Understand

Kate meets Andrew McNaughton, the man who, in 2009, was given the task of sitting down with a blank piece of paper and designing a new high speed rail line. Ministers across the political aisle were aware of the desperate need for a capacity boost on the creaking West Coast Mainline; and looking for a jolt of optimism in the wake of the financial crash. It was the first new line north of London in over 70 years, and Andrew was venturing out into uncharted territory; he set out to design a futureproof, ambitious solution that would be the envy of the world. Presenter: Kate Lamble Producer: Robert Nicholson Executive Producer: Will Yates Sound Design and Mix: Arlie Adlington A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

Kate Lamble investigates the extraordinary inside story of Britain's most ambitious and controversial rail project. Listen first on BBC Sounds from Monday 14 July 2025

BBC News presenter Reeta Chakrabarti and other guests discuss the exciting process of election day in the UK, from polls opening to formation of government. Insightful look at exit polls, election night excitement, swing analysis, and past election day recollections.

James Cook, Catrin Haf Jones, and Enda McClafferty discuss how the UK election differs across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, highlighting the impact of proportional representation, campaign strategies, and political dynamics in each region. They also explore the unique challenges and influences of Northeast Wales, Welsh national politics, and the upcoming general election in Northern Ireland, including the impact of Brexit on party standings.

Former editor of The Sun newspaper and BBC’s News Culture & Media discuss media's impact on UK elections. They explore the power of British press, broadcasting regulations, TV debates, and social media influence. Insights on changing dynamics and challenges in shaping election outcomes.

Professor Jane Green, Director of the Nuffield Politics Research Centre at Oxford University, discusses the significance of opinion polling in politics, trends in UK election polls since 2019, and interpreting polling data for smaller political parties. The episode explores the challenges of predicting election outcomes and the use of polls for decision-making by political parties.

Political correspondent Alex Forsyth discusses the impact of marginal seats, tactical voting, and electoral pacts on UK elections. Exploring how constituency boundary changes, safe seats, and shifting dynamics influence election outcomes. Guest host Adam Fleming provides insights from a senior BBC elections analyst.

Vijay Rangarajan, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, discusses changes for Brits abroad voting, voter ID rules, dogs at polling stations, and the use of pencils. Explanations on voter eligibility, turnout fluctuations, ensuring smooth voting processes, and the significance of marginal seats in the UK Election.

Professor Jane Green discusses the categorization of target voters in UK elections like Mondeo Man and Worcester Woman, exploring how demographics and values influence voter behavior. The episode also delves into the impact of Brexit and COVID-19 on the 2019 general election, along with the role of leadership in shaping voter perception.

Rachel Wolf, co-author of the Conservatives' 2019 manifesto, and Jonathan Rutherford discuss the writing process and impact of political manifestos in UK elections. They delve into the contrasting approaches of the Conservative and Labour Parties, the importance of costings, and the significance of manifestos in shaping post-election governance.