On Politics: The Death of the Conservative Party?

On Politics: The Death of the Conservative Party?

Author: The London Review of Books October 1, 2025 Duration: 55:22
In its nearly two hundred years of existence the Conservative Party has survived through a combination of protean adaptability and ruthlessness, not least in its willingness to change leaders. Yet under its present leader, Kemi Badenoch, the party often described (by itself, at least) as the natural party of government appears to be facing a unique moment of peril. Polling now places Reform UK as the leading party of the right while Badenoch has presided over a steady stream of high-profile defections to Nigel Farage’s party, including one of her own MPs, and enormous losses in local elections. For this episode James Butler is joined by Anthony Seldon, a prolific historian of recent Tory administrations, and Henry Hill, deputy editor of Conservative Home, to consider what or who is to blame for the party’s dire situation and whether it will still be around to celebrate its bicentennial in 2034. From the LRB Subscribe to the LRB: ⁠⁠https://lrb.me/subslrbpod Close Readings podcast: ⁠https://lrb.me/crlrbpod⁠ LRB Audiobooks: ⁠https://lrb.me/audiobookslrbpod⁠ Bags, binders and more at the LRB Store: ⁠https://lrb.me/storelrbpod⁠ Get in touch: podcasts@lrb.co.uk

Each week, The LRB Podcast extends the long-form, inquisitive spirit of the London Review of Books into a conversational format. Hosts Thomas Jones and Malin Hay guide discussions that delve into the essays and ideas animating Europe’s leading magazine of culture and ideas, creating a space where complex thoughts on society, art, history, and literature are explored with depth and clarity. The rhythm of the podcast includes a dedicated fortnightly episode, ‘On Politics,’ hosted by James Butler, which sharpens the focus on the political forces and theories shaping our current moment. Listening feels like joining a nuanced, ongoing conversation where arguments are carefully constructed and perspectives are challenged. It’s a natural companion for anyone who believes that understanding the world requires patience, critical thinking, and engaging dialogue. The podcast doesn’t offer quick takes but rather thoughtful excavations of the week’s most compelling cultural and intellectual questions, mirroring the publication’s commitment to serious and elegant prose. This is where written criticism finds its voice, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the debates that define our time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 101

The LRB Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Andrew O'Hagan: Dacre’s Paper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:58
‘It’s like the drunken lout at a party who can’t get anyone to like him.’ Andrew O’Hagan reads the Daily Mail. Read more by Andrew O'Hagan in the LRB: lrb.me/ohaganpod Sign up to the LRB newsletter: lrb.me/acast Hosted o…
The Corbyn Project: Tom Crewe talks to Lorna Finlayson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:52
Tom Crewe talks to Lorna Finlayson about Jeremy Corbyn and Labour’s prospects in the general election and beyond. Read more by Tom Crewe in the LRB: lrb.me/crewepod Read more by Lorna Finlayson in the LRB: https://lrb.me…
Karma Nabulsi: Snitching on Students [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:31
‘Once you start seeing everyday behaviour as having the potential to draw people into terrorism, you’re inside the problem’ – Karma Nabulsi on the British government’s Prevent programme. Read more by Karma Nabulsi in the…
Close Readings: On Philip Larkin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:27
Seamus Perry and Mark Ford discuss the work of Philip Larkin, drawing on articles from our archive by contributors including Alan Bennett, Barbara Everett and John Bayley. You can find a reading list of pieces mentioned…
Julian Barnes: People Will Hate Us Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:38
Julian Barnes on Georges Simenon and Brexit. Read more by Julian Barnes in the LRB: https://lrb.me/barnespod Sign up to the LRB newsletter: lrb.me/acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Syrian War: Adam Shatz talks to Joshua Landis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:08
Adam Shatz talks to Joshua Landis about the war in Syria. Read more by Adam Shatz in the LRB: https://lrb.me/shatzpod Sign up to the LRB newsletter: https://lrb.me/acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in…
Talking Politics: John Lanchester talks to David Runciman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:25
David Runciman talks to John Lanchester about banks, Europe and technology in this latest collaboration with Talking Politics. Read John Lanchester in the LRB: https://lrb.me/lanchesterpod Read David Runciman in the LRB:…
Iain Sinclair: The Last London [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:56
Iain Sinclair delivers his lecture on ‘The Last London’ at the British Museum, as part of the LRB’s Winter Lecture series. Read more by Iain Sinclair in the LRB: https://lrb.me/sinclairpod Sign up to the LRB newsletter:…
Mary Beard: From Medusa to Merkel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:24
Mary Beard delivers her lecture ‘Women in Power’ at the British Museum. Read Mary Beard in the LRB: https://lrb.me/beardpod Sign up to the LRB newsletter: https://lrb.me/acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m…
Talking Politics: Mary Beard talks to David Runciman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:38
In the first of our ongoing and occasional collaboration with the Talking Politics podcast, David Runciman talks to Mary Beard about women in power. Read Mary Beard in the LRB: https://lrb.me/beardpod Read David Runciman…