Share Sounds from The Bigger Picture presented by Simon Rose

Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee decision to raise interest rates to 1% with a statement dampening some expectations for future sharp rises. He asks if the MPC (and the Fed) have painted themselves into a corner and wonders whether more debt should have been the answer to a debt crisis. Indeed, can 9 people in a room, however smart and well-intentioned, really set the price of money? As always, he offers advice for investors about what lies ahead.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University examines how Europe will cope as it tries to reduce its energy dependence upon Russia. He looks at an article on what those at the top of the Conservative Party profess to believe against their actions and whether Conservatism is ideological or pragmatic. And in the light of America's resurfacing divide on the subject of abortion, he considers why there is so little debate on the subject in the UK.

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the continuing macho culture of Parliament and the recent behaviour of some MPs and asks whether there's a need for a robust external body to police our elected politicians. He looks ahead to next week's local elections and what they might mean for national politics and considers in detail what might happen in Northern Ireland, where Sinn Fein are expected to do well. And he also considers whether there might be a General Election earlier than expected.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University considers an article by ex-Australian PM Kevin Rudd about how war between China and the United States might be avoided. He looks at an apparently feasible project to transmit energy over 2,000 miles from Morocco to the United Kingdom. And he gives his thoughts on Partygate, wondering where the impressive politicians are we need in such difficult times.

Political commentator Mike Indian reflects on the consequences of the two most senior members of the government breaking laws that they helped to implement and wonders how it might affect the forthcoming local elections. If they go badly, will the PM have to go and who could replace him? With no more than 750 days until a General Election, he assesses the two main parties' electoral prospects. And he looks at the situation in Ukraine, considering the responsibility of the West for doing nothing when Putin annexed Crimea. He feels that, hard though it may be, the West must do more than it is already doing to help Ukraine.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at Russia's failures in Ukraine from a business school angle, regarding it as an mid-20th century state with a mid-20th government. He reflects upon some of the lessons that can be learned about governance and statecraft from the Covid pandemic. And he considers the potential privatisation of Channel 4, hoping that it can somehow once more be a disruptive channel for thinkers.

Political commentator Mike Indian celebrates the return of Nazanin Zaghair-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori to the UK but, he wonders, how can Western countries cope with the often extreme tactics employed by rogue nations? He discusses the PM's fruitless visit to Saudi Arabia, the latest situation in Ukraine – with news of further atrocities emerging – and concerns about the enobling of Evgeny Lebedev.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University, in conversation with Simon Rose, looks at the extraordinary U-turns being made in the field of energy, with oil, gas and even coal coming back, leading to amazing new alliances being made and with ramifications that can't yet be foreseen. He discusses the unintended consequences of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, one of which he fears may be to damage the historic reputation of Russia. And he gets excited by the idea of "virtual wards" being trialled by the NHS.

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the political ramifications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine eight days in. With Ukrainian resistance greater than anticipated, he feels that – to paraphrase Churchill – this could be at least the end of the beginning for Vladimir Putin. The attack, argues Mike, is reinvigorating NATO but he feels more can be done to tackle Russian dirty money being sheltered in the UK while not indiscriminately targeting those hostile to Putin's actions.