Hilary Salt and Sebastian Moore explore the current political landscape in the UK and ask whether social democracy is needed now more than ever. Each week, they will look at important stories, attempt to offer solutions to the many crises, and share their suggestions for books, films, and events that have impacted their lives.Check out the SDP website or get in touch: www.sdp.org.ukhilary.salt@sdp.org.uksebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

In a special Christmas edition of Take Me Home, Hilary and Sebastian hand out their own awards for the best politician, the best speech and many others.

Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk

Sebastian and Hilary talk with Dr Richard Johnson about his new YouGov poll on sovereignty — and what it really tells us about Brexit. Richard explains why public frustration isn’t about wanting to rejoin the EU, but about the UK failing to use the powers Brexit returned. They explore the 20 policy areas tested, the strong cross-party support for national decision-making, and why labels like “leave” and “remain” hide a deeper consensus.

Recommendations:YouGov Sovereignty Poll Results: https://sovereignuk.org/sovereignty-bombshell-poll/Battle of Ideas: https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/

Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk

In this episode of Take Me Home, Hilary and Sebastian speak with international relations lecturer Tara McCormack about Britain’s foreign policy since 1945. They explore how the “special relationship” with the United States has shaped Britain’s global role, why foreign policy has remained outside democratic control, and what a more independent approach might look like.Get in touch:sdp.org.ukhilary.salt@sdp.org.uksebastian.moore@sdp.org.ukRecommendations:

Buffy - https://www.itv.com/watch/buffy-the-vampire-slayer/10a5896

Bluey - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000vbrk/bluey

Moulin Rouge - https://moulinrougemusical.co.uk/world-tour/

Hilary and Sebastian are joined by veteran Labour MP Graham Stringer. Graham has represented the Blackley area in North Manchester since 1997, and before that led Manchester city council. He has a reputation for being straight-talking and independent, especially on issues such as Brexit and climate change.Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Sebastian gives an update on the new towns proposed by the Labour government. Will they be nice places where people want to live? Hilary questions the current way of assessing the amount of council tax people pay and explains what the government is doing to fix it.Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Sebastian looks at what's going on in Texas. Hilary asks if Brits still want to be outside of the EU?

Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Hilary and Sebastian are joined by Tom Slater, editor at spiked-online. We ask Tom what Spiked is all about and whether it has lost its left-wing roots. We explore how old ideas of left and right might be redundant but principles like free speech, democracy and a better life for ordinary working people are still important. We move on to the Online Safety Act and its effect on journalism and on discussion more widely. And we ask are we one hot summer evening away from civil revolt? In Culture Club, Sebastian is enthusiastic about his ParkRun at The Eden Project. And Tom has recommended reading.

Get in touch: sdp.org.uk, hilary.salt@sdp.org.uk, sebastian.moore@sdp.org.uk

Recommendations:https://www.spiked-online.comKurt Vonnegut: Cat's Cradlehttps://www.edenproject.com/