

This Is Why
Sky News
The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you.
Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions.
Available every weekday afternoon.
This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions.
Available every weekday afternoon.
This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 15, 2023 • 15min
Boris Johnson report: Brutal, damning, but can he really say ‘vindictive’?
Boris Johnson lied to parliament over Partygate allegations, according to a report from MPs. The House of Commons Privileges Committee recommended a 90-day suspension, but as the former prime minister has already resigned as an MP, the Commons could now vote for his right to enter the Parliamentary estate to be revoked. Mr Johnson has called the findings “a lie” and described the report as a "political assassination". On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby to discuss the report and look at what’s next for the former Prime Minister. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth

Jun 14, 2023 • 17min
The challenges of getting to a net zero world
Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium - six materials we couldn't do without. But is it possible to fulfil our sustainability goals in building renewables and batteries without their exploitation? Our economics and data editor Ed Conway sits down with Daily podcast host Niall Paterson to talk about his latest book, Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future, and discuss the reality of the move to net zero on our resources, the impact of geopolitical tensions in China, and where the UK stands as a post-industrial economy. Producer: Soila Apparicio Digital Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Paul Stanworth

Jun 13, 2023 • 17min
Toxic workplace culture and what to do about it
After a string of high-profile accusations about toxic cultures in workplaces, the Sky News Daily hears from a Harvard professor credited with turning around problems at Uber. Frances Frei, the senior vice-president of leadership and strategy at the company, explains how she made siginifcant changes in a matter of months to address an environment rife with claims of sexism.Host Kimberley Leonard also asks legal trainer Neha Lugg about why bad behaviour in the workplace is coming under a new level of scrutiny.Podcast producer: Sydney Pead Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editor: Philly Beaumont

Jun 12, 2023 • 26min
Johnson, Sturgeon and Trump: Former leaders and the latest fallouts
Niall Paterson speaks to Sky News correspondents on a day of big political stories – with Boris Johnson’s decision to stand down as an MP on Friday still causing a wave of activity in Westminster.Our chief political correspondent Jon Craig explains how Mr Johnson’s shock resignation could impact the next general election. It wasn’t just Mr Johnson making headlines though. Our Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies explains what happens next following Nicola Sturgeon’s arrest. The former SNP leader insists she’s innocent after being held over the weekend as part of an investigation into the party’s finances. Plus, US correspondent Mark Stone talks about how damaging Donald Trump’s indictment could be for his 2024 presidential ambitions. Rosie Gillott – podcast producer Paul Stanworth – editor

Jun 11, 2023 • 22min
Boris Johnson goes. How do Rishi Sunak and the Tories react?
Sky News political correspondent Rob Powell and chief political correspondent Jon Craig discuss the fallout from Boris Johnson’s decision to step down as an MP. He’s forced one of three by-elections after close Conservative colleagues Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams also decided to leave the Commons immediately. Rob and Jon consider how Rishi Sunak and his party will react to the prospect of the by-elections and what this moment could mean for uniting – or further dividing – the Conservative benches. They also discuss the report from the Commons Privileges Committee which might have been the catalyst for the former PM’s resignation. Producer - David ChipakupakuEditor - Paul Stanworth

Jun 8, 2023 • 17min
Is the Nova Kakhovka dam breach the most significant moment in the war so far?
Thousands of people have been evacuated after a dam in the Russian-occupied Kherson region of Ukraine was breached on Tuesday. International intelligence organisations believe it is most likely the dam was deliberately targeted by Russian forces in an attempt to delay Ukraine’s expected counteroffensive. NATO’s secretary general has said the move demonstrates Russia’s brutality. But Moscow denies being responsible for the damage to the dam. It insists Ukraine is to blame. On the Sky News Daily, Kimberley Leonard is joined by our international correspondent John Sparks, and Sean Bell, military analyst and former Air Vice-Marshal, to discuss the implications of the dam breach for the course of the war.

Jun 7, 2023 • 20min
Harry v Daily Mirror publisher: Day three and what happens next
Prince Harry has finished making his case to a High Court judge after another day of cross-examination by Andrew Green, the KC representing the Daily Mirror’s publishers. On the Sky News Daily, Kimberley Leonard is joined by our royal correspondent Laura Bundock, media lawyer Jonathan Coad and Sky reporter Sarah Hajibagheri, who has spent the day reporting from inside court. The Duke of Sussex became the first senior royal to take the witness box for more than 130 years this week, as he claims information in stories that featured across their titles were obtained illegally. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Sydney Pead – podcast producer Paul Stanworth - editor

Jun 6, 2023 • 15min
Harry v Daily Mirror publisher: What happened on day two?
Prince Harry has given evidence for the first time at the High Court in his legal battle against Mirror Group Newspapers. The Duke of Sussex set out his case in a 55-page document, blaming the tabloid press for "inciting hatred and harassment" in his private life, and casting him as a "playboy prince" and a "thicko". He also faced cross-examination from the newspaper's lawyer who questioned the prince's claims that information in the stories were obtained illegally. On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto is joined by Sky's royal correspondent, Laura Bundock, outside the court in central London to go through the events of the day. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott and Sydney Pead Editor: Paul Stanworth

Jun 5, 2023 • 14min
Harry v Daily Mirror publisher: What happened on day one?
The Duke of Sussex has been accused of wasting the High Court's time on the opening day of his case against Mirror Group Newspapers. Prince Harry did not appear in court on Monday for the start of the trial in which he is accusing the newspapers' journalists of using unlawful methods to gather information about him, including phone hacking. On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto is joined by Sky's royal correspondent, Laura Bundock, and media lawyer Jonathan Coad, outside the court in central London to go through the events of the day. Senior podcast producer: Annie JoycePodcast producer: Sydney PeadEditor: Philly Beaumont

Jun 4, 2023 • 20min
The secret Iranian Russian arms deal
Sky News has seen a document which – if real - appears to be the first hard evidence that Iran has sold ammunition to Russia for its war in Ukraine. An informed security source has told our security and defence editor Deborah Haynes that they believe the purported arms contract is authentic, although we have not yet been able to verify this.On the Sky News Daily, Kamali Melbourne speaks to Deborah about what’s in the document and reaction to it – including from Britain's Foreign Secretary, Ukraine’s prime minister and the Ukrainian ambassador to London.Plus, they look at what more we can learn about Russia’s relationship with Iran and, what it means for the war in Ukraine and the wider world. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Philly Beaumont - editor


