Pod Save the UK

Crooked Media

Pod Save the UK is your weekly fix of political news, big ideas and a shot of inspiration. Each week hosts, comedian Nish Kumar and journalist Coco Khan are joined by politicians, experts, and famous friends to unpick the latest news, look for solutions, and inspire action. From Crooked Media – the creators of Pod Save America – in partnership with Reduced Listening, tune in to new episodes of Pod Save the UK every Thursday wherever you pod.

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21 Listeners

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Top 10 Pod Save the UK Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Pod Save the UK episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Pod Save the UK for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Pod Save the UK episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The end of Boris Johnson and the start of the Covid Inquiry

Pod Save the UK

06/15/23 • 65 min

Nish and Coco are reunited in the studio following a tumultuous week in politics that saw Boris Johnson resign and Nicola Sturgeon arrested. Sky News’ Liz Bates tells us why Johnson’s demise could be good news for the strength of UK democracy, and explains why the independence movement is holding firm despite the SNP’s woes.

Given it was Johnson’s party-ing during Covid that brought him down, it’s timely that the public hearings in the Covid Inquiry got underway this week. Labour frontbencher, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, tells us why she went back to working 12 hour shifts in hospital during the worst of the pandemic. She reveals some of the harrowing things she saw, and why she felt pity for Matt Hancock when she faced him in the Commons.

Is Manchester United fan Nish bitter about Manchester City’s success? His choice for villain of the week answers that question, while Coco’s hero is an acting legend who always keeps an onion in her handbag. Plus get ready for the latest bit of PSUK merch - the “left-wing Barbie”.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

Liz Bates, Sky News Political Correspondent

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Shadow Minister for Mental Health and MP for Tooting

Audio credits:

Talk TV

UK Covid-19 Inquiry

Parliamentlive.tv

British Vogue

9 Listeners

1 Comment

Matt Hancock vs The Grim Reaper

Pod Save the UK

06/29/23 • 54 min

Matt Hancock fails to win over bereaved families at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, as they turn their backs on him while another confronts him dressed as the grim reaper. Nish and Coco get to grips with ‘greedflation’ as MPs question supermarket bosses about their huge salaries. Plus Coco questions why Labour has an all-white all-male line up of candidates for the upcoming by-elections. And Nish is disheartened by a report that finds cricket is racist, sexist and elitist - the “full fruit machine” of prejudice!

We continue ‘Chat Shit Get Banged’, our campaign to stop politicians lying, with the help of John Humphrys, former presenter of Radio 4’s Today programme. The man once labelled the BBC’s ‘Rottweiler in chief’ reflects on his 33 years holding politicians to account, including memorable encounters with Boris Johnson and Margaret Thatcher.

Also, tales from Glastonbury, and Prigozhin v Putin - how did a hotdog seller build up his own private army? Plus Coco gets a surprise Patreon request.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

John Humphrys, Classic FM presenter and former presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme

Audio credits:

Uk Covid-19 Inquiry

Parliamentlive.tv

Sky News

7 Listeners

The King of the North, Windrush and ChickenNugNugz

Pod Save the UK

06/22/23 • 61 min

Labour’s Andy Burnham, tells Nish and Coco why he doesn’t mind being labelled ‘The King of the North’ and why he thinks our political system needs a complete rewiring. He also gives his reaction to the demise of his old pandemic-era foe Boris Johnson, and shrugs off concerns about the city of Manchester getting into bed with Abu Dhabi - the owners who’ve brought such success to Manchester City F.C.

We celebrate the 75th Windrush anniversary with a member of the Windrush generation, Catherine Ross, who tells us how Caribbean people introduced the British to moisturising amongst many things! Nish and Coco meanwhile, take the Home Office to task for backtracking on promises made in the wake of the Windrush scandal.

Plus, the mortgage time bomb set to go off before the next election, the return of austerity twins David Cameron and George Osborne, and why Rishi Sunak is “chicken shit”. Coco also reveals why footballing hardman Graeme Souness made her cry, and who is the mystery PSUK fan known only as ChickenNugNugz?

