Jan Macvarish, Events Director at the Free Speech Union, joins Hilary and Sebastian to discuss the work she's involved and why it's more important than ever to defend the right to freedom of speech.

Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Recommendations:
Bearded Theory Festival: https://beardedtheory.co.uk/
Democrafest: https://www.democrafest.co.uk/
The Fifth Step - https://sohoplace.org/shows/the-fifth-step/

Hilary looks at the ever growing problem of students using large laguage models to help them with assignments. Sebastian shares his recent experience of Norway's Constitution Day and gets a little help from a special guest, Stine Nygaard.

Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Sebastian explains what's in the UK-EU pact and is particularly interested in the e-gates. Hilary has been looking at David Gauke's prison review.

Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Author Ben Cobley joins Hilary and Sebastian to discuss his book The Progress Trap. He explains why so many progressives think the rest of the world needs to catch up with them.

Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Recommendations:

The Progress Trap - Ben Cobley: https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=9781509567621

SDP members can get 40% off by using the discount code in the newsletter.

The Tribe - Ben Cobley

The Flashman Series - George MacDonald Fraser

The Power Broker - Robert Caro

Following on from a period of elections in the UK, Australia, and Canada, Sebastian looks at different voting systems and asks if there is a better way. Hilary shares feedback from viewers.Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Hilary and Sebastian are joined by Tanya de Grunwald, HR commentator and host of the This Isn't Working podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@This-Isnt-Working. They discuss where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion went wrong and why it's not as clear cut as you might think.

Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Sebastian looks at the recent debate between Douglas Murray and Dave Smith about the Isreal-Gaza war and asks if podcasts are starting to deteriorate. Hilary explains how the labour force numbers are measured.

Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

In a special St George’s Day edition, Hilary and Sebastian are joined by Professor Peter Ramsay, Professor of Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science.We discuss the meaning of the nation. Why have our political classes embraced a global approach to everything, preferring Davos to Westminster? Do ordinary citizens by contrast still value the concept of a sovereign nation state? Is the debate on a Great Repeal Act useful? Can we reclaim the nation in a way that revives a true democratic spirit?In Culture Club, lest anyone think the episode is too England-centric, Peter talks about new folk music including Scotland’s Ryan Young.Get in touch:sdp.org.ukhilary.salt@sdp.org.uksebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk