Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the explosive claims made by Dominic Cummings, asking what his testimony tells us about the Prime Minister and the Government – and what it tells us about Cummings himself. He looks ahead to the Batley & Spen by-election and predicts what the result might be. He considers the political ramifications of the Martin Bashir scandal for the BBC. And he looks at Northern Ireland politics now that Edwin Poots has taken over the leadership of the DUP.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at the volte-face from the International Energy Agency's volte-face and how the move towards net zero could make us richer. He also ponders some possible political implications of the end of the era of oil and gas. He examines the history of the role of the state in Britain's railways and asks if the government's shake-up of the UK rail system could usher in a new age of the train. And he wonders what the impact of GB News could be on TV's currently homogenised news output.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the recent election results and what its poor performance might mean for Labour. But he also points out problems for the Conservatives in some of its traditional heartland. He assesses the problems facing Keir Starmer after his botched reshuffle. And he reflects upon a very different Queen's Speech and laments some of the missed opportunities in its content.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University asks what the future is for Labour, wondering whether the party needs a strategic refresh, possibly even linking up with the Libdems, if it's to avoid the fate of many left-wing parties in Europe. He discusses why, despite the common perception of the USA, America has always had a socialist side to it, dating back to its earliest European settlers. And he expresses concern about the way in which Iran and Venezuela appear to have become bedfellows, helping each other to avoid the effects of sanctions.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the rumpus over who paid to redecorate Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat and at the allegations made against the Prime Minister by Dominic Cummings. He also looks at the complexity of Northern Irish politics in the wake of Arlene Foster's resignation. And he looks across the Atlantic to assess Joe Biden's first 100 days as President. He begins, though, with a look at Ed Balls Day.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at how much life in the UK has changed over the past 40 years and how much that owes to the philosophies of Classical Liberals. He ponders the future of money in the light of the race for Central Bank Digital Currencies. And he considers why the future of the UK could depend upon a revival of Labour's fortunes in England.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian looks at David Cameron and the Greensill scandal. He believes the existing system governing lobbying needs tightening up and suggests ways in which it can and should be made fairer and more transparent. He also examines the problems being faced in Northern Ireland at present and looks ahead to the Scottish elections.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University pays tribute to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving consort in British history. He discusses whether Covid might end up boosting the UK economy rather than harming it. He wonders why Scotland's ruling politicians are so unsympathetic towards business. And he looks at a new book that says that Western historians of the Second World War have always underestimated the importance of the Russian role in defeating the Nazis.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the question of vaccine passports and asks whether we should be prepared to show documentary proof of a jab to be allowed to go to the pub. He wonders if Alex Salmond setting up the Alba party will boost Scottish nationalism or divide it. He discusses the recent Race and Ethnic Disparities Report. And he ponders the naivety of David Cameron, caught up in the type of lobbying effort he once decried.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans looks at the complexity of problems exacerbated by the bottleneck at the Suez Canal caused by the stuck container ship Ever Given. He discusses how the Eurozone economy is having to brace for a third wave lockdown and slowdown. He admires a Dutch experimental school, lamenting how strait-jacketed British school education has become. And he puzzled why companies in the UAE are helping Venezuela to avoid US oil sanctions.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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