Politics Uncensored

Keir Starmer is beyond saving and it's time to jump ship - Ben Smoke.On todays show, the government plan to end jury trials for crimes with expected sentences of under 3 years. Ali and Zoe are joined by journalist Ben Smoke to discuss rising authoritarianism form the Labour Party. Then Pink News writer Amelia Hansford joins the show to break down NHS England’s review into HRT for trans adults.Before this, its the week unwrapped! From warnings over ‘reputational risk’ t to a £75,000 taxpayer-funded payout, the first tranche of Peter Mandelson files have been published! How damaging is this story for Keir Starmer? Ali and Zoe discuss.Here are the key points:Mandelson paid out £75,000Mandelson was offered a severance payment of £75,000 after initially asking the Foreign Office to pay him more than £500,000Starmer Warned It was flagged to Sir Keir that "Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein's house while he was in jail in June 2009" and noted there was "general reputational risk" over his relationship with Epstein .It warned the PM that a political appointment - Lord Mandelson - rather than a diplomatic one was more risky: "If anything goes wrong, you could be more exposed as the individual is more connected to you personally."Powell Mandelson's Appointment “Weirdly” rushedPowell, one of Sir Keir's most trusted advisers, found Lord Mandelson's appointment in December 2024 was "weirdly rushed" and that he had been "particularly cautious about the appointment".Minutes of a call in September 2025 show that Mr Powell had "raised concerns about the individual and reputation" to Morgan McSweeney, the PM's then chief of staff, and adds: "MM responded that the issues had been addressed."--The Iran war continues as deaths continue to rise and concerns of rising inflation mount here in the UK. Ali and Zoe break down the conflict so far and the consequences internationally.Iran's new supreme leader says key oil route will remain closed Iran’s new Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in first appointment the critical Strait of Hormuz will remain essentially closed as a “tool of pressure” and that Iran’s neighbors are being targeted due to US bases.US- Israeli targets Oil facilities causing widespread health concernBBC identify at least 4 US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilitiesSmoke plumes caused by oil depot and refinery strikes drifted across Tehran on Monday, satellite images show, as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that attacks on oil facilities could pose serious health risks to residents.--David Lammy’s plans to scrap Jury trials for crimes with sentences of less than three years has passed its first hurdle in the House, despite Labour rebels making their opposition known.Journalist Ben Smoke joins to discuss the reforms, what they mean and if Keir Starmer is an authoritarian. The measures, announced in December after a review by a retired judge Sir Brian Leveson, would scrap jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years.MPs have voted to allow a bill that would curb access to jury trials in England and Wales to progress to the next stage, despite some Labour MPs stating their opposition to the reforms.The Courts and Tribunals Bill passed by 304 votes to 203, a majority of 101, with 10 Labour MPs rebelling against the government, and dozens abstaining.--Then Pink News journalist Amelia Hansford joins to discuss NHS England's ‘evidence review’ into HRT for trans adults, a move which has some concerned about trans people's ability to access medical careNHS England is reportedly reviewing the evidence on the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for transgender adults as part of its newly announced consultation.The public health service confirmed the evidence review and several others in a report published as part of an upcoming public consultation into proposed changes to NHS youth gender services.The Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (EHIA) report was published after NHS England announced the decision to ban new masculinising and feminising (MAF) hormone prescriptions for under-18s, claiming the evidence for the medication’s benefits are “really weak.”Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali MilaniGuests: Ben Smoke and Amelia HansfordProducers: Hugh Smiley and Jules Bradford

Keir Starmer is beyond saving and it's time to jump ship - Ben Smoke.On todays show, the government plan to end jury trials for crimes with expected sentences of under 3 years. Ali and Zoe are joined by journalist Ben Smoke to discuss rising authoritarianism form the Labour Party. Then Pink News writer Amelia Hansford joins the show to break down NHS England’s review into HRT for trans adults.Before this, its the week unwrapped! From warnings over ‘reputational risk’ t to a £75,000 taxpayer-funded payout, the first tranche of Peter Mandelson files have been published! How damaging is this story for Keir Starmer? Ali and Zoe discuss.Here are the key points:Mandelson paid out £75,000Mandelson was offered a severance payment of £75,000 after initially asking the Foreign Office to pay him more than £500,000Starmer Warned It was flagged to Sir Keir that "Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein's house while he was in jail in June 2009" and noted there was "general reputational risk" over his relationship with Epstein .It warned the PM that a political appointment - Lord Mandelson - rather than a diplomatic one was more risky: "If anything goes wrong, you could be more exposed as the individual is more connected to you personally."Powell Mandelson's Appointment “Weirdly” rushedPowell, one of Sir Keir's most trusted advisers, found Lord Mandelson's appointment in December 2024 was "weirdly rushed" and that he had been "particularly cautious about the appointment".Minutes of a call in September 2025 show that Mr Powell had "raised concerns about the individual and reputation" to Morgan McSweeney, the PM's then chief of staff, and adds: "MM responded that the issues had been addressed."