The Bunker – News without the nonsense

America’s new President faces four overlapping crises – the COVID pandemic, the teetering economy, festering racial inequality and looming climate change. Does Joe Biden have the political resources to turn them around? And what about the fifth crisis, the poisoning of American democracy under Trump? The FT’s Associate Editor Edward Luce – Author of The Retreat of Western Liberalism – tells Andrew Harrison about the horrors in Biden’s in-tray. “The left wants heads on pikes – but Biden will resist that.” “Biden is inheriting low hanging fruit with Trump’s poor vaccine policy.” “Expect an information war, as much as anything else.” “Rejoining Paris on day one is very symbolic. But Biden’s environmental policies are more ambitious than that.” Presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Few writers’ words and ideas are abused daily on the Internet as much as George Orwell’s – and now most of his work is out of copyright. On the anniversary of Eric Blair’s death, we present a champion Orwell-off. Dorian Lynskey, author of The Ministry Of Truth, talks to DJ Taylor, author of Orwell: The Life, about Blair’s underrated works and over-cited quotes, David Bowie’s 1984: The Musical, and why Orwell would have baulked at the modern misuse of “Orwellian”. “Orwell’s life and legend now fit perfectly the roles we’ve created for them.” – DJ Taylor “Words have been so redefined now that ‘Orwellian’ is routinely used as the opposite of everything that Orwell stood for.” – DJ Taylor “Orwell was an imperfect man of his time, and very good at dramatising his own life.” – DJ Taylor “Orwell hated writing film reviews so much that he paid his friend Inez Holden to go and watch the plays for him.” – DJ Taylor “Anthony Powell used to say ‘How George would have loved to be a poet killed in the war…’.” – DJ Taylor Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the last day of Donald Trump’s warped presidency, his niece Mary Trump – psychologist and author of Too Much And Never Enough: How My Family Created The World’s Most Dangerous Man – reflects on the making of a man who impressed his psychopathologies on a nation. How does a person get like this? What is it like when a family member places the entire world in peril? And could a defeated Trump represent an even worse danger to American democracy? “For the first time in his life he can’t spin a loss into a win. And it’s driving him crazy.” “At a very deep level, Donald knows he’s never been truly successful and has no skills.” “When Donald was elected I knew he would do to my country what he and his father had done to my family.” “What shocks me is that there are people on this planet who are weaker than Donald. I didn’t think that was possible” “In the election, if he was going down, he would try to take the rest of us with him. And that’s exactly what he did.” “Failure to live up Fred Trump’s demands got you destroyed. And that’s what happened to my dad.” “If the cameras disappear, Donald ceases to exist.” Presented by Jude Rogers. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Trump Presidency finally, finally ends, will the Republican Party be forced to choose between American democracy and the madness of the Trump-enraged base? Can Biden convince the world that America’s holiday from reason is over? Plus COVID spikes in Ireland, Singapore uses virus tracking to erode human rights, and Wikipedia is turns 20 [citation needed]. Ayesha Hazarika, Brian Klaas and Ahir Shah join Andrew Harrison for the weekly Bunker panel show. “Trump got more criticism from Meryl Streep than Vladimir Putin.” – Brian Klaas “Trump’s legacy is that we are permanently high on the sugar rush of dramatic news.” – Ayesha Hazarika “Should we call Trump a fascist? If there’s a boot stamping on my face I don’t care about the brand of the boot.” – Ahir Shah “Trump was a useful idiot to Putin, and every despot around the world.” – Ayesha Hazarika Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As America prepares to inaugurate Joe Biden as President, can his predecessor squeeze any more crookedness into his remaining days in power? And will the feared violence in American state capitols materialise? Plus as lockdown reacts its first mandatory review, the Government tries to cut benefits and working people’s rights. Alex Andreou sets up the week ahead. “Trump isn’t unusual. He’s every bully – every Biff from Back to the Future – I’ve ever met.” “This episode of Trump is over. But there are seasons more to come.” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a special extra edition we ask, what will our politics be like after COVID (eventually) lifts? Will we find, like in 1945, that suddenly everything has changed? John Curtice, politics professor at Strathclyde University and senior fellow at think tank UK in a Changing Europe, tells Naomi Smith about the new economic consensus that could emerge from the post-Corona wreckage; how Labour should differentiate themselves from the Tories in a radically changed country; and whether education, welfare and the governance of the country itself could be transformed. “Johnson is a meddler, an intervener, he wants to use the power of the state to get things done” “Do not presume that COVID is going to change attitudes” “The arrival of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister marked the end of the neoliberal project in Britain” “There are plenty of centre-right voters in Scotland, they just don’t necessarily vote for the Conservatives” Presented by Naomi Smith. