Left-wing movements in Britain, and further afield, are increasingly citing the Scandinavian or Nordic economic model as a desirable alternative to capitalism. But is Scandinavian socialism really all its cracked up to be? Today, Dr Steve Davies and Kate Andrews of the IEA put the Nordic model under the spotlight – and examine to what extent these countries are indeed socialist, or even ‘left wing’.
Guests: Dr Steve Davies
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This week, Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus and Georgie Frost pick apart the Budget to try to find out who the winners and losers will be. Philip Hammond pulled a George Osborne-sized rabbit from the hat at the end with the abolition of stamp duty for first-time buyers, but was that enough to make us to forget the gloomy economic news and the gags? On the plus side, the Budget brought an income tax cut for most, the promise of more homes being built, and no more stamp duty for most first-time buyers. On the negative side, economists say we are due another lost decade, Philip Hammond’s own financial watchdog said he would drive up house prices, and cough sweet jokes might be catching on.
Guests: Simon Lambert,Rachel Rickard-Straus
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Has the Budget saved Hammond from the sack? Will it make any difference to the prospects of the Conservative Party? Simon Rose is joined by PWC’s senior economist, Andrew Sentance; Tim Evans, professor of business and political economy at Middlesex University; and financial commentator Ed Bowsher.
Guests: Andrew Sentance,Tim Evans,Ed Bowsher
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The 8th of November marks the centenary of the October Revolution, which transformed Russia and reshaped the course of history. 100 years on, the IEA’s Kristian Niemietz and Madeline Grant discuss what lessons, if any, we’ve learnt from socialism’s history of around the world; from the Soviet Union, to Cuba, to Venezuela. Kristian also traces the complicated relationship left-wing Western intellectuals have had with socialist regimes – and examines whether the right has also been, historically, guilty of similar revisionism.
Guests: Kristian Niemietz,Madeline Grant
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Original Broadcast: Share Radio Afternoon
The Conservative party has swept across Britain making big gains in the local elections. The results confirm analysts expectations that a comfortable Tory win is likely in next month's general election. For more on this and the latest political news, Ed Bowsher spoke to Asa Bennett, Assistant Comment Editor at the Telegraph.
Guests: Asa Bennett
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Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is going to stop making public appearances. The Duke, who is turning 96 next month, will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, but will not accept new invitations upon his full retirement in the Autumn. According to a palace spokesperson, the Queen "will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements". For more on this and other political news, Ed Bowsher was joined by Robert Colvile, Editor of CapX.
Guests: Robert Colvile
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Original Broadcast: Share Radio Afternoon
Now the EU has reportedly raised its opening demand for Britain's Brexit bill from the previous estimate of €60bn to €100bn - apparently due to pressure from France and Germany - could a transitional trade deal be off the cards? To discuss this further, Ed Bowsher spoke to European affairs analyst Yannis Koutsomitis.
Guests: Yannis Koutsimitis
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Original Broadcast: Share Radio Afternoon
The EU says Britain's Brexit bill could be as much as €100bn - but Brexit Secretary David Davis says we won't pay. To find out more about this latest clash, and for all the latest election news, Ed Bowsher was joined by John Ashmore, Chief reporter at Politics Home.
Guests: John Ashmore
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Original Broadcast: Share Radio Afternoon
Brussels is set to try and grab the London-based euro-clearing market according to reports today. This follows the news that last week's Downing Street dinner for Theresa May and EU Commission boss Jean-Claude Juncker didn't go well. Could the market be a source of tension in Brexit negotiations, or will it be a useful bargaining chip for the UK? Ed Bowsher spoke to John Rentoul, Chief Political Commentator for The Independent.
Guests: John Rentoul
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Georgie Frost is joined by financial heavy weights Lindsay Cook and Andy Webb. This week they take on the malfunctioning smart meters charging people as much as seven times their normal bill. Plus why insurance companies are getting the sucker punch this week and is it really a good idea to pay off your student debt?
Guests: Lindsay Cook,Andy Webb
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