PODCAST – Political Downtime

This week, on a shorter-than-usual episode, Ashleigh and Flint take their collective feet off the accelerator and approach things in a more thoughtful way. But there is still some news talk! Including: 

  • CW: This episode contains a discussion around the actions of ICE, in the USA. There’s no easy way of going over this. 
  • Closer to home, the Council of Europe has voted to ban conversion therapy, despite the best efforts of a certain anti-trans group…
  • In fact that particular group had a double-whammy of deserved disappointment and we’ll tell you all about it in Loser’s Corner.
  • Followed by a considered conversation about how, in these difficult times, are we to rest. Maybe there’s ways of passing time that are in and of themselves radical. From the immortal Terry Pratchett: “It’s not worth doing unless someone, somewhere would much rather you weren’t doing it.”

References:

ICE

Keith Porter death: Loved ones gather at vigil for man killed by off-duty ICE agent in Northridge – ABC7 Los Angeles 

Family of man killed by off-duty ICE agent in LA demands charges: ‘The ache will never go away’

Eight people have died in dealings with ICE so far in 2026. These are their stories | ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) | The Guardian

Alex Pretti’s killing was recorded on body-camera videos, DHS says

Council of Europe

Documents held on the CoE website: https://pace.coe.int/en/files/35742/

PACE calls for ban on conversion practices

Council of Europe votes for ban on conversion practices | Good Law Project 

Loser’s Corner

I can confirm that Sex Matters has been refused permission to bring its anti-democratic, exclusionary, and bigoted challenge to the inclusive space at Hampstead Ponds. More to follow.

Jolyon Maugham KC (@goodlawproject.org) 2026-01-29T11:43:09.592Z

Striking numbers which demonstrate, in spades, how tiny is the popular support for the culture of hate that Britain's institutions seem determined to impose on a kind and accepting majority. (Expect the BBC to ignore it or qualify it to oblivion.)

Jolyon Maugham KC (@goodlawproject.org) 2026-01-29T10:43:18.589Z

Archive copy of a BBC article (using dog-whistle phrasing instead of just saying “trans women”)