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

Jul 8, 2025 · 59 min
Should there be a wealth tax on the super rich?
The government has declined to rule out a wealth tax, following former Labour leader Lord Kinnock championing the policy. Such a tax remains public enemy number 1 for many right wing figures and their supporters. How are poor people persuaded to protect the interests of the super rich by opposing a wealth tax? And, the Chief Executive of the College of Policing has said the smell of cannabis made him feel unsafe in his own community and that police “ought to do something about” it. Is he right? This episode was recorded on the 8th July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jul 7, 2025 · 59 min
7/7 London bombings: 20 years on
Today is the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings, when four bombers attacked central London, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds more. James remembers those who lost their lives, plays back LBC audio from the day itself and speaks with several brave people who were deeply impacted by the attacks. First, Emma Craig, a survivor, who was 14 years old and travelling into the city for work experience when an explosive went off in the carriage next to hers. Next, Marcelle Stroud, former Met Police CCTV Coordinator DC, who investigated the attacks in the aftermath of the bombings and discovered footage of the bombers. Finally, Azuma Wundowa, who was 16 years old when her mother Gladys was killed in the bus which was blown up at Tavistock Square. This episode was recorded on the 7th July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jul 4, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
The new NHS app: “a doctor in your pocket”?
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has set out a digital overhaul of the NHS, centred around a new NHS app. He said “The NHS app will become a doctor in your pocket, bringing our health service into the 21st century”. Will this work? Also, prolific shoplifters are to be barred from stores and prosecuted using the first national database of repeat offenders. Why has there been an epidemic of such successful shoplifting? And, the producer of a documentary, Gaza: Doctors under Attack, that was dropped by the BBC has accused the corporation of trying to gag him and others over its decision not to show the documentary. James analyses this in the context of the BBC’s so-called “impartiality” regulations. This episode was recorded on the 4th July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jul 3, 2025 · 49 min
Will weight loss jabs change the world?
In her first public comments since crying at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she was having a "tough day", but that she is "totally" up for the job. How did you respond to the Chancellor's tears and how do you think she’d been treated in the media since? And, The Health Secretary has announced he will give more people access to weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, stating that “the jabs are a route not just to lower weight, but lower taxes”. Are weight loss jabs going to change the world? This episode was recorded on the 3rd July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jul 2, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
How has Keir Starmer lost control?
Keir Starmer was humiliated during yesterday’s welfare reform vote, losing control of the Commons and swathes of his own MPs. What has Starmer done that has led him here, after winning an unassailable majority just a year ago? To James chew this over, he speaks with Tom Baldwin, former Labour Party advisor, journalist and author of the upcoming “Keir Starmer: The Biography.” And, the cost of the UK’s obesity epidemic has soared to £126bn a year according to a new study. Why don’t we make the obvious and necessary changes to fight obesity? This episode was recorded on the 2nd July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jul 1, 2025 · 1 hr
Are people more outraged at Bob Vylan than the IDF?
The government's welfare bill passed by 335 votes to 260 today, after ministers made last-minute concessions to avoid a possible defeat. What would actually help you get back to work? Also, a criminal investigation has been launched into the Glastonbury performances of both Bob Vylan and Kneecap after the police reviewed footage. Is anyone more outraged by Bob Vylan's words than civilian deaths at the hands of the IDF? And, three former senior staff at the hospital where nurse Lucy Letby murdered seven babies and attempted to kill seven others have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. James speaks with Liam Gotting, LBC's reporter in the North West, for the details. This episode was recorded on the 1st July. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jun 30, 2025 · 58 min
Is Glastonbury criticism distracting from the real situation in Gaza?
Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has criticised the ‘appalling’ anti IDF Chants made by Bob Vylan during their Glastonbury performance at the weekend. Today, James asks how is it that we are still discussing a festival chant rather than how many people have been killed in Gaza since the incident happened? And, new research has revealed the number of entry level jobs in the UK has dropped 32% since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022. James asked listeners how their lives and jobs have been impacted by AI. This episode was recorded on 30th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Jun 27, 2025 · 51 min
Keir Starmer caves into backbencher demands
Another U-turn from Sir Keir Starmer, and this time on the controversial welfare bill. Today, James asked his listeners what these constant policy shifts mean for the public’s perception of the Prime Minister? Can a government change its mind this often without losing credibility? In a deeply troubling story, James also discussed the dismissal of two Met Police officers after a tribunal into the inappropriate strip-search of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in 2020. James heard from listeners — including Sam from Acton, whose own daughter was recently searched — about the disturbing patterns of bias in our institutions. After a heavy week of headlines, the show closed with some lighter fare, including some of the most-changed names in the UK, and James was joined by writer and producer Patrick Dalton, whose film Chicken Town hits cinemas this weekend. This episode was recorded on 27th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Jun 26, 2025 · 42 min
Is this another government that U-Turns?
In today’s episode, James O’Brien unpacks another political crisis for Sir Keir Starmer’s government. With over 100 Labour MPs demanding a delay to the controversial Welfare Bill, pressure is mounting on the Prime Minister to perform yet another policy U-turn. What’s going wrong inside Number 10 — and why is Labour’s grip on power already showing signs of strain? Then, on a lighter note, James dived into the surprising decline of dating apps among Gen Z. Why is the generation raised online suddenly swiping left on digital romance? This episode was recorded on the 26th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jun 25, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Who do you trust more - Trump or leaked US intelligence?
