James O'Brien Daily

Global

Welcome to the best bits of James O'Brien's LBC phone-in show.
Listen back to all the highlights in a 60-minute bite sized chunk of his show with new episodes every weekday.
James covers all the big stories which will make you think - and possibly change your outlook.

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405 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes405

Newest first

Oct 27, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
“Human error” led to Epping sex offender’s mistaken release
“It drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people”. Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s racist comments have even drawn widespread criticism - but many from her party refuse to label the comments as racist. How can we best discuss the increase of racism in our public discourse? And, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a former asylum seeker and convicted sex offender who was released from prison in error is back in custody and faces deportation. Shockingly, accidental releases of prisoners have doubled in a year - how? This episode was recorded on the 27th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 24, 2025 · 44 min
Can Rachel Reeves afford a tax rise?
With a potential tax rise on the horizon, James asked whether Rachel Reeves could handle the political and economic fallout. The UK currently relies on roughly 500,000 taxpayers for a third of all income and capital gains tax revenue, raising big questions about fairness, fiscal policy, and whether Labour risks breaking another key pledge if income tax increases. And, James turned to a stark new finding: the number of 16–24 year olds in England reporting symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has more than tripled in the past decade. But James wanted to open the floor to what it is really like living with obsessive compulsive disorder in today’s world? This episode was recorded on the 24th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Oct 23, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Grooming gang inquiry chaos
The grooming gangs inquiry has been plunged into disarray this week - before it has even started - with four survivors quitting the panel and two frontrunners for chairperson withdrawing. Why is this, and what should the success of the inquiry look like? And, one in 12 secondary pupils report being put into school isolation rooms at least once a week where they often spend in excess of eight hours, missing more than a full day of lessons, according to research. Why is that, and what impact is it having on kids? This episode was recorded on the 23rd of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 22, 2025 · 57 min
Landmark ruling to protect children from abuse
The family courts will no longer work on the presumption that having contact with both parents is in the best interests of a child. Campaigners say this will save many children’s lives. James asks his listeners to share their experiences and is joined by Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno, Director and Founder of SHERA, whose research was instrumental for this ruling. Also, Rachel Reeves has stressed the long term damage done to the British economy by Brexit in her remarks to the IMF. When will the government finally start telling the truth about Brexit and its effects? And, President Donald Trump is reportedly demanding the Justice Department pay him $230 million in compensation for the federal investigations into him – a settlement that could ultimately face approval by one of his former lawyers, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche... LBC’s man in Washington, Simon Marks, has the details. This episode was recorded on the 22nd of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 21, 2025 · 58 min
Should cocaine be legalised?
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in front of the Covid Inquiry today, speaking about the effect of the pandemic and his own policy decisions on young people. How did the lockdowns affect you or the young people in your life? And, The Economist has argued that legalising cocaine would have myriad societal benefits, eliminating the price premium that incentivises dangerous gang activity, freeing up space and resources within the criminal justice system and ensuring the product itself was safe for users. Two questions: Would legalisation of cocaine decrease or increase the amount of peril that we’re exposed to? And, why are drugs illegal? This episode was recorded on the 21st of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 20, 2025 · 58 min
Police investigate Prince Andrew’s Epstein links
Parliament is under mounting pressure to examine what the royal family knew about Prince Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein and strip him of his titles. Why do we care so much about this shameful story? And, Conservative MP Katie Lam says that all immigrants in the UK legally that have indefinite leave to remain should be deported. Her comments have gone largely unchallenged - how do you feel about this? This episode was recorded on the 20th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 17, 2025 · 59 min
US media reject Trump’s new press restrictions
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned a decision banning fans of Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv from supporting their Europa League fixture against Aston Villa in November. The decision has been taken because of the perceived potential for violent clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli fans. Was this the right decision? And, new research shows that millennial fathers want to spend more time looking after their kids - but workplaces are yet to catch up. What’s it like being a Dad that wants to be more present, but with an employer who doesn’t let you? And, James is joined by Simon Marks, who explains why US news outlets are rejecting the Pentagon's new reporting restrictions. This episode was recorded on the 17th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 16, 2025 · 50 min
The China spy case explained
The UK government is facing questions after a case against two men accused of spying for China collapsed just weeks before the trial was due to go ahead, when prosecutors unexpectedly dropped the charges. No one seems to fully understand this story, but luckily enough, James knows who to ask… Also, James speaks with James Ball, the Political Editor of the New World, who tells the story of the man who controls the political right and is set to become the most influential non-politician in the country. And, the late sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre alleged in her memoir that Prince Andrew was "entitled" and "believed having sex with me was his birthright". What should the Royal Family do about him? This episode was recorded on the 16th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 15, 2025 · 59 min
Why are 1 million young people doing nothing with their lives?
According to recent UK data, nearly a million young people are not in education, employment, or training, with the graduate job market becoming increasingly scarce. What are the causes of this? And, vets in the UK could be forced to cap prescription prices after an investigation by the markets watchdog found pet owners may be paying twice as much for some common medicines from practices than online. Why is the vet so expensive? This episode was recorded on the 15th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 14, 2025 · 57 min
What did Trump’s Gaza speech mean?
