The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Authoritarian leaders are dominating 21st century politics. How did this new generation of strongmen rise to power? Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs commentator for the Financial Times, joins Nick Cohen to discuss his new book The Age of The Strongman, which covers the rise of the modern-day dictator, and what their leadership means for the world. “There was always going to be a backlash against the ‘end of history’ way of doing things.” “With the West having gone through the financial crisis, it wasn’t hard for China to say ‘we are the future’.” “For the key period of getting Brexit done, Boris Johnson did follow the strongman tradition.” “If Putin had won a quick victory in Ukraine, it would’ve been a huge boost for the strongman ideal.” ”Trump changed the rhetoric of America. He embraced Putin’s arguments.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Nick Cohen. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eleven of the fifteen postwar Prime Ministers went to Oxford. How did their privileged upbringing change the U.K? The FT’s Simon Kuper talks to Ros Taylor about how the entitled atmospheres of Oxford and Eton shaped modern Britain, detailed in his latest book Chums. “Boris Johnson was probably the best known person at Oxford in his day.” “It’s a great advantage in politics to have a recognisable brand, and Eton encourages that.” “Johnson learnt all his debating tricks from the Oxford Union.” “The problem with being Prime Minister is you have to offer substance, and Johnson can’t do that.” “Daniel Hannan is the Karl Marx of Brexit. He is one of the most important figures in British history.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We look at the Government’s culture war push as people are told to just work harder to beat the cost of living crisis. What bargain bin policies are being used to shift attention from the hardship so many are facing? Plus, as those struggling are told to budget their way out of poverty, we look at the ludicrous money saving advice being dished out. And finally, the panel marks the end of the iPod. Freelance writer and columnist Hannah Fearn is this week’s guest.  “All politicians, no matter how charmed, reach a point where their luck runs out.” – Justin Quirk “A lot of aspects of poverty have been rendered invisible.” – Justin Quirk  “What I find weird is Britain's fetishisation of poverty.” – Marie Le Conte “Any government that doesn't care that children are growing up in poverty shouldn't be a government.” – Hannah Fearn “People are thinking about how to feed their children, not the Brexit election strategy.” – Hannah Fearn " “Blaming Brexit for what's happening at home won't cut it.” – Hannah Fearn https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Andrew Harrison with Justin Quirk and Marie Le Conte. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees, with research by Elina Ganatra. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Finland and Sweden look to join Nato, we unpack the latest from Ukraine as Putin faces consequences for his invasion. How will the Russian leader react amid signs of defeat? Then at home, we discuss the latest Brexit wranglings over the Northern Ireland protocol. Plus, questions of Keir Starmer’s leadership persist. Is he really in trouble? Ros Taylor is joined by Yasmeen Serhan to tee up the week ahead, and glance back at the weekend’s Eurovision contest.  “Ukraine has exceeded people’s wildest expectations.” – Yasmeen Serhan  “Putin has created a larger and more attractive NATO.” – Yasmeen Serhan  “With the protocol it feels like we are back in 2019 again.” – Yasmeen Serhan “I was primed for the UK to not win any points because that’s what I’d been told always happens.” – Yasmeen Serhan  www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor with Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Biden’s poll ratings have been underwater for months. What is the state of his presidency? Dorian Lynskey speaks to Dr. Thomas Gift, founding director of UCL’s Centre on US Politics, to discuss the Democrat’s tenure so far. Is a Trump rematch on the cards, and could Biden win again? And if not him, could anyone else come to his party’s rescue in 2024? Plus, what will the prospect of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade mean for the Democratic leader? “If I look at the democratic field right now, I can't see a very deep bench.” “If Trump does run again it becomes less of a referendum of the last 4 years, and more about who voters prefer - Trump or Biden?” “There have also been factors outside of Biden's control that have contributed to his low polling numbers.” “The notion of Trumpism, and what this represents, is just so strong.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hear all the music on our rolling playlist: https://bit.ly/CultBunkThis year’s Eurovision is upon us – but is it full of Boom Bang-a Bangers or a bit of a Waterloo? Linda Marric and Michael Hogan join us to chew on this year’s line up, and new albums from Florence and The Machine AND Radiohead offshoots The Smile, and Conversations with Friends, the latest Sally Rooney adaptation from the BBC  Plus, you wait years for a Multiverse and then two turn up at once - we wrap our minds around new reality-bending epic Everything, Everywhere, All At Once, and chat to directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as Daniels. Join Siân’s Eurovision Live Draw here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sian-Superman-livedrawMore What Does Eurovision Mean To You? here: https://twitter.com/sturdyAlex/status/1524695837078654976?s=20&t=EuEE-DWL0IZmrA1KU6mN0g “Scott Mills is like a really bad Graham Norton tribute act and it shouldn’t be allowed.” – Michael Hogan “How often do we see a film being taken in by younger generations, with a heroine over 40?” – Linda Marric on Everything, Everywhere, All At Once “I was cracking my knuckles, expecting to get into it and shred it to pieces, but it's annoyingly good.” – Michael Hogan on Dance Fever “It tasted exactly how you would expect a cocktail with 2/3 Radiohead and 1/3 Sons of Kemet would taste like.” – Alex Andreou on A Light for Attracting Attention Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunkTidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064bWritten and presented by Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Andreou. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do we talk to radicals and terrorists who are bent on reshaping society through violence? Charlotte McDonald-Gibson was at Brussels Airport during a terror attack in 2016, and wanted to understand what drives people to such acts. She joins Justin Quirk to discuss her book Far Out: Encounters With Extremists, where she finds out what lures people into fringe groups.  “The human emotions that lead people to these groups are universal across ideologies.”  “Everybody in the book was under 25 when they went through that radicalisation process.”  “The feeling of alienation remained the same, whatever the circumstances were.”  “Self-radicalisation happens online now.”  “We can’t ignore people who’ve been drawn to extremist beliefs.”  “I don’t think we’ve seen the full impact of COVID on extremism.”  https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Justin Quirk. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Productionhttps://granta.com/products/far-out/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the prospect of Roe v. Wade being overturned, we unpack the movement against abortion rights in the United States. A leaked draft Supreme Court decision indicates the landmark decision is set to be struck down – what would that mean for American society? Iowa-based writer Lyz Lenz joins Ros Taylor to discuss how the country reached this moment of reckoning, and what could happen next. “Since 1973 we have seen a slow erosion of the ability to access abortion services.” “There has been a Conservative plan to appoint judges that would overturn Roe v. Wade.” “The justices are pushing a minority viewpoint in overturning Roe v. Wade.” “Other rights could be up for debate, such as the right to gay marriage.” “A lot of Americans were very comfortable and thought this day would never come.” “Being able to access the pill saved my life and my career.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was spicier, Starmer’s curry or its aftermath? We discuss the Labour leader’s standing and his bluff-calling gamble. Plus, who were the real local election winners and losers? Then, as the cost of living bites, the panel unpacks just how out of touch the Government is with working people. Jamie Driscoll, the Labour Mayor of the North of Tyne, is this week’s special guest and Belfast-based journalist Amanda Ferguson also drops in to unpack the Northern Ireland assembly results.  “People don’t trust Johnson, but there is also an element of them not trusting anyone at all.” – Jamie Driscoll “Labour are one-nil up at half time, but the Tories might be about to take their captain off.” – Jamie Driscoll “Two million people had to skip meals last month, but here we’re talking about a guy having a curry.” – Jamie Driscoll  “The scenarios aren’t all good for Keir Starmer, but they are good for Labour.” - Marie Le Conte “What people want is some hope, they want a way out.” – Jamie Driscoll  “I heard Boris Johnson is cutting back and he’s only going to have silver wallpaper now.” – Jamie Driscoll “The alternative to saying ‘try own-brand products’ is telling people ‘you’re on your own’.” – Ahir Shah https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Alex Andreou with Ahir Shah and Marie Le Conte. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brexit tensions spike in the wake of Northern Ireland’s assembly elections – what will come of the fallout? Plus, Putin is to address Russia on the nation’s Victory Day – how will he look to reframe his ongoing invasion of Ukraine? Then, back at home, the Queen’s Speech is due this week. Andrew Harrison is joined by Gavin Esler to tee up the days ahead.  “This has all been done as part of Boris Johnson’s Brexit derangement syndrome.” – Gavin Esler “If you really think Boris Johnson has built 40 hospitals, then come walk with me over the Garden Bridge.” – Gavin Esler  “Starmer didn’t go to Durham to have his eyes tested, like somebody else.” – Gavin Esler  "Culture wars are about creating, not solving, problems." – Gavin Esler "Putin's regime is rotten to the core." – Gavin Esler “It would be hardly surprising if whatever Putin says is a pack of lies.” – Gavin Esler www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Andrew Harrison with Gavin Esler. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices