The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show

Former Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell joins Julia Hartley-Brewer for his verdict on the latest junior doctors’ strike — and why Wes Streeting must not give in again. After last year’s 29% pay deal, the BMA is now demanding another 26%, with strike action already costing the NHS an estimated £3 billion since 2023. Dorrell warns that every Health Secretary eventually learns the same lesson about the BMA, and says ministers must stand firm on what is rational, affordable and fair. Julia also takes aim at the absurdity of using 2008 as the benchmark for “full pay restoration”, arguing public service pay contributed to the unsustainable economic environment that contributed to the 2008 financial crash.Also: Tom Slater joins Julia to take on a wider story of national decline — from a student loan system that traps young people in spiralling debt, to a university conveyor belt producing too many costly degrees and too few British-trained doctors. Why are bright young people being locked out of medical school while the political class pretends immigration is the only answer?And then there’s the collapse of law and order. Julia reacts to the case of a Waitrose worker sacked for confronting a shoplifter, and asks why decent employees are punished while thieves are effectively given free rein. Plus: should Kanye West be banned from performing at Wireless after his antisemitic outbursts, or is Britain once again applying totally inconsistent rules depending on who says what? And finally, a rare note of optimism as Julia and Tom celebrate the Artemis 2 mission and the spirit of exploration that still lifts humanity above the daily grind of broken Britain.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.

Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by Brendan O’Neill, Chief Political Writer at Spiked, to react to Trump’s latest Iran address to the nation, a row over Nato after he threatened to leave it, and the claim from much of the Left that this is an “unprovoked war”. They argue that Iran’s regime has already destabilised the region, that Britain cannot pretend the crisis has nothing to do with us, and that UK households will feel the pain through rising oil prices, market shocks and higher bills.They also take aim at Starmer’s instinct to answer every crisis with warmer ties to Brussels, asking whether Labour is using global instability to push Britain back towards the EU by the back door. And as Rachel Reeves reportedly rethinks North Sea drilling, Julia and Brendan expose how Net Zero dogma has left Britain dangerously vulnerable, less energy secure and more exposed to global shocks.Also: fury over an ITV drama about Elizabeth I reportedly seeking a trans actor for the lead role, sparking a row about woke revisionism, women’s erasure and the rewriting of British history. And after two nights of chaos in Clapham, they ask how Sadiq Khan can still claim London is safe. From weak policing and disappearing discipline to absent fathers, failing schools and a justice system too timid to punish bad behaviour, Julia and Brendan debate what is driving Britain’s growing sense of disorder.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 says Britain is “ahead of the game” on the cost of living — while families face rising fuel, energy, rent and tax bills.In this episode, Julia Hartley-Brewer dissects the Prime Minister’s latest press conference, his vague five-point plan, and Labour’s failure to explain how ordinary working people are meant to cope with the economic shock caused by the Iran conflict and threats to the Strait of Hormuz. As Donald Trump sends mixed messages on oil, NATO and America’s role in the region, Julia asks the key question: is Starmer showing strength, or simply drift?Julia is joined by Claire Pearsall to discuss soaring household costs, Ed Miliband’s energy promises, tax on fuel, and why so much of Labour’s “help” seems designed for Westminster talking points rather than real life in Britain.And former detective and Rochdale whistleblower Maggie Oliver gives her verdict on the long-awaited grooming gangs inquiry. She warns that survivors are still being failed, accountability is still missing, and the authorities responsible for years of cover-ups may once again escape justice. If this inquiry does not lead to prosecutions, reform and the truth about ethnicity, culture and institutional failure, what exactly is the point?Also: Julia reacts to the BBC’s handling of serious allegations surrounding star presenter Scott Mills, questions elite double standards after Tiger Woods’ latest car crash scandal, and dismisses the anti-space hysteria around Artemis II and the mission to the moon.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 is under pressure over the long-delayed national grooming gangs inquiry, after years of dismissing calls for a full investigation as “far right”. Now, with Baroness Anne Longfield’s terms of reference finally published, serious questions remain over whether the inquiry will truly uncover the full scale of one of Britain’s darkest scandals.In this episode, Julia Hartley-Brewer speaks to former Sun political editor Trevor Kavanagh and Rotherham grooming gang survivor and campaigner Sammy Woodhouse, who gives a harrowing first-hand account of the abuse she suffered, the institutional failures that let it happen, and the political class’s refusal to face the truth.Sammy warns that the scandal is not confined to a handful of northern towns, but is happening across the UK, with children still being failed by police, councils, social workers and politicians. She and Trevor both argue that unless the inquiry squarely addresses the role of ethnicity, culture and religion — and the fear of being called racist or Islamophobic — it will fail victims yet again.Julia also tackles the wider establishment crisis: from Labour’s handling of NHS strike threats to the continuing failure to scrap non-crime hate incidents and rein in Britain’s “thought police”.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.