--The Iran war continues as deaths continue to rise and concerns of rising inflation mount here in the UK. Ali and Zoe break down the conflict so far and the consequences internationally.Iran's new supreme leader says key oil route will remain closed Iran’s new Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in first appointment the critical Strait of Hormuz will remain essentially closed as a “tool of pressure” and that Iran’s neighbors are being targeted due to US bases.US- Israeli targets Oil facilities causing widespread health concernBBC identify at least 4 US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilitiesSmoke plumes caused by oil depot and refinery strikes drifted across Tehran on Monday, satellite images show, as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that attacks on oil facilities could pose serious health risks to residents.--David Lammy’s plans to scrap Jury trials for crimes with sentences of less than three years has passed its first hurdle in the House, despite Labour rebels making their opposition known.Journalist Ben Smoke joins to discuss the reforms, what they mean and if Keir Starmer is an authoritarian. The measures, announced in December after a review by a retired judge Sir Brian Leveson, would scrap jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years.MPs have voted to allow a bill that would curb access to jury trials in England and Wales to progress to the next stage, despite some Labour MPs stating their opposition to the reforms.The Courts and Tribunals Bill passed by 304 votes to 203, a majority of 101, with 10 Labour MPs rebelling against the government, and dozens abstaining.--Then Pink News journalist Amelia Hansford joins to discuss NHS England's ‘evidence review’ into HRT for trans adults, a move which has some concerned about trans people's ability to access medical careNHS England is reportedly reviewing the evidence on the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for transgender adults as part of its newly announced consultation.The public health service confirmed the evidence review and several others in a report published as part of an upcoming public consultation into proposed changes to NHS youth gender services.The Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (EHIA) report was published after NHS England announced the decision to ban new masculinising and feminising (MAF) hormone prescriptions for under-18s, claiming the evidence for the medication’s benefits are “really weak.”Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali MilaniGuests: Ben Smoke and Amelia HansfordProducers: Hugh Smiley and Jules Bradford

Keir Starmer is beyond saving and it's time to jump ship - Ben Smoke.On todays show, the government plan to end jury trials for crimes with expected sentences of under 3 years. Ali and Zoe are joined by journalist Ben Smoke to discuss rising authoritarianism form the Labour Party. Then Pink News writer Amelia Hansford joins the show to break down NHS England’s review into HRT for trans adults.Before this, its the week unwrapped! From warnings over ‘reputational risk’ t to a £75,000 taxpayer-funded payout, the first tranche of Peter Mandelson files have been published! How damaging is this story for Keir Starmer? Ali and Zoe discuss.Here are the key points:Mandelson paid out £75,000Mandelson was offered a severance payment of £75,000 after initially asking the Foreign Office to pay him more than £500,000Starmer Warned It was flagged to Sir Keir that "Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein's house while he was in jail in June 2009" and noted there was "general reputational risk" over his relationship with Epstein .It warned the PM that a political appointment - Lord Mandelson - rather than a diplomatic one was more risky: "If anything goes wrong, you could be more exposed as the individual is more connected to you personally."Powell Mandelson's Appointment “Weirdly” rushedPowell, one of Sir Keir's most trusted advisers, found Lord Mandelson's appointment in December 2024 was "weirdly rushed" and that he had been "particularly cautious about the appointment".Minutes of a call in September 2025 show that Mr Powell had "raised concerns about the individual and reputation" to Morgan McSweeney, the PM's then chief of staff, and adds: "MM responded that the issues had been addressed."--The Iran war continues as deaths continue to rise and concerns of rising inflation mount here in the UK. Ali and Zoe break down the conflict so far and the consequences internationally.Iran's new supreme leader says key oil route will remain closed Iran’s new Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in first appointment the critical Strait of Hormuz will remain essentially closed as a “tool of pressure” and that Iran’s neighbors are being targeted due to US bases.US- Israeli targets Oil facilities causing widespread health concernBBC identify at least 4 US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilitiesSmoke plumes caused by oil depot and refinery strikes drifted across Tehran on Monday, satellite images show, as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that attacks on oil facilities could pose serious health risks to residents.