The news depresses me. That’s why we’re launching a new politics podcast

The news at the moment can feel overwhelming; it’s either Trump gaslighting the US public or the slow swan dive into global irrelevance that is Brexit. It can feel like going to see Amy Schumer’s latest films: depressing, frustrating and with a real sense that it’s women who are suffering the most.

As a stand-up, I used to love talking about the news. I loved the drama and gossip of it all. The sense that every day brought new stories, new examples of human frailties and courage writ large. The posturing of Cameron, the boyish idealism of Miliband, the clash of ideas. But my relationship with current affairs has changed over the past few years.

I don’t care which MPs are hanging out with each other in Nando’s. I’m sick of being depressed about everything and I want to know how I can make an actual difference. Outside of Westminster, there are amazing people doing practical things to make big changes: starting an abortion charity out of their kitchen so Irish women can travel to the UK for healthcare, or driving to Calais so refugees have basic clothes and toiletries. There are also lots of MPs quietly working away to make real changes that effects will be felt long after the current news cycle.

That’s the kind of politics I want to be part of, because we need to connect our anger to action. I started working on Repeal the 8^th campaign five years ago, a movement to change Ireland’s abortions laws. People said it was an impossible task, that the Irish people would never vote to change the status quo. But thanks to a long trudge of activism, bravery and jokes on Twitter, we achieved a miracle – there was a good news story in 2018! Things can get better, but it begins with all of us taking action.

It is why I’m so excited about our new podcast Changing Politics. Every week we’ll deep dive into an important issues – deaths in police custody, abortion rights in Northern Ireland, why we’re slowly being suffocated with plastic bottles, why housing in London is more expensive than plutonium.

We’ll hear from experts who can explain in a clear, practical way what we can do to change things.  I’m very excited to hang out with Marie Le Conte, one of the smartest, funniest journalists around – mainly because I recycle all her hot takes from her Twitter feed and try to pass them as my own anyway. I’m also looking forward to having a weekly laugh and gossip about the news with her, because find yourself a gal who can do both, right?

And we’re starting with the fight for Seni’s Law to prevent deaths in custody, which is coming to parliament on 6^th July. Seni Lewis was 23-year-old graduate from South London who died after being restrained by 11 police officers in a mental health unit. He is one of 5,600 people who have died in custody since 1990 after being held down using extreme force. Most of these victims suffered with mental health issues and they are more likely to be female and Black.

If you want to join us in our new mission and help us figure out how we can work together to make sure Seni’s Law is passed, listen to our first podcast and join our Facebook group. Because we know the world is changing and we need our politics to change with it. Let’s make podcasts great again.

Grainne Maguire is a stand-up comedian and Labour member.

@GrainneMaguire