Aisling Bea's Campaign to End Abortion Suffering & Introduce Buffer Zones | Pod Save The UK

“A hung Parliament” - it’s not quite admitting defeat, but the new media lines from Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party suggest that even the Government knows its days are numbered. Nish and Coco unpack Sunak’s shock admission and some of the highlights from the local elections.
Comedian, actor and activist (and old colleague of Nish) Aisling Bea drops in to talk about campaigning against food insecurity. The “Essentials Guarantee” campaign championed by the Trussell Trust asks that political parties prioritise all citizens having basic essentials as part of their election manifestos.
Aisling also talks about the fight for abortion rights in her homeland of Ireland, while Coco reminds us that the abortion laws in England, Scotland and Wales are incredibly archaic. Abortion buffer zones, 150m no-protest areas around clinics have just hit their one-year anniversary of receiving royal ascent for England & Wales, however, the Home Office has yet to roll out the change to the law - leaving protestors free to approach women outside.
Finally, the gang mix together a metaphorical soufflé of villains, stirring in a healthy dose of uncapped banker bonuses, adding a dash of Susan Hall, and a pinch of the Labour Party’s surprise new MP.
Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.
Contact us via email: [e-mail]
WhatsApp: [phone] (UK) or + 44 7514 644572
Insta: / podsavetheuk
Twitter: / podsavetheuk
TikTok: / podsavetheuk
Facebook: / podsavetheuk
KZbin: / podsavetheworld
Guest:
Aisling Bea
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
01:29 More Good news from the local election results
07:26 Aisling Bea on Food banks
24:44 Aisling Bea on Abortion in Ireland and the UK
35:13 A Soufflé of Villains
Video credits:
BBC Radio 4 - Today
The Guardian
GB News
Useful links:
Come to see Pod Save the UK live at Edinburgh Fringe!- tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on...
Essentials Guarantee Campaign - Trussell Trust - www.trusselltrust.org/2024/01...
Could there really be a hung parliament at the next UK general election? - The Guardian - www.theguardian.com/politics/...
Anti-abortion activists ramping up protests outside clinics after failure to introduce buffer zones - The Independent - www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...
Goldman Sachs’s UK gender pay gap widest in six years - Financial Times - www.ft.com/content/112d86f7-5...
On abortion culture wars, Britain takes a different path - Politico - www.politico.eu/article/abort...
What a sad little life Jane - Come Dine With Me - • What a sad little life...
Inspired by Crooked Media’s ‘Pod Save America’, their mission is to find solutions to Britain’s political problems - and have a laugh while they’re doing it. Subscribe now so you don't miss the video podcast, or subscribe here to listen each week:
go.crooked.com/PodSaveTheUK
Crooked Media believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us-one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. We are a media network that showcases stories, voices, and opportunities for activism that inform, entertain, and inspire action, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world.
That’s it. End of mission.
Learn more about us at crooked.com
Want Pod Save America ad-free? Subscribe to Friends of the Pod: www.crooked.com/friends
Crooked Media believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us-one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. We are a media network that showcases stories, voices, and opportunities for activism that inform, entertain, and inspire action, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world.
That’s it. End of mission.
Learn more about us at crooked.com

[@laurenlowe1713]

Thank you for raising abortion as an issue, I never thought I'd have one but after we found out there were fatal foetal abnormalities, we decided it would be kinder to end the pregnancy. I had to go through BPAS for a surgical abortion and if I'd had to face protestors outside the clinic on the worst day of my life, I'd have got violent. We need control over our own bodies, otherwise women are going to be treated like walking incubators.

[@imetmikemo182]

Getting 'violent' because of 'protesters' or peoples opinions in general makes about as much sense as if the otherside were to get violent for you protesting or making your voice heard for being pro-choice. Does that register at all with you? For everybody's sake including your very own i hope it does..

[@sulalee7413]

@@imetmikemo182 Why would someone who was speaking of her termination choice, an emotionally demanding decision, be thinking of people's theoretical views? It was an emotional situation and she was expressing how she would have felt. As you wrote "Does that not register with you? For everyone's sake including your own, I hope it does." 🙄

[@imetmikemo182]

@sulalee7413 Indeed, it does. I will accept responsibility in that maybe I took what she was meaning to say to literally & in a short sighted manner as soon as i saw the word violence. & at that point i felt as though as if it was fair to highlight the fundamental principle of what it means to have freedom of opinions & conviction in your beliefs. Literally the one thing you should never do is break the golden rule because i promise you on all that is good & green on this earth that it only leads to further polarization into the extreme or radical. I do appreciate you taking the time to make a real & valid point rather than just resorting to low iq add homonym attacks.🗿

[@danielbeshers1689]

I am proudly a member of the Bea team.

