It's Bloody Complicated - A Compass Podcast

151. A Decade of Brexit - with Stella Creasy MP

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0100

10 years on from the vote to leave the European Union, Lena is joined by Stella Creasy MP to discuss the impact of that decision, and what the future holds for our relationship with Europe.

Plus: the staff team react to the resignation of Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, and consider what a Burnham premiership could mean for progressives.

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You can find us on Twitter at @CompassOffice.

BONUS - Makerfield By-Election Reaction

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0100

It’s probably not being dramatic to suggest that the 2026 Makerfield by-election could go down as the most influential Westminster by-election of all time.

As Labour’s woes in government continue, sitting 8 points behind Reform in the polls, their candidate Andy Burnham made his intentions clear in intending to run to be the next leader (and Prime Minister). With his commitment to changing the political culture in the country, including electoral reform and a return to public ownership of water, Burnham's victory could bring about a new era of progressive politics in Britain (we’re not biased, honest).

So, obviously, we had to put a star-studded lineup together to analyse the result.

Joining Compass Director Neal Lawson to figure out just what has happened is:

Kerry Postlewhite, Chair of Mainstream Labour’s Interim Council
Will Stronge, Chief Executive of Autonomy
Ava-Santina Evans, Editor of PoliticsJOE
Anouschka Rajah, Research and Analysis Manager at MoreinCommon UK

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How to Trust the Left on the Economy | ep. 150

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0100

Perhaps the foremost crisis of the omnicrisis that is seeming to plague British politics these days is the cost of living. With inflation through the roof over the past decade due to a series of seismic economic shocks – some self-inflicted, most unforeseen – and wages stagnant, what do we do?

At Compass, we pride ourselves on providing progressive solutions to all issues. But the economy remains the one area in which progressives are consistently seen as outliers, whose ideas are not only politically motivated but out and out incorrect. We know this isn’t true – but how do we show that?

To discuss what progressives need to do on economic issues, Compass Director Neal Lawson is joined by:

James Meadway, economist, co-director of Verdant, former advisor to Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, and former Chief Economist at the New Economics Foundation.

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Can Pluralism Actually Work? with Mayor Helen Godwin and Tony Dyer | ep. 149

Sun, 31 May 2026 08:00:00 +0100

This month, something happened in British politics that would normally
sound completely impossible.

A Labour mayor appointed a Green council leader as her deputy. Not after a coalition deal, or an election without a clear winner, or because
somebody lost a bet, but because they decided they might be able to govern better together than apart.

In this episode, Lena talks to West of England Mayor Helen Goodwin and her Deputy Mayor Tony Dyer about how pluralism is working for them in practice.

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For a Gentle Revolution: In Conversation With Uffe Elbæk

Thu, 28 May 2026 13:00:00 +0100

Neal Lawson is joined by Uffe Elbæk, Danish politician, former Minister of Culture, founder of The Alternative political party, and long-time friend of Compass. They discuss Uffe's new book Doubt, Hope, Action which is out now.

Podcast listeners get 10% Off & free UK shipping using code: DHA-COMPASS10
https://5mbooks.com/product/doubt-hope-action
Valid til 30 June 2026

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What is the Soft Left? | ep. 148

Sun, 17 May 2026 10:00:00 +0100

At this pivotal moment for British politics, Compass has been very proud to release ‘What is the Soft Left?‘.

Our newest publication – which you can read here – dives into the history of the soft left within the Labour Party. It charts the grouping’s course from the 1980s divide to the present day emergence of Mainstream and showcases how the soft left is now moving from kingmaker to royalty within the party.

But, in a turbulent week, what is that soft left position and what part does it actually have to play now? What is the ‘Democratic Left’ and how does it differ to the older ‘left Labourist’ position?

To discuss all of these, we’re excited to be joined by:

Clare Short, former Secretary of State for International Development (1997-2003) and Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood (1983-2010).
Jon Cruddas, former policy coordinator for the Labour Party (2012-2015) and Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham (2001-2024).

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Local Elections 2026 Reaction with Ethan Croft (New Statesman) and Jake Dibden (MoreinCommon UK)

Fri, 08 May 2026 20:00:00 +0100

The 2026 Local Elections have been some of the most seismic in British history. Across England the public took their chance to give Labour a kicking, with Reform winning big and the Greens bringing about their best-ever election night. Add to this Wales, where Labour dropped to the third-largest party for the first time ever, and the SNP’s anticipated plurality in Scotland, and May 8th now look sradically different at the local level than the previous day.

To dissect what’s happened overnight, Compass Director Neal Lawson is joined by two great guests:

Ethan Croft is political correspondent at the New Statesman.
Jake Dibden is a Research Fellow at MoreinCommon UK.

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2026 Local Elections Preview: We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Vote | ep. 147

Sat, 02 May 2026 09:00:00 +0100

The 2026 Local Elections are set to be the most seismic the country has faced in a generation. Across all of Britain the old order is being thrown out of the window and the brave new world of six-party fragmentation will be laid bare for all to witness. This will, seemingly, come at the expense of the Labour Party, whose time in government hasn’t been all too well recieved as of yet.

In Wales, Plaid Cymru and Reform look set to displace Labour as the biggest parties in the Senedd. The SNP look to maintain their hold on Holyrood. And in England, the story of different places will be told – Reform look set to take large seats up and down, while the Greens target urban areas for their gains.

One of the most significant of these is set to be London, where Labour’s two-decade long stronghold looks to dissipate.

To discuss all of this and provide a preview of the local elections, Compass’ Deputy Director Lena Swedlow was joined by:

Elly Baker, Labour London Assembly Member from the Londonwide list since 2021 and Labour group spokesperson for Transport.
Laura Beveridge, Junior Political Correspondent at PoliticsJOE and Washington Post Stern-Bryan Fellow 2026.

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A Holyrood Awakening: What Next for Scotland? | ep. 146

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0100

On May 7th 2026, the Scottish people go to the polls to elect a new Scottish Parliament. In and amongst what look like seismic losses for the Labour Government across the English local elections and in the Welsh Senedd, Scotland stands out: it had its reckoning with the Labour Party back in 2011.

If the polls are to be believed then the SNP look set to retain their place as the biggest party in Holyrood, but with a diminished seat number as Reform, the Greens and the Lib Dems look to capitalise. So with a fraught relationship with the Green Party after their recent coalition woes, an ideological opposition to Labour and a minority of MSPs, the question needs to be asked: what next for Scotland?

To discuss this with Compass Director Neal Lawson we were delighted to be joined by two true standout voices in Scotland:

Stephen Flynn, MP for Aberdeen South, and Leader of the SNP in the House of Commons
Tommy Sheppard, SNP MP for Edinburgh East between 2015-2024.

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How to Save the NHS | ep. 145

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0100

Aneurin Bevan called it “quite the most ambitious adventure in the care of national health that any country has seen”. Nigel Lawson called it “the closest thing the English have to a religion.” And it’s been called by our guest tonight “an expression of what’s best in our society”.

We are, of course, talking about the NHS.

After another report about just how much the staff and the patients they treated endured during the Covid-19 pandemic, our Deputy Director Lena Swedlow was joined by Dr. Gavin Francis to talk about two books he’s written, Free for All: Why the NHS is worth saving (2023) and The Unfragile Mind (2026).

Gavin became a doctor in 1999, first studying neuroscience, and has since become a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, the Royal College of General Practitioners, and the Royal Society of Literature.

We’ll delve not only into the current challenges the NHS is facing and how we might address them, but also because this is the podcast where we get into the bloody complicated stuff – the politics of the NHS.

You can get Gavin's latest book, The Unfragile Mind, here.

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The Poll-tergeist: Our Fragmented Politics and Labour’s ‘Progressive Defectors’ | ep. 144

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 20:00:00 +0000

The world that Compass has long predicted is now becoming self-evident: Britain no longer lives in its two-party system. The Conservative-Labour duality that has dominated British politics since the 20th Century is no longer a given. Our politics has fragmented.

Five parties are now regularly polling in double figures. Reform have led every poll since May 2025, Labour are sitting at half of their 2024 vote share in under two years, the Tories sit in the wilderness. Amongst all of this, the Greens have surged, reaching all-time polling highs of 21%, while the Lib Dems are beginning to stagnate in fifth place and their own internal divisions are starting to show.

So how do we make sense of all of this? How has it happened and which voters are going where?

To get into the detail of all of it, our Director Neal Lawson is joined by Persuasion UK’s Steve Akehurst. Persuasion have recently released their new paper, ‘Revolt on the left: Getting to know Labour’s ‘Progressive Defectors”, showing how the largest swathes of Labour’s 2024 voters are going to the Green Party instead of Reform.

Steve Akehurst is Director of Persuasion UK and leads their research work. He has spent his career working at the intersection of politics, policy and public attitudes, with a focus on communications-orientated polling research. In recent years, he has specialised in global attitudes to the Net Zero transition. In addition, Steve has written extensively about UK electoral battlegrounds, being the first person to coin the term ‘Blue Wall’ and define these constituencies in a UK context. His work has featured in the likes of The Times, Telegraph, FT and Guardian.

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BONUS EPISODE: Gorton & Denton Reaction with Megan Kenyon and Peter Kellner

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this bonus episode, Neal and Lena are joined by the political commentators Megan Kenyan and Peter Kellner to dissect the result of this week's by-election in Gorton & Denton.

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Is it Time for PR?: Lifting the Lid on Britain’s Pressure-Cooker Politics with Stuart Donald and Emma Harrison | ep. 143

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

One of Compass’ evergreen campaigns is that for proportional representation. Doing away with the archaic first-past-the-post voting system is something self-evident to the new politics we here at Compass are trying to build. Ensuring cross-party collaboration and the best of all progressive ideas will be key to a democratic system that works in the people’s best interest going forward.

But there’s a darker side to FPTP too: how it contributes to inequality.

This little-researched area of the ramifications of our voting system and the political-socioeconomic system it exacerbates is now being dragged to the front. Our new paper, ‘Lifting the Lid on Britain’s Pressure-Cooker Politics’, authored by Stuart Donald, shows just how stark the links between the two are.

Joining our Deputy Director, Lena Swedlow, to talk about this are:

Stuart Donald, author of ‘Lifting the Lid on Britain’s Pressure-Cooker Politics’ and ‘The Temper Trap‘. Stuart is a researcher and writer, committed to using data to prove that in today’s world, the First Past the Post electoral system no longer works and is driving countries that use it to destruction. A native of Perth, Stuart now lives in Linlithgow and works in Edinburgh where he leads a research and data analytics team. Stuart is also a husband, a dad and a supporter of Aberdeen FC.
Emma Harrison is Chief Executive of Make Votes Matter and leads the organisation with a key focus on driving forward better governance, higher levels of engagement with the public and persuading politicians to support the principle of fair votes for all. She was the founding Chief Executive of IMIX, a not-for-profit communications agency dedicated to transforming public attitudes on migration. Emma’s passion for using strategic communications to drive social change has been a defining feature of her work. Throughout her career, Emma has been deeply committed to engaging the public and building movements for change. She has held senior leadership roles in a range of charities, spanning international development, the disability sector, and the consumer rights movement. Her expertise extends across multi-channel communications, policy development, and advocacy, which began with her formative experience working at the European Parliament. Outside of work Emma is an Arsenal season ticket holder, a mudlarker, wild swimmer and is owned by her two dogs.

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A World of Trouble: Is US Hegemony Crumbling? with Mary Kaldor and Nick Dearden | ep. 142

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

‘We’re living through unprecedented times’ seems to be the slogan of the past decade now, which is a grim reality. But, when facing the international space, it’s difficult to argue. The rampant chaos that has been seen through international relations since Brexit and Donald Trump’s first election as US President seems to be reaching an apex.

Between the recent incursion into Venezuela, overtures towards Greenland and Iran – the former directly calling into question the 80-year sanctity of NATO – American imperialism is taking on a dimension we’ve never seen before. This comes with a backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine War entering its fifth year, a potential European reorientation towards China as the behemoth still threatens Taiwan with force, and the genocide in Gaza showing the international law to be a sham.

Joining our director, Neal Lawson, to talk about this are two international experts:

Mary Kaldor is Professor Emeritus of Global Governance and Director of the Conflict Research Programme at the LSE. She has pioneered the concepts of new wars and global civil society. Her elaboration of the real-world implementation of human security has directly influenced European and national governments. She is the author of numerous works including New and Old Wars: Organised Violence in a Global Era, International Law and New Wars, and Global Security Cultures (2018).
Nick Dearden has been the director of Global Justice Now since 2013, and a campaigner against corporate globalisation and for global economic justice for over 20 years. He was a leading voice in the UK and European movement against the now‑abandoned EU‑US trade deal (TTIP), and subsequently against the US-UK trade deal, about which he wrote a short book, Trade Secrets. Nick started his career at War on Want, and went on to be corporates campaign manager at Amnesty International UK, and then director of Jubilee Debt Campaign (now Debt Justice), where he built strong relationships with campaigners in the global south. His book, Pharmanomics: How Big Pharma Destroys Global Health, was published by Verso in 2023.

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Starmer's Last Stand: What Next for the Labour Party? with Paula Barker MP, Clive Lewis MP, Kerry Postlewhite and Luke Hurst

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

This EMERGENCY episode of It's Bloody Complicated was deemed necessary due to the rapidly moving events of the past weekend. Recorded on Monday 9th February 2026, the day after Morgan McSweeney resigned as the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, and the same day that Tim Allen resigned as the PM's Director of Communications - before the Cabinet gave Starmer full-throated support online - there is a sincere feeling that this is far beyond the beginning of the end of this Government.

To discuss what the Labour Party can do to revive itself in the eyes of the public and its own membership, Compass Director Neal Lawson is joined by Paula Barker (MP for Liverpool Wavertree), Clive Lewis (MP for Norwich South), Kerry Postlewhite (Interim Council Chair of Mainstream Labour) and Luke Hurst (National Coordinator of Mainstream Labour).

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The Greenwave with Rachel Millward | ep. 141

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Even for the most stalwart party member, the meteoric rise of popularity for the Green Party since the 2024 General Election would have caught them off guard. After a record-setting performance at the election – 6.8% vote share and four returned MPs – there were questions of how they could ensure they went from strength-to-strength. As it turned out, this came in the form of a new leadership team.

In September 2025, Zack Polanski was elected leader of the Green Party, with Rachel Millward and Mothin Ali elected as co-Deputies. Since then, the Greens are now averaging 15% in national polls, reaching highs of 18% with certain pollsters – and beating Labour in multiple polls.

So how did this happen and how do they take advantage of it to ensure that 15+ percent turns into national conversation and significant seat returns?

To discuss all of this, we’re overjoyed to have Compass Deputy Director Lena Swedlow joined by Green Party Deputy Leader Rachel Millward.

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Treading Caerphilly: What Does the Future Hold for Wales? with Rhun ap Iorwerth MS | ep. 140

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

The elections happening for the Welsh Senedd in 2026 are held at the same time as the English local elections and the vote for the Scottish Parliament – but there’s an argument to be made that they’re by far the most important ones happening on May 7th.

Since it was first elected in 1999, Labour have been the story of Wales. They have held a plurality of seats and have formed all Welsh Governments, be that majority, minority or coalition. They’ve never received less than 29.6% of the vote in either the constituency or regional list ballots.

Yet, four months out, opinion polls have them as low as 10%.

In their place stand two diametrically opposed forces: on one side, as in all British politics, stand the right-wing Reform, polling near 30%.

And on the other stands the Party of Wales, Plaid Cymru. They currently lead polls with highs of 33% and took one of their biggest scalps back in October, beating the surging Reform in the Caerphilly by-election for a Westminster MP.

The addition of a completely new voting system for the Senedd adds a wrinkle to proceedings also, as it moves to a closed-list proportional system in 16 constituencies across the country.

With the country on a precipice, we were joined by the Leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth, to discuss what the future of Wales looks like and what Plaid Cymru’s plan is should they be successful in May.

Rhun has been the Leader of Plaid since 2023, before which he was Deputy Leader for five years, and has served as Member of the Senedd for Ynys Môn since 2013. Before this, he worked as a journalist, becoming BBC Wales’s Chief Political Correspondent in 2001, a post he held for five years, before moving into presenting roles.

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Political Predictions for 2026 with Dawn Butler MP | ep. 139

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000

The New Year is, understandably, a time for both self-reflection and for figuring out the future. With January comes confronting what you might want to happen in your life.

But in politics, what you want to happen and what you think is going to happen can be two very separate things. With some pivotal local elections coming in May, and both the Welsh Senedd and Scottish Parliament facing significant changes in composition, we’re convening some voices to have a go at predicting just what is going to happen this year.

We were delighted to be joined by previous It’s Bloody Complicated guest, Member of Parliament for Brent East, Dawn Butler. With over 20 years of experience in Parliament, Dawn knows a thing or two about how political years pan out.

But before this, the Compass team joined the call to provide an update on their work from the end of the year and for where their priorities lie going into 2026.

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A Political Round-Up of 2025 with Emma Burnell and Gaby Hinsliff | ep. 138

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The launch of Mainstream, the election of Zack Polanski as Green Party leader, Angela Rayner’s resignation and Peter Mandelson’s sacking – just some of the headline events of another chaotic year in British politics.

2025 may not have had a General Election like last year, but the first full year of a Labour government since 2009 was never going to be dull. At this time of year it’s good to take stock of just what happened so that we can all launch into making 2026 something very special.

