Anne Applebaum spoke to the Lords Constitution Committee in Westminster to deliver a stark warning about the global breakdown of international law and the UK’s role in it.
Applebaum outlines how authoritarian regimes, and increasingly some democracies, are dismantling the legal frameworks that once held the international order together. From Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine to Israel's occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, from attacks on legal norms by China, Israel, and Hungary to Trumpism in the United States, she paints a picture of a world sliding into legal nihilism.
Crucially, Applebaum argues that the UK, long seen as a global pillar of legal integrity, is at risk of eroding that reputation by undermining treaties it has signed. Such actions, she warns, are ripple outward, fuelling a wider sense of impunity among leaders who are watching and learning from one another.
Her testimony to...
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- See our full interview with Ruchir Sharma, live now! #ukpolitics #housingcrisis
- Runtime
- 1:14
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Economist pinpoints why capitalism doesn't work | Ruchir Sharma interview
- Runtime
- 31:49
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this incisive and thought-provoking interview, global investor and author Ruchir Sharma joins us to unpack the core arguments from his latest book, What Went Wrong With Capitalism. Drawing on decades of experience in global markets and political analysis, Sharma offers a sweeping critique of how modern capitalism has strayed from its original purpose — and why it's no longer delivering for the many.
From runaway government spending and central bank intervention, to the rise of monopolies and the collapse of healthy competition, Sharma paints a picture of a system that’s been distorted by both left and right-wing governments. He explains how the free market ideal has been hollowed out and replaced by what he calls “state-driven capitalism,” where power is concentrated in the hands of governments and corporate elites.
The conversation explores why economic dynamism has stalled, why inequality has soared, and why younger generations are disillusioned w...
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- Just Matt Hancock getting ripped to shreds at the Covid Inquiry
- Runtime
- 9:43
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this powerful and at times uncomfortable video, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock faces intense questioning at the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, as he is forced to answer for the government’s handling of care homes during the pandemic.
At the heart of the interrogation is one of the most tragic chapters of the crisis — the high number of deaths in UK care homes, particularly in the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak. Hancock is grilled on the decision to discharge patients from hospitals into care homes without adequate testing, the lack of PPE for frontline workers, and the slow response to the growing crisis in the care sector.
Throughout the hearing, lawyers and inquiry officials press Hancock on whether enough was done to protect the elderly and vulnerable, and whether his department understood the scale of the risk posed to care home residents. Hancock’s responses — at times defensive, at times regretful — are dissected as he attempts to defe...
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- Why didn't the BBC publish this Gaza documentary? | Podcast #164
- Runtime
- 39:58
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- On today's pod, Ava and Seán react to Gaza: Doctors Under Attack. The BBC refused to publish the documentary, citing 'perception of partiality'.
From Channel4:
Gaza: Doctors Under Attack is a forensic investigation into Israeli military attacks on hospitals in Gaza. It also examines allegations of the targeting and abuse of doctors and healthcare workers in Gaza. Every one of Gaza’s 36 main hospitals has now been attacked or destroyed by Israel, with people forced to evacuate and healthcare workers reportedly killed, imprisoned and tortured.
The film was originally commissioned for the BBC but has been fact-checked and complied by Channel 4 to ensure it meets Channel 4 editorial standards and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
It was greenlit by Louisa Compton, Channel 4 Head of News and Current Affairs and Specialist Factual and Sport, who said: “This is a meticulously reported and important film examining evidence which supports allegat...
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- Lisa Nandy offered condolences in the House of Commons today after Jota’s tragic passing #liverpool
- Runtime
- 0:31
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Palestinian Ambassador: Calling out Israel is not fuelling anti-semitism
- Runtime
- 12:27
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- At the United Nations Security Council, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon and Palestinian Ambassador Majed Bamya shared this exchange in which they confronted each other over the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Ambassador Majed Bamya delivers a heartfelt plea for peace and dignity, urging the international community to stop treating Palestinians 'like cattle.' He passionately defends the right of the Palestinian people to live freely and independently, calling for a two-state solution that recognises a sovereign, free Palestine alongside Israel.
Bamya also condemns recent incidents involving Israeli forces firing on Palestinians gathered at aid distribution centres, describing these actions as inhumane and unjustifiable during a time of acute humanitarian crisis. He pleads for an end to decades of suffering.
In response, Ambassador Danny Danon maintains Israel’s position, defending its military actions and accusing ...
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- Be wary of economic “tinkering”
- Runtime
- 1:13
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Rachel Reeves in tears and Starmer under fire | PMQs with Marc Jennings
- Runtime
- 46:41
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Ed and Ava are joined by comedian and fellow Scot Marc Jennings to discuss today's blockbuster PMQs, which saw Rachel Reeves cry and Starmer struggle to answer for yesterday's rebellion.
