60 acast.com The Lowdown from Nick Cohen https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181263 en © 2024 The Lowdown from Nick Cohen Nick Cohen
Each week, leading commentator Nick Cohen talks to the country's leading movers and shakers - to cut the through much of the drivel and commentary that passes for so much political discourse these days. Nick - a long-term columnist for The Observer and The Spectator - will be attempting to make sense of our ever stranger and troubling world with insightful politicians,  journalists and authors. Our mission is to help keep you sane! So please get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen and subscribe to his Substack column - Writing from London.

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]]>
Each week, leading commentator Nick Cohen talks to the country's leading movers and shakers - to cut the through much of the drivel and commentary that passes for so much political discourse these days. Nick - a long-term columnist for The Observer and The Spectator - will be attempting to make sense of our ever stranger and troubling world with insightful politicians,  journalists and authors. Our mission is to help keep you sane! So please get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen and subscribe to his Substack column - Writing from London.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Nick Cohen info+65c3f459afd19a0016246659@mg-eu.acast.com 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2181263.rss episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/65c3f459afd19a0016246659/show-cover.jpg https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181263 The Lowdown from Nick Cohen https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/65c3f459afd19a0016246659 <![CDATA[Ep 28: The Left's failure to confront the Trumpism menace with writer Matt Johnson]]> Sun, 04 Feb 2024 11:00:00 GMT 40:11 Buzzsprout-14435051 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d955 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d955 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 28 Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown  from US journalist and author Matt Johnson on the threat posed - yet again - by Donald Trump and his deranged far right MAGA cult that has captured the Republican Party.

Matt - @mattjj89 - the author of  How Hitchens can save the Left, explains how there is little evidence so far of a  tangible centre-left coalition to confront Trump - who is a dead cert to be  the Republicans' nomination to run for the presidency in 2024, despite facing 91 felony charges.. 

Incredibly, despite trying to overturn the result of the 2020 general election and provoking the January 6th insurrection, Trump is running against the incumbent Joe Biden who is 80 now and will be 86 were he to survive a second stint in the White House.

Trump himself is 78 but exudes a certain demonic energy in comparison with Biden whose age and unpopular running mate, Vice-President Harris Kamala Harris, could prove to be telling factors counting against a successful re-run.

Nick asks  Matt what can be done to save the US and the world from the undoubted calamity of a second Trump  presidency?

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown  from US journalist and author Matt Johnson on the threat posed - yet again - by Donald Trump and his deranged far right MAGA cult that has captured the Republican Party.

Matt - @mattjj89 - the author of  How Hitchens can save the Left, explains how there is little evidence so far of a  tangible centre-left coalition to confront Trump - who is a dead cert to be  the Republicans' nomination to run for the presidency in 2024, despite facing 91 felony charges.. 

Incredibly, despite trying to overturn the result of the 2020 general election and provoking the January 6th insurrection, Trump is running against the incumbent Joe Biden who is 80 now and will be 86 were he to survive a second stint in the White House.

Trump himself is 78 but exudes a certain demonic energy in comparison with Biden whose age and unpopular running mate, Vice-President Harris Kamala Harris, could prove to be telling factors counting against a successful re-run.

Nick asks  Matt what can be done to save the US and the world from the undoubted calamity of a second Trump  presidency?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ep 27: Breaking the Brexit Taboo with Professor Chris Grey Ep 27: Breaking the Brexit Taboo with Professor Chris Grey Sun, 28 Jan 2024 13:00:00 GMT 42:17 Buzzsprout-14390985 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d956 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d956 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 27 Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown on the UK's greatest taboo - the ever-deepening Brexit crisis - from Chris Grey, emeritus Professor @RoyalHolloway, and author of the highly-regarded and must-read blog,  Brexit and beyond.

Extra Brexit food checks come in from next week - threatening food price rises and shortages. Meanwhile, the Tories fail to get one of its promised "Canada-style free trade agreements" with Canada!

Every week, @chrisgreybrexit - also author of the book  Brexit Unfolded  - exposes the many absurdities, lies and disasters of the Brexit Britain clown show and explains how the Brexiteers' preposterous promises were never remotely deliverable and were always likely to cause huge damage to the UK's economy and standing in the world. For example,  we should now be seeing the Silicon Valley of the East End's Hoxton - as promised by @DanielJHannan. Er...where is it?

Both Chris and Nick lament the chronic failure of the BBC and other MSM to hold to account the charlatans like Hannan , Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage who mis-sold Brexit. 

But how can Labour handle the Brexit mess they are set to inherit when so many people who voted for it refuse to accept the mayhem they were conned into inflicting on all of us?

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown on the UK's greatest taboo - the ever-deepening Brexit crisis - from Chris Grey, emeritus Professor @RoyalHolloway, and author of the highly-regarded and must-read blog,  Brexit and beyond.

Extra Brexit food checks come in from next week - threatening food price rises and shortages. Meanwhile, the Tories fail to get one of its promised "Canada-style free trade agreements" with Canada!

Every week, @chrisgreybrexit - also author of the book  Brexit Unfolded  - exposes the many absurdities, lies and disasters of the Brexit Britain clown show and explains how the Brexiteers' preposterous promises were never remotely deliverable and were always likely to cause huge damage to the UK's economy and standing in the world. For example,  we should now be seeing the Silicon Valley of the East End's Hoxton - as promised by @DanielJHannan. Er...where is it?

Both Chris and Nick lament the chronic failure of the BBC and other MSM to hold to account the charlatans like Hannan , Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage who mis-sold Brexit. 

But how can Labour handle the Brexit mess they are set to inherit when so many people who voted for it refuse to accept the mayhem they were conned into inflicting on all of us?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 26: The Post Office scandal & the curse of British managerialism with economist Chris Dillow]]> Sun, 21 Jan 2024 22:00:00 GMT 32:32 Buzzsprout-14349690 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d957 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d957 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 26 Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from Chris Dillow, the economist, and author of the Stumbling and Mumbling blog.

Chris -  @CJFDillow - is a keen commentator on  British managerialism - the curse of incompetence and privileged entitlement that led to the Post Office scandal and blights much of modern Britain today.

Chris explains how modern Britain seems to reject competent management - opting instead for psychopaths and incompetents - often a combination of the two - who practise "managerialism" rather than efficient management that prioritises the good over bad.

All too often, today's hirers prize over-confidence - preferably relayed with private school tones - over quietly stated and competent management.  

The result is a UK - beset by management scandals - where nothing seems to work. 


Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from Chris Dillow, the economist, and author of the Stumbling and Mumbling blog.

Chris -  @CJFDillow - is a keen commentator on  British managerialism - the curse of incompetence and privileged entitlement that led to the Post Office scandal and blights much of modern Britain today.

Chris explains how modern Britain seems to reject competent management - opting instead for psychopaths and incompetents - often a combination of the two - who practise "managerialism" rather than efficient management that prioritises the good over bad.

All too often, today's hirers prize over-confidence - preferably relayed with private school tones - over quietly stated and competent management.  

The result is a UK - beset by management scandals - where nothing seems to work. 


Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 25: Crimes against humanity, lies & misinformation in the Gaza conflict with Daniella Peled]]> Sun, 14 Jan 2024 18:00:00 GMT 30:21 Buzzsprout-14306835 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d958 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d958 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from Daniella Peled, Managing Editor of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, on the terrible conflict in Gaza .

At a time when South Africa is bringing its genocide case against israel before the International Court of Justice, Daniella discusses with Nick the allegations of Israel's war crimes as well as the crimes committed by Hamas on October 7th. 

Daniella talks about the extreme political voices in Israel today and the impact these are having on the current conflict in Gaza and on the region. Truth is often said to be the first casualty of war. So, what roles are misinformation and lies playing in the current conflict?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from Daniella Peled, Managing Editor of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, on the terrible conflict in Gaza .

At a time when South Africa is bringing its genocide case against israel before the International Court of Justice, Daniella discusses with Nick the allegations of Israel's war crimes as well as the crimes committed by Hamas on October 7th. 

Daniella talks about the extreme political voices in Israel today and the impact these are having on the current conflict in Gaza and on the region. Truth is often said to be the first casualty of war. So, what roles are misinformation and lies playing in the current conflict?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ep 24: How the Radical Right of Reform could destroy the Tories - with Rob Ford Ep 24: How the Radical Right of Reform could destroy the Tories - with Rob Ford Sun, 07 Jan 2024 22:00:00 GMT 51:29 Buzzsprout-14266793 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d959 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d959 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 24
Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from Professor Rob Ford of Manchester University on the epic civil war looming in a 2024 general election on the radical right of British politics between the Tories and Nigel Farage's latest vehicle for fantasy politics - Reform.

Brexit, Liz Truss, crippling interest rate rises, a flat-lining economy  with booming immigration, and the cost of living crisis are just a few of the disasters visited on the UK by the radical right since the 2016 EU referendum.

Rob explains the differences between the far right right and the radical right. Rob, a leading academic and author of Revolt on the Right, explains how the Tories are caught on the horns of a dilemma. 

Do the Tories continue apeing Faragist politics and continue to alienate traditional middle class Tory voters in the key battlegrounds of the Home Counties? Or do they try to tack to the centre and upset the ageing crackpots in their constituency parties and their Red Wall working class one-time Brexit supporters?  Are they in danger of alienating both groups and everyone else in between?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>
Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from Professor Rob Ford of Manchester University on the epic civil war looming in a 2024 general election on the radical right of British politics between the Tories and Nigel Farage's latest vehicle for fantasy politics - Reform.

Brexit, Liz Truss, crippling interest rate rises, a flat-lining economy  with booming immigration, and the cost of living crisis are just a few of the disasters visited on the UK by the radical right since the 2016 EU referendum.

Rob explains the differences between the far right right and the radical right. Rob, a leading academic and author of Revolt on the Right, explains how the Tories are caught on the horns of a dilemma. 

Do the Tories continue apeing Faragist politics and continue to alienate traditional middle class Tory voters in the key battlegrounds of the Home Counties? Or do they try to tack to the centre and upset the ageing crackpots in their constituency parties and their Red Wall working class one-time Brexit supporters?  Are they in danger of alienating both groups and everyone else in between?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 23: Praying for Tory wipe-out in 2024 with author & historian James Hawes]]> Mon, 25 Dec 2023 01:00:00 GMT 43:22 Buzzsprout-14201025 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95a 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95a 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 23 Nick Cohen gets the end of the year Lowdown from author, historian and novelist James Hawes as both contemplate the prospects of a general election in 2024.

The last 13-14 years of Tory misrule has brought the successive disasters of austerity, Brexit, Boris Johnson, the Great Covid Bungle,  Lettuce Truss , the  so called Cost of Living Crisis, a crisis hugely exacerbated by Brexit. The list goes on and on - but Nick and James hope that won't apply to the Tories.

Nick is more hopeful of the electoral wipe-out the Tories richly deserve but James is more cautious,  believing that somehow the tribal English Tory vote will rally to the clarion lies of The Daily Mail  - despite the obvious weirdness of Rishi Sunak and the cataclysmic mis-governance .of the last 13 and a half years

Both agree the defeat of the Tories - now little more than an English nationalist party - isimperative  if the UK is to rescued from its dizzying descent to poverty and irrelevance or even saved in its current form.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen gets the end of the year Lowdown from author, historian and novelist James Hawes as both contemplate the prospects of a general election in 2024.

The last 13-14 years of Tory misrule has brought the successive disasters of austerity, Brexit, Boris Johnson, the Great Covid Bungle,  Lettuce Truss , the  so called Cost of Living Crisis, a crisis hugely exacerbated by Brexit. The list goes on and on - but Nick and James hope that won't apply to the Tories.

Nick is more hopeful of the electoral wipe-out the Tories richly deserve but James is more cautious,  believing that somehow the tribal English Tory vote will rally to the clarion lies of The Daily Mail  - despite the obvious weirdness of Rishi Sunak and the cataclysmic mis-governance .of the last 13 and a half years

Both agree the defeat of the Tories - now little more than an English nationalist party - isimperative  if the UK is to rescued from its dizzying descent to poverty and irrelevance or even saved in its current form.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ep 22: Another fine Tory mess - The great Rwanda farce with immigration lawyer Colin Yeo Ep 22: Another fine Tory mess - The great Rwanda farce with immigration lawyer Colin Yeo Sun, 17 Dec 2023 21:00:00 GMT 38:31 Buzzsprout-14162052 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95b 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95b 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 22 Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from barrister and writer Colin Yeo on the Tories' never ending Rwanda farce and the dog's breakfast they have made of the UK's asylum & immigration regime.

When the UK flounced out of the European Union, it also walked away from a returns policy that meant asylum seekers could be returned to the first safe EU country they arrived in.

Now the Tories are stuck with the preposterous and performatively cruel policy of exporting refugees to Rwanda which they desperately hope will deter future asylum seekers.  However,  they have  been thwarted by the courts so far. Now, they squabble among themselves about how to get their madcap scheme off the ground and dream of getting just one refugee on the plane to Kigali!

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from barrister and writer Colin Yeo on the Tories' never ending Rwanda farce and the dog's breakfast they have made of the UK's asylum & immigration regime.

When the UK flounced out of the European Union, it also walked away from a returns policy that meant asylum seekers could be returned to the first safe EU country they arrived in.

Now the Tories are stuck with the preposterous and performatively cruel policy of exporting refugees to Rwanda which they desperately hope will deter future asylum seekers.  However,  they have  been thwarted by the courts so far. Now, they squabble among themselves about how to get their madcap scheme off the ground and dream of getting just one refugee on the plane to Kigali!

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 21: The Tories' perfect storm - how hard will it blow? with Professor Rob Ford]]> Sat, 09 Dec 2023 19:00:00 GMT 47:00 Buzzsprout-14117308 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95c 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95c 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 21 Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown from Professor Rob Ford of Manchester University, professor of political science, co-author of the award-winning book Revolt on the Right, and political commentator and pundit extraordinaire about the perfect storm of woe descending on the Tories.

The disasters of Brexit, cost of living, the bungling of Covid, Partygate, the catastrophic and chaotic reigns of Boris Johnson and Liz "The Lettuce" Truss have been followed by the Rishi Sunak sh1tsh0w.

Exhausted and divided , and appealing only to headbangers in their own party, the Tories stagger on from one disaster to the next, desperately trying to limit the scale of the tsunami of voter retribution heading their way.  How big will the defeat be or will they manage somehow to salvage enough of a base to threaten a come-back in the not-too-distance future?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown from Professor Rob Ford of Manchester University, professor of political science, co-author of the award-winning book Revolt on the Right, and political commentator and pundit extraordinaire about the perfect storm of woe descending on the Tories.

The disasters of Brexit, cost of living, the bungling of Covid, Partygate, the catastrophic and chaotic reigns of Boris Johnson and Liz "The Lettuce" Truss have been followed by the Rishi Sunak sh1tsh0w.

Exhausted and divided , and appealing only to headbangers in their own party, the Tories stagger on from one disaster to the next, desperately trying to limit the scale of the tsunami of voter retribution heading their way.  How big will the defeat be or will they manage somehow to salvage enough of a base to threaten a come-back in the not-too-distance future?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 20: A Hitch in time? What would Christopher Hitchens have made of today's insanity? With author Matt Johnson]]> Sat, 02 Dec 2023 22:00:00 GMT 36:19 Buzzsprout-14076441 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95d 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95d 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 20 Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from Matt Johnson,  author of How Hitchens can save the Left  [Pitchstone Books] a celebrated study of the writer and polemicist Christopher Hitchens who sadly died 12 years ago aged just 62.

Hitchens lived in the US and was a controversial and vivid commentator on the US and its various foreign policy adventures following the 9/11 terror atrocities in the US.  He started adult life as a Marxist but later espoused causes that were labelled "neo-con" at the time.

But what would "Hitch" have made of a topsy-turvy politics which has seen dangerous buffoons like Donald Trump and Boris Johnson come to power and the rise of an authoritarian right that Matt Johnson identifies as the posing the greatest current  threat to Mankind? Nick and Matt discuss this endlessly fascinating and brilliant writer and wonder what on earth he would have made of it all.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from Matt Johnson,  author of How Hitchens can save the Left  [Pitchstone Books] a celebrated study of the writer and polemicist Christopher Hitchens who sadly died 12 years ago aged just 62.

Hitchens lived in the US and was a controversial and vivid commentator on the US and its various foreign policy adventures following the 9/11 terror atrocities in the US.  He started adult life as a Marxist but later espoused causes that were labelled "neo-con" at the time.

But what would "Hitch" have made of a topsy-turvy politics which has seen dangerous buffoons like Donald Trump and Boris Johnson come to power and the rise of an authoritarian right that Matt Johnson identifies as the posing the greatest current  threat to Mankind? Nick and Matt discuss this endlessly fascinating and brilliant writer and wonder what on earth he would have made of it all.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep: The strange death of the Left in the West & in Israel with Professor Shlomo Sand]]> Sun, 19 Nov 2023 10:00:00 GMT 31:31 Buzzsprout-13997279 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95e 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95e 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 19 Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown  from Professor Shlomo Sand, author and  historian about his new book A Brief Global History of the Left  (Polity).

What is happening to the Left? It seems to be dying a slow death in the West and certainly in Israel.. While many commentators have predicted its demise, the Left has always defied these bleak prognoses and risen from the ashes in the most unexpected ways.
Nevertheless, we are witnessing today a global decline in organised movements on the Left, and while social struggles continue to challenge dominant political regimes, these efforts do not translate into support for traditional left parties or into the creation of dynamic movements on the Left.

Bestselling historian Shlomo Sand tells Nick that the global decline of the Left is linked to the waning of the idea of equality that has united citizens in the past and inspired them to engage in collective action.  Professor Sand and Nick also discuss the current crisis in Israel and Gaza.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown  from Professor Shlomo Sand, author and  historian about his new book A Brief Global History of the Left  (Polity).

What is happening to the Left? It seems to be dying a slow death in the West and certainly in Israel.. While many commentators have predicted its demise, the Left has always defied these bleak prognoses and risen from the ashes in the most unexpected ways.
Nevertheless, we are witnessing today a global decline in organised movements on the Left, and while social struggles continue to challenge dominant political regimes, these efforts do not translate into support for traditional left parties or into the creation of dynamic movements on the Left.

