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

May 12, 2025 · 1 hr
Famine in Gaza is imminent - why do so many ignore the horror?
Sir Keir Starmer will be drastically tightening immigration policy. He says the reforms will see net migration drop even further, but do the numbers actually matter to the people this new policy is supposed to please? And, UN-backed assessment has said that Gaza's population of around 2.1 million Palestinians is at "critical risk" of famine, as an Israeli blockade on food and humanitarian aid continues. Why are we closing our eyes to Gaza’s horror? This episode was recorded on the 12th May. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
May 9, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
History is made: a new Pope and a UK-US trade deal
Sir Keir Starmer says the new UK-US trade deal will save thousands of jobs in the car and steel industries. James breaks down the detail with Dmitry Grozoubinski, Founder of Explain Trade, and asks if Starmer could have done any better. Also, two men have been found guilty of felling the world famous Sycamore Gap Tree, a crime that enraged the nation. As a country, why were we so emotionally invested, and should the men be sent to prison for chopping down a tree? And, Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old is a Chicago native and the first American to hold the papacy. How much influence and importance does the Pope have in the 21st Century? This episode was recorded on the 9th May. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
May 8, 2025 · 59 min
Should immigrants have to speak A-Level standard English?
Even in the wake of the UK-India trade deal, an actual benefit of Brexit, many Brexiteers are forgoing celebrations and instead painting Indian workers as the winners, and UK workers as the losers. In this anti-immigrant political climate, how can Labour prove to the electorate that it is benefiting them? Also, migrants coming to live and work in the UK will be required to speak A-Level standard English under a new proposal from the Government. Who is this policy designed to appease, and will it work? And, James also speaks with historian, broadcaster and host of the History Hit Podcast, Dan Snow, who shares some very important lessons from the past as we honour VE Day. This episode was recorded on the 8th May. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
May 7, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Why is India bombing Pakistan?
India launched air strikes on Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir last night, leaving many civilians dead, in the worst fighting between the two nations for decades. This has coincided with the near completion of a UK-India trade deal. What are the stakes here and what happens if the conflict escalates? Also, a new report into last summer’s far-right anti-immigrant riots has found that the police force is ill-equipped to tackle the impact of online misinformation - which fuelled the disorder. Why do people spread misinformation? Is the battle with the tech platforms that have the power to restrict such content already lost? And, James speaks with journalist Harry Shukman, author of “Year of the Rat: Undercover in the British Far Right”, to hear exactly what he learned while working undercover with various far-right groups. This episode was recorded on the 7th May. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
May 6, 2025 · 57 min
Israel’s indefinite occupation of Gaza
The Government is rethinking its controversial winter fuel payment cut as anxiety grows at potential electoral repercussions. How big a deal is the winter fuel allowance, and how would you fix it? The Israeli security cabinet has approved a plan to 'capture' Gaza, in which troops will indefinitely occupy the region and forcibly relocate the 2.1 million Palestinians living there to the southern enclave. Was this the plan all along? This episode was recorded on the 6th May. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
May 5, 2025 · 49 min
Bonus: Mystery Hour
This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour from the 1st May. The James O'Brien Daily Podcast will return after the bank holiday, on Tuesday 6th May. Have a wonderful weekend!
May 2, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Nigel Farage storms to victory - but how?
Nigel Farage’s Reform has this afternoon taken control of seven councils, just hours after dramatically beating Labour in a by-election for Runcorn and Helsby. Is Keir Starmer Labour’s main problem? How can Nigel Farage, a politician with such a bad track record, enjoy such public support? And, James speaks with the Co-Founders of Project Pure Hope, an organisation that helped bring two girls from Gaza over to the UK for urgent medical treatment. These children are the first to be granted temporary UK visas and healthcare since the beginning of the war. This episode was recorded on the 2nd May. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
May 1, 2025 · 49 min
What does the Ukraine-US minerals deal mean for the war?
The Met Police officer who was cleared of murder after shooting and killing Chris Kaba is now going to be investigated for gross misconduct by the independent police watchdog. James asks if this investigation is necessary. And, James speaks with Phillips O’Brien, Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews, about the resource deal that’s been finalised between Ukraine and the US. What does it mean for both parties? This episode was recorded on the 1st May. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 30, 2025 · 55 min
Trump’s "100 Days" speech fact-checked
James and LBC’s Washington Editor Simon Marks fact-check Donald Trump’s speech in Michigan celebrating the first 100 days of his second presidency. The Met Police officer who was cleared of murder after shooting Chris Kaba will face a gross misconduct hearing, the police watchdog has said. James speaks with LBC’s reporter Fraser Knight for the details. It’s been reported that men are to blame for the so-called “motherhood penalty”, and that men still don't do enough housework in comparison to women. Why has so little changed, and is this the case in your household? And, LBC Correspondent Emma Corr joins James to break an exclusive story on the farmer who was forced to bin 300 tonnes of strawberries due to Brexit border delays. This episode was recorded on the 30th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 29, 2025 · 1 hr
Should Starmer side with Europe or Trump?
The UK and the EU have outlined a “new strategic partnership” intended to improve trade and security in Europe - totally at odds with Donald Trump’s alignment with Russia. Should Keir Starmer lean to Europe, or America? James is joined by LBC’s Washington Editor Simon Marks, to analyse the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term. And, after years of posting cycling videos, broadcaster Jeremy Vine will stop sharing his content, as he’s been the victim to huge amounts of anti-cyclist trolling, including death threats. What is it about the UK that makes us a bunch of anti-cyclist road ragers? This episode was recorded on the 29th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 28, 2025 · 1 hr
Were you verbally abused as a child?
Ultra-processed foods, including processed meats, breakfast cereal and fizzy drinks are causing almost 20,000 premature deaths in the UK each year, a study has suggested. Why are Brits so susceptible to junk food? And, experts in child development told MPs today that children may struggle to maintain relationships as an adult if they experience verbal abuse as children - the most prevalent form of child maltreatment. Have you been affected by verbal abuse as a child? This episode was recorded on the 28th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 25, 2025 · 57 min
Should there be a social media curfew?
Can we get the social media genie back in the bottle? Technology Secretary Peter Kyle is considering a social media curfew for kids, but has said no decisions will be made unless all the data backs it. Do we need a social media curfew? How bad is the impact of social media? And, Sir Keir Starmer and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, met yesterday to discuss plans for a new UK/EU defence pact. Contrastingly, 10 years ago, Brexiteers such as Nigel Farage used the idea of a European Army as a highly effective tool to convince the public to vote to leave the EU - but what were we meant to be scared of? This episode was recorded on the 25th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 24, 2025 · 55 min
America and Russia are allies - what next?
In the wake of a deadly Russian drone attack on a bus in Ukraine, which killed 9 people, Donald Trump has accused the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of harming peace negotiations by refusing to relinquish sovereignty of Crimea to Russia. James believes the US and Russia are now allies. What does this mean for both Ukraine and the world? James is also joined by LBC’s Political Editor Natasha Clark, who shares her interview with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, during which they discussed the potential for a UK-US trade deal. This episode was recorded on the 24th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 23, 2025 · 59 min
Why does Donald Trump always side with Putin?
The list of states, institutions and people around the world that US President Donald Trump offends grows by the day - but why does Trump never do a single thing that upsets Vladimir Putin's and the Kremlin? And, as he marked St George’s Day, Sir Keir Starmer urged the public to reclaim the English flag from the far-right. James asks a question that is simultaneously simple and complex - what is Englishness and why do you feel English? This episode was recorded on the 23rd April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 22, 2025 · 59 min
Does the UK need a criminal immigrant league table?
Pope Francis died in the early hours of Easter Monday. His funeral will take place on Saturday, which will start the first of nine days of global mourning. A liberal Pope, his attitudes were both loved and controversial. James asks what it means to be Catholic, and why Pope Francis’ death has generated such an extraordinary response. Also, for the first time, the Home Office is to publish the nationalities of criminal immigrants in the UK. Why are Labour doing this and why would anyone welcome this policy? And, James speaks to Fatima Whitbread MBE, former javelin world record holder and x2 Olympic medalist, about her campaign to improve the lives of children in care and care leavers. This episode was recorded on the 22nd April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 18, 2025 · 49 min
Bonus: Mystery Hour
This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour from the 17th April. The James O'Brien Daily Podcast will return after the bank holiday, on Tuesday 22nd April. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!
Apr 17, 2025 · 58 min
Is the West, as we know it, dead?
Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, has said the West as we know it no longer exists. Given Donald Trump’s rejection of America’s role as leader of the free world, James thinks she’s right - do you? And, in an open letter in the Financial Times, dozens of members of the largest body representing UK Jews have condemned Israel's government for the war in Gaza. How significant is this moment? This episode was recorded on the 17th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 16, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
What does the transgender rights ruling mean?
The Supreme Court has ruled that "woman" in UK law refers to biological sex, rather than one’s gender identity. This is being celebrated by some, while others feel dismay and that trans-people are being erased from society. What does the court ruling mean and what are people celebrating? James is also joined by the journalist and author David A Graham, to speak about his upcoming book “The Project: How Project 2025 is Reshaping America”, which explains why many people believe that a mysterious document by a conservative think tank is the blueprint for Donald Trump’s America. This episode was recorded on the 16th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 15, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Should 16 year olds get the vote?
The Birmingham bin collector strikes will continue after the latest pay offer by the city council was "overwhelmingly" rejected. Do you support the strikers? What would you do if your boss wanted to cut your wages? Also, James speaks with LBC’s Washington Editor Simon Marks for the latest from the US, including Donald Trump blaming the Ukraine war - again - on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And, the Prime Minister has pledged to give 16 year olds the right to vote, which would extend the franchise to around 1.5 million young people. Is he right to do so? This episode was recorded on the 15th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
Apr 14, 2025 · 1 hr
The 2024 anti-immigrant riot report
A report by MPs has found no evidence for “two tier policing” during last summer’s violent far-right riots, following the murder of three little girls by the Southport killer. The report also stated that the law preventing the police revealing more information about the suspect, who was a British Christian, should be reviewed, as the truth could have countered the disinformation claiming that he was a Muslim asylum seeker, which fuelled much of the violence. Shouldn’t the government be focusing on punishing those who spread false information, rather than changing the system? Does the report’s findings insinuate that, if the killer had been an asylum seeker or a Muslim, that the riots would have been less wrong? And, research has found that stress is taking an “immense toll” on the lives of teachers in England, with only 1.5% of those working in schools being unaffected. Why is teaching in 2025 so stressful and what has changed to make it so? This episode was recorded on the 14th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.