Podcasts presented by Simon Rose

Simon Rose is joined by political commentator and author of The Groucho Tendency blog, Mike Indian, to discuss how UK politics has got to where it is today. In this episode, Simon and Mike discuss the history and role of Select Committees.

Professor Tim Evans on the latest developments in the 2019 General Election. What are the polls telling us about shifting political loyalties? He examines the Liberal Democrat manifesto and marvels at the "free stuff for everyone" promises of the main parties. He also looks at NATO, which has identified space as its next operational domain.

James Cameron-Wilson looks at the UK box office where Joker, after six weeks, has been dethroned. The new #1 is romcom Last Christmas with James's preferred film, Le Mans '66, pushed into #2 position. With no other new films in the top 10, James recommends a limited edition 4K restoration of the 1951 classic The African Queen with Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.

Helal Miah of The Share Centre looks at recent news from Easyjet, Halma, Kingfisher and Royal Mail. He then looks ahead to what we might expect from Compass, De La Rue, Intertek and Marston's.

Steve Caplin looks at the efficacy of Waitrose's coffee logs. There's also the problems Uber's self-driving cars have with jaywalkers, blood donors tracking their blood, Tim Berners-Lee's new browser, magnetising blood cells to cure disease, stretchable electronics, rhino horns made with horse hair to deter poachers, cream to help you learn languages or musical instruments and the world's brightest (multi-coloured) headlights.

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the latest development in the UK General Election. Why will Nigel Farage not be voting and what will his standing down of so many candidates mean? Why will the election be won or lost in England? How accurate are the pollsters likely to be? What will be in the party manifestoes?

Technology editor Steve Caplin ponders the feasibility of the first-ever robotic milk round in Milton Keynes. He also looks at Facebook's rebranding, the new Echo Dot, bad news for drone users, Google shaming slow websites, Trainline's automatic refunds and a way to turn any smartphone into a conventional computer for £150.

James Cameron-Wilson looks at the UK box office, where Joker tops the box office for a sixth successive week, breaking records not seen since Avatar did the same a decade ago. The Good Liar enters at #5 with Midway managing #6. For home viewing James recommends the Danny Boyle/Richard Curtis comedy Yesterday, an opinion seconded by presenter Simon Rose.

Ian Forrest of The Share Centre looks back at the latest news from ITV, Vodafone, British Land and Burberry. And he looks ahead to what we might expect when Easyjet, Kingfisher and Centrica report soon.

Simon Rose is joined by political commentator and author of The Groucho Tendency blog, Mike Indian, to discuss how UK politics has got to where it is today. In this episode, Simon and Mike discuss the history and role of the Commons Speaker.