1481. Starmer’s Annus Horribilis and Why Democracy is a Participatory Sport

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Echo Chamber Podcast, the peerless Emeritus Prof Richard Murphy rejoins us to talk about the Labour Party's first year in Government in the UK, the lack of a plan, the dearth of ambition and how the political polarisation means the need for real radical change is becoming more urgent by the day. Another great conversation with one of our listeners favourite guests. Latest Echo Chamber RTE-An Post podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134177046 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It was an fantastic to be rejoined by Academy Award nominated filmmaker, former stuntwoman and fellow troublemaker, Lexi Alexander, to discuss the role of art, acts like Kneecap, Bob Vylan, the use and misuse of cultural capital and the distraction theatre that Govts use in order to not address the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Lexi is the best of us! The Prof Richard Murphy podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-133571593 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this very special podcast Martin sits down with MEP Luke Ming Flanagan, in a place that is now dear to them both. This is a conversation about politics, the personal and potentially the presidency. That's far too much alliteration. Enjoy. The Prof Richard Murphy podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-133571593 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this echo chamber podcast exclusive Martin chats with employment rights activist Matt McGranaghan about Martin and Joey’s big day out last Thursday at the WRC. Step behind the curtain and listen to how RTE, the State and Arthur Cox all got their asses handed to them by someone who knows that he has truth on his side. Glastonbury, Cultural Capital and Gaza with Lexi Alexander is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-133114376 Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack For weeks now we've seen housing experts, industry insiders and academics try and fail to make sense of the Government's new on/off housing plans. So in this podcast, housing expert and academic, Prof Lorcan Sirr, attempts (and fails) to decipher the chaos and put some shape on the entire crisis that has ssen homelessness rise to almost 16,000 people in this "wealthy" country of ours. I think it's really good and that Lorcan almost gets there. Almost. My sincere apologies to Orla and Mel. Martin vs RTE at the WRC podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-132760206 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The news keeps coming and it don't stop coming. In this member-only pod Martin explains in proper detail why even the highly paid broadcaster, Sarah McInerney is a victim of RTE’s rogue employment practices and then we look at the Leo Varadkar vs Keir Starmer, Kneecap situation, as well as some thoughts on the troubling US-Israel attacks on Iran and the devastating results of the US-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack “In 2015, while at home looking after our new baby, my wife received a letter from the Department of Social Protection telling her that she needed to attend a social welfare office to be photographed for a Public Services Card or have her child benefit payment cut off. As she did not want to drag an infant out to a government office she solved this problem the sensible way. She handed me the letter and said "Deal with that."” These are the opening lines of the latest Gist with friend of the shack, digital rights expert, solicitor Simon McGarr and he joins us now to discuss a good day for our rights. Simon has threatened to take away my collection of Spicy Sauces unless I add the link to his always must-read Gist:https://www.thegist.ie/simon/ Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It was a great pleasure to be rejoined in the shack by writer, commentator, activist and mammy, Elaine Crory. It’s just a pity that it was to discuss the (bullsh1t) “protect our women” race-riots that have taken place in Ballymena, Larne and in other parts of the North. Elaine breaks it down in her brilliant way and explains why this is something that goes beyond flags and into deprivation, inequality, poverty and a lack of leadership in the politics of these areas. Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack On June 12th, 2025, people from around the world will participate in the Global March to Gaza, from Cairo to Rafah crossing marchtogaza.net, in an apolitical, peaceful, coordinated, civilian action, demanding immediate humanitarian intervention in Gaza. Joining us on the podcast are two of the remarkable people who are participating from Ireland, Maureen Almai and Geraldine Murphy. Please listen to hear why they are going, what is planned and how we can all help. Dr Michael Byrne and Rory Hearne on the new Housing Plan is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131305435 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode Martin is joined by RTE worker Maebh Keary and his workers rights comrade, Matt McGranaghan to discuss RTE's latest day in the Oireachtas. Whilst there seems to be media consensus that they emerged unscathed, Maebh, Matt and Martin pick out some of the most interesting moments and go a little deeper into what some statements actually mean for workers at RTE, the govts comfort levels with rogue employment practices and for the public purse. An exclusive interview with Liam Cunningham on Displacement in Gaza is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 The Des Cahill Top Talent podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131076785