In this podcast, PoliticsJOE's Ava Santina breaks down how Britain can rebuild the left flank of the political spectrum. Stay tuned for in-depth reporting, thought provoking interviews, and expert analysis as the UK faces one of the biggest political battles of the century.
Labour are in power in Britain, but traditional Labour voters are as discontent as they've ever been with a left-wing government. Keir Starmer is battling against low approval ratings, by-election losses, and the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
But from the depths of despair, there seems to be glimmers of hope in the UK. Zack Polanski's Green Party are on the rise, knocking Labour off their perch in countless polls. Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana are pulling thousands of traditional Labour voters to their new party. In America, figures like Zohran Mamdani, AOC and Bernie Sanders are fighting back against the surge of MAGA Republicanism.
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What is Westminster really like? With Hannah Spencer
Hannah Spencer batted off opposition from Reform and Labour in the Gorton and Denton by-election to shatter the Red Wall, and deliver a kidney shot to Keir Starmer.
Fifty days in to her tenure as the MP for the Manchester suburb, Spencer has had a rip-roaring time trying to make sense of life in Westminster.
She sits down with Ava to break down the highs and lows so far as the Green representative for the area, why she thinks she won, and how Labour's woes are not over yet.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
18 Apr 2026
Is it over for Labour in London?
Today, Ava gets to grips with the Green Party's rise and rise in London. Are Keir Starmer's troubles about to get worse with a complete decimation of Labour's long-held councils in the capital?
Ava also speaks to the Green Party nominee for Hackney Mayor Zoë Garbett to find out what Polanski's party are taking as their key issues to run off in London.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
3 Apr 2026
Is Keir Starmer about to lose Wales in the local elections?
In this episode, we sit down with the leader of Plaid Cymru to explore a question that could reshape Welsh politics: can the party finally overtake Labour and form a government in Wales for the first time? We dig into Plaid’s strategy, the shifting political landscape, and what it would take to convince voters that change is not only possible, but necessary.
Yet the path isn’t straightforward. As dissatisfaction with traditional parties grows, Nigel Farage and his brand of populist politics loom as an unpredictable force, potentially pulling support in unexpected directions. How does Plaid Cymru plan to counter this challenge while staying true to its vision for Wales?
From campaign tactics to policy priorities, this conversation offers a candid look at the opportunities and risks ahead in what could be a historic political moment.
Interviewer, Editor and Producer: Ava-Santina Evans
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Dec 2025
Is Andy Burnham the next Labour leader?
In this episode, we sit down with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, for an in-depth conversation about the power of devolution and how it has transformed one of the UK’s most dynamic cities. From taking control of transport, housing, and health, to championing a bold vision for local leadership, Burnham shares the challenges, breakthroughs, and defining moments of Greater Manchester’s journey toward greater autonomy.
He talks candidly about what it took to rebuild Manchester—from improving public transport and tackling homelessness to creating a more inclusive, opportunity-driven city. Whether you’re interested in politics, urban regeneration, or the future of local government, this episode offers a rare insight into how devolved powers can reshape communities for the better.
And the question everyone's asking.. is this guy the next Labour leader?
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5 Dec 2025
Can we build a better economy? With Yanis Varoufakis
What would it take to rebuild an economy designed for people rather than markets? In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with world-renowned economist, author, and former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis to explore the structural shifts needed to create a fairer, more resilient global economy.
Varoufakis breaks down the flaws in today’s financial systems— from rising inequality and stagnant wages to the unchecked power of multinational corporations— and offers bold, actionable ideas for reclaiming economic democracy.
Produced, Edited and Narrated: Ava Santina Evans
Production: Laura Beveridge
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
28 Nov 2025
Is Your Party going to work? The Jeremy Corbyn Interview
Ava sits down with Jeremy Corbyn in one of his favourite haunts in his constituency to talk about the hiccups Your Party has faced since inception, the road to recovery, and how they can build on the groundswell of support they gathered in the summer.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
21 Nov 2025
Can Anything Stop the Green Party's Zack Polanski?
In this debut episode, we meet one of the most talked-about figures on the UK political scene: Zack Polanski.
Having risen through the ranks with remarkable speed, Polanski has become a symbol of a new kind of Green politics—one that feels energetic, insurgent, and increasingly difficult for the establishment to ignore.
But is meteoric popularity the same as political power?
This episode unpacks the tension between visibility and viability. We explore whether Polanski’s growing national profile can convert into real electoral gains, and what structural, strategic, and organisational hurdles inside the Green Party might stand in the way.
From internal democracy and party governance to the challenges of candidate selection and resource allocation, we interrogate both the strengths and the limits of a party trying to scale up while staying true to its principles.
This is a focused, inquisitive look at the practical realities of rebuilding a party from the ground up.
Join us as we ask: Can Zack Polanski’s rise reshape the Greens’ future—or will the party’s own mechanisms hold it back?
Journalist and Audio Editor: Ava Santina Evans
Production: Seán Hickey, Laura Beveridge, Amélie Timmis and Ian Martin
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
7 Nov 2025
Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain with Ava Santina
Hundreds of thousands of you have joined new coagulations of left-wing parties.
People are angry. They’re angry at potential welfare cuts, the rich skirting taxes and a foreign policy that some say supports the relentless killing of civilians overseas.
A number of viable structures and networks are growing.An astonishing 150,000 of you have joined the Green Party, Independent candidates on the left have done well at national and local elections.
And almost five years after Jeremy Corbyn was suspended from the Labour party, there are growing signs of renewed confidence in the Your Party machine.
Not forgetting the growing discomfort in the Labour party, and the various pressure groups growing in size and support.
From leaders to policymakers, activists and campaigners, this podcast takes an in-depth look at the policy and the people that are shaping the new frontier of leftwing politics.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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