The Monocle Daily – Episode Summary

Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Andrew Muller
Guests: Rainbow Murray (Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University of London), Quentin Peel (Monocle Radio Contributor)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Monocle Daily delves into two major stories: the complicated relationship between Europe’s far-right parties and potential U.S. President Trump, and the ambitions of Gulf states as they back a massive Hollywood takeover. Alongside, the panel discusses French ex-president Sarkozy’s jail memoir (and its culinary revelations), changing attitudes towards office Christmas parties, and the peculiar history of London’s controversial Brown Dog statue.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Europe’s Far-Right Splinters Over Trump Endorsement

Timestamps: 04:13–12:19

• The panel examines the mixed feelings among Europe’s far-right parties towards an apparent overture from Donald Trump, as outlined in the new U.S. national security strategy.
• France (National Rally): Rainbow Murray notes that Trump is unpopular even among National Rally (RN) voters, not due to ideology but a strong aversion to perceived American interference.
  • “Even amongst National Rally voters, Trump is not very popular... It’s more about the actual inherent nationalism within the French far right that they don’t want foreign interference and they reject an Americanization of France...” — Rainbow Murray (05:03)
• Germany (AfD): Quentin Peel describes the excitement of Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) over Trump’s support, despite considerable anti-Trump sentiment across the German political spectrum.
  • “They’re about to send a rather large delegation over to Washington to schmooze with the MAGA people... The AfD seem to think this will pay off a dividend for them. As I say, I’m not at all sure that is true.” — Quentin Peel (07:23)
• Polling: Muller highlights fresh data showing that across nine European countries, most see Trump as “an enemy.” However, Polish opinions are divided.
  • “Slightly more than half [of Europeans] saw the President of the United States as an enemy. ... Only 19% of Poles think he’s an enemy. But only 24% of Poles see him as a friend. The rest are either a bit bewildered or indifferent.” — Andrew Muller (08:53)
• Unreliability & Insults: Panelists agree Trump’s unpredictability makes European leaders wary, regardless of policy overlap.
  • “They don’t like someone who is unreliable, and for another, people don’t forget an insult very quickly.” — Rainbow Murray (10:05)
• Strategic Implications: Quentin Peel notes the UK is particularly vulnerable after Brexit, with Trump’s euroscepticism casting new doubts on the wisdom of such alliances.

2. Gulf States’ Bid for Hollywood Power

Timestamps: 12:19–16:50

• Discussion turns to Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar’s joint financial backing of the $108 billion Paramount-Skydance hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.
• Soft Power Expansion: Rainbow Murray frames the move as the epitome of cultural investment, expanding Gulf soft power into the heart of global entertainment.
  • “They see Hollywood as pretty much the epitome of soft power because it’s cultural, it’s diffused around the world.” — Rainbow Murray (13:10)
• Rivalry & Motives: Quentin Peel comments on the rare collaboration among rival Gulf states, speculating on whether this is about influence, aligning with Trump’s network, or pure trophy asset acquisition.
  • “Are they trying to be nice to Mr. Trump? ... There are really quite profound rivalries [between the Gulf states]...” — Quentin Peel (14:13)
• Potential for Cultural Influence: Murray is skeptical that Middle Eastern investors will significantly influence Hollywood globally but points out the alternative—industry consolidation under one U.S. giant—has its own risks.
  • “Which one is more threatening, sort of too much control by one corporation or by a set of countries eager to diffuse their influence more broadly around the world.” — Rainbow Murray (16:28)
• Cinema’s Future: Peel warns that state-backed ownership risks dulling Hollywood’s creativity, citing Hong Kong’s experience post-political influence.
  • “These rather uptime societies would be a bit of a dead hand on Hollywood. Certainly not an inspiration.” — Quentin Peel (16:50)

