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Peter York's Culture Wars House Party
David Aaronovitch on Conspiracy Theories, the New Culture Wars and the BBC
Season 2, Ep. 11
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David Aaronovitch is, in many people’s minds, the classic Hampstead political commentator: half‑Jewish, wholly metropolitan, former long‑time Times columnist and the calmly forensic voice of Radio 4’s The Briefing Room. From the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and Henry Ford’s obsessions to today’s influencer‑economy cranks who monetise paranoia online, David traces what really motivates conspiracy theories, how they’ve evolved – and where simple denial shades into something darker.
From there, we wander through the new right‑wing networks and their culture‑war franchises: Matt Goodwin’s controversial picture of who ‘the elite’ really are, Viktor Orbán’s well-funded internationals, Nigel Farage’s theological policy guru and the grand narratives about ‘the war on Western civilisation’, migration, ULEZ, cyclists, feminism, low birth rates and Israel–Palestine that all add grist to the Culture Wars mill.
Along the way we touch on BBC cuts – whether David will keep his job - and whether the Corporation is still worth fighting for. And why, in 2026 it’s hard work being reasonable.
Please do check out my latest book, A Dead Cat On Your Table – available online and in all good book shops.
@peteryork.bsky.social
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