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

Andy Burnham, Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester

Catherine Ross, Founder and Director of Museumand, The National Caribbean Heritage Museum

Audio credits:

Good Morning Britain (ITV)

BBC Breakfast TV

BBC News

7 Listeners

By-election special: Tories trounced in two, scrape home in one

Pod Save the UK

07/21/23 • 14 min

Nish and Coco can’t resist popping up for a special bonus mini-episode to discuss the Super Thursday by-election results. A revolt against Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Ulez low emissions policy hands the Tories a lifeline to hang on to their seat in Uxbridge and Ruislip - Coco hopes that doesn’t encourage Labour HQ to sideline their green agenda.

Better news for Labour in Selby and Ainsty where Kier the Younger - Labour candidate Keir Mather - successfully overturns the biggest majority ever in a by-election by the Labour Party. While in Somerton and Frome a huge win for the Liberal Democrats means Coco gets to enjoy leader Ed Davey pulling another of his cheesy victory stunts.

6 Listeners

Labour’s Emily Thornberry promises a “no bullshit” manifesto

Pod Save the UK

06/08/23 • 51 min

Can the Labour Party save the UK? Labour frontbencher Emily Thornberry is challenged by Nish and Coco over her party’s attack ads, and on the Labour manifesto - which she promises will help young people, and be bullshit free. Find out why she thinks being Labour leader is the hardest job in the world, and what she got up to behind the bike sheds with David Cameron.

Plus, Mr Sunak goes to Washington, Prince Harry goes to court, and a familiar Brexit campaigner returns (clue: his blood type is real ale). Plus find out why Nish feels like he’s in Mad Max, and why Coco is celebrating Bristol’s toilets!

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

Emily Thornberry, Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, and Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales

Audio credits:

Parliamentlive.tv

@Nigel_Farage

6 Listeners

2 Comments

Does Rishi Sunak give a sh*t about the climate?

Pod Save the UK

07/06/23 • 58 min

Does Rishi Sunak care about the climate crisis? A former minister accuses him of apathy, and a leaked memo suggests he’s considering rolling back one of the UK’s key financial climate pledges. Just Stop Oil’s Chloe Naldrett joins Nish and Coco with a personal message for the Prime Minister. While we’re recording, Wimbledon becomes the latest sporting event to be hit by protestors, so we drag Chloe back into the studio to give us an instant reaction. She also tells why being shouted at by Piers Morgan was worth it, and why she was willing to go to prison for what she believed in. Plus advice on how you can get involved if you’re feeling helpless about climate change.

Nish and Coco examine Rishi Sunak’s grilling by the House of Commons Liaison Committee. Meanwhile his enemies within the party form a new not-so-supergroup called The New Conservatives - although they’re singing a familiar song...about “culturally secure borders”.

Plus Coco has a run in with Twitter and reveals that she loves a parody knock off fashion item - and heroes and villains returns, much to the relief of Nish’s mum!

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guests:

Chloe Naldrett, spokesperson for Just Stop Oil

Audio credits:

Just Stop Oil

Parliamentlive.tv

Sky Sports

The Diary of a CEO podcast

6 Listeners

Men in suits spoiling women’s football

Pod Save the UK

08/24/23 • 51 min

With the headlines dominated by Lucy Letby, the most prolific child killer in modern British history, Nish and Coco reflect on the proper role for politicians in cases like this. While we crave reassurance from figures in authority, should they resist the urge to wade in with an easy soundbite? Plus we also reflect on the other big story of the week, the women’s World Cup final, and ask why it’s always men in suits who have to spoil things?

With music venues and nightclubs shutting at an alarming rate, Nish and Coco talk to an agent and a DJ about whether the UK’s nightlife is in crisis. Do politicians place enough value in the night time economy? Can anything be done to reverse the trend, or is it as a result of our changing cultural habits?

