PoliticsJOE Podcast

Scott Lucas is an academic and expert in US politics and foreign policy. He joined us to break down the aftermath of Donald Trump's move to kidnap Nicolás Maduro over the weekend.In a wide ranging conversation, Lucas breaks down the new global order that the Trump administration is forcing into place, what the Venezuela coup means, and whether the US is marking the end of their era of global domination.

Andy Twelves is a writer and commentator, and joined Seán to chat about the battle the Labour Party has ahead in winning back support from their traditional base, after bleeding support to Reform UK since their election victory.

Seán and Laura swap hard political analysis for crystal balls as they set out to predict the big stories of 2026; from Trump and the fate of NATO to who could topple Starmer.

Today we're back to the grindstone reacting to another Wednesday in the House of Commons, where today Keir Starmer batted down questions of foreign policy from the leader of the opposition.

Happy New Year. Seán and Laura return to discuss 2026's blistering start, from US strikes in Venezuela and the capture of President Maduro to X's Grok and its use to create explicit images of women and children.

We sat down with Children's Minister Josh MacAlister to hear about the government's launch of a new Child Protection Authority. In a wide-ranging conversation, MacAlister tells us about his role, the mess the Labour government inherited from the Conservatives, and how to properly address the needs of victims.

As another year draws to a close, we are joined for another therapy session by none other than Ian Hislop.The editor of Private Eye took time out of his busy schedule to run through the insanity that has been the year in politics.From the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform and Zack Polanski's Green Party, to the complete and utter collapse in support for Keir Starmer's Labour government, this year in British politics gives ample ground for Ian to reflect on the year that has been.Elsewhere the royals have had a year to forget with Andrew losing all of his titles for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Another Epstein link had Britain's Ambassador to the US lose his job, even though Peter Mandelson certainly had a mutual friend with Donald Trump through his meetings with the New York financier.Ian also gives his take on how the fiasco that was the founding of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's Your Party, and how Donald Trump has managed to alienate the globe by throwing the might of the White House around on the world stage.

Welcome to the final PMQs podcast of the season! Today Keir Starmer came under fire for two ongoing strikes: The resident doctor strikes set to go ahead in the run up to Christmas, and the ongoing hunger strikes in British prisons.

Yesterday, Keir Starmer defended his record in government before the Liaison Committee. Ava and Laura check his report card.