The Bunker – News without the nonsense

It’s been one year since the full scale invasion of Ukraine began. From fanning the spirit of freedom, to how internally displaced people are coping, through to what Ukraine needs now from its friends and allies across the West – Olga Tokariuk, freelance journalist and fellow at the Reuters Institute for Journalism, joins Alex Andreou to reflect on the last 12 months. “I could see the spirit of freedom and the spirit of commitment to democracy and human rights… that gave me confidence that Ukrainians would not just give up on those.” “For the moment Ukraine doesn’t have enough means to launch further counter offensives.” “Those people who have decided to stay in Ukraine, we’re supporting the economy, we’re buying things, we’re paying taxes.” “Seeing President Biden paying respect to Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian protestors… had a very profound symbolic importance.” www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by Jet Gerbertson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Britain is all but in recession. We’re far less productive than other European countries, and take the industries that do well for granted. Trussonomics was one idea to boost growth — and we all know how that turned out. But if cutting taxes isn’t the solution to our problems, what is? Greg Thwaites from the Resolution Foundation joins Ros Taylor in the Bunker to find out. “Most of the growth that we've had in the economy hasn’t come from people being more productive, it’s from people doing more work.” “What the average UK worker can produce in an hour, it takes the average French or German or US worker ten minutes less to produce.” “You can liken the UK to a passenger jet that’s flying on one engine: it’s not safe.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. 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 Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the Financial Crisis, many expected a new approach to the economy to be taken. Instead, lessons were forgotten quickly and countries continued to rack up debt whilst subscribing to the old order of things. Martin Wolf, author of The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism joins Alex Andreou to discuss whether we’re destined to repeat the past. “After communism failed, the western leaders… came to feel that our systems had won, they were overwhelmingly successful.” “The working class which had been atomised… this story of resentment and anger against elites and immigrants is a very powerful story.” “What economics is wrong about is the assumption that a reasonably competitive economy can be sustained without consistent and active engagement.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sunak is trying yet again to establish his leadership – but will he ever be rid of Boris Johnson? With a Northern Ireland deal touted, we outline the looming showdowns. Plus, amid right wing protests over immigration – will the Government do anything but stoke them? And internationally, Turkey and Syria are still suffering the effects of the earthquake, while it’s coming up to a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to outline the week ahead. “Politics feels very 2018 right now.” “The majority of Tory MPs now are addicted to chaos, they know nothing else.” “Entire regions are being pulled down, and cities abandoned en masse.” Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. 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

A good apology can make or break a politician. So why are so many public figures so bad at saying sorry? Jacob Jarvis unearths the fine art of apologising with ‘sorry watchers’ Susan McCarthy and Marjorie Ingall, co-authors of Sorry, sorry, sorry: the case for good apologies. “We rarely teach children why they should apologise, we just tell them they should.” – Marjorie Ingall “Apologising is hard, and so it’s instinctive to protect ourselves because we don’t want to mess up.” – Susan McCarthy Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nikki Haley has come forward as Trump’s first major challenger for the GOP nomination in 2024. Who is she – and why does she want to challenge him? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Danielle Vinson, professor of politics and international affairs at Furman University, South Carolina, to discuss. www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker 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

When Giorgia Meloni was elected PM of Italy, many considered her the spiritual heir to Mussolini. Grappling with the energy crisis, she’s toned down much of her rhetoric - but is she just biding her time? John Hooper, author of The Italians, joins Ros Taylor to look at what we know about this enigmatic leader. “Does she still hanker after neo-fascism? She denies that absolutely… but it’s still an unresolved question.” “She's anything but consistent, but she’s managed to convince people that she’s somebody who sticks to her principles.” “She’s been pushed into a second class in the EU whilst people figure out if she’s really become the conservative that she claims to be.” www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Jet Gerbertson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Stu Hennigan took up a job as a council food parcel delivery driver during lockdown, he realised he had a “front row seat to the end of the world”. Every day he kept a diary as he witnessed families struggling with isolation, poverty, and the worst impacts of austerity. He joins Hannah Fearn to talk about his book Ghost Signs. “This is literally like front row seats to the end of the world.” “There was a little girl one day who started dancing when she saw all of the food. You’d have thought I was Father Christmas when I showed up at her house.” “To me the book is about austerity as much as it’s about the pandemic. The pandemic is just the framing story.” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. 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

Rishi Sunak believes everyone should learn maths until the age of 18, but not everyone agrees. Tim Oates, director of research at Cambridge University Assessment, talks to Ros Taylor about why some of us find maths so hard, why girls still underestimate their ability, and how good teaching makes a difference. “Some research says that we should see maths as a language, a foreign language. If you come to that learning late it becomes harder. “In the economy we have a gross shortage of technician level applicants which are vital for the future of our society. I’m afraid a lot of those [jobs] are numerate and require mathematics and science. [Rishi Sunak] is on to something.” “I think we need to be honest about maths and say it is tough to learn another language, but it’s worth doing - in terms of financial management… how to unlock occupations by showing to employers that you’re capable.” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Taylor. 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

Activists have demanded the return of contentious museum objects for decades – why are museums now starting to listen? Arthur Snell is joined by Dan Hicks, professor of contemporary archaeology and author of The Brutish Museums: The Benin Bronzes, Colonial Violence and Cultural Restitution, to bring some much needed clarity to a debate beset by culture war clashes. “Museums are moving with the time, but some on the hard right are weaponising the debate.” “In the 19th century, museums were put to work towards cultural supremacy – we now recognise this as wrong, so we have to move forward.” “You wouldn’t tell a biologist the latest developments in their field.” “There is so much ‘whataboutism’ in this debate – and time's up.” For 20% off the book add the code BUNKER20 here: https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745341767/the-brutish-museums/ Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your guide to news in the week ahead. Does Gove’s country house meeting indicate that the Brexit edifice is cracking? Civil service spending on government “credit cards” explodes by 70%. The Turkish earthquake exposes colossal corruption and corner-cutting in the country’s construction industry. Will Erdoğan finally pay a price? And in Ukraine, things take a turn for the worse in Bakhmut. Arthur Snell sets out the week ahead with Jacob Jarvis. “Apparently one civil spent £2,500 on home brew equipment disguised as ‘I.T.’” “Whether a sensible Brexit workaround survives first contact with David Frost or the ERG remains to be seen.” “Are these giant objects Chinese balloons or alien invasion? We just don’t know yet.” Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Extra Edition: What can a bloody, violent, horribly funny comic book cop tell us about policing in the real world? 2000AD comic’s Judge Dredd began in 1977 as a brutal satire on law and order for delinquent kids – and then Dredd’s world of militarised police started to come true. Is Dredd a warning of the future or a manual for how to oppress a society? Lifelong Dredd fan Andrew Harrison talks to Michael Molcher, author of I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future, about Hayek, Voltaire, the Apocalypse War, policing by consent, Crime Blitzes, Stuart Hall, and Judge Death as a model for policing. (Yes, this episode’s not for everyone. But what’s the point of having a podcast company if you can’t talk about what you love, eh?) Image by Mike McMahon. “Dredd’s a Rorschach test. You can tell a lot about someone if they’re saying ‘yes, we need Dredd on our streets’.” “Dredd arrived at the time of Dirty Harry and The Sweeney, a time of copaganda… He’s an incredible predictive warning of the law and order endgame.” “The Judges are the culmination of a police state… The administer everything from welfare to warfare.” “The steamroller of law and order is reaching its destination… The last of those pesky rights are being eroded.” Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. “Hic! It’s Jedge Drudd!” THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Palace of Westminster is crumbling. There are risks of fires, floods and the walls are stacked with asbestos. Will Parliament ever get fixed? And will it take someone being hurt for movement to happen? Marie Le Conte is joined by Dr. Alexandra Meakin, a lecturer at the University of Leeds whose PhD thesis was titled Understanding the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster, to discuss the issues. “Fire is a big risk, a huge one you can’t ignore.” “Behind the ornate beauty of the building, it’s in a bad state.” “MPs believe there must be a cheaper or quicker way to do the work, and that’s why they keep asking for reviews.” “Catastrophe really has only not happened out of luck so far.” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Marie Le Conte. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. 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 Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union this week and focused on wanting to “finish the job”. Can he achieve his goals despite a split Congress? Julie Norman, co-director of UCL’s Centre on US Politics, joins Alex Andreou to discuss the US president’s standing, hopes and the limits to his power in the second half of his first term – and whether he’ll run for a second… “Biden knows the political reality and he knows what’s going to win over independents as he looks to 2024.” “Joe Biden seemed comfortable with the back and forth and he made Republicans look rather silly, if nothing else.” “We can see the State of the Union as a mini launching and a set piece for what a Biden campaign would look like.” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Alex Andreou. Music and audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Artwork: James Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During China’s Cultural Revolution, pupils murdered their teachers, children betrayed their parents and society was torn apart in the name of progress. Decades on, it inspires both horror and nostalgia — but is rarely mentioned in public. Tania Branigan, author of Red Memory, tells Ros Taylor how China’s citizens deal with the Revolution’s violent legacy – and what it can teach us about China today. “There was a kind of idealism there, the inevitable joy and excitement that young people would feel in an upheaval of that kind”. “Many people in China regard the Cultural Revolution with a certain nostalgia, a time when people were somehow purer and there was more meaning.” “I certainly don’t know how I would have behaved if I lived through that era, and I don’t think many of us can.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer Jet Gerbertson. 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

