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Labour Party
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Brexit
Net Zero
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Keir Starmer
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Conservative Party
Climate Change
European Union
Donald Trump
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Ukraine
Equality Act
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Welcome to The Sceptic, the Daily Sceptic’s weekly podcast. Host Laurie Wastell interviews the authors of some of the website’s most talked about recent pieces. Please subscribe, and remember: question everything; stay sane; live free. Produced by Richard Eldred.

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Artwork for The Sceptic

Latest Episodes

Banned from an anti-racism meeting for being too old and white, the geopolitical damage being done by Net Zero and why the Church of England seems hell-bent on trashing its own traditions.

In Episode 97 of the Sceptic, guest host Ellie Hodges speaks... more

Labour’s staggering hypocrisy over Reform’s record-breaking donations, the AfD’s seismic breakthrough in Germany and the extraordinary £483 billion climate-damage claim over North Sea oil and gas.

In Episode 96 of the Sceptic, guest host Ellie Hodge... more

YouTube

Prof David Betz on whether the Dover protests could be the start of something much bigger; is the West making the Ukraine war more dangerous and what do the numbers really tell us about Britain’s latest heatwaves?

In Episode 95 of the Sceptic, guest... more

YouTube

An undercover journalist’s extraordinary journey onboard a migrant dinghy, the risk of war with Russia and Canada’s energy standoff with America.

In Episode 94 of the Sceptic, Ellie Hodges sits down with undercover reporter Christian Drogan to hear ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Lord Toby Young
Founder of the Free Speech Union; Editor-in-Chief of The Sceptic
Free Speech Union
Episode: Labour’s Staggering Hypocrisy Over Reform’s £72 Million Donation | The Sceptic Ep.96
David Betz
Professor of War in the Modern World, King's College London
King's College London
Episode: David Betz on Dover, Danny Tommo and the Coming Civil War | The Sceptic Ep.95
Brooks Newmark
Former Conservative MP and Ukraine expert
Former MP, Ukraine defence/tech adviser
Episode: David Betz on Dover, Danny Tommo and the Coming Civil War | The Sceptic Ep.95
William Briggs
Former meteorologist
Independent climate analyst
Episode: David Betz on Dover, Danny Tommo and the Coming Civil War | The Sceptic Ep.95
Christian Drogen
Journalist who infiltrated migrant camps in Northern France and crossed the Channel
Independent journalist
Episode: “I Paid £1,400 to Cross the Channel on a Migrant Boat” | The Sceptic Ep.94
Steve Jermy
Ex-Royal Navy Commodore and former Strategy Director
Former military officer
Episode: “I Paid £1,400 to Cross the Channel on a Migrant Boat” | The Sceptic Ep.94
Tilak Doshi
Daily Sceptic energy editor
Daily Sceptic
Episode: “I Paid £1,400 to Cross the Channel on a Migrant Boat” | The Sceptic Ep.94
Nick Rendell
Author of Daily Sceptic article defending compromise in right-wing electoral strategy
The Daily Sceptic
Episode: Is the Right Its Own Worst Enemy? | The Sceptic Ep.93
José Duarte
Social psychologist, author of The Valid Science Substack
The Valid Science Substack
Episode: Is the Right Its Own Worst Enemy? | The Sceptic Ep.93

Hosts

Laurie Wastell
Host with frequent involvement across episodes; engages guests with critical, analytical questioning and maintains a combative-yet-calm interview style.
Ellie Hodges
Frequent host with the Sceptic network, contributing hosting and interview segments.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 76 ratings
  • Rather insipid

    Stale ideas here, better suiting bygone times (as much as it pains this erstwhile Burkean to admit it). Warmed-over, milquetoast platitudes and the same familiar received “wisdom” that landed Britain – and the rest of our sorry continent – in this ever more wretched and embarrassing state. One regrets our Tories haven’t been conservative for decades.

    Bring on the accelerationism!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Kathryn Porter for Prime Minister!

