The Bunker – News without the nonsense

We are going through a polycrisis – with multiple catastrophes playing out at once. But despite fuel costs, war and climate change – many remain optimistic. Is this a sign of delusion or pragmatism? Hannah Fearn is joined by Ben Page, CEO of market research leaders Ipsos, to unpack the psychological impact of our current crises, and why some look on the brighter side. “Lots of inequalities have been exposed by the pandemic – you can’t move for crisis.” “People have a tendency towards optimism bias.” “If you’re a Western European, your mid-40s seem like the worst years of your life.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Hannah Fearn. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the illegal migration bill set for its second reading – how will Braverman and Sunak feel now it faces some serious scrutiny? And with the BBC in crisis over the Gary Lineker debacle, will anyone take the fall? Plus it’s budget week – we discuss why Hunt might be happy for this to be a dull announcement… Arthur Snell joins Jacob Jarvis to outline the stories to look out for this week. “The question now isn’t if Lineker broke the rules, but why the BBC can’t handle the decisions it makes.” “You can tell that Boris Johnson is seething with jealousy that Sunak gets to talk about submarines with Biden.” Support us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Arthur Snell. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Good samaritans or narcissistic egotists: what is behind the rise in YouTube philanthropy? Ros Taylor is joined by Rhodri Davies, the founder and director of ‘Why Philanthropy Matters’, to discover why influencers like MrBeast are turning to charitable causes – and how their realm of influence could expand. “YouTube philanthropy videos generate unimaginable amounts of money.”  “Many YouTube stars have maintained their fandom through charity videos.” “We are witnessing a transformation in how philanthropists raise money.” “There is a fine line between cynicism and celebration.” Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters ProductionInstagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump twisted the GOP beyond recognition during his time as president. What did it stand for before this aberration – and could it ever revert to a sane, sensible and serious party again? Jacob Jarvis discusses with Julie Norman, co-director of UCL’s Centre on US Politics. “Many in the party recognise the GOP doesn’t have a strong message – so they are trying to limit the role of the state.”  “Trump’s voters are very concerned about election integrity, fears he manipulated expertly.”  www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters ProductionInstagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 17th Century the English slaughtered one another, beheaded their king, fought bitterly over religion and politics, and acquired a taste for coffee and newspapers. Jonathan Healey, Associate Professor of Social History at the University of Oxford, tells Andrew Harrison how their world turned upside down shapes our own in his new book THE BLAZING WORLD: A New History of Revolutionary England.Includes Cromwell, cross-dressing, regicide, seditious libel, the New Model Army (not that one), the Levellers (not those), the ‘Blazing World’ itself (perhaps the first science fiction novel) and the Roundhead-Cavalier rivalry explained in terms of Half Man Half Biscuit… • “During a ‘skimmington’ you could break all the rules and slag off politicians… you could turn the world upside down.”• “Catholics would hold cross dressing weddings to mock Protestants.”• “Punk takes its name from the 17th century slang for prostitute.”• “The tale of Guy Fawkes has lost all its violence.”Thif podcaft hath been written and uttered by Mafter Andrew Harrifon. Miftress Kafia Tomafiewicz did finely produce it and My Lord Jacob Jarvif was ye Lead Producer. Miftress Jade Bailiy did edit ye sounds within and divers idolatrous musicks were supplied by Mafter Kenny Dickinfon of far Manchester. “Lucifer over Lancashire!” We warrant that YE BUNKER is withal a Podmafterf Production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mhairi Black joins The Bunker to discuss the future of Scottish independence, her party’s ne leader and the quirks of Westminster. Following Sturgeon standing down as SNP leader and Scotland’s first leader, she joins Marie Le Conte to speak about what will come next – and what might happen under her successor, whoever that may be.  “If you’re in a democracy and you can’t get a reply from a minister, then your democracy’s not very good.”  “I still think Sturgeon is head and shoulders above pretty much any politician in the UK. She understands normal people’s lives, even though she hasn’t been living one.”  “I have no doubt Scotland will be independent, it’s not a matter of if but when it happens. The case speaks for itself.”  “Westminster is failing us… internationally, there are plenty of examples of what Scotland could be like.”  Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Marie Le Conte. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters ProductionInstagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the ERG to the CGG, the different factions within the Conservatives build up a picture of the divisions within the party. But what do all of the different groups stand for, and why don’t we seem to see the same splintering within Labour? Professor Tim Bale, author of The Conservative Party After Brexit, joins Marie le Conte to find out.  “Tendencies mean that the party is more easily managed, factions make it much harder to manage, and they make governing much harder as well.” “There’s a lot of groups that got going under Thatcher, mostly to protect her legacy.  “I think if you're a leader a faction can be a real springboard for you into the leadership but you can also become a prisoner to that faction.” “There’s a degree to which belonging to a faction can give you some legitimacy when you’re speaking, it can amplify your voice.” Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer:Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison.THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Labour’s shock General Election loss in 1992 still haunts the party – and nobody wants to tempt fate by mentioning 1997’s landslide victory either. Will the next Election be a ’92, a ’97 or something else entirely? Steve Richards of the Rock & Roll Politics podcast explains what lay behind Neil Kinnock’s defeat and the trauma it inflicted on Labour; how it created the control freakery of the New Labour era; and what it all means for Keir Starmer. Listen to Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards on all platforms: https://kite.link/RNRP Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sunak tries to dish out some hard right catnip on small boats – but then here’s Johnson offering his rancid father a knighthood. Can’t Rishi catch a break? Also, is the Hancock/Oakeshott WhatsApp epic really persuading Britain that lockdown was a disaster? Or just reminding them of how awful the Cabinet are? Plus Sue Gray, strikes latest, Raab in firing line and more. Hannah Fearn sets out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison.  “Boris nominating his father for a knighthood shows he’s the ultimate reverse nepo baby.” “From cronyism in Westminster to small boats in the channel, we are a joke on the world stage.” “You have to be honest in politics or you end up with insane conspiracy theories.” Support us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lambasted by the Tory press for calling Boris Johnson a “known liar” at the Edinburgh TV festival when she was head of news at Channel 4, Dorothy Byrne is now President of Murray Edwards College, Cambridge. She talks to Ros Taylor about the pressures facing young female students, the future of C4, why we’re not treating violent porn seriously enough, and how ITV and Sky breached key broadcasting standards during the search for Nicola Bulley.  “The ones who tell you ‘people don’t trust TV news any more’ are the ones who don’t WANT you to trust it.” “The level of anxiety, stress and depression among young women is frightening – and it’s going up and up and up.” “Young people know that social media news often isn’t true.” “Sky and ITV’s treatment of the Nicola Bulley case was a breach of trust to the viewers and to her family.” Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices