This is part of a longer podcast for our subscribers. You can become a subscriber and find lots of podcasts like this at https://www.patreon.com/conterscot.Jonathon Shafi and David Jamieson discuss Lee Anderson's defection to the Reform party, and the wider phenomenon of the revival of Islamophobia.How dangerous is the new backlash, and does it imp…

The state's response to George Galloway's by-election victory has exposed an anti-democratic, anti-Muslim backlash. Those on the left most concerned to distance themselves from Rochdale's new MP are an unprincipled liability, argues David Jamieson.Conter Radio

The political systems of the west are visibly decomposing. Who could represent this more than Joe Biden - the exhausted avatar of a dying world?Conter Radio

Nicola Sturgeon was hailed as a hero during lockdown, despite there being no evidence of her supposedly benign regime. The cabin fever has now broken - but what did it all mean?Conter Radio

In a new podcast series, James Foley and Ewan Kerr will interview key players and experts in Scotland's Covid saga. Cutting through mythology and posturing, they will ask the big questions about democracy, governance, class and power so often obscured in recent years.In this first episode, James and Ewan speak to Neil Findlay, former Labour MP and …

From Scotland and London to Washington, liberal defenders of good governance and equality are finally admitting what we all knew - they just want to defend US global power, no matter the cost in blood and destruction.Conter Radio

As bombs from Fife pound Yemen and Gaza, David Jamieson asks where Scots wish to stand in our changing world.Conter Radio

Co-editors David Jamieson and Jonathon Shafi review the year, thank subscribers for all their support in 2023, and look forward to big changes in the new year.Conter Radio

Chris and Sara speak to Kenny MacAskill about the birth of the Scottish working class and its movements for justice.- What was the impact of the French Revolution in Scotland?- Why were weavers so important among labouring classes in 19th century Scotland.- Who were the Scottish radicals, and how serious was their Insurrection of 1820?…

From Ukraine to Gaza, Britain is once again following the US into a series of disasters. Is the UK hopelessly shackled to a zombie empire, facing its own long decline?Someone Else's Empire is a new book by Tom Stevenson, which buries the myth of 'global Britain', and exposes the extent of British subservience to US power. On this episode he discuss…

First for subscribers!On this edition of the People's History, Sara and Chris discuss capitalism, clearances and resistance in the Scottish Highlands.- Why did the emergence of capitalism promote the depopulation of the Scottish Highlands?- What form did resistance to the clearances take? Why was it not successful?- Did racism fuel the clearances?…

Critics of the pro-Palestine left think they are injecting nuance into an over-heated debate. In fact they are retreating from the harshness and complexity of the world.Conter Radio

Sophie Johnson and Chris Bambery are joined by Scots writer Billy Kay to discuss Scotland's most famous literary figure - Robert Burns.Burns class background powerfully informed his worldview and art. Derided as sentimental and romantic by some, does Burns in fact speak through the centuries to our own time?…

The US, UK, EU and Nato are showing their true colours in Gaza. Are they still on the side of angels in Ukraine?Conter Radio

Jonathon Shafi speaks to Matt Kennard of UK DeclassifiedSupport our work:https://www.patreon.com/conterscotLinks mentioned in the show:Control Room -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCgfMdvk2n8UK Declassified -https://www.declassifieduk.orgIndependence Captured -jonathonshafi.substack.comConter Radio

With Home Secretary Suella Braverman ejected from office by the anti-war movement, Jonathon Shafi and David Jamieson take stock.How has the movement been able to place Britain's politicians in such a bind, and what does this tell us about the future of the foreign policy of a state that acts as vassal to the United States?…

After the suppression of the 1745 Rebellion, a new Scotland is born. Edinburgh becomes a seat of the Enlightenment, and the countryside is transformed by new capitalist relations.- How did economic changes bring new social classes to Scotland?- How did workers begin to fight for their interests?- Why did Scottish intellectuals become world famous i…

Sara Bennett and Alice Kinghorn-Gray speak to Riya, an activist in Palestine, about the impact of the siege of Gaza, the Palestinian struggle for survival and resistance, and the tasks of the international movement against Israel's allies in the west.Conter Radio

On this episode of a People's History of Scotland, Chris Bambery and Sara Bennett are joined by renowned Scottish historian Chris Whatley, to discuss the Act of Union, resistance to it, and the social forces that made up the Jacobite cause.- Why did the act of Union happen? Who supported and who opposed it?- What did it mean for the mass of ordinar…

Starmer is steaming towards office, in a country that hates its leaders and especially their slavishly pro-US foreign policy. It could prove the greatest problem of his premiership.Conter Radio

Interview: Lindsey German On The Movement, the Middle East And War In The 21st Century by Conter RadioConter Radio

As part of our People's History of Scotland series, we will investigate radical personalities through the nation's history.In our first Rebel Lives episode, we examine the life, ideas and actions of John Knox - the leader of the Scottish Reformation.Historian Chris Bambery and Conter editor David Jamieson discuss this complex figure, largely malign…

In this episode we discuss chapter three of A People's History of Scotland, “Reformation and the War of the Three Kingdoms.”Charting developments in the 16th and 17th centuries, Sara and Chris are joined by Conter editor, David Jamieson, to guide you through three tumultuous moments in Scottish history: first, they analyze the Union of the Crowns, …

