The Sceptic
The Sceptic
The Daily Sceptic
Welcome to The Sceptic, the Daily Sceptic’s weekly podcast. Host Laurie Wastell interviews the authors of some of the website’s most talked about recent pieces. Please subscribe, and remember: question everything; stay sane; live free. Produced by Richard Eldred.
Why Has Immigration Exploded Since Brexit? | The Sceptic Ep.91
The battle over Brexit’s broken immigration promises and the mystery of why a key piece of climate data has quietly disappeared from official reports. In Episode 91 of the Sceptic, Ellie Hodges sits down with Migration Watch UK Chairman Alp Mehmet to discuss the soaring levels of migration since Brexit and whether Britain’s political class ever intended to deliver the border control voters thought they were getting. And for our premium subscribers, Daily Sceptic Environment Editor Chris Morrison asks why decades of declining wind-speed data have disappeared from the Met Office’s latest climate report and explores what it means for public trust in Britain's climate institutions.  Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content.  Follow Ellie on X. Follow Alp on X. Read Migration Watch UK’s ‘Taking Back Control? Brexit and Migration Ten Years On’ report here. Follow Chris on X. Read his article here. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio.   00:00 Intro 01:38 Alp Mehmet on Why Migration Soared After Brexit 03:54 The Decision That Opened the Floodgates 08:03 Bigger Boats, More Crossings, No Deterrent 11:58 Did Politicians Ever Intend to Cut Migration? 17:18 How Government Lost Control 22:19 The Student Visa Back Door 24:10 Why Nobody Wants to Cap Migration 26:15 The Warnings Nobody Listened to 28:00 Britain's Demographic Transformation 30:15 Chris Morrison on the Met’s Missing Climate Data 30:52 Why Hide Wind Data? 42:46 Climate Models Vs Reality 47:48 Net Zero’s Inconvenient Problem
Aug 14
34 min
Rupert Lowe on Uniting the Right | The Sceptic Ep.90
Rupert Lowe on uniting the Right, are thousands really dying from summer heatwaves and how one academic’s investigation ended in a DEI superstar’s Cambridge resignation. In Episode 90 of the Sceptic, the Daily Sceptic’s Editor-in-Chief Toby Young sits down with Restore leader Rupert Lowe to discuss his attempt to mend fences with Nigel Farage, whether Reform and Restore can still work together and what a united Right might look like ahead of the next election. Professor of Evidence Based Medicine Carl Heneghan examines the UK Health Security Agency’s claim that nearly 3,000 excess deaths were caused by this summer’s heatwaves and asks whether the evidence really supports such alarming headlines. And for our premium subscribers, Dr Nathan Cofnas, Postdoctoral Researcher in Philosophy at Ghent University, reflects on breaking the Jason Arday story, the extraordinary fallout that followed and whether he ever expected it to end with Arday’s resignation from Cambridge. Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content.  Follow Toby on X. Follow Rupert on X. Follow Carl on X. Subscribe to his Trust the Evidence Substack here. Follow Nathan on X. Subscribe to the Nathan Cofnas’s Newsletter on Substack here. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio. 00:00 Intro02:03 Rupert Lowe’s Offer To Reform UK08:20 Prospects For A Reform–Restore Deal10:15 Restore Britain’s Election Plans15:12 Continuing To Challenge Reform UK17:07 Lowe’s Definition Of Corruption18:42 Restore Britain’s Economic Policy27:55 On Becoming Chancellor31:39 Carl Heneghan and the Problems With Heat Death Estimates35:16 Reliability Of Future Heat Death Data37:34 The Problem With Statistical Certainty39:27 Climate Alarmism And Media Headlines42:43 Downfall Of Anthony Fauci47:10 Lessons From The Covid Inquiry49:21 Nathan Kaunas on Breaking The Jason Arday Story56:00 The Response To Criticism Of Arday57:09 Carter-Ruck And Legal Threats58:03 Investigating Arday’s Academic Work01:03:18 Claims Of Unequal Academic Standards01:04:36 The Real Story Behind Arday01:06:11 Fears Of Legal Action01:06:38 Contacting Arday And Cambridge01:07:56 Initial Reaction To The Story01:08:39 Arday’s Extraordinary Biographical Claims01:11:00 The Story Goes Viral01:11:29 Concerns About Racial Motives01:13:53 Arday’s Resignation01:14:19 Attacks From Arday’s Defenders01:15:51 Simon Baron-Cohen’s Defence Of Arday01:17:31 The Story’s International Reach01:19:25 Responding To Racism Accusations01:21:08 Nathan's Controversial Blog Post01:27:04 Case For Affirmative Action01:28:11 Impact On University Hiring01:29:09 Cambridge’s Handling Of The Plagiarism Allegations01:30:14 Accountability For Arday’s Appointment01:32:09 Double Standards In Academic Hiring01:33:51 Vindication And Revenge
