This Is Why - podcast cover

This Is Why

Sky Newswww.skynews.com
The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why  takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you. Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions. Available every weekday afternoon. This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

The stories from the election battle buses

On the final day of campaigning, the Sky News correspondents who have followed party leaders to every corner of the UK reflect on the key moments. From kayaking photo opportunities to people who bet against their own election chances – they tell Niall Paterson how the stories have cut through and the impact they could have on polling day. Joining Niall are our political correspondents - Darren McCaffrey with the Conservatives, Serena Barker-Singh on the Labour bus, Matthew Thompson following the...

Jul 03, 202428 min

The British companies keeping Russian gas flowing into Europe

The UK, US and Europe have sanctioned the importation of Russian oil and gas since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But from 2022, European nations have spent €10bn on Russian Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), and British companies are facilitating the trade. Our economics and data editor Ed Conway sits down with host Niall Paterson to tell the story of how an obscure company based in an office block on a quiet street in Glasgow became an accessory in Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine. Pro...

Jul 02, 202421 min

Five things the main parties aren't mentioning this election... and how exit polls are done

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) says there's a "conspiracy of silence" at this election; that all of the major political parties aren't being honest enough about their fiscal plans. The thinktank says all the major parties are avoiding discussion around the black hole in their spending plans for after the election - but what else are they not talking about? On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by economics and data editor Ed Conway to look at why topics from tax to Brexit might...

Jul 01, 202419 min

Can Joe Biden carry on?

Joe Biden and Donald Trump faced off in the first election debate of this year's US presidential campaign on Thursday night. The president was seen to mumble and stumble his way through, while former president Trump repeated false claims that the 2020 election was rigged. On this episode Niall Paterson unpicks the debate between the senior citizens, with our US correspondent James Matthews in Georgia on the hits and misses, and pollster Scarlett Maguire on how American voters are feeling about t...

Jun 28, 202423 min

Gareth Southgate: How do you lead a team that’s not performing?

England manager Gareth Southgate has faced growing criticism over his leadership this week, despite guiding the Three Lions to the knockout stage of the Euros as group winners. Some fans are disappointed with the lacklustre performances and have vented their anger towards Southgate, who has responded by calling for continued support of the team. “I understand the feeling towards me, but back the players,” he said. “It’s crucial the fans back the players.” On this episode Niall Paterson is joined...

Jun 27, 202423 min

Does 'gamblegate' mean the Conservatives are a busted flush for voters?

In any election campaign, a lot of attention shifts to undecided voters. As this campaign moves into its final week, Niall Paterson looks at how the election date betting scandal is cutting through to those who are still wondering who to support - and those who could change their mind. He speaks to political correspondent Darren McCaffrey who has spent the campaign covering the Conservatives and to pollster Luke Tryl, from More In Common UK, about how this scandal has compared to other moments o...

Jun 26, 202419 min

Is this the end of the Assange story?

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is almost at the end of a 14-year legal battle, which saw the US demanding his extradition for conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information, following diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks put online in 2010. In return for a guilty plea, Assange becomes a free man and will not face being sent to the US, having already served almost 5 years in a British prison. On this episode, Niall Paterson is joined by Alex Rossi, our internation...

Jun 25, 202422 min

What could have happened to Jay Slater?

Jay Slater went missing while on holiday on the island of Tenerife last week. The last known contact the 19-year-old had was during a short phone call to a friend, in which he said he had missed a bus trying to get back to his accommodation and so was attempting to walk instead - a journey that would take 11 hours. Rescue teams including helicopters, rescue dogs and drones have entered the second week of the search, as his family and friends become desperate for answers. What could have happened...

Jun 24, 202420 min

Why won't politicians really talk about social care?

Four out of five people will need social care before they die - yet it's hardly been mentioned in the election campaign to date. The architect of the government's delayed social care reforms, Sir Andrew Dilnot, has told Sky News politicians need to "grow up" and tackle the crisis in the sector. On this episode of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by political correspondent Rob Powell to discuss the current state of social care and what political parties are promising to change. We als...

Jun 21, 202422 min

Putin, North Korea and a ballistic bromance

Russia and North Korea have signed a defence pact to help each other in the event of aggression against them. As part of a two day trip, Putin visited Pyongyang, greeted by a red carpet, roses and ceremonial gunfire before signing what Kim Jong Un has called an alliance. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Sky's Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett and Beijing correspondent Nicole Johnston about what this unusual relationship between the leaders means for their respective countries, and...

Jun 20, 202419 min

Poll suggests record Tory slump - what could change in two weeks?

Sky News has partnered with YouGov for the general election campaign and today the second of their three MRP polling projections is out. It makes for very bleak reading for the Conservatives, suggesting they have not made any gains during the campaign and could slump to historically low seat numbers. The poll also suggests Labour's majority is up, the Liberal Democrats are up as well and Reform UK could win several seats. On this episode, Niall Paterson analyses the implications of today’s poll ...

Jun 19, 202421 min

'We need to have an adult conversation about migration'

More people in the UK think immigration has a negative impact on society than a positive one, according to a YouGov survey for Sky News. In the first general election since Brexit, all the major parties mention migration in their manifestos. Both the Conservatives and Labour are placing promises to tackle illegal boat crossings high on their list of promises if they get into Number 10. So what do voters think about immigration and how could it affect these elections? Host Niall Paterson is joine...

Jun 18, 202421 min

Reform's election promises examined | Royal return

Reform have launched their manifesto which they're calling "Our Contract With You" in South Wales. The "contract" is promising big spending, dwarfing what Labour and the Conservatives have committed to. The party says it will pay for the plans by measures including scrapping net zero targets and what remains of HS2. In this episode Niall Paterson gets analysis on what's in the "contract" from our chief political correspondent Jon Craig. He also speaks with our royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills ...

Jun 17, 202421 min

Is new Ukraine support a 'game-changer?' | Your Euro 2024 primer

In a show of unity aimed at President Putin, G7 leaders meeting in Italy this week finally agreed to a deal to use profits from frozen Russian assets to provide around $50bn (£40bn) worth of support to Ukraine. And in another significant announcement, President Biden signed a 10-year bilateral security deal between the US and Ukraine which Kyiv is calling 'historic'. On this episode, Niall Paterson explores the impact these deals will have for Ukraine in its war against Russia with international...

Jun 14, 202420 min

Got any change? Why were there no surprises in Labour’s manifesto?

It was Labour’s turn to launch their election manifesto today. It was a restatement of the party’s main policies with no surprise announcements in the 133-page document. Sir Keir Starmer reiterated his key pledges including no new taxes on “working people” and a promise of “economic stability”. Niall Paterson digs into Labour’s promise of economic growth with Ed Conway, Sky’s economics and data editor, and speaks to political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh, who was at the launch in Manchester...

Jun 13, 202421 min

Is bigger always better? Why smaller parties are having a good election

While the Conservatives and Labour battle it out for No10, recent polling reflects a changing mood from the electorate towards the smaller parties. The latest YouGov poll suggests Reform UK have climbed within one point of the Conservatives, the Lib Dems are up four points, and Labour are dropping below 40%. In 2017, the two big parties got 82% of the vote. Now, the combined Labour-Tory vote could be as low as 56%. With the Green Party launching its manifesto today, on this episode of the Sky Ne...

Jun 12, 202420 min

Can the Conservative Party manifesto revive Sunak's campaign?

Rishi Sunak has launched the Conservative's election manifesto, promising to slash taxes in a bid to revive the party's floundering campaign. In his address at the home of the British Grand Prix, the prime minister pledged £17bn in tax cuts including lowering national insurance by 2p, scrapping it entirely for the self-employed and stopping state pensions being taxed with "triple lock plus" - which the party said would all be paid for with £12bn in cuts to the civil service and welfare. But will...

Jun 11, 202424 min

Will Macron's 'big gamble' election pay off? | Lib Dems promise 'to save the NHS'

Far-right parties have made gains in Germany, France and Italy - the EU's biggest member states. Their success has already led to a fall in the value of the euro as markets anticipate turbulent times ahead. President Macron's high-risk response to his Renaissance party losing to Marine Le Pen's National Rally was to call a snap election for the French parliament. Niall Paterson talks to Sky's Europe correspondent Adam Parsons about what's behind the far-right surge and Macron's decision. Plus, t...

Jun 10, 202421 min

Sunak's D-Day 'mistake': How damaging is it for his campaign?

The prime minister has faced criticism for leaving the 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations early to record a TV interview that's due to go out next week. Rishi Sunak has since apologised - saying that "on reflection" leaving early "was a mistake", but also that it shouldn't be politicised. Niall Paterson looks at how damaging this misstep is for Mr Sunak with Claire Pearsall, former Conservative special adviser at the Home Office, and Joe Twyman, the co-founder of the polling company Deltapoll...

Jun 07, 202424 min

'My father was on Sword Beach': Professor Michael Clarke on the difference D-Day made

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings which were a turning point in the Second World War and ultimately led to the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. On this episode, Niall Paterson sits down with historian and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke to talk about why the beachheads in Normandy were so critical, his father's experience there, what happened next in the war and why there are parallels between now and then as Vladimir Putin threatens Europe. Plus, Royal correspond...

