In this episode of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by political thinker Neal Lawson to explore the questions beneath the headlines.

The conversation examines whether Labour can reconnect with its traditional working-class roots, the rise of Reform UK, the possibility of a progressive alliance, and whether modern politics has become disconnected from the people it claims to represent.

Moving beyond electoral tactics, the discussion also considers whether Britain's political crisis is ultimately cultural and moral rather than simply economic.

Topics include:

• The significance of the Makerfield by-election
• Andy Burnham and Labour's future
• Reform UK's electoral challenge
• Progressive alliances
• Working-class identity and political belonging
• The legacy of neoliberal economics
• Politics beyond left and right
• Morality, faith and Labour's ethical tradition
• Whether politics has lost its sense of purpose

Guest

Neal Lawson is a political commentator, campaigner and founder of Compass. He has spent more than two decades arguing for democratic renewal, political reform and a more plural, collaborative approach to British politics.

About Turning World

Hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman, Turning World explores politics, culture, faith and public life through thoughtful conversations that go beyond headlines and ideology. Each episode seeks to understand not just what is happening, but why—and what it means for the future.

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

The discussion explores the role of local journalism in holding power to account, shaping civic identity and preserving meaning in an increasingly fragmented world.

Topics include:

• Local journalism and democratic accountability

• Journalist-politician relationships

• Liverpool and Manchester identities

• Cultural production and civic pride

• Writing and poetry

• Catholicism and artistic expression

• Meaning, memory and nostalgia

Guest bio:

Lawrence Thompson is a journalist and writer with Liverpool Post, covering politics, culture and civic life across the Liverpool City Region.

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

Rather than focusing on polling or Westminster commentary, Jon reflects on the conversations taking place on the ground and what they reveal about trust, political identity and the mood of voters.

The discussion explores:

• The issues people are actually talking about

• Whether Labour remains connected to its traditional voters

• Reform UK's appeal in former Labour areas

• Political disengagement and voter frustration

• What campaigners are seeing on the doorstep

• Whether the result has national implications

A field report from the front line of British politics.

Produced by Opus Media.

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

As traditional party loyalties weaken and trust in institutions continues to decline, political debate often seems unable to address deeper questions about belonging, meaning, identity and purpose.

This conversation examines whether the crisis facing politics is ultimately a cultural and spiritual one.

Topics include:

• The decline of traditional party politics

• Political homelessness and alienation

• Fragmentation and social disconnection

• Keir Starmer and the future of Labour

• Jeremy Corbyn and political realignment

• Politics as branding and performance

• Beyond left and right

• Paul Kingsnorth and cultural grief

• Eastern Orthodoxy and spiritual renewal

• Meaning, belonging and identity

• Human values and political renewal

• Paradox in public life

About Turning World:

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in a time of uncertainty and transformation.

Through open and thoughtful conversations, the podcast examines the questions that sit beneath today's headlines and seeks understanding beyond ideological tribes.

Produced by Opus Media.

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

Drawing on literature, cultural history, spirituality and personal experience, this conversation examines what has been lost as communities become more homogenised, public life becomes more managed and genuine face-to-face conversation becomes increasingly rare.

Topics include:

• Counterculture and non-conformity

• Independent thinking and self-education

• The legacy of literary and underground movements

• Sense of place and local identity

• Nostalgia and memory

• Political uses of nostalgia

• The disappearance of grassroots culture

• Meaning and modern life

• Sacred experience and mysticism

• John Moriarty and deep attention

• Conversation, listening and human connection

• Paradox and the complexity of being human

About Turning World:

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in an age of uncertainty and transformation.

The podcast creates space for thoughtful conversations that don't fit neatly into ideological boxes, seeking understanding rather than certainty.

Produced by Opus Media.

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

Stephen reflects on his move from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, while exploring the pressures facing local government, the importance of civic pride and whether practical politics has been replaced by remote political management.

Topics include:

• Reform UK and political change

• Leaving the Conservative Party

• Civic pride and community identity

• Jobs, growth and economic pragmatism

• Remote politicians and distrust in institutions

• Devolution and local governance

• Lancashire’s financial rescue

• Experience vs inexperience in politics

• Whether Reform risks becoming “Conservative 2.0”

Guest bio:

Stephen Atkinson is a Lancashire councillor and political figure associated with Reform UK, with a focus on local governance, economic pragmatism and civic renewal.

About Turning World:

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in an era of uncertainty and transformation.

Produced by Opus Media.

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

As both a researcher and patient advocate, Paul offers insight into the scientific, social and personal dimensions of chronic illness — from predictive coding and psychosomatic symptoms to fear, avoidance and pathways to recovery.

Topics include:

• Long Covid and post-Covid illness

• Chronic fatigue syndrome and ME/CFS

• Predictive coding and neuroscience

• Mind-body approaches to healing

• Psychosomatic illness and pain

• Fear, stress and trauma

• NHS and systemic healthcare failures

• Community support and local resilience

Guest bio:

Professor Paul Garner is professor emeritus at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, member of the Oslo Chronic Fatigue Network, contributor to Fatigue Science Talks, and advocate for improved understanding of chronic fatigue and post-viral conditions.

Paul Garner, professor emeritus, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

And member of the Oslo Chronic Fatigue Network

Links:

Raelan Agle interview on the post covid condition (Nov 2025)

 Failed by the NHS on chronic fatigue illness (Oct 2025)

Patients with severe ME/CFS (May 2025)

Long covid in Manchester Evening News (March 2025)

Fatigue Science Channel

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About Turning World:

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in an age of uncertainty and transformation.

Produced by Opus Media.

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

This conversation explores the tensions and opportunities surrounding diversity, Islamophobia, technology, education and integration, while challenging simplistic narratives about Muslim communities.

Topics include:

• Islamophobia and social perception

• Diversity and multiculturalism

• Community disconnect

• Social media and technology

• Education and civic belonging

• Integration and compromise

• Muslim contributions to European society

• Identity, belonging and public discourse

Guest bio:

Zia Chaudry MBE is a respected public figure, community advocate and commentator focused on social cohesion, integration and civic engagement.

About Turning World:

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in an era of uncertainty and transformation.

Links:

https://www.futuresforall.org/speakers-directory/zia-chaudhry-mbe

[Website/social links]

Produced by Opus Media.

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

This conversation examines the future of progressive politics through the lenses of civic belonging, workers’ rights, trade unionism, authenticity and community renewal.

Topics include:

• Blue Labour’s political philosophy

• Trade unions and workers’ rights

• Community engagement and civic society

• Authenticity in political leadership

• Rent control and fairness

• Corbynism, “Polanskism” and Labour’s future

• Blue Labour vs Green politics

• Ambiguity and paradox in modern political realignment

Guest bios:

Dan Carden is the Labour MP for Liverpool Walton and a prominent voice in Blue Labour politics.

Jonny Ball is a political thinker and journalist for New Statesman and Unheard.

About Turning World:

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in a world of uncertainty and transformation.

Links:

https://www.newstatesman.com/author/jonny-ball

https://members.parliament.uk/member/4651/contact

Produced by Opus Media.

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