Coexistence or 'dominance'? The political Islam debate

About this episode

The episode discusses the political Islam debate, the future of the Church of England, and Angela Rayner's role in the Labour Party's future.

This week: the row over political Islam and a bigger question beneath it. After Nick Timothy’s comments on public prayer in Trafalgar Square caused a political firestorm, Michael and Madeline ask whether Britain can still have an honest debate about faith, free speech and the public square. Where is the line between coexistence and an assertion of dominance – and are politicians too afraid to confront it? Also on the podcast: the future of the Church of England. With Sarah Mullally set to become the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, they debate what her leadership might mean for an institution struggling with bureaucracy, declining trust and questions over its moral authority. And finally: Angela Rayner and the battle for Labour’s future. As tensions grow within the party over migration and economic policy, they ask whether Rayner is already positioning herself as Starmer’s successor – and why her political instincts may prove sharper than the Prime Minister’s. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts…

People in this episode

Hosts: Michael, Madeline

Topics covered

• political Islam
• faith
• free speech
• Church of England
• Angela Rayner
• Labour Party
• public debate

Keywords

• political Islam
• public prayer
• Church of England
• Angela Rayner
• Labour Party
• free speech
• coexistence
• dominance

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Church of England, Labour Party

More episodes of Quite right!

• Brexit 10 years on – have we changed our minds? · June 11, 2026 · 19 min
• ‘It will be a bloodbath’ – why Starmer won’t go quietly · June 9, 2026 · 30 min
• ‘DEI mindset is killing people’ – Henry Nowak & Britain’s two-tier policing crisis · June 2, 2026 · 38 min
• When was Britain’s finest hour? – and how to beat Burnham · May 28, 2026 · 33 min
• Peter Murrell's mafia-style SNP – and inside the Reform-Restore feud · May 26, 2026 · 50 min
• If Burnham loses Makerfield, Labour is finished – Maurice Glasman | Part two · May 21, 2026 · 28 min