Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Politicial commentator Mike Indian analyses the New Year's addresses of Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer. Will the PM be able to deliver on his 5 pledges? Is Starmer being ambitious enough, channelling the likes not just of Blair, but also Wilson and Callaghan? With the May elections expected to give the Conservatives a massive drubbing, could Boris Johnson yet make a comeback as leader?
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Following the tradition of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III presents his first Christmas broadcast at 3 pm on 25th December 2022. image source: Wikipedia
Guests: King Charles III
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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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