--David Lammy’s plans to scrap Jury trials for crimes with sentences of less than three years has passed its first hurdle in the House, despite Labour rebels making their opposition known.Journalist Ben Smoke joins to discuss the reforms, what they mean and if Keir Starmer is an authoritarian. The measures, announced in December after a review by a retired judge Sir Brian Leveson, would scrap jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years.MPs have voted to allow a bill that would curb access to jury trials in England and Wales to progress to the next stage, despite some Labour MPs stating their opposition to the reforms.The Courts and Tribunals Bill passed by 304 votes to 203, a majority of 101, with 10 Labour MPs rebelling against the government, and dozens abstaining.--Then Pink News journalist Amelia Hansford joins to discuss NHS England's ‘evidence review’ into HRT for trans adults, a move which has some concerned about trans people's ability to access medical careNHS England is reportedly reviewing the evidence on the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for transgender adults as part of its newly announced consultation.The public health service confirmed the evidence review and several others in a report published as part of an upcoming public consultation into proposed changes to NHS youth gender services.The Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (EHIA) report was published after NHS England announced the decision to ban new masculinising and feminising (MAF) hormone prescriptions for under-18s, claiming the evidence for the medication’s benefits are “really weak.”Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali MilaniGuests: Ben Smoke and Amelia HansfordProducers: Hugh Smiley and Jules Bradford

Keir Starmer is beyond saving and it's time to jump ship - Ben Smoke.On todays show, the government plan to end jury trials for crimes with expected sentences of under 3 years. Ali and Zoe are joined by journalist Ben Smoke to discuss rising authoritarianism form the Labour Party. Then Pink News writer Amelia Hansford joins the show to break down NHS England’s review into HRT for trans adults.Before this, its the week unwrapped! From warnings over ‘reputational risk’ t to a £75,000 taxpayer-funded payout, the first tranche of Peter Mandelson files have been published! How damaging is this story for Keir Starmer? Ali and Zoe discuss.Here are the key points:Mandelson paid out £75,000Mandelson was offered a severance payment of £75,000 after initially asking the Foreign Office to pay him more than £500,000Starmer Warned It was flagged to Sir Keir that "Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein's house while he was in jail in June 2009" and noted there was "general reputational risk" over his relationship with Epstein .It warned the PM that a political appointment - Lord Mandelson - rather than a diplomatic one was more risky: "If anything goes wrong, you could be more exposed as the individual is more connected to you personally."Powell Mandelson's Appointment “Weirdly” rushedPowell, one of Sir Keir's most trusted advisers, found Lord Mandelson's appointment in December 2024 was "weirdly rushed" and that he had been "particularly cautious about the appointment".Minutes of a call in September 2025 show that Mr Powell had "raised concerns about the individual and reputation" to Morgan McSweeney, the PM's then chief of staff, and adds: "MM responded that the issues had been addressed."--The Iran war continues as deaths continue to rise and concerns of rising inflation mount here in the UK. Ali and Zoe break down the conflict so far and the consequences internationally.Iran's new supreme leader says key oil route will remain closed Iran’s new Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in first appointment the critical Strait of Hormuz will remain essentially closed as a “tool of pressure” and that Iran’s neighbors are being targeted due to US bases.US- Israeli targets Oil facilities causing widespread health concernBBC identify at least 4 US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilitiesSmoke plumes caused by oil depot and refinery strikes drifted across Tehran on Monday, satellite images show, as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that attacks on oil facilities could pose serious health risks to residents.--David Lammy’s plans to scrap Jury trials for crimes with sentences of less than three years has passed its first hurdle in the House, despite Labour rebels making their opposition known.Journalist Ben Smoke joins to discuss the reforms, what they mean and if Keir Starmer is an authoritarian. The measures, announced in December after a review by a retired judge Sir Brian Leveson, would scrap jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years.MPs have voted to allow a bill that would curb access to jury trials in England and Wales to progress to the next stage, despite some Labour MPs stating their opposition to the reforms.The Courts and Tribunals Bill passed by 304 votes to 203, a majority of 101, with 10 Labour MPs rebelling against the government, and dozens abstaining.--Then Pink News journalist Amelia Hansford joins to discuss NHS England's ‘evidence review’ into HRT for trans adults, a move which has some concerned about trans people's ability to access medical careNHS England is reportedly reviewing the evidence on the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for transgender adults as part of its newly announced consultation.The public health service confirmed the evidence review and several others in a report published as part of an upcoming public consultation into proposed changes to NHS youth gender services.The Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (EHIA) report was published after NHS England announced the decision to ban new masculinising and feminising (MAF) hormone prescriptions for under-18s, claiming the evidence for the medication’s benefits are “really weak.”Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali MilaniGuests: Ben Smoke and Amelia HansfordProducers: Hugh Smiley and Jules Bradford