Bestselling historian Shlomo Sand tells Nick that the global decline of the Left is linked to the waning of the idea of equality that has united citizens in the past and inspired them to engage in collective action.  Professor Sand and Nick also discuss the current crisis in Israel and Gaza.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 18: Boris Johnson's poisoned legacy with historian Robert Saunders]]> Sat, 11 Nov 2023 22:00:00 GMT 34:40 Buzzsprout-13952454 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95f 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d95f 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 18 Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown from Dr Robert Saunders, the historian and author, who  is based at  Queen Mary University of London where he specialises  in modern British history, from the early 19th century to the present.  

Nick and Robert discuss the poisoned legacy of Boris Johnson and why so many people voted for him in December 2019 and continue to support, despite the obvious failure of Brexit and his cataclysmic bungling of the pandemic as is being revealed in the Covid Inquiry.

Robert is one of the best observers of the modern political scene and is currently researching a new history of democracy in Britain. His recent book Yes to Europe! examined the Britain of the 70's and the 1975 referendum to join what was then called the European Economic Community (EEC) - a fore-runner of the European Union.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown from Dr Robert Saunders, the historian and author, who  is based at  Queen Mary University of London where he specialises  in modern British history, from the early 19th century to the present.  

Nick and Robert discuss the poisoned legacy of Boris Johnson and why so many people voted for him in December 2019 and continue to support, despite the obvious failure of Brexit and his cataclysmic bungling of the pandemic as is being revealed in the Covid Inquiry.

Robert is one of the best observers of the modern political scene and is currently researching a new history of democracy in Britain. His recent book Yes to Europe! examined the Britain of the 70's and the 1975 referendum to join what was then called the European Economic Community (EEC) - a fore-runner of the European Union.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 16: War and peace in the Middle East with journalist Daniella Peled of Institute for War & Peace Reporting]]> Sat, 21 Oct 2023 22:00:00 GMT 30:13 Buzzsprout-13820491 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d960 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d960 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 16 Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown on the brutal conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza from Daniella Peled, Managing Editor of the of Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR).

Daniella puts into context the latest conflict  between Israel and Hamas. Approximately 1,400 Israelis were killed by Hamas on October 7th. Since then, the Israeli assault on Gaza has killed at least 4,000 civilians, and is leading to a humanitarian crisis.

Daniella compares this latest violence with other conflicts that she has studied around the world.

She and Nick try to make sense  of the latest conflict between Israel and Palestinians, the prospect of peace between the 2 sides and examine the turbulent political situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories leading up to the lethal Hamas attack on Israel from October 7th.

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]]> Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown on the brutal conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza from Daniella Peled, Managing Editor of the of Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR).

Daniella puts into context the latest conflict  between Israel and Hamas. Approximately 1,400 Israelis were killed by Hamas on October 7th. Since then, the Israeli assault on Gaza has killed at least 4,000 civilians, and is leading to a humanitarian crisis.

Daniella compares this latest violence with other conflicts that she has studied around the world.

She and Nick try to make sense  of the latest conflict between Israel and Palestinians, the prospect of peace between the 2 sides and examine the turbulent political situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories leading up to the lethal Hamas attack on Israel from October 7th.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep17: SLAPP BACK! How the rich abuse British courts with lawyer & author David Hooper]]> Sat, 21 Oct 2023 10:00:00 GMT 31:37 Buzzsprout-13818719 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d961 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d961 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 17 Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown from celebrated lawyer and author David Hooper whose latest book, Buying Silence,  How oligarchs,  corporations and plutocrats use the law to gag their critics (Biteback) exposes  how the rich and powerful use vexatious so-called SLAPP legal actions - Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation - to silence and destroy whiste-blowers, journalists and campaigners.

Dodgy chancers from notorious warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin to the corrupt Robert Maxwell have found London courts law firms willing to abuse libel, data and privacy laws to ruin their critics and to deploy any tactics, including the use of private detectives and PR agencies.

David Hooper explains that it is the crippling costs of defending such actions that pose such a threat to press freedom, freedom of speech and to the rule of Law in the UK.

What can be done to counter this threat and why are solicitors and barristers being allowed to get away with such flagrant abuses of behalf of their often dubious clients, that have included sanction Russian oligarchs and even controversial former US presidents?






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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown from celebrated lawyer and author David Hooper whose latest book, Buying Silence,  How oligarchs,  corporations and plutocrats use the law to gag their critics (Biteback) exposes  how the rich and powerful use vexatious so-called SLAPP legal actions - Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation - to silence and destroy whiste-blowers, journalists and campaigners.

Dodgy chancers from notorious warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin to the corrupt Robert Maxwell have found London courts law firms willing to abuse libel, data and privacy laws to ruin their critics and to deploy any tactics, including the use of private detectives and PR agencies.

David Hooper explains that it is the crippling costs of defending such actions that pose such a threat to press freedom, freedom of speech and to the rule of Law in the UK.

What can be done to counter this threat and why are solicitors and barristers being allowed to get away with such flagrant abuses of behalf of their often dubious clients, that have included sanction Russian oligarchs and even controversial former US presidents?






Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 15: Israel, Hamas and the threat to Britain's Jews with antisemitism expert Dave Rich]]> Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:00:00 GMT 36:19 Buzzsprout-13766545 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d962 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d962 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 15 This week, Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown from Dr Dave Rich, Head of Policy for the Community Security Trust (CST) - an organisation that provides security for Jewish communities and institutions. Dave is also an expert in left wing anti-semitism and the author of the book Everyday Hate: How antisemitism is built into our world – and how you can change it  (Biteback.)

Jews in the UK often suffer instances of antisemitism when there is conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Dave reports that such incidents have increased four-fold in the wake of the tragic and horrific Hamas attacks on Israel and the retaliatory strikes on Gaza by the Israeli military.

But it seems only Jews suffer from this phenomenon. For example, Russians in the UK seemingly experience no such back-lash despite Putin's illegal attack and genocide against Ukraine. Why is antisemitism alive and kicking in the UK, both on the left and on the right, and what can be done to counter it?

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> This week, Nick Cohen gets the Lowdown from Dr Dave Rich, Head of Policy for the Community Security Trust (CST) - an organisation that provides security for Jewish communities and institutions. Dave is also an expert in left wing anti-semitism and the author of the book Everyday Hate: How antisemitism is built into our world – and how you can change it  (Biteback.)