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Rarely have people sacrificed so much for so little.” The great uprisings across the Arab world in 2010-12 began in hope and ended in bitter disappointment, with hardline rule strengthened in many Arab countries. On the tenth anniversary of the event that began the Arab Spring, the overthrow of the Tunisian government, we talk to two experts – journalist for the BBC, Vice and LA Times Zahra Hankir and Khaled Diab, author of Islam For The Politically Incorrect – about what this great rebellion really achieved, how the pandemic has shown the weakness of these supposed strong regimes, and where the spirit of the Arab Spring could rise again. “When people say the Arab Spring ‘failed’, it’s just a way to take the thunder out of the idea that people can make change happen.” – Khaled Diab “The Arab Spring is not done, as long as people and activists are still trying to make change happen. That spirit is still alive.” – Zahra Hankir “In the Arab world, it’s not the people who don’t get democracy – it’s the leaders.” – Khaled Diab “They couldn’t kill the idea, so they locked up or silenced everyone who advocated that idea.” – Khaled Diab Find out more about developments in the fight for freedom in the Arab world at: madamasr.com thepublicsource.org aljumhuriya.net newlinesmag.com Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before right wing populists set about ruining the world, it was Latin America’s left wing populists – the likes of Chávez, Ortega and Castro – who rattled the West and threw their own countries into tumult. Why is the strongman’s hold on his country’s politics so unyielding? Will Grant, BBC Latin America correspondent and author of Populista!, joins us from Mexico City to explain how the people’s representatives became authoritarians and despots, what it’s like as a journalist targeted by a real-world army of footsoldiers as well as online trolls, and certain dictators’ early fondness for Blairism… “It was a real baptism of fire living under Chávez. As the media, you were always in his line of fire.” “We saw godlike status being bestowed on some very fallible men” “Some of these men are frighteningly militaristic and conservative… They created the conditions for the likes of Bolsonaro.” “Reagan’s obsession with Ortega was huge… His fixation fuelled a war that killed thousands.” “There’s a real appeal of the caudillo, the strongman who will come in and sort it all out.” “Living and working in these environments, it stretches you as a journalist like nothing else.” Presented by Dorian Lynskey Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the Iranian Revolution to the invasion of Afghanistan, events in 1979 turned the tides on decades of liberalisation across the Middle East. Kim Ghattas, journalist and author of Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East tells Alex Andreou about our misconceptions of the Middle East and her journey as a reporter. Have Iran and Saudi Arabia, and Sunnis and Shias, always been at each others’ throats? Was Bin Laden a “naïve revolutionary”? And what Biden can take from Trump’s policies on Iran… “I couldn’t believe that no-one had written a book that brings the story of the whole region together before – but no-one had” “My parents were more concerned about my safety and gun crime in the US than in Lebanon.” “Not every Iranian woman wore a miniskirt, but before 1979, they had the freedom to choose.” “The book’s for a Western audience – but it’s also for us in the region, to understand what happened to us, where we went wrong. And how we can undo some of it.” “Today, we only talk about religion at the extremes. But Iran’s progressive, liberal, pluralistic core were often devout Muslims.” “Trump’s renewed pressure on Iran has actually been welcomed by many Iranians” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can the Democrats win the race to impeach Donald Trump before he wreaks irreparable damage on American democracy? Will Trump’s expulsion from social media neuter him or drive his base even crazier? And did that rioter REALLY taser himself to death, in the balls? Plus: Britain thinks MUSIC IS GREAT but not great enough to support. How the travel industry will resurrect itself. And why Joe Biden has China over a barrel… really. Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith and Arthur Snell join Andrew Harrison for the weekly Bunker panel show. “Every outrageous act by Trump is cover for the previous one” – Alex Andreou “America needs a domestic deradicalisation programme.” – Alex Andreou “Governments bail out banks, not Banksy” – Naomi Smith “In his own way, Xi Jinping is making China great again.” – Arthur Snell Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Democrats impeach Trump fast enough to prevent more damage to American democracy – or would that enrage his base further? And what will his ejection from social media mean? Plus, Government failures to plan on COVID and freight exposed, and Keir Starmer wobbles on the EU. Ros Taylor sets up the week’s coming events. “Never mind long-term… the Government lacks even medium-term planning on Covid.” “There are only 100,000 police in this country. It’s impossible to enforce strict lockdown and maintain police by consent.” “Starmer has succeeded in making Labour electable again. But now, people need a reason to vote for Labour that isn’t ‘he’s not that fucker Johnson’.” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It took a global pandemic to revolutionise Britain’s outdated abortion provision but the changes need to be made permanent. Quality-controlled termination “pills by post” have been made available during the pandemic– but under current law, GPs still can’t provide abortion medication without clinical advice too. Katherine O’Brien, Associate Director at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, tells Naomi Smith why we need to expand the “telemedicine” provision, drop the “completely unnecessary” requirement for women who need abortions to attend clinics, and bring abortion law into the 21st century on a permanent basis. Otherwise the most vulnerable women and girls could be forced back in to accessing high risk, unregulated black market pills via the internet. “It’s 2021 but any woman who obtains an abortion without the advice of two doctors can still face imprisonment under a law from 1861.” “Sadly, it took a global pandemic to modernise a healthcare service that one in three women will require in their lifetime.” “If you believe women should have safe access, you should back these changes.” Presented by Naomi Smith. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In scarcely believable scenes, a mob goaded by Donald Trump invades America’s Capitol building, trashing Congress offices, shooting into the debating chamber and forcing senators and staff to flee. Four people die. What does this unprecedented assault on democracy mean for Joe Biden’s presidency and for America’s future? UCL Politics Professor and host of the Power Corrupts podcast Brian Klaas explains. “Coups try to remove presidents from power. This one tried to keep one in power” “The Republican Party has created a monster they can’t control” “Trump leaves on January 20th, but the Trumpian voter base does not.” “Today’s Republican Party are arsonists dressing up as firefighters.” “Trump isn’t deemed fit to Tweet – but he’s in control of the world’s biggest nuclear arsenal for the next thirteen days.” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why does Hitler still cast a shadow on our politics? How do you re-examine the Nazis’ record without inadvertently fuelling Holocaust denial? Historian Prof. Frank McDonough, author of new book The Hitler Years: Disaster 1940-1945, explains why we still don’t understand the enormity of the Third Reich’s crimes, why the unstoppable German Blitzkrieg was a myth generated for home consumption, and why a Britain obsessed with the War really does need another book about Hitler. “Hitler still casts a long shadow over the present. The Third Reich is a lesson on how democracy can be destroyed from within.” “People say, don’t we know enough about the Third Reich already? And the answer is no, far from it.” “There’s an old saying: The Russians gave the blood. The Americans gave the money. And Churchill gave the speeches.” “We in Britain badly need a grown-up attitude understanding of the Second World War as an alliance, not as Britain standing alone.” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why has self-interest become such a dirty word (or words) in politics? Why do we always assume the worst motives in our opponents? And if voters keep on disappointing progressives by voting against their supposed economic interests, do we need to revise our idea of what self-interest really is? Thomas Prosser, author of What’s In It For Me? Self-Interest And Political Difference explains why we should stop worrying and learn to love the concept of self-interest. “Reflecting on self-interest takes the sting out of politics.” “Progressives – unlike conservatives – aren’t so good at recognising the validity of self-interest.” “Self-interest isn’t just economic, it’s cultural. That’s where Remainers went wrong on Brexit.” “There’s an argument that the 2017 Labour manifesto was the least redistributive ever.” “Awareness of self-interest makes us more tolerant.” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Britain’s £80bn trade sector was left out of Johnson’s vaunted Brexit deal. Why, and what does that mean? With Lockdown III (or is it IV, V or VI?) about to be launched, has No.10 definitively lost control of the Pandemic? And what should we keep an eye out for in 2021? Yasmeen Serhan, Ian Dunt and special guest Dmitry Grozoubinski – international trade expert and former WTO negotiator for Australia – join Andrew Harrison for the first BUNKER of the new year. “Ironically enough, in the end it turned out Johnson wasn’t the ‘cake and eat it’ guy at all.” – Ian Dunt “You’ve got a President on record ordering officials to re-calculate votes in his favour? I’m still capable of being surprised by Trump” – Yasmeen Serhan “The idea that the Government isn’t in control is a truism amongst the public” – Ian Dunt Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Logo and branding by Mark Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Biden’s in-tray is packed but will the 46th President’s energies be consumed by repairing the damage of Trumpism instead of his own agenda? What lies in store in flashpoints around the world from Taiwan to Turkey to the Western Sahara? And will the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks see the Taliban restored to power in Afghanistan? Arthur Snell plots out the year ahead. “Are we really in a place when many American voters don’t believe in democracy, or is it just when Trump is on the ballot paper?” “It’s extraordinary that we could get to the end in Afghanistan almost where we began, with the Taliban back in government.” “By the end of the year, there’ll be a new cast of people that we don’t recognise in control of politics.” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Barnard Castle to bleach injections to ward off COVID, from Matt Hancock trying to cry on TV to “will you just shut up, man?” it’s been a year of ignominy and idiocy – as well as twelve months of pain, failure and tragedy. But what were the worst bits? Yasmeen Serhan, Arthur Snell and Ahir Shah join Andrew Harrison to remember the most shameful moments of a year everyone wants to forget. “What a fantastic afternoon of television that Cummings press conference was…” – Ahir Shah “Johnson’s fatal flaw isn’t overpromising. It’s that he doesn’t give a fuck about anything.” – Arthur Snell “Every government announcement should be followed by an asterisk – subject to change, terms and conditions may apply.” – Yasmeen Serhan Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Logo and branding by Mark Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How it started, how it’s going… This was a year that blew up Boris Johnson’s plans for post-Brexit Britain and forced the Conservatives into uncharacteristic economic intervention. What has 2020 done to a newly-purified party of true believers? Former Conservative MP David Gauke tells Ros Taylor about the state of the New Tories, what would have happened if Cameron hadn’t called a referendum on the EU, and how the Conservatives have become “a party of protest, not government”. “It’s a discontented party. It’s uncomfortable. And it’s rebellious.” “It’s now hard to see that there’ll ever be pro-European advocacy in the Conservative party again.” “There’ll be a gravitational pull towards those socially conservative Red Wall voters… Anyone who’s expecting a return to Cameron-style government will be disappointed.” “The Tory Party has taken on the personality of a newspaper columnist, rather than a traditional party of government.” Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Labour Party has just endured its most self-torturing year since, well, last year. Is Keir Starmer beginning to turn the party’s fortunes around? Is the Left’s guerrilla war against the Leadership all noise or is Labour truly in a civil war? Does Corbyn even want to come back into the Labour fold? And above the infighting, is the Opposition doing enough opposing? Nick Cohen of The Observer gives his End of Term Report for the Labour Party to Dorian Lynskey. “Britain is not a conservative nation – whenever Labour wants to win an election, it wins an election.” “Oppositions do lose elections, and they do it when people can’t imagine them as a government.” “Being next to the EU is like being in bed with an elephant. It might not notice you, but you notice everything it does.” “Of all the hills the Left has chosen to die on, it’s this Trumpian denial of Corbyn’s record on antisemitism.” Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Logo and branding by Mark Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did it feel to be at the centre of protests for racial justice that shook Britain and the world? Imarn Ayton, an actor and drama teacher from Peckham, found herself on front covers and news bulletins across the world after she was given a megaphone at a protest in London – and decided to speak into it. She tells Jude Rogers what BLM has achieved, what was behind the infighting in the movement since the summer, and what needs to happen next. “Black people have been marching for decades. The real turning point was seeing people of all colours marching in the streets.” “The litmus test for society is overt racism, not covert racism. But covert racism is what causes the most damage.” “Most people who adopt and love black culture don’t believe that they are covertly racist.” “We need to have the most awkward conversations. We are still very much in denial about systemic racism.” Presented by Jude Rogers. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Logo and branding by Mark Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Angry, irrational rejection of key public health measures like lockdowns and masks was one of the ugliest aspects of 2020. How did lockdown deniers give scepticism such a bad name? Did the Brexiters’ war on experts make it harder to fight COVID? And deep down, do some lockdown deniers have a point? Alex Andreou talks to Queen Mary University politics professor Tim Bale and FT writer, honorary fellow of the Royal Statistical Society and author of How To Make The World Add Up Tim Harford about the power of wilful ignorance. “Over the past few years. middle finger, up-yours politics is what has resonated with many, many people.” – Tim Bale “Many sceptics didn’t go for the principled argument. They just argued that lockdowns kill more people or even that the virus isn’t all that dangerous.” – Tim Harford “How can the BBC allow business people to act as armchair epidemiologists?” – Tim Bale “The virus didn’t go away of its own accord. It went away because of the incredible sacrifice that so many people made.” – Tim Harford “The person in the street probably trusts experts MORE after the experience of COVID than they did beforehand.” – Tim Bale “Sweden was the poster boy for lockdown scepticism. But when you look at the infection and death figures – and the economy – Sweden is not that different from Britain.” – Tim Harford Presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What psychodrama is driving No Deal? Can the Tory Party be rescued from its embrace of nationalist unreason? And what is Boris Johnson like to work for? Former Cabinet Minister and power-walker Rory Stewart joins us Ayesha Hazarika, Arthur Snell and Andrew Harrison for this week’s panel edition. “Churchill desperately cared about detail… but I couldn’t get Boris to engage in the Foreign Office at all.” – Rory Stewart “Boris’ Brexit Deal is all about the drama, not the detail.” – Ayesha Hazarika “International politics is about local wisdom. On Iraq, Labour was too centralised and bureaucratic.” – Rory Stewart “We’ll