Aug 7
1 hr
The Terror Plot That Never Was | The Sceptic Ep.89
Why a major anti-Muslim terror scare appears to have been built on almost nothing, who’s really pulling the strings in Britain’s public debate and is the Government finally rowing back on Net Zero? In Episode 89 of the Sceptic, Ellie Hodges sits down with journalist Charlotte Gill to discuss the growing influence of taxpayer-funded activist groups, the blurred line between activism and journalism and why critics of mass migration are so often smeared as “far-Right”. Author Steven Tucker dissects the anti-Muslim terror plot in Suffolk that collapsed on contact with the facts and applies “eventism” – the theory that fear of an event is equivalent to the event itself – to explain why almost nobody involved has walked it back. And for our premium subscribers, the Daily Sceptic’s Environment Editor Chris Morrison asks whether the new Government’s backing for more North Sea oil and gas is a genuine change of direction or just a change in rhetoric. Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content.  Follow Ellie on X. Follow Charlotte on X. Read her articles here and here. Follow her on Substack here. Read Steven’s articles here and here.Follow Chris on X. Read his article here. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio.   00:00 Intro 01:55 Charlotte Gill and the Tarbell Fellowship 04:06 Transparency Concerns Around Funded Journalism 05:43 Bureau Of Investigative Journalism 07:56 The Far Right Label 08:46 Power of Migration Charities 10:14 Valentine's Day Cards Controversy 13:00 Scrutiny of the Charity Sector 14:44 Reforming Charity Funding Rules 16:18 Changing Landscape of Journalism 17:47 State of the MSM 19:32 Burnham's First Weeks in Office 20:52 Is Labour Turning Left? 21:57 Can the Tories Bounce Back? 23:00 The Greens' Uneasy Coalition 24:36 Steven Tucker on the Terror Plot That Wasn't 30:07 Why No One Has Retracted the Claims 38:10 What is Eventism? 42:19 Anticipatory Violence 49:25 Connecting The Dots Between The Two Stories 53:50 Chris Morrison on Burnham's U-Turn on Oil And Gas 01:00:44 Why the CAN Bill Matters 01:06:35 Who is Funding Net Zero? 01:09:43 Britain's Sky High Electricity Prices
Jul 31
58 min
The Absolute State of British Politics | The Sceptic Ep.88
The absolute state of British politics, how a vicar fell foul of the Church of England over Christian beliefs and why Net Zero is now a national security risk. In Episode 88 of the Sceptic, Ellie Hodges sits down with PopCon’s Mark Littlewood to make sense of Andy Burnham’s chaotic first days in No 10, the sharp Left turn in his Cabinet and whether Farage's Clacton by-election battle is really the joke the media's making it out to be. Dr Rev Bernard Randall tells his extraordinary story: suspended, reported to Prevent as a terror suspect and put through a seven-year church safeguarding battle – all for a sermon that was in keeping with Christian doctrine. And for our premium subscribers, Ellie talks to former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove about why he believes Britain’s Net Zero policy has become a national security liability. Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content.  Follow Ellie on X. Follow Mark on X. Read his articles here and hereRead Sir Richard’s article here. Listen to Sir Richard on the One Decision Podcast here. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio. 00:00 Intro 02:23 Mark Littlewood On Burnham's Coronation 02:50 Radical Left-Wing Policy Or Just "Vibes"? 04:28 Does Changing Labour's Leader Change Anything? 07:43 "No 10 Of The North" Devolution 09:14 Burnham's Cabinet Reshuffle 16:19 How Serious Is The Clacton By-Election Really? 18:59 Count Binface - Establishment Stooge? 22:27 Farage - Establishment Hit Job? 24:11 Is Farage "Part Of The Establishment"? 26:16 Can Kemi's Tories Stage A Comeback? 30:54 Predictions For The Next General Election 33:48 Bernard Randall And His CofE Ordeal 37:24 What Was It Like Being Reported To Prevent? 39:24 The Toll On Him And His Family 42:15 Why The Controversy? 44:50 Was 2019 "Peak Woke" — Has It Improved? 46:32 What's Next And Advice For Other Chaplains 49:48 Sir Richard Dearlove On Net Zero's Security Risk 53:19 Top Energy-Security Priorities For Burnham 55:38 How Real Is The China/EV/Grid Threat? 59:33 Where Does Energy Rank Among National Security Threats? 1:01:02 Will Britain Be Forced Into A German-Style Rethink? 1:04:11 Doesn't Cutting Fossil Fuels Make Britain Safer? 1:05:11 Is It Too Late?
Jul 24
53 min
The Social Media Ban Trojan Horse | The Sceptic Ep.87
How the Government’s social media ban for kids is a Trojan horse for digital ID, why Britain’s free speech laws are broken and the eye-watering cost of Net Zero. In Episode 87 of the Sceptic, Ellie Hodges is joined by Alan Miller, co-founder of the Together Declaration, to discuss the Government’s plans for an under-16s social media ban, the push for digital ID checks, VPN restrictions and what they could mean for free speech and privacy. Barrister John Holbrook explains why he thinks Britain’s hate speech laws are failing, how they have helped fuel cancel culture and why he believes free speech protections need a major rethink. And for premium subscribers, energy analyst and author Richard Lyon digs into the eye-watering cost of renewable subsidies – now topping £227 billion! – the growing pressures on the UK grid and why he believes Net Zero could leave Britain facing a serious energy trap. Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content.  Follow Ellie on X. Follow Alan on X. Join the together Declaration here.  Follow Jon on X. Read his report here. Follow Richard here. Buy his book The Energy Trap here. Check out his Subsidy Clock here. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio.   00:00 Intro 02:29 Alan Miller on the Incoming Social Media Ban 09:13 Response to Katherine Birbalsingh on Child Safety 12:47 Has Australia’s Under-16 Ban Worked? 14:45 Expectations Under a Burnham Government 17:39 What Will Britain’s Internet Look Like in 5 Years? 23:57 Jon Holbrook on Being Cancelled 28:29 What Language Should Be Criminalised? 31:42 Repeal All Hate Speech Laws? 34:12 Protected Beliefs vs Cancel Culture 37:48 Reforming Online Speech Laws 41:08 Can These Reforms Roll Back Cancel Culture? 45:19 Richard Lyon on the True Cost of Net Zero 48:07 The Subsidy Clock 51:16 What Is the Energy Trap? 55:27 Being a Climate Sceptic is Irrelevant 1:04:15 A Sensible UK Energy Policy
Jul 17
52 min
The State's Sinister Plan to Control Social Media | The Sceptic Ep.86
How the Government plans to control the UK’s online media landscape, and is Britain’s electricity grid being pushed towards breaking point? In Episode 86 of the Sceptic, host Ellie Hodges talks to journalist, lawyer and UsForThem founder Molly Kingsley about the Government’s little-noticed plans to reshape Britain’s online media landscape, why she believes they could sideline independent voices in favour of establishment broadcasters and what they could mean for free speech online. And for our premium subscribers, Ellie sits down with independent energy consultant Kathryn Porter to discuss whether Britain’s electricity grid is being pushed to breaking point. They dig into recent low-frequency events, claims that NESO is downplaying serious risks, explosive whistleblower allegations and whether this winter could bring a real risk of blackouts. Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content. Follow Ellie on X. Follow Molly on X. Read Molly’s article here. Have your say on the ’Watch this space’ open consultation here. Follow Kathryn on X. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio.   00:00 Intro 01:25 Molly Kingsley on the Government's Sinister New Green Paper 04:02 Why "Trusted News" Is a Dangerous Framing 05:11 What This Means for Your Social Media Feeds 07:43 Is the Government Picking Winners & Losers 09:23 Protecting BBC Influence 14:06 Is There Still Time to Stop It? 19:08 The Shift Toward State Control Online 24:53 Kathryn Porter on the Grid's Near Miss 32:06 Whistleblower Allegations 35:47 Why NESO Stayed Quiet 42:51 Real Time Grid Risk 47:48 How Worried Should We Be This Winter? 51:03 What Needs to Happen Next
Jul 10
31 min
How the Equality Act Broke Britain | The Sceptic Ep.85
How the Equality Act has morphed from anti-discrimination law into a vast tool of social engineering, and whether the Met Office’s recent temperature records really are the ‘hottest evah’. In Episode 85 of the Sceptic, host Ellie Hodges speaks to Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, Director of Don’t Divide Us and co-author of the new report Some More Equal Than Others: The Case Against the Equality Act, on how the 2010 Act has morphed from anti-discrimination law into a vast tool of social engineering, its corrosive effects on workplaces and free speech and why it should be repealed. And for our premium subscribers, Ellie speaks to Chris Morrison, the Daily Sceptic’s Environment Editor, on the latest so-called record-breaking heatwave, whether the Met Office’s temperature records are really the ‘hottest evah’ and why the data is nowhere near robust enough to justify the madness of Net Zero. Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content.  Follow Ellie on X. Follow Alka on X. Read Alka’s report here.  Follow Chris on X. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio. 00:00 Intro 01:21 Alka Sehgal Cuthbert on the Equality Act 03:44 Should the Equality Act Be Repealed? 06:15 Existing Laws Before the Act 08:28 Public Sector Equality Duty & Positive Action 13:27 Protected Characteristics 15:44 The Granger Test & Protecting Beliefs 18:28 Appetite to Reform the Act? 19:48 Chris Morrison on the Hottest Summer Evah? 29:34 How Does It Compare to 1976? 35:51 Is the Data Robust?
Jul 3
30 min
Labour’s Backdoor EU Reset | The Sceptic Ep.84
Sir Bill Cash on the 10th anniversary of Brexit, his 40-year fight to restore British sovereignty and why we must resist Labour’s EU reset. In Episode 84 of the Sceptic, guest host Jack Hadfield speaks to Sir Bill Cash, lifelong Eurosceptic, former MP and chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, on the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote, his 40-year battle to restore British sovereignty and why Labour’s “EU reset” is a dangerous path back into subjugation. Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content.  Follow Jack on X. Follow Bill on X. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio.   00:00 Intro 00:56 Bill Cash on the EU Problem 08:08 The Maastricht Rebellion 10:35 When Brexit Became Possible 12:46 Brexit Night 2016 16:06 Has Brexit Been Delivered? 19:31 Brexit's Biggest Missed Opportunity 22:02 Labour's EU Reset and Andy Burnham 26:48 Warning Signs of Backdoor Rejoin 34:32 Immigration and Taking Back Control 40:01 Brexit 2.0 and International Law 45:18 Optimism for Britain's Future
Jun 26
28 min
Breaking the Blob | The Sceptic Ep.83
Charles Talbot on how the Blob is stifling democracy in Britain and turning the state against itself. In Episode 83 of the Sceptic, guest host Michael Murphy speaks to Charles Talbot, author of the new Cambridge Circus Research report ‘Breaking the Blob’, about how a sprawling ecosystem of activist charities, quangos and captured institutions exerts a powerful chokehold on British political life, undermines government policy and leaves Britain feeling increasingly like a state at war with itself. Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content. Follow Michael on X. Follow Charles on X. Read ‘Breaking the Blob’ here. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio.   00:00 Intro 00:00:47 Charles Talbot on the Blob 00:03:35 The Blob's Left-Wing Bias 00:05:16 A State at War with Itself 00:07:41 Why Government Funds Its Own Opponents 00:10:17 How the Blob Kills Policies it Doesn't Like 00:14:15 The Rwanda Scheme 00:16:17 Can Any Policy Survive the Blob? 00:18:19 Laws That Must Change 00:20:20 The Funnel Model & Weak Regulation 00:24:37 Charity vs Political Activism 00:27:12 Should Government Track Undermining Spending? 00:29:11 The Media’s Role in Aiding the Blob 00:36:08 What a Serious Government Must Do 00:39:05 Radical Reforms 00:42:29 Conspiracy or Ideological Alignment? 00:45:52 Future Work from Cambridge Circus Research 00:52:15 Where to Find the Report
Jun 19
33 min
Britain: Island of Strangers | The Sceptic Ep.82
Dr Ben Jones on how 30 years of mass migration have created the conditions for rising unrest, and Dr Gwythian Prins on why green zealotry weakens Britain in a dangerous world. In Episode 82 of the Sceptic, host David Shipley speaks to Dr Ben Jones, Director of Cases at the Free Speech Union and author of Island of Strangers, on how 30 years of mass migration and hyper-diversity have transformed Britain into a fragmented “society of societies”, eroded free speech, fuelled cancel culture and created the conditions for two-tier policing and rising unrest. And for our premium subscribers, David speaks to Dr Gwythian Prins, Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics and convenor of the Hartwell Group, on the fatal technical, economic and security flaws of Net Zero, why climate models are fundamentally broken, the impossibility of a renewables transition and how this green madness weakens Britain in a dangerous world. Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content.  Follow David on X.  Follow Ben on X. Read Gwythian’s article on the Daily Sceptic here. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio.   00:00 Intro 00:01:36 Ben Jones on His New Book 'Island of Strangers' 00:03:23 The Link Between Multiculturalism and Free Speech Restrictions 00:06:41 How US Woke Ideology Invaded UK 00:09:02 Why Are the Elite So Wedded to These Worldviews? 00:12:36 What Is the Solution to UK’s Free Speech Crisis? 00:15:44 Two-Tier Policing and Division 00:19:56 Prof Gwydion Prins on the Problems With Climate Modelling 00:24:32 Why Renewables Cannot Power a Stable Grid 00:28:27 The Security Implications of Net Zero 00:32:33 Can Sanity Return?
Jun 12
50 min
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