Jews in the UK often suffer instances of antisemitism when there is conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Dave reports that such incidents have increased four-fold in the wake of the tragic and horrific Hamas attacks on Israel and the retaliatory strikes on Gaza by the Israeli military.

But it seems only Jews suffer from this phenomenon. For example, Russians in the UK seemingly experience no such back-lash despite Putin's illegal attack and genocide against Ukraine. Why is antisemitism alive and kicking in the UK, both on the left and on the right, and what can be done to counter it?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ep 14: The Ascent of Woke with Yascha Mounk Ep 14: The Ascent of Woke with Yascha Mounk Thu, 05 Oct 2023 12:00:00 GMT 46:45 Buzzsprout-13721578 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d963 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d963 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 14
Nick Cohen talks to Yascha Mounk, the political scientist and author, about his new book about the astonishing rise of "Woke ideology" - The Identity Trap: A  story of ideas and power in our time.

According to the Washington Post,  "whatever you call it — identity politics, political correctness, wokeness or cancel culture — some new power seems to be at work in our culture and institutions."

Yascha tells Nick that advocates of this "Woke" ideology fixate on identity to the exclusion of all else, and that many reject “universal values and neutral rules like free speech and equal opportunity as mere distractions.”  He argues that this ideology has grown ever more embedded in society - influencing many institutions.

Right wing extremist supporters of Donald Trump are already manipulating fears over "The Great Awokening""  for the 2024 presidential elections in the hope that voters will see this revolutionary strain of identity politics as a threat to American values.

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]>
Nick Cohen talks to Yascha Mounk, the political scientist and author, about his new book about the astonishing rise of "Woke ideology" - The Identity Trap: A  story of ideas and power in our time.

According to the Washington Post,  "whatever you call it — identity politics, political correctness, wokeness or cancel culture — some new power seems to be at work in our culture and institutions."

Yascha tells Nick that advocates of this "Woke" ideology fixate on identity to the exclusion of all else, and that many reject “universal values and neutral rules like free speech and equal opportunity as mere distractions.”  He argues that this ideology has grown ever more embedded in society - influencing many institutions.

Right wing extremist supporters of Donald Trump are already manipulating fears over "The Great Awokening""  for the 2024 presidential elections in the hope that voters will see this revolutionary strain of identity politics as a threat to American values.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 13: Ukraine's path to victory with military strategist Dr Mike Martin]]> Wed, 27 Sep 2023 12:00:00 GMT 31:49 Buzzsprout-13671820 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d964 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d964 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 13 Nick Cohen talks to Dr Mike Martin, ex-soldier, military strategist and author about what victory looks like for Ukraine and how it can be achieved.

Mike,  a senior visiting research fellow in the Department of War Studies at King's College , London,  explain to Nick how the West initially miscalculated Ukraine's chances against a belligerent Russia by looking at the spreadsheet showing the relative military strengths of each country in terms of material and troop numbers.  Western leaders failed to take into account other elements such as strategy, quality of leadership and that crucial of all military essences, the will to fight.

Ukraine's initial tactical priority is the eviction of Russia's forces from along the shore of the Black Sea and in particular Crimea, the loss of which should prove one defeat too many for Vladamir Putin's chances of survival.

But is strategic victory for Ukraine possible before the 2024 US Presidential election and can Europe step up to the plate in the likelihood of a second Trump victory?

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> Nick Cohen talks to Dr Mike Martin, ex-soldier, military strategist and author about what victory looks like for Ukraine and how it can be achieved.

Mike,  a senior visiting research fellow in the Department of War Studies at King's College , London,  explain to Nick how the West initially miscalculated Ukraine's chances against a belligerent Russia by looking at the spreadsheet showing the relative military strengths of each country in terms of material and troop numbers.  Western leaders failed to take into account other elements such as strategy, quality of leadership and that crucial of all military essences, the will to fight.

Ukraine's initial tactical priority is the eviction of Russia's forces from along the shore of the Black Sea and in particular Crimea, the loss of which should prove one defeat too many for Vladamir Putin's chances of survival.

But is strategic victory for Ukraine possible before the 2024 US Presidential election and can Europe step up to the plate in the likelihood of a second Trump victory?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> <![CDATA[Ep 12: The Tory South & its revolt against the UK with James Hawes]]> Sat, 23 Sep 2023 14:00:00 GMT 43:45 Buzzsprout-13644086 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d965 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d965 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 12
Nick Cohen talks to James Hawes, Renaissance man, historian, writer and novelist about the Tories' southern English tribe and the threat it poses to the rest of the UK.

James, the author of The Shortest History of England,  predicts the Tories will become ever more extreme and nationalist in electoral defeat and that the eventual break up of the UK looks unavoidable. The UK's curse - its first-past-the -post electoral system has guaranteed virtual Tory hegemony for long periods of contemporary history, and the chronic decline of the country.

James Hawes thinks PR could help transform the UK's political map, and its fortunes.  But without it,  the Tories will inevitably reassume power and continue their damaging revolt against Europe and the whole of the UK, leading inevitably to the eventual collapse of a 220 year old union.

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>
Nick Cohen talks to James Hawes, Renaissance man, historian, writer and novelist about the Tories' southern English tribe and the threat it poses to the rest of the UK.

James, the author of The Shortest History of England,  predicts the Tories will become ever more extreme and nationalist in electoral defeat and that the eventual break up of the UK looks unavoidable. The UK's curse - its first-past-the -post electoral system has guaranteed virtual Tory hegemony for long periods of contemporary history, and the chronic decline of the country.

James Hawes thinks PR could help transform the UK's political map, and its fortunes.  But without it,  the Tories will inevitably reassume power and continue their damaging revolt against Europe and the whole of the UK, leading inevitably to the eventual collapse of a 220 year old union.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 11: The Stagnation nation - is the UK's decline unstoppable? with Profesor Jonathan Portes]]> Wed, 13 Sep 2023 11:00:00 GMT 28:44 Buzzsprout-13583393 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d966 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d966 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 11 This week, Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from Jonathan Portes , Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King's College London, ex- Chief Economist at the Cabinet Office.  Jonathan is also  a Senior Fellow of the Economic and Social Research Council's UK in a Changing Europe initiative, which examines the UK's now troubled relatIonship with the EU.