On It’s Bloody Complicated, we were delighted to be joined by two dynamic, respected voices in the journalist scene to have a look back at the political year that was 2025: Emma Burnell and Gaby Hinsliff.

Emma Burnell is the Editor of LabourList, taking over the role in September. She has worked with the affiliated Fabian Society for four years as their media consultant, and has also been a consultant for Labour’s Environment Campaign SERA for the last year and a half. She previously served on the National Policy Forum as Socialist Societies representative, and served on the executive committees of Labour Housing Group, SERA and Labour Women’s Network. Burnell has worked in political and campaign communications for over 20 years, bringing her expertise and insight to issues as diverse as social housing, devolution and the environmental and climate crisis.

Gaby Hinsliff is a columnist and feature writer with over 17 years’ experience covering politics and public policy for a range of British media. She currently writes weekly columns for The Guardian and for Grazia magazine, plus a range of freelance writing and broadcasting, and was the youngest ever political editor of a British national newspaper when she became Editor of The Observer in 2004.

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What Next For Your Party? with Sienna Rodgers and Joe Todd

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's new political party - now officially named Your Party - had its founding conference at the end of November.

In fashion that is seemingly becoming typical with the organisation, the conference wasn't without its difficulties, with arguments over access, disputes over positioning and Sultana ending up boycotting the first day.

But the new leftist party are officially founded and will be a force in British politics going forward. So what is going on inside the fledgling group and how can they end up operating with the rest of the progressive side of the spectrum?

To discuss it all, Compass Director Neal Lawson is joined by Deputy Editor of The House Magazine, Sienna Rodgers, and organiser and co-host of the Life of the Party podcast Joe Todd.

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2025 Budget – Will They Fudge It? With Clive Lewis MP, Erin Mansell and Michael Jacobs | ep. 137

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The 2025 Budget was set up to be the most important since at least the Truss-Kwarteng mega-failure of 2022. It’s Labour’s first attempt to set a full, multi-year spanning agenda since 2007. In the build-up to it every possible financial lever has been floated as on the table: income tax rises, changes to national insurance and VAT, windfall taxes on banks or the gambling industry, to name a few.

What the Chancellor eventually decides to do will have serious ramifications for years to come. So it’s only right that our reactive episode of It’s Bloody Complicated treats this moment with the seriousness it deserves.

This episode was hosted by Clive Lewis, Labour Member of Parliament for Norwich South, as he gave his own insight into what the Budget means and how the PLP have reacted to it.

Joining Clive was Erin Mansell, Head of External Affairs at the Women’s Budget Group, and Michael Jacobs, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Sheffield.

Erin Mansell leads WBG’s influencing work getting their analysis and policy recommendations for a gender equal economy out to as large and diverse audiences as possible. Before joining WBG in October 2022, Erin was responsible for public affairs at Solace Women’s Aid, a specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence charity where she specialised in tackling housing and homelessness issues for survivors of male violence. Prior to that she was Political Advisor and Researcher at the Women’s Equality Party, supporting the Party Leader, developing policies, and campaigning for universal free childcare and an end to violence against women and girls.

Michael Jacobs is Professor of Political Economy at the University of Sheffield. He is a former General Secretary of the Fabian Society (1997-2003) and member of the Council of Economic Advisers at the Treasury (2004-07). He was Special Adviser to Gordon Brown at 10 Downing St from 2007-10. His books include The Green Economy: Environment, Sustainable Development and the Politics of the Future (1991), Paying for Progress: A New Politics of Tax for Public Spending (2000) and Rethinking Capitalism: Economics and Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (ed, with Mariana Mazzucato. 2016).

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Political Fragmentation with Jamie Driscoll | ep. 136

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Jamie Driscoll was the Mayor of the North of Tyne between 2019-2024 and a true champion of progressive ideas throughout his political career. In 2023, he was denied the ability to run as Labour’s candidate for the North East Mayoral Election by the Labour NEC – an unprecedented decision for an incumbent Mayor and an inherently political decision. This moment has become one of the key indicators of the direction the Labour Party has moved under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer.

Since then, Jamie Driscoll has set up the political party Majority to advance progressive ideals up and down the country. With the launch of the new Left party by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, Driscoll has been open about the need and desire for unity, cohesion and cooperation on the Left. This has only been exacerbated by Zack Polanski’s election as leader of the Green Party.

With the threat of Reform lurking and a political system not built to house six legitimate political parties, listen now to hear Neal and Jamie Driscoll discuss exactly what the Left need to do to navigate this fragmented space.

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Labour's Factions: How Did Things Get Hyperfactional? with Jeremy Gilbert and Alan Finlayson

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In the second instalment in this miniseries, Compass Director Neal Lawson sits down to chat to long-time Compass intellectual contributors - and hosts of their own podcast Culture, Power and Politics - Professor Jeremy Gilbert and Professor Alan Finlayson.

The three discuss the history of factions within the Labour Party, from its inception through the New Labour era and now to the Starmer-McSweeney hyperfaction, and the consequences that has both for the party and for democracy in Britain today.

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The Fraud: Keir Starmer, Morgan McSweeney, and the Crisis of British Democracy with Paul Holden

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Paul Holden's new book, 'The Fraud', has made waves since its publication last month as it lays bare the intrigues, stratagems, and deceits that made Keir Starmer Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister.

Paul Holden shows how Starmer has been the frontman for a ruthless, right-wing political project headed by Morgan McSweeney, now chief of staff in Number 10 and arguably the most powerful man in Britain.

McSweeney’s clique often employed dirty tricks to undermine the left-wing Labour leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, fuelling a moral panic over antisemitism and establishing front groups that hobbled prominent independent media outlets in the name of fighting ‘misinformation’.

With the shallow nature of this Labour project now clearly in its final throes, this episode is part of a multi-episode series bringing together how this happened and what can be done to bring the Party back into the hands of those who have its best interests at heart.

You can purchase 'The Fraud' from OR Books here: https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-fraud/.

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In Conversation with Nish Kumar | ep. 135

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0100

Named one of The Guardian and The Telegraph’s Top 50 Comedians of the 21st Century, Nish Kumar has come to stand out from the stand-up crowd. With his politically-charged brand of funny, he has sought out and established his own space in the entertainment scene.

As co-host of Pod Save the UK, Nish melds comedy with commentary to bring light and resolution to the ever-growing sense of bleakness in British politics (including on an episode with Compass Director, Neal Lawson, back in 2023). As host of The Mash Report in the late-2010’s, The Bugle, and regular appearances on your TV screens on successful shows such as Taskmaster, Nish has come to be one of the most recognisable figures in British entertainment.

So join us as Nish Kumar dissects a turbulent autumn in British politics and sets out the landscape for what on earth progressives need to do between now and the next election.

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Can Labour build a way out of Britain’s housing crisis? with Cllr Aydin Dikerdem and Dr Beth Stratford | ep 134

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0100

Where and how we live has always been political – but with the right to buy, the explosion of the private-rented sector, and ever-increasingly demand for affordable, social, and council housing, it’s rarely felt this existential.

With the Renters’ Rights Bill currently making its way through Parliament, the mammoth English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill set to extend planning powers to new mayors and councils, and the budget expected on 26th November, it feels like a timely moment to unpick this huge, crucial issue – and how Labour is handling it.

To dig into this, we were joined by two brilliant guests:

Cllr Aydin Dikerdem is the Cabinet Member for Housing at Wandsworth Council. His background is in organising and campaigning, having worked as a community organiser for both the Labour Party and then the New Economics Foundation, where he focused on supporting renters unions and the retrofit agenda.
Dr Beth Stratford is an economist, currently an Honorary Research Fellow at UCL’s Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, and founder member of the London Renters Union. She was a lead author of Land For The Many for the Labour Party, and is co-leading the Homes that Don’t Cost the Earth project alongside colleagues from UCL, Arup, Dark Matter Labs and Rising Tide.

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Labour's Autumn of Discontent | ep. 133

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:00:00 +0100

The Labour Government find themselves in a difficult moment. On the eve of their 2025 Conference, they are faced with the knowledge that their ‘decade of national renewal’ currently seems stuck in first gear.

A series of events have rocked public confidence in the government, including the resignation of Angela Rayner from her government roles and role as Deputy Leader of the party, the sacking of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador, and the launch of the new network, ‘Mainstream’.

With the autumn looking decisive for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, we’re thrilled to be joined by two amazing guests to discuss:

Rachael Maskell, Member of Parliament for York Central, who has currently had the Labour whip withdrawn for causing Government concessions on the controversial vote to cut Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people.
Jeremy Gilbert, Professor of Cultural and Political Theory at the University of East London, and the current editor of the journal New Formations, and author of Twenty-First-Century Socialism (Polity 2020) and Hegemony Now: How Big Tech and Wall Street Won the World.

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The Starmer Symptom with Mark Perryman

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0100

It's clear that this Labour Government are in a bit of trouble. Already floundering in the polls off the back of a year in which their promise of 'change' in 2024 hasn't lived up to expectations, they have now been rocked by a series of scandals and resignations - Angela Rayner, Peter Mandelson, Paul Ovenden - that are undermining Sir Keir Starmer's Premiership. With a Deputy Leadership contest now being seen as an internal referendum on the leadership, the 2025 Party Conference is set to be one to keep your eye on.

To that end, the release of Mark Perryman's new book, 'The Starmer Symptom', couldn't have come at a more opportune time. The Starmer Symptom brings together leading political writers to navigate the complex terrain of this seismic shift in British politics. This unique collection analyses voter data, and looks at the break-up of the two-party system with the rise of a populist right in Reform UK and a new independent left. Will Keir Starmer’s government be able to successfully combine the pragmatic and social democratic to produce radical change? And if not, who is waiting in the wings?

Perryman sits down with Compass Director Neal Lawson, who contributed a chapter to the book. Other contributors include Clive Lewis, Danny Dorling, Emma Burnell, Gargi Bhattacharyya, James Meadway, Hilary Wainwright, Jeremy Gilbert, Phil Burton-Cartledge, and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown.

Special Offer for Compass Members and Supporters: ‘The Starmer Symptom’ for JUST £11.89 (usual price £16.99). Use coupon code ‘STARMER30’ at Pluto Press here.

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In Conversation with George Monbiot | ep. 132

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:00:00 +0100

Investigative journalist, author, commentator and activist – George Monbiot has come to define the intellectual left in many of his own ways over the past three decades.

From the rights of indigenous peoples the world over to climate activism to opposition to the Iraq War to now speaking out on the Government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action, George has taken a stand where many others wouldn’t tread.

And with the political moment being what it is, with tremendous uncertainty both home and abroad, valued voices are needed more than ever.

So listen in as Compass Director, Neal Lawson, discusses what progressives need to do strategically to win the next decade-plus and what a Popular Front could achieve in Britain.

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The Green’s New Deal: Reaction to Zack Polanski’s Victory in the Green Party Leadership Election with Jonathan Bartley

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0100

Zack Polanski’s victory in the Green Party leadership election has hailed in a a new political moment and couldn’t have arrived at a more turbulent time. With Reform surging in the polls, the Labour government struggling to gain any traction, the Conservatives fighting for relevance and the Liberal Democrats looking to capitalise in their heartlands, the Greens find themselves balancing their own member’s interests between dynamic leftism and seat-winning localism. But with Polanski defeating MP’s Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay by 20,411 votes to 3,705, his mandate for ‘eco-populism’ couldn’t be clearer.

Yet the formation of a new Left party by Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn threatens the cut-through of a Polanski-led Green Party. So what are they to do now and what does Polanski’s victory mean for the future of politics in Britain?

To discuss this, Compass Director Neal Lawson is joined by former Green Party co-leader, Jonathan Bartley. Jonathan led the Greens between 2016-2021 alongside Caroline Lucas, and then Sian Berry, and was a councillor in Lambeth between 2018-2022. But taking a step back from frontline politics has allowed him to develop a thoughtful, nuanced perspective on the Green Party – you won’t want to miss this one.

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Will You Come to My Party: Can the Corbyn-Sultana Party Succeed? with James Meadway, Alan Finlayson and Laura Parker

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0100

The launch of a new left party by Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn is all anyone is talking about in the political world right now. An out-and-out left-wing party hasn't existed in Britain for quite some time, let alone seen any Parliamentary success, and for all of us in the progressive space its potential success will be fascinating to watch.

But how could it succeed? What are the implications? To discuss this, Compass Director Neal Lawson sat down with campaigner Laura Parker, Professor Alan Finlayson and economist James Meadway.

This episode is split into two sections: the discussion with Laura Parker (02:37) and a seperate discussion with Alan Finlayson and James Meadway (33:45).

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In Conversation with Mark Drakeford | ep. 131

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0100

Under Mark Drakeford’s leadership, Labour in Wales bucked the party’s national trend in 2021, winning a working majority of 30 seats in the Senedd, worked with Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats, and pushed genuinely innovative, exciting, unapologetically progressive policy: the UK’s first a universal basic income (UBI) trial, a Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, changing the voting system to a form of Proportional Representation, and taking Welsh rail services back into public hands.

We talked to Mark about his vision of a good society, what’s next for Labour nationally and in Wales, and his proposal of a ‘union of solidarity’.

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Through Love or Fear: How Should Labour Govern the PLP and the Country? with John McTernan and Baroness Ruth Lister

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0100

In this special BONUS episode of It's Bloody Complicated, Compass Director Neal Lawson is joined by John McTernan - former Director of Political Operations to Tony Blair - and Compass Board Member, Baroness Ruth Lister.

Following the extraordinary action by the Labour Party to suspend the whip from four MPs last week - Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff and Rachael Maskell - for alleged 'repeated breaches of party discipline', the question had to be asked: where do we go from here?

This episode covers the whip withdrawals, situates it in Labour's past and brings about a keen discussion of the party's future.

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In Conversation with Caroline Lucas | ep 130

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0100

Caroline Lucas spent 10 years at the helm of the Green Party between 2003-2006, 2007-2012 and 2016-2018, as well as being the party’s first and only solely-elected MP for 14 years between 2010-2024. In that time, she became the face of green politics and one of the foremost voices for progressive politics in the country, laying the groundwork for the emerging climate discussion and leading the way in advocating against the ongoing climate catastrophe.

In that time the Green Party went from receiving just over 250,000 votes in the 2005 General Election to nearly 2 million last July, returning four MP’s for the first time in its history. Lucas stepped down at that election, paving the way for the new generation of green voices.

But with the Greens now undergoing a seismic leadership election, as well as intense public criticism of the Government’s net zero policy platform and disillusionment with Labour from the left, Lucas’s perspective remains just as valuable as it has been for the past two decades in public life.

Don’t miss out on this fascinating conversation between Frances Foley, Deputy Director of Compass and Caroline Lucas, former leader of the Green Party and former MP for Brighton Pavilion.

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The Future of the Lib Dems with Roz Savage MP and Cllr Carl Cashman

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 15:00:00 +0100

From their leader’s bungee-jumping stunts, their best general election result ever, and leading the fight for social care, the Lib Dems have had a good year.

But in the political narrative, their place as the ‘third party’ outside the Labour-Tory duopoly has been threatened by Reform UK’s ascendancy. Coupled with their perennial struggle to be a party that fights for a progressive vision of the future while representing some of the most affluent, small-C constituencies across the country, the future of the Lib Dems feels unclear.

To pitch their versions of the future of the party, on this episode of It’s Bloody Complicated, Lena will be joined by two progressive champions in the party, Roz Savage MP and Cllr Carl Cashman.

Dr Roz Savage was elected to be an MP for South Cotswolds in the 2024 General Election. Before that, she earned a law degree at Oxford and was a management consultant for eleven years, before an environmental awakening led to her setting out on a life of adventure. She holds four Guinness World Records for ocean rowing, including first woman to row solo across three oceans: the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Indian, using her adventures to raise awareness of environmental issues. She is also the founder of the Sisters, a global network bringing women together to create a more resilient future. Since being elected, she has been a progressive leader in parliament, fronting the fight for the Climate and Nature Bill.
Carl Cashman is the Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Liverpool City Council, as well as the Councillor for Church ward since 2023. This victory, with over 50% of the vote, was the first Lib Dem gain in a Wavertree seat for over 13 years. He was previously elected as a Councillor on Knowsley Council in 2016 and also worked as a mortgage broker in this time. He is an outspoken proponent of liberalism, advocating for both his party and his beliefs throughout the media.

Don’t miss out on this urgent conversation with our two guests

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In Conversation with Hilary Cottam | ep 128

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0100

Hilary Cottam is a world-renowned author, innovator and change maker across a whole range of policy profiles. Between international humanitarianism, education policy, social architecture, welfare and prison reform – amongst many other things – she has been a social innovator committed to getting things done for nearly 40 years.

Her latest book, The Work We Need, presents a radical vision of what the future of work in this world can be. She identifies work as a cultural force at the heart of good lives, strong communities and a sense of a shared national destiny, and argues that the combined forces of a technology revolution, an ecological crisis and wider demands for social justice have created the conditions in which we must and can transform work. The Work We Need sets out the principles of good 21st century work – work that will enable people, local places, nature and business to flourish – and she provides a road map as to how we might get there. This is a book for workers everywhere, for policy makers and for business leaders, drawing on fascinating insights from a whole range of sectors to push towards a work revolution.

Don’t miss out on this necessary conversation about the future of the European left and the rise of the right at home and on the continent between Neal Lawson, Director of Compass and Hilary Cottam, author, social innovator and Honorary Professor at the Institute of Innovation and Public Purpose at University College London.

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Child Poverty, with Baroness Ruth Lister | ep. 127

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 14:00:00 +0100

The government’s child poverty taskforce is set to release its findings imminently. But with a country that needs widespread reform at-large, what are the necessary steps in tackling child poverty?

A new report by Baroness Ruth Lister, and published by Compass, argues for a radical set of new policies ranging from direct provisions, social welfare and wider societal attitudes towards how we view childhood to alleviate the epidemic of child poverty in this country.

We were joined by Baroness Lister in the latest episode of It's Bloody Complicated to discuss this report, and more.

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A Decade of Radical Renewal | ep. 126

Sat, 17 May 2025 13:00:00 +0100

On this episode of It’s Bloody Complicated, listeners will get a sneak peek of the debate and discussion set to take place at Compass’ upcoming national conference, CHANGE: HOW? A Decade of Radical Renewal, on Saturday 31st May.

Last summer, Labour was returned to government promising to deliver ‘a decade of national renewal’. Whilst some positive things have happened since then – especially on GB Energy and returning the railways to public ownership – decisions on oil and gas licenses, cuts to disability benefits and the go-ahead for a new runway at Heathrow have rightly caused alarm.

With voters calling for change, and the populist right on the rise at home and abroad, the costs of Labour failing to make good on its promise would be catastrophic. On this episode of the podcast, you’ll get an exclusive preview of the vision for transformative change that we’ll be building together at CHANGE: HOW? A Decade of Radical Renewal, with Jon Cruddas – former Labour MP for Dagenham & Rainham and member of the Compass Board

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Renewal | ep. 125

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0100

Since its launch in 1992 Renewal: A Journal of Social Democracy has consistently advanced and examined the conditions for a radical and emancipatory vision of social democracy.

And now, with its historic ties to Compass Director Neal Lawson and a background of offering new policies, paradigms and strategies to an international readership of citizens, activists and politicians, Compass is delighted that it will be publishing Renewal starting from the next issue at the end of April.

Last summer saw Labour returned to government with the promise of ‘a decade of national renewal’. But what exactly would national renewal look like? With right-wing populism on the march, and with voters desperate for real change, it’s crucial that we start to develop the ideas and intellectual basis, as well as the organisation and alliances, required to answer that question and deliver.

And it’s not just at home that the left is struggling. They’re facing existential political and electoral challenges, exacerbated by crises of capitalism, climate, technology and the global order, it is clear that a compelling vision of the future is sorely lacking.

Which is where Renewal comes in. Whilst maintaining their editorial independence, they will host, initiate and organise reflection not only on short-term challenges, but also on the deeper renewal of their intellectual project, drawing inspiration from both within and beyond our own tradition. To help us unpack what the future holds for the journal and how it will fit with Compass’ plans, our Director, Neal Lawson was joined by two members of the editorial board:

Dr Lise Butler, historian of modern Britain at City, University of London
David Klemperer, Research Fellow at the Constitution Society

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Maybe I'm Amazed - John Harris | ep. 124

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0100

In a recent substack post, John Harris said that ‘the itch to write’ his new book Maybe I’m Amazed ‘arrived not long after the General Election of 2019’:

I’d chewed over writing a book about the turns Britain had taken since the Brexit referendum three years before, but I had the feeling that a)The story had got too grim and relentless to return to with the dedication that a book would need, and b)In any case, the whole saga showed no sign of coming to any kind of conclusion (it still hasn’t). In some way I couldn’t quite work out, after all the political turbulence and anger I had been reporting on, what I really wanted to write about was human happiness. And music.– John Harris

The blurb for the book reads:

“Obsessed with music since he was a child, John Harris had no idea that he was in fact preparing himself for the greatest challenge of his life. But so it transpired. When his son James was born, and three years later diagnosed with autism, music became a source of precious connection and endless wonder for both of them. Maybe I’m Amazed describes how the music of The Beatles, Kraftwerk, Funkadelic, The Velvet Underground, Amy Winehouse and many more were soon woven into the fabric of James’s life, becoming an essential part of who he is. It takes us through the struggles of raising an autistic child in a prejudiced world, and uncovers a hidden history of neurodivergence and creativity that casts new light on why notes, chords and lyrics speak so powerfully to the human mind.”

We were thrilled to have John back on the It’s Bloody Complicated on Tues 8th April to discuss his new book.

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How do we pay for it? With Erin Mansell and Stewart Lansley | ep. 123

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0100

On this episode of It’s Bloody Complicated, ahead of the upcoming spring statement from the Treasury, we asked the perennial question: how could we pay for it?

A lot of our vision of a good society rests on changing the narrative around fiscal rules and economic constraints, perhaps raising more money for the state, but certainly diverting the money we do have to more progressive ends. So where can that money come from and how can we effectively spend the money we do have?

To discuss this crucial topic, Neal was joined by academic and author, Stewart Lansley, and Head of Communications and Public Affairs at Women’s Budget Group, Erin Mansell.

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Has Labour outgrown net-zero? | ep 122

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

We were delighted to be joined by Will McCallum, co-executive director of Greenpeace and Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift.

Last year was the first calendar year to globally reach more than 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels. It was also the first year that renewables surpassed fossil fuels in the UK electricity mix.

With a new Labour government, the advent of GB energy, a National Wealth Fund, it has, in some senses, been a momentously positive time for climate news. However, Labour’s message of growth, with the approval of the Heathrow expansion, their keenness for North Sea oil extraction to go ahead despite a court case ruling it “unlawful”, and shelving of the Climate and Nature Bill paints a troubling picture.

The challenge we face is one and the same as the opportunity we have – how do progressives fight for substantial climate action in 2025?

Where are we winning?

With the most progressive parliament ever elected, more and more obvious, widespread effects of a warming world, and the rise of climate-denying right-wing populism we sat down with two people at the forefront of the climate fight to dig into where climate policy and pushback is in the UK:

Will McCallum, co-executive director of Greenpeace
Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift

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German Election Special | ep. 121

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000

It’s been said that German elections are usually dull affairs. Well, whether that’s been true in the past, it’s certainly not true this time – it’s bloody complicated.

The result Sunday 23rd, brought success for the CDU/CSU conservatives, with 28.6% of the votes and 208 seats, followed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) who won 20.8% and 151 seats.

The partners who make up the current red-green-yellow “traffic light” government all suffered losses – the SPD Social Democrats lost over 80 seats ending at 121, with the Greens losing 33 seats and securing only 85. The smaller Liberal FDP lost all 91 seats they held as they joined the BSW Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance in struggling to reach the 5% threshold to qualify for parliament, but in a unexpected resurgence the left party (Die Linke) won 64 seats.

To dig through the results, explain the acronyms, parse what difference the voting system makes, and explore the ramifications for us in the UK, Frances was joined by Ronja Endres, Boris Kanzleiter, and James Hoctor.

Ronja Endres sits on the the SPD party executive and is co-chair of the Bavarian SPD. A proud trade unionist, she works at the PECO institute, where she helps train young people in sustainable construction and technologies of the future. With a country at the crossroads and more speakers to be confirmed, this is not one to be missed.
Boris Kanzleiter is the director of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Athens office and was the director of the international department of the RLS until 2023. He is an active party member of Die Linke.
James Hoctor is Project Manager at the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, London.

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The French New Popular Front | ep. 120

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In July 2024 the New Popular Front (NFP), a coalition of left-wing parties, came out on top in a snap general election in France, winning 193 seats in the National Assembly. The centrist bloc supporting President Emmanuel Macron got 166 seats, the far-right National Rally (RN) 142, and the center-right Republicans forty-seven.

A progressive alliance prevented Marine Le Pen far-right taking power in France. To help us pick through a complicated year for progressives in Frances, and what comes next for the NPF, Neal was joined by Professor of French and European Politics, Philippe Marliėre, and journalist and researcher based in the UK, Olly Haynes.

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119. A New Settlement for Water

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Britain’s infrastructure is struggling. We’ve seen stories of concrete falling down in schools, unreliable public transport, and an NHS at breaking point after chronic neglect and the Covid-19 pandemic. But little has captured people’s attention and activism like the damage and disrepair of our sewage system and the disastrous decisions of the companies that own our water.

Currently we’re dealing with sewage in the rivers, rising bills, poorly managed companies that are increasingly “uninvestable“, and a regulator that has fined water companies just £2 despite record sewage spillages.

But how did we get here, and how do we turn the tide? On this episode of It’s Bloody Complicated we discussed just how feasible, desirable, and popular public ownership of water is and highlighted the campaign to get there.

The Compass campaigns team were joined by the Director of We Own It, Cat Hobbs, expert on water legislation Professor Ewan McGaughey, and chair of the UNISON Water Industry Sector Committee Natalie Mladenovich-Haigh to dive into how we got here and how we get out of this mess.

Cat Hobbs is the Founder and Director of We Own It, an organisation that campaigns for public ownership of public services.
Ewan McGaughey is a Professor of Law who specialises in law, economics and history at Kings College London. His core research interests are economic and social rights, particularly in the governance of enterprises.
Natalie Mladenovich-Haigh is the chair of UNISON Water Industry Sector Committee.

We’ve been working with Clive Lewis MP, Green New Deal Rising, We Own It, and more to campaign for changes to ownership and management of water and will be doing more in the coming months. This podcast is one piece of that work – find our more here.

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Electoral jenga, sandcastle majorities, and polling on thin ice w/ Rob Ford | ep. 118

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

For our first podcast of 2025, Neal and Lena were be joined by Rob Ford to discuss electoral chaos, First Past the Post and political instability, his recent work, and our recent publication Thin Ice.

Rob Ford is a Professor of Political Science, and author of “Brexitland”, “The British General Election of 2019” and “Sex, Lies and Politics”.

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BONUS: Practical Hope

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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117. The Year of Elections – 2024 Round-Up (with Anushka Asthana)

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Political commentator, journalist, and author Anushka Asthana joined us to break down the political year that was, and look ahead to 2025.

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In Conversation: Ellie Chowns MP | ep. 116

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Ellie Chowns has been involved with politics for less than a decade. Yet, in that time has represented the West Midlands in the European Parliament, led the Green Group on the Tory-controlled Herefordshire Council, and in 2024 was elected as a Green MP for North Herefordshire, the first non-Conservative Member of Parliament for the area since 1906.

We were excited to welcome her onto the Compass podcast to hear about her journey, her first few months in Westminster, the Greens’ record breaking performance in 2024, and what she’s planning for 2025 and beyond.

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US Election Special | ep. 115

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Last week, Donald Trump won a historic second term as US president. This victory in the face of the chaos, the lies and the courts should be a wake up call for progressives across the world. So what do progressives need to do to turn the dread we all feel at this result into something meaningful?

To digest, dissect and discuss the results we’re joined by:

Sky Gallegos, a Founding Partner at Hilltop Public Solutions, a political consulting firm based in DC that manages high-stakes, high-profile campaigns, builds coalitions and mobilizes grassroots advocates across the country.
Frank Sharry, the founder of America’s Voice and a long-time advocate for immigration reform and democratic rights. He has been working on the Democratic campaign.
Oliver Laughland, the Guardian’s US southern bureau chief and investigations correspondent, and presents Anywhere but Washington.

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The impact of wealth inequality | ep 114

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0100

The UK is remarkably unequal.

The richest 1% of Britons hold more wealth than 70 % of us combined.

Wealth inequality is gendered, racialised, and extremely regional. Men have an average private pension wealth of £83,879 more than women, a gap of 90%. People in the black Caribbean, Bangladeshi and black African ethnic groups have more net debt (31%, 38% and 44% respectively) than individuals in the Indian ethnic group and the white British and Pakistani ethnic groups (11% and around 15% respectively). The South of England is considerably more wealthy than the North and this difference is growing – the difference in median individual wealth between the South-East (£263,000) and North-East (£79,000) more than doubled between July 2010 to June 2012, and April 2018 to March 2020.

Wealth inequality distorts democratic political cultures, and causes a series of social and environmental harms. But polling shows that many of the consequences of inequality such as undermining economic growth or social cohesion or democracy are poorly understood by most people – and are not fully appreciated by decision-makers.

So how do we bridge these gaps of knowledge and of wealth to move towards a more equal, more equitable society?

The Fairness Foundation have launched a Wealth Gap Risk Register – an online evidence resource about the impacts of wealth inequality, how to reduce it and mitigate its impacts, and public attitudes to it.

Click here to access the Wealth Gap Risk Register.

To mark the launch, we hosted the chair of their Editorial Board, Will Hutton, and Director of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion at the LSE, Dr Burchardt to dig into how wealth inequality spills over into democracy, social relations, economic security, a fair tax system, public services and so on – and how to tackle this. Report author Jack Jeffrey also joined the discussion.

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In Conversation with Sam Freedman | ep. 113

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0100

In his recent book, Failed State: Why Nothing Works and How We Fix It, Sam Freedman lays out why people matter, but systems matter more. Having a run of incompetent, corrupt leaders is a problem. But our problems run deeper – and we will get nowhere until we fix our systems.

It’s not enough to change who sits in Westminster and Whitehall – we have change the whole system.

The change we need is no small feat – and it’s bloody complicated. But unless our systems and politicians give away power, there is something much nastier around the corner. We’re excited to welcome Sam onto the podcast on 8th October to talk about how to make the state capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

Sam is a Senior Fellow covering education at the Institute of Government and a former senior adviser on schools at the Department for Education.

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Live from Labour Conference | ep. 112

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0100

The 2024 general election result brought a welcome relief to British politics after 14 wasted years of Tory misrule. At last, some better people and ideas are at the helm.

But, just a few months in, the challenges facing this new government are already beginning to pile up. Labour will need to be bold if it has any hope of rebuilding our crumbling public services, restoring trust in our democracy and tackling the climate crisis.

To reflect on these challenges as Labour held its first conference in power for 15 years, we were be joined by:

Adam Bienkov, political editor of Byline Times
Hilary Wainwright, co-editor of Red Pepper magazine

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A New Settlement for a Better Society | ep. 111

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0100

The 2024 general election result brings a welcome relief to UK politics. But now, we find ourselves at a crossroads: things are either going to get very much worse or very much better. There is no middle way.

Neither the state, nor business, nor civil society can go it alone and bring about a better world – we have to do it together. That means having a clear, shared vision of what this positive future might look like.

Compass’ New Settlement project seeks to establish the guiding principles and building blocks of a Good Society that is much more equal, democratic and sustainable. To discuss how we can make this vision a reality, we were joined by:

Willie Sullivan, Senior Director at the Electoral Reform Society
Fatima Ibrahim, Co-Executive Director of Green New Deal Rising
Sue Goss, writer and author of the Compass report A New Settlement: For a Better Society
Priya Sanhi-Nicholas, Co-Executive Director at the Equality Trust

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Power to the People w/ Danny Sriskandarajah | ep. 110

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0100

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Election Results Special w/ John Harris and Laura Parker | ep. 109

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:00:00 +0100

On the 4th July people across the country went to the polls for a long overdue, and bloody complicated, General Election. Labour ended up with a mammoth majority and the Tories were left with just 121 seats. But beyond the headline figures, there was a huge amount going on beneath the surface. This election produced one of the most disproportionate results we have ever seen, revealing a European-style multi-party politics struggling to break free from the straitjacket of our two-party system.

Neal Lawson and Frances Foley from the Compass office were joined by journalist John Harris and Labour campaigner Laura Parker us to discuss how exactly things changed so dramatically from 2019, and what 2024 holds for progressives and our country.

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How will populism shape the next parliament w/ Jon Bloomfield | ep. 108

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0100

With Labour far ahead in the polls our attention turns to where the opposition from the Left will come from.

We need to look no further than Nigel Farage and Reform UK – who could use the parliamentary base of Clacton to enact a shift to national populism of the kind we are now seeing in Italy, France and Germany.

To discuss the very real threat of the Right we were joined on the podcast by one of the authors of a brand new publication The Little Black Book of the Populist Right: What it is, why it’s on the march and how to stop it

Jon Bloomfield is a writer, environmental practitioner, and author of Our City: Migrants and the Making of Modern Birmingham. In the 1980s, Jon served on the editorial board of Marxism Today.

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General Election Special | ep. 107

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0100

On this special general Election issue of Its Bloody Complicated we are delighted to
be joined by Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty.

We’ve admired Aditya’s writing and reporting for years and have been keen to get
him on. Aditya doesn’t just critique what’s wrong in terms of the economy, society
and politics – he actively goes out and finds places and examples where things are
being done better – finding places for hope. But it was his article last week on the
threat poised by Nigel Farage that accelerated our desire to hear from him – in it
Aditya graphically illustrated how Farage and Reform UK set the tone of debate, now
primarily on the issue of immigration, and then watch first the Tories then labour
following their direction. Farage may or may not win the seat of Clacton but he is
already winning the general election debate.

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Local Elections w/ Ben Walker and Alison Lowe | ep. 106

Mon, 20 May 2024 09:00:00 +0100

On Tuesday, 14th May we were joined by Ben Walker and Alison Lowe to analyse the campaigns and the results of the 2024 local elections, and reflect where we are coming up to a general election.

Ben Walker is a senior data journalist at the New Statesman and writes extensively about elections and UK public opinion. He is the co-founder of poll aggregator Britain Elects, and since 2023 is also a Cheshire West and Chester Councillor.

