James O'Brien Daily

HS2 could cost up to £102.7bn (up from £32bn) and may not open until 2039. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also explained today that the so-called “high-speed” trains will likely be ran slower, to trim costs. Why is HS2 taking so much time and money and why has the UK become so bad at building things?
And, Justice Secretary David Lammy is to consider raising the age of criminal responsibility above the current threshold of 10 years old. The move would mean children up to the age of 12 or 14 may no longer face prosecution for crimes... what age do you think a human being becomes criminally responsible for their actions?
This episode was recorded on the 19th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Brexit is back in the political spotlight thanks to the two biggest threats to Keir Starmer’s leadership - former Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. Streeting has advocated for a return to the EU, whereas Burnham believes re-running Brexit would leave the UK in rut.
Do you welcome this renewed national conversation about rejoining the EU?
This episode was recorded on the 18th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Today, James tackles the political bombshell shaking Labour: MP Josh Simons has resigned, clearing a path for Andy Burnham to return to Westminster - and potentially mount a future leadership challenge.
Is this a smart political move, blatant career choreography, or exactly what Labour needs right now? And if you’re from Manchester, why does Burnham remain so popular? From the Bee Network to his “King of the North” reputation, James asks what’s behind Burnham’s rising appeal and and whether that popularity could translate nationwide.
This episode was recorded on the 15th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Has Keir Starmer developed a credibility problem with the public? As frustration grows across the country and speculation intensifies over divisions inside Labour, is there actually a real appetite for a leadership challenge right now? And if change did happen, would any alternative genuinely connect better with voters, or risk making things worse?
Plus, the rumours and rising political pressure surrounding Wes Streeting, and the bigger question hanging over the party: would a new leader steady the ship, or plunge Labour into even deeper uncertainty at exactly the wrong time?
This episode was recorded on the 14th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Keir Starmer came into office promising a clean break. An end to the chaos, the incompetence, and the slow decay that’s defined British politics since 2016. But the sense of political rot hasn’t gone away. Public trust is still shattered, institutions are fragile, and voters across the spectrum are more cynical than ever. So what went wrong? Why hasn’t Starmer managed to turn things and now as he faces a leadership challenge, is it too late?
And, the King’s Speech today set out the roadmap for the country ahead - housing, immigration, energy, policing, and economic reform all on the table. But is this a serious plan for renewal, or just a familiar list of promises in a system already under strain?
This episode was recorded on the 13th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.