Can anything be done to prevent the UK's growing economic crisis? Is decline inevitable? Jonathan reveals how the UK's growth rate shrank by three-quarters following the 2008 crash. Now the country's annual growth rate is an anaemic half a percent with the economy projected to double every 120-140 years instead of the pre-2008 35-year period. Inevitably, Brexit's not helping as it  hits trade and tax revenues. But there are other systemic failures.

Jonathan says there's plenty of things a new Labour government could do - despite the calamity of Brexit - to try and run things around:  build homes, reform social ansd tax policy plus up-date our dysfunctional and decrpit voting system


Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> This week, Nick Cohen gets The Lowdown from Jonathan Portes , Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King's College London, ex- Chief Economist at the Cabinet Office.  Jonathan is also  a Senior Fellow of the Economic and Social Research Council's UK in a Changing Europe initiative, which examines the UK's now troubled relatIonship with the EU.

Can anything be done to prevent the UK's growing economic crisis? Is decline inevitable? Jonathan reveals how the UK's growth rate shrank by three-quarters following the 2008 crash. Now the country's annual growth rate is an anaemic half a percent with the economy projected to double every 120-140 years instead of the pre-2008 35-year period. Inevitably, Brexit's not helping as it  hits trade and tax revenues. But there are other systemic failures.

Jonathan says there's plenty of things a new Labour government could do - despite the calamity of Brexit - to try and run things around:  build homes, reform social ansd tax policy plus up-date our dysfunctional and decrpit voting system


Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> Ep 10: Breaking the Brexit Omerta with Peter Foster of the Financial Times Ep 10: Breaking the Brexit Omerta with Peter Foster of the Financial Times Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:00:00 GMT 29:59 Buzzsprout-13541329 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d967 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d967 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 10 This week,  GetThe Lowdown from Nick Cohen with Peter Foster, Public Policy Editor of the Financial Times and expert on all things Brexit. @PMDFoster

This month, Cannongate publishes Peter's much-anticipated new book What went wrong with Brexit, and what we can do about it.

Probably, not every much for the moment seems to be the answer posed by the book title.

Brexit has crashed and burned - taking the country with it. But no one wants to talk about it - despite the rolling catastrophe of this failed populist experiment. That goes for the usual Tory-Kipper B.S merchants who mis-sold Brexit,  and Labour which looks set to inherit the mess after the next election.

Peter Foster explains that Brexit isn't just a one-off disaster like the 2007/'08 Financial Crash  - it just keeps on taking, and tanking.

 He says Brexit is a  "chronic condition - a permanent structural disadvantage" .  The country's incompetent Tory government has managed to pull off a "reverse trade deal" with its biggest and most important trade bloc.

Peter and Nick discuss the strange political Omerta that has descended on Brexit and  the sullen response of the brexiteers who are witnessing the failure of their pet project in real time and insist we must all live with it and put up with it.

Can the country ever have a sensible discussion about relations with the EU or is it doomed for ever to have the millstone of #brexit around its neck? Will the EU ever take seriously any UK attempt for closer relations or has it written off the country as unreliable and terminally euro-phobic?



Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> This week,  GetThe Lowdown from Nick Cohen with Peter Foster, Public Policy Editor of the Financial Times and expert on all things Brexit. @PMDFoster

This month, Cannongate publishes Peter's much-anticipated new book What went wrong with Brexit, and what we can do about it.

Probably, not every much for the moment seems to be the answer posed by the book title.

Brexit has crashed and burned - taking the country with it. But no one wants to talk about it - despite the rolling catastrophe of this failed populist experiment. That goes for the usual Tory-Kipper B.S merchants who mis-sold Brexit,  and Labour which looks set to inherit the mess after the next election.

Peter Foster explains that Brexit isn't just a one-off disaster like the 2007/'08 Financial Crash  - it just keeps on taking, and tanking.

 He says Brexit is a  "chronic condition - a permanent structural disadvantage" .  The country's incompetent Tory government has managed to pull off a "reverse trade deal" with its biggest and most important trade bloc.

Peter and Nick discuss the strange political Omerta that has descended on Brexit and  the sullen response of the brexiteers who are witnessing the failure of their pet project in real time and insist we must all live with it and put up with it.

Can the country ever have a sensible discussion about relations with the EU or is it doomed for ever to have the millstone of #brexit around its neck? Will the EU ever take seriously any UK attempt for closer relations or has it written off the country as unreliable and terminally euro-phobic?



Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep. 9: Wither and whither the Tories? With author & Conservative Party expert - Professor Tim Bale]]> Mon, 24 Jul 2023 21:00:00 GMT 47:20 Buzzsprout-13281210 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d968 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d968 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 9 Professor Tim Bale of the Queen Mary University of London is widely looked on as the UK's keenest academic observer of the Conservative Party. 

Tim's latest book The Conservative Party after Brexit  (published by Polity) charts the Party's dizzying descent into populist and radical hard right Brexit populism. Have the Tories truly transmogrified into to the far right europhobic party they appear to be  or are they merely aping one to appeal to the ageing reactionaries controlling local Tory constituencies, and, against the odds, cling onto power whatever the cost to the country?

Tim Bale argues the Tories are almost certainly on the way out  of power- and thatb Rushi Sunak doesn't appear to have what it takes to save them.

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> Professor Tim Bale of the Queen Mary University of London is widely looked on as the UK's keenest academic observer of the Conservative Party. 

Tim's latest book The Conservative Party after Brexit  (published by Polity) charts the Party's dizzying descent into populist and radical hard right Brexit populism. Have the Tories truly transmogrified into to the far right europhobic party they appear to be  or are they merely aping one to appeal to the ageing reactionaries controlling local Tory constituencies, and, against the odds, cling onto power whatever the cost to the country?

Tim Bale argues the Tories are almost certainly on the way out  of power- and thatb Rushi Sunak doesn't appear to have what it takes to save them.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> Ep 8: From Russia with hate - the hang-up of history with Jade McGlynn Ep 8: From Russia with hate - the hang-up of history with Jade McGlynn Sun, 02 Jul 2023 14:00:00 GMT 41:59 Buzzsprout-13146746 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d969 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d969 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 8 Russia expert and author Dr Jade McGlynn joins Nick Cohen from Kyiv to talk about Ukraine's tragedy - a Russia that has been badly run by bad men - with a couple of rare exceptions here and there. And how this also happens to be Russia's tragedy. 

