The Political Dispatch

Over a million children in England have an Education, Health and Care Plan. Councils are projected to hold £6 billion in SEND deficits by the end of this year. And a system designed to protect the most vulnerable children has become, for many families, an exhausting legal battle just to access basic support. In this episode, Tom sits down with Caitlin Webb, chief reporter at the Local Government Chronicle, to examine the UK's SEND crisis and whether the government's long-awaited reforms can fix a system that has been breaking for over a decade. They explore the legal weight of Education, Health and Care Plans and why so many families have come to rely on them not as a support tool but as a last resort. Caitlin unpacks the financial pressures bearing down on local authorities, the rise of private equity in specialist education, and the difficult question of whether proposed reforms will genuinely improve outcomes for children or simply remove the protections parents depend on most. The episode closes with two voices that bring the statistics to life. Troy Njenje-Mbanga, who has lived experience of SEND, reflects on what it means to be neurodivergent in a system not designed for you. Eden Byrne speaks about her experience of caring for her brother with SEND, and what society still gets wrong about disability. Further reading from Caitlin Webb at the Local Government Chronicle: SEND reforms — key issues for the Schools White Paper: https://www.lgcplus.com/services/children/send-reforms-key-issues-for-schools-white-paper-19-02-2026/ Will SEND finally be sent in the right direction?: https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc-briefing/will-send-finally-been-sent-in-the-right-direction-23-02-2026/ No guarantee SEND reforms will reduce EHCPs: https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/empowering-communities/no-guarantee-send-reforms-will-reduce-ehcps-15-04-2026/ Listen to related episodes: The Forgotten Generation with Troy Njenje-Mbanga: https://theforgottengenerationpodcast.podbean.com/ Sports For All with Eden Byrne: https://sportsforallpodcast.podbean.com/ Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the Change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the Change. Media Network.

