Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice. David Cameron’s recent comeback baffled everyone – but just how strange is it? And how does it compare to the other PM’s actions after leaving Number 10? Rock and Roll Politics host Steve Richards and Seth Thevoz discuss the history of political comebacks – and whether these moves ever work out. “To come back to the heart of politics so suddenly and unexpectedly, sin...
Nov 22, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 1159
The Covid-19 inquiry is nowhere near halfway through, but already we’ve learned a lot. But there’s been so much to learn about how our government worked (or didn’t) during the pandemic that it’s been a little hard to comprehend. So before we hear the likes of Patrick Valance give evidence Alex Andreou sat down in the Bunker with Prof. Christina Pagel , Professor of Operational Research at UCL, to explain 7 key moments that we’ve seen so far and why they’re so important to notice. “How can we cha...
Nov 21, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1158
It’s Autumn Statement week and the Tory press are baying for tax cuts. Will they get their wish? Plus a possible hostage deal in Gaza, Argentina’s new president looks like a Vegas Wolverine and talks like Trump, Musk finds a new way to screw up TwitteX… and Doctor Who is back! Alex Andreou sets out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison . Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice. “Inflation is down which just m...
Nov 20, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 1157
Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice. On this week's Bunker Gold, let us take you back to September 2020… There’s an unseen epidemic of people dying while homeless, and journalist Maeve McClenaghan tells their stories in No Fixed Abode: Life and Death Among the UK's Forgotten Homeless . She tells Dorian Lynskey what she learned, how there was more to the 2010s explosion in rough sleeping than just auster...
Nov 19, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 1156
Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice. When we think of the mafia, we think of Tony Soprano and Don Corleone – men with gelled hair, tailored suits, cigars and machine guns. But today’s mobsters are increasingly young and social-media savvy. University of Essex criminology professor and author of Chasing the Mafia. 'Ndrangheta, Memories and Journeys Anna Sergi joins Rafael Behr in The Bunker to discuss th...
Nov 19, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1155
Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice. As religious fanatics surge to megachurches across the United States, how do those in charge garner such cult-like devotion? Inspiring total obedience from their followers, some have even made supporters abandon families to support their religious pursuits. How do these groups form, and what about the U.S culture makes them thrive? Adam Morris , author of American Me...
Nov 18, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 1154
Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice. The Supreme Court has shot down the government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. But Rishi Sunak is determined to see his policy through, even if it means defying the European Court of Human Rights. So what next for the controversial plan? Ros Taylor is joined in The Bunker by legal academic and head of the research at UK in a Changing Europe, Joelle Grogan to...
Nov 17, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1153
Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice. Things are bad for Elon Musk . From the slow motion car crash at Twitter to his mission to eradicate the woke mind virus. Where did it all go wrong for the Tesla CEO and how has his politics warped his view of the world? Marie Le Conte is joined in The Bunker by tech journalist for Bloomberg and co-host of Elon Inc. Max Chafkin to discuss the divisive politics of the...
Nov 16, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 1152
Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice. Disasters shape the course of politics – and financial crises have heavily impacted Labour’s policies over time. A century ago, the Labour party had almost no economic experts within its ranks. Since then it has battled crises like the great depression of the 30s and more recently the economic crash of 2007. How has this changed the party? Dr. Christopher Kirkland is...
Nov 15, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 1151
Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice. The Barclay brothers were one of the most influential pairings in political life in recent decades. Born into a normal family, the duo became powerful, broadsheet newspaper owning billionaires. Despite that, very little is actually known about them. Professor Jane Martinson is the Marjorie Deane Professor of Financial Journalism at City University of London and autho...
Nov 14, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1150
It’s finally happened – Suella Braverman has been fired. In a speedy extra recording, Ros Taylor gives Jacob Jarvis her thoughts on the latest news. Then in our usual programming Ros and Alex Andreou discuss the other stories to look out for this week. There is the latest on the Israel-Hamas conflict – the US has told Israel to stop targeting hospitals but will Netanyahu heed the warning? And Joe Biden will be meeting with Xi Jingping for the first time in over a year. Can the two leaders restor...
