Nick Cohen talks to journalist and author, John Kampfner, about his book "Brave a New World," which examines democratic governments that successfully address long-term challenges like aging populations, renewable energy, and housing. Kampfner highlights Japan's approach to demographic change through cross-party collaboration, insurance systems, and integrating older citizens into mainstream society.

Climate change, low birth rate amd and ageing populations, the dangerous instability of the US - these are are all existential issues some nations are grasping while others are ducking them, or tip-toeing around them.

Nick and John discuss Britain's failure to address such huge issues issues, particularly under Keir Starmer's government, which Kampfner criticises for adopting a cautious, incremental approach that avoids bold leadership. The failure is all the more mysterious when taking into acccount the huge landslide majority won by Labour at the last general election. They explore how Britain's political culture and journalistic practices create barriers to addressing long-term challenges, and John Kampfner suggests that unless mainstream politics embraces more daring leadership, it risks being overtaken by populist alternatives.

John Kampfner @johnkampfner @johnkampfner.bsky.social is a journalist and author. His new book, Braver New World, The countries daring to do things other countries won't, is published by Atlantic Books.

John's Susbtack column is Citizen of Everywhere.

Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.

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