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Alas Vine & Hitchens

Alas Vine & Hitchens

Daily Mail 73 Episodes Jul 27, 2026

Sarah Vine and Peter Hitchens meet weekly to discuss and dissect social, economic, and pop cultural topics from the week's news. Each episode takes one big idea and pulls it apart with debate and analysis. The show covers subjects like tech billionaires, fact-checking policies, and society's reliance on anti-depressants.

Episodes

Disintegrating Donald and is AI Coming for Us All?
Disintegrating Donald and is AI Coming for Us All? Jul 27, 2026 42:45 On this week’s episode, Peter will be examining the increasing disintegration of one President Donald J Trump while Sarah will be asking if Artificial Intelligence is finally coming for us all.And the pair pore over our mailbag to chat about looking after your parents in later life, the legacy of former PM Jim Callaghan, asking what did the 1970s ever do for us? And the joys of the Northumbrian co
Burnham Begins and the Swinging Seventies
Burnham Begins and the Swinging Seventies Jul 20, 2026 47:56 On this week’s episode, Sarah’s looking back at the decade of flared jeans and glitter balls and asking why Andy Burnham wants to take us back to the 1970s. And talking of Burnham, Peter wonders if the new PM should now call a general election? And the pair pore over our mailbag to chat about the merits of corporal punishment (or lack of) with Peter recalling school days that sometimes featured a
The Fall of Farage and Gin and Toast
The Fall of Farage and Gin and Toast Jul 13, 2026 32:51 On this week’s episode, Sarah talks procrastination, though she has a few other things to do first, and as he’s named the sleaziest politician in the UK, Peter examines the latest Nigel Farage farrago.  And the pair pore over our mailbag to chat about the legacy of one Dennis Potter, why Peter is less than keen on the Singaporean state, on what the locals really call Wittenham
Iran Impasse and Living On an Island
Iran Impasse and Living On an Island Jul 6, 2026 44:15 On this week’s episode, as the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continues, Peter will be looking at the current situation in Iran and then Sarah and Peter will be comparing notes on their Desert Island Discs (Sarah tries unsuccessfully to convince Peter of the charms of Faithless), if the BBC ever come calling…  And the pair pore over our mailbag to chat about dogma
The Price of Education and Harry’s Game
The Price of Education and Harry’s Game Jun 29, 2026 48:11 On this week’s episode, Peter would like to know why Labour are taxing some private schools out of business and Sarah is asking if should we even care that Prince Harry might be coming back to the UK?  And the pair pore over our mailbag to chat about studying double smoking (and drinking cider), how e-bikes have no place even in hilly Lisbon, just how Conservative was Gordon Brown, and w
Keir Curtailed and A Voyage Round My Father
Keir Curtailed and A Voyage Round My Father Jun 22, 2026 41:52 On this week’s episode, Sarah speaks candidly about her father’s recent passing, both muse on the brutality of modern politics as Kier Starmer steps down and Peter wonders why some nations crave war. And the pair pore over our mailbag prompting Peter’s remarkable impression of an announcer on the Moscow Metro. They both offer up the funniest politicians they’ve encountered and revisit Pe
Banned Books and Past-It Politicians
Banned Books and Past-It Politicians Jun 15, 2026 29:37 On this week’s episode, Sarah’s asking is eighty too old to be a world leader or any kind of politician and Peter would like to know why the Thought Police are coming after Janet and John. And the pair pore over our mailbag to consider why Peter is s a Swissphile, to wonder what the Victorians ever did for us, how the Mamas and Papas were a musical apex for some and why is one of our pre
An Iron Dome for the UK and Allaying the Blame
An Iron Dome for the UK and Allaying the Blame Jun 10, 2026 35:33 On this week’s episode, Peter has finally worked out how to defend the realm (so you might sleep safely in your beds), and Sarah is asking why do some authority figures often go after the wrong people, and leave the real criminals alone? And the pair pore over our mailbag to consider Britain’s place in two world wars, the valuer of spoiling a ballot paper. What happened when Peter appeared th
Abolish the Police and Return of the Blair Creature
Abolish the Police and Return of the Blair Creature Jun 3, 2026 44:31 On this week’s episode, Sarah is asking what happened in the brutal murder of student Henry Nowak and Peter would like to know why the Blair Creature has returned from the deep to haunt the Labour Party.  And the pair pore over our mailbag to consider what the Festival of Britain brought the UK and if we might ever see it’s like again. While Peter embraces the charms of Paris, Sarah less
Crime And (No) Punishment and Phew! What a Scorcher!
Crime And (No) Punishment and Phew! What a Scorcher! May 27, 2026 45:25 On this week’s episode, Sarah is asking why a judge thought it was a good idea to let three rapists walk free. And Peter would like to know what the deal is with ridiculous centigrade temperatures.  And the pair marvel over Peter’s rakish black eye and pore over our latest mailbag to answer listener questions on whether devolution really can work and is the blueprint for politics on a na
Prawn Again, Bombs and Displaced People
Prawn Again, Bombs and Displaced People May 20, 2026 33:07 On this week’s episode, two worlds collide as Sarah asks why prawn cocktail and such old school culinary delights as beef bourguignon and banana splits are back on the dinner menu. And Peter will be asking if our policy of bombing foreign countries is driving up mass immigration to the UK. And the pair pore over our latest mailbag to answer listener questions on whether Kemi Badenoch is really a t
Voting for Beginners and the End of the PM
Voting for Beginners and the End of the PM May 13, 2026 40:48 On this week’s episode, Peter will be telling us why first past the post is a much more preferable voting model to proportional representation. And sticking with the electorate, Sarah will be asking if there should be a general election if Keir Starmer finally falls on his sword. And the pair pore over our latest mailbag to answer listener questions on the ‘sovereign’ bases in Cyprus, go

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