The Bunker – News without the nonsense

The BBC is constantly under siege – how can it survive the 360 degree onslaught it faces? Does it make a rod for its own back? Or is stuck in a perennial catch-22? Siân Pattenden is joined by Patrick Barwise author of The War Against the BBC, to discuss the embattled broadcaster.  “People pay for far more services that they don’t use than paying for the BBC.” “What is contested is impartiality.” “The organised attacks on the BBC come from the Right.” “It is a miracle it's so productive given how tightly it has been squeezed.” Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Siân Pattenden. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What tips could Biden take from left-wing star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to help bridge America’s political divide? How do activists and politicians convince opposing groups of the same message? Writer and political commentator Anand Giridharadas talks to Ros Taylor about his new book The Persuaders: Winning Hearts and Minds in a Divided Age.  “The left needs to be better at creating an inclusive movement.” “It shows a lot about politics that AOC might not stay in it.” “Elon Musk is a limited man who behaves like an 11 year old boy.”  Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Jade Bailey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What would Alan Johnson do differently if he was in Suella Braverman’s shoes? The former Home Secretary, who held the post from 2009 to 2010, gives his take on the current crises – and sets the record straight on which party really handles crime better out of Labour and the Tories. “Suella is taking on the Priti Patel mantle… talking about the problems but doing nothing to resolve them.” “It’s the Tories who have really failed on crime and borders.” “When you’re 12 years in you can no longer blame the last Labour government.” “We need the relations with Macron to be really good, because that’s part of the problem.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Arthur Snell. Producers: Jet Gerbertson. 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 Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeremy Hunt’s key task is fixing the damage of Truss and Kwarteng’s mini-budget – can he get us out of this mess? From freezing the wages of nurses and teachers, to adding VAT to Jaffa Cakes – what options does the Chancellor have? Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies joins Ros Taylor to look at what taxes might increase, how the Government can tempt the over 55s back into the workforce – and if there’s any cause for optimism. “Hunt probably has to look at the serious taxes… though it remains to be seen if this is politically feasible.”  “You can’t raise very large amounts of money from inheritance or capital gains tax.” “Younger people have seen very poor earnings growth – the last 15 years have been pretty much the worst since the industrial revolution.”  Support us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When there is finally a general election, what will the next batch of MPs look like? With parties deep into selection processes, who is going to be thrust upon us – and who’s being blocked? Journalist, author and Channel 4 legend Michael Crick, who runs Tomorrow’s MPs on Twitter, talks to Andrew Harrison about our future parliamentarians.  “The left is doing appallingly within the Labour selections.”  “Starmer can’t be seen to interfere too much – that can be the kiss of death for a candidate.”  “There is a process of weeding people out on the grounds of their politics.” “When local parties are choosing members of Parliament, they’re also choosing potential future ministers.”  Support us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the Bank of England working in our best interests – and what could it do differently that might serve us better? While the last recession was met with a response of ‘quantitative easing’, the next is due to be met with ‘quantitative tightening’. Richard Murphy, professor of accounting practice at Sheffield University, author of the book Money For Nothing and king of the Twitter macroeconomic mega-thread, talks to Justin Quirk about what the central bank is up to. “Quantitative tightening is the opposite of quantitative easing – this means the government spends into the economy.”  “Quantitative tightening really shows that the Bank of England doesn’t care.” “Rishi Sunak doesn’t want there to be a recession, because he won’t win the next election.” “The public don’t know how to ask or answer big questions – and politicians aren’t helping.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Justin Quirk. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US midterms could see Biden hamstrung by his political enemies – as the prospect of a 2024 Trump run looms. Is America headed for another period of turmoil and deadlock, with the Republicans controlling the Senate and the House? And in the UK, the political sack race is on between Gavin Williamson and Suella Braverman. Will Sunak ditch either of them – or wait until a more convenient time? Plus, the world turns its eyes to COP27. Andrew Harrison is joined by Alex Andreou to tee up the week ahead.  “If the Democrats lose both the House and Senate they could be in for two years of very rough battles.” – Alex Andreou  “The Republicans can make a hellscape and know voters will primarily blame Biden for it.” – Alex Andreou  “If Sunak is inclined to get rid of Braverman or Williamson, he will do it one day after the budget – while they’re getting slated for their measures.” – Alex Andreou  “There is no doubt that for the next two years we will be paying for the Conservatives cock up.” – Alex Andreou  Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Andrew Harrison with Alex Andreou. Producer: Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. 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

World leaders are jetting into Sharm El-Sheik in Egypt this week for COP27. But as wild weather continues and predictions are that we have already passed the point of no return – what will we learn from COP27? Andrew Harrison is joined by Madeleine Cuff, environment reporter at the New Scientist to give you the heads up on what the big issues will be, who might derail discussions and what we can do to solve our environmental woes. “A lot of work needs to be done to get this problem under control.” “Under the Paris Agreement the pledges aren’t binding.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producers: Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over the past fifty years, America’s politicians have grown increasingly allergic to knowledge. Why is this? Writer, comedian and satirist Andy Borowitz joins Dorian Lynskey to discuss his new book Profiles in Ignorance: How America's Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber, which looks at why ignoramuses make it to the top of US politics, from Dan Quayle to George Bush, Sarah Palin to Donald Trump.  “Politicians have been the greatest comedians of the last 50 years.” ”Dan Quayle was just as ignorant as Reagan, but he lacked any talent to mask it.” “George Bush opened the door for Sarah Palin, who lead to Donald Trump.” “Donald Trump speaks in shorter words than any other president.” Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production and Music by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re not on a great run of political leaders at the moment – is the problem how we pick them? And what if we simply… didn’t? Rather than choosing between a bunch of self-serving, pound-crashing Westminster drones – could democratic lotteries be the answer? Brett Hennig, author of The End of Politicians: Time for a Real Democracy and director of the Sortition Foundation discusses how we pick our representatives, and how we could change it, with Jacob Jarvis. “Politicians often come from a subset of people who aren't best placed to make laws.” “People will only participate in politics if they feel represented.” “The House of Lords is a dinosaur and ripe to be replaced.” Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices