The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show

Alex Phillips sits in for Julia Hartley-Brewer, speaking to former Parachute Regiment major Andrew Fox about why No10 initially resisted US use of UK military bases to attack Iran. Celebrations erupted in Iran and across the world after Ayatollah Khameini and a host of significant Iranian regime officials were killed by strikes on Saturday morning. The regime has killed tens of thousands of its own citizens and maintained brutal, theocratic rule over Iran since a 1979 revolution brought them to power. American-Israeli military action has sparked debate about US intervention in the Middle East, whether this is ultimately in Western interests, the escalation risk, a power vacuum in Iran, and potential terror attacks by Shiite Muslims.Four US servicemen have been killed so far, and three American jets have been shot down by friendly fire.Donald Trump wanted to use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and the Chagos Islands' Diego Garcia to affect regime change and dismantle its nuclear and missile facilities. Having made it clear they would deny the president's request, the Labour government eventually shifted position as UK assets and personnel came under threat - but emphasised that any UK involvement would be "defensive".Andrew and Alex assess how this decision reflects on the UK prime minister. They also discuss Iran’s missile capabilities, interception rates across the Gulf, resupply pressures, and how long the current tempo of operations can be sustained — as well as the likelihood of Russia or China escalating support for their ally in the region. Later, barrister Natasha Hausdorff, legal director of UK Lawyers for Israel, responds to arguments that Donald Trump's strikes violated international law.She weighs Lord Wolfson’s critique of the Attorney General Lord Hermer's approach, examining how self-defence and the wider regional conflict framework are being interpreted by "the West's detractors". She ultimately justifies the strikes. Also: whether the UN is playing a credible role, and what the conflagration means for the UK–US "special relationship" and Britain’s national security.Alex Phillips is stepping in for Julia Hartley-Brewer until Friday 6th March.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

The Green Party claims its first ever Westminster by-election win, in Labour's 38th safest seat: Gorton & Denton. Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by journalist and commentator Henry Hill to break down the political aftershocks: Labour pushed into third, Reform in second, the Conservatives losing their deposit, and what this says about Keir Starmer’s strategy and the future of two-party politics.Talk reporter Samara Gill brings on-the-ground reporting from Manchester as Green figures celebrate, detailing the mood on the ground — from younger, left-leaning voters to a significant Muslim vote — and the arguments now swirling around community politics and campaign tactics, that included a Green party video in Urdu. Then Green Party activist and Birkbeck University academic Dr Ashok Kumar goes head-to-head with Julia on why the Greens won, whether “bread-and-butter” policies mattered more than foreign policy - the Greens made their policy on Gaza central - and how the party responds to allegations about sectarian campaigning, Urdu-language materials, and claims of “family voting” and electoral integrity raised by observers. Also: the latest on the defacing of Winston Churchill’s statue in Parliament Square, after a man spray painted "zionist war criminal" on it.

Trevor Kavanagh, former political editor of The Sun, joins Julia Hartley-Brewer to dissect the latest immigration and asylum figures — and the continued public anger at the gap between political spin and what people can see happening on Britain’s borders.Ministers may point to a fall in work, study and family visas, a small dip in asylum claims, and fewer asylum seekers in hotels — but Julia and Trevor ask the blunt question: what does “control” look like when illegal migrants are still arriving in large numbers, with small boats surging as soon as the weather improves? Trevor argues that a government’s first duty is to defend the country — and that Britain has become a destination of choice, with taxpayers left funding accommodation, food and healthcare for people who entered unlawfully.Trevor also gives his take on two other flashpoints driving distrust in politics: the murky fallout from the Mandelson arrest story, and the uncertainty around the Chagos Islands deal — including whether Britain really will hand over sovereign territory and then pay to lease back a strategic military base.Then Jamie Jenkins, former ONS statistician, explains what the data actually shows behind the headlines: year-to-date increases in Channel crossings, the scale of asylum claims, how many are granted at first decision versus on appeal, and why “fewer hotel rooms” doesn’t necessarily mean fewer claimants — with many simply moved into other accommodation that is still funded by the state.Finally, Julia and Jamie turn to the other crisis hiding in plain sight: the NHS. With spending having doubled over recent years, why aren’t outcomes improving? Jamie lays out the real pressure points — an ageing population (including a projected surge in over-75s), inefficiency, broken processes, and why digitisation and better productivity may matter as much as extra funding.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM.Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

Tom Slater, editor of spiked, joins Julia Hartley-Brewer to slam the Green Party’s policy programme — and why it’s the ultimate “gift” to anyone arguing Britain needs common sense back in politics.Julia and Tom break down proposals that would effectively wipe out the idea of “illegal migrants” — including instant access to public services, the right to work with no restrictions, and, most controversially, the promise of a free house (or private room) and a taxpayer-funded basic living wage with no requirement to work or even look for work. Julia brands it “sixth-form politics” dressed up as compassion — warning it would supercharge pull factors while Britons already struggle with housing, jobs, school places and falling living standards.They also tackle the bigger picture: the political double standard where mainstream views on borders and safety are smeared as “extreme” — while genuinely radical ideas are waved through.Then Julia is joined by Karl Turner MP (Labour, Hull East) for an equally blunt conversation about accountability and the justice system. Karl Turner reacts to the extraordinary developments around Lord Mandelson’s arrest connected to allegations relating to Jeffrey Epstein (Mandelson denies wrongdoing and has not been charged), and questions the secrecy around what the public is allowed to know.And on Labour’s plan to curb jury trials for most offences, Turner calls it “outrageous”, says it won’t fix court delays, and warns it risks ripping up a hard-won safeguard dating back to Magna Carta — with a serious Commons rebellion brewing.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM.Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

In this episode of The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show, Julia is joined by Lord Foulkes (Labour peer and former minister under Tony Blair) and Brendan O’Neill (Chief Political Writer at Spiked) to unpack the growing political storm around Peter Mandelson's arrest last night in connection with the wider Jeffrey Epstein fallout. He was released on bail in the early hours of the morning. With Mandelson denying wrongdoing and there being no confirmed charges, the focus turns to Keir Starmer's political judgement in appointing Mandelson in the first place. Does Britain operate with one rule for the powerful and another for everyone else? Julia argues the story now lands squarely on Keir Starmer, because it raises questions about why someone with controversial associations was elevated to a senior diplomatic role — and what ministers and security vetting may have known.The episode also ranges across Reform UK’s immigration and ECHR stance, proposals to restrict the Burka and other face coverings, and the Gorton & Denton by-election, including controversy over campaigning in languages other than English - namely Urdu, appealing to British-Pakistani voters - and the rise of sectarian-style politics.

Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by conservative commentator Benedict Spence and The New Statesman’s Oli Dugmore for a no-holds-barred deep dive into the stories dominating Britain. First: the latest Prince Andrew fallout — the scandal, the whispers inside royal circles, and what it means for the monarchy’s judgement and future.Then: Reform UK’s hardline border proposals, including an ICE-style enforcement unit, mass deportations, visa bans for countries that won’t take people back, and the row over “restoring Britain’s Christian heritage”. Plus: the Whitechapel flashpoint that’s gone viral — a Christian preacher, angry complaints outside a mosque, and a police officer’s blunt reminder: “This is Britain” and free speech cuts both ways.

Prince Andrew’s arrest sends shockwaves through the Royal Family — and raises urgent questions about what happened, who knew, and what comes next. Host Peter Cardwell is joined by The Sun’s Thomas Godfrey from Sandringham and former Head of Royal Protection Dai Davies to unpack the police investigation, what “misconduct in public office” really means, and whether royal protection officers could face scrutiny too.

Robert Jenrick MP, Reform UK’s shadow chancellor, and Dai Davies, former head of Royal protection, come on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss remarkable breaking news at the start of Julia’s broadcast - that Andrew had been arrested at the Sandringham Estate for misconduct in public office. Andrew denies wrongdoing and has not yet been charged - as of the time of publishing. King Charles has released a statement saying ‘the law must take its course’.The continued release of the Epstein files have unveiled the extent of his relationship with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. E-mail exchanges between the pair reveal that Andrew handed over sensitive documents to Mr Epstein in his role as trade envoy to the British government. He is currently being investigated by NINE separate police forces throughout the country. Also: Robert Jenrick reacts to a Talk exclusive - the news that various British Chaggossians have been served an eviction notice after landing on the island in protest at Britain’s deal. Keir Starmer had agreed to give away the islands and lease back the Diego Garcia military base. American president Donald Trump has flip-flopped on his support for the deal. And Robert Jenrick reacts to a BBC investigation into rape gangs in London. Sadiq Khan has previously denied any awareness of systemic grooming in the capital, despite their prevalence in other parts of the country such as Rotherham.  Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, former Conservative government minister, comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss why he agrees with Reform MP Robert Jenrick's economic plan to cut welfare to get the economy back on track. Their conversation comes on a day when inflation fell to 3% and unemployment for 16-24 year olds rose to 16.1%. The youth unemployment rate is the highest since 2020 and worse than the EU average - precipitating a crisis that could have ramifications for decades, as unemployment when you're young makes future work less likely. Meanwhile, Robert Jenrick MP, newly announced Treasury spokesman for Reform, made a major speech to the city. He confirmed Reform would maintain Bank of England independence, maintain the Office for Budget Responsibility and would crackdown on wasteful spending. He vowed to “defuse the benefits bomb”, including by reinstating the two child benefit cap and mandating in-person assessment for sickness or disability payments.The speech came hot on the heels of the announcement that inflation had dropped to 3% - a rare piece of good news for the shambolic chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves. Shortly after Robert Jenrick's speech, it appeared there was disagreement between Mr Jenrick and Nigel Farage. Robert Jenrick vowed to maintain the triple lock on state pensions, whereas Nigel Farage said it was "open to debate".Also: How Sir Jacob would promote family-living, including by instating transferable tax allowances, and why it is a "tragedy" that 300,000 people were aborted last year.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.