Political Currency EMQs: Is the political centre dead?
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Oct 27, 2025 Is the political centre of British politics on its last legs? A teen listener provokes a lively debate about the rise of populism and whether the centre can recover. The hosts grapple with amusing and bizarre stories of species protection disrupting planning, featuring bat tunnels and nesting birds. Plus, learn the fascinating historical reasons behind Parliament's subsidised bars and hear George's firsthand account of his time as First Secretary of State. It's a mix of politics, peculiarities, and rich history!
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Fundraising Ball Saved Free Access
- George describes hosting a successful British Museum fundraising ball that raised significant donor money to keep the museum free to enter.
- He notes cross-party support with culture ministers and the Mayor of London attending to back the institution.
Biodiversity Rules Created A Costly Industry
- George argues species-protection has spawned an industry that inflates planning costs and stalls development.
- He says well-intentioned biodiversity aims have turned into costly, sometimes ludicrous, constraints on building projects.
Personal Run-In With 'Bat' Bureaucracy
- George recounts his own costly bat-survey when building a house extension and how mitigation processes dragged costs up.
- He gives other examples like HS2's expensive bat tunnel and a hotel named 'The Newt' after newt-related renovation costs.