How do we overcome opportunist strongmen leaders, who grab power while nations are in turmoil? As countries battle stagnant growth, high inflation and inept governments, we’ve seen a rise in autocracies. Charles Dunst, author of Defeating the Dictators: How Democracy Can Prevail in the Age of the Strongman joins Andrew Harrison to ask what the allure of these dictators is and why they are thriving in uncertain times. “The majority of autocracies don’t work, but in the richest ones there is no yearning for democracy.” “If you’re a developing country, the road to riches often leads to the Singapore model.” “Meritocracy has become a dirty word.” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is a deal over the Northern Ireland protocol really imminent? Due to Northern Ireland’s land border with the Republic, there were always going to need to be unique arrangements post-Brexit. A resolution of some kind is being touted, but what might this look like? Amanda Ferguson, a Belfast-based freelance journalist and commentator, joins Ros Taylor to discuss. “I think Boris Johnson knew exactly what he was doing, he just wanted to get Brexit done.” “It should be pointed out that everybody acknowledges there are issues with the protocol.” “We could be in a scenario where the EU and the UK have a deal, but then it’s not backed by the DUP – and then we’re back to square one.” “There has to be something that satisfies everybody, it can’t be just a one way street.” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor. 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

Imagine nuclear missiles are flying towards the UK and you’re in charge of our response. What do you do? It’s unlikely you’ll have to make this tough a decision – but we all face pressure and choices. How do our brains behave under tension? Moran Cerf, a neuroscientist at the Kellogg School of Management, talks to Ros Taylor about the psychological pitfalls in human decision-making. “Our brains are still the brains of humans who lived in a savanna with about 200 people around them.” “We just face too many decisions… you have too many options and too many dimensions.” “Most of life is filled with small choices that don’t really matter… if you accept that you can start making them without regret.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liz Truss has broken her silence, a mere 100 days after leaving office – what Tory drama will this spark in the days ahead? And with Johnson in the headlines, why do our former Prime Ministers continue to haunt us? Plus we look at the NHS strikes and the Chinese balloon mystery. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Hannah Fearn to give you the low-down on the week ahead in politics. “Truss's lack of self-awareness is staggering.” “We haven’t recovered from Covid because of Brexit and Truss.” “The political and moral hand has been on the side of the NHS nurses.” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Hannah Fearn. 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 Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The mafia conjures up images of the Sopranos rather than hardened criminals for many of us. So what is it really – and how has it changed? With the arrest of mobster Matteo Messina Denaro putting mafia violence back in the spotlight, Felia Allum, author of Camorristi, Politicians, and Businessmen: The Transformation of Organized Crime in Post-war Naples, joins Alex Andreou to discuss the changing face of criminal organisations. “In Italy, the mafia is like a virus that wracks the body.” “The mafia was tied to the creation of the Italian state.” “The mafia want political leverage.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

White House Chief of Staff sounds like a pretty big job, right? But what do they actually do? With Ron Klain departing from the role, Jeff Zients has been chosen as his successor. What does Biden need from him? Jacob Jarvis is joined by David B. Cohen, a professor of political science at the University of Akron who is co-authoring The President's Chief of Staff: Evolution of a White House Institution. “You can see the footprints of the White House Chief of Staff all the way back to George Washington.” “At the beginning it was more of a managerial role. They have four roles, the administrator, the guardian, the advisor and the proxy.” “They’re there to protect the president’s political interests and guard his time.” “The Chief of Staff if they’d doing their job makes sure all the voices that need to be heard are heard.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Music by Jade Bailey. 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

HS2 has been beset with calamity – what promises have the Government broken on this flagship project? Christian Wolmar, journalist and train expert, joins Ros Taylor to discuss what has gone wrong and why it’s so hard to build a high-speed railway in Britain. “HS2 is costing £100 million a week – imagine the end cost.” “We never holistically planned the project, and we’ve muddled through to huge costs.” “Building a high-speed rail from a poor to rich area impoverishes the poor area.” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Taylor. 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

Germany’s delay sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine frustrated European allies – will it do lasting damage to relations on the continent? Was this a missed opportunity for Scholz to have led the way internationally in the fight against Russia? Alex Andreou speaks to Jeremy Cliffe, New Statesman’s writer-at-large based in Berlin, to discuss Germany’s position and what it tells us about the nation. “Germany’s perspective on the world has required adjusting… it has edged towards making more responsibility.” “It took too long for Scholz to grapple with the problems, reflection is one thing, putting one’s head in the sand is another.” “Germany’s political culture moves quite gradually and slowly.” “Being highly methodological and efficient can also lead to great inefficiency.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Alex Andreou. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why are so many over-50s leaving the workforce – and can we get them back? With people changing how they live post-pandemic, large numbers have left the labour market. What made them make this shift? And how are the NHS and care crises also playing into this? Ros Taylor is joined by Scott Corfe, director of Public First, to discuss. “The overwhelming majority of these people who have dropped out of the labour market don’t want to return to work.” “For people who left in the pandemic it seems like for many this is a retirement story, rather than an ill-health story.” “Brits seem to have a more negative views of work than Germany and the US.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From making works of art to writing essays and driving cars – is there anything AI can’t do? Dr. Stephanie Hare, author of Technology Is Not Neutral: A Short Guide to Technology Ethics, joins Andrew Harrison to ask how worried we should be about new technologies, how we can make them better, and if we should let robots vote. “Fashions change, and we might get tired of AI in the same way we got tired of flares.” “After years the government has completely failed to regulate technologies like biometrics data.” “The EU set the gold standard in privacy and data protection – we need to follow them.” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Music and audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices