Local elections preview: how bad will it be for Labour?

About this episode

The episode discusses the potential impact of local elections on the Labour party and explores the implications of AI in journalism and cultural shifts in Britain.

In this week’s Q&A: are the local elections about to deliver a political shock? With Labour facing pressure from Reform, the Greens and resurgent local challengers, Michael and Maddie assess whether the party is heading for heavy losses – and what it would mean if even its traditional heartlands start to slip away. Also this week: can journalists trust artificial intelligence? After a high-profile case of AI use in the media, they debate where the line should be drawn – and whether relying on it risks hollowing out real expertise and judgment. And finally: has ‘twee’ taken over? From Paddington to ‘be kind’, they ask whether a softer, more infantilised tone is crowding out serious debate – and what that says about modern Britain. 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 . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Michael, Maddie

Topics covered

• local elections
• Labour party
• political analysis
• artificial intelligence
• media ethics
• modern Britain
• cultural commentary

Keywords

• local elections
• Labour
• Reform
• Greens
• artificial intelligence
• media
• modern Britain
• political shock

Sponsors

Spectator

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labour, Reform, Greens

Places: Britain

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