Nov 13, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1149
This week's Bunker Gold arrives out of the smog, from 2022... Dirty air filing homes across the UK is leading to an increase in asthma and lower life expectancy. But just how filthy is it? And are we doing anything meaningful about it? Ros Taylor talks to David Green, senior research fellow in the aerosol science team at Imperial College London. “Scientists have found particles from polluted air in unborn babies.” “Some of the highest levels of pollution are experienced in cars.” “Government ant...
Nov 12, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1148
On our latest panel edition: The COVID inquiry exposed an undeniably toxic culture of pseudo machismo underpinning Downing Street – how did it come to this? Plus, we discuss the politicisation of online dating, and whether our political leanings are the new measure of “hot or not”. Joining Podmasters’ own Batman and Robin Andrew Harrison and Jacob Jarvis are Oh God, What Now? regular Marie Le Conte and Why? presenter Dr. Anna Machin for a double date in The Bunker. “If you can get to the top of ...
Nov 12, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1147
American politics is in chaos – but in many respects the US was born that way. Throughout the late 1700s the federalist party constantly fought with the anti-federalists over their opposing desires for the future. But is partisan politics really a problem? Or is it a necessity for a democratic system to function? Seth Thevoz is joined by bestselling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H.W. Brands – whose new book: Founding Partisans: Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the Brawling Birth o...
Nov 11, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1146
Russia’s use of private military companies (PMCs) is no secret, despite Vladimir Putin’s best efforts. Wagner is the most infamous but after Yevgeny Prighozin’s downfall, another has taken its place – Redut PMC. Where does its loyalties lie? How powerful is it? And who’s in charge? Dr Marina Miron is a post-doctoral researcher at the War Studies Department at King's College London. She joins Laura Makin-Isherwood in The Bunker. “Now that Wagner is out of the picture, it seems like Redut is takin...
Nov 10, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1145
Spotify dominates the music industry – but artists struggle to profit from the platform. What if that power balance shifts? Although the streaming platform is on track to reach one billion users by 2027. Can the streamer perfect the mix of corporate profits, customer satisfaction and pay musicians more than a fraction of a penny per play? Andrew Harrison is joined in The Bunker by music business and tech journalist Dr. Eamonn Forde to discuss Spotify's uncertain future. “Spotify was created to c...
Nov 09, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1144
The BBC’s Ros Atkins regularly goes viral for his news explainers. In our latest episode, he joins Ros Taylor to discuss the art of communication in a changing media environment. Whether you’re talking about a complex political issue, or an email to your boss, it’s vital to be able to communicate effectively and clearly. Where do we begin, are there systems to use in constructing our explanations and what makes an explanation effective? Atkins reveals all in his new book The Art of Explanation ....
Nov 08, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 1143
The Israel-Hamas War is the latest horrific episode in what seems like an intractable political-religious conflict. But could there be a political way out of these generational hatreds? Middle East Analyst and member of the NATO Defence College Foundation Jason Pack believes there IS a solution – and it could come from the most unexpected source. He explains a possible post-war future for Gaza to Andrew Harrison. Why?, the brand new podcast taking you to the edge of knowledge. Available on all g...
Nov 07, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1142
With the final King’s Speech before the election due, is there any point to Sunak’s plans anymore? What can we expect from the government’s agenda – and can any of its goals even be achieved? Plus the latest on the Israel-Hamas conflict – will growing calls for a ceasefire or pause be heeded? Finally, Trump is expected to testify in one of his many court cases, what should we expect? Jacob Jarvis is joined in The Bunker by Alex Andreou to get you prepped for the week ahead. ‘“The Conservatives a...
Nov 06, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1141
On this Bonfire night special Bunker Gold, let us take you back to November 2020… Was Guy Fawkes really “the last honest man to enter Parliament”, as we keep hearing on Twitter? Or a fore-runner of today’s religiously radicalised terrorists? Why is a villain of the Gunpowder Plot acclaimed as a hero by some in 2020? Nick Holland, author of The Real Guy Fawkes , tells Jude Rogers why Guy Fawkes persists as a symbol… and what we misunderstand about a man who almost murdered thousands in a 17th cen...
Nov 05, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 1140
From Obama’s tan suit to the Emperor’s new clothes – we’ve always been fascinated by politicians’ wardrobes. But should we care at all what they wear? Marie Le Conte is joined by fashion writer and political commentator, Derek Guy aka "The Menswear Guy" on Twitter to find out. "I don’t like the respectability politics of clothing. Your character isn’t determined by how you dress.” – Derek Guy "I would agree. I’m a bit of a snob.” – Derek Guy “You don’t know if somebody earnestly loves something ...
Nov 05, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1139
The notion of American patriotism has become increasingly controversial — and linked to violence. With no clear-cut definition of patriotism, the notion has been co-opted by far-right extremist groups such as the Proud Boys and Oathkeepers. Sam Jackson is the author of Oath Keepers: Patriotism and the Edge of Violence in a Right-Wing Anti Government Group , he joins Chris Jones in The Bunker to discuss how the concept has been warped. Book link: http://cup.columbia.edu/book/oath-keepers/97802311...
Nov 04, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 1138
Questions over Iran’s involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict have run rampant since the terrorist attacks of October. How would the nation benefit from chaos in the Middle East and what would it take for Iran to join the war? Today in The Bunker , Alex Andreou sits down with Dr Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House , to ask: what does Iran want? “Iran is not a natural partner with Hamas, they have significant religious differences.” – Dr Sanam Vak...
Nov 03, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1137
Are tech giants out of control? Our media landscape is dominated by tech titans with unlimited resources and little to no oversight. Does anyone have a plan to deal with this lack of regulation? Ros Taylor sits down with, senior research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and author of Techlash , Tom Wheeler to discuss his vision of digital governance. “Certain men of wealth can do as they please." – Tom Wheeler “We need a new federal agency that is created to deal with the realities of modern...
Nov 02, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1136
Prisons across England and Wales are at breaking point. If the system does not change, experts say the number of people living in squalor in overcrowded facilities will only increase. What are the government’s plans to change the system? And can it be fixed? Danny Shaw is a crime, justice and policing commentator and ex-BBC Home Affairs Correspondent. He joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker. “What’s really bad is that the entire criminal justice system feels broken.” – Danny Shaw “I think both Labour ...
Nov 01, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1135
The far-right could seize power in the next French presidential election. Marine Le Pen has been flying the flag for the anti-immigration Nation Rally Party ever since her father Jean-Marie Le Pen stepped down in 2011. Despite multiple failed attempts at election, her popularity has been increasing in the polls - and it looks like 2027 could be her year. So what’s behind her success and what would France under Le Pen’s presidency look like? Paul Smith is an Associate Professor in French History ...
Oct 31, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1134
After a weekend of communication blackouts, circumstances grow more dire for Palestinians. With little hope of a ceasefire, how will the Israel Hamas conflict develop this week? Meanwhile, the UK is hosting a summit on the danger of A.I. but is it too little too late? Plus the latest on the US presidential race — and Dominic Cummings faces a grilling from the Covid Inquiry. Ros Taylor is joined in The Bunker by Gavin Esler to get you prepped for the week ahead. “This war has already been going o...
Oct 30, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 1133
On this week's Bunker Gold, a classic interview from 2022... Lisa Nandy talks to Dorian Lynskey about the people and places left behind in modern Britain – and how to empower them. The shadow secretary of state for communities and local government discusses the communities that give her hope, the missteps of recent Governments and what shifts she’d like to see – as outlined in her new book All In: How We Build a Country That Works. “Everywhere you go there is this feeling that everything is fall...
Oct 29, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 1132
Despite all odds, Goths have continued to thrive and evolve from Siouxsie and the Banshees to Wednesday Adams. But what political and social conditions created the Goth movement? And how has the extravagant subculture survived all this time? Frontman of The Membranes and author of The Art of Darkness , John Robb , joins Alex Andreou in our extra spooky early Halloween edition of The Bunker. “You can't create a culture darker than the way the people in power run it already.” – John Robb “Goths re...
Oct 29, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 1131
Chinese President Xi Jinping says the future destiny of mankind relies on how well the US and China get along. But with growing tensions rising around Taiwan and military exercises becoming more frequent in the Indo-Pacific, is war just on the horizon? Oriana Skylar Mastro is a Center Fellow of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University And the author of “ Upstart: How China Became a Great Power.” She joins Chris Jones in The Bunker. https://global.oup.com/academ...
Oct 28, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1130
