The Bunker – News without the nonsense

It’s the final, final week where everything definitely goes down to the wire… again. As Boris Johnson ends Brexit as he began it, choosing between two alternatives he doesn’t really believe in or care about, Ros Taylor sets out the week ahead. Plus: Will London go ti Tier 3, will schools close and will Donald Trump ever shut up, man? Also, bidets! “Johnson is a man hovering on the edge of indecision… He simply cannot make up his mind” “We cannot seem to let go of him. As long as we remain obsessed with Johnson, we will be trapped in this situation.”   “I guarantee you that Johnson is agonising right now. This is more important than any of his other bad decisions that have ruined this country.””  Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Never let it be said we don’t mix it up… We lure Geoff Norcott, famously the only* right of centre comedian out there, into The Bunker and attempt a civilised conversation. How does a working class son of a trade unionist end up on the political right? Why does right wing comedy reiterate the same tired punchlines about “wokeness”? And how does he think Brexit – which he voted for – is going? * Not really, but listen and find out.  “I’m not the ONLY right-wing comedian… but when we have the Christmas party, we don’t have to hire a big room.” “The idea of a room full of people agreeing with each other doesn’t appeal to me, whoever they are.”  “Every wing of politics has trashed their own brand.” “Stewart Lee always makes me laugh even though I’m the person he’d probably hate the most.” “As a straight, white, middle-aged man, yeah I’ve taken advantage of BBC diversity quotas.” “I’m not anti-woke. I’m anti- bad ideas.”  “I voted for a Deal and if there isn’t one, I’ll be angry.”  Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our 200th edition. Everyone wants to go home and visit their folks for Christmas, right? And the Government is fine with it… right? Christina Pagel of Independent SAGE and UCL’s Clinical Operational Research Unit tells Ian Dunt why packing yourself into unventilated homes with aged relatives, school kids and students might not be a very good idea. What are the best ways to have a safer Christmas? How dangerous is public transport? And what’s worse, hurting your family’s feelings – or damaging their health? “People are pretty clear about what they OUGHT to do. What they WILL do is another matter. “It’s really hard to think of home as a dangerous place.”  “The idea that I might give my parents COVID month before they could get vaccinated? I don’t know if I could live with that.” “We’re all good at social distancing from strangers. But when you’re out with your mum, it’s a different matter.”  “What are the worst things you can do at Christmas? Singing and shouting.”  Presented by Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofrenijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One day you’re one of the world’s most powerful people, the next you’re out of work. So what do ex-leaders get up to when they leave office? And are they ever any good at it? BBC Radio producer and author of The Ex-Men: How Our Former Presidents and Prime Ministers are Still Changing the World Giles Edwards takes Ros Taylor behind the closed doors of members-only clubs – and reveals how these ex-men (and women) still shape public life without us even knowing.  “You can get more done in fifteen minutes as Prime Minister than fifteen months as a former Prime Minister.”  “Clinton touched something in the Democratic Party soul that Obama didn’t.” Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fishing, level playing fields… as the scales tip the EU Trade Deal, will an arrogant Boris Johnson choose No Deal for the hell of it? The COVID vaccine is here but do we need to brace ourselves for “vaccine nationalism”? Special guest Magid Magid – former Lord Mayor of Sheffield and Green MEP – tells us about generational changes in politics, the green future, and what it’s like when you’re a migrant kid playing “cultural bridge” for your parents. And what do MPs’ Spotify Wrapped lists tell us about the next generation of politicians?  “If the Government don’t get a deal, it will be a point of honour for Johnson not to return to the negotiating table next year.” – Ros Taylor “People in Brussels are sick and tired of this… They’re in despair with the UK.” – Magid Magid “Brexit has changed European countries’ attitude to the EU. We’re not exactly bracing for a Frexit or a Swexit.” – Yasmeen Serhan “We’ve now arrived in a place where nothing short of No Deal will satisfy the Brexit ultras.” – Ros Taylor Presented by Alex Andreou with Yasmeen Serhan and Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Logo and branding by Mark Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Audio issues now fixed. “The Deal’s not oven ready – and Johnson isn’t govern ready.” Will the No Deal Doomsday Clock finally tick down to zero before Thursday’s EU summit? Plus, why we need to worry about the mysterious Taxation (Post Transition Period) Bill rather the Internal Market Bill. And is Keir Starmer heading for High Noon with the angry Left? Naomi Smith sets up your week ahead. “The irony is, this is the most socialist government we’ve ever lived under…”Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Salisbury poisonings were an infamous example of Russian interference in British security. But were they really the first time Novichok was used on British soil? Former US Army chemical warfare specialist and author of Toxic: A History of Nerve Agents From Nazi Germany to Putin's Russia Dan Kaszeta talks to Arthur Snell about assassination, clandestine state conflict, Navalny, and the psychological side of chemical warfare.  “Running alongside the nuclear arms race was a lesser known, but equally important chemical arms race.” “The method is the message. People who don’t like the Russian regime end up dead.” Presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With comedy venues closed by COVID, comedians are turning to social media to carry out the essential public service of mocking politicians and politics. One person taking the twittersphere by storm during lockdown is award-winning actor and stand-up Rosie Holt. She speaks to Minnie Rahman about the transition from the stage to social media, the inspiration behind her humour, and why this Government is so easy to parody. “You have these politicians who rush to defend Boris Johnson, and then they look pretty stupid when he u-turns” “The culture war videos are easy to do because they are so reactionary” “I don’t think the Government has any understanding of the arts industry” “It’s a really exciting time for satire, but only because the Government is awful” Presented by Minnie Rahman. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofrenijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Brexit really lead to Ireland reunifying and leaving the Union, in a final irony for English nationalism? In a special edition on the future of the island of Ireland we talk to Neale Richmond (Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown), Ulster Unionist Party MLA and former leader Mike Nesbitt, and Claire Hanna (SDLP MP for Belfast South). Is the rancour finally leaching out of Northern Irish politics? Will a European identity trump a British one?Is a border poll really coming? And what do people in the Irish Republic really think of Boris Johnson? “Sinn Fein are the greatest force against a united Ireland.” – Neale Richmond “I am an Ulsterman, but I’m also Irish, British, and European…if you were to deny me any part of that mixture, you will diminish who I am.” – Mike Nesbitt “It’s not the territory that’s divided, it’s the people.” – Claire Hanna “The UK leaving the EU means the greatest vehicle for co-operation on the island of Ireland is ending.” – Neale Richmond “The government in Westminster wants to possess Northern Ireland like a toddler wants to possess a toy.” – Claire Hanna “Sinn Fein are the greatest force against a united Ireland.” – Neale Richmond “We need to get away from the idea that we're pure Brit or pure Gael, because very few of us are.” – Mike Nesbitt  Presented by Naomi Smith. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the age of “reactionary populism”, larger-than-life characters trump competence. Can liberal democracies survive the age of the performative strongman? Political economist and author of This is Not Normal: The Collapse of Liberal Britain William Davies tells Dorian Lynskey about Trump, truth, and television politics – and why the death of neoliberalism might be a win for democracy. “Competence implies something governmental and administrative. That’s not Trump.” “The character of Boris has been cultivated over time. He’s a promises, not policy, politician.” “Neoliberalism colonises the political sphere with economics, and makes it a sham. That’s damaging for popular participation.” Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices