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The Lowdown from Nick Cohen

The Lowdown from Nick Cohen

Auteur(s): Nick Cohen
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Get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen as he investigates a world that seems to get ever more crazy, with leading commentators, columnists and politicians.


Each week, leading commentator Nick Cohen talks to the country's leading movers and shakers - to cut the through much of the noise and commentary that passes for so much political discourse these days. Nick - a long-term columnist for The Observer and The Spectator - teams up with other commentators, journalists, authors and politicians to make sense of our ever stranger and troubling world. Nick aims to help keep you sane! So please get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen and subscribe to his Substack column - Writing from London.

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  • Christmas special with Rev Richard Coles

    Christmas special with Rev Richard Coles
    Dec 22 2025
    A Lowdown Christmas special with Rev. Richard ColesRichard Coles is a man of many parts and many talents - a former rock star turned vicar, who inspired the BBC TV series "Rev" and continues to be a prominent figure in religious and media circles, presenting radio shows and writing thrillers. With Lowdown host Nick Cohen, Richard explores the declining role of Christianity in Britain, with discussions about the changing nature of religious practice and the tension between moderate and more politically charged forms of faith.The pair talk about the relationship between religion and politics, particularly focusing on how Christianity is used as an identity marker and the challenges faced by institutions like the Church of England in addressing societal changes. Richard and Nick examine the current state of modern conservatism, discussing its shift towards destructive politics and the decline of the centre-right in Britain.Declining Christianity in Modern BritainRichard and Nick also discuss the declining role of Christianity in Britain, noting a drop from 71% Christian in the 2001 census to 42% in 2021. Richard explores the tension between those with a part-time faith who attend Christmas services and committed Christians who hold strong beliefs.Christianity, Politics, and Social ChangeRichard and Nick discuss the relationship between religion and politics, particularly focusing on how some people use Christianity as a marker of identity against liberalism and Islam. Richard explains that while many people affiliate with Christianity for social reasons, true faith involves transformation and challenge. The conversation then shifted to the Anglican Church's stance on same-sex marriage, with Richard noting that while the Church has tentatively approved blessings for same-sex couples, conservative elements are pushing back against this progress. They discuss the rise of post-liberalism in both America and Britain, with Nick suggesting that homophobia is a key driver of this movement, which Richard agrees was often true.Conservative Church's LGBTQ+ OppositionNick Cohen and Richard Coles discuss the Conservative grouping within the Church of England, particularly Holy Trinity in Brompton, London,, which has opposed LGBTQ+ inclusion and embraces a pessimistic, ahistorical view of Christianity. They highlight the influence of figures like Paul Marshall, who owns media outlets critical of the Church of England, and connect this movement to broader right-wing ideologies. The conversation touches on how these groups have shifted rapidly, becoming increasingly hostile to LGBTQ+ individuals and embracing conspiracy theories.Decline of Center-Right in BritainNick and Richard discuss the decline of the centre-right in Britain, noting how extreme positions attract more attention and funding, particularly from the American market. They highlighted the increasing polarisation and rancour in political discourse, comparing it to historical conflicts like the Wars of the Roses. Richard shared his experiences as a vicar, including conducting services like a "Blue Christmas" for those who find the holiday season difficult. They also discussed the challenges faced by the Anglican Church in reconciling its traditional views with the changing societal norms on issues like gay marriage. Nick expresses concerns about the future of institutions like the Church of England and the BBC, while Richard suggested that such institutions might be missed once they are gone.Read all about it!The Rev. Richard Coles is an author, radio presenter and a former 1980's rock star - one half of the 1980's pop duo sensation - The Communards (with Jimmy Somerville) and, before then, Bronski Beat! Richard's latest thriller is Murder at the Monastery: A Canon Clement MysteryNick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 min
  • We're now in Trump's cross-hairs

    We're now in Trump's cross-hairs
    Dec 15 2025
    Trump and MAGA see European values and societies as the real enemies


    Nick Cohen talks to the leading US commentator Charlie Sykes about the impact of the highly controversial US National Security Strategy 2025 which has overturned 80 years of post-war security strategy and threatens the very social and political fabric of Europe, as well as its security.


    Incredibly, in this document, the US says it will support nationalist far right parties in overturning European governments and says it will do all it can to destroy the European Union. The document - described as "obscene" by one former US ambassador to the EU - also strikes a dagger to the heart of NATO, clearly marking out its former security partners in the Alliance as the real enemies while failing to criticise the brazen illegality and aggression of Putin's Russia.


    The US has "switched sides" to stand shoulder to shoulder with our enemies


    Charlie's stark conclusion: "This is what they're saying to the entire world. And again, the loathing for the democracies of Western Europe, the loathing for the allies who have been with us since World War II really can't be overstated. It is deep and, quite frankly, there has to come a moment when I think the rest of the world has to say that the United States has switched sides."


    Discussion summary


    Charlie and Nick discuss the implications of the new strategy for American foreign policy, particularly regarding relations with Russia and Europe. The discussion explores how the strategy aligns with Moscow's vision and promotes radical right-wing parties, while contrasting conservative reactions between the US and UK. The conversation concluded with an examination of Trump's presidency and its potential dangers, including immigration policies, weaponisation of justice departments, and the broader implications for American democracy and political norms.


    Read all about it!


    Charlie Sykes @SykesCharlie is a leading highly respected United States conservative political commentator who was formerly editor-in-chief and founder of the highly influential website The Bulwark. Charlie has been a leading Never Trump Conservative since Trump stood for the presidency in 2015. Charlie's Substack - To the contrary is a must read, and his regular podcast - also called To the contrary - a must listen. He has also been a columnist and author for the progressive channel MSNBC.


    Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Voir plus Voir moins
    36 min
  • Guilty as charged! Labour's threat to juries

    Guilty as charged! Labour's threat to juries
    Dec 8 2025


    Labour's threat to the ancient right of Trial by Jury


    Nick Cohen and Francis FitzGibbon KC - a prominent barrister and former chair of the Criminal Bar Association - discuss the proposal by Labour politicians, including Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, to restrict the right to trial by jury, which Nick finds astonishing given Starmer's previous advocacy for human rights and anti-racism. Francis argues against the proposed changes, which Nck thinks could expose ethnic minority defendants to unchecked racism. Francis argues that once the politicians have removed the right to trial by jury - it will be gone for ever.



    Throwing out the baby with the bathwater! Attacking jury trials to deal with deepening courts crisis


    The discussion focuses on the legal system's backlog crisis, with Francis describing it as a disaster with 80,000 cases and delays extending to 2030. Nick and Francis discuss the report by former Appeal Court judge Sir Brian Leveson which Francis criticises for recommending strict curtailment of jury trials, a proposal he viewed as unnecessary and ineffective. Nick raises concerns about the independence of judges reviewing jury trials, suggesting that judges might be inclined to support removing juries from complex cases. Francis argues that judges are no better than juries in investigating human behaviour and coming to the right verdict.


    Juries, Francis FiztGibbon KCargues, are not just vital for the administration of justice - they give ordinary members of the public a stake in the system of rules and laws by which they are governed.


    Read all about it!


    Francis FitzGibbon KC was chair of the Criminal Bar Association (2016-2017) and has a wide-ranging and diverse trial practice covering all types of serious crime (prosecuting and defending). High profile cases include R. v Marten (gross-negligence manslaughter of a baby), R. Mohammadi (the Colindale allotment murder) and R v Alemi (fraud by successfully working as a psychiatrist with forged educational certificates). Francis has been recognised as a leading barrister in Crime for many years (Tier 2 Silk), and is ranked in the Legal 500, as ‘a highly intelligent Silk’.


    Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Voir plus Voir moins
    38 min
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