A war in the Middle East. A closed shipping lane. And a chain of consequences that stretches from Irish petrol stations to South Korean chip makers, and from British supermarket shelves to the price of your next laptop. In this episode, Tom, Sidd and Lily trace the true cost of the war with Iran — for the Iranian people, for the world economy, and your everday life. The episode starts with mass protests brutally suppressed by the Iranian regime, Trump's promise that "help is on its way," the coordinated US-Israeli strikes on 28 February, the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — the single most important shipping lane in the world. They examine why, despite weeks of bombardment and repeated claims of victory, the regime remains intact and the Strait remains shut. From there the team maps the ripple effects: fuel protests that have brought Ireland to the edge of political crisis, a fertiliser shortage threatening the spring planting season across the northern hemisphere, a semiconductor supply crunch that could outlast the war itself, and a UK government quietly planning for food shortages by summer. Running beneath all of it, China, quietly filling every vacuum the war creates. Listen to related episodes: The origins of the Iranian war: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/e/irans-reckoning-counter-revolution/ The unravelling of the world order: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/e/if-we-are-not-at-the-table/ Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the Change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the Change. Media Network.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Sidd and Lily turn their attention to Wales, ahead of what many are calling the most consequential Senedd election since devolution began in 1999. For listeners joining from outside the UK, the team starts from the beginning — where Wales is, what shapes it, and why a country of three million people with a language older than most nations on earth has only had its own parliament since the turn of the millennium. It's a story of industrial extraction, cultural resilience, and a referendum won by the slimmest of margins. From there, the team walk through the sweeping changes coming on 7 May: a bigger parliament, a brand new voting system, and sixteen new constituencies, before mapping out a political landscape that would have been unimaginable even five years ago.  Sidd draws a striking comparison between Welsh Labour's decline and the fall of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party after fifty years of unbroken rule, asking whether dominant parties ever truly die. The team profiles all six main parties and looks beyond the election itself to the bigger questions Wales is asking about its democratic future. If you're in Wales and not yet registered to vote, you can do so here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Voter registration closes at 23:59 on 20th April 2026.  Find out more about the parties featured in this episode: Plaid Cymru: https://www.partyof.wales/ Reform Wales: https://www.reformparty.uk/view-pdf/welsh-manifesto Welsh Labour: https://www.welshlabour.wales/manifesto-2026/ Welsh Greens: https://wales.greenparty.org.uk/ Welsh Liberal Democrats: https://www.libdems.wales/ Welsh Conservatives: https://www.conservatives.wales/ Key dates for the 2026 Senedd election: https://research.senedd.wales/research-articles/what-are-the-key-dates-for-the-2026-senedd-election/ Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the Change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the Change. Media Network.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Sidd and Lily dive into what may be the most significant moment in Iranian politics since 1979, the nationwide protests that erupted in late December 2025 and the brutal crackdown that followed. From the closure of Tehran's Grand Bazaar to coordinated demonstrations across all 31 provinces, the team traces how economic grievances over a collapsing currency and runaway inflation rapidly transformed into open calls for regime change. They explore the striking evolution of protest slogans, from demands for economic relief to chants of "Pahlavi will return", and what that shift reveals about the shrinking space for reform within the Islamic Republic. Tom and Sidd place these events in historical context, drawing comparisons to the 1979 revolution, the 2009 Green Movement, and the 2022 Woman Life Freedom protests, while examining the key differences that make this moment distinct. They also unpack the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, Trump's threats, Israel's June 2025 strikes, China's economic lifeline, and Russia's quiet mediation, before laying out three possible scenarios for what comes next. As always, the team urges listeners to stay informed but stay sceptical in an information environment shaped by regime propaganda, opposition messaging, and competing geopolitical agendas. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the Change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the Change. Media Network.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd begin with two recent events from the world’s biggest stages and trace them to a much older story about music and politics. From Billie Eilish’s speech at the Grammys to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show, the team explores how musicians are using their cultural influence to make political statements about identity, injustice, and power. Placing these moments in historical context, they explore a longer tradition of musicians shaping politics: from Billie Holiday and Nina Simone to anti-apartheid anthems and protest music under authoritarian regimes. Along the way, the team considers what role music plays in politics, why musicians provoke such strong reactions, and how it all fits into today's political landscape. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom and Sidd explore a pivotal moment in global politics: the unraveling of the post-Cold War international order.  Drawing on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s powerful speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he invoked Czech dissident Václav Havel’s essay “The Power of the Powerless”, they examine what happens when nations can no longer sustain the lie they’ve been living within. This episode marks the beginning of what Tom and Sidd anticipate will be many discussions in 2026 about the changing world order.  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Sidd, and Lily come together to reflect on the moments that defined 2025. The team looks back on a year marked by upheaval and uncertainty and discuss: The ongoing civil war in Sudan and its humanitarian toll The UK Supreme Court’s ruling on sex and its political implications The death of actor and activist Robert Redford Growing concerns over corruption and declining public trust in India’s political system The continued epidemic of gun violence in the United States Alongside these reflections, the hosts also take time to revisit the episodes that meant the most to them this year: “The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Carter": https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/e/the-life-and-legacy-of-jimmy-carter/ “The Politics of Star Wars”: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/e/the-politics-of-star-wars/ “Lessons in Democracy” featuring Chad Mott: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/e/lessons-in-democracy/ Join the team for a wide-ranging look back at 2025: the stories that mattered, the questions that remain, and the conversations shared on The Political Dispatch. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd turn to two regions whose histories of division continue to shape global politics today: Ireland and the Indian subcontinent. From the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan to the Northern Ireland peace process that culminated in the Good Friday Agreement, the team explores how borders, identity, and political negotiation can fuel conflict or lay the groundwork for reconciliation. Drawing lessons from both regions, the episode considers what these stories reveal about the challenges and possibilities of building lasting peace after deep national division. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network.

In today’s episode, Tom flies solo as he assesses the impact of Zohran Mamdani’s electoral victory for New York Mayor, as well as highlighting Democratic wins in New Jersey, Virginia and California.  Tom starts the show with a retrospective, to a year ago, on election night November 5th 2024, where Donald Trump is on the cusp of victory…  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. You can listen back to previous episodes of the Political Dispatch wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes include Lessons in Conflict and Peace Part 1. The Political Dispatch is a Be the change. Media Network production. 

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd examine the past, present, and potential future of the Israel-Palestine conflict. From the origins of partition to the ongoing humanitarian and political crises in Gaza, the team explores the roots of division, the challenges of peace, and what the latest ceasefire and negotiations could mean for the future of the region. In the second part of this mini-series, the team will look at two other examples where partitions of countries have led to long periods of conflict and internal strife: Northern Ireland and the partition of India and Pakistan. If you'd like to read more, check out The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In today's episode, Tom covers the French Prime Minister's resignation after losing a vote of confidence in Parliament, the far-right rally in London, and also previews an interview Lily has conducted with her Dad about a school shooting in their home town of Evergreen, Colorado. To help discuss the political trouble in France, Tom is joined by Dr Charles Devellennes, a senior lecturer at the University of Kent.  Listen to Lily's interview with her Dad: Evergreen Strong: Lessons from Tragedy, Healing Together, and Building a Better Future You can also listen to Tom's previous interviews with Dr Charles Devellennes in the French Political Dispatch Part 1 and Part 2. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom ,@lilymott3 and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Sidd, Tom, and Lily take a look at the sudden appearance of St George flags popping up across England, Reform UK’s recent party conference in Birmingham, the recent resignation of Angela Rayner (followed by a cabinet reshuffle), and the sacking of the UK’s Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom and @lilymott3. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom and Lily take a deep dive into one of the most significant democratic reforms in recent UK history: lowering the voting age to 16 years-old. From the role of education and political literacy to questions about maturity, motivation, and turnout, Tom and Lily examine the opportunities and concerns posed regarding the potential expansion of the franchise in the UK. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom and @lilymott3. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode, Tom, Lily, and Sidd discuss the evolving and often contentious relationship between Donald Trump and the media. The Political Dispatch team explores recent shifts in the U.S. media landscape, from the cancellation of a top-rated late-night show to the defunding of public radio and changes to the White House press corps. This episode was recorded on 29th July 2025 You can also check out previous episodes related to this topic: Meta, Musk, and the Politics of Social Media: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/e/meta-musk-and-the-politics-of-social-media/ Lessons in Democracy: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/e/lessons-in-democracy/ Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode, Tom, Lily, and Sidd examine a year of unprecedented conflict across Asia. Join the hosts for a sweeping international news bulletin, from the nuclear standoff between India and Pakistan to the escalating war in Gaza, the renewed civil conflict in Myanmar, and a dangerous confrontation between Israel and Iran. With tensions rising in the South China Sea and new border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, this episode explores the structural forces driving Asia’s descent into instability, and what it means for the future of global peace and security. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode, Tom, Lily, and Sidd reflect on the UK’s higher education system at a pivotal moment, as over 800,000 students, including the three of them, graduate from universities across the country. Join the hosts for a deep dive into the financial crisis facing UK universities, as well as a personal reflection on their experiences studying at the School of Journalism, Media and Culture (JOMEC) at Cardiff University. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this special anniversary episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd reflect on one year of podcasting, one year of international politics, and one year of conversations that tried to make sense of it all. From elections and education to Gaza, AI, Star Wars, and everything in between, the team revisits the moments, guests, and episodes that have shaped the show since it launched. We’re so grateful for everyone who’s listened, shared, and supported us this past year. Here’s to more stories, more interviews, and more Political Dispatches to come. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd sit down with Chad Mott, a history and government teacher from Evergreen, Colorado, to talk about the state of public education in the US and what it’s like to teach the next generation of voters in 2025. From students' attitudes on America’s role in the world, to the impacts of the Trump administration on the education system, the conversation explores how high school classrooms are responding to the political tensions shaping the country today. And a little disclaimer... Chad also happens to be Lily’s dad. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

Over 2,000 miles from the UK, Gaza is starving, cut off by an Israeli blockade. In this episode of the Political Dispatch, Tom speaks to Zoe Daniels from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), to discuss the situation on the ground in Gaza. Everyone at the Political Dispatch echoes what the IRC and so many other organisations are calling for: an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of aid into Gaza.  The content of this episode is distressing. Listener discretion is advised. You can find out more about the IRC’s work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) on the IRC’s website: https://www.rescue.org/uk/country/occupied-palestinian-territory-opt You can view the IRC’s emergency watchlist here: https://www.rescue.org/uk/article/10-crises-world-cant-ignore-2025 Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd mark 10 years since Ireland became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. They explore how a conservative, Catholic nation transformed so rapidly, examining the role of activists, the decline of Church influence, and the landmark 2015 referendum. Join the team as they reflect on the global impact of Ireland’s vote, as well as the progress and challenges that remain. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom interviews Fr Damian Howard, the Senior Catholic Chaplain at Oxford University, to talk about the life and legacy of Pope Francis. Tom and Fr Howard discuss the impact of the Jesuit order on Pope Francis’s early life, his early career in Argentina and the papacy. As well as talking about what distinguished the 266th pontiff from his predecessors, Tom and Fr Howard discuss the role the Conclave plays in choosing a new Pope.  Please note: this episode was recorded on 1st May, before the election of Pope Leo XIV. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

To celebrate May 4th, Sidd, Lily and Tom travel to a galaxy far, far away to explore the politics of Star Wars. The franchise’s creator, George Lucas, didn’t just draw on the mythology of Joseph Campbell or the cinematic style of Akira Kurosawa. He also held up a mirror to the politics, economics, and society of 1970s America. The Political Dispatch team discuss the influence of the Vietnam War and Watergate on Lucas’s early writing, how the prequel trilogy reflects the anxieties of the War on Terror, and how a once-great democracy can backslide into tyranny. If you’re celebrating Star Wars Day on May the 4th, here are some of Tom’s recommended viewings: Andor and Rogue One, which explore the rise of the Rebellion in the years leading up to A New Hope The Mandalorian, the hit TV series starring Pedro Pascal as a bounty hunter who discovers a mysterious alien child. The series is set five years after Return of the Jedi Star Wars Visions, Season 2, Episode 9: Aau’s Song, a touching animated tale about a child whose voice holds dangerous power And finally, Tom’s top three Star Wars films: The Empire Strikes Back A New Hope Rogue One Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

Join Sidd, Lily, and Tom for a deep dive into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in global elections. From deepfakes to ballot scanning, The Political Dispatch team breaks down how AI is shaping elections. With examples from South Korea, India, the United States, and beyond, they explore AI's impact on accessibility, efficiency, and disinformation—and what it all means for the future of democracy. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

Join Sidd, Lily, and Tom for political news from around the world. In this episode, The Political Dispatch team focuses on Serbia, Turkey, and Canada. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

Join Sidd, Lily, and Tom for Part 2 of a special two-part series exploring what life is like in the United States now that Donald Trump has returned to office. This episode features Amelia Southern Uribe and Bryson Austin, who are two new members of Be the Change. Media Network and the hosts of the upcoming podcast The Ozark Agenda. If you have not listened to Part 1 of this series, please listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other podcasting platforms. This episode explores the key differences between Trump’s first and second administrations and what they mean for the future of the United States, as well as guidance for those feeling hopeless or disillusioned in America today. This episode was recorded on March 19, 2025, and aired on March 28, 2025. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. To get connected Amelia or Bryson, please find them on Instagram, as well: @ameliasouthernnn and @iambrysonaustin. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

Join Sidd, Lily, and Tom for Part 1 of a special two-part series exploring what life is like in the United States now that Donald Trump has returned to office. This episode features Amelia Southern Uribe and Bryson Austin, who are two new members of Be the Change. Media Network and the hosts of the upcoming podcast The Ozark Agenda. This episode delves into the political climate, policy changes, and social impact of Trump’s second term. From firsthand experiences on the ground to an international perspective on US politics, the team unpacks what this new chapter means for democracy, activism, and everyday life. This episode was recorded on March 19, 2025, and aired on March 21, 2025. Stay tuned for Part 2 on March 28, 2025! Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. To get connected Amelia or Bryson, please find them on Instagram, as well: @ameliasouthernnn and @iambrysonaustin. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

Join Sidd, Lily, and Tom as they dive into Channel 4’s Gen Z Trends, Truth and Trust report, exploring the key themes shaping the views of young people in the UK. From a fragmented media landscape and declining trust in institutions to gender divides and shifting political ideologies, the team unpacks what the findings mean for society, democracy, and the future of news consumption. This episode was recorded on February 16, 2025 and aired on February 21, 2025. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

Join Tom Spare for a solo deep-dive into Donald Trump’s inaugural address as the 47th President of the United States. Donald Trump is now the second president in US history to serve two non-consecutive terms. President Trump now holds another distinction: at 78 years and 220 days old, he’s the oldest person to assume the office, taking the title from his predecessor, Joe Biden. Trump is also the first convicted felon to hold the presidency. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Tom, please find him on Instagram: @sparetom. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

Join Sidd, Lily and Tom as they delve into some of the most pressing current events shaping the digital and political landscape, including Meta’s controversial decision to remove third-party fact-checkers, Elon Musk’s growing influence in global democracies, and the wider implications of online political speech. This episode was recorded on January 9, 2025. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

At the end of December, Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away at the age of 100. In this episode, Sidd, Lily and Tom discuss the life, political career, and legacy of the peanut farmer’s son who became President and redefined the post-presidency career. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

2024 was heralded as the year of the election, however many democracies around the world find themselves in political crisis. France, Germany, South Korea, the United States of America and the United Kingdom have seen huge political changes over the last twelve months. In this episode, The Political Dispatch team discuss whether this is simply a blip of our time or if we are seeing the terminal decline of democracy itself. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

On this episode of The Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they take a deep dive into COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11-22, 2024. To learn more about the heat pumps mentioned in the episode, visit: https://www.getaheatpump.org.uk/. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

This episode is the second in a two-part series focused on the 2024 presidential election in the United States of America. Join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they reflect on the election results and discuss the implications for the future of the US. This episode was recorded on November 9, 2024. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

This episode is the first in a two-part series focused on the 2024 presidential election in the United States of America. Join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they record from Cardiff, London, and Atlanta, Georgia and share their thoughts on the presidential race ahead of Election Day in the US. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

On this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom Spare interviews Dr Kathryn Simpson, who is an associate professor in the politics and economics of the European Union and the Director of Research at Keele Business School. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

On this episode of The Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they discuss recent political updates from around the world. This episode features a review of events that occurred between early August and late September 2024. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

On this week's episode of The Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they discuss the political, economic, military, civic, and environmental implications of artificial intelligence. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

On this week's episode of The Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they discuss the tumultuous and historic 54 days in the USA between Donald Trump's conviction and the nomination of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In part two of The French Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they dive into the recently concluded elections in France with Dr. Charles Devellennes, a senior lecturer in political and social thought at the University of Kent. To get connected with Dr. Devellennes, please email him at [email protected]. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

In part one of The French Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they dive into the recently concluded elections in France with Dr. Charles Devellennes, a senior lecturer in political and social thought at the University of Kent. To get connected with Dr. Devellennes, please email him at [email protected]. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

On this week's episode of The Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they discuss the results of the 2024 UK General Election. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.

Welcome to The Political Dispatch! On this podcast, Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare explore the world of politics and policy through conversation. In today's fast-paced news cycle, it's easy to get lost in the details. Our goal is to step back and look at the broader trends shaping our society. Whether you are a policy wonk, a political junkie, or just someone who wants to stay informed, this podcast is your go-to source for thoughtful and engaging discussions on the issues that matter most. If you are interested in reading or listening to Tom's recommendations, find them here: Why is this Lying Bastard Lying to Me? by Rob Burley All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain’s Political Class by Tim Shipman The History of Modern Britain by Andrew Marr Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.