Israel, already bombing civilians in Gaza, is gearing up for a historic assault. What does a commitment to peace really involve for those of us living in the western patrons of the Israeli state?Conter Radio

From the US to Scotland, leading politicians are joining picket lines to protest the consequences of their own rule. Are they having their arms twisted by working class organisation, or are they using picket lines as their own platform?Conter Radio

In this episode we discuss chapter two of A People's History of Scotland, “The Wars of Independence.”Offering fresh perspectives on William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Mary Queen of Scotts, host Sara Bennett is joined by author Chris Bambery to explore one of the most tumultuous periods in Scottish history—the two wars of independence. Sara and …

Introducing a People's History of Scotland, a new Conter podcast.Music by Ewan McLennan, "Song of the Lower Classes" from the album "Stories Still Untold."Conter Radio

Some trade union leaders have always advanced pro-war politics. But now they also advance the foreign policy views of a new global middle class.Conter Radio

The Scottish Greens co-leader is an outspoken proponent of free trade, despite its decades-long record of global inequality and environmental destruction.Conter Radio

This week, David Jamieson reviews 'This is Only the Beginning' by Michael Chessum - a book that offers a window into the world of left-right syncretism, and the campaign that killed Corbynism.Conter Radio

The Ukrainian summer offensive has failed to launch, and the Nato powers are losing confidence. But how did some convince themselves of the fantasy of a war of good against fascism - and what will they think next?Conter Radio

We spoke to Tara McCormick, lecturer in international relations at the University of Leicester, about the emergence of humanitarian intervention after the Cold War. What are its origins and key ideas, and what does it suggest about class structure in modern society?Further, we discuss how the doctrine somehow survived the failure of the war on terr…

We speak to Samuel McIlhagga, a writer and researcher on the economics and sociology of the British elite, about whether Britain is in decline. Would decline point to the break-up, or reconsolidation of the state?Conter Radio

The return of New Labour's Scottish stalwarts tells us much about the morbidity of our politics.Conter Radio

With Spain’s snap election on the horizon, the left coalition government of centre-left PSOE and left-wing Podemos is at risk of defeat by the right-wing Popular Party (PP) and far-right Vox. The Spanish left is also taking on a new form for this election, with Sumar displacing Podemos as the dominant force.And for the Catalan independence movement…

Cat and David discuss Mhairi Black, the rise and rise of the centrist bro podcast, and nostalgia.Conter Radio

We spoke to Branko Marcetic - one of the US' leading anti-war journalists - about the US establishment's proxy-war with Russia, its growing hostility to China, and why the liberal wing of the elites has become the most warlike.Conter Radio

After Brexit, does Britain still need to escape member-statehood? Have elites given up rule? Does the working class need to constitute a new nation before it can think about socialism?We spoke to Philip Cunliffe, co-author of 'Taking Control: Sovereignty and Democracy After Brexit' about the democratic challenge to Global Britain.For the full podca…

In Mhairi Black, SNP leaders cultivated an ersatz socialist to attract voters. But what are the real tenets of this socialism?Conter Radio

Caroline Lucas, who entered politics as a Eurosceptic opponent of globalisation, exited as a warrior for the status quo. Her journey has been shared by so many on the left. How do we explain this?Conter Radio

After Sturgeon's arrest, we don't know where operation Branchform will lead. But we do know that the myths of Devolution era Scotland as a land of liberal good governance and enlightened order are baseless.Conter Radio

We are witnessing an historic turning point. The US can no longer pose its interests as universal, and is increasingly exposed as a self-interested actor, argues radical journalist and executive director of the Tricontinental Institute, Vijay Prashad.Speaking to Alice Kinghorn-Grey and Ben Wray, he draws out key shifts from recent imperial controve…

Supporters called it speaking truth to power. Opponents called it fascist. But NatCon showed that the trivial obsessions of the culture war have polarised politics and demoted the big questions of our time.Conter Radio

We are joined by Michael Billeaux to discuss the stirring of the US Presidential election, and ask - why does US politics continue to be transfixed by Donald Trump?Conter Radio

Monarchism is being subculturalised. How long can it last with the support of the alienated and ideological?Conter Radio

Pete and James discuss the Coronation. - How much organic popular enthusiasm is there for Charles- Is The Firm still the standard bearer of British nationalism?- Who is the creepiest Royal? - Why does British republicanism remain so naff?Conter Radio

Sturgeon loyalists have begun alleging a state conspiracy to decapitate the nationalist movement and fend-off independence. But they aren't alone - around the world conspiracy theories are resurgent, and the political centre is the most paranoid of all.Conter Radio

Pete Ramand and James Foley speak to researcher and writer Gemma Milne, who specialises in the impact of tech on capitalist society, about artificial intelligence.- Will it usher in an abundant communist future- Will it plunge us into a dystopian capitalist hell of mass unemployment and censorship- Who are the new ideologues of artificial intellige…

From Edinburgh to Washington, journalists are suspicious of unofficial information and eager for censorship. What's going on?Conter Radio

In the last year, simmering tensions between the west and China have threatened to erupt. The standoff over Taiwan, and the struggle for control of the South China Sea, are only one flashpoint.Alice Konghorn-Gray and Ben Wray speak to Ho-fung Hung, Wiesenfeld professor in political economy at Johns Hopkins University and author of several celebrate…