As Labour grapples with falling poll ratings, the rise of Reform UK, and growing questions about its political identity, Labour MP Jonathan Hinder joins PoliticsJOE to discuss the future of the party, the influence of Blue Labour, and why so many traditional Labour voters have drifted away.

In this wide-ranging interview, Hinder argues that Labour has lost touch with many of the working-class communities it was founded to represent. He discusses why issues such as immigration, economic security, national identity, workplace democracy, and public ownership have become central to political debate, and why Labour must rebuild trust with voters who increasingly feel ignored by Westminster politics.

Hinder explains the principles of Blue Labour, the political tradition associated with Maurice Glasman that combines socialist economics with a focus on community, solidarity, parliamentary sovereignty and working-class representation. He argues that Labour's current leadership has often adopted Blue Labour rhetoric without fully embracing its ideas, leaving the party struggling to reconnect with former supporters.

The conversation also explores Labour's growing challenge from Reform UK, why many trade union members are considering alternatives to Labour, and whether the party has become too focused on university graduates and metropolitan voters at the expense of its traditional base. Hinder discusses the immigration debate, the role of Parliament in shaping policy, and why he believes Labour needs a clearer vision for the future.

The interview also touches on the ongoing debate surrounding the direction of Keir Starmer's government, the fallout from the latest Labour Party controversies, and the broader question of what Labour stands for in 21st century Britain.

Could Andy Burnham represent Labour's future? Hinder discusses Burnham's political appeal, his ability to speak to different parts of Labour's coalition, and why many voters feel disconnected from the current political establishment.

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Before the people of Makerfield head to the polls to potentially crown the next Prime Minister, Ava and Seán break down what they saw on the ground there last week.

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Ava and Andy return to the PolJOE sofa to dive deep on Keir Starmer's social media ban, weighing the pros, cons, and wider implications. Is this a well-considered crackdown or a desperate lurch for legacy?

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Jeremy Corbyn is no stranger to media and political pile-ons. Neither is Hasan Piker.

Hasan was due to grace the PolJOE dungeon with his presence, for a chat with the former leader of the Labour Party, but the UK government had other ideas.

Himself and his uncle, Cenk Uygur, had their e-visas revoked by the Home Office, who believed their arrival would not be "conducive to the public good." We decided to find out whether that was true or not by carrying on with the interview regardless.

Hasan and Corbyn joined Seán for a wide-ranging chat on where their philosophies blend, and where they differ. How the global drive for equality and emancipation continues to be undermined by the very states sworn to protect them, and where the left can learn to become a true force in mainstream and grassroots political movements alike.

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Ava is joined by Claire Hanna, the Social Democratic and Labour Party MP for Belfast South and Mid Down, to break down the recent violence and unrest in Northern Ireland.

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For millions of graduates, student loans are just another deduction on the payslip. But what does Plan 2 actually mean — and why has it become one of the most controversial policies affecting young people in Britain?

This week, Ava Santina takes a deep dive into the student loan system created under the Cameron-Clegg coalition and asks whether today's graduates have been sold a raw deal. From £9,000 tuition fees and RPI-linked interest rates to frozen repayment thresholds and balances that seem to grow despite years of repayments, Ava unpacks how the system works and why it has become a political flashpoint.

Joining the podcast is former Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who reflects on the origins of the policy, the political decisions that shaped it, and whether governments have underestimated the impact on a generation of graduates.

With young people facing soaring housing costs, stagnant living standards and mounting debt, Ava asks whether Sir Keir Starmer's government should go further to reform Plan 2 loans. Would reducing interest rates, raising repayment thresholds or redesigning the system altogether put more money back into the pockets of younger workers? And can politicians afford to ignore the growing backlash?

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At the centre of this week's PMQs was the tragic killing of Henry Nowak, which some political figures seem to have used for their own ends. Seán is joined by Charlie Herbert of The London Economic to breakdown the session.

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Simon Dubbins is the Head of International at Unite the union, and came by the JOE studios to speak to us before the leadership race for General Secretary in one of Britain's biggest unions. He speaks to Laura and Andy about the union's changing relationship with the Labour party, the shift in member's politics, and how to reignite the ties between the Labour party and the workers' movement

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