Episodes
This week, Nick Ferrari refutes suggestions the media is being alarmist over the COVID-19 outbreak. Also: Should domestic abusers be forced to take lie detector tests? Is Boris Johnson a typical Tory? Why can't girls be just as strong as boys? Is racism structural?
Published 03/06/20
Published 03/06/20
This week the panel discuss the rules on children transitioning gender, and ask if we should slow the process. But is it wrong to deny treatment to children who say they are sure that are trans? Also: Has the government learned from Windrush? How much is too much for high speed rail? Are we asleep to the threat of coronavirus? Is colour-blind casting the future?
Published 02/14/20
With mounting concerns about the spread of coronavirus, The Pledge has recruited a doctor as a guest panellist this week - none other than Love Island's Alex George. He's arguing the media is fuelling hysteria about the infection. Also: Should there be a maximum age for US President? Was No10 right to ban some reporters? Is education the way to prevent radicalisation?
Published 02/07/20
This week, Femi tells the panel that he doesn’t want police to use facial recognition technology as he thinks the government can't be trusted. Also: Will Brexit bring peace? Is office football banter harmless? How should we punish criminals who attack police? Is antisemitism a thing of the past?
Published 01/31/20
This week Michelle Dewberry presents the case for Parliament moving to northern England. Also: Nick Ferrari on why white privileged men should be able to talk abut race. Afua Hirsch says the 'Tradwife' is not a feminist Twitter trend. June Sarpong reckons post-Brexit Britain should look to Africa. And on his Pledge debut, Geoff Norcott argues that social media is harming the left at the ballot box.
Published 01/24/20
This week Andrew tells his adoption story - and explains why he thinks the stigma around it is wrong. Also: Should Big Ben chime on Brexit day? Are Extinction Rebellion extremists? Does Canada want Harry and Meghan? How gloomy is the outlook for our high streets?
Published 01/17/20
Scotland's raised the age of criminal responsibility to 12, but on this week's podcast, June Sarpong argues that's still too young. Also: Was McDonald's right to fire its boss because of a romance at work? Are we giving away too much of our personal data? Is the UK as a nation prejudiced?
Published 11/08/19
The week, we ask if a Christmas general election is a gamble or a gift for those looking to deliver Brexit. Also: Is the gender pay gap as dramatic as it appears? Is hate crime really on the rise? Who's really at fault over the Grenfell Tower fire?
Published 11/01/19
Greg Dyke thinks if you're a royal, press intrusion comes with the territory. He says if Prince Harry and Meghan are "struggling to cope" with the press coverage they could leave royalty behind and move abroad. But do the panel agree? Carole Malone thinks parliament has "repeatedly betrayed voters and democracy" and says the handling of Brexit has been "the greatest political embarrassment of modern times". Michelle Dewberry says a "pitiful" number of prosecutions have followed against...
Published 10/25/19
On The Pledge this week, the panel discusses racism in football after England's 2020 Euro qualifier against Bulgaria was marred by monkey chants and Nazi salutes. Maajid Nawaz says that 'racism is re-emerging in football because racism is re-emerging in society.' Nick Ferrari believes the government's proposal for compulsory voter ID is a good idea, but do the panel agree? Michelle Dewberry says spreading the benefits of immigration to the north of England won’t work because ‘plans...
Published 10/18/19
On this week's episode of The Pledge: Rachel Johnson, the prime minister's sister, discusses Boris Johnson's alleged relationship with Jennifer Arcuri, the American model turned technology entrepreneur, who it is claimed was given more than £100,000 in public money when the PM was mayor of London. Femi Oluwole says Mr Johnson's critics need to be careful and not get distracted by focusing on whether or not Mr Johnson had an affair with Ms Arcuri. Also, are Extinction Rebellion's goals...
Published 10/11/19
This week Carole Malone tells the panel why she doesn’t think the Duchess of Sussex has been bullied by the press. Also: Should Jeremy Corbyn be given his chance to lead an emergency government? Is Donald Trump really a friend of the UK? Would you want IS bride Shamima Begum living next door? Is it necessary to allow male soldiers to wear make-up?
Published 10/04/19
This week Rachel Johnson confesses that former prime minister David Cameron’s new book memoir melted her "stone cold heart, just a little". But does the rest of the panel agree? Also: Do prison sentences for knife crime deter people? Is the job of a teacher as tough as they make out? Why should foreign students be welcomed? Is a ban on Fireman Sam political correctness gone mad?
Published 09/20/19
This week our panellists discuss Brexit and the Operation Yellowhammer document, the perception of those who undertake IVF treatment, and Labour's proposals to allow tenants the right to buy.
Published 09/13/19
This week, the panel discuss whether a general election will solve anything. Also: Should more police officers be armed with tasers? Could learning about slavery help tackle racism? Is Dior's latest advert culturally insensitive and insulting? On the panel this week are Maajid Nawaz, Carole Malone, Afua Hirsch, Rachel Shabi and Nick Ferrari
Published 09/06/19
This week the panel debates whether the average person is being “priced out” of becoming an MP. Also: Are Baby Boomers to blame for the attitudes of Generation Snowflake? Is Donald Trump right to reinstate the federal death penalty? Should private schools be permanently excluded? Is it game over for conventional careers?
Published 08/02/19
In the week her brother Boris became the new prime minister, Rachel Johnson makes a personal plea on his behalf. But how does the rest of the panel feel about him? Also: Given events in the Gulf, is it time we gave the UK military more backing? Do women in sport deserve more respect? Why isn't there better care for those with dementia?
Published 07/26/19
This week, Greg Dyke baffles younger members of the panel by revealing he prefers to pay for goods with cash. Also: Is Donald Trump racist? Would it be wrong to force through a no-deal Brexit? Is the mainstream media biased towards remainers? Should police tell journalists how to do their job?
Published 07/19/19
This week the panel debates whether Sir Kim Darroch should have written his unflattering memos about Donald Trump. Also: Are Harry and Meghan justified in wanting a high level of privacy or have they gone too far? Should we be in a new space race? Should people under the age of 18 be allowed to compete at Wimbledon? Are kids exposed to too much too young? On this week's panel are: Greg Dyke, Carole Malone, June Sarpong, Michelle Dewberry and Nick Ferrari.
Published 07/12/19
This week the panel debates the cost of funerals, and whether it’s right to make the taxpayer foot the bill when a child dies. Also: Would a no deal Brexit be undemocratic? Should inheritance tax be replaced with a levy on all large parental cash gifts? Do you think work should be made more fun than home? Can you be straight and open to a ‘gay sexual experience’?
Published 07/05/19
This week the panel debates whether it’s in the national interest for Boris Johnson to answer questions about a reported row at his home. Also: Is violence against women a pandemic? Should the NHS be free at the point of delivery – no matter where you’re from? Does the government need to take a harder line on gambling firms? Do MPs deserve maternity cover?
Published 06/28/19
This week, the panel discuss whether it's OK to make jokes about about attacking politicians. Also: Is time to decriminalise drugs? Should the north get more funding? Has social mobility stalled? Would national service get our kids to put down their smartphones?
Published 06/21/19
The drugs debate dominated the opening exchanges in the Tory leadership contest so the panel discusses whether the contenders should be held to account for past misdemeanours. Also: Is it right for the BBC to scrap free TV licences for over-75s? Are we paying attention to women's football? Do Nike's plus size mannequins promoting sportswear normalise obesity?
Published 06/14/19
On this week's podcast, the panel debate whether the Madeleine McCann investigation should be called off - with Michelle Dewberry arguing the case is being policed according to social class. Also: Were Labour politicians right to protest against Trump? Should bands be banned for aggressive music? Does the high street need to get with the times? Is cricket showing the way on integration?
Published 06/07/19