The UK is the no-can-do nation
From The Lowdown from Nick Cohen by Nick Cohen
April 27, 2026 · 43 min · Season 1 · Episode 128
About this episode
Nick Cohen discusses the challenges facing Britain with journalist John Kampfner, focusing on his book about successful democratic governance in addressing long-term issues.
Is there are braver new world out there for Brits or they doomed for ever to be the no-can-do nation? Nick Cohen talks to journalist and author, John Kampfner, about his book "Brave a New World," which examines democratic governments that successfully address long-term challenges like aging populations, renewable energy, and housing. Kampfner highlights Japan's approach to demographic change through cross-party collaboration, insurance systems, and integrating older citizens into mainstream society. Climate change, low birth rate amd and ageing populations, the dangerous instability of the US - these are are all existential issues some nations are grasping while others are ducking them, or tip-toeing around them. Nick and John discuss Britain's failure to address such huge issues issues, particularly under Keir Starmer's government, which Kampfner criticises for adopting a cautious, incremental approach that avoids bold leadership. The failure is all the more mysterious when taking into acccount the huge landslide majority won by Labour at the last general election. They explore how Britain's political culture and journalistic practices create barriers to addressing long-term…
People in this episode
Host: Nick Cohen
Guest: John Kampfner
Topics covered
- political culture
- long-term challenges
- democratic governance
- leadership
- climate change
- aging population
- renewable energy
Keywords
- Brave a New World
- John Kampfner
- politics
- leadership
- climate change
- aging population
- renewable energy
- Keir Starmer
- Britain
- democracy
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Brave a New World
Places: Britain, Japan, US
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