The Lowdown from Nick Cohen

Britain's broken politics

IS INSTABILITY THE NEW NORMAL WITH THE UK'S BROKEN POLTICIS. In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author and historian Robert Saunders about Britain's transition from decades of political stability to having six prime ministers in ten years and how this reflects deep systemic pressures rather than just poor individual leadership. Robert explains that modern leaders have faced an unprecedented convergence of global crises—including Brexit, COVID-19, and soaring public debt—with very little governance experience. He views Brexit as both a symptom of long-term political decline and an amplifier that polarized the electorate into rigid identities and normalised political dishonesty. Unlike the unstable 1920s, which maintained experienced leadership and defended democratic norms against extremism, today's crisis is unprecedented because both major parties have lost their traditional social roots, resulting in a highly volatile electorate. This instability is compounded by massive public debt, which severely constrains government action. Rather than addressing these constraints honestly, modern politicians have largely abandoned their "educative" role, choosing to hide difficult economic trade-offs from the public. This systemic decay is further accelerated by a plutocratic assault on democracy, led by billionaire-controlled platforms and populist media that actively promote anti-establishment sentiment. Robert argues that mainstream politicians must stop legitimising this "anti-politics" rhetoric and instead actively defend democratic institutions by highlighting their tangible successes. Ultimately, he warns that universal suffrage is less than a century old, and citizens must stop acting as complacent "vandals" of a highly fragile democratic ecosystem. READ ALL ABOUT IT! Robert Saunders - @redhistorian [https://x.com/redhistorian] - author and academic. Author of "Yes to Europe! The 1975 Referendum & Seventies Britain". "A jaw-dislocating page turner"(Andrew Marr). Co-director the Mile End Institute @MileEndInst [https://x.com/MileEndInst] , Reader Queen Mary's @QMHistory [https://x.com/QMHistory] Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 [https://x.com/NickCohen4] latest Substack column Writing from London [https://nickcohen.substack.com/] on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Why we think what we think!

WHY WE THINK WHAT WE THINK! THE FACTORS BEYOND OUR CONTROL THAT FORM OUR BELIEFS! Nick Cohen chats to author, journalist and entrepreneur Turi Munthe about his latest book "Why We Think What We Think," which explores how non-rational factors significantly influence political and social beliefs. In an increasingly polarised and fractious world, the issue of people's beliefs and think and why they hold them is becoming increasingly of importance, and for our sinister tech giants, of monetary value! Turi Munthe discusses various research findings showing how physical attributes like beauty, neurological differences, climate, and cultural background shape political preferences, including examples like taste bud variations between liberals and conservatives, and how collectivist versus individualist cultures affect moral reasoning. Turi's research also reveals how factors such as good looks can have an inordinate influence on people''s belief systems and how they succeed or fail in life. Nick and Turi discuss concerns about using biological research to pathologise political differences, the importance of free speech in allowing different perspectives to emerge, and how gender differences in political attitudes have shifted over time. Turi concludes by emphasising that humans think better in conversation than alone, suggesting that robust debate remains essential for understanding and potentially overcoming our predisposed opinions. READ ALL ABOUT IT! Turi Munthe FRSA is an Anglo-French journalist and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Demotix, which became the largest network of photo-journalists in the world, as well as Parlia, an encyclopaedia of opinion. His book Why we think what we think, The unexpected origins of our deepest beliefs [https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/458410/why-we-think-what-we-think-by-munthe-turi/9781529153842] is published by Penguin. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 [https://x.com/NickCohen4] latest Substack column Writing from London [https://nickcohen.substack.com/] on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Brexit Britons - away with the fairies!

LOWDOWN ELECTION SPECIAL WITH RAFAEL BEHR OF THE GUARDIAN BREXIT BRITONS AWAY WITH THE FAIRIES- AND BELIEVING IN AT LEAST 6 IMPOSSIBLE THINGS BEFORE BREAKFAST! In the local - and national elections, British voters voted for parties in Wales & Scotland that want to destroy the United Kingdom and for Nigel Farage and his fellow Reform con artists who conned 17.4 million people into voting for Brexit and geo-political isolation and economic impoverishment! WTF planet do these people inhabit? In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Rafael Behr - the distinguished Guardian columnist - about the political crisis facing Britain and the Labour Party following recent election defeats across Scotland, Wales, London, and English local government. The two political commentators discuss Labour's leadership challenges, with Sir Keir Starmer facing significant unpopularity, and examine potential successors including Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Andy Burnham. They discuss how the Labour Party lacks a clear identity or heartland support, while also addressing the rise of the Green Party and Reform Party as electoral forces. Nick and Raf conclude with analysis of Britain's broader political fragmentation, including the dominance of pro-independence parties across Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the challenges facing centrist politics in the current political environment. READ ALL ABOUT IT! Rafael's recent book Politics: A Survivor's Guide: How to stay engaged without getting enraged [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Politics-Survivors-Engaged-Without-Getting/dp/B0C113JP71/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.grYaKsYNBQSAI9-lFQbV93k-zJ-gVLaKNeQU80LXh8TJ2bs4UvcHGkVy1YtE9gmnbwTnJNJC6kHRd9bdMV7fGEfOp6A8ZB_oZPx5_dskZKBZiduwKr6qm748qjoiQkVGW-jRKt3DD7FTBGL_Va4i3-JXZOM97RRqpFJa_XfsUuxYJLqHudS9kUsXV8v2LmRVAZm2sXeUzdKWMA7cw7ofrg.jJQ19vq3j_GpQHH4gGJiMA_RBE_b5joCjt_uivtp4qg&dib_tag=se&qid=1726236066&refinements=p_27%3ARafael+Behr&s=books&sr=1-1] is published by W.F.Howes Ltd and available at Amazon and in all good bookshops. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181263/support] You can also read his wonderful columns in the Guardian [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/27/mps-assisted-dying-bill-vote-right-to-die]. His X handle is @rafaelbehr [https://x.com/rafaelbehr] Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 [https://x.com/NickCohen4] latest Substack column Writing from London [https://nickcohen.substack.com/] on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The "Special Relationship" is dead

TRUMPS DISASTROUS FOREIGN POLICY ON IRAN AND UKRAINE ISOLATES THE U.S AND THE UK! In this latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to distinguished defence expert, Phillips O'Brien from St. Andrews University, about military developments in Ukraine and Iran, focusing on how drone technology is changing the nature of warfare. Phillips explains how Ukraine's use of cheap, mass-produced drones has transformed battlefield dynamics, making traditional heavy armour systems obsolete and causing significant Russian casualties. Phillips and Nick discuss Trump's Iran strategy, with Phillips analysing Trump's psychological dependence on Putin and his desire for a quick military victory that hasn't materialised. They also examine the declining U.S.-Israel relationship in American politics and discussed Britain's post-Brexit foreign policy challenges, particularly regarding the special relationship with the United States and potential rejoining of the European Union. THE SO-CALLED SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP" IS DEAD - THE UK'S SUCKING UP TO THE U.S. WILL ACHIEVE NOTHING! Phillips says, "King's Charles' visit, sadly, might've unfortunately turned the clock back to make people believe that the special relationship still exists when it doesn't. That, Britain's future security wise and political wise is in Europe and the Europeans now are far more down that road. "The Germans now are, are understanding that the United States is not reliable, not trustworthy, and Europeans have to look after themselves. States like the Baltics, the Nordics, all of them are farther down this road. The British might have been going down this road. "I'm not sure they will now after the the Charles visit, but hopefully they, they do, because that is something Britain has to admit. Brexit was a disaster. It was stupid. It weakened Britain. It's put it outside of the tent. For now. Britain has to try and get inside the European tent because that's where its future is." READ ALL ABOUT IT! Read Phillips' own regular Substack column - Phillips's Newsletter [https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/]. Phillips is also professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews. Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 [https://x.com/NickCohen4] regular Substack column Writing from London [https://nickcohen.substack.com/] on politics and culture from the UK and beyond is another must-read. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The UK is the no-can-do nation

IS THERE ARE BRAVER NEW WORLD OUT THERE FOR BRITS OR THEY DOOMED FOR EVER TO BE THE NO-CAN-DO NATION? Nick Cohen talks to journalist and author, John Kampfner, about his book "Brave a New World," which examines democratic governments that successfully address long-term challenges like aging populations, renewable energy, and housing. Kampfner highlights Japan's approach to demographic change through cross-party collaboration, insurance systems, and integrating older citizens into mainstream society. Climate change, low birth rate amd and ageing populations, the dangerous instability of the US - these are are all existential issues some nations are grasping while others are ducking them, or tip-toeing around them. Nick and John discuss Britain's failure to address such huge issues issues, particularly under Keir Starmer's government, which Kampfner criticises for adopting a cautious, incremental approach that avoids bold leadership. The failure is all the more mysterious when taking into acccount the huge landslide majority won by Labour at the last general election. They explore how Britain's political culture and journalistic practices create barriers to addressing long-term challenges, and John Kampfner suggests that unless mainstream politics embraces more daring leadership, it risks being overtaken by populist alternatives. READ ALL ABOUT IT! John Kampfner @johnkampfner [https://x.com/johnkampfner] @johnkampfner.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/johnkampfner.bsky.social]is a journalist and author. His new book, Braver New World, The countries daring to do things other countries won't, [https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/braver-new-world/] is published by Atlantic Books. John's Susbtack column is Citizen of Everywhere. [https://johnkampfner.substack.com/] Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 [https://x.com/NicholasTyrone]latest Substack column Writing from London [https://nickcohen.substack.com/] on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.