As oil and gas prices jump following the Iran crisis, Julia Hartley-Brewer why it feels like Labour is rewarding dependents while punishing the people who get up early, go to work and pay the bills. Sir Iain Duncan Smith joins Julia to tear into the row over MPs receiving a £3,300 ‘cost-of-living payment’, a 6.2% increase in benefits and the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap. He argues ministers could give immediate relief by cutting fuel duty and energy taxes, and says Britain is mad to sit on North Sea oil and gas while importing more expensive energy from abroad. IDS also takes aim at Ed Miliband’s net zero agenda, calls out the “medicalising” of anxiety and depression, and warns the welfare bill is spiralling as more adults and children are classed as disabled. He also backs a ban on first-cousin marriage, saying the health risks are too serious to ignore.Then Baroness Kate Hoey says Labour is losing touch with the strivers who keep the country going. With pump prices rising, fears of fuel rationing growing and family budgets already stretched, she says ministers are making life harder for workers while chasing green fantasies. Hoey also warns that Keir Starmer’s EU reset is a Brexit betrayal in slow motion, with the proposed youth mobility scheme amounting to free movement by the back door.Also: Hoey questions the unanswered issues surrounding Morgan McSweeney’s missing phone, says Starmer’s judgement over Peter Mandelson raises serious concerns, and argues Red Wall voters will not forgive a government that hikes costs, weakens borders and edges Britain back towards Brussels.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.

On today’s show with Alex Phillips: the extraordinary row over Morgan McSweeney’s allegedly stolen phone, the missing messages linked to Peter Mandelson, and the growing suspicion that Labour’s version of events simply does not stack up. Former Conservative adviser James Price joins Alex to ask: why were conflicting details reportedly given to police, why was such a sensitive device seemingly treated so casually, and why does every new Labour scandal come wrapped in yet another convenient explanation?Also: fury over reports that Sir Sadiq Khan could be heading to the House of Lords. After years of criticism over knife crime, policing, transport and London’s wider decline, Alex asks whether a peerage would be a reward for failure, or a tactical move to shore up support in a fracturing Labour party. With politics shifting to populist parties and Labour facing pressure on multiple fronts, can the government do anything to prevent voters flocking to other parties?And former Sun political editor Trevor Cavanagh joins the show for a hard-hitting discussion on illegal migration, small boats, border control and the public anger over crimes committed by people who should never have been allowed into the country in the first place. They discuss why Britain still seems unable — or unwilling — to defend its borders, protect its streets and tell the truth about the consequences. 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.

Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove joins Philip Ingram on Talk War for a hard-hitting conversation on the global security crises reshaping the world.From the escalating confrontation with Iran and Donald Trump’s response, to growing pressure on NATO, the threat from Russia and China, and serious questions over whether Britain is prepared for modern conflict, this episode tackles the biggest defence and intelligence issues facing the UK and the West.Philip Ingram, former senior British military intelligence officer, and Sir Richard Dearlove dig into:the latest tensions involving Iran, the US and the Strait of Hormuzwhether further American military action is likelythe reality of the UK’s military readinessdefence spending, missile defence and Britain’s vulnerabilitiesthe intelligence relationship between the UK and the USthe threat posed by the IRGCpolitical leadership, national resilience and the future of British securityIf you want sharp analysis on war, geopolitics, intelligence, defence policy and national security, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Listen now to Talk War with Philip Ingram.

Labour MP Karl Turner tells Julia Hartley-Brewer he simply does not believe Morgan McSweeney’s missing phone story adds up. Turner says the explanation “won’t wash”, compares it to the worst Westminster excuses of recent years, and admits the entire saga reflects badly on the Prime Minister’s judgement.Former senior military intelligence officer Philip Ingram also warns that any loss of a device used by the Prime Minister’s chief of staff raises serious national security questions. If sensitive contacts, messages or political discussions were on that phone, he says, investigators should already have carried out a full risk assessment and mitigation exercise.McSweeney reported a phone theft to police. Downing Street says any suggestion the incident was linked to the humble address over Peter Mandelson is “categorically untrue”, and insists the government will comply in full.Also: "Will the real Prime Minister please stand up?" Julia asks whether Ed Miliband is undermining the PM's authority as Labour refuses to back more North Sea oil and gas licences, even with conflict in the Middle East placing pressure on prices. Turner says we should be using Britain’s natural resources.And on migration and asylum, Turner concedes the system is failing, deportations are not happening, and taxpayers are still footing the bill for soaring numbers of asylum seekers in hotels and other accommodation. 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.

Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by former Conservative government adviser Claire Pearsall for a wide-ranging discussion on the biggest political stories of the day.In this episode, Julia and Claire debate:whether working families could end up subsidising another energy bailoutthe impact of the Iran crisis on oil prices, gas supplies and household billswarnings that the British Army is now too small to defend UK interests effectivelyconcerns over Britain’s defence spending, recruitment and military readinessthe latest on the Golders Green ambulance arson attack and the arrests madecriticism of London Mayor Sadiq Khan for failing to visit the scenequestions around social media restrictions and device limits for teenagersWes Streeting’s latest NHS reform plans and falling public confidence in the health serviceanger over failures in handling a meningitis outbreakA sharp, outspoken look at energy policy, national security, law and order, and the state of Britain’s public services.