    Fantastic interview!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Helenatam
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Kathryn Porter interview

    Another superb interview from Laurie Wastell, thank you.

    I’ve been following Kathryn Porter in podcasts for some time. Sheer brilliance. I wish she would be Secretary of State for Energy Security.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jac Dore
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Fantastic podcast

    This is great as a counter point to the BBC the discussions and interviews of right of centre issues facing Great Britain is really interesting and the points well made!

    The presenter is articulate and very good!

    Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Piggy412
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Bottom Feeder

    Michael Woolf is a bottom feeder who would sell his grandmother for a dollar and it was silly to get him on the programme

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Zimalu
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Quality hosting and diverse guest lines are noted, though a few listeners seek more positive news coverage.
Some episodes polarize with strong viewpoints; others value counterpoints and data-driven critique.
Listeners appreciate the host's ability to move discussions without losing depth.
Insightful guests and hosting; the show educates on political issues while staying accessible.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#95
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#243
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#188
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#238
New Zealand/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#239
South Africa/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Labour’s Staggering Hypocrisy Over Reform’s £72 Million Donation | The Sceptic Ep.96
Q: Do you genuinely think Labour is bringing tougher rules around political donations to clean up politics, or is this targeted at Reform?
The host and Toby Young frame it as self-interested and aimed at limiting competition for Conservative and Reform parties, suggesting selective regulation that benefits Labour's donors such as unions.
Labour’s Staggering Hypocrisy Over Reform’s £72 Million Donation | The Sceptic Ep.96
Q: So this week, Reform have received two donations that add up to a total of 72 million pounds. Is that healthy for a British democracy, do you think?
Yes, it can be seen as healthy competition and fundraising capability, but it raises concerns about unequal playing field and potential influence; the discussion centers on whether there should be caps on donations and how rules should apply to different funding sources.
David Betz on Dover, Danny Tommo and the Coming Civil War | The Sceptic Ep.95
Q: Germany's political shift and Reform's position are contrasted with Britain—what explains voters' persistence with two parties, and what could change that?
Betz argues that structural two-party dominance persists due to the first-past-the-post system and cultural inertia, while reformist or third-party options face barriers; trajectories hinge on perceived policy failures, legitimacy, and how elites respond to escalating grievances.
Is the Right Its Own Worst Enemy? | The Sceptic Ep.93
Q: How do you think conservatives should balance principle and pragmatism to win elections?
Rendell argues for finding a middle ground where principles are preserved but communicated in a way that broad voters can support, implying concessions on messaging and some policy areas are necessary for electoral success.
Rupert Lowe on Uniting the Right | The Sceptic Ep.90
Q: What is the core thinking behind the offer to Nigel Farage and Restore's potential cooperation with Reform?
The core thinking is to unite forces that share common-sense views to avoid splitting the vote and to pursue a shared program of reform, governance, and economic measures, with openness about the terms and public accountability.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Sceptic

What is The Sceptic about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A discussion-heavy show that features hosts and frequent contributors examining media narratives, government policy, and civil liberties through a critical, skeptical lens. Episodes frequently tackle topics like free speech, online safety and censorship, energy policy and climate data, and the influence of advocacy groups on journalism and politics. Guests range from journalists and policy researchers to lawmakers and think-tank voices, offering counterpoints to mainstream narratives and spotlighting questions about transparency, governance, and accountability. The format often blends interviews with in-depth analysis, aiming to equip listeners with alternative perspectives on contemporary UK politics, media, and public policy. A notable st... more

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1. The Current Thing
2. The spiked podcast
3. New Culture Forum
4. Last Orders - a spiked podcast
5. The Brendan O'Neill Show

How many episodes of The Sceptic are there?

The Sceptic launched 2 years ago and published 122 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Sceptic?

Recent guests on The Sceptic include:

1. Lord Toby Young
2. David Betz
3. Brooks Newmark
4. William Briggs
5. Christian Drogen
6. Steve Jermy
7. Tilak Doshi
8. Nick Rendell

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