In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author and leading Guardian columnist Rafael Behr about the interconnectedness of ultra-capitalism and reactionary right-wing forces in politics. They discuss how both radicalised elderly voters nostalgic for the past and wealthy tech billionaires like Elon Musk are supporting extreme right-wing movements, creating a more dangerous political landscape than the "cosy" narrative of just elderly voters being concerned about change. Rafael analyses the Labour Party's failure to adequately confront far-right threats, particularly noting how they treat extreme right-wing protests as legitimate political expression rather than addressing the underlying fascism. Raf and Nick discuss how figures like Nigel Farage have been able to manipulate both mainstream and extreme right-wing voters, and discuss the lack of strong pushback from both Labour and Conservative parties against far-right influences, including Russian interference and extreme positions on immigration. They conclude by discussing their concerns about the need for clearer red lines against fascism and whether Labour leader Andy Burnham would articulate a stronger response to these sinister aspects of an increasingly transnational radical right.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hundreds of anonymous men turn up at Dover dressed in black shirts and balaclavas; Reform leader and Brexit con artist Nigel Farage threatens to scrap the House of Lords, purge the civil service and judiciary and use emergency decrees to pass sinister legislation if he ever takes power; women hecklers are beaten with a crutch during a Farage conference speech and grabbed by their hair by thugs and dragged out of the hall - but the silence in the face of these outrages from the Labour government is deafening.

Nick Cohen says that Labour must take off its kid gloves in dealing with Farage and co and take on the forces of the radical right full on. Nick argues that Burnham cannot make the same mistake as Keir Starmer and flunk these crucial challenges to democracy and true British values for fear of upsetting voters who are currently attracted by Farage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his latest Lowdown podcast, host Nick Cohen interviews economics and geopolitics commentator and columnist Simon Nixon about the UK's national debt crisis and broader economic challenges. Simon explains that while the UK faces significant debt sustainability concerns, the current high bond yields reflect primarily inflation expectations rather than immediate financial crisis.

Simon attributes the UK's inflation problem to being a price taker in global markets, energy price vulnerabilities, and Brexit's impact on supply chains. Simon argued that the UK's economic model shifted from efficiency-focused neoliberalism to a resilience-focused approach, noting that decades of prioritising efficiency over resilience left the country vulnerable to shocks in finance, energy, and infrastructure. Simon and Nick discusses potential solutions including a 2p income tax rise, with Simon suggesting this could address multiple challenges simultaneously, though he acknowledges the political constraints preventing such measures under current conditions. Simon and Nick also cover Andy Burnham's approach to addressing these issues, with Simon noting Burnham's correct analysis of neoliberalism's failures but expressing concern about the lack of concrete policy proposals beyond identifying problems.

Simon Nixon's Substack column Wealth of Nations is one of the best and most insightful reads on economics and finance. European political economy and geoeconomics. Previously chief Europe commentator @WSJ, chief leader writer @thetimes

Nick Cohen's regular Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond is another must-read.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.