Yesterday, President Donald Trump spoke alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, in front of the world’s leaders, to declare the war in Gaza over as a result of his peace-deal. The speech had to be heard to be believed. James breaks it all down with the callers. And, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said he is delighted that the government can now speak about the problems caused by Brexit, specifically, its catastrophic impact on the UK economy. Is it finally time for the government to punish their opponents for Brexit, will it work if they do? This episode was recorded on the 14th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 13, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Donald Trump declares the end of the Gaza War
Earlier today, President Donald Trump addressed the Knesset, declaring the end of the war in Gaza and the “age of terror”, as a result of the US-brokered ceasefire. The bombing has stopped, the final 20 Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas and almost 2000 detained Palestinians, including 22 children, are due to be released by Israel. Despite Trump's numerous and egregious misdeeds, could this peace deal have been any better? And, James plays Trump's speech and provides analysis in real time. This episode was recorded on the 13th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 10, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
How much has Netanyahu damaged Israel's reputation?
Palestinians are beginning to return to Gaza's north following the Israeli government’s approval of the first phase of Trump's ceasefire and hostage return deal. What happens now? Will justice actually be brought to those who’ve committed war crimes? And, how much damage Netanyahu has done to Israel's reputation? And, public support for digital IDs has bombed following Keir Starmer announcing plans for their compulsory introduction. How on earth did Keir Starmer manage to turn an initially popular idea into such an unpopular policy? This episode was recorded on the 10th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 9, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
The Gaza Peace Deal
An Israel-Hamas ceasefire is expected to begin within 24 hours of an Israeli government sign-off - a move that is expected to happen today. In the meantime, explosions have continued being reported in Gaza. Is this finally a time for optimism, or will this go the same way as previous ceasefires? James speaks with Noga Tarnopolsky, the freelance reporter in Jerusalem who’s guided LBC through the last 2 years of this conflict, to hear exactly what the peace deal involves for both sides of the conflict. This episode was recorded on the 9th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 8, 2025 · 57 min
Is the Conservative Party finished?
During her speech at the Conservative Party Conference today, Kemi Badenoch said the party will scrap stamp duty on main home purchases if she comes to power. James analyses this speech with LBC’s Political Editor Natasha Clark, and asks whether the Conservative Party is over as we know it. And, James is joined by Simon Marks, LBC’s Washington Correspondent - is President Donald Trump taking the US closer to civil war? This episode was recorded on the 8th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 7, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Robert Jenrick on Birmingham: “I didn’t see another white face”
Today marks two years since the October 7th terror attacks in Israel by Hamas. Sir Keir Starmer is urging students not to join today’s planned pro-Palestinian protests, saying it would be "un-British" for the rallies to go ahead given the anniversary. Does he have a point, or not? Also, James is joined by peace activist Magen Inon, whose parents Bilha and Yakovi were killed during the October 7th attacks. And, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick’s highly controversial comments about the Handsworth area of Birmingham included a complaint about not seeing “another white face” in the area. What's he really trying to say? This episode was recorded on the 7th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 6, 2025 · 52 min
Police to get more anti-protest powers - is this right?
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced additional police powers that will be used to restrict repeat protests, a day after nearly 500 Palestine Action protesters were arrested. Has the government gone too far? And, Gary Neville, football pundit and former England and Manchester United footballer, revealed on social media that he removed a Union Jack flag from one of his development sites as it was being “used in a negative fashion”. What do you think of this? And, why are people putting flags up now? This episode was recorded on the 6th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 3, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Fallout from the Manchester terror attack
Yesterday, two people were killed in a terror attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, a synagogue in Manchester. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, their families, and the three people that remain in hospital. Today saw a highly distressing development to the tragedy - one of the victims killed was hit by police gunfire, as was one of the survivors who remain in hospital. Now, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and the Met Police have called for tomorrow’s Palestine Action protest to be postponed, given the circumstances. Would this be right, or the result of a dangerous conflation between yesterday’s events and anti-zionism? This episode was recorded on the 3rd of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 2, 2025 · 45 min
Two killed in Manchester synagogue attack
Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley says the sexist and racist police behaviour uncovered by BBC secret filming, broadcast yesterday, is "reprehensible", but stopped short of saying these problems were institutional. What’s the difference between racism and institutional racism in the police and other workplaces? And, two people from the Jewish community were killed and four patients are in hospital after a car and stabbing attack took place at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester this morning. Reporting from the scene is LBC reporter Liam Gotting. James receives an eyewitness account from local residents and is also joined by Andy Hughes, LBC's Crime Correspondent. Developments to this story may have occurred since the time of recording. This episode was recorded on the 2nd of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Oct 1, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
The rise of racism in the UK
It seems that the UK is becoming more racist. The far-right have hi-jacked the St George’s flag, protests led by Tommy Robinson spread fear and division, and newspapers are criticising the Prime Minister for calling out Nigel Farage. Why is this? And, if you’re part of a minority group, what experiences have you had that show things are getting worse? This episode was recorded on the 1st of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Sep 30, 2025 · 37 min
Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan
Hamas says they’re reviewing the Gaza peace plan announced by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference yesterday. James digs into what’s actually in this plan, what it might mean for the people of Gaza, and why, despite understandable cynicism, he thinks it should at least be tried. This episode was recorded on the 30th of September. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.