Unfashionably Internationalist: Recent Episodes
Phil Doré
What do you do when your principles are even less fashionable than your haircut? This is a podcast about staying true to internationalist principles in age where nationalism is on the rise.
Hosted by Phil Doré: mental health nurse, Green Party campaigner and former national organiser of Wales for Europe.
Harry Leslie Smith was called the "the world's oldest rebel." He grew up in the Great Depression and served in World War Two. At the age of 86 he became an unlikely voice for social justice and against austerity. His son John Smith joins me to talk about his legacy.
In this episode I'm joined by Jackie Jones, former Labour MEP for Wales, and newly-elected chair of Wales for Europe. She talks about the pathway back to rejoining the European Union.
Plaid Cymru and the Greens are teaming to form the Common Ground Alliance for next year's council elections in Cardiff. Anthony Slaughter of the Wales Green Party and Rhys ab Owen MS of Plaid Cymru join me to talk about how it'll work.
Adam Radford of the Centrist Dads podcast and Neil Schofield-Hughes join me to discuss Keir Starmer's recent performance at the Labour Party conference.
Phil Burton-Cartledge joins me to discuss his new book Falling Down: The Conservative Party and the Decline of Tory Britain. He argues that, despite their current hegemony, demographic changes mean that in the long-term they're doomed. What does this mean for hopes of getting them out at the next general election?
We keep hearing, "we need to learn to live with covid" but what does that really mean? Alaskan lawyer Libby Bakalar joins me as we discuss a former friend of mine who became a leading figure in the UK anti-lockdown movement, and about the efforts by summer festivals to reopen with covid procautions in place.
What are the issues facing EU citizens living in the UK, or UK citizens living in the EU, now that we've left? Wiard Sterk, of campaign groups the 3 Million and Wales for Europe, and of the advocacy charity Settled, talks me through it.
In a podcasting personnel swap, Adam Radford of the Centrist Dads podcast joins me to talk about Labour's surprise win in the Batley and Spen by-election
Last week the Lib Dems pulled off a surprise by election win in one of the safest Tory seats in the country. Former Lib Dem councillor and former mayor of Cardigan Mark Cole joins me to discuss how they did it, and what it might mean for declining Tory support in the Home Counties.
At the G7 summit a row has broken out over Brexit, the Northern Ireland Protocol and, of all things, sausages. I'm joined by Cardiff for Europe chair and former civil servant Neil Schofield-Hughes and Sinn Fein campaigner Cormac Begley.
In a week where Labour suffered a humiliating defeat in Hartlepool, they also won the Welsh election. Senedd candidate Sally Stephenson and former Wales for Europe director Peter Gilbey join me to discuss why the polls were so different between Wales and England.
Cardiff for Europe chair Neil Schofield-Hughes and former Wales for Europe director Peter Gilbey join me to discuss this week's upcoming election in Wales. Will Labour maintain their dominance, or will they be squeezed by Plaid Cymru and the Senedd? Can the Lib Dems keep their remaining seat, and will smaller parties like the Greens and Abolish the Assembly gain representation?
Alaskan lawyer Libby Bakalar joins me to discuss Derek Chauvin's conviction for the murder of George Floyd. We talked about justice, accountability, and why the two aren't the same thing.
Marçal Escartin and Marta Gallego of Jovent Republica join me to discuss Catalonia's struggle for independence.
Eurovision is back this year after being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. You're probably thinking, "Eurovision's all political, and the UK is going to get punished because of Brexit," but is that true? I'm joined by Eurovision fans Drifa Arnadottir in Iceland and Kamilla Safiyllina in Russia. We discussed how this year's contest contains multiple political controversies - about nationalism, feminism, LGBT rights and even Satanism - but funnily enough, not about Brexit.
During the episode we mentioned a documentary about Israeli peace activists by the Icelandic band Hatari. If you want to check out the documentary you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tudxTS9s5ew&t=1s&ab_channel=IcelandMusicNews
How can we rebuild progressive internationalism after Brexit and the pandemic? This week's guest is Ana Oppenheim of Another Europe is Possible and the Labour Campaign for Free Movement.
As the post-Brexit landscape continues to descend into chaos, I'm joined by Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter and Cardiff for Europe chair Neil Schofield-Hughes. We talked not just about Brexit but also the state of the opinion polls, and the upcoming Welsh Parliament/Senedd election.
Trump is gone, so that means the US political discourse is now perfectly good and normal, right? Libby Bakalar joins me to discuss Nazi licence plates, and how two Alaskan attorneys general have resigned in quick succession due to sexual misconduct allegations. We also talk about the power of social media to take down evildoers.
Wine wholesaler Daniel Lambert recently went viral on Twitter after he described the chaos of trying to import wines after Brexit. He talks about the challenges he's facing, and how the UK government still isn't listening.
As the UK finally leaves the Brexit transition and problems are already mounting at the borders, what does this mean for devolved nations like Wales and Northern Ireland? I'm joined by Sally Stephenson of Wales for Europe and the Welsh Lib Dems, and Cormac Begley of Armagh Sinn Fein.
The day after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol building, Alaskan lawyer Libby Bakalar joined me to talk about recent events, as well as the legacy of her grandfather, who was imprisoned in the 1920s for trade union organising. What lessons can we learn for today from his life?
Campaigners Sally Stephenson and Neil Schofield Hughes join me to talk about the chaos we're all enduring this Christmas. We also discuss what campaigners should be doing in the year ahead, and because it's Christmas we nominate some Christmas movies and describe what's giving us hope in these hopeless times.
Yes Cymru chair Sion Jobbins joins me to talk about why I've changed my mind, and now support the idea of an independent Wales.
Campaigning can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be both mentally and physically demanding. Councillors Emma Sandrey (Lib Dem, Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn) and Alun Williams (Plaid Cymru, Aberystwyth Bronglais) join me to talk about maintaining your own wellbeing while trying to change the world.
Alaskan lawyer and electoral reform campaigner Libby Bakalar joins me to look back on the fortnight since Donald Trump lost the US Presidential election.
As we head closer to a hard Brexit, former Wales for Europe director Peter Gilbey joins me to discuss whether either a People's Vote or a soft Brexit ever had a chance of success.
Recent opinion polls have shown a big drop in public support for Brexit. "Reluctant leaver turned reluctant remainer" David Benton joins me to discuss why that might be.
Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter joins me to discuss why the Greens will campaign for Welsh independence in any future referendum. We also discuss the Green Transition Fund and his hopes for Green gains in next year's Senedd elections.
As the race for the White House enters its final fortnight, Alaska lawyer Libby Bakalar joins me to talk about the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, the hopes for unseating Donald Trump, and a bizarre saga involving the Mayor of Anchorage.
Last week a government minister suggested businesses have their "head in the sand" over Brexit. Shopkeeper and campaigner Sally Stephenson talks about how her business has struggled to adapt to Brexit and covid, and how the government has responded with indifference.
Alaskan lawyer and campaigner Libby Bakalar joins me as we react to the news of the covid super-spreader that has infected so many people at the White House, including Donald Trump.
The UK government's Internal Market Bill threatens to reinstall a hard border in Ireland and undermine devolved government in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Could this trigger a backlash that results in the end of the UK? Featuring Sinn Fein campaigner Cormac Begley and Cardiff for Europe chair Neil Schofield-Hughes.
Here's an effect of the pandemic you might not expect. Reports of ghosts and UFOs have gone up while we've been in lockdown. Paranormal researcher Hayley Stevens joins me to talk about why that might be.
What is about powerful women of colour that causes a certain type of white, conservative male to become, dare we say it, triggered? Alaskan lawyer Libby Bakalar talks about the nomination of Kamala Harris for VP and that Ben Shapiro rant about Cardi B.
Former civil servant Neil Schofield-Hughes talks about the potential for disaster after the Brexit transition period, and what the Russia Report says about the state of our democracy.
Last week Poland's hard-right President Andrzej Duda was re-elected after a campaign riddled with LGBT-phobia and antisemitism. Polish activist Ana Oppenheim discusses the implications, and highlights some of the grassroots campaigns who are fighting his agenda.
While in lockdown we've been watching Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga. How accurate is its depiction of Iceland? Drifa Arnardottir tells us what the movie gets right and wrong. Meanwhile, Kamilla Saffiyllina discusses the film's portrayal of LGBT Russians. Contains movie spoilers.
Libby Bakalar is a lawyer suing the State of Alaska after being fired for her liberal views. She talks about free speech, electoral reform, Black Lives Matter and the urgent need to defeat Trump in November.
Sinn Fein activist Cormac Begley joins me to make the case for a united Ireland. He talks about the effects of Brexit and coronavirus on the issue, the economic case for Irish unity, and how the fears of the Unionist community might be assuaged.
Ece Temelkuran is the author of How to Lose a Country: The Seven Steps From Democracy to Dictatorship. She gives some fascinating (and surprisingly hopeful) thoughts on the reactions by right-wing populist leaders to coronavirus and Black Lives Matter.
I'm Indycurious, but not Indyconvinced. I invited Sion Jobbins, chair of Yes Cymru, to convince me of the case for Welsh independence.
An interview with Labour activist Ana Oppenheim, who is standing for election to Momentum's National Coordinating Group. She talks about how the Labour left needs to change in the wake of the covid crisis and the general election defeat.
Inspired by a bizarre encounter with North Korea-worshipping hipsters, Kamilla Safyllina and I chat about the misremembering of history, whether it's Russian nostalgia for the Soviet Union, or British amnesia over crimes such as the Suez Invasion.
As Italy starts to ease its lockdown restrictions, Jóna Stefansdottir joins me from Rome to compare our respective experiences in Italy and the UK. Follow Jóna on Instagram @romephase2
Why did Boris Johnson miss so many COBRA meetings? What was Dominic Cummings doing at SAGE? Former civil servant Neil Schofield-Hughes reads the runes and tells us what we should be doing about it.
Hope Not Hate recently called for "Nazi Satanist" group the Order of 9 Angles to be banned. Is there really a Satanist conspiracy, or just another moral panic, or something altogether more complicated? Practicing occultist David Benton talks me through it.
Inspired by a bizarre conspiracy theory about Ace of Base, Kamilla Safiyllina and I discuss when pop stars have ended up supporting fascism or authoritarian rulers. We talk about Morrissey as well as Russian supergroup Putin Team and rapper Timati.
Few dispute that the lockdown is necessary, but what are the civil liberties implications of the new coronavirus legislation? Lawyer David Hughes joins me to think through this topic.
[Note: this podcast should not be treated as legal advice.]
Drífa Þöll Arnardóttir and Kamilla Safiyllina join me from Iceland and Russia to talk about the cancellation of Eurovision along with, well, pretty much everything else. We also talk about our coping strategies to get through the pandemic.
Drífa Þöll Arnardóttir and Kamilla Safiyllina join me to talk about this year's Eurovision - the songs, the upcoming Netflix movie, and how the contest is likely to be impacted by the pandemic.
Ana Oppenheim of Another Europe is Possible and the Labour Campaign for Free Movement talks about defending immigrants' rights after Brexit.
Whitehall seems to be in chaos, with ministers, civil servants and special advisors apparently at war with each other. Former civil servant and policy consultant Neil Schofield-Hughes joins me for a spot of kreminology about what might be going on in the corridors of power.
Ece Temelkuran is a Turkish novelist and political commentator. We discussed her non-fiction book How To Lose a Country: The 7 Steps From Democracy to Dictatorship. How under threat is democracy in the UK and US? Her answers might alarm you.
I met up with Green Party deputy leader to chat about the climate emergency, a Green New Deal, Brexit and Piers Morgan's small sausage.
A report from a peace vigil in Cardiff on the night of Brexit. Featuring Wales for Europe campaigners Helen Wales and Sally Stephenson, and Jo Stevens MP.
A short episode reviewing the Grassroots for Europe conference, which brought together campaigners to talk about what the Remain movement should do after Brexit Day.
This week's guest is the appropriately named Helen Wales, chair of Cardiff for Europe and Deputy Chair of Wales for Europe. What will Remainers be doing after the UK leaves the EU? And what will this mean for Wales?
This week's guest is James Patrick, co-creator of The Fall podcast. He talks about how to prep for a no-deal Brexit or any other civil emergency.
In 2019 Icelandic "anticapitalist BDSM techno performance art" band Hatari used the Eurovision stage to troll the Israeli government. Along the way they highlighted the human side of a tragic conflict. With guest Drífa Þöll Arnardóttir.
Between 2014 and 2019 the Russian-Ukraine conflict played out on the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest. Russian Eurovision fan Kamilla Safiyllina joins me to tell a tale of war, nationalism and men in giant hamster wheels.
Featuring Lib Dem candidate Sally Stephenson and Cardiff for Europe campaigner David Hughes, as we mull over the election results, and what it means for Remainers.
Interview with Green Party candidate and Extinction Rebellion activist Heather Mack, as well as a look at how protests can be done well or badly.
Interview with lawyer and Cardiff for Europe campaigner David Hughes, who resigned from the Conservative Party over Brexit.
Coverage of the Wales Green Party general election launch. Includes intervews with Anthony Slaughter and Amelia Womack.
Interview with Sally Stephenson, who went from being a shopkeeper to a political candidate in the general election.
Remain campaigner Phil Dore interviews "reluctant Leaver" David Benton to find out whether we can heal the divides over Brexit.