[@softanna27]

I worked with Savita's husband,.it was beyond tragic. We still have a lot to do as people are still having to travel abroad

[@forshor1998]

I came across this podcast from the recent trans episode, being trans myself and a big fan of Abigail Thorne. I've been watching some older ones, hence why I'm here, and something about Aisling and Coco talking about how you need to act innocent, how you have to get through medical gatekeepers, how you're judged on whether your a good enough woman to get the healthcare you need and feel the need to perform that role - this really strongly resonated with me. I know it's not the same situation, but the need for us to be able to make our own decisions about our bodies is a fight we share and I'm really happy that both are being discussed.

[@StephMcAlea]

I'm trans and left the Labour party when Corbyn was ousted. Voting for Labour, with the likes of Wes Streeting and Rosie Duffield (ex but still influencing), is a vote similar to turkeys voting for Christmas. I joined Greens straight away but the first e-mail I got was from Women of the Green Party was in support of JK Rowling. I now have no party. If I lived 3km to my east I could vote Plaid Cymru but alas, I live in England and TERF Island.

[@dontworryaboutit-3455]

why do women have to bend over backwards to accommodate you? you can’t identify as black, so why do you indemnify as a woman?

[@marknugent9851]

Scotland, the SNP are good on LGBTQIA+ rights, love to all our brothers sisters and enbies.

[@theghostoftom]

Same for me. The choice is between environment I guess or three flavours of bland Tory party and one mask off nutter Tory party. Hoping for an Independent who doesn't turn out to be yet another Tory. Where is my socialist option!

[@Tree_Village]

Amazing content. As always. Loved this so much, loved to see Bea on the show. Hope she will return!! So fun 😊

[@AndrewMcColl]

It was great to see Count Binface up on the stage. He's been around for a while now and clearly seems to be enjoying himself. He even managed to get more votes than the candidate from the BNP, and received a high five from Khan at one point. It's these moments of levity that stop elections from becoming dour affairs.

[@louishigh30]

As a man, I've always believed I have absolutely no right to comment on what a woman decides to do with her body. As an temporarily (I hope) unemployed man, I'm really pleased they discussed how little people are 'given' to live (survive) on.

[@imetmikemo182]

Lmao. What about the babies body?? Could that baby not one day have grown up to become a woman? What about her choice?? You see the problem with the argument? It becomes completely null & void when you stop ignoring that you are infact talking about 2 bodies not just one & quite honestly its a very selfish & pretty gross way of looking at it but hey if thats genuinely your opinion & you can admit that that is fine withe but you are going to definitely have to take that up one day with our maker/the source

[@louishigh30]

@@imetmikemo182 That is entirely up to the mother and her conscience. Are you one of those people that think they have a right to tell women they don't even know what to do? You clearly believe there's an invisible being in sky that makes you think you have the right to comment on what women can or can't do. And anyway, if Odin exists, he'll probably have a restraining order out on me.

[@imetmikemo182]

@louishigh30 no, actually. I guess since you're asking, then asumming ill go ahead & just let you know... not 'an invisible being in the sky' but you yourself & her herself a higher & purer part of your self that is more directly connected to the original source. Call it a soul of youd like as many people do. What im saying is the only person judging you will be yourself & karmicly & spiritualy you are shattering your progress & devolving to a lower plain of existence for such a inhumane choice & this fate being much worse then death when you understand how things work on the otherside & the bigger picture/purpose overall but hey thats simply my opinion & i will gracfully leave it there as ive done my part in informing you. You know about the horse & the drinking of the water & what not...

[@louishigh30]

@@imetmikemo182 I know how Valhalla works and Odin takes a dim view of hippy nonsense.,

[@imetmikemo182]

@@louishigh30 i would expect nothing less of a dim mind.