Alison Lowe OBE is the West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. She has been involved with local government for almost 30 years as a Labour councillor and as the Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds in 2003-4. She is a well known campaigner on equal rights, and worked in the Third Sector for 30+ years, most recently as Chief Executive of Touchstone, a mental health charity specialising in working with people from different cultural backgrounds across West Yorkshire.

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AI and Democracy | ep 105

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0100

Over the last few years, the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform our society has become increasingly apparent. This comes with incredible opportunities – AI could help deepen our democracy and enable our politics to get closer to citizens to represent them more effectively – but is also fraught with risk. How can we take advantage of these opportunities while preventing AI from further destabilising our democracy with deepfakes and disinformation? To discuss all of this and more, we were joined by:

Bhargav Srinivasa Desikan, Senior Research Fellow at IPPR
Laura Giesen, Editor in Chief at Democracy Technologies

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The Trade Union campaign for PR w/ Lynn Henderson and Nancy Platts | ep. 104

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0100

It was a watershed moment in October 2022 when the Labour Party conference overwhelmingly voted to include in its manifesto a commitment to change the voting system to proportional representation after the next election. Just the year before, despite mass support in the membership, the motion failed because the affiliated Trade Unions opposed the motion.

To discuss this historic shift, what the changing the voting systems means to the trade union movement, and where next, we’re excited to be joined by Lynn Henderson and Nancy Platts.

Lynn is the chair of the Electoral Reform Society and also chairs Politics for the Many – the trade union campaign for electoral reform. In her day job she is a senior national officer at the Public and Commercial Services Union, the UK’s largest trade union for government workers. She is also a Trustee of the Jimmy Reid Foundation, a think tank for radical political thinking, based in Scotland.
Nancy Platts is a Consultant at Campaign Collective – a social enterprise which works with not-for-profits and other campaigners, providing high quality marketing, communications advice and PR support, and is the co-ordinator of Politics for the Many.

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The role and opportunities for a democratic movement in Scotland | ep. 103

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0100

Support for Scottish independence is still strong but the SNP are clearly in a weaker position, institutionally, reputationally, and ideologically. They have become mired in scandal, their hegemonic grip on politics north of the border looks to be loosening, and yet the constitutional questions about who governs Scotland and how remain relevant and live. Labour’s position has clearly strengthened – albeit without ever addressing key questions of democratic renewal and constitutional change.

With a UK general election less than a year away, especially while it looks like Labour could win power and form a majority, the context for the democratic left, the future of the UK and Scotland are changing – and with it how and how much the UK is bound together changes. What progressive and democratic reforms are feasible and desirable in this new context and how can the progressive democratic left work together are essential questions on either side of the independence case. To talk this through with us, Neal and Lena were joined by:

Gerry Hassan is the author of several books on Scottish and British politics including ‘The Strange Death of Labour Scotland’ and ‘The People’s Flag and the Union Jack: An Alternative History of Britain and the Labour Party’.
Esther Roberton, who was the coordinator of the Scottish Constitutional Convention in the 1990s and has spent more than three decades serving on and chairing national and regional boards across significant areas of policy including health, education and justice, as well as initiatives relating to the Scottish Parliament and as Non-Executive Director of the Scottish Government.

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Citizens' Assemblies | ep. 102

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Citizens’ assemblies represent an alternative way of doing politics: a randomly selected group of citizens are convened to reason collectively, to consider evidence and to have discussions which should arrive at complex, nuanced decisions for the long term. As such, they’ve been called ‘democracy under good conditions’.

They have been credited with tackling some of the toughest political and ethical questions – such as abortion, AI, hate crime and nuclear power –generating balanced and often surprising solutions. Citizens’ assemblies aren’t some kind of wacky democratic experiment – they’re a tried-and-tested tool in our democratic arsenal. That’s why it’s no surprise that the Labour Party, if it wins the next election, is reportedly open to introducing citizens’ assemblies for some of the biggest, most complex concerns of our time – housebuilding, House of Lords reform and devolution.

To discuss this, we were joined by:

Jamie Kelsey Fry, Global Assembly
James Robertson, Sortition Foundation

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Small Parties, Big Ideas | ep. 101

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

First Past the Post might block smaller parties from gaining representation at Westminster, but on this episode of It’s Bloody Complicated, we discussed how in spite of this they can still wield substantial influence and contribute meaningfully to our national political discourse.

We were joined by:

Gina Miller, True and Fair Party
Catherine Mayer, Women’s Equality Party

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Radical Pragmatism | ep. 100

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Progressives face a dilemma; we want a change of government but know the country needs a big change of direction. In an essay published for the journal Renewal, Neal has set out the case for what he calls a Radical Pragmatic Left, i.e., a Left that recognises both the need to reconnect with voters and defeat the Tories but critically has a plan to transform the country within the context of the Poly crisis world we face. The need for such a Left is made more urgent by the looming threat of the populist Right if any new incoming government fails too much, too soon.

To discuss the essay and its implications Frances was joined by Neal and Alan Finlayson, Professor of Political and Social Theory at The University of East Anglia and Chair of the Board of Renewal. As part of his work Alan has developed particular expertise in the theoretical and practical study of political rhetoric.

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Fighting fracking, factionalism, and Jeremy Hunt | ep. 99

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In 2017, South West Surrey Compass organised and slashed Jeremy Hunt’s majority taking it from the 7th safest Tory-held seat to the 121st. In 2019, they took control of a local council. In 2023, they sued the government.

In the beginning of a an election year, we brought old Compass friends Paul Follows and Steve Williams onto It’s Bloody Complicated to talk about their journey, lessons, and plans for cooperation in South West Surrey.

For the past 8 years, they have been a leading light for progressive cooperation. They have illustrated time and time again that coalitions and cooperative politics isn’t lowest common denominator politics – it’s our future.

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New Media | ep.98

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The mainstream press in Britain has been in a state of managed decline for much of the 21st century. Once massive news outlets have suffered massive staff reductions as they have struggled to adapt to a digital age. But over the last few years, green shoots of growth have emerged. From the national level with publications like Byline Times and Novara Media to the regional level with the Manchester Mill, Sheffield Tribune, Bristol Cable and more, new media outlets are daring to do things differently and challenging the industry orthodoxy. But all the while, outlets on the Right such as GB News are also going from strength to strength. What opportunities – and challenges – might arise from this new media landscape? And will it help or hinder our fight for a new democracy?

To discuss all of this and more, we were joined by:

Hardeep Matharu, Editor of Byline Times
Priyanka Raval, Reporter at the Bristol Cable

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The Big Fat Podcast of the Year 2023 with Ayesha Hazarika and Andrew Grice | ep. 97

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000

As another year comes to a close, we were excited to welcome Ayesha Hazarika and Andrew Grice to It’s Bloody Complicated to round up another year in politics.

Ayesha Hazarika is a broadcaster, journalist and political commentator, and former political adviser to senior Labour Party politicians.
Andrew Grice is a political columnist for The Independent, having been its political editor from 1998 to 2015. He has worked in Westminster since 1982.

2023 was a year of strikes and protests, record-breaking global temperatures, a coronation, 2 cabinet and 1 shadow cabinet reshuffles, and horrific conflict.

What’s on the report cards for our progressive parties?

What can we expect from 2024 with a general election (probably) on the horizon – and what are the prospects for genuine system change, including proportional representation?

We digested the year that was, alongside some mince pies. Members joined us live at 6pm on Tuesday 12th December with Ayesha and Andy.

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Land Ownership and the Commons | ep. 96

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000

According to the Right to Roam campaign, 92% of the UK’s countryside and 97% of its rivers are not available to the vast majority of the public. For Episode 96 of It’s Bloody Complicated, we’ll be discussing land ownership and the Commons, and why democratising and sharing control of our land, rivers and seas could slash inequality and help calm political instability in this country.

We were joined by :

Guy Standing, a leading thinker and writer on this issue. In his book Plunder of the Commons, Guy deep dives into a history of our country’s democracy that created the commons and why we need to fight to keep it.
Pam Warhurst, the founder and chair of Incredible Edible the community urban gardening project. In its 15th year of “propaganda gardening”, Incredible Edible has 170+ groups in the UK, and around 1000 groups worldwide, growing food, building communities, and transforming our relationship with the public land around us.

On the podcast, we discussed why our relationship to land is such a pressing issue, what a new progressive settlement for the Commons might look like and how we can get there.

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In Conversation with Areeba Hamid, co-Director of Greenpeace UK

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Climate chaos is looming. The question of how to protect and preserve our planet for future generations is a conversation that’s not just timely, but absolutely essential.

That’s why, for Episode 95 of It’s Bloody Complicated, we were joined by Areeba Hamid, co-Director of Greenpeace. When she took up the role last October, Areeba became the first woman of colour and first migrant to lead Greenpeace and, along with Will McCallum, the first to share the top job.

From grassroots activism to global campaigns, Areeba shared insights into the transformative power of environmental advocacy and explored the challenges Greenpeace has faced in the fight against climate change. We explored the complexities of environmental conservation, the role of Greenpeace alongside newer organisations like XR and JSO, and why we must renew our democracy to achieve climate justice.

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In Conversation: Clare Short | ep. 94

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

After Labour came to power in 1997, Clare Short served as the UK’s first cabinet-level Secretary of State for International Development, a post she would go on to hold for six years. In this role, she secured large increases in the British government’s overseas aid budget and persuaded then-chancellor Gordon Brown to write off the debts to Britain of Africa’s poorest countries. A famously independent-minded politician, she stood down from her role over the Iraq war in 2003 and later resigned the Labour whip in 2006. She then served the remainder of her term as an independent before standing down as an MP in 2010.

She joined us on It’s Bloody Complicated to discuss the legacy of New Labour, the future of the UK’s role in international development and how the current political moment compares to 1997.

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Live from Labour Conference 2023 | ep. 92

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0100

Labour faces a huge challenge at the next election: first to win power, then to use it to change our country for the better. The polls suggest it will clear the first hurdle, but what of the second?

The challenges our county faces have never been greater. We need a bold and reforming progressive government to rebuild our crumbling public services, restore trust in our democracy and tackle the climate crisis head-on. We brought you a live episode of It’s Bloody Complicated from Labour Conference 2023 to ask: is Labour up to the challenge?

We were joined by journalist and broadcaster Steve Richards, the New Statesman’s Zoe Grunewald, and The Guardian's Zoe Williams to talk about the key headline announcements, reflected on the mood on the conference floor and discussed whether Labour is ready for power.

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New Zealand: The Route to PR | ep. 91

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0100

In 1993, New Zealanders voted to replace First Past the Post with a proportional voting system. 30 years on, we discussed how this all-important electoral overhaul came about with two special guests:

Max Rashbrooke, a New Zealand based writer on democracy and economic inequality
And Danna Glendining, a New Zealand Green Party activist and MMP advocate

We discussed the challenges and difficulties of changing the voting system, how a transition to PR has transformed politics in New Zealand and what democracy campaigners in the UK can learn about the road to electoral reform.

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The Threat of the Far Right | ep. 90

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0100

On this episode, we brought together an expert panel to discuss the threat of the far-right to democracy and how progressives are fighting for change.

Nick Lowles, Hope Not Hate chief executive
Hannah Rose, Hate and Extremism Analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue
And Luke Cooper, author of Authoritarian Contagion: The Global Threat to Democracy.

With the far right marching steadily into the mainstream in Europe and elsewhere, the endurance of progressive forces and their capacity to win will depend on their ability to build deep and enduring alliances with their political neighbours.

We delved into why now is such a vital moment for this political discussion, what’s at stake and why progressives need to go big to combat the tide of far right extremism sweeping Europe and the globe.

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In Conversation with Oliver Burkeman | ep. 90

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0100

The average human lifespan is absurdly, insultingly brief. If you live to be 80, you’ll have had about 4,000 weeks. But, to Oliver Burkeman, that’s no reason for despair.

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals was a smash hit from author and journalist Oliver Burkeman. On 25th July, he’ll join us on It’s Bloody Complicated to talk time, reality, the delusions we hold about productivity, and how to focus on the ‘gloriously possible’ in a time of spiralling global crises.

Oliver is the author of The Antidote: Happiness for People who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking and Help! How to Become Slightly Happier and Get a Bit More Done. He wrote a long-running column for the Guardian, This Column Will Change Your Life, and has a devoted following for his writing on productivity, mortality and the power of limits.

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In Conversation: Daniel Chandler | ep. 89

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 08:00:00 +0100

What would a Fair Society actually look like? What are the feasible policy building blocks that could help us get there?

In Daniel Chandler’s book Free and Equal he makes the case for a new progressive liberalism grounded in the ideas of the philosopher John Rawls – complete with democratic reform of the voting system for the House of Commons, a universal basic income, and the abolition of private schools.

Listen back to this episode of It’s Bloody Complicated as we ask Daniel about these ideas and more.

This episode was recorded with an audience of our members on July 11th.

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In Conversation: Dr Julia Grace Patterson | ep. 88

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Ahead of the 75th anniversary of the NHS this year, Julia Grace Patterson is publishing a new book, Critical: Why the NHS is being betrayed and how we can fight for it. After years of austerity, a global pandemic, and the looming threats of privatisation, the NHS is bad shape.

She writes, “The NHS is an institution. But it’s also a political football, kicked back and forth between politicians for the past 75 years. It’s a burden to some and a potent vote-winner for others. It’s a construct, framed in the media. It’s a set of ideas and a logo. It’s a workplace for many and the birthplace of almost all of us. It’s become a valued part of our society, it is extraordinarily special – and it’s being destroyed”.

On this episode of It’s Bloody Complicated we dug into her journey as a campaigner and what she’s planning heading into the next election.

Julia is a relentless and extremely effective campaigner and advocate for NHS staff and patients. She is the Founder and Chief Executive of EveryDoctor, a doctor-led campaign organisation fighting for a better NHS. A doctor who qualified from UCL Medical School in 2010, she took a break from her speciality training to set up EveryDoctor, and has now given up her GMC licence to practice, in order to devote herself fully to advocating for NHS staff and patients. She remains a doctor on the GMC register.

This episode was recorded live on 27th June, 6pm.

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Coalitions in a Time of Chaos, with Vince Cable | ep. 87

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 19:00:00 +0100

Vince Cable has been a Labour party councillor, a SDP coalition candidate, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, our Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, an academic, a civil servant in the Foreign Office, and a key minister and negotiator in the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition government of 2010-15.

We sat down with him and others with international experience of cooperation in politics on June 13th to talk about the why, where, and how of coalitions.

If our electoral landscape wasn’t enough to prove that we need to build a new cooperative politics, the scale and intensity of the crises we face is.

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Community Power | ep. 86

Tue, 30 May 2023 09:00:00 +0100

On this episode, Frances Foley, deputy director of Compass hosted two great movers and shakers of the community power movement:

Andy Jackson, community leader at We’re Right Here, the campaign for community power
Mohammed Afridi, Director of Organising at the Civic Power Fund

We got into the complicated nitty and gritty of what terms like ‘community power’ actually mean, the links to physical infrastructure, and democratic innovation at the local level, from co-operatives to friendly societies, settlements to trade unions.

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Local Elections Wash Up | Ep. 85

Wed, 10 May 2023 17:00:00 +0100

With the Conservatives publicly announcing that they are expecting of loss of more than 1,000 councillors in the upcoming local elections, it looks to be a good year for progressive councillors. But we know that, especially when there are 8,000+ seats up for election with 25,000+ candidates, It's Bloody Complicated.

Join us on May 9th as we dig into the results from the Local Elections in 2023, and what's going on beneath the surface.

We're joined by journalist and former president of the YouGov, Peter Kellner, as well as council leaders and campaigners from Compass's networks around the country.

We’re joined by Caroline Jackson, the Leader of Lancaster City Council for the last two years, leading a Shared Administration containing 5 political groups and 44 councillors, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg who leads the Labour-Lib Dem partnership council in North Hertfordshire.

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3 Years of Starmer | Ep. 84

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 17:00:00 +0100

On the 4th April 2020, Keir Starmer assumed office as the Leader of the Labour Party. He won that leadership election with almost a 30% winning margin.

3 years on, Neal talks with journalists Rachel Shabi and Rafael Behr to look back, and forward to where Starmer's leadership is taking us.

Sir Keir is a controversial leader. In the three months since the beginning of this year, he's come under fire for candidate selection processes that routinely block progressive and left leaning candidates, a purge of the left leaning members, failing to engage with the recommendations of Brown's Commission, resolutely refusing to stand with striking workers, ignoring the wish of 80%+ of his party's members to scrap our rotten voting system, and the list goes on.

He's built a huge poll lead, previously unthinkable for Labour. He is widely expected to be capable of winning the next election and become Prime Minister.

But in December last year, 63% of voters thought the current poll lead Labour is enjoying is down to negative views of the government, not positive views of Labour or him. Compass is committed to ensuring a progressive government at the next election. That will be a Labour-led one, with either a majority or minority of seats. On this episode of It's Bloody Complicated we dive into the what Keir Starmer's leadership means for that future.

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The Power of Protest | Ep. 83

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 17:00:00 +0100

On 21st April 2023, Extinction Rebellion are bringing 100,000 to protest peacefully outside the Houses of Parliament to demand an end to the fossil fuel era and for a citizen-led transformation towards a fair society that includes reparations.

This is the Big One. After a "winter of discontent" that saw thousands gathered at picket lines and demonstrations, and hundreds of pages spent evaluating and criticising the tactics of protests in our streets or our museums, protest - and its power - is in the air.

What are the demands of the Big One? What is changing in how the British state interacts with protestors and organisers? Are we under threat?

On this episode of It's Bloody Complicated we hear from Miranda Irwin a relationship builder from XR, David Mead, a legal academic specialising in the regulation of protest and dissent, and Nick Dearden, the director of Global Justice Now to talk about the power of protest.

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In Conversation with Zack Polanski | Ep. 82

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0100

Zack Polanski has had an incredible year.

Last September, he was elected the Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales. As a member of the London Assembly, he is the Chair of the Environment committee, and has worked with others across all parties and persuasions on an incredible array of progressive policies. From the fight to end new transmissions of HIV, campaigning for universal basic income, and bringing communities and civil society into making and informing climate policy to standing by strikers and appearing on LBC, BBC, and at our Green Party Conference Event, he's been busy.

On this episode, we caught up with longtime Compass friend Zack Polanski on the lessons and challenges of the past years and what's to come for him and his party in the years to come.

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Voting Justice, Social Justice | Ep. 81

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

When people can't feed themselves and their families and the planet burns, it's clear democracy is not working. On this episode of It's Bloody Complicated, we're diving into the mechanics of how our political system makes our society more unequal and unstable.

The structure of our parliaments changes what they can and will do, limiting the potential for the change this country needs. Voting justice would lead to social justice. Where votes are fair and equal across the UK, where people's voices are represented and Westminster doesn't hold an iron grip on crucial levers of power.

In the UK, voter are split pretty evenly (49/51) on whether immigration enriches or undermines our society. Yet, three quarters of constituencies have anti-immigration majorities. 8 in 10 Brits are concerned about climate change. Half think that net zero targets need to be brought forward. Over 65% of the public supports nonviolent direct action to protect the environment. The pay rise size that the most working Britons agree with is 1o%.

Between union busting, new coal mines, and greater police power, it's clear that chasm between the policy passed and public opinion is creeping wider. Without changing the way we vote, the policy options of what we vote for policies will keep being decided by the margins, factions, and swing voters.

Joining us to make the case for voting justice as social justice, and explain the connection between the ballot box and bills passed are:

Professor Kate E. Pickett, co-author of The Spirit Level, is a Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York
Emeritus Professor, Baroness Ruth Lister, Professor of Social Policy at Loughborough University

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The Definite Left | Ep. 80

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

On this episode of It's Bloody Complicated, Frances hosted a conversation between Anthony Barnett and one of the symbols of hope for British progressives - longtime Compass friend and the only Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas.

At the tail end of 2022, Anthony Barnett caused a stir with an essay, "The Year of the Definite Left". He laid out why new movements on the Left across the world are challenging the political status quo, and what challenges lie ahead.

His general diagnosis is hopeful, but disparaging about the UK:

While it is in the Americas, both South and North, that the definite Left has gained political influence, the forces of humanisation that underlie it are felt everywhere, from Ukraine to Brazil, and from the apartments of Tehran to those of Beijing. But still they remain largely bottled up by the dominant order. In my own country, the UK, Brexit cannot be voted out like Trump, while the Labour opposition, far from seeking to initiate a Biden-style alliance with an intellectually vibrant definite Left, seeks to ensure its impotence and a return to Blairism.

Full essay here.

Guardian article here.

Join the Martin Forde event 20th March 2023 here.

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Hegemony Now | Ep.79

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Significant power is vested in Wall Street and Silicon Valley. How did we come to live in a world dominated by big tech and finance, where they hold considerable sway over the direction of politics and government? How do we understand this transformation in power? And what can we do about it?

On this episode of It's Bloody Complicated, Jeremy Gilbert joined us to talk through how we might upgrade the concept of hegemony, the importance of passive consent, the complexity of political interests, and the structural force of technology. He is the co-author of Hegemony Now: How Big Tech and Wall Street Won the World (And How We Win it Back), which outlines a dynamic socialist strategy for the 21st Century.

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Universal Worker Dignity | Ep. 78

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 11:00:00 +0000

It's fair to say that the events of the past few years still encroach on the everyday lives of people. Whether it’s the Covid pandemic, Brexit, economic instability or the cost of living crisis - how we all get through life and work has completely changed due to these major events.

Nothing has changed as dramatically in our society and culture than the world of work. This is because we are experiencing a period where worker dignity is at the fore-front of public consciousness. The fight to own this right is as strong as the political and economic forces that wish to go back to ‘business as usual,’ ‘profit is king,’ and ‘get back to the office and work.’

On this episode we explored the path of universal worker dignity, celebrate successes achieved from workers in the UK and US, and as we go into 2023, explore the challenges that we need to stand against, using both the power of people and technology.

We were joined by:

Max Alvarez, Editor in chief of The Real News Network and author of The Work of living.
Hannah O’Rourke, Co-founder of Campaign Lab and co-author of Reorganise: 15 Stories of workers fighting back in a digital age.
Lucy Harley-McKeown, Journalist and editor of The Block and co-author of Reorganise: 15 Stories of workers fighting back in a digital age.

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Changing the Voting System | Ep. 77

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

After the historic vote on the Labour Conference floor for a manifesto commitment at the next general election to implement proportional representation in the House of Commons, a group of the organisations campaigning for democratic renewal came to together to publish a petition together to call on Keir Starmer to take up the torch of electoral reform. Tens of thousands of you agreed.

To start off 2023, we hosted some of the movers and shakers from the movement for change to our voting system. We picked up with some of those organisations that we launched this petition with:

Tom Brake, Director of Unlock Democracy
Jess Garland, Director of Policy and Research, Electoral Reform Society
Joe Sousek, National Coordinator of Labour for a New Democracy
Owen Winter, Co-founder and researcher, Make Votes Matter.

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Win As One | Ep. 76

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Politics isn’t working. To do the big things, to transform our society and planet we have to transform the way we do politics.

On this special episode of It's Bloody Complicated, our four guests helped us understand why and how our miserable political structures and culture deny the chance of big change in the areas they most care about, and why a better politics gives us hope that the system can make the desirable become feasible.

They are:

Gavin Esler, former Newsnight presenter and now author and campaigner – his latest book is How Britain Ends
Gail Bradrook, a scientist and co-founder of XR
Simon Duffy, the President of Citizens Network a global non-profit cooperative developing the theory and active of active citizenship
Lara Parizotto, the co-director of Migrant Democracy Project, an organisation mobilising migrants to participate in UK democracy

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BONUS: All In with Lisa Nandy

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Join Frances in conversation with long time friend of Compass, Lisa Nandy MP about her new book "All In: How we build a country that works".

This brilliant new book reveals how Britain can leave behind the mess in which we find ourselves. All In charts a course towards a fairer, more equal, more prosperous country by drawing on the greatest asset we have – each other.

Get your copy of All In here

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Live with Local Groups, Cumbria | Ep. 75

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000

As part of Win As One, we’re going round the country holding podcasts in key regions to talk to local activists about the issues they’re facing, and ask the golden question – what do you want to win for?

During this special episode of the Compass podcast, we talk to activists working in Cumbria about the climate crisis.

We speak to activists from South Lakes Action on Climate Change, Make Votes Matter, MP Watch, and the Compass group, as well as a local councillor.

With the decision due on the new coal mine in the coming weeks, the local need for sustainable and affordable transport links across the county, and a history of heavy industry, how is Cumbria looking forward to a future where climate action, and climate justice are the questions of the century?

Want to get involved?

TALK TO US ABOUT JOINING A LOCAL GROUP NOW

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BONUS: The Scavenger Mindset with Clare Richmond

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

We need a leadership revolution if we are to reach our collective potential and address our complex challenges.

Through her work as an activist and grassroots organiser, Clare Richmond is calling for leaders to shake off outdated leadership styles and seek instead a more inclusive, resilient and grass-roots methodology to find success for themselves and their teams.

In this special episode, Neal Lawson talks to Clare about her new book The Scavenger Mindset: Rethinking Leadership to unlock the untapped talent within.

Membership supports everything we do. Join the movement, become a member

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BONUS: The US midterms elections special

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Tuesday 8th November marked a decisive day in the US political calendar - the midterms elections - which set the scene for the rest of Biden's presidency and beyond. Following a summer of positive polling for the Democrats, some were cautiously optimistic that they would defy historic trends and hold on to their narrow majorities in both houses.

The question now is not only whether Democrats will keep control of the Senate, but what the latest round of elections will do to the health and state of US democracy.

On Tuesday 15th November, to give their expert views on everything from the runners and riders to wider trends shaping the US landscape we were joined by 3 brilliant strategists, campaigners and commentators:

Sky Gallegos is a Founding Partner at Hilltop Public Solutions, a political consulting firm based in DC that manages high-stakes, high-profile campaigns, builds coalitions and mobilizes grassroots advocates across the country.
Ashley McBride is a managing director of Amare Public Affairs and has over 20 years of experience of winning Democratic and progressive political and issue-based campaigns.
Frank Sharry is the founder of America's Voice and a long-time advocate for immigration reform and democratic rights.

Membership supports everything we do. Join the movement, become a member

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Climate, climate, climate: with George Monbiot and Hannah Martin | Ep.74

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Perhaps the biggest reason we need to Win As One is the urgency and scale of the climate emergency, which impacts every one of us and demands a collective response like no other.

On this episode of the Compass podcast, we discuss what on earth we are going to do to address this crisis to save people and planet. We know that we will need a united front between grassroots social movements, political parties and climate experts to get us there.

To discuss how we get there, we're joined by some old friends and leading voices from the British climate movements:

commentator and activist, George Monbiot
co-executive director of Green New Deal Rising, Hannah Martin

These guests are formidable forces, and always worth listening to individually. Together, they’re sure to be a conversation not to miss.

Membership supports everything we do. Join the movement, become a member

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Tackling the Cost of Living in Buckinghamshire | Ep.73

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 16:00:00 +0100

Roger hosts this special episode in conversation with activists fighting the cost of living crisis whilst working for a pluralist, progressive politics in Buckinghamshire.

If you're curious about the work that Compass local groups do, and where we're at with the Win As One campaign, this is a must listen.

Also, we get an update from our director, Neal Lawson, on what Prime Minister Sunak means for Labour's electoral chances.

To find out more about our upcoming campaign, please visit www.compassonline.org.uk

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The cost of living is costing our democracy | Ep. 72

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +0100

Our economy is in crisis. Ordinary people can’t afford even the basics – heating, eating and transport, mortgages are going up and pensions going down. Some of this is down to geo-politics, much of it is home grown. What’s happening, why, where does this go and what are the alternatives? Finally, what is the link between a failing economy and a failing democracy?

To help us understand what happening and find a route map out – we are delighted to be joined by Richard Murphy. Richard has been doing an amazing job on social media explaining the crisis and the alternatives to it but for years Richard has been burrowing away successfully on tax justice and then wider big economic reform issues – not least driving the work of the Green New Deal and how we pay for the great transition. Through Blogs, Tweets and Books Richard has been central to what a new political economy could and should be.

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BONUS: Lessons from the Teal Independents

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0100

The Teal Independents are marking waves in Australian politics, finding electoral success by putting community and climate first.

They're bringing difference and creativity into their political system that's bringing about tangible change to the political landscape.

In this episode, Neal Lawson sits down with Byron Fay - chief executive of Climate 200 and a core supporter of the Teal movement - to discuss the story so far of the Teal Independents, and what we can learn from them in the UK.

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Live from Labour Conference: Win as One - Changing Politics to Change Society | Ep.71

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 16:00:00 +0100

Labour faces a huge challenge, not just to win power but to use it to transform the country. The old politics that allows the domination of elites and swing voters constrains what we can do in the face of huge challenges like climate change and economic instability.

A new politics, unlocked in the first instance by proportional representation, disperses power to the people, communities and workers and puts our dream of a good society on the map.

Yes, it means working with others, so we can achieve 80% of what we do want and not have 100% of what we don’t.

Win as One is the campaign to change politics for good with Labour taking the lead role in delivering power to, for and by the people. Come and join us in the biggest conference debate about making democracy a first order issue.

Live from Liverpool Town Hall, Progressive champions Beth Winter MP, Peter Marland, Frances Foley, Clive Lewis MP and John Harris shared their reflections on the PR motion and their experiences of the progressive movement. Laura Parker from Labour 4 new Democracy also passed by to celebrate the PR motion pass with us!

Speeches are also available on Compasstv youtube channel

This event was powered by Win as One

To find out more about our upcoming campaign, please visit www.compassonline.org.uk

Membership supports everything we do. Join the movement, become a member

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BONUS: Is Socialism Possible in Britain? - In Conversation with Andrew Murray

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0100

In this special edition of the podcast Neal talks to Andrew Murray, former advisor to Jeremy Corbyn, about the lessons of the Corbyn era and what that means for the future of socialism in Britain.

Enjoyed the podcast and want to be a live audience member at our next episode? Want to have the chance in raising questions to the panelist? Become a member! Support our work and be a part of the Compass community

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The new Prime Minister - In conversation with Ken Spours and Gaby Hinsliff | Ep.70

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 12:00:00 +0100

This podcast makes reference to slides presented by Ken Spours. To view these, watch the podcast video on our CompassTV youtube channel

The right is shape shifting again - from Johnson to now Liz Truss. What a Truss premiership means is unclear - will she stick to desiccated Thatcherism or pivot to a new hybrid Toryism?

We are joined live with Professor Ken Spours who through his work on the Osbourne Supremacy and shapeshifters had helped us place a Gramscian lens over the adaptation and contortions of modern Toryism. Also joining us is Gaby Hinsliff, the flabulous Guardian political columnist who writes astutely about centre-left politics.

Enjoyed the podcast and want to be a live audience member at our next episode? Want to have the chance in raising questions to the panelist? Become a member! Support our work and be a part of the Compass community

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BONUS: “What’s the point of this, Miss?” What’s gone wrong with education and how we can fix it

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 12:00:00 +0100

Original recording of this special episode was on video, references to slides are mentioned throughout the recording.

This episode is part 1 of 2 of a education series special. Part 2 of the education series is available on our Compasstv YouTube channel

Covid-19 has exposed the vast inequalities baked into the way we educate children in the UK. But there’s a whole lot more that needs changing – and most politicians don’t like talking about it.

Are we genuinely providing children and young people with the education they need to deal with the huge challenges ahead? Are we finding the spark in every child? Have schools become exam factories? What do we want for our children, here and now – and in the future?

In short, what’s the point of education in the 21st century?

Joining us to discuss are this and much more are four education thinkers and doers:

Peter Moss, Emeritus Professor of Early Childhood Provision at UCL Institute of Education, University College London
Christine Merrick, former Ofsted inspector and ex-headteacher with nearly fifty years’ experience in early years and primary education in the UK and abroad
Robin Duckett, founder of the Sightlines Initiative for creative practice in UK early education
Madeleine Holt, education campaigner and filmmaker in innovative primary and secondary schools through Schools on Screen.

At the event we’ll explore:

The spread of GERM – the Global Education Reform Movement – throughout our system
Its symptoms – standardisation, market-led competition, a narrowed curriculum and test-based accountability
The human cost: a burgeoning workload and unhappy staff and students.
It’s time to question what’s driving education: is it the needs of children and young people, or something else entirely?

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In Conversation with Stella Creasy | Ep.69

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0100

Stella Creasy is one of the most dynamic back-benchers in Parliament. She campaigns nationally on issues such as abortion rights, making Westminster a child friendly workplace, and how to deepen democracy. Locally, Stella put her constituency, Walthamstow, on the map with clever campaigns and even smarter social media.

We were delighted to welcome her to It’s Bloody Complicated. We talked all things Labour Party and Tory Party, and what’s next for the future of democracy, E17, and indie rock.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Another World is Possible with Geoff Mulgan | Ep.68

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0100

Another world is possible.

A professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London, Geoff Mulgan is a prolific writer, thinker and doer.

He was a strategy adviser to former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as well as governments around the world, with his expertise also running think tanks like Nesta and Demos.

His latest book Another Word is Possible, released in June 2022, examines how we reignite social and political Imagination. From the sciences to philosophy, learning from the past and not giving in to the doom of recent calamities, we discussed with Geoff how we can create new methods of creative imagination for a better politics and society.

He will shares his experiences working with the previous Labour government, the practice of theory of change and what can be applied for the future, for the better.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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The Welsh Basic Income pilot - The What, How and Why with Jonathan Williams | Ep.67

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 21:00:00 +0100

Basic income is a regular payment everyone receives. Forever.

Now, the Welsh and Irish governments have followed the examples of the United States and elsewhere, and are piloting basic income programmes for real.

In this special episode Jonathan Williams, co-founder of UBI Lab Wales, gives us the inside track on the Welsh pilot.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Trialling a 4-Day Week | Ep. 66

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 21:00:00 +0100

What would your life look like with less time spent at work?

Across the UK, thousands at workers at 70 companies are taking part in the biggest-ever trial of a four-day working week.

Joining It’s Bloody Complicated to discuss the trial and a potential future of reduced working hours are representatives from digital marketing firm Literal Humans and brewery Pressure Drop, both of which are participating in the pilot.

And we’ll also hear from Will Stronge, co-author of Overtime: Why We Need a Shorter Working Week and Head of Research at future-of-work think tank Autonomy, which is helping coordinate the pilots, and Kate Bell, Head of Rights, International, Social and Economics at the TUC.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Fixing Westminster | Ep. 65

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0100

From fines for the prime minister to shocking allegations of harassment, bullying and sexism in the workplace, Parliament has been bedevilled by scandal once again.

We’re joined by Dr Hannah White, Jennifer Nadel and Darren Hughes to explore What about the structure and culture of our politics results in such awful behaviour – and how we build a new politics.

Hannah White is Deputy Director of the Institute for Government and author of Held in Contempt: What’s Wrong with the House of Commons? (https://www.waterstones.com/book/held-in-contempt/hannah-white//978152615669 3)

Jennifer Nadel is Co-Director of Compassion in Politics and an award-winning journalist.

Darren Hughes is Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society and a former government minister in New Zealand.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a
Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests:

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Local Elections Special | Ep. 64

Tue, 31 May 2022 09:00:00 +0100

It’s Bloody Complicated brings you a special episode on a fascinating set of elections across the UK. Joining us is elections guru Professor Rob Ford.

What were the progressive triumphs and tragedies – where did progressive alliances win out, and where could they have helped score wins?

Rob Ford is Professor of Political Science at the University of Manchester. He is the author, with Maria Sobolewska, of the award-winning Brexitland and, with Tim Bale, Will Jennings and Paul Surridge, of The British General Election of 2019.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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The Future We Want #5: Poetry, Protest and Performance with Tishani Doshi

Tue, 24 May 2022 16:00:00 +0100

Orwell Youth Fellows Jamie See and Noah Robinson meet poet Tishani Doshi to explore protest, poetry and performance.

Tishani Doshi is an award-winning poet, novelist, dancer and journalist.

The episode begins with Jamie and Noah reading their poems.

Read 'A Love Symphony to the World' by Jamie See (https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-youth-prize/2018-youth-prize/runners-orwell-youth-prize-2020/jamiesee/)

Read 'Here There Are No People' by Noah Robinson (https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-youth-prize/2018-youth-prize/runners-orwell-youth-prize-2020/noahrobinson/)

The Future We Want is a new podcast series from the Orwell Youth Prize and Compass. We've matched the Orwell Youth Fellows from 2020 with figures from politics, media and political writing.

The Orwell Youth Prize is an annual programme for students aged 12–18 culminating in a writing prize. The prize and programme introduce young people to the power of political language, and provoke them to think critically about the world around them.

Compass' regular podcast, It's Bloody Complicated, is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Election Special: France Decides with Rim-Sarah Alouane and Philippe Marlière | Ep.63

Mon, 02 May 2022 11:00:00 +0100

On Monday 11th April we saw the consequences when progressives divide and centrists ignore the ground to their left. A rightward-shifting Emmanuel Macron finds himself in a second-round matchup with the far-right Marine Le Pen in France.

Left-of-centre parties split the vote in the first round, allowing Le Pen to narrowly make the run-off. Current polling suggests that left-wing voters will only break to Macron fairly narrowly – with huge numbers set to abstain.

What does it all mean? And what are the lessons for the UK?

French politics experts Philippe Marliėre and Rim-Sarah Alouane will join us to assess the aftermath of the election.

Take a deep dive into the French election on this edition of It’s Bloody Complicated, the Compass podcast.

Support the show (https://www.compassonline.org.uk/podcast/)

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Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century - In Conversation with Helen Thompson | Ep. 62

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 13:00:00 +0100

This week on the Compass podcast we are joined by Helen Thompson, author of the book Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century, published by Oxford University Press. A chronicle of three recent political histories - in our geopolitics, world economy and todays western democracies, Helen shows us the ways that energy, global finance and democracy interact - forcing us to think hard about why and how we get a fit for purpose democracy to meet the challenges we face.

Helen Thompson is a professor of Political Economy at Cambridge University and panelist at Talking Politics podcast. Her previous works also include the 2017 book 'Oil and the Western Economic Crisis.'

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Democrats in Power: What's Been Won and What's Up Next | Ep.61

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 05:00:00 +0100

After a year-plus on the job, having inherited a deeply divided country, Joe Biden and the Democrats are still facing multiple interlocking crises – from the war in Ukraine, to the ongoing impact of the pandemic, to climate catastrophe. But amidst all this, can we count some wins – on infrastructure, Covid and a once-in-a-generation Supreme Court nomination?

Top Democratic organisers Sky Gallegos and Joe Sudbay join It's Bloody Complicated to help make sense of it all.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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The Future We Want #5: Communities and Public Services with Professor Donna Hall

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 19:00:00 +0000

Orwell Youth Fellow Jessica Tunks joins Professor Donna Hall to discuss family, community, reimagining public services and her scorching essay 'Knifepoint'.

Donna Hall is Chair of New Local and of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust.

The episode begins with Jessica reading her essay 'Knifepoint'.

Read 'Knifepoint' by Jessica Tunks (https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-youth-prize/2018-youth-prize/winners-orwell-youth-prize-2020/jessica-tunks/).

The Future We Want is a new podcast series from the Orwell Youth Prize and Compass. We've matched the Orwell Youth Fellows from 2020 with figures from politics, media and political writing.

The Orwell Youth Prize is an annual programme for students aged 12–18 culminating in a writing prize. The prize and programme introduce young people to the power of political language, and provoke them to think critically about the world around them.

Compass' regular podcast, It's Bloody Complicated, is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

Support the show (https://www.compassonline.org.uk/podcast/)

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The Future We Want #4: Hopes and Failures of Social Housing with John Harris

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Orwell Youth Fellow Rosaleen Tite Ahern joins Guardian journalist John Harris to discuss place; the successes, failures and hopes of social housing; and her brilliantly evocative essay 'Streets in the Sky' on Manchester's Hulme Crescents.

John Harris is a columnist at the Guardian and host of the podcast Politics Weekly UK. (https://www.theguardian.com/profile/johnharris).

The episode begins with Rosaleen reading her essay 'Streets in the Sky'.

Read 'Streets in the Sky' by Rosaleen Tite Ahern (https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-youth-prize/2018-youth-prize/winners-orwell-youth-prize-2020/rosaleen-tite-ahern/).

The Future We Want is a new podcast series from the Orwell Youth Prize and Compass. We've matched the Orwell Youth Fellows from 2020 with figures from politics, media and political writing.

The Orwell Youth Prize is an annual programme for students aged 12–18 culminating in a writing prize. The prize and programme introduce young people to the power of political language, and provoke them to think critically about the world around them.

Compass' regular podcast, It's Bloody Complicated, is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

Support the show (https://www.compassonline.org.uk/podcast/)

Support the show

The War in Ukraine with Luke Cooper and Citizens not Consumers with Jon Alexander and Sue Goss | Ep.60

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Jon Alexander, author of the new book Citizens, joins the podcast to tell us how can we start to think and act like Citizens, not Consumers. Joining Jon is conversation is author and political scientist Sue Goss.

But first we hear from Luke Cooper of Another Europe is Possible for an update on the terrible events in Ukraine. Luke helps us think through what we can be doing about this awful war.

Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us (https://www.jonalexander.net/)

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Making Democracy Work with Polly Mackenzie | Ep.59

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Chief Executive of Demos Polly Mackenzie joins It’s Bloody Complicated to look at what's gone wrong with our democracy and how we can fix it.

Polly builds on the insights from her series of papers for Demos – Making Democracy Work.

Polly Makenzie was Director of Policy to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg from 2010–15, helping to write the 2010 Coalition Agreement. After leaving Government, Polly established the operations of the Women’s Equality Party and founded the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.

Read the Making Democracy Work papers (https://demos.co.uk/making-democracy-work/).

Support the show (https://www.compassonline.org.uk/podcast/)

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In Conversation with Tommy Sheppard MP | Ep.58

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Tommy Sheppard MP joins It’s Bloody Complicated to discuss the future of the Scottish independence movement, the prospects of the SNP supporting a Labour government and his remarkable political life.

Tommy Sheppard is the Scottish National Party MP for Edinburgh and the SNP’s Spokesperson for Constitutional Affairs.

Support the show (https://www.compassonline.org.uk/podcast/)

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Lessons from '97, in association with Social Liberal Forum | Ep.57

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Frances Foley goes behind the scenes of Labour–Liberal Democrat cooperation in the 1997 General Election with former Lib Dem Policy Director Duncan Brack, political commentator Peter Kellner, and Compass Director and 1997 Labour electoral negotiator Neal Lawson .

In ’97 an informal arrangement between Labour and the Lib Dems helped drive tactical voting – and a landslide election victory for Labour, ending 18 years of Conservative rule.

What are the lessons from 1997 today? What has changed in the intervening years? And after four election defeats in a row, how might progressive parties work better, and smarter, together?

Duncan Brack is Editor of the Journal of Liberal History, and was Liberal Democrat Policy Director from 1988–94 and special adviser during the coalition government in 2010–12.

Peter Kellner is a political commentator, election analyst and former President of YouGov.

This episode is presented in partnership with the Social Liberal Forum.

There are seats where Labour can't win, but the Tories can lose. Find out more about the Compass campaign Only Stand to Win(https://www.compassonline.org.uk/campaigns/only-stand-to-win/).

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Preparing for Minority Government, in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung | Ep.56

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

We take a look at coalition governments – what they are, how they are formed, lessons from the new 'traffic light' coalition in Germany and why the UK’s progressive parties need to be thinking about them right now.

Joining the podcast are Henning Meyer, Publisher of Social Europe, Fellow at the German Ministry of Finance and member of the SPD's Basic Values Commission, and George Peretz QC, legal expert, member of the Society of Labour Lawyers and author of the recent article Wargaming a Minority Labour Government in Prospect (https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/wargaming-a-minority-labour-government-next-election-starmer).

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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The Big Fat Pod of the Year 2021 | Ep.55

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 20:00:00 +0000

Political commentators and Guardian journalists John Harris and Zoe Williams join us to break down the political year that was and look ahead to 2022.

From tackling the climate catastrophe to the state of the current Conservative party and challenges facing a progressive alliance – as well as some political reasons to be cheerful in 2022.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Progressive Alliances Everywhere: In conversation with Anthony Slaughter, Lucy Nethsingha and Peter Marland | Ep.54

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Across the nations, regions, towns and cities of the UK, a new way of doing politics is emerging.

Far from the adversarial politics encouraged by Westminster’s first-past-the-post electoral system, politicians and people are working together across parties for progressive change.

Joining us to discuss the art, benefits and challenges of progressive alliances are:

Anthony Slaughter, Leader of the Wales Green Party, which recently announced an electoral alliance with Plaid Cymru in Cardiff
Lucy Nethsingha, Liberal Democrat Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, which is run in a joint administration with Labour and independents
Peter Marland, Labour & Co-operative Leader of Milton Keynes Council, which is run by a ‘Progressive Alliance’ of Labour and the Lib Dems.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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In Conversation with Ece Temelkuran, in association with Social Liberal Forum | Ep.53

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Author, journalist and political commentator Ece Temelkuran joins the podcast to talk about her new book Together: 10 Choices for a Better Now, faith vs. hope, the parallels between the UK's slide towards authoritarianism and her experience in Turkey, and the power of young women.

Ece was in conversation with special guest host Jon Alexander of the Social Liberal Forum.

This episode is brought to you by Compass and the Social Liberal Forum.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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BONUS: In Conversation with First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford

Sun, 14 Nov 2021 22:00:00 +0000

On a special bonus episode of It’s Bloody Complicated, the Compass podcast, we welcome First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford MS.

Mark spoke to Compass Director Neal Lawson about progressive alliances, his support for proportional representation, basic income and why he's vowed to stand down after five years.

Under Mark Drakeford’s leadership, Labour in Wales bucked the party’s national trend in 2021, winning a working majority of 30 seats in the Senedd.

Welsh Labour is currently in talks with Plaid Cymru about a cooperation agreement. And the party has previously worked with the Liberal Democrats.

The Welsh Government this year also approved a basic income (UBI) trial for Wales.

The Basic Income Conversation, powered by Compass, recently published a report (https://autonomy.work/portfolio/ubi-in-wales/) with Autonomy on principles, precedents and feasibility of piloting a basic income in Wales.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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What Now for Labour and PR? | Ep.52

Sat, 06 Nov 2021 01:00:00 +0000

83% of Labour members backed proportional representation. So did 80% of the membership’s representatives on the conference floor. But the Labour machine didn’t, and the motion to make PR party policy fell at last month’s party conference.

We welcome leading Labour for a New Democracy campaigners Laura Parker and Caroline Osborne to the podcast to get the inside track on the campaign for Labour to back fair votes.

Why didn’t the leadership back PR? How can those unions who didn’t support PR be convinced to do so? And, with a groundswell of support among members and voters, what’s next for the UK’s largest progressive party and democratic reform?

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Germany at the Traffic Lights with John Kampfner and Michèle Auga | Ep.51

Sat, 30 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0100

The election in Germany has seen progressives surge and conservatives suffer at the polls.

John Kampfner and Michèle Auga join It's Bloody Complicated to make sense of the SPD and Olaf Scholz's (relative) surge, the CDU's collapse, and the 'traffic light' (red/yellow/green) coalition talks.

Will Scholz’s late embrace of the climate agenda be born out in practice? And what can we in Britain learn from German progressive electoral successes – and the alliance-building challenges to come?

John Kampfner is a journalist and the author of Why Germans Do It Better: Notes from A Grown-Up Country (https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/why-the-germans-do-it-better/).
Michèle Auga is head of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in London (https://www.fes-london.org/).

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

Support the show (https://www.compassonline.org.uk/podcast/)

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The Future We Want #3: The Future of Work with Jon Cruddas

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 17:00:00 +0100

Orwell Youth Fellow Tom Finlayson joins Labour MP Jon Cruddas to discuss impending environmental disaster, automation, AI and the future of work – themes brought vividly to life in Tom's dystopian short story 'Not So Welcome Break'.

Jon Cruddas is the Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham and a leading thinker on the meaning of work. His book, The Dignity of Labour, is out now from Polity Books (https://politybooks.com/bookdetail/?isbn=9781509540785&subject_id=89).

The episode begins with Tom Reading his short story, 'Not So Welcome Break'.

Read 'Not So Welcome Break' by Tom Finlayson (https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-youth-prize/2018-youth-prize/winners-orwell-youth-prize-2020/tom-finlayson/)

The Future We Want is a new podcast series from the Orwell Youth Prize and Compass. We've matched the Orwell Youth Fellows from 2020 with figures from politics, media and political writing.

The Orwell Youth Prize is an annual programme for students aged 12–18 culminating in a writing prize. The prize and programme introduce young people to the power of political language, and provoke them to think critically about the world around them.

Compass' regular podcast, It's Bloody Complicated, is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

Support the show (https://www.compassonline.org.uk/podcast/)

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Tomorrow's Communities | Ep.50

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 23:00:00 +0100

In the face of global crises, how can communities attain better social, economic and environmental outcomes?

Joining It's Bloody Complicated are Henry Tam, editor of the new book Tomorrow’s Communities: Lessons for community-based transformation in the age of global crises, and contributors to the book Marjorie Mayo and Diane Warburton.

Henry Tam is a political writer whose books include Time to Save Democracy and Whose Government is it?. He was Head of Civil Renewal under the last Labour government.

Marjorie Mayo is Professor of Community Development at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her recent publications include Community-based learning and social movements and Changing Communities: stories of migration, displacement and solidarities.

Diane Warburton is a founding Trustee of Involve. Her published works include Community and Sustainable Development and From Here to Sustainability.

Tomorrow's Communities by Henry Tam (ed.), Policy Press (https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/tomorrows-communities)

Support the show (https://www.compassonline.org.uk/podcast/)

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The Future We Want #2: The Climate Crisis with Andrew Simms

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 20:00:00 +0100

In the second episode of The Future We Want, a new series from Compass and the Orwell Youth Prize, Orwell Youth Fellows Lauren DeBruin and Hugh Ludford join Andrew Simms to discuss climate, dystopia – and how we encourage each other to want a better future.

Andrew Simms is the co-director of the New Weather Institute, coordinator of the Rapid Transition Alliance and co-author of the original Green New Deal.

The episode begins with Lauren and Hugh reading their pieces, 'What We Lost' and 'You Are What You Eat'.

Read 'What We Lost' by Lauren Debruin (https://www.orwellfoundation.com/?s=Lauren+Debruin)
Read 'You Are What You Eat' by Hugh Ludford (https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-youth-prize/2018-youth-prize/winners-orwell-youth-prize-2020/hugh-ludford/)

The Future We Want is a new podcast series from the Orwell Youth Prize and Compass. We've matched the Orwell Youth Fellows from 2020 with figures from politics, media and political writing.

The Orwell Youth Prize is an annual programme for students aged 12–18 culminating in a writing prize. The prize and programme introduce young people to the power of political language, and provoke them to think critically about the world around them.

Compass' regular podcast, It's Bloody Complicated, is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Progressive Alliance: Will Labour Accept Sharing Power to Win? Live from Labour Conference | Ep.49

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 16:00:00 +0100

This episode of It's Bloody Complicated is brought to you from Labour Party Conference. At this year's conference, the Labour machine rejected the overwhelming wishes of party members, and the motion for the party to adopt proportional representation fell.

We were joined by Labour MP Clive Lewis, Green MP Caroline Lucas, Labour for a New Democracy campaign head Laura Parker and Best for Britain CEO Naomi Smith to look at the necessity and strategy of a progressive alliance following Labour's latest rejection of PR.

How do we build a cross-party progressive movement that can not only win an election but change our broken political system?

Read: 'Keir Starmer made a huge mistake in not backing PR' – Neal Lawson | Guardian

Caroline Lucas's speech in full

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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The Future We Want: The Poverty Pandemic with Dawn Butler

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 17:00:00 +0100

Compass and the Orwell Youth Prize have teamed up to bring you a special new series, The Future We Want.

