Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans looks back at the challenging year that was 2022, taking us through learning to live with Covid, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the US mid-terms and the Trump revelations, the passing of the Queen, the rapid turnover of Prime Ministers and the cost-of-living crisis. Looking ahead, he wonders how China will cope with Covid, wonders if the current industrial unrest might rebound on Labour and wonders what will become of Russia as the war grinds on.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the nurses' strike. When all solutions to the NHS's problems are difficult, he feels emphasis should be on patient outcomes. He looks at the new bullying claims against Dominic Raab, wondering why the relationship between government and the civil service has deteriorated so markedly. And he summarises an extraordinary year which, he says, shows just how the Conservatives have thrown away most of the advantages they held.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Politicial commentator Mike Indian says that PM Rishi Sunak should not get bogged down in detail, but work out what to concentrate on and make himself visible where it counts. He discusses government U-turns and what the Chester by-election means for Labour, suggesting it reinforces the idea that the party will form the next government. With Stephen Flynn the new SNP leader in Westminster, does this mean that Nicola Sturgeon's days are now effectively numbered?
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University suggests ways in which the UK can return to growth and compete internationally, but wonders which government – if any – will do what is necessary. He discusses the mindless vandalism of cracking down on overseas students. And he considers whether China's increasing economic woes will benefit India, the world's biggest democracy.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the aftermath of the Autumn Statement and what it mean for UK politics. While he can't see Labour not winning the next election, he's not convinced the Conservatives will be wiped out. He looks at Nicola Sturgeon losing the independence referendum case and at the prospect of yet more rail strikes in the weeks to come.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says the Autumn Statement has no vision, will make a difficult situation worse and will be hated by Conservative voters. He predicts that Labour will outflank the Tories as a moderate, pro-business party and that there will be no more than 100-150 conservative MPs. He feels the NHS, with falling output and productivity despite extra funding, is in uncharted waters with Labour calling for greater partnership with the private sector. And he admires Gordon Brown's insights on nationalism, which is weaponising trade to the detriment of us all.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the bullying allegations against Gavin Williamson and asks if Parliament gets these things right. He also explains why Matt Hancock should not have gone into the jungle and, in the wake of his about-turn on COP27, suggests that Rishi Sunak needs to develop a persona of his own. With the US mid-terms still not finalised, he points out that the Republicans failing to do as well as expected may have an effect on Trump's comeback hopes.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University asks if the IMF is fit for purpose in a world where power and wealth are moving east and where there are now competitors such as China? With Africa due to be home to 40% of humanity by the end of the century, he discusses the remarkable Megalopolis of coastal west Africa, one of the continent's great success stories. And as California is set to overtake Germany in the list of the world's largest economies, he considers why we can't emulate it in the UK.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian talks Simon Rose through the downfall of Liz Truss, the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British history. He also discusses Boris Johnson's aborted candidacy and explains why he feels that MPs should be the ones who choose their leader mid-term. He explains what he thinks Rishi Sunak's economic policies might be and wonders if he will be brave enough to tackle the triple lock. How ready for government is Keir Starmer and what wll his vision be that might grab voters?
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University talks to Simon Rose about the real human and economic cost of "cheap money" and ignoring the basics of economics, particularly among the groupthinking MPC. As we find ourselves with the butcher's bill for 14 years of zero interest rates, he doubts if there is anybody who can turn things around without enormous upheaval. The soggy, Keynesian, statist, high-tax, no-growth blancmange is not, he maintains, sustainable for our children and grandchildren. He also explains why it is so important when it comes to Russia's war on Ukraine that the Soviet Union's role in starting the Second World War be properly acknowledged.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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