Jade explains how the recent "Mad March on Moscow" by Wagner militia mafioso Yevgeny Prigozhin is a symptom of Vladamir Putin's dysfunction and despotism, and how hatred flows now flows between Ukraine and Russia like drones and missiles.

Jade McGlynn - widely acknowledged as a brilliant and insightful author and Russian observer - is the author of two recent landmark books relating to the tragedy now playing out in Ukraine - Russia's  War,  published by Pushkin House, and Memory Makers, just published by Bloomsbury. 

Memory Makers, The Politics of the past in Putin's Russia,  is based on Jade's analysis since 2014 of the start of Russia's illegal incursions into Ukraine. The book examines how Russia's repeated misadventures into its neighbour's territories are driven by the obsessive lies and myths it's gaslit into believing by Putin, and too many of his predecessors.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> Russia expert and author Dr Jade McGlynn joins Nick Cohen from Kyiv to talk about Ukraine's tragedy - a Russia that has been badly run by bad men - with a couple of rare exceptions here and there. And how this also happens to be Russia's tragedy. 

Jade explains how the recent "Mad March on Moscow" by Wagner militia mafioso Yevgeny Prigozhin is a symptom of Vladamir Putin's dysfunction and despotism, and how hatred flows now flows between Ukraine and Russia like drones and missiles.

Jade McGlynn - widely acknowledged as a brilliant and insightful author and Russian observer - is the author of two recent landmark books relating to the tragedy now playing out in Ukraine - Russia's  War,  published by Pushkin House, and Memory Makers, just published by Bloomsbury. 

Memory Makers, The Politics of the past in Putin's Russia,  is based on Jade's analysis since 2014 of the start of Russia's illegal incursions into Ukraine. The book examines how Russia's repeated misadventures into its neighbour's territories are driven by the obsessive lies and myths it's gaslit into believing by Putin, and too many of his predecessors.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> EP 7: Race in the UK and the US - with Tomiwa Owolade EP 7: Race in the UK and the US - with Tomiwa Owolade Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:00:00 GMT 39:29 Buzzsprout-13110072 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96a 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96a 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 7 The Lowdown from Nick Cohen this week examines the issue of race and diversity in the UK with the freelance writer and author Tom Owolade.

Tom's brilliant and ground-breaking book This is not America - published by Atlantic  - argues that too much of the debate about race in Britain has been viewed through the prism of American experiences and history.  This prism fails to reflect the  challenges – and achievements – of an increasingly diverse black British population and distorts how many people view the issue of race in the UK.

Tom tells Nick that too few  Brits understand the ethnic changes that are taking place in the UK or even the wide diversity of black British communities themselves, especially given the arrival of people from west and east Africa in recent years. Tom also believes class is a hugely important additional factor in the UK.

Tom and Nick  explore the significant differences in the history and experiences of black Brits and Black Americans.  You can read Nick's assessment of Tom's important debut book in his Substack column,  Writing from London


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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> The Lowdown from Nick Cohen this week examines the issue of race and diversity in the UK with the freelance writer and author Tom Owolade.

Tom's brilliant and ground-breaking book This is not America - published by Atlantic  - argues that too much of the debate about race in Britain has been viewed through the prism of American experiences and history.  This prism fails to reflect the  challenges – and achievements – of an increasingly diverse black British population and distorts how many people view the issue of race in the UK.

Tom tells Nick that too few  Brits understand the ethnic changes that are taking place in the UK or even the wide diversity of black British communities themselves, especially given the arrival of people from west and east Africa in recent years. Tom also believes class is a hugely important additional factor in the UK.

Tom and Nick  explore the significant differences in the history and experiences of black Brits and Black Americans.  You can read Nick's assessment of Tom's important debut book in his Substack column,  Writing from London


Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> Ep 6: Ex-Conservative minister Dr Phillip Lee on how Brexit wrecked the Tories Ep 6: Ex-Conservative minister Dr Phillip Lee on how Brexit wrecked the Tories Sun, 18 Jun 2023 22:00:00 GMT 42:58 Buzzsprout-13062172 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96b 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96b 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 6 In 2018 , Conservative MP and Europhile Dr Phillip Lee resigned as a minister from Theresa May's stricken government over what he saw as the troubling direction of Brexit. The following year, he dramatically crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the Liberal Democrats - during a speech by the disgraced former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Now back working as a GP in Berkshire, Phillip Lee gives a fascinating insight into the Tories' descent into nationalism, Euro-phobia and hard Brexit - a journey dictated by the Party's dwindling, rapidly ageing and largely reactionary constituency association members.

Nick asks Philip about his reasons for joining the Conservative Party. They discuss his initial interest in joining the Tories and how he initially saw them as a natural home for him. Phillip immediately foresaw disaster when David Cameron insisted on going ahead with a referendum on EU membership in June 2016. From that moment on, he thought the Tories were "toast."

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

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]]> In 2018 , Conservative MP and Europhile Dr Phillip Lee resigned as a minister from Theresa May's stricken government over what he saw as the troubling direction of Brexit. The following year, he dramatically crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the Liberal Democrats - during a speech by the disgraced former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Now back working as a GP in Berkshire, Phillip Lee gives a fascinating insight into the Tories' descent into nationalism, Euro-phobia and hard Brexit - a journey dictated by the Party's dwindling, rapidly ageing and largely reactionary constituency association members.

Nick asks Philip about his reasons for joining the Conservative Party. They discuss his initial interest in joining the Tories and how he initially saw them as a natural home for him. Phillip immediately foresaw disaster when David Cameron insisted on going ahead with a referendum on EU membership in June 2016. From that moment on, he thought the Tories were "toast."

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ep 5: Polly Toynbee on class and her family history of radicals Ep 5: Polly Toynbee on class and her family history of radicals Sun, 11 Jun 2023 15:00:00 GMT 41:04 Buzzsprout-13017179 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96c 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96c 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 5 Nick Cohen talks to Polly Toynbee, celebrated columnist, broadcaster and author about Britain's stubborn class system and the growing gap between the rich and poor under successive Tory governments.

Atlantic Books has just published Polly's latest book,  An Uneasy Inheritance, My family and other radicals, which has received rave reviews, not least from Nick himself in a  recent Substack column.

Polly explains how - over the years - she has taken a series of blue collar jobs to better understand the lives of working people. She laments how the class system continues to dominate British society and is now a bigger determinate in people's futures than factors such as ethnicity. Polly also discusses the extraordinary radicals from her family history, including her father, the journalist Philip Toynbee,  her grandfather, the historian Arnold J. Toynbee.

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen talks to Polly Toynbee, celebrated columnist, broadcaster and author about Britain's stubborn class system and the growing gap between the rich and poor under successive Tory governments.

Atlantic Books has just published Polly's latest book,  An Uneasy Inheritance, My family and other radicals, which has received rave reviews, not least from Nick himself in a  recent Substack column.

Polly explains how - over the years - she has taken a series of blue collar jobs to better understand the lives of working people. She laments how the class system continues to dominate British society and is now a bigger determinate in people's futures than factors such as ethnicity. Polly also discusses the extraordinary radicals from her family history, including her father, the journalist Philip Toynbee,  her grandfather, the historian Arnold J. Toynbee.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ep 4: The English and the end of the United Kingdom Ep 4: The English and the end of the United Kingdom Sun, 04 Jun 2023 10:00:00 GMT 41:24 Buzzsprout-12973834 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96d 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96d 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 4 Nick Cohen speaks to historian and author James Hawes about the crisis of Englishness and the consequences this crisis is having on the rest of the United Kingdom. James, the author of  internationally acclaimed The Shortest History of England , reveals how this crisis has deep historical and geographical roots that have dictated the turbulent history of our islands and could bring an end to the United Kingdom itself. This crisis is being brought to a head by the English nationalists, who now dominate the modern Tory Party, and their Brexit crusade that  has shattered the bonds of Union, and much else besides.

James sees the Tories becoming more extreme following their expected defeat at the next election, an inevitable consequence of a two-party system that forces a vanquished political party to tack ever more to its ideological core. This will further strengthen the hands of other nationalists in Scotland and elsewhere.

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen speaks to historian and author James Hawes about the crisis of Englishness and the consequences this crisis is having on the rest of the United Kingdom. James, the author of  internationally acclaimed The Shortest History of England , reveals how this crisis has deep historical and geographical roots that have dictated the turbulent history of our islands and could bring an end to the United Kingdom itself. This crisis is being brought to a head by the English nationalists, who now dominate the modern Tory Party, and their Brexit crusade that  has shattered the bonds of Union, and much else besides.

James sees the Tories becoming more extreme following their expected defeat at the next election, an inevitable consequence of a two-party system that forces a vanquished political party to tack ever more to its ideological core. This will further strengthen the hands of other nationalists in Scotland and elsewhere.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Ep 3: Britain's growing food crisis with Liz Webster]]> Sun, 28 May 2023 15:00:00 GMT 51:27 Buzzsprout-12933356 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96e 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96e 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 3 Nick Cohen speaks in depth about Britain's growing Brexit food crisis with Liz Webster from the campaigns, Save British Farming and Save British Food.

#Brexit has already smashed food supply lines and jeopardised Britain's food security. Now new Brexit checks on EU imports scheduled for October look certain to lead to even more empty supermarket shelves and further fuel food inflation. 

Liz Webster explains how  Brexit threatens to worsen even further Britain's already chronic food shortages, a crisis already exacerbated by climate change and Putin's illegal aggression against Ukraine.

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Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Nick Cohen speaks in depth about Britain's growing Brexit food crisis with Liz Webster from the campaigns, Save British Farming and Save British Food.

#Brexit has already smashed food supply lines and jeopardised Britain's food security. Now new Brexit checks on EU imports scheduled for October look certain to lead to even more empty supermarket shelves and further fuel food inflation. 

Liz Webster explains how  Brexit threatens to worsen even further Britain's already chronic food shortages, a crisis already exacerbated by climate change and Putin's illegal aggression against Ukraine.

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ep 2: From Kyiv with John Sweeney Ep 2: From Kyiv with John Sweeney Mon, 22 May 2023 08:00:00 GMT 44:20 Buzzsprout-12893502 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96f 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d96f 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 2 Get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen with veteran reporter and author John Sweeney on Putin and Russia's illegal war against Ukraine.  John, the author of a recent book on Putin called "Killer in the Kremlin", discusses with Nick the possibilities for a Ukrainian victory as well as what defeat would mean for Putin's regime.  Will Putin fall if Ukraine wins further key battles and eventually takes Crimea? Who or what will replace Russia's dictator and what would that mean for all of us?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen with veteran reporter and author John Sweeney on Putin and Russia's illegal war against Ukraine.  John, the author of a recent book on Putin called "Killer in the Kremlin", discusses with Nick the possibilities for a Ukrainian victory as well as what defeat would mean for Putin's regime.  Will Putin fall if Ukraine wins further key battles and eventually takes Crimea? Who or what will replace Russia's dictator and what would that mean for all of us?

Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ep 1: The liberal despair of Rafael Behr Ep 1: The liberal despair of Rafael Behr Sat, 13 May 2023 13:00:00 GMT 49:13 Buzzsprout-12840979 false https://shows.acast.com/the-lowdown-from-nick-cohen/episodes/65c3f45f2f12a6001613d970 65c3f45f2f12a6001613d970 65c3f459afd19a0016246659 full 1 1 Writers and columnists Nick Cohen and Rafael Behr discuss the events that have shaped our world and dominated their personal and professional lives. Rafel discusses his new book - Politics - A Survivor's Guide.
Rafel discusses how the impact of #Brexit and the wave of nationalist fervour in its wake has shaped his attitude to politics and the UK.


Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Writers and columnists Nick Cohen and Rafael Behr discuss the events that have shaped our world and dominated their personal and professional lives. Rafel discusses his new book - Politics - A Survivor's Guide.
Rafel discusses how the impact of #Brexit and the wave of nationalist fervour in its wake has shaped his attitude to politics and the UK.


Support the show


Listen to The Lowdown from Nick Cohen for in-depth analysis of the issues and events that shape our lives and futures. From Ukraine to Brexit, from Trump to the Tories - we hope to keep you informed - and sane! @NickCohen4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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