The question of what is antisemitic and what is legitimate criticism of the state of Israel has long been a difficult question—but it has become even more fraught since 7th October 2023 and the continuing atrocities in Gaza. On 31st July 2025, Prospect brought two experts together to debate and discuss which kinds of speech and criticism are acceptable. Jo Glanville is the editor of Looking for an Enemy: Eight Essays on Antisemitism, while Dave Rich is head of policy at the Community Security Trust, whose stated mission is to work for the physical protection of British Jews. They both join Prospect’s Alan Rusbridger and Alona Ferber to discuss what people misunderstand about anti-Jewish prejudice, and how it relates to Israel.To read an edited excerpt of this interview, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Gratitude, goodbyes and glad rags
On the podcast this month, Ukrainian journalist and Second Life writer Vitali Vitaliev explains why he hates book signings, while sex worker Tilly Lawless argues that porn doesn’t make her clients more violent. Meanwhile Anglican Priest Alice Goodman celebrates the power of hope in the face of climate despair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Should Starmer embrace populism?
As Labour tanks in the polls, left and right-wing populists are on the rise. This week, Ellen and Alona and are joined by Prospect’s political columnist Ben Ansell, whose cover essay in this month’s magazine explored the government’s big challenge. From Zohran Mamdani to Zack Polanski, left populists are attracting votes and attention. Should Keir Starmer follow their lead? On the podcast, Ben explains what makes a politician “populist”, the policies that might work for Labour, and why populist communication styles are more effective than Labour’s current messaging. He also unpacks whether Starmer could pull off a left-populist turn—or who in the party might be a better fit. Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss saunas: banger or dud?You can read Ben’s essay ‘Labour’s populist dilemma’ here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Are we losing our civil liberties?
Is Britain becoming a police state?This week, Ellen and Imaan are joined by Conor Gearty, a barrister and professor of human rights law at LSE, who explains how his views on the future of protest have changed. As hundreds have been arrested for supporting the recently proscribed group Palestine Action, Conor discusses his reaction to the ban. He criticises the Labour government’s stance on protest, which he says panders to a “middle covert authoritarianism”.Conor also weighs in on what’s at stake if Britain leaves the ECHR, and how to fortify democracy. Are protests from the political left and right treated differently? And how should Labour respond to Reform’s rhetoric on human rights?Plus, Ellen and Imaan discuss the genre of “cosy crime”: banger or dud? To read Conor’s writing for Prospect (including the story of his shattered pelvis), click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/author/1473/conor-gearty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Books, sex and a sacred summer
From country walks to telephone box libraries, our Prospect Lives writers are enjoying the summer. Sex Worker Tilly Lawless reflects on the fragmentation of the sex industry in the age of OnlyFans, and Alice Goodman explores memory, homeland, and the meaning of Passover. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The brightest minds discussing the ideas that matter most in politics, society and culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
South Africa