The US military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last weekend did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program, as President Trump claims, and likely only set it back by months, according to a leaked US intelligence report. Despite this, the head of NATO has referred to Donald Trump as "daddy" as he lauded the US president over the Israel-Iran “ceasefire”. Is sycophancy inevitable? And, a growing number of Labour MPs are supporting a bid to block the government's planned welfare changes, which would cut disability benefits to save £5bn a year by 2030. Are these welfare cuts fair? This episode was recorded on the 25th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Jun 24, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
The ceasefire is no more... Trump drops the F-bomb
Israel has accused Iran of violating a ceasefire, which Iran has denied, hours after the deal brokered by Donald Trump and Qatar came into effect. When questioned about it on live TV, Trump attacked both countries and said the f-word. What should Keir Starmer be doing here? Also, the health secretary, Wes Streeting, has launched a national investigation into NHS maternity services in England. This has come after a series of high profile failures and preventable losses of life, including several infants. What is wrong with maternity care services in England? And, it’s Daniel Hannan Day! To "celebrate", James speaks with John Springford, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre For European Reform and Dmitry Grozoubinski, Founder of Explain Trade, to analyse the infamous post-Brexit predictions from the wrongest man in the world. This episode was recorded on the 24th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Jun 23, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Why has Trump hit Iran?
Iran claims it has after launched missile attacks on a US military base in Qatar and Iraq, in response to the US dropping "bunker buster bombs" on three key nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend. Why did Trump decide to hit Iran? This episode was recorded on the 23rd June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Jun 20, 2025 · 43 min
Will Trump's America join Israel's war against Iran?
The White House says Donald Trump will decide in the next fortnight whether the US will get involved in Israel’s war against Iran. Do you think he’ll do it? And, following the 8th anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire last Saturday, James speaks with Ed Daffarn, Grenfell survivor whose blog catalogued a series of concerns about the tower block before the disaster occurred. He features in the new documentary, Grenfell: Uncovered. This episode was recorded on the 20th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Jun 19, 2025 · 59 min
Will Britain help Trump bomb Iran?
Sir Keir Starmer is weighing up whether to provide the US with military support if Donald Trump decides to attack Iran. If we do get involved, what would it mean to you, the world, and our future? And, HS2 will be delayed again, beyond its target of 2033, and will not be completed on its already enormous budget. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander blamed previous Conservative governments - but how has this happened? This episode was recorded on the 19th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Jun 18, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Is Iran becoming the new Iraq?
Donald Trump is reportedly considering joining Israel's strikes on Iran. As this conflict escalates, comparisons will be drawn with the disastrous US military intervention in Iraq - is history repeating itself? Also, a new study named “Sleeping with the Enemy” found that the risk of splitting up with your partner if you disagree on Brexit increases by more than 60 per cent. Can you love someone and hate their politics? And, James speaks with Tim Gregory, nuclear chemist working at the Sellafield nuclear site, who sets out the argument in his new book “Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World”. This episode was recorded on the 18th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jun 17, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
The Grooming Gang Report
Sir Keir Starmer has defended his decision to hold a national inquiry into grooming gangs. Baroness Louise Casey’s report recommends both a national police operation to review cases of child exploitation not acted on, as well as a national inquiry. Today, James asks victims of sexual abuse as a child to share what happened when they told someone about it. And, Baroness Casey shared evidence from her report with MPs and asked that the results not be used for political ends - James is also joined by LBC’s Political Correspondent, Aggie Chambre, for the details. This episode was recorded on the 17th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jun 16, 2025 · 59 min
Why is Israel attacking Iran?
Israel says it has "full aerial operational control" over the Iranian capital Tehran, after four days of intensifying strikes between the countries, with growing casualties on both sides. Is it possible that Israel's actions are unconscionable in Gaza, but justified in Iran? And, importantly, James asks his listeners what the reality of being a citizen of modern Iran actually is. This episode was recorded on the 16th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jun 13, 2025 · 59 min
Was Israel’s attack on Iran justified?
Israel launched strikes across the “heart” of Iran’s nuclear programme last night, killing senior military figures, scientists, and according to Iranian state media, civilians and children. Iran then struck back, sending around 100 drones to Israel, most of which were intercepted. Is this Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest attempt at self-preservation, or is this action morally justified? And, James is joined by David Challen, whose mother killed his father after a lifetime of coercive control. David successfully campaigned for his mother’s release and has been a prominent domestic violence campaigner ever since. His new book, The Unthinkable, tells his story. This episode was recorded on the 13th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jun 12, 2025 · 57 min
The Air India plane crash
James discusses the warning that police forces will struggle to fulfil Sir Keir Starmer’s promise to recruit an additional 13,000 officers. Why aren't people joining the police? Would you? Also, earlier today, a London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 people crashed in Ahmedabad, western India. On board were 169 Indian, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian national. James is joined by two aviation experts to try and understand how this might have happened. Please note this story is ongoing and there may have been developments since the time of recording. And, a new report has found that the bonnet height of new cars in the UK and Europe is rising relentlessly, significantly increasing the death rate when pedestrians are struck and especially dangerous for children. James can’t stand SUVs - why do people drive them in the first place? This episode was recorded on the 12th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.
Jun 11, 2025 · 59 min
The UK sanctions top Israeli ministers
The UK has sanctioned two extremist far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, over "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities" in the occupied West Bank. Is this too little, too late? Or a major step in the right direction? And, government ministers are planning to scrap the 200 years old Vagrancy Act, which outlaws rough sleeping in England and Wales. James’ listeners share their personal stories about how easy it is to end up homeless. This episode was recorded on the 11th June. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.