In debates around the rights of transgender people, a charge often levelled at those fighting for trans inclusion is that their arguments rest on a denial of biological facts. In this episode of Downstream, Michael Walker speaks to biologist Julia Serano about what so-called ‘gender critical’ thinkers get wrong about sex and gender, and whether […]
Aaron Bastani speaks to George Monbiot about COP26, which countries are climate change leaders and how the mainstream media enabled a culture of climate denial when it mattered most.
From ancient myths through to the Batman trilogy, pop culture is littered with disabled people and those with facial differences being cast as villains. Why does disability feature so heavily in literary and cinematic traditions, and how has this hypervisiblity had the ironic effect of erasing the experiences of disabled people? Ash Sarkar is joined […]
They are claimed from all sides and by all parties. But who are Britain’s ex-service personnel? What do they want? And what do their politics – whether conservative, liberal or socialist – tell us about Britain as a post-imperial country? Aaron Bastani speaks to Joe Glenton, journalist and author of ‘Veteranhood’.
From food scarcity to extreme weather, climate change will affect the lives of billions of people around the world. But at what point are its future horrors unacceptable? And how should that shape climate politics now? Aaron Bastani speaks to author Andreas Malm about the limits of today’s activism and what is to be done […]
If neoliberalism really is over then what comes after? And could this new political and economic moment, where a larger state is embraced, see a turn right rather than left? Aaron Bastani speaks to sociologist Paolo Gerbaudo about his new book, ‘The Great Recoil’, examining how ideas of protection, control and state intervention are replacing […]
Aaron Bastani meets Nina Turner, co-chair of the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, to discuss the American left under the Biden Presidency, the prospect of Donald Trump running in 2024 and how American workers can build a more progressive politics.
At Labour Party Conference 2021 Ash Sarkar & Zarah Sultana MP shared fish and chips by Brighton Pier. They discussed why the Labour Party is so boring, being a muslim woman of colour on the left and trans rights amongst other things. Batter not miss it!
Is ‘consent’ the only dividing line between good sex and bad sex? Ash Sarkar is joined by Rachel Thompson to discuss her new book Rough, and the politics of pornography, kink, and sex ambivalent feminism.
Ash Sarkar is joined by ACFM’s Jeremy Gilbert to discuss euphoria, liberation, and the wisdom in the rave.
Since 2010 Len McCluskey has been the general secretary of Unite, one of Britain’s largest trade unions. That changes this year with the election of his successor – a three-way race between Gerard Coyne, Sharon Graham and today’s guest, Steve Turner.
The murder of Daniel Morgan in 1987 is back in the spotlight with the official inquiry report soon to be published. Ash Sarkar discusses the case with Daniel’s brother, Alastair Morgan.
Check your privilege. Google it. Stay in your lane. Though Black Lives Matter has politicised a new generation into antiracism, it’s not actually clear what white people are meant to do next. Ash Sarkar is joined by Emma Dabiri to talk about why liberal identity politics are a dead end, why allyship is a nonsense, […]
In March this year the UK’s new military strategy declared Israel remains a ‘key strategic partner’. But what does that mean, and where does it sit in relation to Israel and its war on Palestine? Aaron Bastani is joined by Mark Curtis, editor and co-founder of Declassified UK.
While Labour lost council seats across the North and Midlands, it held firm in Preston. Can only municipal socialism and the ‘Preston Model’ now save the party? Aaron Bastani is joined by Matthew Brown, Labour leader of Preston council.
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