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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406 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes406

Newest first

Sep 2, 2025 · 55 min
Who are Keir Starmer’s anti-immigrant policies meant to please?
The government is temporarily suspending new applications for a scheme allowing refugees to bring their family members to the UK. The move has been called out as another attempt to appeal to those swept up by growing anti-immigrant sentiment. How can this country operate when such views dominate so much of the discourse and who is Keir Starmer trying to appeal to exactly? And, Zack Polanski has been elected leader of the Green Party by a landslide. He campaigned with an agenda of radical eco-populism - this signals a clear shift to the left for the party. James speaks with LBC’s Political Correspondent, Aggie Chambre, to discuss the appointment. This episode was recorded on the 2nd of September. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Sep 1, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
St George's flags: patriotism or racism?
This summer, thousands of St George's flags have been seen painted on roundabouts and hung from lamp-posts across the country. Supporters say the flags are an expression of English pride, whilst critics say they're a nationalist expression of racism. What do you think, and how do the flags make you feel? And, the most comprehensive poll of British 16 and 17-year-olds has revealed that nearly 70 per cent of girls have skipped school because of anxiety. James is interested in the difference between children that can’t go to school because of poor mental health and those that just don’t want to - and how to help the kids that can’t. This episode was recorded on the 1st of September. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Aug 29, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Sir Ed Davey on why he’s boycotting Trump’s state banquet
To finish off LBC’s week-long guest series is Sir Ed Davey. He asks the callers what they think of his controversial boycotting of King Charles’ state banquet for Donald Trump’s visit next month. Do you think he was right to refuse the invitation because of Trump's inaction regarding Gaza? Next, Ed looks bigger. During his second term, Donald Trump has changed the world order. In Ed’s opinion, he is no longer a reliable ally to the UK. Of course, not everyone agrees with this - meaning Keir Starmer’s approach to Trump is a source of great debate. Ed thinks a different approach is needed, what do you think? This episode was recorded on the 29th of August. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Aug 28, 2025 · 56 min
James Cleverly: Are we over-diagnosing kids with mental health conditions?
Continuing LBC’s week-long guest series is James Cleverly, the Shadow Secretary of State for Housing. James’ colleague and former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said that children are being overdiagnosed with mental health conditions and that society needs to remember that growing up is naturally “messy and uneven”. Are we doing our children a disservice, and how helpful is a diagnosis if your child is genuinely struggling? And, the fertility rate for England and Wales has hit a record low according to the latest figures - our population is aging rapidly. Why is this happening and what can we do to try and fix it, beyond the obvious? This episode was recorded on the 28th of August. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Aug 27, 2025 · 59 min
Emily Thornberry on Asylum Hotels and the Ukraine War
Continuing LBC’s week-long guest series is Emily Thornberry, Labour MP and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. Despite asylum hotel numbers dropping from 400 to just over 200 and new policies targeting the asylum claim back-log left by the previous government, this summer has seen more anti-immigration protests than ever before. Sometimes the simple questions have the most complex answers: why is it all kicking off now? And, Russia's military has crossed into the eastern industrial region of Dnipropetrovsk in Ukraine, the first attack of such a large scale in the region. Donald Trump seems to think he can end the war and is reportedly prepared to provide intelligence and air support as part of a Ukrainian post-war security guarantee - but do you trust Donald Trump to negotiate a peace? This episode was recorded on the 27th of August. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Aug 26, 2025 · 46 min
Penny Mordaunt on the Small Boats Crisis
To kick off LBC’s week-long guest series, former Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt stepped in for James O’Brien to tackle one of the most divisive issues in British politics: the small boats crisis. On the same day Reform UK unveiled their plans on illegal immigration, Penny asked listeners: Do you believe today’s politicians are capable of solving it—and if not, why not? Penny then widened the discussion, posing whether the UK is still a capable nation. From the NHS to benefits, shoplifting, the exodus of wealth from London, and even trolling from our closest allies. Penny asked listeners whether Britain’s institutions—and national pride—are faltering. And, Penny turned her attention to an issue close to her, the hospitality sector, where half of UK job losses are now concentrated. As entry-level roles disappear, is government policy stifling opportunity in what has long been a barometer of the wider economy? This episode was recorded on the 26th of August. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Aug 25, 2025 · 48 min
BONUS: Mystery Hour
This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour from the 14th August. The James O'Brien Daily Podcast will return after the bank holiday, on Tuesday 26th August and will be presented all that week by very special guests! James returns on the 1st September.
Aug 22, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Would you vote for Jeremy Corbyn’s new party?
One in four Labour members have said they’d consider supporting Jeremy Corbyn’s new left-wing, pro-Gaza party at the next general election. This news comes at a pertinent time - a UN-backed food security body announced today that famine has been confirmed in Gaza City. Lewis speaks with Zack Polanski, Deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and Jan Egeland, General Secretary of the Norwegian Refugee Council and one of the architects of the Oslo Accords to hear their thoughts. And, Lewis dives back into the controversial proposition he made yesterday - that there should be a 100% inheritance tax. Fellow LBC presenter, Iain Dale, and lead writer for The Times, Sebastian Payne, join Lewis in fiery debate. This episode was recorded on the 22nd August. Catch Lewis Goodall, in for James O’Brien, all this week from 10am on LBC.
Aug 21, 2025 · 58 min
How will the war in Gaza end?
Israel has taken the first steps in a take-over of Gaza City and wider occupation of the entirety of Gaza. This comes despite widespread condemnation and warnings that the offensive will likely lead to the displacement and death of many more Palestinians. Lewis discusses the ongoing conflict with the callers and is joined by Yaakov Katz, former advisor to the previous Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett. And, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who’s been considering tightening inheritance tax in order to help balance the deficit, has been warned the move will hurt young families. Lewis disagrees, and proposes a bold 100% inheritance tax. What are your thoughts? This episode was recorded on the 21st August. Catch Lewis Goodall, in for James O’Brien, all this week from 10am on LBC.
Aug 20, 2025 · 59 min
If not hotels, where should we house asylum-seekers?
By the end of March this year there were 200 “asylum hotels”, housing around 30,000 asylum seekers. Yesterday, a high court ruled that asylum seekers will have to be removed from the Bell Hotel in Essex - a site of large protests after an asylum seeker staying there was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. To break it down, Lewis speaks with Lauren Starkey, independent social worker & anti-human trafficking campaigner, and Lizzie Dearden, home affairs and security journalist. And, the government is launching a new Civil Service internship that’ll be open only to students of lower socio-economic backgrounds, in an effort to make Whitehall more representative of the wider population. Investigating this is LBC’s Political Editor Natasha Clark, who joins Lewis to explain the impacts this internship could have. This episode was recorded on the 20th August. Catch Lewis Goodall, in for James O’Brien, all this week from 10am on LBC. 35:26.820
Aug 19, 2025 · 58 min
Are we any closer to peace in Ukraine?
Welcome to another instalment of James O’Brien Daily hosted by Lewis Goodall of the LBC and The News Agents, who’s stepping in for James all this week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hails Monday's talks with Donald Trump and European leaders as "significant" - despite progress to a peace deal or a security guarantee. Trump has, however, contacted Putin to arrange a meeting between him and Zelensky as a next step. Lewis talks through what this all means with some special guests, including Lord Peter Ricketts, cross-bench peer & former UK national security adviser, Carlo Masala, professor of international politics and author of "If Russia Wins", and Aria Shahrokhshahi, a British filmmaker who now volunteers on the front lines on Ukraine. And, Lewis discusses Palestine Action and the home secretary’s defence of its proscription as a terrorist group - a move met with condemnation by many. To date, over 700 people have been arrested for supporting the group. This episode was recorded on the 19th August. Catch Lewis Goodall, in for James O’Brien, all this week from 10am on LBC.
Aug 18, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
The Trump-Zelenskyy meeting - can they end the war?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, along with Keir Starmer and other European leaders, are meeting Donald Trump today in an effort to end the Ukraine War. Just last night Russian drone attacks killed at least 10 people across Ukraine. Lewis discusses this pivotal moment with Hanna Hopko, Former head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament & Co-founder International Centre for Ukrainian Victory, and Leigh Turner, Former British Ambassador to Ukraine & author of "Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties". And, following yesterday’s nationwide strike in Israeli, with protestors demanding a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages, Lewis speaks with Noga Tarnopolsky, a freelance journalist based in Jerusalem and Idit Ohel, the mother of Alon Ohel, an Israeli hostage kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th. This episode was recorded on the 18th August. Catch James O’Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Aug 15, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Has Putin already won the war?
The long awaited meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will be taking place today in Alaska. Putin will inevitably seek the handover of Ukrainian territory as part of any “peace” agreement. Is this already a win for Putin? If he and Trump carve up Ukraine today, then what can Ukraine and Europe do about it? James' Europe-based callers share their viewpoints. And, along with A-Level exam results came the usual debate around whether higher education in this country is up to scratch or not… why do people overwhelmingly still want to go to university? This episode was recorded on the 15th August. Catch James O’Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Aug 14, 2025 · 49 min
Could Europe take on Russia without the US?
Sir Keir Starmer held a breakfast meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of Donald Trump and Putin's summit on Friday, at which they'll discuss ending the war in Ukraine. What the results of that summit will be is anyone’s guess. Can you conceive of a world in which a united Europe stands against Russia - without the US? And, James dives back into yesterday’s conversation on LBC’s exclusive access to an undercover police operation to protect female joggers from harassment - resulting in 18 arrests last month. A recent opinion piece claimed that Australian men don’t harass women anywhere near as much as British men do. James callers’ say different… This episode was recorded on the 14th August. Catch James O’Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Aug 13, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
The undercover operation protecting female joggers from harassment
The police are being encouraged to disclose the ethnicity and nationality of suspects charged in high-profile cases, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper saying that the government and the public want "greater transparency". Why is the government encouraging this? An attempt to appease right-wing liars, diffuse right-wing lies, or something else? And, LBC has been granted exclusive access to a new police operation in Surrey designed to combat a surge of reports of women being harassed while running. James asks women what it feels like to receive unwanted attention when they're out and about. This episode was recorded on the 13th August. Catch James O’Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Aug 12, 2025 · 58 min
Is it Trump and Putin against Ukraine?
Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Vladimir Putin on Friday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky isn’t invited - not surprising, seeing as Trump consistently blames him for the ongoing war. What’s the point of this meeting and why does Trump seem to blame Zelensky? And, today, the government announced that 40,000 future tradespeople will be up-skilled in new “technical excellence colleges” in order to help “turbocharge the building of new homes, schools and hospitals”. Would you direct your child to work in a trade? This episode was recorded on the 12th August. Catch James O’Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Aug 11, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Over 500 arrested at Palestine Action protest in London
Yvette Cooper has defended the arrest of more than 500 people holding signs expressing their opposition to genocide and support of Palestine Action, a proscribed terror group. Around half of them were aged 60 and above - including almost 100 people who were in their 70s. James also speaks to Tamer Almisshal, senior presenter at Al Jazeera Arabic, to discuss Israel’s killing of five Al Jazeera journalists on Saturday, an action that has caused outrage across the world. And, according to the Education Secretary, white working-class pupils are being ‘written off” and not getting what they need in the education system to achieve and thrive. Which steps lead to pupils, or led to you, becoming detached from the education system? This episode was recorded on the 11th August. Catch James O’Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Aug 8, 2025 · 53 min
How can world leaders stop Netanyahu?
Benjamin Netanyahu has approved plans for the "takeover of Gaza City" ahead of a full military occupation of the entirety of Gaza. Condemned by those calling for an end to the war, Sir Keir Starmer stated the decision is "wrong" and has called on Israel to reconsider. What is Netanyahu's endgame and and how should world leaders react? This episode was recorded on the 8th August. Catch James O’Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Aug 7, 2025 · 58 min
Homelessness minister forced out her tenants before raising rent by £700
Homelessness minister Rushanara Ali is facing calls to resign after claims she evicted tenants from an east London townhouse, shortly before re-listing the property at £700 increased rent a month. This practice will soon be illegal under the government’s upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill. Should she stay or should she go? And, in an interview about her childhood in Nigeria and hatred of rule-breakers, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch revealed that, as a teenager, she got one of her peers expelled by accusing him of cheating on an exam. James and his listeners share their thoughts on the controversial anecdote… This episode was recorded on the 7th August. Catch James O’Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Aug 6, 2025 · 59 min
Should the police be forced to share the ethnicity of crime suspects?
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has called for information about police suspects such as nationality and immigration status to be shared with the public. This comes amidst growing far-right unrest about - most recently - the alleged rape of a 12 year old girl in Nuneaton. The suspects are reportedly Afghan, with Reform UK claiming they’re asylum seekers. Will more transparency diffuse racist propaganda, or increase the likelihood of racist violence? And, a new study indicates that childhood verbal abuse can be as detrimental to adult mental health as physical abuse. James asks his callers whether their experiences align with this research. This episode was recorded on the 6th August. Catch James O’Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.