The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show

As Donald Trump dismisses soaring energy costs as a “very small price to pay”, the West is bracing for surging oil prices — and UK households are in the firing line, with higher prices for electricity, heating, petrol, airfare, and more.With disruption in the Strait of Hormuz (a critical route for roughly a fifth of the world’s oil), some analysts warn crude could surge towards $150 a barrel, with extreme scenarios even higher if disruption is prolonged.Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by Conservative MP and former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, who argues all Keir Starmer has done is leave Britain less popular with our allies— while reports of a “humbling” call with Trump raise fresh questions about Labour’s standing with Britain’s biggest security partner. Tugendhat also warns the UK’s hollowed-out military capability is now impossible to ignore, as questions swirl around the protection of the Cyprus base, the lack of a Royal Navy presence in the region, and the reality that moving even a single ship has become a Prime Minister-level decision because of our scarce resources.Plus, Julia speaks to Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Israeli Foreign Ministry Special Envoy, on Iran’s leadership, the threat posed by the regime and its proxies, and why she believes the West cannot treat this as “someone else’s problem” even as families at home face higher bills.Also: the King’s planned visit to the US, the fraying Trump–Starmer dynamic, and calls to ban a pro-Iran march in the UK amid renewed scrutiny of the IRGC.

Day seven of the Middle East conflict raises fresh questions about UK readiness at home and abroad. From Dubai, Isabel Oakeshott describes daily life under periodic alerts, assesses Iran’s degraded drone/missile capability, and warns of potential IRGC-linked reprisals — as counter-terror police arrest four suspects over alleged links to Iranian intelligence and surveillance of London’s Jewish community. Back in Westminster, Keir Starmer faces criticism over Britain’s posture, the strained Atlantic relationship, and mixed messaging to allies in the Gulf. Former Army chief Lord Richard Dannatt sets out how decades of underinvestment have hollowed out UK capability — from warship readiness to the protection of our bases in Cyprus and Bahrain. He also argues deterrence that against Russia, and support for Ukraine, remains a central priority.

Alex Phillips, sitting in for Julia Hartley-Brewer, discusses reports that Middle East allies are angry about the Labour government’s handling of the conflict in Iran. Questions continue over the UK’s military posture, the security of British bases overseas, and reports that cabinet minister Ed Miliband advised Keir Starmer against allowing the US to use UK bases, leading to Keir Starmer’s initial refusal to allow the US to use them to launch strikes on Iran.  On this episode, Brendan O’Neill argues the UK should stand “shoulder to shoulder” with our allies and confront the Iranian regime’s role in the conflict. Rear Admiral Chris Parry assesses the state of UK defence capability, including the readiness of our Type 45 destroyers, threats in the Strait of Hormuz, and the wider global implications for energy security and deterrence. Former Defence Secretary Sir Liam Fox then discusses the UK’s role in the world, the Chagos/Diego Garcia issue, and concerns raised by allies in Washington and the Gulf.Also: UK’s rules of engagement, RAF Akrotiri and RAF Fairford, IRGC proscription, regional energy risk, and whether Britain is becoming “irrelevant and invisible” on the international stage. 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

Alex Phillips, sitting in for Julia Hartley-Brewer, is joined by former senior military intelligence officer Philip Ingram to assess the UK Government’s handling of the US/Israeli strikes on Iran, and what he calls an incoherent, domestically driven approach that risks weakening UK leverage with Washington. The pair unpick reports that HMS Dragon’s deployment towards Cyprus has been delayed, what that implies about our military’s readiness, and the exposure of British bases including Akrotiri as regional tensions escalate. Then, Shadow Attorney General Lord Wolfson sets out why he believes the Government’s legal posture is strategically inconsistent and is being used as political cover - giving detail on Starmer’s “international law” defence. And former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe argues decades of defence neglect are now playing out in real time — with the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important transit routes for energy supplies, and maritime security once again at the centre of the crisis.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.

Keir Starmer faces fierce criticism after refusing to back US action against Iran — and then allowing limited “defensive” use of UK-US bases. As Donald Trump accuses the Prime Minister of weakness and political pandering to the Muslim vote, Alex Phillips’ considers whether Keir Starmer is dithering and hiding behind international law. Mark Littlewood (Director of Popular Conservatism) weighs in on UK military capability, the threat from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and whether Britain can afford to sit on the fence. Military analyst Elliot Wilson examines what the US and Israel can realistically achieve in Iran — from dismantling its nuclear capability to the risks and unknowns of regime change. And Peter Hitchens issues a stark warning about another Middle East war and the economic damage a wider conflict could inflict.Also: what this crisis could mean for oil and gas prices, Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, and the growing backlash against Ed Miliband’s energy policy as he is urged to scrap a fuel duty hike amid spiking oil and gas prices.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.

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.