Also, why ‘Insomnia’ should be Coco’s current club anthem of choice, and why newsrooms are enjoying the comeback of the August ‘silly season’. Plus we celebrate some world class swearing, and Nish has some ideas for the new Conservative Party general election slogan.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Useful links:

Save The Night event at Fabric in London (free daytime event to support the global nightlife community):

https://ra.co/events/1754683

Ladies Music Club: Supporting women, non-binary and trans people in music

https://www.ladiesmusicpub.com/

Power Up: supporting Black music creators and industry professionals

https://prsfoundation.com/powerup/

Guests:

Hannah Shogbola, music agent at United Artists, and founder of creative consultancy Daju

Gaia Ahuja, DJ and member of Girls Don’t Sync

Audio credits:

Sky Sports News

RFEF

6 Listeners

Exposing Andrew Tate and saying goodbye to Nadine Dorries

Pod Save the UK

08/31/23 • 56 min

More 16 to 17-year-old boys recognise Andrew Tate than Rishi Sunak - have we been guilty of underestimating the influence of Tate’s brand of toxic masculinity? Nish and Coco speak to journalist Matt Shea, who has spent years investigating the notorious misogynist. His new documentary uncovers the truth behind Tate’s ‘War Room’ club, and investigates claims members are taught how to groom women into online sex work. We also learn about the mysterious mastermind behind Tate, who has so far remained in the shadows.

As Labour promises not to implement wealth taxes, Nish and Coco wonder if we’ve all missed ‘the secret wink’ that means it’ll all be ok once they’re in power. Plus Nish and Coco bid farewell to Nadine Dorries, who finally quit as an MP 81 days after saying she would. They look back at her ‘best bits’ and reflect on the battle for her Mid Bedfordshire seat.

Find out if Nish will be buying Theresa May’s new book, and why do so many people seem to mis-understand the film The Matrix?

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Useful links:

Watch Matt Shea’s documentary here (UK only): https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001q1n6/andrew-tate-andrew-tate-the-man-who-groomed-the-world

Vote for us: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting

Guests:

Matt Shea, journalist and documentary filmmaker

Audio credits:

BBC Three - Andrew Tate: The Man Who Groomed the World?

The Mail on Sunday

BBC Breakfast

TikTok/@nadinedorriesmp

Parliament.tv

Channel 4 News

6 Listeners

Tactical voting, Tory traps and Labour purges

Pod Save the UK

07/27/23 • 50 min

Is a combination of a progressive alliance, tactical voting and proportional representation the way to save the UK from Tory rule? Neal Lawson, founder of the pressure group Compass, argues that there would have been no Boris Johnson or Liz Truss if left-leaning parties had been able to work together. Neal, who’s been a Labour member for 44 years, also explains why he’s facing possible expulsion from the Labour Party for tweeting in favour of tactical voting.

Have Labour fallen into a Tory trap by following last week’s by-elections? Nish and Coco examine why the headlines have been about the costs of green policy, rather than historic Tory defeats. Also with homeless numbers rising, why isn’t there more urgency around legislation to ban Section 21 evictions?.

Plus the schoolkids who put Robert Jenrick to shame, and why Coco’s mum loves Minions.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07514 644572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644572

Twitter: @podsavetheuk

Guest:

Neal Lawson, founder of the pressure group Compass

6 Listeners

Judges block Rwanda plan, plus who broke Britain with James O’Brien

Pod Save the UK

11/16/23 • 51 min

A frantic week in UK politics, that started with the sacking of Suella Braverman and the shock return of David Cameron, took another huge twist as the Supreme Court ruled that the Government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful. Rishi Sunak however came out fighting, announcing an emergency bill to keep the policy alive.

Plenty then for Nish and Coco to get their teeth stuck into with guest, LBC presenter and “conscience of liberal Britain” James O’Brien. His book ‘How they broke Britain’ features a cast of nefarious characters, including Cameron himself - how suitable is he for the role of Foreign Secretary? Also in the firing line is the right-wing media and Paul Dacre in particular, while we also learn about the less well-known shadowy cabal of conservative think tanks and the tactics they employ to influence public opinion. But is Jeremy Corbyn worthy of a place on James’ shit list?

Plus why Nish and James are ‘disaster capitalists’, Nish makes a shock news hat admission, and we have a bumper heroes and villains, as James weighs in with his selections. Find out what ITV has done to upset Nish, and why Coco puts James to shame by nominating 44,000 heroes!

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

WhatsApp: 07514 644 572 (UK) or + 44 7514 644 572

Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld

Guest:

James O’Brien, LBC radio presenter, and author of ‘How they broke Britain’

Audio credits:

ITV Breakfast/Edinburgh TV Festival

ITV Studios/@NigelFarage