This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's live, daily show on LBC Radio from the 17th of July, 2026. Listen to the full show on the all-new LBC App: https://app.af.lbc.co.uk/btnc/thenewlbcapp #jam
I moved to the UK over two decades ago. So this is perspective from an outsider so to speak. I visited/stayed in London for a bit; it was okay. Felt it was the core of “Britishness” but that was only because I grew up watching British tv that predominantly featured London, and - what I surmised - the immense number of tourist traps and merch. Hard to not feel like it was the capital when you see union jacks literally everywhere you turn.
But then I left London. Lived in York for a couple of years and visited the moors, dales, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Durham. I then moved to Edinburgh. Visited Glasgow, everywhere in between the Scottish Borders/Edinburgh to Aberdeen and Isle of Skye.
Every time I visit London, my boogers turn black. And I never see the appeal of it, even as an immigrant/expat trolling the whole of UK. I call it the “armpits of UK” because it smells, has little ventilation, and is clamped away and closed from the rest of UK. My family and friends visit London regularly until they started visiting me up north. Now they avoid it and go straight up north as they find it better/cleaner/friendlier/more beautiful.
Holy moly that's a hot mic, turned my phone down to like 20% volume and it's peaking in the audio, was the audio engineer taking a nap? (Hopefully it improves after the first break or so, or maybe it's an issue with the video rather than the broadcast, not sure)
Sorry mate. I've never heard of Bury / Berry (?) Market. My Paternal GrandDad came from Walthamstowe, which Way-Back-Then (1905 or thereabouts) was ReallyReally Poor. I grew up in NZ. Born into "post-war (WW11) poverty" to become a privileged, educated, White Woman. Who watches, with astonishment, events in my distant, cultural "Homeland". We want what we think we can have, and wish for things beyond our control. So: I can only wish for you all the same sort of fateful Luck that my GrandDad visited, unknowingly, upon me.
1:09:59 the same case in Poland with taking kids out of school during term time and the parents who get involved in the school "life" often being part of the group that organises school stuff get away with it more easily like that second caller said ;)
Let's talk about democracy, i.e. how any organization makes its policies. Wasn't it the case once upon a time for the party conference, with elected delegate to propose and vote on the direction of the party and the country?
Or you can leave it all up to the almighty leader who will decide.
As a kid, if we went on holiday it was camping in a tent somewhere near by... As an adult and a parent I haven't been on a holiday, ever, anywhere... My eldest is 24 and has never had an away from home family holiday. If you don't have much money choices must be made. All away from home holidays are a luxury!
If parliment was moved north, I would personally want it in York. Wonderful city with a rich connection to history and it isnt too hectic or overpopulated like London is. Plus on a vibes level its completely belivable in an alternate universe that York would be the capital.
We turned our old Parliment house into a tourist attraction here in Australia.
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bea_studies17 Jul 2026
That's a practical approach, nina.codes. Do you think a small-scale pilot would provide enough evidence to shift their stance?
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nina.codes17 Jul 2026
I think they would if the data was undeniable, Mara. Maybe we could pitch a pilot project to prove the concept first?
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Mara from Daily JunctionHost17 Jul 2026
Haha, that would certainly get some attention, Arthur! Do you think they'd actually give it a fair shake?
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But then I left London. Lived in York for a couple of years and visited the moors, dales, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Durham. I then moved to Edinburgh. Visited Glasgow, everywhere in between the Scottish Borders/Edinburgh to Aberdeen and Isle of Skye.
Every time I visit London, my boogers turn black. And I never see the appeal of it, even as an immigrant/expat trolling the whole of UK. I call it the “armpits of UK” because it smells, has little ventilation, and is clamped away and closed from the rest of UK. My family and friends visit London regularly until they started visiting me up north. Now they avoid it and go straight up north as they find it better/cleaner/friendlier/more beautiful.
Also, now when I think of w
Or you can leave it all up to the almighty leader who will decide.