Keir Starmer faced tough questions not only from the opposition but also from within his own ranks after the passing of yesterday's controversial welfare reform bill. The bill passed its second reading, but only just, and not without being completely gutted. This is good for the country's most vulnerable (who were being targeted by the bill), but not for Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves who now has to find a few extra billion after proposed changes to PIP payments were ruled out. With party discipline clearly fraying, Starmer tried to present a unified front, but cracks are showing.
The most dramatic moment? Rachel Reeves shed several tears during Kemi Badenoch's questioning, and then throughout the session. Cameras caught the display after Badenoch went hard on Labou...
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- BEST BITS: Rachel Reeves cries and Keir Starmer rinsed at fiery PMQs
- Runtime
- 8:03
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Catch all the biggest moments from today’s Prime Minister’s Questions in this explosive PMQs compilation. With pressure mounting on Keir Starmer’s Labour government, this week’s session delivered high drama, tough questions, and visible cracks at the heart of Westminster.
First up, Labour MP Kim Johnson raises the long-delayed Hillsborough Law — a bill designed to ensure justice and accountability for victims of public disasters. Johnson demands a clear commitment from the Prime Minister, prompting questions over Labour’s priorities in government and its response to long-standing demands from campaigners.
Then, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn takes aim at the government’s chaotic U-turn on disability benefits reform. After a dramatic reversal just hours before a Commons vote, Flynn presses Starmer on whether Labour can truly claim to stand up for the vulnerable — or if the party has caved to pressure amid internal rebellion and public back...
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- Keir Starmer snaps at Lib Dem leader over u-turn on cuts to disability benefits
- Runtime
- 3:25
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this fiery exchange from Prime Minister’s Questions, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey takes Keir Starmer to task over the Labour government’s controversial plan to cut disability benefits. With growing concern across Parliament and the public about the direction of welfare reform, Davey challenges the Prime Minister on how the proposed changes will affect disabled people across the UK.
Davey accuses Starmer’s government of turning its back on vulnerable communities, citing widespread confusion and fear caused by the bill. But what begins as a pointed question quickly escalates as Starmer snaps back, launching a scathing attack on the Lib Dems’ inconsistent record on welfare.
The Prime Minister hits back by accusing the Liberal Democrats of hypocrisy — demanding disability benefits reform in public, only to vote against the government’s reform bill when it came to a Commons vote the night before. Starmer’s sharp response draws loud reactions ac...
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- HIGHLIGHTS: Rachel Reeves fights tears as Badenoch slates disability cut u-turn at PMQs
- Runtime
- 12:42
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In a bruising session of Prime Minister’s Questions, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch launches a blistering attack on Keir Starmer over the Labour government’s last-minute U-turn on disability benefits cuts. Coming just hours after a chaotic vote in the Commons, Badenoch accuses the Prime Minister of “abandoning the most vulnerable” and leading a government in meltdown.
The government had faced mounting backlash over its proposed welfare reforms — a plan that sparked internal rebellion and public outrage. But with rebellion brewing on the Labour benches, Starmer performed a dramatic 11th-hour reversal, pulling support for key elements of the bill. Badenoch seizes on the confusion and disunity, calling it proof the government is “out of its depth and out of time.”
As the Tory leader delivers her scathing critique, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is seen visibly crying on the front bench — her emotional response capturing the turmoil and pressure inside the La...
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- TFW you can’t plunge 150,000 people into poverty #pmqs #ukpolitics
- Runtime
- 0:17
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- WATCH AGAIN: Keir Starmer comes under fire following disability benefit vote at PMQs
- Runtime
- 38:41
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Watch Prime Minister’s Questions live from the House of Commons, as Keir Starmer returns to the dispatch box after missing the last two sessions — facing off against Kemi Badenoch, who steps in once again as Leader of the Opposition. With tensions running high across the political spectrum, this week's session promises to be one of the most fiery of the parliamentary calendar.
All eyes will be on Starmer’s response to growing unrest within his own party, following Tuesday’s vote on the Welfare Reform Bill. The legislation saw a significant rebellion from Labour backbenchers, raising serious questions about the PM’s authority, party unity, and direction ahead of the next General Election.
Badenoch, representing the Conservative frontbench, is expected to come out swinging — accusing Starmer of failing to lead and exposing cracks in Labour’s agenda on welfare, social justice, and party discipline. With internal Labour dissent making headlines, smal...
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- Rachel Reeves cries during PMQs as Starmer refuses to say her job is safe
- Runtime
- 4:42
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In a dramatic and emotionally charged session of Prime Minister’s Questions, viewers witnessed a rare moment of public tension at the top of government as Chancellor Rachel Reeves was seen crying behind Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The incident unfolded as Starmer repeatedly refused to confirm whether Reeves would remain in her post, following days of speculation about a looming Cabinet reshuffle.
Amid growing pressure on the government after a turbulent week—including internal Labour unrest over the Welfare Reform Bill and a substantial backbench rebellion—this unexpected moment of emotion in the Commons has sparked serious questions about the stability of Starmer’s frontbench team and his leadership style.
As opposition leader Kemi Badenoch challenged Starmer on party discipline, broken promises, and economic policy confusion, MPs across the chamber looked on in shock as the Chancellor appeared visibly distressed. The Prime Minister’s refusal to de...
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- Going deep on Labour's disability cuts
- Runtime
- 8:57
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this highlight from today's podcast, Oli and Seán unpack the Labour Party’s deepening internal conflict over disability benefit reforms, particularly the proposed changes to PIP payments.
Following Liz Kendall’s recent concessions, which aimed to reduce the number of disabled people pushed into poverty by the bill from 250,000 to 150,000, the question remains: what kind of party is willing to accept that 150,000 people are still 'f-cked'? Despite attempts to frame the policy as helping people into work, many see it as a punitive measure targeting those least able to fight back.
And how is Labour is attempting to appease the right-wing press with hardline rhetoric while avoiding difficult conversations about taxing wealth or corporations? Seán describes it as 'Benefits Street on steroids', policy built not on economic necessity, but on media optics and fear of looking soft.
We also hear how Labour MPs are being sent out to defend policies ...
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- Full episode out now #ukpolitics #disability
- Runtime
- 1:38
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Bernie Sanders attacks Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill in powerful Senate speech
- Runtime
- 13:22
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this must-watch clip from the U.S. Senate floor, Senator Bernie Sanders delivers a scathing takedown of Donald Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — a sweeping piece of legislation backed by Trump allies that Sanders argues is nothing more than a handout to billionaires, corporations, and the ultra-wealthy.
With his trademark passion and straight-talking style, Sanders calls out the bill for what he sees as blatant corruption: corporate tax breaks, loopholes for the rich, and devastating consequences for working-class Americans. From healthcare and housing to climate and workers’ rights, Bernie breaks down exactly how this legislation would exacerbate inequality and undermine the social safety net.
Sanders doesn't hold back in naming names — slamming Trump’s GOP allies for pushing through what he describes as “one of the most shameful pieces of legislation in modern American history.” As Trump campaigns for a second term, Sanders warns ...
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- Tearful Labour MP begs govt not to cut welfare
- Runtime
- 8:20
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Rachael Maskell has laid an amendment to scupper her own party's plans to slash welfare.
Thirty-nine Labour MPs have backed the amendment to the updated welfare bill, which instead of cutting benefits for existing claimants, now only restricts them for new ones.
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- Subscribe to our Patreon NOW for free tickets
- Runtime
- 1:30
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- Based
- Runtime
- 0:50
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- Will Starmer survive Labour's revolt against disability cuts? | Podcast #163
- Runtime
- 39:09
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In what's being dubbed a modern classic, Oli and Seán discuss Labour's welfare rebellion and Bob Vylan's criminal investigation, all with thorough, vacuum-sealed analysis.
Punk duo Bob Vylan are now facing a criminal investigation following review of their Glastonbury 2025 performance by Avon and Somerset Police. Following on from yesterday's discourse, Seán and Oli explore what this means for freedom of expression, political protest, and the increasingly narrow line performers are expected to walk in public spaces. And should their talent agency have known who they were signing?
The main point of discussion today is the (possibly quelled?) rebellion inside the Labour Party over Keir Starmer's proposed welfare reforms. The cuts to disability benefits is the principal issue for the rebelling MPs, particularly given the proposed changes to PIP payments which some have described as creating a two-tier system. Despite Liz Kendall’s announcement of concessions ...
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- What I learned at Britain's biggest meeting of witches
- Runtime
- 10:07
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- This week on the PoliticsJOE Podcast, the team dives broom-first into one of the most unusual events on the UK’s summer calendar: a festival for witches in Milton Keynes. Our very own Ed took the trip to meet modern-day witches, pagans, spell-casters and skeptics to find out what’s really going on behind the cauldrons and crystals.
From witchcraft rituals and spell conjuring to tarot readings and crystal healing, Ed gets stuck in with attendees who proudly identify as witches – both spiritual and sceptical. But far from a cliché of pointed hats and hexes, what he finds is something more grounded: a vibrant community of people using witchcraft and paganism to connect, reflect, and find wellness in a chaotic world.
Back in the studio, the gang discuss the intersection of witchcraft, community, and modern spirituality. Is this about magic – or meaning? From the ancient roots of pagan belief systems to the contemporary rise of wellness culture, this conve...
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- Labour Minister slams Bob Vylan and KNEECAP over Glastonbury performances
- Runtime
- 12:13
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this powerful clip from the House of Commons, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy addresses the fallout from two of the most controversial performances at Glastonbury 2025 — delivered by Bob Vylan and Kneecap. Speaking directly to MPs, Nandy criticises both acts for what she describes as "not art" on one of the country’s most prominent cultural stages.
During Bob Vylan’s set, chants of “Death to the IDF” from the crowd sparked immediate outrage, drawing condemnation from across the political spectrum and prompting a police investigation. Meanwhile, Irish rap group Kneecap provoked debate with their explicitly political lyrics and references to Irish republicanism, which some MPs labelled as inflammatory.
In her Commons speech, Nandy argues that freedom of expression must come with a sense of responsibility — especially when performed in front of tens of thousands and broadcast to millions. She calls for a review into how publicly funded and nationally ...
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- Labour MPs grill minister over cuts to disability benefits
- Runtime
- 9:31
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this powerful compilation from the House of Commons, Labour MPs challenge the government’s controversial decision to press ahead with amended cuts to disability benefits. As the Conservatives unveil changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Work Capability Assessments, and other essential lifelines for disabled people, Labour members raise urgent questions about who will be affected and how.
This video captures key moments from today's parliamentary debate, where MPs from across the Labour benches demand clarity on the government’s rationale and call out the impact of austerity on disabled communities. From concerns over access to support to accusations of punishing the most vulnerable, these speeches shine a light on the human cost behind bureaucratic policy.
Expect fiery contributions from the likes of Vicky Foxcroft, Dr Marie Tidball, and Jeremy Corbyn, who each demand accountability from Ministers pushing through reforms many fear will push di...
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- Go watch the full episode right now
- Runtime
- 0:51
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Journalist deconstructs US/UK complicity in Gaza conflict | James Robins interview
- Runtime
- 31:13
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Journalist and historian James Robins stops by JOETowers to talk about his new book Blowing Up Everything Is Beautiful: Israel's Extermination of Gaza, as well as the wider plight of the Palestinian people. The book is a thorough indictment of the ongoing violence in Gaza, charting the historical and contemporary strategies of bombardment, siege, and, ultimately, erasure carried out by Israel.
Drawing on both research and firsthand reporting, Robins exposes the scale of Israel’s military operation, arguing that what is unfolding isn't a series of isolated tragedies, but a deliberate, state-sanctioned extermination effort. This includes the indiscriminate bombing of civilians, the destruction of hospitals and schools, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war. He also touches on Western complicity, both through American arms and British intelligence support.
Robins outlines how both the UK and the US have not only failed to hold Israel accountable but have...
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- Matt Kennard: Britain is complicit in Israel’s crimes
- Runtime
- 1:12
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- Bernie Sanders calls on Trump to stop funding Israel’s wars
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- 1:28
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- Great
- Runtime
- 1:03
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- Bob Vylan under fire after Glastonbury protest | Podcast #162
- Runtime
- 1:00:35
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Today the triple threat are back in the dungeon on this, the Monday after Glastonbury, to chew the cud over the weekend's events. As the BBC comes under fire for broadcasting Bob Vylan's set where the group led anti-IDF chants, we ask whether the backlash is overegged and whether free speech is dying at the hands of right-wing snowflakes.
This week on the PoliticsJOE Podcast, the gang unpacks a weekend of controversy at Glastonbury that saw politics, music, and state power collide in spectacular fashion.
We start with Bob Vylan’s explosive performance, which made headlines after festivalgoers joined in a chant condemning the IDF during the band’s set. With calls of “death to the IDF” echoing across the grounds, the moment sparked outrage from politicians, the BBC, and Glastonbury organisers alike — and has now reportedly led to a police investigation into the band’s conduct. We ask: where is the line between protest and incitement? And what does th...
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- Bernie Sanders exposes Trump's "America First" hypocrisy in searing Senate speech
- Runtime
- 10:47
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this searing and unfiltered Senate floor speech, Senator Bernie Sanders delivers a powerful indictment of U.S. foreign policy, taking direct aim at Donald Trump’s unwavering financial and political support for Israel’s recent bombing campaigns in the Middle East.
Sanders traces the long arc of American involvement in global conflicts — from the Vietnam War to Iraq, Afghanistan, and now U.S. complicity in Israel’s military actions — exposing how successive administrations have sacrificed the interests of ordinary Americans to feed the ever-expanding military-industrial complex.
With his trademark clarity and moral urgency, Sanders asks the hard questions: Why are billions being poured into foreign wars while Americans struggle with healthcare, housing, and stagnant wages? Why does the U.S. continue to fund military campaigns that violate human rights and escalate global instability? And why is bipartisan leadership still unwilling to hold allies li...