[@rextitan]

I can't believe the podcast secured the pair of artists known for "I'm always seeing you (do cool stuff)" and "Rosalind's a nightmare!"

[@ElMaestroGordo]

Excellent edition of the show today. 😍 Always going to be quality with Aisling Bea, and really thought-provoking issues too.

[@mariannerady1137]

thanks so much for continously highlight important societal issues, I am so glad PSTUK exists! Love you both! Cheers from Germany

[@BlackDogBlues4961]

I know of Nish and Aisling from the same British panel shows. From the mountains of West Virginia sending ya'll all the best!

[@KristineMaitland]

As do I ! Cheers from Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦.

[@BeccaAl]

I’m stunned 20 comments so far! For Aisling Bea, Coco Kahn and that guy Nitch? I love Aisling’s comedy but it’s definitely so fantastic to find out the social causes she supports. What a woman 😅 As a mother of two boys, the first birth a cascade of medical intervention and long recovery period, the 2nd birth at home with my partner and a Thai curry that was way too spicy for tea! 🍵 When you’re discussing abortion, something I’ve supported friends through. I’d like to add my agreement, no-one should be forced to carry a foetus, birth a baby, they do not want or should not have for any reason- “too expensive” “don’t want to be a parent” “addiction” “illness or mental health” “no support”… any reason bc being a parent is a huge responsibility that must be taken seriously. Once they are born someone else’s life is literally in our hands. I love being mum but completely understand any reasons others don’t want to. There’s so many children in care, so many unwanted kids already. And still much wanted babies are dying from things that could be preventable. If only those who claimed to care so much about life actually cared about those already living it. Thanks for coming Aisling, please please come again soon 💚

[@DennisMoore664]

That guy Nish. Nish Kumar to be precise.

[@BeccaAl]

@@DennisMoore664 it was a little joke Dennis- Aisling was joking with him, that it’s nice of Coco to let him on her podcast.

[@DennisMoore664]

@@BeccaAl Sorry, sorry. I just a bit carried away sometimes.

[@DtotheLA]

Great show!

[@frenzy1111]

Irish politics is a little more than Aisling has described. For a start, while there has been two big parties historically, there are currently three big parties. The big difference is the use of the PR system and the plethora of small parties which often hold the balance of power in coalitions.

[@simplybeautyfull]

More chit-chat time, please. I enjoy it when they both just banter and talk news. Really love the show. CHEERS from the USA.

[@JJ-jw3yc]

Aisling was such an incredible, eloquent guest. I really loved her acknowledgement that if any of them were politicians they'd have to make choices that they don't agree with because I feel like that nuance is missing from a lot of political discussions. It doesn't excuse things but you can't change the system until you know how it works and why people make the decisions they make.

[@Vulcanerd]

I remember the Indian lady who died that Aisling mentions. Sadly, that's what's facing many American women now that our Supreme Court has decided that a universal right should be doled out on a state by state basis. Aisling is right, a pregnant woman who says, "I want an abortion", regardless of what her reasons are, is the end of any discussion.

[@imetmikemo182]

What if her reason is because she wants to murder her own child? No, your right, rhetorical question. Sounds valid enough to me & definitely wouldn't enquire probably the most negative karma that there could be in the entire universe, killing a baby & your own none the less. But hey, i guess that really is between you & your own soul. Good luck with that.

[@Vulcanerd]

@@imetmikemo182 What a horrific and awful strawman, you monster. Why do you want to murder women who's unborn fetuses aren't viable? B/c that's what happened with Savita Halappanavar who was experiencing a miscarriage. She died of sepsis while experiencing a miscarriage in which the fetus wasn't going to survive, but you're right. Better to kill both than just one! See? I can use ridiculous strawman arguments as well except, in my case, it was an actual thing that happens to women and not the only type of complication that can happen such as preeclampsia. So, while you're getting your jollies off on how women should die for an unviable fetus in a hypothetical, homicidal person who wants to kill their own baby, actual women have died, are dying and will die b/c of people like you who think that some hypothetical murder-y woman just wants to kill her baby and *exactly* why Aisling's point is the most important. These women shouldn't have to put up with monsters like you and they shouldn't have to rationalize a single, goddamn thing you think they should do with their bodies.