still be negotiating with the EU by 2040” - Arthur Snell “Politics was deeply damaging for my mind, soul, and body… Ultimately, politics is bad for you.” – Rory Stewart Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s the final, final week where everything definitely goes down to the wire… again. As Boris Johnson ends Brexit as he began it, choosing between two alternatives he doesn’t really believe in or care about, Ros Taylor sets out the week ahead. Plus: Will London go ti Tier 3, will schools close and will Donald Trump ever shut up, man? Also, bidets! “Johnson is a man hovering on the edge of indecision… He simply cannot make up his mind” “We cannot seem to let go of him. As long as we remain obsessed with Johnson, we will be trapped in this situation.” “I guarantee you that Johnson is agonising right now. This is more important than any of his other bad decisions that have ruined this country.”” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Never let it be said we don’t mix it up… We lure Geoff Norcott, famously the only* right of centre comedian out there, into The Bunker and attempt a civilised conversation. How does a working class son of a trade unionist end up on the political right? Why does right wing comedy reiterate the same tired punchlines about “wokeness”? And how does he think Brexit – which he voted for – is going? * Not really, but listen and find out. “I’m not the ONLY right-wing comedian… but when we have the Christmas party, we don’t have to hire a big room.” “The idea of a room full of people agreeing with each other doesn’t appeal to me, whoever they are.” “Every wing of politics has trashed their own brand.” “Stewart Lee always makes me laugh even though I’m the person he’d probably hate the most.” “As a straight, white, middle-aged man, yeah I’ve taken advantage of BBC diversity quotas.” “I’m not anti-woke. I’m anti- bad ideas.” “I voted for a Deal and if there isn’t one, I’ll be angry.” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our 200th edition. Everyone wants to go home and visit their folks for Christmas, right? And the Government is fine with it… right? Christina Pagel of Independent SAGE and UCL’s Clinical Operational Research Unit tells Ian Dunt why packing yourself into unventilated homes with aged relatives, school kids and students might not be a very good idea. What are the best ways to have a safer Christmas? How dangerous is public transport? And what’s worse, hurting your family’s feelings – or damaging their health? “People are pretty clear about what they OUGHT to do. What they WILL do is another matter. “It’s really hard to think of home as a dangerous place.” “The idea that I might give my parents COVID month before they could get vaccinated? I don’t know if I could live with that.” “We’re all good at social distancing from strangers. But when you’re out with your mum, it’s a different matter.” “What are the worst things you can do at Christmas? Singing and shouting.” Presented by Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofrenijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One day you’re one of the world’s most powerful people, the next you’re out of work. So what do ex-leaders get up to when they leave office? And are they ever any good at it? BBC Radio producer and author of The Ex-Men: How Our Former Presidents and Prime Ministers are Still Changing the World Giles Edwards takes Ros Taylor behind the closed doors of members-only clubs – and reveals how these ex-men (and women) still shape public life without us even knowing. “You can get more done in fifteen minutes as Prime Minister than fifteen months as a former Prime Minister.” “Clinton touched something in the Democratic Party soul that Obama didn’t.” Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fishing, level playing fields… as the scales tip the EU Trade Deal, will an arrogant Boris Johnson choose No Deal for the hell of it? The COVID vaccine is here but do we need to brace ourselves for “vaccine nationalism”? Special guest Magid Magid – former Lord Mayor of Sheffield and Green MEP – tells us about generational changes in politics, the green future, and what it’s like when you’re a migrant kid playing “cultural bridge” for your parents. And what do MPs’ Spotify Wrapped lists tell us about the next generation of politicians? “If the Government don’t get a deal, it will be a point of honour for Johnson not to return to the negotiating table next year.” – Ros Taylor “People in Brussels are sick and tired of this… They’re in despair with the UK.” – Magid Magid “Brexit has changed European countries’ attitude to the EU. We’re not exactly bracing for a Frexit or a Swexit.” – Yasmeen Serhan “We’ve now arrived in a place where nothing short of No Deal will satisfy the Brexit ultras.” – Ros Taylor Presented by Alex Andreou with Yasmeen Serhan and Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Logo and branding by Mark Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Audio issues now fixed. “The Deal’s not oven ready – and Johnson isn’t govern ready.” Will the No Deal Doomsday Clock finally tick down to zero before Thursday’s EU summit? Plus, why we need to worry about the mysterious Taxation (Post Transition Period) Bill rather the Internal Market Bill. And is Keir Starmer heading for High Noon with the angry Left? Naomi Smith sets up your week ahead. “The irony is, this is the most socialist government we’ve ever lived under…” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Salisbury poisonings were an infamous example of Russian interference in British security. But were they really the first time Novichok was used on British soil? Former