Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
We're getting increasingly used to Donald Trump's bullying tactics; it's time to encourage U.S. tech leaders to persuade him to back off, by applying the same (Greenland-based) level of tariffs on their exports to Europe and the UK. Meanwhile, ID verification should not be used so much to restrict young people from work in the UK as to help them make a good start to adult life in their countries of origin. Background music: 'Dance of the Mammoths' by The Whole Other
Published:
Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Trump's assault on Venezuela casts a major question mark over his claim to be a peacemaker — resorting to military action to deal with criminal activity is a poor substitute for international law and order. We urgently need to listen to Xi Jinping's call for global leadership — on a new basis of participation, not dominance. Background music: 'World's Sunrise' by Jimena Contreras Image source: Wikipedia
Published:
The first year of Trump's Mark 2 presidency has seen huge swings in critical areas for the future of humanity, including climate change, the risk of existential conflict and wealth polarisation. Where are the statesmen who can look ahead further than the next election, and at the interests of future generations? And is Rutger Bregman right to claim that a moral revolution can be delivered by national governments? Background music: 'Hopeful Freedom' by Asher Fulero
Published:
In seasonal spirit after what has felt like an exhausting political year, Mike Indian looks at the Three Unwise Men: Starmer; Trump; and Farage. Not since Attlee has a Labour PM had such internal difficulties and such a short honeymoon. His achievements have been drowned out by U-turns, defeats and gaffes. Labour are expected to do poorly in the May elections. Starmer is resilient and ruthless, but can he recover his authority? The unwisest man is surely Donald Trump. Eccentric and sometimes delusional, there has rarely been a more chaotic period in recent American history. His actions have a massive effect around the world. His health is now in question and it’s unlikely that he will go gracefully when is term is up. Of the three, Farage has had the best year. With just 5 MPs, Reform is polling above 30%. But the Russian links are insidious and it is still too early to predict the next election. We need to see real policies, not empty slogans. The next election will be the most pluralistic since 1923.
Guests: Mike Indian
Published:
Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Labour MPs' celebration of the Chancellor's abolition of the 2-child welfare benefit cap in last week's Budget statement completely eclipsed the outstanding need for a comprehensive strategy to address the economic and familial stresses impacting children, adolescents and young adults: so much worse than a few decades ago. We focus on three specifics in this commentary: the continuing denial of Government to deliver Child Trust Fund money to low-income young adults unaware of their money; the punishing burden of the student loan system, and the instability and insecurity caused by a society which has lost its moral compass. Background music: 'Generations Away' by Unicorn Heads
Published:
Original Broadcast: This is Money
After the endless speculation, the Budget finally arrived this week. Rachel Reeves seemed happy with her statement and Sir Keir Starmer has been out singing its praises, but was the Budget a diamond in the rough or a dud? On this Budget 2025 episode, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert dive into a Budget that many have commented is the most chaotic they can remember. After all the rumours, worries and waiting, how good or bad was it? Some of the expected financial pain didn't arrive but there were plenty of tweaks to tax our pocket and our patience. Did the Chancellor cut the right balance between getting more money in and supporting the economy, did she articulate a clear plan, or are we back to drifting about aimlessly in the tax and spending doom loop doldrums? And most importantly, what will all the measures mean for your money?
Published:
The UK Budget speech and the response from Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch — and including the 'Point of Order' beforehand from Mel Stride regarding the premature release of the OBR report. This is the unabridged record without comment, and the recording runs for one hour and31 minutes.
Guests: Mel Stride,Rachel Reeves,Kemi Badenoch
Published:
Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Is it the cacophony of everyday noise or the fact that 'a week is a long time in politics' which is driving long-term thinkers out of the centre ground? You know that the emperor has no clothes today when young people make that challenge. However, the major long-term issues of climate change, intense wealth differentials and geopolitical tensions are global, not just national — and we don't even have a democratic basis of global governance to tackle them. No wonder we can't see the wood for the trees. Background music: 'People Watching' by Sir Cubworth
Published:
Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Universal publicly-funded welfare, including health care and education, has proved a very expensive Marxist experiment in western democracies. Far from resolving the challenge of eliminating poverty and disadvantage, it has loaded a huge debt burden on public finances which Rachel Reeves needs to address in the forthcoming UK Budget. But there is no point in loading still more income and capital taxes on the wealthy: they'll just leave the country in ever greater numbers, and economic growth — and tax revenue — will fall as a result. A much more practical solution is that people who can afford to pay for these services should do so, so that Government can focus financial support where it's most needed. Background music: 'The New Order' by Aaron Kenny
Published:
This episode revisits the motivations, expectations and emotions in the past — reaching right back into childhood years — which may have led to an overweight problem today, and how to let go of that baggage. It discusses a personal challenge, of course, but it could be approached as an analogy for the way that the post-war call for Attleean universal welfare has driven seven decades of excess public spending so that our country is now groaning from the weight of excess debt. It might therefore help politicians to let go of their emotional baggage and focus on a new slimline style of government which targets help and support where it's needed.
Published:
