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The Social Review

The Social Review

By The Social Review

Join members of the Social Review editorial team as we discuss and debate the future of socialism, analyse what's going on in the world and speak to a wide array of fantastic guests - from MPs to academics, journalists to activists, and beyond. Theme is The Dance by Kyle Cox, licensed under creative commons.
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House of Cards

The Social ReviewOct 17, 2023

00:00
42:56
House of Cards
Oct 17, 202342:56
Modernisation: What's In A Name? With Colm Murphy
Sep 06, 202301:19:16
Sherwood
Jul 17, 202301:08:06
Roadkill
Jun 19, 202332:38
Bodyguard
May 15, 202345:57
Talking Union News with Alex Maguire

Talking Union News with Alex Maguire

Hosts Sam and Harry speak to freelance industrial relations journalist Alex Maguire about the current state of British trade unionism. Alex talks about, the TUC's upcoming conference, the various upcoming ballots & disputes that will define the autumn & winter, and gives a brief overview of the internal politics of Britain's largest unions. 

If you'd like to read more about trade unions, visit our website: 

https://www.thesocialreview.co.uk/category/trade-unions/

Oct 17, 202257:20
We need a dead cat, legalise mescaline

We need a dead cat, legalise mescaline

Just Sam, Harry and Julia toasting the end of Joris and mulling what and who comes next, as well as how none of us are safe in high crime Britain as Sir Beer Korma continues to walk the streets. 

Jul 12, 202201:13:33
Joris Bohnson goblin mode*

Joris Bohnson goblin mode*

We're joined by Chris Terry (@CJTerry) to digest last week's by-elections and to offer advice to Boris after he tragically lost two more seats to the Progressive Alliance hordes. Some moaning about the state of Labour gets chucked in the mix too. 

*Alexander Boris D'Pfeiffel Johnson and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Jun 27, 202201:13:26
Local Elections Special with Chris Terry

Local Elections Special with Chris Terry

New host Sam joins @Harry_Balden, @ciaranmcgurdy, @michaeljbawden and @BallotWorld's @CJTerry to discuss the recent local elections. They talk: Tower Hamlets, Scotland, Wales, Chris gives a run down of how Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems did, and we discuss Keir Starmer's imminent imprisonment!


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Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Ask us here

May 09, 202201:08:04
Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution Documentary Review

Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution Documentary Review

Join Michael, Julia, Tyron and Ciaran as they review the recent New Labour Documentary 'Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution. In this episode they go over all the various ways the 5-episode doc was essentially rubbish for a variety of reasons. Strong language throughout!

Oct 28, 202155:03
The Wilderness Years and Labour Party Conference

The Wilderness Years and Labour Party Conference

Join Michael, Julia, Tyron and Ciaran as they dissect everyone's favourite Labour Party documentary - The Wilderness Years! In this episode they cover, the beef, how bizarre British politics is and was, as well as what can be learned from the documentary. They also rundown some of the events at Labour Party Conference, strong language throughout!

Oct 04, 202101:16:10
Conference is a-coming

Conference is a-coming

Join Michael, Ciaran and Tyron in this week's episode as they sit down to chat the end of the silly season and the upcoming challenges Labour Party conference presents. Some strong language throughout!

Sep 16, 202144:34
Reflections on the Unite Election with Alex Maguire

Reflections on the Unite Election with Alex Maguire

This week Michael and Ciaran sit down with Alex Maguire to discuss the recent Unite general secretary election which saw Sharon Graham, once decried as the candidate who would split the left vote, cruise to a shock victory. We talk what this means for Unite going forward, how Steve Turner and Gerard Coyne lost it, what becomes of Howard Beckett, and the Labour party gets a brief mention. 


Check out Alex Maguire's reporting on the Unite election for The Social Review here: https://www.thesocialreview.co.uk/author/alexmaguire/

Sep 04, 202135:09
Why Welsh Labour Wins - An Interview with Carwyn Jones (Part Two)

Why Welsh Labour Wins - An Interview with Carwyn Jones (Part Two)

In the second part of this episode, Michael sits down with the former First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones for a wide-ranging discussion on some of the reasons he thinks Welsh Labour continues to win despite changing political weather, what specific lessons can be drawn from his time in office as well as the constitutional future of the UK's Labour Parties.

Aug 26, 202119:37
Why Welsh Labour Wins - An Interview with Carwyn Jones (Part One)

Why Welsh Labour Wins - An Interview with Carwyn Jones (Part One)

In the first episode of a new series, Michael sits down with the former First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones for a wide-ranging discussion on some of the reasons he thinks Welsh Labour continues to win despite changing political weather, and what the UK Labour Party can learn from it.

Aug 19, 202122:42
An Island Strong and Fair? An Interview with Manx Labour Leader Joney Faragher

An Island Strong and Fair? An Interview with Manx Labour Leader Joney Faragher

This week Wrenna sits down with Leader of the Manx Labour Party Joney Faragher, to discuss Manx politics and the history of the Labour movement on the Isle of Man in the run-up to the 2021 Manx General Election.

Aug 12, 202139:48
What's Next for Open Labour with Alex Sobel MP

What's Next for Open Labour with Alex Sobel MP

This week Michael sits down with Alex Sobel MP to talk all things Open Labour, what's next for the organisation as a whole as they elect their next National Committee, as well as a bit of a rundown of what's going on right now in UK politics.

Aug 03, 202134:15
Asking Us, Asking You

Asking Us, Asking You

Join Michael, Lines, Ciaran and Julia as they answer questions from our listeners on progressive patriotism and the England football team, war on the boomers (what is it good for?) and what policies Labour should prioritise to start sounding more coherent. Some strong language throughout!

Jul 29, 202152:35
The Boundary Review with The Social Review

The Boundary Review with The Social Review

Join Julia, Sean, Tyron, Q, and special guest Chris Terry as they go full wonk and take a deep dive into the Boundary Review and what it means for British politics. Some strong language throughout!

Jul 22, 202148:06
Football Came Home

Football Came Home

Join Michael, Julia and Tyron this week as they sit down to talk England's heart-breaking Euro 2020 defeat, the Copa America and how national teams inform national identity. As well as this they take a look at the changes to Universal Credit and the Triple Lock coming down the track and how they present more problems for the Tories. Some strong language throughout!

Jul 14, 202101:07:24
England Unlocks and The Social Review Marches On

England Unlocks and The Social Review Marches On

Some strong language in this week's episode as Michael, Ciaran, Julia & Tyron talk the tensions around England unlocking, the tantalising prospect of football coming home and what's next for The Social Review.

Jul 07, 202141:21
The Batley and Spen By-Election

The Batley and Spen By-Election

Some strong language in this special episode as The Social Review gang rundown their thoughts on the Batley and Spen by-election, how the ground game felt for those knocking doors and how this narrow victory plays into the wider picture for the Labour Party.

Jul 04, 202159:17
Let's talk about drugs baby!

Let's talk about drugs baby!

Drugs mentioned throughout in this week's episode as Michael sits down with Ant Lehane from Volteface and the Labour Campaign for Drug Policy Reform to chat about the current state of drug policy and what's being done on the ground to reduce harm.

Jul 01, 202123:29
Bitcoin is bad, and it should make you feel bad!

Bitcoin is bad, and it should make you feel bad!

Some strong language and discussion of gambling in this week's episode as the gang take a look at the world of Cryptocurrency; Crypto as a subculture and the environmental damage it's already causing.

Jun 24, 202145:54
In the Court of the Sausage King

In the Court of the Sausage King

Strong language throughout as the gang sit down to discuss what went on during last week's G7 conference and the storm clouds forming on the horizon for the government.

Jun 17, 202158:55
The Joker Review

The Joker Review

This week the gang sit down to discuss the current dire state of the Labour Leadership and how it makes us all want to become the Joker. Strong language throughout!

Jun 10, 202101:02:01
From the Vault: Campaign Against the Arms Trade

From the Vault: Campaign Against the Arms Trade

This week's episode is one from the podcast vault recorded during our hiatus. Wrenna chats with Andrew Smith from the Campaign Against the Arms Trade about the current state of the arms trade and the United Kingdom's role in it.

Jun 03, 202147:06
The Welsh Parliament Election Results

The Welsh Parliament Election Results

Super Thursday wasn't all doom and gloom! Join The Social Review as we sit down with Matthew Hexter from Hiraeth and Megan Thomas from That's Devolved to chat all things Welsh Politics, Mark Drakeford's glorious victory and what the future holds for the Senedd.

May 24, 202101:15:22
The Gang Take the Keith Pill

The Gang Take the Keith Pill

Strong language throughout as The Social Review gang look over the weekend from hell for the Labour Leadership, its implications for the Labour Party and UK Politics as a whole.

May 13, 202101:07:31
Super Thursday - But for Who???

Super Thursday - But for Who???

Join Julia & friends for a bumper episode as they unpick and unpack the upcoming set of Welsh and Scottish Parliament elections as well as the local elections in England. The gang dissects the current state of play in British Politics and what the picture looks like for the Labour Party. Tyron also does his level best to get banned from Wales forever!

May 05, 202101:44:12
Planet on Fire with Matthew Lawrence and Lauri Laybourn-Langton

Planet on Fire with Matthew Lawrence and Lauri Laybourn-Langton

We're back! Join The Social Review team for our first episode back off hiatus as Joe interviews Matthew Lawrence and Laurie Laybourn-Langton about their new book Planet on Fire: A Manifesto for the Age of Environmental Breakdown. Together they examine the scope of the challenge facing states when it comes to the prospect of environmental collapse, as well as what can be done to remedy it.

Apr 22, 202148:27
Vernacular Social Democracy and the Politics of Labour

Vernacular Social Democracy and the Politics of Labour

Historian Jon Lawrence (author of 'Me, Me, Me? The Search for Community in Post-War England') sits down with Jasper to discuss his article on 'Vernacular Social Democracy' in the latest issue of Renewal. They dissect what the concept means, the intersection of liberal individualism with communitarianism, how Keir Starmer is doing so far, the weirdness of 2017, and much more.
Dec 10, 202058:60
Jewish Labour

Jewish Labour

We're back! Jasper chats to Peter Mason, National Secretary of the Jewish Labour Movement, to delve into the EHRC's Report on antisemitism within Labour, its long-term history and why left-wing thought is so susceptible to it, the future plans of JLM, and much more.
Nov 24, 202044:11
Left Out of This Land

Left Out of This Land

Joe, Lines and Julia meet to discuss two big new books about Corbyn's Labour Party: 'This Land: The Story of a Movement' by Owen Jones, and 'Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour Under Corbyn' by Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire. The team discuss the book's different conclusions, whether it casts new light on Corbyn's Labour or not, the importance of interpersonal relationships in politics, and much more.
Sep 28, 202001:06:01
Alexander Hamilton - Economic Radical?

Alexander Hamilton - Economic Radical?

How does a bastard, orphan, son of a... you get the gist. Jasper sits down with Christian Parenti, author of 'Radical Hamilton: Economic Lessons From a Misunderstood Founder' (Verso, 2020) to discuss the political and economic legacy of the ten-dollar founding father.

Was Hamilton really a free-trading capitalist, or a statist radical?

How do Hamiltonianism and Jeffersonianism continue to influence socio-economic development in the US and internationally?

Why do many on the left perceive decentralisation and localism as inherent goods, and what would Hamilton have said to that?

And what can contemporary politics learn from Hamilton's economic developmentalism?
Sep 13, 202001:05:26
We're Bringing Brexit Back

We're Bringing Brexit Back

Honey, time to break international law! Jasper catches up again with Shadow Minister for International Trade, Bill Esterson, about the government's plan to breach their Withdrawal Agreement, whether Tony Abbott's appointment as trade advisor is just to whip up the culture war, and much more.
Sep 10, 202054:20
The Social Re-Q

The Social Re-Q

Morgan and Pete found a way to connect to the internet, and take a deep dive, helped by Annie Kelly (UK Correspondent, QAnon Anonymous), into the world of the QAnon conspiracy theory. How proliferate is it? How do well-meaning individuals become radicalised? How can they be de-radicalised? And what's the world's first conspiracy theory, and what does it have to do with Edward II?
Sep 05, 202001:00:09
MMT Whatcha Say

MMT Whatcha Say

It's August and, with nothing better to do, Morgan embarks on an epic quest to discover what Modern Monetary Theory is, enlisting the help of trusty companions Megan Corton Scott (fellow-not-knower-of-what-MMT-is), William Sorenson (TSR writer, Labour Tenants), David Klemperer (TSR writer, former Institute for Government researcher) and Shreya Nanda (Economist at the IPPR).
Aug 28, 202001:24:54
An A-Grade Disaster

An A-Grade Disaster

After a calamitous U-turn on exams, Jasper chats to Andrew Lawrence (Teach First Ambassador, HeadStartNE Co-Founder) and Fabia Crole (Head of Partnerships, Future Frontiers) about their respective work with disadvantaged students, what the algorithm revealed about Ofqual and government policy, the long-term impact on the class of 2020 and much more.
Aug 21, 202001:01:21
We Can't Consent to This

We Can't Consent to This

This week, Jasper & Morgan speak to Eve from We Can't Consent to This, which campaigns for legal change in how men who kill and injure women during sex are prosecuted. Eve outlines the modern history of the rough sex defence, the stories of women killed by their partners, and future plans for the group - as well as lessons from running a campaign, porn, enacting cultural change, and much more. Website: https://wecantconsenttothis.uk/ Fill in our Listeners' Consultation: https://forms.gle/o6GdBw2iu3Tz6NoH8
Aug 09, 202053:55
Weight of the Nation
Jul 31, 202001:01:40
Not The End of Ideology
Jul 23, 202001:01:45
Poland at the Polls
Jul 16, 202038:59
Hong Kong Crackdown

Hong Kong Crackdown

Jasper and Morgan talk to Sam Goodman, Senior Political Advisor to Hong Kong Watch, to discuss China's imposition of a National Security Law on the territory - what it means for human rights, how the UK should respond, possible futures, and how much responsibility the rest of the world bears for China's actions.
Jul 10, 202039:21
School's Out...?

School's Out...?

Jasper and Wrenna sit down with Cathy Rowland, Headteacher of Dobcroft Infants School (and Wrenna's mum), to discuss life on the ground in schools right now, how the Department of Education has handled the crisis, the long and short-term impacts of school closures, keeping children safe online in lockdown, and much more.
Jul 04, 202035:10
The 1987 Caucus
Jun 25, 202032:02
The View From America
Jun 09, 202055:18
One Year Later

One Year Later

One year on from the launch of The Social Review Podcast, Jasper looks back at the transformations and changes in British politics, what lessons we can learn, and what the future - uncertain as it is - may hold.
May 30, 202013:28
Posh Boys with Robert Verkaik

Posh Boys with Robert Verkaik

Jasper sits down with Robert Verkaik, journalist and author of 'Posh Boys: How the English Public Schools Ruin Britain,' discussing the history of private education, how it could be dissolved and what could replace it. Plus, Jasper chats to Callum O'Dwyer about his journey in suffering from Covid-19.
May 28, 202001:13:59
Apocalypse Communism
May 20, 202001:03:50