GnT - The Politics Podcast From The Groucho Tendency

Its been nine months, three Prime Ministers, four Chancellors and one engagement... Mike Indian and Liam Kay return with their insight and analysis on the premiership of 'Dishy' Rishi Sunak, the US Mid-term elections, Twitter falling into the abyss and the football World Cup in Qatar. 

Words carry power. In a world where anyone can have a pulpit, a way to express themselves, language has never been more potent and imperative to world affairs. In this episode, Mike Indian and Liam Kay explore why leaders must act with integrity in both their actions and expressions.

On 20th January 2021, the Presidency of Donald J Trump comes to an end, but America and the World will be living with its legacy for years to come. In the first GnT of 2021, Mike Indian and Liam Kay look across the Atlantic to events in Washington to unpick events in the world's preeminent democracy. 

Joe Biden has been declared as the 46th President of the United States after an unprecedentedly bitter campaign that exposed not just the deep divisions within America, but also questions about the faith of the electorate in Western democratic institutions. With 71m votes, can this election really be seen as a rejection of Donald Trump? Mike Indian and Liam Kay dissect the results and what they mean. 

In the second part of the series on what MPs do away from Westminster, Mike Indian speaks to David Linden, MP for Glasgow East. This podcast answers the eternal question: what is a Scottish Nationalist's favourite English sitcom?

What do MPs do when they are not in the House of Commons? In the first of two interviews, Mike Indian speaks to the Rt Hon Damian Green MP, former Conservative Cabinet Minister and MP for Ashford about the challenges COVID-19 has presented to his work and the challenges facing the Tory Party and Boris Johnson.

As the summer heat rages, Boris Johnson has set himself the goal of getting schools back in September, but will that mean closing the pubs? Liam Kay makes his predictions for how lockdown will develop, whilst Mike Indian gives his take on Joe Biden's Vice-Presidential pick.

Mike and Liam are back in the pub... almost. In this episode of GnT, our dynamic duo look at why the Government is reopening pubs and restaurants, what might be in the Chancellor's economic stimulus package and why Keir Starmer sacked Rebecca Long-Bailey.

In the second GnT virtual politics pub session, Mike Indian is joined by technology researcher Amber Macintyre and former Commons Clerk Eliot Wilson to look at if our political systems need to become more digital. The trio also touch on the recent #BlackLivesMatter protests in the Uk and the US.

In the latest GnT podcast, Mike Indian chats to former Labour MP and trade expert William Bain about the impact of COVID-19 on global trade, why the UK has no idea what its trade policy should be and if Brexit will be delayed. 

The Prime Minister's most senior adviser has been caught in apparent breach of the lockdown rules but has remained in post. In this GnT podcast, Mike Indian and Liam Kay look at why Dominic Cummings did not resign and what that means for Boris Johnson and his government's lockdown agenda.

We've all been taking part in #ClapforCarers on Thursdays, but are all key workers being appreciated equally? Mike Indian speaks to Julie Earls, Director of Appoint Us Services, a community care company based in Coventry, about the impact on the public and private sides of the social care sector.

Boris Johnson has set out how the UK will begin to exit lockdown, but has he got it wrong? Mike Indian is joined in the virtual pub by former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib and Labour activist Paul Lynch to discuss whether we are beginning to get the sweet taste of freedom.

The archaic House of Commons has come crashing into the 21st century by embracing technology to allow MPs to hold the Government to account during the pandemic, but what do these changes mean for our democracy? Mike Indian is joined by former Commons Clerk Eliot Wilson to discuss what the new measures are and if there are here to stay.

The UK Government has said there is a "light at the end of the tunnel" for lockdown and the distance to that light will be measured by the R Number? But what is the R Number and why does it matter? Mike Indian and Liam Kay look at the tests that must be met before our lives can begin to get back to normal.

Does the coronavirus pandemic mean the return of big government? Mike Indian is joined by former Conservative adviser and public affairs consultant, Stephen Lynch, to ask if Boris Johnson and the Tories can justify going back to being the party of the small state and lower public spending after the pandemic.

Is the UK getting used to big government? How have the powers of the British state responded to times of crisis. A recording of a talk to the Leicester Secular Society (via Zoom) by political commentator Mike Indian from 26 April 2020.

Is politics slowly returning to the coronavirus pandemic? In this podcast, Mike Indian and Liam Kay look at the UK Government's decision to extend the lockdown by another three weeks and what lessons can be drawn from how other countries have responded to the virus. Also, Mike speaks to someone who was struck halfway round the world when Europe started to lockdown and had to flee home.

The UK Government's has locked down the country in response to coronavirus. No other government policy in peacetime has touched so many aspects of our every day lives, but what price are we paying with our minds? In this podcast, Mike Indian is joined by Educational and Child Psychologist Dr Michele McDowell and Flexible Work (Implementation) Consultant and social commentator Marilyn Devonish to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting our mental health.

Could the UK Government tighten the coronavirus lockdown? Inside on the sunny first weekend of 2020, Mike Indian and Liam Kay ask if Boris Johnson has got his response to COVID-29 right. They also look at new Labour Leader Keir Starmer. In addition, Mike is joined by Sight for Surrey's Callum Russell to discuss how the lockdown is affecting those with physical disabilities.

Who can I vote for in the EU elections? Mike Indian breaks down who is standing in the UK's European Parliament election on 23 May and how you should vote if you're a Leaver, a Remainer or just not sure.