Why has Trump gone to war with Iran? God knows...On today’s show Ali and Zoe are joined by foreign affairs journalist Colin Freeman to help break down Donald Trump’s war with Iran and the UK’s position in the chaos. Then film director Daniel Everitt-Lock will joins the studio to discuss his brand new film Our Planet, The People, My Blood, a documentary following the fight against the Ministry of Defence to get compensation and recognition for the British Atomic Veterans.Before this it's the week unwrapped:Last week the Greens shocked the political establishment by Winning the Gorton and Denton by-election. In a turn of events that was shocking for everyone, except for producer Hugh who called it (yes I did), Hannah Spencer won by a decent margin in Manchester.  3 men have been arrested on suspicion of spying for china, including the husband of a, at the time of recording, sitting Labour MP. David Taylor, husband of East Kilbride now former Labour MP Joani Reid arrested Wednesday by Counter Terrorism Police in London on suspicion of spying for China All the wrong lessons learned from Gorton and Denton as Shabanna Mahmood today announced new asylum rules, which make legal projections temporary for asylum seekers. Cases will be reviewed every 30 months, after which they could be sent to their country of origin, provided it is deemed safe to do so.After the week unwrapped Colin Freeman joins to break down the conflict in Iran. The US alongside Israel have launched strikes on Iran, in what some have described as the start of WW3.The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February. In response, Iran’s foreign ministry declared its intent to defend its homeland.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps initiated counterattacks, deploying drones and missiles towards Israel, while further strikes targeted US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Qatar.The US and Israel launched widespread strikes on 28 February, targeting Iran's missile infrastructure, military sites and leadership in the capital, Tehran, and across the country.Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the country since 1989, was killed during the first wave of strikes. Israel's military said dozens more senior figures in the powerful Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) were also killed.From 1945 to 1996 there were over 2,000 nuclear weapons tests conducted by global superpowers, including the USA, Russia, China, the UK, France, India and Pakistan. Most of these countries never tested within their respective lands, and put millions of people across the world at risk. Joining Ali and Zoe to discuss this less spoken scandal is the director for Our Planet ,The People, My Blood, Daniel Everitt-Lock.Find more information as well as the first screenings of Our Planet, The People, My Blood hereGuest Bio:Why have foreign fighters flocked to Ukraine? Veteran foreign correspondent Colin Freeman investigates and finds that Orwellian, Spanish Civil War type idealism is far from the only answer. For some, it is a yearning for adventure and a desire to embrace old-school warrior values that the West no longer seems to prize.  For some, it is a flight from a life gone wrong. ZELENSKY'S FOREIGN LEGION delivers the intense frontline storytelling of a 3-Para or Black Hawk Down, while teasing out psychological complexity from the testimony and the back-stories of the soldiers Colin has interviewed at length. His thorough research and in-person experience have combined to create a fascinating new perspective on an era-defining conflict.Colin Freeman is a former chief foreign correspondent of The Sunday Telegraph, now a freelance foreign affairs writer. He has been reporting on Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russian invasion, writing mainly for the The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator.He started his journalism career on the Grimsby Evening Telegraph, before moving to the London Evening Standard. In 2003 - bored with a job covering local government -  he moved to Iraq to pursue a career as a foreign correspondent, spending two years in Baghdad. He spent the next two decades reporting all over Africa, the Middle East and Asia, covering events including the Arab Spring uprisings, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in west Africa, and the Somali piracy crisis. Over the years, he has written for the Economist, the British Journalism Review, Tortoise Magazine, The Lady, Country Life and pretty much anywhere else that will have him. He also contributes regularly to From Our Own Correspondent on BBC Radio Four. Daniel's career started 14 years ago, shooting corporate videos and commercial. Since then he has worked his way up to an IATSE 667 Director of Photography, and associate member of the CSC. He is a British and Canadian Citizen currently living between London, UK, and Toronto, Canada. (eligible for tax credits in both countries)To date he has shot over 13 scripted feature films, multiple series, and 2 feature documentaries.He has also had the pleasure and honour of working 2nd unit alongside prolific cinematographers, including Seamus MacGarvey ASC, BSC, on 'The Nevers' for HBO.Hosts: Zoe Grunewald and Ali MilaniGuests: Colin Freeman and Daniel Everitt-LockProducer: Hugh Smiley