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Crooked Media

Pod Save the UK is your weekly fix of political news, big ideas and a shot of inspiration. Each week hosts, comedian Nish Kumar and journalist Coco Khan are joined by politicians, experts, and famous friends to unpick the latest news, look for solutions, and inspire action. From Crooked Media – the creators of Pod Save America – in partnership with Reduced Listening, tune in to new episodes of Pod Save the UK every Thursday wherever you pod.

Pod Save the UK

High streets across the UK are being overwhelmed by betting shops. They gobble up £4.6 billion from punters every year - and local councils have almost no powers to block them. 

Labour MP Dawn Butler’s constituency, Brent East in North-West London, has 81 licensed enterprises alone. Jumping into “Betsy”, Dawn’s prized old-banger, Coco is taken out and about in Willesden to see first hand how betting shops are popping up everywhere and hear what local residents think. 

Along with 37 council leaders and mayors, Dawn is calling for a reform of the Gambling Act 2005 and a hike in gambling duties. With hints she might stand to be London mayor at the next election - could this be the first glimpse of her campaign?

Then, Nish and Coco give their assessment of Keir Starmer and the European moral support squad’s visit to the White House - is Putin still calling the shots on Ukraine? And as Starmer’s Government slumps to an all-time low in the polls, Sadiq Khan has a spicy take on Labour’s first year in power. But a glimmer of hope: is that a don’t-call-it-a-wealth-tax on the horizon?

On a less hopeful note, what on earth is going on with Labour’s social media account? And Nish and Coco struggle to get their head around the new Gen Z additions to the Cambridge Dictionary. Is politics all “delulu with no solulu”?

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USEFUL LINKS 

See us Live in London! 

Stop the Genocide Special - Tuesday 2nd 

https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/pod-save-the-uk-x-amnesty-international-uk-stop-the-genocide/

Future of the left - Sunday 7th

https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/pod-save-the-uk/

Sign Dawn Butler’s Petition for Gambling Reform 

https://www.dawnbutler.org.uk/gambling_reform_petition

Gambling Support

https://www.gamcare.org.uk/ 

GUESTS

Dawn Butler MP

CREDITS 

IG / @UKLabour

TikTok / @politicsprincess

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

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Does the UK have a gambling problem? Out and about w/ Dawn Butler

Three thousand riot police were put on standby after Friday was dubbed “anti-asylum day” by far-right organisers, with 14 protests scheduled nationwide outside of suspected asylum hotels. 

Tensions are high but with Keir Starmer constantly boasting about cracking down on “illegal” migrants - is the Government simply fanning the flames of unrest?

The New Statesman’s Britain Editor Anoosh Chakelian has been speaking to locals and asylum seekers at asylum hotels. She joins Nish and Coco to discuss why they’ve become such a lightning rod and what else the Government could be doing.

And Labour Minister Chris Bryant has had an unorthodox path into politics - from growing up in Franco’s Spain to being ordained as an Anglican priest. He answers some tricky questions on the Palestine Action arrests and landlord MPs.

And digging into the mailbag, Nish gets an education on audio porn.

CHECK OUT THIS DEAL FROM OUR SPONSOR

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USEFUL LINKS 

See us Live in London! 

https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/pod-save-the-uk/

Chris Bryant - A Life and A Half: The Unexpected Making of a Politician

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/life-and-a-half-9781526680914/

National Youth Theatre Statement

https://www.nyt.org.uk/news/nyt-statement-3-august-2025 

Girl On The Net - blog 

https://www.girlonthenet.com/blog/age-verification-whats-the-harm/

Paid Parental Leave Review

https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/parental-leave-and-pay-review-call-for-evidence

GUESTS

Anoosh Chakelian

Chris Bryant MP

CREDITS 

Twitter / White House

Twitter / Keir Starmer 

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK
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Is the government inflaming protests on the left and right?

This week - we’re talking about the internet, Coco’s proclivities toward the disembodied voice of Pedro Pascal and Nish’s struggles to find any time to work on himself. Strap in - it’s a juicy one. 

Nish and Coco are joined by technology journalist Chris Stokel-Walker to make sense of the UK’s new online safety laws - which restrict access to harmful and inappropriate content for young people - while simultaneously clamping down on free speech and digital privacy. The conversation is becoming a culture war topic - but are the political class actually having a sensible discussion about this seismic, world’s-first legislation? 

And - guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission could see trans people excluded from public life. And now it might become law - with no debate, no scrutiny and no vote. We’ll be speaking to journalist Freddy McConnell about the risk to all of our rights and how we can fight back.

And later - we’re getting Jezzy with it - we dive into the mailbag to hear your thoughts on the party definitely not called “your party”. 