US Army chemical warfare specialist and author of Toxic: A History of Nerve Agents From Nazi Germany to Putin's Russia Dan Kaszeta talks to Arthur Snell about assassination, clandestine state conflict, Navalny, and the psychological side of chemical warfare. “Running alongside the nuclear arms race was a lesser known, but equally important chemical arms race.” “The method is the message. People who don’t like the Russian regime end up dead.” Presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With comedy venues closed by COVID, comedians are turning to social media to carry out the essential public service of mocking politicians and politics. One person taking the twittersphere by storm during lockdown is award-winning actor and stand-up Rosie Holt. She speaks to Minnie Rahman about the transition from the stage to social media, the inspiration behind her humour, and why this Government is so easy to parody. “You have these politicians who rush to defend Boris Johnson, and then they look pretty stupid when he u-turns” “The culture war videos are easy to do because they are so reactionary” “I don’t think the Government has any understanding of the arts industry” “It’s a really exciting time for satire, but only because the Government is awful” Presented by Minnie Rahman. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofrenijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Brexit really lead to Ireland reunifying and leaving the Union, in a final irony for English nationalism? In a special edition on the future of the island of Ireland we talk to Neale Richmond (Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown), Ulster Unionist Party MLA and former leader Mike Nesbitt, and Claire Hanna (SDLP MP for Belfast South). Is the rancour finally leaching out of Northern Irish politics? Will a European identity trump a British one?Is a border poll really coming? And what do people in the Irish Republic really think of Boris Johnson? “Sinn Fein are the greatest force against a united Ireland.” – Neale Richmond “I am an Ulsterman, but I’m also Irish, British, and European…if you were to deny me any part of that mixture, you will diminish who I am.” – Mike Nesbitt “It’s not the territory that’s divided, it’s the people.” – Claire Hanna “The UK leaving the EU means the greatest vehicle for co-operation on the island of Ireland is ending.” – Neale Richmond “The government in Westminster wants to possess Northern Ireland like a toddler wants to possess a toy.” – Claire Hanna “Sinn Fein are the greatest force against a united Ireland.” – Neale Richmond “We need to get away from the idea that we're pure Brit or pure Gael, because very few of us are.” – Mike Nesbitt Presented by Naomi Smith. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the age of “reactionary populism”, larger-than-life characters trump competence. Can liberal democracies survive the age of the performative strongman? Political economist and author of This is Not Normal: The Collapse of Liberal Britain William Davies tells Dorian Lynskey about Trump, truth, and television politics – and why the death of neoliberalism might be a win for democracy. “Competence implies something governmental and administrative. That’s not Trump.” “The character of Boris has been cultivated over time. He’s a promises, not policy, politician.” “Neoliberalism colonises the political sphere with economics, and makes it a sham. That’s damaging for popular participation.” Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patreon people get the podcast early… As Boris Johnson unlocks Britain for the tiniest Christmas ever, is he just admitting that the public no longer listens to government? What will hacking back the overseas development budget mean for ‘Global Britain’? (Spoiler: it’s bad). Has COVID made Universal Basic Income more likely? And why do we want a “normal” Christmas anyway? Miatta Fahnbulleh, Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou join Andrew Harrison to open the Advent Calendar of Aaaaargh. “We’ve gone from being a country that others trust, to one eyed with suspicion.” – Naomi Smith “Good politics isn’t following the polls, it’s doing the right thing and then convincing people that it’s the right thing“ - Alex Andreou “If Covid-19 has shown anything it’s that when a human sneezes halfway around the world, the whole world coughs.” – Naomi Smith Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are we in for the first parliamentary crisis of the pandemic? Will Boris Johnson have to rely on Labour votes to get his post-lockdown tiers-based restrictions past rebellious Tory MPs? Is the EU deal really going to fall apart over fish, a mere 0.1% of the economy? And will these negotiations with the EU ever end? Alex Andreou sets out the week ahead. Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The climate emergency brings a nightmare threat to biodiversity, with disastrous knock-on effects to human economies as well as the natural world. Are governments doing enough to protect and restore threatened ecosystems? Ecologist and chief scientific advisor to the UN’s Trillion Tree Campaign Thomas Crowther tells Jude Rogers about the urgent need to reverse global deforestation – starting at the grassroots. “The loss of ecosystems is not just essential for climate change. It’s essential for our ongoing livelihoods.” “It’s not just putting trees in the ground. We need to recreate and reintegrate nature.” “Global restoration does not happen from the top-down decisions. It happens from an immense bottom-up movement.” “Tree restoration is not enough… we need thousands of solutions to tackle climate change.” Presented by Jude Rogers. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Israel to Iran, Donald Trump thought he could reset the Middle East. His fixation on the region defined the last four years of US foreign policy. But what will Biden’s presidency mean for America and the Middle East? Senior policy fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute Michael Stephens talks to Arthur Snell about oil, oligarchs, and outbreaks – and if Trump’s unorthodox approach has actually secured some wins… “Arab states are recognising Judaism as part of their cultural identity. You wouldn’t have seen that ten years ago.” “How Biden deals with Iran will set the tone in the Middle East for the next four years. From there, all else flows.” “Al Qaeda and ISIS have not gone away. People forget that there’s still war in Syria.” Presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN’s Fareed Zakaria is one of the best-known journalists on the planet, reaching 200m people weekly with Fareed Zakaria’s GPS. He talks to Ros Taylor about the aftermath of Trumpism, Biden’s prospects for changing the West’s trajectory on climate change… and why the COVID aftermath might lead to a release of hedonism on a par with the Jazz Age. “Trump is playing brilliant politics with the small side effect of destroying democracy.” “The defence budget is the only non-controversial jobs programme in the United States. It’s a jobs programme disguised as a defence programme.” “My fear is that the next pandemic will come from factory farming.” “It’s absolutely fair to describe what Trump is doing as an attempted coup. It’s just going to fail.” “Our biggest mistake is to imagine that nature is fond of humans.” Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Labour grief-fest won’t abate. What do the Labour Left actually want? Victory, or just to burn the party down? Now that we’re moving into the pick-up-the-pieces phase of COVID, what have we learned and what should we do with it? Special guest Christina Pagel of UCL and Indie SAGE has thoughts. And what should a Minister for Men look like? Long-lost regular Ahir Shah returns – with exciting dinosaur news!! – to join Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey for this week’s political crime scene reconstruction. “The more you look at the behaviour of the left, it shows a psychological process rather than a political one” – Ian Dunt “At least you can now explain that the Democrats are called the Democrats because they’re the ones who believe in democracy…” -– Dorian Lynskey “What would we do different? I don’t know, EVERYTHING?” – Christina Pagel” “I’m hesitant to get excited about vaccines until I have Pfizer in one arm, Moderna in the other, and I’m doing a line of Astra-Zeneca.” – Ahir Shah “The depressing thing about COVID is that the Government doesn’t seem to have learned anything from it at all.” – Christina Pagel Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ahir Shah and Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Logo and branding by Mark Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With lockdown about to give way to “it’s not lockdown, it’s tiers,” is it worth another superspreader event to “save” Christmas? Will Rishi Sunak’s spending review be the free-spending Chancellor’s last hurrah? Will this Brexit deal ever be decided? Ian Dunt breaks down the week with Andrew Harrison. Presented by Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Chancellor Rishi Sunak doled out taxpayers’ money on free Wagamamas, he failed more than 3 million people who have received no financial support from the Government whatsoever. Broadcaster turned campaigner Ellie Phillips tells Naomi Smith about the plight of PAYE freelancers who are ineligible for furlough, and the work she’s doing with campaign group Forgotten PAYE who want parity for the self employed. “This goes through every single profession in the country.” “Nearly 2.5 million have fallen through the gaps in income support.” “The Government talks about levelling-up, but this is the ultimate levelling-down” “Sunak is pushing people into poverty and punishing those who create jobs… it just makes no sense.” Presented by Naomi Smith. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofrenijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who’s number one in No.10? And which governmental loser is tandem inter pares? Commentator, LBC broadcaster, author and “not a fan of Boris Johnson” Iain Dale tells our own Ian Dunt what makes Prime Ministers succeed and fail – and how Boris Johnson’s Churchillian fantasies match up to reality. “Clement Attlee is among our greatest Prime Ministers but he wouldn’t have a hope in today’s intense environment.” “Boris won’t go down as the Brexit Prime Minister. He’ll go down as the COVID Prime Minister.” “Twitter is blogging on acid, isn’t it?” “Boris Johnson will enjoy being an ex-Prime Minister a lot more than being Prime Minister.” “Every Prime Minister wants to be a Churchill… but can you really compare coronavirus with 1940?” Presented by Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The last four years have seen British politics turned upside down in ways unthinkable in normal times, so much so that constitutional law has become a sticking point. Joelle Grogan, lecturer at Middlesex University and creator of StickyTrickyLaw, talks to Ros Taylor about the clash between Brexit and our courts, what COVID has done to our constitution, and if Biden’s plan to pack the Supreme Court will come off. “We don’t have the same separation of powers as the US – here, Government and Parliament are synonymous to most people”. “I found it difficult myself to navigate the laws of the tiers – I even forgot their names”. “Covid has exposed how health is a devolved responsibility”. “We’ve seen many governments use the guise of judicial review to strengthen their power”. Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofrenijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will the demise of Dominic Cummings clear the air in No.10? How can you stop QAnon and 5G anti-maskers from radicalising your auntie? Is the BBC really in danger from the Government’s public sector broadcasting review? And what is the true meaning of that Mary Woolstonecraft statue – sexist monstrosity, artistic vision, crowdfunding disaster or a bit of all three? Yasmeen Serhan, Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith join Andrew Harrison to sort it all out. “The BBC overcompensates its liberal bias by overplatforming right-wingers” -– Alex Andreou Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison with Yasmeen Serhan, Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Logo and branding by Mark Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will disposing of Dom enable Johnson to reset as a kindler, gentler government? Will Deal Week turn into Deferment Week yet again? And what will the next seven days mean for the next steps on lockdown? Alex Andreou sets out your week ahead. “The Government frittered away their post-election honeymoon, and set a tone of snideness and nastiness” “I’m willing to bet Hancock has threatened to resign multiple times over lockdown in the last few months” “Carrie Symonds reflects the school of Conservatives who want the old Boris back, not this joyless apparatchik.” Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COVID19 has caused the biggest shake-up in transport in over thirty years – with huge bailouts, U-Turns and financial crunches piling up as passenger numbers plummet. Transport writer and broadcaster Christian Wolmar spoke to Justin Quirk what state the sector will be in after the pandemic, and if we can afford the investment we used to take for granted. “Transport has been forced into a completely new world” “I can’t see the public transport network reaching 2019 heights for 20 years” “When you look at the detail of HS2, it’s really not worth it” “It is the less-sexy, smaller schemes that make the biggest difference to our transport system” “The idea you could let TFL go bust is fanciful, Sadiq Khan has the Government over a barrel” Presented by Justin Quirk. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofrenijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Broadcasting legend and former Question Time host DAVID DIMBLEBY dives into the undiscovered weeds of the Iraq War on his new podcast The Fault Line. He talks to Ian Dunt about the fatal relationship between Bush and Blair, how Iraq began the poisoning of western politics – plus what it’s like presenting election nights, and whether the QT audience really was biased. “When the facts turn against you as a politician, it’s very difficult to abandon the course you’ve set yourself.” “Fatally, Bush and Blair accepted the evidence of a charlatan.” “Social media provides the megaphone, and you have to speak up all the time…doubt, hesitation, and moderation aren’t relevant” Presented by Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill known as SpyCops is one of the most controversial pieces of legislation before Parliament – and the Labour Party is only timidly opposing it. Is a bill that permits state agents to break the law defensible? Where do we draw the line? Scottish Labour MSP Neil Findlay explains why he’s campaigning against the CHIS Bill, where Keir Starmer is falling short, and the deeper background of the Undercover Policing Inquiry into 40 years of undercover surveillance. “We’ve seen appalling crimes committed against ordinary people by agents of the state… ” “There’s no fascist groups on the list, no extreme right groups. Everyone investigated is on the Left.” “In Scotland we had the police investigating the police. Surprise surprise, they found there’s nothing to see here, guv.” “To raise a child and then discover that the father wasn’t who you thought they were… Some of these women consider that they’d been raped by the State.” “How did a union activist know their phone was being tapped? They wouldn’t pay the bill for two years and never got cut off…” Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where were you when the Don went down? And what does Trump’s end mean for Britain? Plus, as COVID, No Deal and general incompetence drive Scotland further away from Westminster, could independence really happen? SNP MP Alyn Smith and pro-union (OR IS SHE?) Scot Ayesha Hazarika thrash it out. And who would our panel most like to spend lockdown with? “The left is good at laughing at the right – but not at winning power from them.” – Ayesha Hazarika “This groundswell for Scottish independence is not about Boris Johnson.” – Alyn Smith MP “The European Parliament is set up to be productive. Westminster is showbiz for ugly people” -– Alyn Smith MP Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison with Ros Taylor and Ayesha Hazarika. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Logo and branding by Mark Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Trump concede and what happens if he won’t? Can Boris “Britain Trump” make amends to a new President who remembers his “slavish devotion” to his predecessor? Plus: Dido Harding up before the beak in Parliamentary Committee and the small matter of a new civil war in Ethiopia. Arthur Snell sets up the week ahead. Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices