Has Simon Harris managed to change the narrative? He's 'taken back control' of at least some of the key issue. We shouldn't underestimate the powerful psychological impact of wiping out Sinn Fein's aura pf 'electoral inevitability'.

Is ' buying the next election' with a giveaway budget really a sensible strategy? Even politically?

Is it true to FG's self-image as the party of fiscal rectitude? Is it even possible - is the Irish electorate that biddable?

Perhaps call the general election and ask the electorate: vote for us and then we will show you the money.

Alternatively, maybe a budget for housing, health and infrastructure would be more politically astute than one that doles out cash via tax cuts.

SF's tack to the centre - or even the anti-immigration right - includes schmoozing business. That could alienate its left-wing.

What are we going to do when all the priests are dead?

What is right wing? J D Vance on conservatives Vs libertarians.

And Much, much more! Enjoy!

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Is Keir Starmer already getting lucky? Only one month's data, but GDP growth smashed estimates in May.

US and Irish inflation down again.

IFAC warns about an 'overheating' risk to the Irish economy. Why we should all, in fact, get to love overheating.

Nvidia, AI & the US stock market: amazing growth

Biden is losing his friends. He should make Kamala Harris President now.

Orban has a very dodgy group of friends. Poland is getting nervous.

Reform. We note that the infighting looks to have begun

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The Irish political scene looks as fluid as that in France, the UK and elsewhere. The polls are getting it wrong and plenty of voters don't make up their minds until they enter the polling booth. We take a deep dive into all of this with renowned Irish political analyst and commentator, Tull McAdoo.

Why is Sinn Fein's vote collapsing? Will they recover? Maybe their last General Election result was a proper Black Swan event and the recent local and European elections are a better reflection of their base level support. Maybe they simply are not the well-oiled machine of urban - and mainstream media - legend

Has Simon Harris helped you put out the washing? 'Politics is a retail business'.

Coalitions always end badly, the current one will be no different. Smaller parties, in particular, always emerge very damaged.

Advice to all wannabe politicians: knock on doors!

And much more! Enjoy.

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In conversation with author, blogger and columnist, Professor Chris Grey

Post the Labour landslide election victory, some of us have smiles on our faces. Does the result mean we can now really turn the page on the chaos and mendacity of the last 14 years?

Is Keir Starmer relying on dumb luck for success? Is this the last chance saloon for the UK?

"Stability, Investment and Reform". How deliverable are these things? Will they be enough, particularly as there is no money?

Labour is placing a big bet on getting construction going again. Who is going to do he building if immigration is to be reduced?

How do you do he right thing if you are subsequently politically crucified?

Can the UK really move closer to the EU with Farage in Parliament and the rabid Brexit media waiting in the wings?

And much more! Enjoy!

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The Irish finance minister is drowning in cash. Booming tax revenues the clearest indicator - much better than GDP - that the economy remains robust.

Politics over economics: Charlie McCreevy once said when finance minister, "If I have it, I'll spend it'. It's not what the budgetary watchdog or the central bank would endorse - quite the opposite of course. But if its bad economics, is it good politics? If so, the upcoming budget is going to be something else.

Will that budget be quickly followed by an election?

The UK, of course, has just had its own election. We discuss the many and varied takeaways. Chris suggests that the UK electing a centrist government after 14 chaotic and crazy years is cause for celebration and could just change the economic narrative, whatever the political fallout. Maybe Liz Truss did us all a favour and has given a salutary lesson to those who would flirt with batshit crazy populism. Maybe even in Ireland.

Joe Biden and the Democrats have to change the narrative. Make Kamala Harris president.

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In this podcast we welcome back regular guest, Professor Shane O'Mara, neuroscientist and professor at Trinity College Dublin.

I a review of an important new book by Dan Davies, professor Brad de Long of Berkley asks the question: given we are over 15 times better off than our pre-industrial ancestors, why are we so miserable. Davies gives one answer: things have become so complex, few people know how anything works any more and nobody is in charge. So nobody is accountable. 'Nothing works any more' is a constant refrain and Davies gives us his ideas about why so many of us feel that way. His answers may also give pointers as to why the established order - which seems to to make us so unhappy - was overthrown by Brexit, Trump and is going that way in many other countries, not least France.

Professor O'Mara pushes back, gently, against some of this. Demagogues know how to trigger the 30ish % of us that have latent authoritarian tendencies. Make us afraid of immigrants, the deep state, Brussels - we all know the mantras by now. Le Pen & co just know how to get a significant minority afraid and angry. Maybe it was ever thus. Chris argues that something has, in fact, changed and some things are worse.

Shane says there is plenty of evidence that says we are happier than the headlines suggest. But measuring 'life satisfaction' is nuanced and tricky.

But isn't it obvious where the increase in unhappiness has occurred? France, the US the UK?

The UK was the first to give manifest expression to its anger with the rupture - disaster - that was Brexit. Maybe because of a form of collective PTSD, Brexit cannot be talked about because of the fear of triggering precisely that post-traumatic stress. Maybe its just too soon to have the adult conversation. But those who brought forth the trauma are about to get their just deserts. Maybe. Populists appeal but cannot deliver - or just govern.

Some more thoughts on Biden and cognitive decline - don't jump to hasty conclusions.

And much more! Enjoy! We certainly did!

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The French elections will likely reverberate across Europe. Perhaps even alter the course of the war in Ukraine.

The UK will now see the final death throes of the Tory Party. Farage is on the cusp of another victory. Of sorts.

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