CHECK OUT THIS DEAL FROM OUR SPONSOR

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USEFUL LINKS 

See us Live in London! 

https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/pod-save-the-uk/

Write to your MP 

https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/

Trans Solidarity Alliance

https://www.transsolidarityalliance.com/ehrc-code

Freddy’s latest article

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/31/transgender-rights-ehrc-guidance-single-sex-spaces 

Guardian article about Lord Dannet

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/05/lord-dannatt-urged-ministers-to-crack-down-on-palestine-action-at-request-of-us-firm 

GUESTS

Chris Stokel-Walker 

Freddy McConnell

AUDIO CREDITS 

Sky News

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK
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Is criticism of the Online Safety Act actually right wing?

PSUK is back - and this week Keir Starmer has swung open the door to recognising Palestinian Statehood - with caveats. Nish and Coco discuss the massive change in the UK’s foreign policy stance. 

Later, they’re joined by suspended Labour MP Brian Leishman (and his Dachshund Hugo) who voted against the government’s welfare cuts, to discuss the direction of Labour and Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn’s new political party. 

And - since Palestine Action was banned as a terrorist organisation back in July, more than 100 people have been arrested across the UK in protest. Nish and Coco discuss the future of civil disobedience with former Government lawyer and member of Defend Our Juries, Tim Crosland.

CHECK OUT THIS DEAL FROM OUR SPONSOR

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USEFUL LINKS

See us Live in London! 

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Guests:

Brian Leishman, MP for Alloa & Grangemouth 

Tim Crosland, Former Government Lawyer and Founder of Plan B 

Audio Credits:

The White House

Sky News

Channel 4 News 

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK
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Is the new left party what the UK needs?

The co-Leadership bid of Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay represents continuity for the Greens - they sit in Parliament and have proven they can win seats, but is their friendly language enough to cut through to the British public? Rival Zack Polanski says his alternative “eco-populist” vision can bring the fight to Reform and win. 

Ellie and Zack sit down with Nish and Coco to make the case for their competing visions for the future of the Green Party - and answer your questions.

Elsewhere - Nish and Coco dive into Labour’s union troubles and take a peek at Ed Miliband's “radical truth telling.”

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Guests:

Ellie Chowns

Zack Polanski

Useful links:

Join the Green Party

https://join.greenparty.org.uk/

Audio Credits

BBC

Parliament TV

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK
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PSUK’s Green Leadership Debate: The Friendliest FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT You’ve Ever Heard

This week’s episode of Pod Save the UK comes live from Sheffield’s Crossed Wires Festival. Nish and Coco sit down with two special guests: former trader and economics commentator Gary Stevenson and South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard.

Cracking open cans of Nish, provided by local brewery Triple Point, Nish and Coco discuss the recent vote on labelling certain protest groups as terrorist organisations and the not-so-slow creep in the loss of our rights.

One year into Government - backflips on Labour’s Welfare Bill have led to a new round of supermassive black holes for the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to plug. Gary Stevenson gives us some ideas on how to do it…

And what about tackling economic inequalities on a local level? Oliver Coppard reflects on the Government’s push to go further and faster on devolution and the difficult decisions he’s made to achieve his priorities for South Yorkshire.

Finally, with Independent MP Zarah Sultana quitting Labour to form a new progressive party, everyone gives their two cents on what this will mean for the future of the left.

Guests:

Gary Stevenson

Mayor Oliver Coppard

Useful links:

Gary’s Economics

https://www.youtube.com/garyseconomics

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK

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Live! One year of Keir - how can we fix the mess? - with Gary Stevenson and Oliver Coppard

Nish’s inappropriate occurrences report at Glastonbury is in: there were people kissing, some people had their butts out and nobody seemed to be slapping on the SPF - all very inappropriate. But this isn’t what the right-wing press or the government has taken issue with…

You’ve heard it already - the controversy around Kneecap and Bob Vylan’s sets engulfed the political discourse over the festival weekend. But is the controversy the real story here? Nish and Coco shine a light on some of what was REALLY said at Glastonbury and question why those messages didn’t receive as much airtime. 

Later, as the government recovers from the brink of political crisis and the Chancellor’s position is drawn into question, Nish and Coco are joined by journalist and author Frances Ryan to discuss the u-turns on u-turns that led to the government’s welfare bill passing. But the battle isn’t over yet. 

Finally, Men’s health in the UK is in a sorry place. Nish is joined by Movember’s Dr Zac Seidler to discuss the government’s upcoming Men’s Health Strategy and why young men are being sucked into the manosphere.

 

SEE US LIVE! 

https://crossedwires.live/podcast/pod-save-the-uk

Useful Links: 

Contribute your thoughts to the Men’s Health Strategy 

https://consultations.dhsc.gov.uk/mens-health-strategy 

Frances Ryan: Who Wants Normal? 

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/455467/who-wants-normal-by-ryan-frances/9780241629437 

Write to your MP about the Welfare Benefit Cuts!

https://www.writetothem.com/

Guests:

Frances Ryan 

Dr Zac Seidler

Audio credits:

BBC

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK
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[Moral] Panic on the streets of Glastonbury

After a rollercoaster week of news - the threat of World War 3 suddenly felt a little overstated. But a few short hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran - both countries returned to a war of words and missiles - leading to President Trump delivering an outburst for the ages: “They don’t know what the F*** they’re doing”. 

But does Trump? Nish and Coco don’t think so. The UK has been swept up in the maelstrom - with the pomp and circumstance of diplomatic theatrics making little impact in a world where the US president acts unilaterally. 

Then, the gang speak to urban sociologist Dr Abi O’Connor about a potential way out of the affordability crisis in housing - rent controls. Abi breaks down the concept for us all to digest, with some listener questions along the way. 

Then, finally - the home secretary Yvette Cooper is seeking to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror group… WTF.

SEE US LIVE! 

https://crossedwires.os.fan/pod-save-the-uk 

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Useful Links 

Write to your MP

https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/

Homes for Us Alliance 

https://homesforus.org.uk/

Guest: 

Dr Abi O’Connor, Urban Sociologist & Researcher for Homes for Us Alliance 

Audio Credits:

The Guardian

BBC

Pod Save the World 

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK

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Does Trump know what the F#@! he’s doing?

Keir Starmer is not afraid of a U-turn. From abandoned policy pledges to reinstating the winter-fuel allowance, the list is growing. To add to this - this week, the PM has expressed his support for Israel’s military action against Iran, despite criticising Israel’s actions in Gaza. Then he caved in to calls for a full national inquiry into grooming gangs, despite earlier dismissing them as amplifying far-right demands.

Whether you think these are sensible or sly, these political backflips have certainly led to a lot of headscratching when it comes to one question: what does our Prime Minister actually stand for? Nish and Coco sit down with New Statesman Editor in Chief, Tom McTague, who has spent months with Starmer trying to find out what lies beneath the title.

The Government’s new Welfare Reform Bill is introduced in Parliament this week, which experts say will lead to nearly a quarter of a million more families being pushed into poverty. Nish heads down to Westminster to meet with hundreds of people who have gathered to call for an end to the rising tide of hunger and hardship in the UK. Nish speaks to Labour MP Brian Leishman, Liberal Democrat Wendy Chamberlain and Green Siân Berry about the calls for an essentials guarantee - while hearing from the lived experience of people working at food banks around the UK. 

And as the Government's new data bill finally passes in the House of Lords, Nish and Coco voice their concerns about what it means for the creative industries.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this podcast included an incorrect statistic about the rate of foodbank usage within the UK - which is estimated by the DWP to be at around 3% of households. We regret the error. 

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Guests:

Tom McTague

Siân Berry

Brian Leishman 

Wendy Chamberlain

Helen Barnard

Emma Revie

Useful links:

Tom McTague’s profile of Keir Starmer

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2025/06/what-keir-starmer-cant-say

Support the Trussell Trust’s call for an Essential Guarantee!

https://www.trussell.org.uk/support-us/guarantee-our-essentials

Write to your MP

https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/

Audio Credits:

BBC

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK

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U-turn after U-turn: who is the real Keir Starmer?

Rachel Reeves has delivered her very first spending review, promising to ‘renew Britain’ with big cash boosts for the NHS, housing and defence. It’s a marked change of tone but the Tories are calling her approach “spend now, tax later”. 

Nish and Coco dig into the details and are left with some questions. Are tax rises in the Autumn inevitable? Are high-stakes promises, like vowing to end spending on controversial asylum hotels, ill-thought-out? Will all this be enough to change the public mood? 

And as we’ve seen across the pond in LA this week, face masks have been critical to protect the identity of protestors demonstrating against immigration raids and deportations. But the UK government plans to ban them. Nish and Coco speak to Akiko Hart, director of human rights organisation, Liberty, about how we can uphold the right to protest and the latest on challenging the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.

And finally - it gives us great joy to announce - Reform UK is in meltdown with (now former) party chairman Zia Yusuf performing the political equivalent of the hokey-cokey… is he in or out?

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Useful Links:

See us live! 

https://crossedwires.live/podcast/pod-save-the-uk

Liberty Human Rights

https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/

Guests:

Akiko Hart

Audio Credits

BBC

Parliament TV

Instagram / Richard Tice

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK

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Is the government inflaming protests on the left and right?

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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