[@talideon]

​@@imetmikemo182Yeah, of course! There are women out there who go to the trouble of getting pregnant and then think to themselves "hmmm... feeling a bit murdery today" and decide to have an abortion. 🙄 Really, if you're going to come up with something, at least make it even vaguely plausible.

[@Vulcanerd]

@@imetmikemo182 Yeah, what a strawman. Instead of the myriad examples of women (solo or a couple) that are unprepared for a child for a myriad of reasons or women who are victims of SA, often by someone they know like a friend or a relative, or women whose pregnancies will not lead to a viable infant or whose lives are actually threatened by the pregnancy, let's come up with a complete hypothetical example that, in your mind, somehow supersede a ton of real, actual, suffering women.

[@m.a.b.4104]

Love Aisling, a great guest and a banger episode. The perfect mix of dark humour and politics news, with the rare bit if good news which was Susan Hall losing the London Mayoral election. As someone who lives outside the UK, can anyone tell me if Captain Binface has any decent political/policy positions?

[@AndrewMcColl]

It's well worth giving Count Binface a google for the full details, but here are some of his current positions: building at least one affordable home, renaming London Bridge after Phoebe Waller-Bridge, price capping croissants at £1.10 - 10p more than a previous pledge for £1 pastries - and granting grade one listed status to Claudia Winkleman’s fringe.

[@KristineMaitland]

Binface has had several incarnations over the years played by comedian Jonathan Harvey. His point is satire but I have seen him in debates and often he has been more sensible than other candidates. That Lawrence Fox gets more votes frightens me.

[@AndrewMcColl]

@@KristineMaitland it wasn't Fox who ran in the mayoral election, it was someone else, but they did still get ~50,000 more votes.

[@m.a.b.4104]

@@AndrewMcColl that's right, had heard of some of those policies now I've been reminded. Political satire plays an important role, especially these days. Thanks, much appreciated.

[@toboekibatsumehige]

Most def, you should watch The Wire

[@AlerieHightower]

It should be required viewing for absolutely everyone who watches TV.

[@katinkagoncalves913]

Here in the US reproductive health care is only readily available in blue states. If the GOP takes congress & trump wins in November, abortion will likely become illegal in all 50 states. The nightmare stories already coming out of red states of women dying or losing organs does not bode well for women going forward in the country with the highest maternal mortality rate among industrialized nations (23.8 per 100,000 live births contrast the UK with 6.5). The fight for women’s equality through bodily autonomy seems never ending but I will continue to hope and vote.

[@matthewkeating5963]

I've got one of those avocado bowls. They're great for using as your weed bowl.😊

[@matthewkeating5963]

Bankers, change the B to a W.

[@amandadeloff4278]

Sweet coco and nish!

[@nicklindsay3418]

Loved you on tashmaster !

[@Vulcanerd]

I can sympathize with Aisling's reasoning that an anti-abortion person is convinced they are saving a life and, while I don't know what the details and particular specifics are in the UK or Ireland, etc, I find it disingenuous in the US b/c these same people won't fund pre or post-natal care or child and mother's nutrition or bolster early education for children or provide for any other relief for the mother or child. I call that segment of the American populace "pro-birth", not pro-life b/c nothing else they do or advocate helps the child or mother.

[@jordanbishop6949]

Those numbers are unacceptable for food insecurity in the uk! I’m ashamed. No more belt tightening! The fat cats in the banks can stand to loose a few pounds!

[@heyhabib]

Well that episode did nothing for my effort to stop falling in love with Aisling Bea.

[@filippo8189]

That guy dressed as a bin was staying so still, my brain didn’t register him for half the clip 😆

[@rustynail1194]

Aisling!!! God I love her 😍 as soon as I see her I laugh 😂 😂 😂 and now I know her politics too. In complete agreement 👍 Also... Briz is great, come and visit 😉😢

[@ryanmccorkle3770]

A Parliament of Villains

[@colinthompson3111]

This was an excellent episode. Coco and Aisling were very funny and had a great discussion. Nish should try to introduce comedy to the program more frequently.

[@andreasheld2362]

Guests like Aisling absolutely enrich the Podcast.

[@kassistwisted]

AISLING!!!!!

[@paulperry7091]

Well, the Conservatives have moved so far to the right that they have fallen off the edge - but Labour is moving to the right to fill the gap. The fight goes ever on.

[@ToppyTree]

I hate to be way too into this but wasn't Susan Hall's "The Wire" comment a reference to something Khan said to her at a debate?

[@ssabrina1995]

there is no shame in having to go to a food bank, the shame is on the government policies that cause the need for them to exist

[@Nicholas_Burmeister]

Sounds like Ireland should start hiring all the Southern US doctors kicked out of practice.

[@awkwardatlas5623]

But who was the HOTW (other than Aisling of course)!

[@SHIRLEI777]

👏🏽

[@deusex3124]

Keir Starmer welcoming Natalie Elphicke with open arms is a big indicator of who Labour are now. Keir Starmer is clearly so determined to distance the party from Corbyn and Corbynism that they will embrace fringe right wing Tories. Keir Starmer's strategy very much seems to be appeal to enough right wing voters that it compensates for all the progressive voters the party is haemorrhaging. Which then highlights the big problem with British politics - two main parties that are becoming more and more similar as they strive to actually get into Number 10.

[@emma_green]

4:20 go Greens! 💚💚💚

[@Vulcanerd]

I will say I, too, am a fan of Denzel, but my favorites are Philadelphia and Crimson Tide, but he has so many great ones. Training Day? Malcolm X? I sure others have their favorite, too.

[@DennisMoore664]

"Everyone loves Denzel"

[@margaretmcnamee6411]

Is Posie Parker related to Nosy Parker?

[@AlerieHightower]

Or Parker Posey?

[@Vulcanerd]

Ten Cold Khan 🤣

[@jnielson1121]

*PINCH of salt! We are not an American :(

[@KristineMaitland]

Grain of salt is less than a pinch. A pinch is made up of a number of grains. At least, that is this Canadian's understanding.

[@jnielson1121]

@@KristineMaitland it's the cultural convention and scanning for me. Pinch of salt is the UK version and "grain of salt" sounds very odd to me. It's like "I couldn't care less" in the UK (which makes sense) and "I could care less" in the US which is a misunderstanding of the intent of the phrase. And doesn't sound as good. "Grain of salt" is perfectly valid though sounds a bit weird to me - "grain of sand" is a familiar phrase/ idea but I'd probably refer to a salt crystal rather than a grain.

[@jnielson1121]

@@KristineMaitland ooh and apparently a 'grain' was an old English measurement that weighed about the same as a pinch of salt between finger and thumb. That's kinda cool...

[@HFEpro]

personally i think the most important election result is Dibley. We need to know who will be ruling Vicar Geraldine. the party that conquers Dibley conquers the world!!!

[@someonesomeone25]

The abortion issue is really simple at bottom. The anti-abortion side sees the foetus as a morally valuable entity with a presumptive right to life, and the pro-choice side doesn’t. I'm not sure there can be any consistent compromise between those sides, it's just a choice/preference.

[@leebloomquist3896]

If the logic of Genesis is right about the self beginning at first breath, then the first experience of the self must be "hunger for air." Which is a term from the science of physiology. * If this logic from Genesis is wrong and the self begins BEFORE the first breath, then some experience other than hunger for air must occur before the first experience of hunger for air. * Maybe the first beat of the heart. However, there is self control over the breath but not over the heartbeat. I can take a few deep breaths and then hold my breath for a certain amount of time. But I can't take a few deep heartbeats and then hold my heartbeat for a certain amount of time. Self control-- control relative to a self-- exists for the breath but not for the heartbeat. * The physiology is most likely that "astrocytes" (a kind of "glial cell" in the brain) are connected via "connexins" which flood the system during parturition. Astrocytes are required for consciousness, because the "astrocyte syncytium" is a basic part of the brain. The emerging astrocytes enable memory. And then memory involves the self. But instrumentation for all of this would be difficult if not impossible. * In its initial state of hunger for air, the self has developed only the shortest forms of memory. Long term forms of memory don't yet exist in this state. (More information about memory and the self in the youtube video "A memory of kindness.") * The logic from Genesis appears in the words: "... breath of life ..." Logically there must be a first breath. And logically there must be a last breath. (For more quotations from the Bible, Google the article: "Pro-choice pastors like Raphael Warnock have the Bible, history on their side")

[@wam-yx1vs]

Is Noah doing a podcast now because he isn’t funny and comedy career has finally ended, thank god!!!

[@redflag4781]

Noah???