Podcasts from The Bigger Picture

Mike Indian, author of The Groucho Tendency blog, explains how the UK may still avoid a 'no-deal Brexit'. He also argues that the Speaker of the House of Commons, should step down from his role immediately following Dame Laura Cox's report on harassment and bullying at Westminster. And finally, Mike explains why the Universal Credit could be a disaster for the Conservative party.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University wonders what Theresa May meant when she talked about ending "austerity" and what it means for the Conservatives. He also ponders the future of British Railways and wonders if the phenomenally successful Japanese railway system could provide a radical, privatised solution. Lastly, he looks at the looming debate on worker ownership.

Political commentator Mike Indian, author of the Groucho Tendency blog, looks back at the Conservative Party Conference. Did Teresa May do enough to save her position as leader and what effect will Boris Johnson's speech have? He contrasts the Tory Conference with the greater energy and youth of the Labour Conference and Party. He also discusses the latest revelations about the cyber activities of the GRU and the concerted effort being made by the West's security services.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex Business School looks at the battle of ideas in UK politics in the wake of the Labour party conference. Where are the stresses within Labour and how will it deal with Brexit? Can the Liberal Democrats fill a vaccum in the centre ground? What is the Conservative party now FOR?

Mike Indian, political commentator and author of The Groucho Tendency blog, discusses with Simon Rose the outcome of the EU summit in Salzburg where leaders of the 27 other member states discussed Brexit. With the head of the European Council Donald Tusk saying that May’s Chequers plan would not work, what does that mean for the Prime Minister and her plan. Is a no-deal Brexit now more likely. Mike also highlights the leaked Tory dossier about who might replace May, which gives pitchy comments on the chances of the possible candidates. Ahead of the Labour Party conference, he looks at Labour’s democracy review and the possibility of the party endorsing a call for a second Brexit referendum.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University discusses whether a new centre party will emerge in the UK following the anti-semitism crisis in Labour. He also reviews an article by Tory rising star, Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, and finally asks why Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi hasn't stopped the oppression of the Rohingya Muslims.

Political commentator Mike Indian, author of The Groucho Tendency blog, discusses the international response to the UK's conclusions that Russia WAS responsible for the Novichok poisonings. He also examines the anonymous New York Times article written by a Trump administration insider, as well as looking at the resignation of Labour's Frank Field and the party's attempts to get on top of the antisemitism row.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University talks to Simon Rose about the biggest war games since the end of the Cold War and why the Russians have invited the Chinese to take part. He also discusses whether the Taliban are on the back foot in Afghanistan and uses the discovery of a gun factory in East Sussex to look at the history of the UK government cracking down on gun ownership.

Political commentator Mike Indian, author of the Groucho Tendency blog, looks at Jeremy Corbyn's Edinburgh speech, assessing his attitude towards journalism, new media and the BBC. He also looks at the Government's no-deal Brexit plans and the divisiveness of the calls for a second EU referendum. He also wonders how the calls for Donald Trump's impeachment might affect the US President's behaviour.

Professor Tim Evans of The MIddlesex Business School examines China's authoritarian plans to reshape the world, looks at what Turkey's monetary woes may mean economically and strategically and wonders why the recent protests in Romania have not opened the rest of the EU's eyes to the true nature of the government.