The Bunker – News without the nonsense

With the Tory tractor bogged down in scandal, can diversion tactics help them at the local elections? We look at the latest Westminster sleaze and whether Boris Johnson’s party is set for a reckoning. Plus, we cast an eye to Russia and unexplained explosions amid their invasion of Ukraine. And, with an open call for new emojis – what does our panel think is needed? This week’s guest is Daily Mirror senior political correspondent Rachel Wearmouth.  “The expectation management from all parties is insane.” – Rachel Wearmouth  “The briefings are all just ridiculously dramatic.” – Rachel Wearmouth  “They’re supposed to be the party of law and order, the Tories, and the Prime Minister broke the law.” – Rachel Wearmouth  “I think Labour will win Wandsworth and that will be the story.” – Rachel Wearmouth “There is this feeling that ‘they’re all as bad as each other’ and that could cut through.” – Rachel Wearmouth https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Andrew Harrison with Justin Quirk and Arthur Snell. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees, with research by Elina Ganatra. 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

We assess the latest political rumblings as local elections loom. How will the latest scandals sway public opinion? Will the results be a litmus test of Boris Johnson’s campaigning clout? Plus, certain news outlets’ obsession with Angela Rayner and Keir Starmer, the PM’s upcoming address to Ukrainian parliament and cast an eye to Supreme Court controversy in the United States. Alex Andreou and Yasmeen Serhan tee up the days ahead.  “It’s going to be a performance review on both leaders.” – Yasmeen Serhan "The local elections will be a big stress test for the Conservatives." – Yasmeen Serhan "The Conservatives are more vulnerable to lose in cities." – Yasmeen Serhan  www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Alex Andreou with Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. 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

Someone has to pick up the pieces after a disaster. What’s it like to deal with the aftermath of a catastrophe? Siân Pattenden talks to Lucy Easthope about her new memoir When the Dust Settles: Stories of Love, Loss and Hope from an Expert in Disaster. Lucy has been first at the scene of countless major crises over the last twenty years, from 9/11 to the Grenfell fire. She discusses planning for emergencies, and her belief most of the world's tragedies can be prevented.  “I'm not letting people off the hook, disasters are often a source of state or agency failure, and they can be prevented.” “Grenfell was a return to those dark days, it was a systemic failure that never should have happened.” “Fukushima was the first time I really saw proper fear in my colleagues' eyes.” “I am a child of the indomitable city of Liverpool, where tragedy and activism are wired into the blood.” “Austerity really does start to bite on a service that people don't know about.” “The world has always been perilous.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Siân Pattenden. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Productionhttps://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/lucy-easthope/when-the-dust-settles/9781529358247/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of the local elections, we look at the key political battles across Britain. Could a bad set of results force Boris Johnson out? Sir John Curtice, politics professor at the University of Strathclyde and BBC election night expert, joins Ros Taylor to discuss what to keep an eye on, and who the likely winners and losers might be. “Not all of the England is voting, and that is crucial.” “If Boris Johnson had to pick a set of elections to defend, this would be it.” “The Lib Dems principle challenge is to hang onto what they’ve got.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees and Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our pop culture roundup. This week, time twists in new Apple TV+ thriller Shining Girls with Elizabeth Moss. How hip hop producer J Dilla turned music itself inside out. New cosmic explorations from electronic explorers Röyksopp. And much more. Breakout star of British science fiction Adrian Tchaikovsky is our special guest. Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunkTidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064bStart reading Adrian Tchaikovsky with Dogs Of War.Buy Dan Charnas’s Dilla Time. Watch Röyksopp’s ‘Profound Mysteries’ films here.  “This is science fiction music.” – Adrian Tchaikovsky on Röyksopp “I have no idea where it's going to go, and I absolutely love it.” – Andrew Harrison on Shining Girls “German hip-hop music videos are having a renaissance of really bizarre, innovative visuals.” – Adrian Tchaikovsky Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison and Jelena Sofronijevic with Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Atrocities in Ukraine have sparked calls to prosecute Vladimir Putin for war crimes. Could that happen? Dr. Maria Varaki, lecturer in international law at King’s College London, talks to Alex Andreou about what constitutes a war crime, and the complex system of international courts that could bring the Russian president to justice. “Civilians have immunity from targeting, but in Ukraine they have been targeted.” “Crimes against humanity can be committed both in peacetime and wartime. This is a major difference with war crimes.” “What’s going on in Mariupol where civilians are trapped, this is an indication that some war crimes might have been committed.” “The Ukrainians were extremely active in collecting evidence from the very first moment.” “This war, like every war, is a victim of disinformation and misinformation.” "We have to be realistic, but I would expected arrest warrants to be issued.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Alex Andreou. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emmanuel Macron may have defeated Marine Le Pen – but that doesn’t mean France’s far right is finished. Where is the nation headed now? Emile Chabal, author of France, dials in from the country’s south to talk to Ros Taylor about why some Brits are so fascinated by the French President, what’s next for his defeated rivals, and what became of the gilet jaunes protests.  “I struggle to imagine a far right in France that isn't attached to the name Le Pen.”  “The gilets jaunes movement has evaporated.”  “The French are very demanding when it comes to their politicians.”  “It's better to think of Mélenchon as a unity left figure, despite himself.”  https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Productionhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/France-Polity-Histories-Emile-Chabal/dp/1509530029  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What’s worse about the Mail’s attack on Angela Rayner? The sexism or the clumsy vindictiveness? Plus, Macron squeaks the French presidential election. Should we think twice before ordering Deliveroo? And exactly what sort of country is Britain becoming?Political journalist Moya Lothian-McLean – who’s written for Gal Dem, the New York Times, the BBC, The Guardian and VICE – is our special guest for the week.  “If Basic Instinct is your sexytime reference, I mean, come on. I’m getting a strong Alan Partridge vibe from this story.” – Ayesha Hazarika “We’re in the age of cut and paste politics. They can’t even write their own excuses any more.” – Gavin Esler “We depend on the good chaps theory… but we haven't got good chaps in government.” – Gavin Esler https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Alex Andreou with Ayesha Hazarika and Gavin Esler. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer Elina Ganatra. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by 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

In France Emmanuel Macron has won again. What challenges will he face in his second term? And what does the result mean for Britain and the rest of Europe? Meanwhile, the UK continues to shirk responsibility over Ukrainian refugees, and the Mail reaches new lows with a disgraceful article about Angela Rayner. Ros Taylor is joined by Arthur Snell to look at the week ahead. “This is a story about the success of a liberal, internationalist politician in arguably the most important country in Europe.” “Macron’s big challenge for his second term is to look after those left-behind voters.” Find resources to help the Ukrainian people here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor with Arthur Snell. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. 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

Brexit came as a shocking nadir in British politics for many people – but looking back, was it really a surprise? In his latest book, All In It Together: England in the Early 21st Century, historian Alwyn Turner weaves politics and popular culture from the Millennium through to the EU referendum. He talks to Nick Cohen about the UK’s long hangover after Cool Britannia, why UKIP wielded such influence, and the impact of the internet and social media. “Often at the beginning of a century there is a sense of confusion and people feel they need a new version of faith.” “The internet started to create its own identity, social media changed everything.” “Nigel Farage had a bigger impact than any politician elected to Westminster during this period.” “Devolution was brought in to buy-off the Scottish nationalists, but it went wrong and has changed the country forever.” “England is not a Labour country and it never has been.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Nick Cohen. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices