Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast James O'Brien Daily
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The scandal hiding inside Britain’s prisons | 02 oct. 2026 | 01:00:10 | |
Half of prisoners in England and Wales are functionally illiterate. James asks what prison is actually for when education, rehabilitation and support on release are so limited - and why a system meant to reduce crime can leave people more likely to return. Then, James examines Suella Braverman’s comments on Englishness, hearing from callers who ask how a former Home Secretary can tell people born and raised in Britain that they do not belong. This episode was recorded on the 2nd of October. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Brexit failed... now Britain wants back in the EU | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:57:09 | |
Brexit has “done more harm than good”, says Andy Burnham, as he opens the door to a new national conversation about Britain’s future relationship with Europe. James asks if the country is ready to confront the consequences of leaving and whether the familiar lies could win again. Then, James explores Burnham’s proposed commission on electoral reform. Would proportional representation make votes count more fairly, encourage collaboration and stop governments winning unchecked power on a minority of the vote? This episode was recorded on the 1st of October. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| The Burnham speech that put hope back into politics | 30 sept. 2026 | 00:55:58 | |
Andy Burnham’s conference speech sets out a vision for a healthier, wealthier and kinder Britain - from social care, housing and water to electoral reform and a closer relationship with Europe. James reflects on a speech that put hope back at the centre of politics, and asks whether Burnham can deliver the scale of change he has promised. Plus, LBC Political Editor Natasha Clarke reports live from the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on Health Secretary Yvette Cooper’s new national maternity plan. This episode was recorded on the 30th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| End the triple lock & save social care | 29 sept. 2026 | 01:01:06 | |
Could ending the state pension triple lock help fund a social care system that is free at the point of use? James examines Andy Burnham’s reported plans, asking whether pensioners could accept smaller annual increases in return for protection from devastating care costs. Then, after Martin Lewis asked fellow passengers to turn down a loud serial-killer documentary, James explores the growing problem of people playing phones at full volume in public. This episode was recorded on the 29th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Britain’s long road back to the EU | 28 sept. 2026 | 01:02:29 | |
Sadiq Khan wants Britain to start work on rejoining the EU, while Andy Burnham refuses to rule it out. James asks whether it is politically wise to reopen the Brexit argument — and whether the EU would trust Britain to stay. Plus, would you support Burnham’s proposed tax-funded social care system? Callers explain the devastating financial reality of care, from families selling homes to fund dementia support to exhausted carers left without meaningful help. This episode was recorded on the 28th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| The 14-year-olds Britain is already writing off | 25 sept. 2026 | 01:00:03 | |
Not every young person thrives in a traditional classroom, but is vocational education a route to opportunity or an early label that limits ambition? Plus, more than 52,000 people are claiming benefits for back pain with no specific cause - but why are so many of them treated with suspicion rather than compassion? This episode was recorded on the 25th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| A child led chants of “let them drown” | 24 sept. 2026 | 01:01:58 | |
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 challenged? James hears from callers who describe the fear felt by people of colour as anti-migrant rhetoric becomes more open, more extreme and increasingly detached from the facts. This episode was recorded on the 24th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Young people aren’t snowflakes | 23 sept. 2026 | 01:00:26 | |
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, climate anxiety and a future that feels impossible to plan for. Then, James examines one of Westminster’s enduring mysteries: why aren’t the Liberal Democrats making more of an impact when British politics feels so fractured? This episode was recorded on the 23rd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| The impossible task of meeting Donald Trump | 22 sept. 2026 | 00:55:54 | |
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 with a US President who demands loyalty, thrives on flattery and can reverse his position overnight. Then, as migration figures fall sharply, James asks why the politicians and newspapers who demanded lower numbers are refusing to celebrate. This episode was recorded on the 22nd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Dementia doesn’t just break patients - it breaks carers too | 21 sept. 2026 | 00:55:43 | |
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 described by leading experts as Britain’s greatest health and social care crisis. Plus, women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson has said that “all of us as women in society are unsafe”, prompting a conversation about women’s safety and why it must no longer be treated as normal. This episode was recorded on the 21st of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| They terrorised lifeboat volunteers for saving lives | 18 sept. 2026 | 01:03:04 | |
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 who risk their lives to save strangers are branded “traitors” and targeted by masked protesters? Then, Charles Spencer has made new claims about King Charles’s reaction to Princess Diana’s death. James asks whether the Earl is honouring his sister’s memory or publicly washing the family’s dirty linen. This episode was recorded on the 18th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| The people building AI are telling us to be afraid | 17 sept. 2026 | 00:59:16 | |
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 cyberattacks to the prospect of systems we may no longer be able to control. Plus, what is the difference between good strict and bad strict? As a headteacher sparks backlash after suspending 25 pupils in the first week of school, James hears powerful stories of harsh discipline, corporal punishment and humiliation. This episode was recorded on the 17th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| A vote to leave the UK over migrant plan | 16 sept. 2026 | 01:01:16 | |
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 debate over asylum, safety and integration? Plus, thousands of people are being pushed out of paid work to care for sick family members. With around 1,500 Britons reportedly leaving their jobs every day, James looks at the human cost of Britain’s care crisis and asks why families are being left to pick up the pieces. This episode was recorded on the 16th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Is Great Britain on the brink of a break-up? | 15 sept. 2026 | 00:57:27 | |
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 Ireland went their separate ways and what would it mean for the rest of Britain? And, are we scrolling our brains away? Reading for pleasure can boost memory, empathy and mental health, but as TikTok and short-form content take over our attention, are we losing one of the simplest habits that keeps our minds healthy? This episode was recorded on the 15th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Reform’s £72m crypto cash: why should we be bothered? | 14 sept. 2026 | 00:56:31 | |
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 the kind of billionaire-funded politics we’ve seen in the US? And, self-driving cars could put thousands of jobs at risk. A thinktank is calling for them to be taxed to help offset the impact. Is this fair or is it simply the price of progress? Plus, exercise in schools is falling off. As children become less active, are we sleepwalking into a health crisis? This episode was recorded on the 14th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| 9/11: How one day, twenty-five years ago, reshaped the world | 11 sept. 2026 | 00:57:17 | |
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 communities. James speaks to Michael Lomonaco about his extraordinary story. As executive chef at Windows on the World, he was due to be at the top of the North Tower, but a last-minute visit to an optician saved his life. This episode was recorded on the 11th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can call the Samaritans for free, at any time, on 116 123. | |||
| Nobody can define ‘working class’ any more | 10 sept. 2026 | 00:57:30 | |
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, privilege and the children most in need of support. Then, AI is being hailed as a potential cure for cancer. At the same time, leading researchers are warning it could kill us all. James O’Brien explores the extraordinary contradiction at the heart of the AI revolution. This episode was recorded on the 10th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Ed Miliband calls out Israel’s illegal settlements | 09 sept. 2026 | 00:57:18 | |
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 assertion of international law, and why calling out the Israeli Government is so often wrongly conflated with antisemitism. Plus, what does occupation mean for children trying to get to school, access healthcare and live without fear? James is joined by Save the Children UK's Executive Director for Global Impact, George Graham. This episode was recorded on the 9th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Britain’s divisive sanctions on Israel | 08 sept. 2026 | 00:59:29 | |
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 Bank, an inadequate symbolic gesture, or a damaging political mistake? Then, Nigel Farage wants to ban face coverings after masked men terrorised communities in Dover and Portsmouth. But why does his answer appear to focus on Muslim women rather than the men causing the fear? This episode was recorded on the 8th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Farage’s supporters attacked a woman... and he laughed | 07 sept. 2026 | 01:00:05 | |
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 rather than condemnation? Plus, callers reflect on the “other life” they might have lived if their ADHD, autism or learning needs had been recognised at school. This episode was recorded on the 7th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| How Farage is radicalising our relatives | 04 sept. 2026 | 01:00:11 | |
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 political establishment has become more powerful than facts, principles or self-interest. Plus, how do you cope when your mum, dad or closest friend becomes radicalised online? James hears from listeners whose relationships have been changed by far-right politics. This episode was recorded on the 4th of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Farage’s "party of free speech" banned the journalists | 03 sept. 2026 | 01:00:36 | |
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 examines the pressure building around a party that says it stands for free speech. Then, James explores the lives behind the figures on workless households. What does it mean for children to grow up without parents in employment? This episode was recorded on the 3rd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Putin’s man in the White House | 02 sept. 2026 | 00:59:51 | |
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 and the dangerous new age of conquest unfolding across the world. But first, Andy Burnham says Britain’s malaise can be traced back to privatisation, austerity, deindustrialisation and Brexit. Is he right — and can Britain undo 40 years of wrong turns? This episode was recorded on the 2nd of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Burnham’s plan to make Britain optimistic again | 01 sept. 2026 | 01:00:50 | |
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 authenticity, conviction and a willingness to challenge the old rules can survive the realities of government. Plus, as Burnham tells MPs that “more public control” is the way to grow the UK economy, what is your immediate reaction to renationalisation? Why does privatisation have such a hold on the public imagination? This episode was recorded on the 1st of September. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Middlesbrough in crisis: what’s really going on? | 28 août 2026 | 00:53:47 | |
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 presence and what is really happening on the streets? And, what if your dream home became a nightmare? Victims of cowboy builders have been left thousands out of pocket and living with unfinished, unsafe homes. Now, new government plans aim to stop others suffering the same fate. This episode was recorded on the 28th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| AI is coming for your job | 27 août 2026 | 00:58:39 | |
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 consequences, from mass unemployment to a crisis in education. Also, as easyJet more than doubles its over-50s cabin crew and encourages retraining, James asks why one career should have to last a lifetime. He hears remarkable stories from people who took the leap and found their calling later in life. This episode was recorded on the 27th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Israel is testing Andy Burnham’s Labour government | 26 août 2026 | 00:58:37 | |
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 to do nothing. Are sanctions now the only meaningful response? Plus, Britons are being urged to prepare for emergencies. From storing water to stocking up on tinned food, how ready are we if normal life suddenly stops working? This episode was recorded on the 26th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| We blame TikTok — but we’re watching the dangerous driving videos | 25 août 2026 | 01:01:42 | |
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, or do millions of views reveal a demand that viewers are helping to create? Plus, as one in seven people in England are prescribed antidepressants, James explores the difference between everyday sadness and clinical depression. What support really helps people get better? This episode was recorded on the 25th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can call the Samaritans for free, at any time, on 116 123. | |||
| The Conservatives’ identity crisis | 24 août 2026 | 01:05:45 | |
As lifelong Conservative voters describe themselves as politically homeless, has Kemi Badenoch abandoned the party’s traditional values in favour of culture wars and social-media soundbites? And, with graduates facing an increasingly uncertain job market and AI threatening white-collar roles, are traditional trades now a safer bet than university? Plus, three-quarters of secondary schools reportedly breaking food standards. Why are British children still being served crisps, burgers and chocolate, and who is responsible for fixing school food? This episode was recorded on the 24th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| The racists don’t even hide it anymore | 21 août 2026 | 01:01:13 | |
Racism and sexism are becoming normalised in Britain, according to Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson. From casual racist language to far-right narratives online, when did behaviour once considered beyond the pale start to feel ordinary? Then, as England has been described as a “maths powerhouse” following improved exam results, James explores the lifelong impact of maths anxiety, dyscalculia and an education system that can shut doors on young people. This episode was recorded on the 21st of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Britain was told to hate Meghan Markle | 20 août 2026 | 00:57:45 | |
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 misogyny surrounding Meghan’s treatment, and the media machine that helped turn affection into fury. Also, boys are catching up with girls at GCSE and outperforming them at A-Level. Are exam-heavy assessments, classroom policy and changing pressures on young people reshaping the results gap? This episode was recorded on the 20th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Children’s lungs recovered and the ULEZ haters went quiet | 19 août 2026 | 01:00:36 | |
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 life. Plus, new research suggests London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone has helped children’s lungs recover from the effects of pollution. So why did ULEZ provoke such extraordinary fury? This episode was recorded on the 19th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| We’ve normalised Donald Trump | 18 août 2026 | 00:58:37 | |
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 about Trump become quieter rather than louder? Have we become desensitised? Plus, as Wetherspoon bans customers from playing music on their phones in pubs, James asks: why don’t we feel shame about disturbing other people anymore? This episode was recorded on the 18th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Jason Arday: when scrutiny became a witch-hunt | 17 août 2026 | 01:03:59 | |
When does legitimate scrutiny become something crueler? James reflects on the death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday, the media frenzy surrounding the allegations against him, and whether the gleefulness of some commentary demands a reckoning. Plus, as Andy Burnham is minded to approve a North Sea gas field, can Labour support fossil-fuel jobs in the short term without abandoning its climate commitments? This episode was recorded on the 17th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can call the Samaritans for free, at any time, on 116 123. | |||
| The night Nigel Farage bottled it | 14 août 2026 | 00:55:59 | |
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 and a growing sense of humiliation. Plus, why do so many men think they could become Olympians? After a survey found that four in ten men believe they could qualify for the Olympics within two years, James explores confidence, delusion and the punishing reality of elite sport. This episode was recorded on the 14th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| The workers sent home without pay | 13 août 2026 | 00:56:24 | |
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, after new figures suggest Andy Burnham’s devolution push could drive 90,000 bankers and lawyers out of London, James asks why people relocate. What do you gain, lose or trade when you leave the capital? This episode was recorded on the 13th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| The truth about asylum seekers in our communities | 12 août 2026 | 01:00:05 | |
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 shortages, failing crops and more frequent floods. Then, after the Prime Minister says wealthier areas should house more asylum seekers, James hears from communities already doing just that and asks whether the debate has been distorted by fear and misinformation. This episode was recorded on the 12th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Should Andy Burnham decide when a killer deserves release? | 11 août 2026 | 00:57:56 | |
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, as the government looks for a way to prevent the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers, James asks whether public outrage should ever override the justice system. If the Prime Minister intervenes in one emotive case, where does it end? This episode was recorded on the 11th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Why are asylum seekers being treated like criminals? | 10 août 2026 | 01:00:29 | |
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 spilling dangerously into real life? Plus, what happens when the formative years of school, friendship and independence are replaced by isolation and screens? James explores the legacy of COVID for a generation now entering adulthood. This episode was recorded on the 10th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Why has the Jason Arday scandal exploded? | 07 août 2026 | 01:00:07 | |
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 captured such intense attention — and who else may pay the price. But first, Alan Milburn, who is leading a review into Britain’s youth worklessness crisis, says primary schools in England should be required to identify children at risk of leaving education at 16 without a job. Can the system really predict a child’s future when they’re five years old? This episode was recorded on the 7th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Britain's mental health crisis: why do so many people suffer in silence? | 06 août 2026 | 01:02:24 | |
Why is it still so hard to ask for help? James explores Andy Burnham’s pledge that “help is on the way”, with more than 150 new NHS mental health centres set to open. In today’s episode, incredible callers share their personal stories of struggle and recovery. Plus, after a former neo-Nazi withdrew as a Tory candidate for Somerset Council, Kemi Badenoch gave him an advisory role. Should forgiveness ever open the door to public office? This episode was recorded on the 6th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Who decides who belongs in a women’s toilet? | 05 août 2026 | 01:02:18 | |
New guidance on single-sex spaces has reignited the debate around trans rights, women’s safety and how the law could ever be enforced in practice. In today's episode James asks who gets to decide who belongs in a women’s toilet or changing room . Then, with PC Andrew Harper’s killers eligible for early release, James explores whether Andy Burnham should make an exception. Would that be justice, or a dangerous precedent in an overcrowded prison system? This episode was recorded on the 5th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Should a former neo-Nazi be allowed to stand for election? | 04 août 2026 | 00:58:23 | |
Can someone with a past as a neo-Nazi genuinely change and, if so, should they be allowed to stand for election? James examines Kemi Badenoch’s defence of a controversial Conservative candidate, and where society should draw the line on second chances. Plus: Britain’s prison system is full. As Burnham restricts early release for rapists, serious child sex offenders and groomers, James hears directly from former prisoners about what happens after release. What support do they need to prevent reoffending? This episode was recorded on the 4th of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Is Britain being gaslit about a wealth tax? | 03 août 2026 | 00:58:31 | |
What is school actually for? As Education Secretary Lucy Powell takes aim at a “schooling straitjacket”, James asks whether children are being tested too much - or whether testing is necessary to measure their success. Then, a new report suggests that nearly two-thirds of voters want Burnham to introduce a wealth tax on assets above £10 million. Why does asking the super-rich to contribute more remain controversial? Have we been gaslit into protecting wealth we will never possess? This episode was recorded on the 3rd of August. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Is Donald Trump the Boy Who Cried Wolf? | 31 juil. 2026 | 00:58:02 | |
Is Donald Trump bringing peace to Gaza, or simply claiming credit for something that has not happened yet? James examines a new US-led proposal, Israel’s telling silence, and the political forces that could still derail any agreement. Plus, TSB staff are preparing legal action after their new owner, Santander, insisted they return to the office for three days a week. Who should decide where you work: you or your boss? This episode was recorded on the 31st of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Climate change feels like a holiday — but at what cost? | 30 juil. 2026 | 00:54:21 | |
Can climate change make your life feel better while making the world worse? James confronts the uneasy appeal of hotter British summers and asks how we can hold both truths at once: enjoying a warm evening in the garden while recognising the catastrophic reality of climate change. Then, a challenging question about food. If organic eggs can have a bigger environmental footprint than caged ones, what does doing the “right” thing actually look like — and why aren’t more of us cutting down on meat and dairy? This episode was recorded on the 30th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Should Farage call the police on himself? | 29 juil. 2026 | 00:56:17 | |
In today’s episode, James dissects Andy Burnham’s speech on one of Britain’s most long-running crises: social care. Can the Prime Minister deliver the reform we have been waiting decades for? Plus, Green Party leader Zack Polanski has repeatedly refused to apologise to Nigel Farage over a reposted image of a guillotine T-shirt. Should Polanski say sorry — or does Farage’s response expose a glaring double standard in political language? This episode was recorded on the 29th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Why are we looking away while Europe burns? | 28 juil. 2026 | 01:00:40 | |
France and Spain are facing devastating wildfires, mass evacuations and extreme heat — but why are so many of us tempted to look away? In today's episode, James confronts climate anxiety, news avoidance and the human reality behind the headlines. Before that, an examination of Andy Burnham’s plans to give technical education greater status alongside academic learning. This episode was recorded on the 28th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| The 'dementia tax' destroyed Theresa May... but was she right? | 27 juil. 2026 | 01:04:16 | |
Burnham has said the NHS ‘will collapse’ without social care reform, but what should those changes look like? James hears about listeners’ experiences of care home costs, before asking why Britain still has no fair way to fund care. Did Theresa May have the right idea with her ‘dementia tax’? Then, James explores the growing number of young people who are too anxious to enter work, education or training. How can we help those who are frightened of the world take their first steps back into it? This episode was recorded on the 27th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Should Britain help Trump bomb Iran? | 24 juil. 2026 | 00:59:23 | |
Should Britain continue to support US military operations against Iran, even when Donald Trump seems unable to explain what victory looks like? Can Burnham refuse to join Trump's war without abandoning Britain's long-standing allies? Then, as the Prime Minister cuts business rates for pubs and clubs, what do we really mean when we talk about "working-class culture"? This episode was recorded on the 24th of July. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||