The UK’s growing heatwave problem. Plus: Would a social media ban actually work?

Politics Uncensored

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Thursday, 28 May 2026 - 49 minutes

Copy: Ali is presenting from Makerfield today, but he’s joined by Ros Taylor, writer, journalist and podcaster to cover the top stories of the week.The Week Unwrapped:Former SNP Chief, Peter Murrell, Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Party FundsEarlier this week, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, Peter Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. Murrell, who is also the estranged husband of previous first minister Nicola Sturgeon, used illicit party funds to purchase luxury goods including jewellery, two cars and a motorhome. Ros and Ali discuss how the SNP have survived the scandal, whether Sturgeon deserves to be scrutinised and some of Murrell’s questionable purchases. Robert Kenyon’s Old Social Media Accounts ExposedLast week, Reform UK announced local plumber, Robert Kenyon, as their candidate in the Makerfield by-election. However, several social media accounts linked to Kenyon have come under scrutiny, after a series of historic posts resurfaced online. Some posts attributed to the account appear to express controversial views on issues including Covid vaccines and immigration as well as degrading comments about women and anti-Ukraine sentiment. Ros and Ali question whether Kenyon is right for the role, the vetting process for Reform UK and his refusal to apologise. Why does every Labour frontbencher have the same haircut?Finally, a recent article by Hannah Camilleri on her Substack ‘Soft Power’ has pointed out an interesting phenomenon in Westminster. She writes that if you cast your eye over the Labour benches at the moment, there is an exceptionally high rate of what has been nicknamed the “Labour Right Bob” From Shabana Mahmood to Rachel Reeves, it seems that plenty of the top women in the Commons all have the same short haircut. Ali and Ros unpack why that might be. Up Next: Is a Social Media Ban on the Horizon?On Tuesday, the government wrapped up a consultation on whether to impose an Australian-style social media ban for under 16s. Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, vowed to take "decisive” action to tackle the impact of social media on children in the UK. This is part of a wider debate about how the government can increase pressure on tech companies over online safety concerns, especially for young people. The Labour party is expected to announce a crackdown within weeks. Ali and Ros unpick the complex debate, what can be done and whether the legislation will actually work.Heatwaves: Should the Government be doing more?The UK has experienced a record breaking heatwave this week. The hottest ever May temperature was recorded on Tuesday in London - 35.1C. This warm weather is, however, a cause for concern. High temperatures have led to deaths, infrastructure failures as well as economic disruption. Scientists expect that heatwaves will happen more often as a result of climate change. So, is the UK doing enough to prepare itself for this shift? Issey Gladston, Climate Journalist and Communications Strategist, joins us to unpack why it’s currently so hot in Europe, the rise of conspiracy theories and why we should frame this as a national security issue. Guests: Ros Taylor - Writer, Broadcaster and Journalist. You can find her on Bluesky hereIssey Gladston - Climate Journalist and Communications strategist. You can find her on Instagram here. Producer: Monica Lillis

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