Summary
Overview
This episode covers Labour's political struggles in the UK, with dismal polling and leadership questions, before examining asylum reform proposals from Shabana Mahmood. The hosts then explore the rise of Christian nationalism in America and debate whether Trump represents the birth of fascist USA, drawing on their recent live tour where audiences expressed deep concerns about both Labour's direction and global democratic backsliding.
Labour's Political Crisis and Public Sentiment
Campbell and Stewart reflect on their recent UK tour, where they encountered overwhelming dissatisfaction with Keir Starmer's leadership across thousands of attendees. The audiences showed remarkably low support for Starmer continuing as leader, with strong backing for Andy Burnham in Manchester. Most striking was polling showing Nigel Farage in a statistical dead heat with Starmer for the next election, highlighting the volatility and instability of British politics just months after Labour's landslide victory.
- In Manchester, only about 12 hands out of 2,600 people supported Starmer leading Labour into the next election
- Tour polling showed 52-48 split between Farage and Starmer in a hypothetical next election matchup
- Andy Burnham received overwhelming support in Manchester, despite attempts from Starmer's team to discredit him
- Over 70% of audiences across all venues believed we're witnessing the birth of a fascist USA, reaching 82% in Glasgow
" Are we witnessing the birth of a fascist USA? Every audience was roughly the same. The highest was Glasgow. 82% agreed with that proposition. "
" We asked the business audience recently, if I asked you to explain Labour's strategy for growth, what would you say? And they laughed. That's a terrible place to be in. "
Tax Policy Confusion and Economic Strategy
The discussion centers on Labour's chaotic messaging around tax policy, with Rachel Reeves appearing to roll the pitch for income tax rises before retreating. Campbell and Stewart debate whether breaking manifesto commitments on tax would be politically fatal or necessary, with audiences surprisingly unconcerned about broken promises if the economy improves. They worry Labour is defaulting to squeezing businesses rather than pursuing pro-growth policies, while wealthy donors are genuinely considering leaving the UK.
- Rachel Reeves rolled the pitch for income tax increases, but then appeared to back away from raising major taxes
- Audiences showed little concern about breaking manifesto commitments on tax, with only a smattering of hands raised when asked if this would be problematic
- Labour risks defaulting to its comfort zone of squeezing business, entrepreneurs, and wealth creators rather than pursuing pro-market deregulation
- A Labour donor said if the budget hits as hard as the last one, he's seriously looking at moving to Dubai
" My guess is they're going to lose the next election anyway. They've got to do something radical. "
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