3. Sarkozy’s Prison Memoir: Self-Pity and Politics

Timestamps: 17:19–21:35

• Nicolas Sarkozy’s “A Prisoner’s Diary,” chronicling his 20 days in custody, is discussed with incredulity and humor.
• Content & Reception: Rainbow Murray dismisses it as a work of self-pity designed to rehabilitate Sarkozy's image and push his party towards the far right.
  • “Someone describing 20 days of nothing happening over 200 pages. Please count me in.” — Rainbow Murray (18:12)
  • “This is more about Sarkozy trying to defend his image as a man who has been disgracefully wronged.” — Rainbow Murray (19:28)
• Gastronomy Gripe: Quentin Peel jokes about Sarkozy’s complaints: “In particular, the baguettes were quite soggy. ... The heart bleeds for him, by the way.” (18:47)
• Political Damage: Sarkozy’s actions are seen as having humiliated and damaged France’s center-right.
  • “This extraordinary man, just me, me, me. ... That really has undermined the centre right in France and it’s his fault.” — Quentin Peel (21:05)

4. Political Memoir Recommendations

Timestamps: 21:35–23:50

• Each panelist recommends an example of a political memoir worth reading:
  • Andrew Muller: Jacinda Ardern’s memoir and Leo Varadkar’s.
  • Rainbow Murray: Hillary Clinton’s, particularly the one about her early life.
    • “For me it really helped to humanize her... showed a much softer side of her that I think people don’t get to see very often.” — Rainbow Murray (22:40)
  • Quentin Peel: Rory Stewart’s memoir for its frankness and wit.
    • “He is quite pleasantly rude about rather a lot of people. ... Well written and he is quite refreshing in the British political scene.” — Quentin Peel (23:21)

5. Changing Attitudes to the Office Christmas Party

Timestamps: 23:50–28:51

• Muller highlights a study suggesting the decline of the office Christmas party is driven by Gen X, not the younger Gen Z.
• Personal Confessions:
  • Quentin Peel admits he never enjoyed these parties, preferring other company and criticizing the sometimes un-politically-correct vibe:
    • “People drinking far too much and then running off into corners with people they oughtn’t to be running off into corners with...” — Quentin Peel (24:45)
  • Rainbow Murray confides that she’s consistently skipped the event, preferring family time and being teetotal:
    • “I did not go. ... I didn’t go last year or the 15 years before that either.” — Rainbow Murray (26:26)
• Survival Tips:
  • Muller: “Leave while there’s still a tube.” (28:03)
  • Peel: “Avoid the office bore ... but probably even more avoid the office gender—not important—one who’s always been eyeing you up from afar and best not to.” (28:23)

6. On This Day: The Brown Dog Statue Controversy

Timestamps: 29:12–34:28

• Muller delivers an engaging historical account of the infamous "Brown Dog" statue in Battersea Park, London—a flashpoint in anti-vivisection protests beginning in 1907.
• Key Points:
  • Originally erected as a protest against vivisection, the statue became the target of repeated attacks by medical students.
  • The saga became a symbol of class and ideological conflict, with suffragettes and trade unionists joining the fray.
  • Ultimately, the original statue was dismantled under police protection, dispelling but not erasing the conflict it represented.
• Memorable Quote: “The brown dog merely one exhibit in an endless procession of excuses the English find to dislike each other.” — Andrew Muller (34:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Appeal to Europe’s Far Right:
  • “Trump treats us like a colony. He is always excessive and at times ridiculous.” — Jordan Bardella, paraphrased by Andrew Muller (06:05)
• On Christmas Parties:
  • “My staff Christmas party was today and... I did not go.” — Rainbow Murray (26:26)
• On Sarkozy’s Jail Memoir:
  • “In particular the baguettes were quite soggy. ... The heart bleeds for him.” — Quentin Peel (18:47)
• Historical Insight:
  • “The brown dog merely one exhibit in an endless procession of excuses the English find to dislike each other.” — Andrew Muller (34:19)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:13] Europe’s far right and Trump endorsement
• [12:19] Gulf states' Hollywood ambitions
• [17:19] Sarkozy's prison memoir and reactions
• [21:35] Panel’s favorite political memoirs
• [23:50] Are office Christmas parties on the way out?
• [29:12] The saga of the Brown Dog statue
• [34:28] Episode wrap-up

Tone & Language

The conversation is sharp, witty, and often tongue-in-cheek, with panelists mixing humor and informed analysis. The show maintains a brisk pace but pauses for playful jabs and self-deprecating asides, giving the episode a lively, engaging feel throughout.

This summary brings out all major topics, key context, and memorable lines, providing a clear guide to the episode for anyone who missed it.