In this first episode, Orwell Youth Fellow Manal Nadeem joins Dawn Butler MP for a discussion of race, power and the pandemic. The episode begins with Manal reading her piece, 'The Poverty Pandemic'.

Read 'The Poverty Pandemic' by Manal Nadeem

The Orwell Youth Prize is an annual programme for students aged 12–18 culminating in a writing prize. The prize and programme introduce young people to the power of political language, and provoke them to think critically about the world around them.

The Future We Want is a new podcast series from the Orwell Youth Prize and Compass. We've matched the Orwell Youth Fellows from 2020 with figures from politics, media and political writing

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

Support the show (https://www.compassonline.org.uk/podcast/)

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BONUS: How to Stop Fascism with Paul Mason

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 05:00:00 +0100

We welcome writer, journalist and film-maker Paul Mason to the podcast to discuss his new book, How to Stop Fascism (Allen Lane).

Paul spoke about how the rise of right-wing populism and authoritarianism has not acted as a 'firewall' against fascism, the online tactics of the new networked fascism and the lessons of the French Popular Front for a Progressive Alliance movement today.

How to Stop Fascism: History, Ideology, Resistance is available now.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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BONUS: Paint your town Red! Conversation with Matt Brown and Rhian E.Jones

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 17:00:00 +0100

This week on the Compass podcast we are joined by Matthew Brown and Rhian E. Jones, authors of the book Paint Your Town Red: How Preston Took Back Control and Your Town Can Too, published by Repeater. Against a national backdrop of austerity and privatisation, a city in Lancashire bucked the trend and created what is known as the Preston Model.

Matthew is the leader of Preston City Council, where he has led pioneering efforts in community wealth-building – what has become known as the ‘Preston Model’. He’s also a Senior Fellow at the Democracy Collaborative, tasked with promoting community wealth-building across the UK and abroad.

Rhian is a writer, historian and the author of four books on politics and popular culture. She’s a founding editor of New Socialist and an editor at Red Pepper magazine.

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The Future of the Greens with Jonathan Bartley | Ep.48

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 05:00:00 +0100

Recently departed Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Bartley joins It’s Bloody Complicated.

Jonathan stepped down as Green co-leader in July. He is now focusing his energy on helping to build a progressive alliance, saying to the Guardian that ‘there is a progressive majority in this country but we will have Conservative governments as far as we can see because of first past the post’.

He spoke about why we need a progressive alliance – and why there must be something in it for the Greens – as well where the Greens' next seat in Parliament might come from, defending the right to protest and his unusual journey to the leadership of a political party.

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From the Soft Left to Left Patriotism with John Denham | Ep.47

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 14:00:00 +0100

John Denham joined It's Bloody Complicated to talk nation, identity and patriotism.

Is there such a thing as ‘progressive patriotism’? And against the backdrop of Brexit and a potential second Scottish independence referendum, is it finally time for progressives to talk about England?

John Denham is Professor and Director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics at the University of Southampton, and co-founder of the English Labour Network. He was the Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, and served as a minister for ten years in the 1997–2010 Labour government.

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BONUS: Decision Time for Deutschland, in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 07:00:00 +0100

This episode was recorded immediately following the initial devastating flooding across western Germany. Our thoughts and solidarity are with all those affected.

Compass has teamed up with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung to bring you a German election special.

Germany is poised to pick its next leader. After 16 years at the helm, Angela Merkel is stepping aside – and what comes next is anyone’s guess.

Will Germans elect Armin Laschet, her successor in the CDU, after he pledged to continue what Merkel started? Or could they choose change in the form of the Greens’ first ever candidate – young and dynamic Annalena Baerbock? How might the Social Democratic Party respond to these changes?

And what does this decision mean for the country at the heart of Europe – for action on climate change, the future of the EU and prospects for progressives across the continent?

Ulrike Herrmann is a journalist based in Berlin and a staff member of the left-alternative daily “die tageszeitung” (taz). She focuses on economic issues and is a non-active member of the Green party.

Christos Katsioulis currently heads the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s (FES) London office.

Ed Turner is Reader in Politics at Aston University and Co-Director of the Aston Centre for Europe. and publishes widely on German politics.

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Big Ideas Before Their Time with Anna Coote | Ep.46

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0100

Policy innovator Anna Coote joined It’s Bloody Complicated to talk about a life at the cutting edge of policy thinking – from citizens' juries to a four-day week and universal basic services.

We took a closer look at the idea of universal basic services (UBS) – and any tensions that may exist with universal basic income (UBI).

And we surveyed the present state of progressive politics – and how we can advocate and implement transformative policies for a good society.

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Brexit: Five Years Later | Ep.45

Sat, 03 Jul 2021 14:00:00 +0100

On 23rd June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU by a majority of 52% to 48%.

The ensuing half-decade has seen rolling political turmoil, unprecedented realignments and questions over the future of the UK itself.

To help make sense of these historic times, we welcome Labour MP Jon Trickett, Guardian journalist Zoe Williams, Zoe's dog Romeo, and writer Anthony Barnett to the show.

Jon Trickett is the Labour MP for Hemsworth and a former shadow minister under the leaderships of Jeremy Corbyn and Ed Miliband.

Zoe Williams is a Guardian columnist and the co-host of the Another Europe Podcast.

Anthony Barnett is co-founder of openDemocracy and the author of The Lure of Greatness: England’s Brexit and America’s Trump.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Johnson and Gramsci: Tackling the Tories Today | Ep.44

Sat, 12 Jun 2021 21:00:00 +0100

What are the strategy, ideology and aims of the modern Conservative Party? To beat them, we have to understand them – and maybe even learn from them.

Professor Ken Spours applies the thinking of Antonio Gramsci to help us get to grips with today’s shapeshifting Tories.

Ken has provided some additional notes to accompany the show. Find them here: https://bit.ly/3xj0OnA.

Discussed on the show:

Antonio Gramsci – Prison Notebooks
Stuart Hall – 'New Labour's Double Shuffle'
Ken Spours – Shapeshifters

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The Dignity of Labour with Jon Cruddas | Ep.43

Thu, 27 May 2021 16:00:00 +0100

Jon Cruddas MP joins It’s Bloody Complicated to mark the launch of his new book, The Dignity of Labour (Polity).

Does work give our lives purpose, meaning and status? Or is it a tedious necessity that will soon be abolished by automation, leaving humans free to enjoy a life of leisure and basic income?

Jon Cruddas is Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham. The Dignity of Labour is available from Polity.

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Election Special | Ep.42

Sat, 15 May 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Election results across England, Scotland and Wales showed more than ever why progressives need to work together – and what can happen when they do. We're joined by a stellar lineup to survey the aftermath, and work out where we go next:

Sir John Curtice, polling expert, Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde and Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Social Research
Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion
Beth Winter, Labour MP for Cynon Valley
Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon
Tommy Sheppard, Scottish National Party MP for Edinburgh East
Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South

From Hartlepool to Holyrood, we analyse the outcomes for the different progressive parties, as well as, crucially, what the results mean for the prospect of a Progressive Alliance to overturn the Tory majority in Westminster.

Almost 900 people joined the call live.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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In Conversation with Mandu Reid | Ep.41

Sat, 01 May 2021 13:00:00 +0100

Leader of the Women's Equality Party Mandu Reid joined the podcast to talk about why the pandemic has not been a gender-neutral crisis, how her 'politically polyamorous' party is shaking up the system and why she's working to put herself out of a job.

Mandu Reid is Leader of the Women’s Equality Party, the party’s candidate for Mayor of London and the first Black leader of a national British political party.

It's Bloody Complicated is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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In Conversation with Vince Cable | Ep.40

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Former leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Vince Cable joins It’s Bloody Complicated to share the lessons of his long and varied political life and tell us about his new book, Money and Power.

In uncertain times for progressives of all stripes, not least the Lib Dems, it was great to get Vince's unique perspective.

Vince Cable was MP for Twickenham from 1997 to 2015 and from 2017 to 2019, and as leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2017–19. He served in the Conservative–Lib Dem coalition government as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills from 2010 to 2015, and as deputy leader of the Lib Dems from 2006 to 2010.

Vince Cable – Money and Power: The World Leaders Who Changed Economics (Atlantic)
Vince Cable – The Chinese Conundrum: Engagement or Economic War (coming September 2021, Bloomsbury)

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Starmer's First Year with Paul Mason | Ep.39

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +0100

It’s a year since Keir Starmer was elected leader of the Labour Party – a year that has seen the shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, internal divisions within the party and vocal debates about the best way forward.

We welcome writer, journalist and film-maker Paul Mason to It’s Bloody Complicated to discuss Keir Starmer one year on, the prospects for a Progressive Alliance, strategies for the left and his fascinating political life.

Paul Mason is the author of six books, the most recent of which is Clear Bright Future. His next book, How to Stop Fascism, will be published in Spring 2021.

How to Stop Fascism by Paul Mason
'A Year of Keir: The Road Less Travelled' – statement by Compass

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Out of the Ordinary with Marc Stears, Jon Cruddas, Sue Goss and John Harris | Ep.38

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 17:00:00 +0000

Special guest host John Harris is joined by Marc Stears to discuss Marc's new book, Out of the Ordinary: How Everyday Life Inspired a Nation and How It Can Again.

Joining John and Marc are Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, and Sue Goss, author of Open Tribe and the Compass report Garden Mind.

In Out of the Ordinary, Stears describes how, in a period of intense political turmoil from the 1920s–50s, a group of British writers and artists showed a way forward by shining a light on the strength and creativity of ordinary people going about their lives. Now, the book argues, the ordinary might once again provide a unifying path out of crisis.

Marc Stears was a senior advisor and chief speechwriter to former Labour leader Ed Miliband, and directs the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney. John Harris is a columnist for the Guardian.

Discussed in the show:
Out of the Ordinary by Marc Stears
Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas
Our Country (dir. John Eldridge)
English Journey by J.B. Priestley
'The Lion and the Unicorn' by George Orwell
'Year 3' by Steve McQueen

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Belonging, Place and the Nation with Clive Lewis, Francesca Klug and Stuart White | Ep.37

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000

On this very special edition of It’s Bloody Complicated, we're joined by Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South; academic and advocate for human rights Francesca Klug; and political theorist Stuart White to celebrate the launch of Belonging, Place and the Nation, Compass’s new report into nationalism and patriotism.

Should we try to confront the Right with our own, more progressive, patriotism and nationalism? Or should we abandon these terms and instead try to build something else?

In Belonging, Place and the Nation, Clive and Francesca explore what it means to belong, in a wide-ranging conversation with Frances Foley on race, identity and the telling of British history, while Stuart considers the possibility of a democratic English patriotism in the republican political tradition. They touch on all this and more in a wide-ranging conversation that doesn't shy away from the difficult questions.

Discussed in the show:
Belonging, Place and the Nation
Radical Republicanism by Bruno Leipold, Karma Nabulsi and Stuart White (eds.)

It's Bloody Complicated has moved to fortnightly calls, and is recorded every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass member to join our live recordings and put your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Progressive Alliance: The Reunion | Ep.36

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0000

On this edition of It’s Bloody Complicated , we're celebrating a very special reunion. Neal Lawson is joined by 2017 Progressive Alliance veterans Andrée Frieze, Barry Langford, Stephen Clark, Remco van der Stoep, Jana Mills, Steve Williams and Frances Foley to look back on the successes and lessons of that election, and look forward to how we can build a formidable Progressive Alliance next time.

Results analysis suggests that, in 2017, the Progressive Alliance made a difference in dozens of seats, contributing to the Conservatives losing their majority in Parliament. It’s time to get the band back together.

On the next episode of It's Bloody Complicated, we're launching Compass's new report Belonging, Place and the Nation with Clive Lewis MP, Francesca Klug and Stuart White. The live recording is open to all – just sign up here.

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Re-imagining Democracy with Peter MacFadyen and Indra Adnan | Ep.35

Sat, 30 Jan 2021 05:00:00 +0000

On this episode of It's Bloody Complicated, Frances Foley is joined by another great double bill – this time Peter MacFadyen who has inspired the Flatpack Democracy movement and Indra Adnan one of the co-founders of the new politics champions The Alternative UK.

Flatpack Democracy is an independent movement which started in Frome, inspired by frustration with missed opportunitities the way local government usually works. Since then, the group has taken control of the local council and inspired similar groups in other towns across the UK.

The Alternative UK is a political platform based in the United Kingdom. Through curation, editorial, public events, commissioning and research, it aims to transform the language and practice of politics on these islands. Inspired by and associated with Alternativet in Denmark, it is trying to bring about “a friendly revolution”.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is moving now to fortnightly calls, and will be recorded every other Tuesday at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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The Year Ahead with Yasmin Khan and Tom Clark | Ep.34

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 15:00:00 +0000

We’re diving straight into 2021 with a conversation about what the next year might hold for us and what it all means for progressive politics.

Our guests, Tom Clark (Editor of Prospect Magazine) and Yasmin Khan (human rights campaigner), were on hand to help us chart a course through what is likely to be an extraordinarily challenging year for us all.

We covered the pandemic, the economy, the Tories, Labour, Scotland, Biden, and more. And as ever, we took questions live on the call from Compass members.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded fortnightly on Tuesdays at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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The future of the Left in Europe with Yanis Varoufakis | Ep.33

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0000

For the final podcast of 2020, we had an extra special Christmas treat for our members. Writer, economist, politician, and former academic Yanis Varoufakis joined us live on Zoom for an hour of hard-headed economic analysis, a few home truths for the European Left, and plenty of laughter too.

A former academic, Yanis is perhaps best known for his tenure as Greek finance minister and his role in the country’s high stakes negotiations with the EU. But he is also a prolific author and political commentator, known for his thoughtful and engaging approach to complex topics, and his approachable and accessible style.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded fortnightly on Tuesdays at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Feminism and Refugee Women with Natasha Walter | Ep.32

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0000

This week, we spoke to Natasha Walter: feminist writer, founder and director of Women for Refugee Women and author of Living Dolls and A Quiet Life.

We talked to Natasha about what motivated her to write Living Dolls, and how she moved out of journalism to found the charity Women for Refugee Women. After 14 years at WFRW, Natasha had plenty of stories to share with us and wasn’t afraid to dig into the frictions and frustrations of her work.

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Inequality with Danny Dorling | Ep.31

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 16:00:00 +0000

We’re delighted to welcome academic, author, social commentator, and human cartographer Danny Dorling to the podcast this week.

The conversation roamed over many topics, from Biden and Covid, to Finland and Extinction Rebellion. We discussed in particular Danny's three latest books: Rule Britannia (written with Sally Tomlinson) , Slowdown, and Finntopia (written with Annika Koljonen).

Some key points from the discussion:

Reflections on Biden's victory in the US election from the point of view of British and European progressives. (It's more relief than happiness).
Just as the aftermath of wars tend to see reductions in inequality, there's a chance that the Covid-19 pandemic could force some non progressive players into backing progressive policies.
Why is geography such a brilliant subject, and why has it produced so many interesting progressive thinkers?
We're in the middle of a global slowdown in terms of economic growth, population growth, and innovation. Why is this a good thing?
Finland is ranked as the happiest country in the world, and comes in the top three for many other global indicators. Why is that? (Clue: it has something to do with a progressive alliance)
The automation revolution is already well underway in our workplaces. What role will as Basic Income play in our future societies?
Why has Covid stimulated the debate around inequality in a way that austerity could not?
Why Labour must cooperate with other parties if they want to regain power in the next decade.

And much more.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every other Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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BONUS: American democracy: Where do we go from here? Election special | Ep.31

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +0000

On 5th November 2020, we hosted this very special transatlantic edition of It’s Bloody Complicated – outside of our usual fortnightly schedule – to talk to three people with direct experience in building capacity and infrastructure that demonstrates a different kind of doing politics.

Roge Karma is a researcher and reporter at Vox, where he produces The Ezra Klein Show podcast and writes about policing, political polarization, and democracy reform.
Manu Meel is passionate about empowering young people and advocating for civic engagement. He serves as the CEO of BridgeUSA, a national organization that is investing in the future of democracy. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other media platforms.
Joan Blades is a co-founder of Living Room Conversations, an open source effort to rebuild respectful discourse across ideological, cultural and party lines while embracing our shared values. She is the co-author of The Custom-Fit Workplace, winner of a Nautilus book award in 2011, and The Motherhood Manifesto, which won the Ernesta Drinker Ballard Book Prize in 2007.

All three talked about their experiences of building a better way of doing politics, and what that has looked and felt like over the past few months.

At the time of recording, the final result of the 2020 US election was still up in the air - which we refer to a few times in the conversation.

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Build Back Better: HOW? 4 Big Ideas | Ep.30

Sun, 01 Nov 2020 14:00:00 +0000

This week’s live podcast formed part of Build Back Better: How?, a 10 day series of conferences about how we can make the good society after Covid-19 a reality.

Universal Basic Services, a guaranteed income floor, the 4 day week, and reform of the banking system: we discussed some of the biggest, most exciting ideas around for rethinking our approach to work, money, and how we use our time.

It’s clear that current financial models are serving fewer and fewer people than ever, as society discovers itself on a treadmill that drives vast fortunes for a small few, and economic instability, environmental destruction, and burnout for the rest. The most important work is widely acknowledged to be the lowest paid, and in the case of care work it is often not paid at all. A threadbare and incomplete welfare state leaves many living in an exhausting state of permanent precarity. Our banking system isn’t working for most people, and is complicit in rising inequality, and environmental degradation.

Joining us were very special guests Anna Coote (Principal Fellow at NEF), Will Stronge (Director of Research at Autonomy), and Fran Boait (Executive Director of Positive Money), and Stewart Lansley (author of Basic Income for All: From Desirability to Feasibility).

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every other Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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What’s next for the Scottish Labour Party? With Gerry Hassan | Ep.29

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +0100

The Scottish Labour Party’s decline has been severe. How – if at all – can it claw back something like the support it once enjoyed? With 51% of Labour voters now backing independence, how should Scottish Labour respond?

Join us as we discuss Scottish Labour, Independence, the SNP and the possible break-up of the UK with Scottish commentator and political author Gerry Hassan. Gerry is a regular contributor to Compass, and in his most recent blog for Compass suggests the formation of a new Labour Party in Scotland as a solution to these problems.

Listen to this week’s episode to delve into all things Scotland, Labour, and so much more.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is moving now to fortnightly calls, and will be recorded every other Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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What we need to do differently with Ed Miliband | Ep.28

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +0100

This week we were joined by Ed Miliband.

Ed is best known as leader of the Labour Party but his political career goes way beyond that. In his podcast "Reasons to be Cheerful" he uses the wealth of his experience to discuss the big ideas that we need to transform society.

In this fascinating and far-reaching conversation we dig into those ideas. We dissect everything from the lessons learned from the 2015 election defeat to the Green New Deal and his views on Universal Basic Income.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Towards a new politics of Care | Ep.27

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 17:00:00 +0100

Long before Covid hit, it was evident to many that the UK was hurtling towards a crisis of Care. Now we simply cannot deny that the way we think about the way we care for our most vulnerable – who does it and how we value it – is deeply flawed. We urgently need a new politics of Care.

This week on the podcast we were joined by three authorities on the state of Care right now: Madeleine Bunting author of Labours of Love, Jo Littler author of The Care Manifesto and Alex Fox (CEO of Shared Lives)

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The Why, What and How of Proportional Representation | Ep.26

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:00:00 +0100

Could proportional representation renew our democracy?

On this week’s episode we’ll be focussing on electoral reform, and exploring what it could mean to have a different voting system in the UK. With a panel of guests from the heart of the struggle to get PR on the agenda again, including Klina Jordan from Make Votes Matter, we’ll be digging into the what, why and, most importantly, how of all things PR.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Building a progressive future with Matthew Taylor | Ep.25

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0100

This week we were joined by Matthew Taylor, writer, broadcaster, and CEO of the RSA. Matthew was one of a cabal of four back in the early 2000s who helped invent Compass.

In a wide ranging discussion, we cover the origins of Compass, his time as head of Tony Blair’s Policy Unit, what’s going on at the RSA and what the future holds for all Progressives.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Lessons from Corbyn | Ep.24

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 16:00:00 +0100

It’s safe to say that Corbyn’s leadership divided opinion within the Labour Party, and the aftershocks of those divisions are still keenly felt today.

It’s also clear that Labour has much to learn from the experience of Corbynism – both good and bad – and attempts to scrap everything and move on could end up fracturing the party even more.

This week we spoke to Laura Parker (former Momentum national co-ordinator), Jeremy Gilbert (writer and researcher), and Bea Campbell (Green writer and activist) about lessons from the Corbyn era that Labour needs to learn.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Basic Income - How do we get it? With Ronnie Cowan SNP MP | Ep.23

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 17:00:00 +0100

In May, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said in no uncertain terms that universal basic income is an "idea whose time has come".

The SNP have come out in full force for this policy.

That's why this week we've invited Ronnie Cowan, SNP MP for Inverclyde and life-long proponent of the idea, to talk to us about what it'll take to make basic income a reality in the UK.

What alliances do we need to win it? How do we move the Conservative Party – and Labour – to engage?

You'll also hear from Mike Pugh joins us from Basic Income Conversation to share his experiences so far campaigning across the country for BI.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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What is Basic Income? with Cleo Goodman and Jessie Golem | Ep.22

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 14:00:00 +0100

In early 2020, Compass launched the Basic Income Conversation to help a public movement for basic income in the UK. A few months later, the pandemic hit and suddenly everyone was talking about BI.

It’s been an action-packed year so far, so let’s take a moment to breathe and look at where it all began for us. What exactly is a basic income, and why do we at Compass feel so strongly about it?

This week, Cleo Goodman joins us from Basic Income Conversation to break down the idea to its essential parts.

We also hear from Jessie Golem, who was a basic income recipient during a major pilot in Canada. Rarely do we get an opportunity to talk about basic income with someone who has experienced it – so naturally we were excited to have Jessie on to share her reflections with us.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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The future of Green politics in the UK | Ep.21

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 17:00:00 +0100

It’s ten years since the Greens had their first MP elected, and since then so much has changed. The climate crisis is no longer considered a niche issue; Extinction Rebellion has become a global movement; and the major political parties are busy competing over who can produce the “greenest” manifesto.

And yet, the Greens still only have one MP and seem unlikely to achieve a significant electoral breakthrough in the near future.

What are the lessons of the last 10 years? Should success in Westminster really matter for a party with such strong representation in local government? Is a progressive alliance the answer, or the source of the problem?

We discuss all this and more in this week's episode featuring Green party members Adam Ramsay (Open Democracy), Vix Lowthion (2019 Green candidate for the Isle of Wight), and Nannette Youssef (Green Councillor for Norwich) and more.

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The Scotland problem with Robin McAlpine | Ep.20

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:00:00 +0100

This episode we were joined by Director of the Common Weal think tank and Compass Council member, Robin McAlpine.

What’s next for the Scottish Independence movement? How, if at all, can Labour solve its “Scotland problem”? What’s the difference between nationalism and patriotism, and why does it matter?

Robin is a famously thought-provoking and engaging speaker, and is definitely not afraid to tell it like it is.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Race, power and politics in the UK and US, with Clive Lewis, Dawn Butler and Kimberly Jones | Ep.19

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 16:00:00 +0100

Protests, a presidential race and a pandemic. The last few months in the US have thrust questions of racial justice and equality to the fore.

As Kimberly Jones, US activist, writer and one of our guests this week, explains in this eloquent and essential video, the social consequences of centuries of systemic racism are truly devastating.

As the UK reckons with its own history, and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minorities, our conversations seem to intersect.

What are the parallels between the US and UK contexts? How do we build effective international anti-racism movements which support one another?

We're joined by Labour MPs Clive Lewis and Dawn Butler, and US writer and activist Kimberly Jones for a lively, open and highly topical conversation about where we’re all headed…

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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A lifetime of activism and LGBTQIA+ politics with Peter Tatchell | Ep.18

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 20:00:00 +0100

This episode we were joined by LGBTQ+ and human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell.

Peter first began campaigning against injustice and human rights abuses when he was at school. More than 50 years later, as director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, he shows no signs of slowing down.

From advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, to challenging imperialism and colonial power, Peter’s passion, energy, and unwavering commitment to human rights across the world has made him something of a legend in Progressive circles.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Garden Mind with Sue Goss | Ep.17

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 13:00:00 +0100

This week we were joined by Sue Goss, long-time friend of Compass and author of Open Tribe.

Sue has been writing and thinking about politics, local government, and democracy for over 30 years and we feel incredibly lucky to have her on the podcast.

Off the back of her new report Garden Mind, we spoke to Sue about how we should think about society through the framework of gardening, and how this approach should inform our decision making and actions.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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North-South Inequality - with Andy Burnham | Ep.16

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 14:00:00 +0100

This episode we're joined by former cabinet minister and now Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

Andy knows Westminster politics from the perspectives of both government and opposition, but he also knows what’s it’s like to operate outside that bubble as the mayor of one of Britain’s largest cities.

As a staunch supporter of devolution and advocate for the North, we talk to Andy about how a decade of austerity has left communities in the north much more exposed and vulnerable to effects of Covid-19 on health, society, and the economy than many of their southern counterparts.

How can we reverse the ever widening inequality in the north-south divide? What are the big ideas and policies which can bring about meaningful change for those who’ve been the hardest hit by the crisis? And, in an increasingly disorienting political landscape, what is the role of the Labour party in all this?

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast-signup

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#BuildBackBetter: what does it mean? - with NEF Chief Exec Miatta Fahnbulleh | Ep. 15

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 19:00:00 +0100

This week we were joined by writer, political scientist and commentator Miatta Fahnbulleh.

Miatta Fahnbulleh is a British economist and Chief Executive at the New Economics Foundation. She is also a key partner in our 350-strong coalition of civil society leaders demanding the Government to #BuildBackBetter, from unions to faith groups to NGOs.

Our society can't afford for #BuildBackBetter to be a hollow proposition. With Miatta we dig into what a new social and economic settlement could look like and how we win it - a debate that’s sure to dominate our politics for years to come.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Epochal change - with openDemocracy co-founder Anthony Barnett | Ep. 14

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 15:00:00 +0100

This week we talk to the distinguished writer and campaigner for democracy, Anthony Barnett. Anthony is co-founder of Open Democracy, a website for political writing which tirelessly challenges power and encourages democratic debate. He is also author of The Lure of Greatness, an unflinching analysis of the devastating loss of trust in political institutions that cleared the way for Trump and Brexit.

Anthony has just published a must-read analysis of how Covid-19 has already changed the world in the space of a few months. In it, he charts the history of globalisation over the past 50 years, and shows how we have created the conditions to replace it.

So, join us on the call as we talk to Anthony about epochal change and the moment of crisis.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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A Labour of Learning - with Lisa Nandy Labour MP | Ep.13

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 17:00:00 +0100

Join us in conversation with Labour MP and Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy.

Lisa’s been working tirelessly as an MP for 10 years now, but rose to prominence this year as a contender in the Labour leadership election. Before that, she held a range of shadow cabinet roles, and founded the Centre for Towns.

We discuss community responses to the crisis, being 'porous' and learning from 'the other side', Labour leadership, and hope for the future.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Communities and Councils - with Mike Wilson and Steve Reed Labour MP | Ep.12

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Our new Deputy Director Frances Foley talks communities, local government, and 45 Degree change in the time of Covid-19 with Steve Reed MP (Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary) and Mike Wilson, (Executive Director of Pembroke House). Pembroke House is a centre for social action which has set up a food distribution hub to respond to the crisis.

What have community groups and Local Government learnt about working together, and how can we build on the lessons so far?

It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Justice, Leadership & Identity - with David Lammy MP | Ep.11

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 12:00:00 +0100

This week we’re in conversation with Labour MP for Tottenham, shadow frontbencher, author, and activist David Lammy MP.

From Windrush to Grenfell, and beyond, David is a notoriously dedicated and tireless campaigner for social justice. Now, as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, David is continuing to hold the government to account over the deep inequalities which run right through our society.

He has recently written a brilliant book, Tribes: How Our Need to Belong Can Make or Break the Society. It’s a fascinating meditation and call-to-arms, thinking deeply about the benefits and dangers of identity and belonging, and what that means for society.

It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm BST. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Universal Basic Income - with Professor Guy Standing | Ep.10

Thu, 28 May 2020 11:00:00 +0100

This week we talk to Guy Standing, Professor of Development Studies at SOAS, founding member and honorary co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network and author of Battling Eight Giants: Basic Income Now.

The idea of a universal basic or guaranteed income has been advocated for centuries. Thinkers from Tom Paine in the 1790s to social reformers in the 1890s argued that it was the duty of the state to ensure a minimum income for all citizens.

With inequality, climate change and automation the need for such a policy was evident before the coronavirus crisis, but one effect of the pandemic, which has left huge numbers of people economically insecure, has been that the idea now has political legs. We’ll be chatting to Guy, one of the worlds leading experts in basic income, about the transformative effects of a basic income on individuals and communities, how it can ensure a better future for all and why it must constitute part of a post-coronavirus settlement.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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'Left Unity' Book Launch - with Clive Lewis, Paul Mason and Molly Scott Cato | Ep.9

Thu, 21 May 2020 15:00:00 +0100

In this episode we co-launch, with Policy Network, Marius Ostrowski’s new book Left Unity: Manifesto for a Progressive Alliance, with Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, Paul Mason, writer and journalist and Molly Scott Cato, former Green MEP.

As Marius wrote in a recent blogpost for Compass, “Being on the Left means aspiring to a society built on cooperation, solidarity, and the common good. Yet when it campaigns for this society, the Left movement can be strangely reluctant to practice what it preaches.” The book outlines how progressives – from all parties and none – can better work together, overcome divisions and start to develop more comprehensive strategies to build a ‘progressive alliance’.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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The Challenge of Collaborative Politics - with Layla Moran Lib Dem MP | Ep.8

Thu, 14 May 2020 15:00:00 +0100

In Episode 8 we talk to Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon and party Spokesperson for Education.

Layla has been an MP since 2017, before which she was a teacher, and is now competing in the upcoming Liberal Democrat leadership election. After a disappointing result at last year’s general election the Liberal Democrats have been reflecting on what went wrong and where the party goes from here. We chat to Layla about what she wants for the party, how we end the very tribal politics between progressives, electoral reform, basic income and what all of this means in the context of the coronavirus crisis.

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Imagining a Bold Future - with Caroline Lucas Green MP | Ep.7

Thu, 07 May 2020 14:00:00 +0100

This week we talk to our friend Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion and twice leader of the Greens.

As the coronavirus crisis rumbles on, with huge implications for communities, society and our economy, we chat to Caroline about what we can do now and how we make sure that we build back better. Known all over the world as a staunch advocate for environmental and progressive issues, Caroline has spent the last decade in Parliament as the only Green MP supporting radical and important policy solutions – from a basic income to a Green New Deal – as well as being a big supporter of a progressive alliance.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Designing a Better Britain - with Hilary Cottam | Ep.6

Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Hilary Cottam is many things: a designer, progressive thinker, acclaimed author and social entrepreneur to name a few.

Her latest book Radical Help was described by the Guardian as "a publication that would transform Britain". Through it she explores the new forms of thinking, working and organising we need to navigate the twin challenges of climate change and technology driven socio-economic change.

This week, we welcome Hilary to discuss just that.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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What the Crisis says about Britain - with the Guardian's John Harris | Ep.5

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 22:00:00 +0100

This week we speak to John Harris: Guardian columnist and co-creator of the brilliant "Anywhere but Westminster" series.

For more than 10 years now, John has been helping tell the stories of people outside the Westminster bubble. In the era of coronavirus, he's continuing this work and his latest films on the impact of lockdown on jobs and home life are essential viewing.

John joins us to discuss how this crisis is experienced by people from different walks of life, and what it says about Britain in 2020.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Pandemics do discriminate - with Ruth Lister | Ep.4

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 14:00:00 +0100

If this crisis reveals anything, it's the structural depths of inequality that scar our country and the lives of millions of people. Yes, COVID-19 impacts on everyone – but it impacts us differently.

This week, our feature guest is Ruth Lister. Ruth has put the fight against inequality at the heart of her political life, from running the Child Poverty Action Group to campaigning for asylum and refugee rights.

From her seat in the House of Lords we hear Ruth's take on the present crisis, the state of Labour and our hopes of building a fairer society in the wake of this pandemic.

If you'd like to take part in a live podcast recording, please join here: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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Labour's new leadership and the (post-pandemic) Good Society - with John Cruddas Labour MP | Ep.3

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 15:00:00 +0100

In what would normally be a front-page news story, on April 4 the Labour Party finally elected a new leader after a protracted campaign. A campaign that started in a bygone age when our biggest crises centred on Brexit and a historic election loss.

This week, our feature guest is Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham. Jon joins us to explore what the new leadership of the Labour party will mean for progressive politics in the UK and progressive responses to the fallout of the corona pandemic.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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The Ethics and Emotions of the Coronavirus Emergency | Ep.2

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 18:00:00 +0100

These are unprecedented times and we need to rise to the new and enormous challenges we now face.

The crisis isn’t just forcing us to think differently, but behave differently. On March 31st, we hosted a conversation with Compass members on The Ethics and Emotions of the Coronavirus Emergency.

Tune in to hear our panel and members discuss the big questions: How do we relate to each other socially and politically now? What are the right emotions and tone to adopt?

Our guest speakers this week included:

Julia Unwin has been CEO of the Joseph Rowntree Trust, ran the Civil Societies Future project and recently wrote a short book On Kindness.
David Robinson helped found and run Community Links and now directs The Relationship Project
Jennifer Nadel is co-director of Compassion in Politics.

"It's Bloody Complicated" is recorded every Tuesday at 6pm GMT. Become a Compass Member to join our live recordings and bring your questions to our guests: https://action.compassonline.org.uk/podcast

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It's Bloody Complicated - with Clive Lewis Labour MP | Ep.1

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 16:00:00 +0000

In our first all-members call of 2020, Clive Lewis (Labour MP for Norwich South) shared his ideas on how Labour can map out a new plan for the future.

Clive’s manifesto for the Labour Party created waves when he launched it and it is packed full of Compass ideas. During the call, Clive will share his analysis on how Labour can chart a road back to power not only for the party, but for the whole progressive movement.

“I’m fed up with the top-down style of politics, where real debate and discussion in our party is stifled because of sectarianism and tribalism. We can’t grow as a party, if we’re afraid of having difficult discussions.” (Clive Lewis, 2020)

You can read Clive’s leadership manifesto here: Transform to Win [Clive Lewis Manifesto 2019].

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