Jun 06, 202425 min

Man City v The Premier League

Manchester City – a Premier League club with deep pockets thanks to its Abu Dhabi owners – is taking the league to court. It’s over the current Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules which determine whether sponsorship deals are financially ‘fair’ and require independent valuation for such deals. The rules aim to prevent clubs from inflating sponsorship deals with companies linked to their owners, ensuring fair competition. Man City claim the rules restrict their ability to raise revenue, are ...

Jun 05, 202418 min

Captured, injured, in the control bunker: Veterans remember D-Day 80 years on

This week marks 80 years since the D-Day landings, a key turning point of World War II. Sky News has spoken to some of the few remaining veterans who were involved in the Normandy landings about their memories of that day. Host Niall Paterson explores the stories of radio operator Marie Scott, Ken Hay who served in the 43rd Essex regiment and landed on the beaches, and Bill Gladden of the 6th Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment who flew into Normandy on a glider. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Promot...

Jun 04, 202418 min

Landslides and wipe-outs - reaction to latest election poll

Sir Keir Starmer could be heading to Downing Street with a majority of 194 seats, bigger than what Tony Blair achieved in 1997, according to the first polling projection by YouGov of the campaign. The projection shows a historic Labour landslide, with the party getting the highest number of seats of any party at an election in history. At the same time, the Tories are trying to boost ratings by talking about culture wars while Labour is talking about real wars in terms of what they would do for ...

Jun 03, 202419 min

Will Trump's conviction make a difference in the US election?

Donald Trump has become the first-ever former American president to be convicted of a crime. A New York jury found him guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money he paid to bury a sex scandal ahead of the 2016 presidential election. On this Sky News Daily, Tom Cheshire speaks to Sky's US correspondent James Matthews about how the trial unfolded and what it could mean for this year's White House race. Political commentator and Trump biographer Michael Wolff also...

May 31, 202420 min

Beth Rigby interviews Labour’s Angela Rayner

Labour's Angela Rayner speaks to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby in an extended interview for the Daily podcast. The party’s deputy leader says that she believes Diane Abbott should be able to stand as an MP - and she denied leader Sir Keir Starmer was acting "in a factional way". On the first official day of campaigning, she also spoke about the investigations into her living arrangements - and revealed the details of her campaign battle bus. Producer: Soila Apparicio Promotions Producer:...

May 30, 202423 min

South African elections: Why Nelson Mandela's party could lose its dominance

It's been 30 years since Nelson Mandela led the African National Congress (ANC) to power, ending apartheid in South Africa. But as voters head to the polls, the party is on the verge of losing dominance, after coming under fire over corruption, high levels of crime and economic woes. Even in the birthplace of the late human rights fighter, communities are suffering from poverty, hunger and no running water. On the Sky News Daily, Mark Austin speaks to Sky’s Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir ab...

May 29, 202421 min

How long will Labour's 'no additional taxes' promise last?

In her first major campaign speech, Rachel Reeves has pitched herself as the UK's next chancellor to an audience of company bosses, promising the "most pro-growth Treasury in our country's history" if Labour wins the election. But after pledging not to announce any new tax hikes and that Labour policies would be fully funded and costed, how she intends to pay for Labour's plan for the UK remains unclear. Today on the Sky News Daily, Sophy Ridge speaks with our deputy political editor Sam Coates ...

May 28, 202428 min

You're in 'la la land': Paula Vennells's last day at Post Office Inquiry

After avoiding public scrutiny for nearly a decade, Paula Vennells, the former Post Office boss, finally faced questions about her role in the most widespread miscarriage of justice that Britain has ever seen. She has been giving evidence at the Post Office Horizon Inquiry for the last three days – and today she was accused by lawyers of talking "rubbish" and being in "la la land". Sky's Jonathan Samuels spoke to Sky's business correspondent Paul Kelso who's been at the Post Office Inquiry for u...

May 24, 202422 min

And they're off... what has the first day of the election campaign told us?

The political parties have been setting out their election campaigns, with voters going to the polls exactly six weeks from today. On the Sky News Daily Niall Paterson speaks to deputy political editor Sam Coates who is following the prime minister on his campaign trail around the UK, visiting four nations in two days. He also chats with chief political correspondent Jon Craig about the launch of Labour's campaign in Kent. Plus, Sky's online campaign correspondent Tom Cheshire tells Niall why th...

May 23, 202421 min

It’s a date – Rishi Sunak calls a July election

The prime minister has called a general election for 4 July. It means parliament only has a few days to pass any bills still waiting to become law before MPs leave Westminster to begin campaigning. On the Sky News Daily Niall Paterson gets the very latest from our deputy political editor Sam Coates and political correspondent Tamara Cohen on why the election was announced today, and what the next six weeks of campaigning could have in store. Producers: Rosie Gillott Podcast Promotions Producer: ...

May 22, 202420 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android