Hrkn to .. The Bigger Picture

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University believes China's big problem is not Trump but its domestic economic woes. The extraodinary property bubble has left more vacant homes than the massive population. With high youth unemployment, China is potentially in a downward spiral, fuelled by widespread pessimism. Tony Blair has exposed the schism in Labour over the dash to Net Zero and with Trump's push for energy supremacy and oil prices falling, we may soon get the called-for "reset of the debate". While it's unclear if Trump's first 100 days will be judged a success, he has nonetheless pushed through some amazing reforms and changed global discourse in a way not seen since the days of Thatcher & Reagan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian wonders what lasting settlement there can be in Ukraine given the capriciousness of the Trump administration. We are seeing a redrawing of global alliances, with the US returning to its former isolationist policy. In the wake of the Supreme Court gender ruling, he considers the divisiveness and politicisation of the topic and how nuance is being lost. We should be more considerate to those who feel they have been born in the wrong body. Whatever your view on the edicts of the Papacy, the Pope is still a political figure with a difference and an integral moral force in an increasingly turbulent world. The new Pope wiill have a difficult task ahead of him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University discusses the nature of political economy in statecraft in the light of the government taking over British Steel. Why are so many of Britain's important companies plundered? Tim discusses Donald Trump's divisiveness. Despite disliking the man, has to admit he has been proven right on some things. But are his heavy-handed tactics brewing a very fundamental currency crisis? And, given the rapid advances in technology which mean we are at another "Dreadnought moment", how can military and political leaders make sensible spending choices? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that people should not look at Trump's tariffs in isolation. They are only part of his strategy. The press ignored his remarks on the US needing legal immigration, supply-side reforms and a new tax regime to unleash the country's potential. There are risks but, if he succeeds, we could be in a different world. While the UK government considers tinkering with ISAs, Tim says that savings are underestimated and that you can't have capitalism without capital and we need more financial education. He also cheers the fact that the UK will have its first rocket launch this year, enabling us to participate in the vast and growing satellite market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that if the markets turn against the government then it is real trouble. If Reeves increases taxes in the Autumn, as many expect, then we will be in a doom loop. He admires an idea from Dr. Madsen Pirie of the Adam Smith Institute for using a blockchain approach to speed up the lamentable speed of the UK housing market. Why can the Americans move so easily? And he discusses the record fine imposed on the University of Sussex over the case involving Professor Kathleen Stock, a big victory for defenders of free speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the fact that a fifth of UK adults are still not looking for work, what used to be called NEETS. The Government has to focus on getting as many people as it can into work sustainably, laying the groundwork for what it will be judged for at the next election. Mike believes that its communication strategy has improved massively. Starmer has come into his own on the international stage, arguably moving into the space at the top of Europe while the US is playing silly buggers with foreign policy. While it will take time to ramp up Europe's defence capability, governments have to think the unthinkable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that Donald Trump wants to push through a fundamental rebalancing of the US economy, shifting wealth from the public to private sector. He is willing to go through a period of chaos to do so, using tariffs as a blunt foreign policy tool to bully and cajole. In the UK, we may be at, or over, the peak of the Laffer Curve where taxes cause a change in behaviour. 15-30% of cigarette purchases could now be illicit. Will the government reduce duty to increase revenue? And with Labour stealing some centre-right policies, will the strife in those parties intensify and how can they respond? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian says that since Trump's return to the White House, we are living in a very different world. The presidency is more sure-footed than Trump's haphazard first term. The staged falling out with Zelensky is a confirmation of the US pivot away from the world stage to a sharper, more protectionist era. It helped Keir Starmer have his best week as PM since he took office and Europe's talk of rearmament is history in the making. It is hard to see Trump's imposition of tariffs – effectively a tax on his own people – doing anything other than slowing the global economy and causing a spike in inflation. It will certainly impact the UK government's ability to choose its spending priorities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Keir Starmer is about to visit Washington, Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University thinks Trump's grand plan with regard to Europe and Ukraine is to prevent Russia becoming China's extraction site and tempt Russia out of China's orbit. With UK local elections looming, he thinks Labour are panicking, particularly in Wales. After over a century of Labour rule he feels that, as with the Conservatives in Scotland, Labour could now be so unpopular that Reform and Farage could end up dominating Welsh politics. And he discusses an article by Lord Roberts attempting to correct historical ignorance about the Nazis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses President Trump's recent statements on Ukraine, accusing it of having started the war, blocking elections and President Zelensky of being a dictator. How viable is Keir Starmer's statement that the UK will stand by Ukraine? After 78 years, relying on NATO for joint defence is no longer a certainty and puts presure on the UK's spending priorities. He also discusses the lack of awareness shown by Labour MPs over their offensive WhatsApp messages. Taken with other things, like gifts and fibs on CVs, it is death by a thousand cuts though Labour's big majority means that most MPs – bar Reeves – are expendable. However, the local elections could weaken Starmer's authority. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that people are misreading Donald Trump. Discussing Greenland, Gaza, the Panama Canal, North Korea, NATO and more, he says that there is coherency there. Trump enjoys chaos and is actually thinking several chess moves ahead. He is forever and a day a New York real estate developer – loud, proud, bold and radical. Tim feels that with Reform consistently ahead in the polls and poised to have the largest UK party membership, this is the most important development in British politics in 40 years. The Conservative Party may haemorrhage money, talent and members and could even find themselves the fourth party behind the LibDems at the next election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While "Never Here" Keir Starmer thinks the UK can reset its position with the EU, political commentator Mike Indian believes the government is viewing the stagnating EU with rose-tinted spectacles and that this will not be a panacea for our financial troubles. Despite talking about it a great deal, the government has done little so far to promote growth and Reeves' recent speech highlighting a third runway at Heathrow will do little to change that. We need a better-connected country and should be encouraging local mutuals. Mike finds Trump's ideas for Gaza irresponsible and risks plunging the region back into conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that there was much in Rachel Reeves's recent speech, including her desire to see expansion at Heathrow, that was sensible and should have been done years ago by the Tories. But there was no realisation that her Budget had been disastrous, particularly on taxation. The Conservatives, though, are going about opposition in totally the wrong way and should recognise that there is a higher calling. With Trump's issuing of so many Executive Orders – so many his opponents will have trouble pushing back on all of them – he feels that America has almost discovered a monarchical system of government. But although some Europeans may be envious of the can-do spirit, he worries whether the polarisation of American politics may portend darker days ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian says that Trump's return to the White House represents a pivot back to US isolationism which leaves a void to be filled and means a less secure world. Despite outward appearances, he feels that Trump's Presidency should not be seen as normal. The UK Government's removal of legal challenges to UK infrastructure projects is, he says, a welcome development. While the Chancellor is under pressure from increasingly nervous money markets, Mike feels it is too early to write Rachel Reeves off yet, pointing out that her fortunes are very much bound up with Sir Keir Starmer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University wonders, now the wheels are coming off the government's bus, if Labour is pivoting to the right, with rumoured welfare cuts, implementing the university free speech law and scrapping the banning of gas boilers by 2035. If so, how will the Conservatives react? He strongly recommends Peter Turchin's book, "End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites an Indicators of Revolution" and what it means for our times. And he discusses the probable change in government in Canada in the autumn and whether a new Conservative government will reconsider the role of the state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the Chancellor's options in face of the rise in UK borrowing costs and fall in sterling. Will Keir Starmer retain confidence in her? His own future will be determined by her fate. He also addreses the grooming inquiry call and vote, worrying it all feels like too little too late. We owe it to the victims to see that the Jay Report's findings are implemented and that failings in the system need to be addressed. He also discusses Elon Musk's intervention and his relationship with Reform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As 2025 begins, Professor Tim Evans takes the opportunity to discuss the political economy of seasonality and time and reflect upon the importance of time, which some political regimes have tried to amend. He feels we are starting to see the birth of a new "New Right", 45 years on from Reagan and Thatcher. While Milei, Trump and Farage have many different ideas, it appears that they are consulting each other, which might make 2025 a rollercoaster year. He also considers the unintended consequences of the push to electric vehicles, with a divide growing between those who have driveways (and cheap charging) and those who do not. If the US brings down the price of oil, the attraction for EVs will decline and further embolden those who oppose the rush to Net Zero. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University rounds off the year's Bigger Pictures by explaining why investors are getting spooked by the UK economy going from bad to worse. We are effectively back in the 1970s, he says, only, in some ways, it's even worse. Instead of effectively tackling the problem, politicians' heads are full of spaghetti. If Elon Musk contributes heavily to Reform, a psychological wall will break and the Conservative Party will face an existential crisis. And Tim looks ahead to what 2025 might bring, wondering where the unforseen Black Swans will come from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim Price of Price Value Partners explains why, despite the US market's Trump optimism, US debt has gone from a problem to a predicament. Most western governments are technically bankrupt but Tim points out that, contrary to popular belief, there is no real link between economies and stock markets. He explains his investment philosophy which stresses the importance of not losing money, ignoring the latest hot thing like the tech sector and investing in real assets such as gold and silver, now 20 years into a bull run. Silver, he says, is essential for industry and the green revolution but demand is greater than is being mined. He discusses long-term inflation and why he feels money is too important to be messed about with by central bankers and politicians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University wonders if the French Fifth Republic can continue much longer, with its politics increasingly polarised. With the German economy in free fall, even the survival of the Euro may be in doubt. Tim finds Keir Stamer less the heir to Blair than to Wilson and Callaghan, believing he is a catastrophically bad PM who is avoiding anything meaningful while doubling down on his worst ideas. But the Conservatives may not benefit. Badenoch is not doing well enough and Reform could soon surge past the Tories as they professionalise and purge the nasties. Why should they do a deal with the Conservative Party if they could be elected on their own, asks Tim? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying bill. Will Starmer's authority be damaged if it doesn't pass? Will it affect his releationship with Wes Streeting, who is against it? Mike reckons that, pass or not, assisted dying is likely to be law in 10 years or so. He also discusses the upwards revision in net migration to almost a million in a year. Although Labour weren't in power, it will be used as a lever to attack them. How can they get it under control? He also, briefly, looks at the mass petition for a re-run of the General Election and Ed Davey's bid for a Christmas #1 record. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University discusses how the government wants to turn the UK into an EU-style higher-spending social democracy, not realising that the European model is falling off a cliff. With Germany in economic meltdown, he reveals that directors of German's biggest car manufacturers are considering moving the businesses abroad. He discusses the role of Physician Associates in the NHS and the problems caused by medical monopolies opposing supply-side reforms. And he assesses the Tractor Tax. While it might have the whiff of class warfare, he cannot see Labour retreating while the right is so disunited. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the aftermath of Trump's unexpectedly complete election victory. He has the consent of the people, but what will happen in 4 years' time if he doesn't deliver. Elon Musk is in charge of delivering government efficiency but can the two men – similar in many respects – get along long term? If they can, it could have a transformative effect upon the USA. At home, Kemi Badenoch has had a strong start as Tory leader and could be good at keeping Keir Starmer on his toes. But she needs to be wary of being too spiky with people, particularly given the fractiousness of the remaining Conservative MPs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that the emphatic victory of Donald Trump will have huge consequences for the US and the world geopolitically. He will be helped by having done the job before, will go for energy dominance, try to slim the federal government, impose tariffs, cut illegal immigration and be radical on culture too. What might it mean for the country's relationship with the UK, whose government is going in a very different direction? He also discusses why he felt, from the moment she entered Parliament, that Kemi Badenoch was a fascinating politician and why a British-African leader of a major party is to be celebrated. But can she unite her party and make the Tories electorally significant again? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian fillets Rachel Reeves' first Budget, with a massive increase in taxes, in large part to be paid by business, particularly through an increase in their National Insurance contributions. While the public sector will be getting considerably more money, it is important for the government to make the state more efficient. It is Mike's view that Reeves will be raising taxes more further down the line. He also looks at the Tory leadership contest but believes the new leader will not only not become PM but won't even be the leader in two years' time. As for the US election, the polls are tight – as always – and if there isn't a clear, outright win, we can expect a protracted and bitter aftermath. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says the UK has to worry, not just about the top 1% who pay 29% of income tax leaving, but also young talent. They – the future high earners – are being tempted by offers from countries like Italy and Portugal. With an ageing population we could face an ever declining economic pie and get into a doom loop. Tim also considers why business (and indeed unions) have largely lost their voice and rarely speak up to defend their interests. With no robust argument we end up with soggy thinking and it's unhealthy. And he looks at how the science and economics of plastic recycling has not been properly thought through, producing unintended consequences, as so often with political short-termism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian looks ahead to the Budget, discussing whether Labour will be breaking its manifesto commitments, feeling that a time-limited wealth tax would be better than discouraging pension saving. He discusses the surprise ejection of James Cleverley from the Tory leadership contest, perhaps the one best placed to unify the party. He predicts that at the end of this Parliament, it will be Boris Johnson who is leader of the opposition. He also reflects upon the life of Alex Salmond, who so nearly became Prime Minister of an independent Scotland. He had flair and talent, though perhaps not integrity. The latter, in the long run, is more important in a politician. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the surprisingly upbeat tone at the Conservative Party conference. He takes Simon Rose through the four leadership contenders, explaining who he thinks will be the pair party members will vote on. He also talks about the interventions of three former leaders, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson. Turning to the controversy about freebies given to Labour ministers, he considers the ethics of lobbying. While feeling Keir Starmer is right to return £6,000 of gifts, the PM must address the giving of gifts, as well as tackling MPs' second jobs and the issue of Sue Gray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that we are living through the days of immense change and that AI is an evolving technology without end. While imperfect and with moral challenges that need to be faced, everyone should get to grips with it. From non-doms to university fees and housing, he returns to the subject of Labour moving to the market right of politics with little challenge from the directionless Conservatives. And with Labour's honeymoon well and truly over and talk about links between Lord Alli and Syria's Assad, how damaging will Cronygate be? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the increase in salary of Downing Street Chief of Staff Sue Gray to £170,000, £3,000 more than the PM. Only time will tell how valuable her role is. Given Labour's attack on sleaze when in opposition, how serious are the revelations about freebies given to Keir Starmer and other politicians? What do donors expect in return? Mike also discusses the optimism of the LibDem conference. But they aren't a cohesive parliamentary group yet and are very much a party of southern England. And he looks at the Darzi review into the NHS. What could reforms look like and how can Labour seriously reduce the number of people who are off work sick? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that Labour, beginning with the means testing of the winter fuel payment, has moved to the right of the Conservatives and begun a barrage of welfare cuts. He believes the Tories have fallen into Starmer's trap and do not know how to react; they need a more sophisticated approach to opposition. He discusses how Labour intend to drive growth with a housebuilding spurt but will central planning work? And he marvels at the inflexion point that is AI, particularly withthe news that AI will be able to detect early signs of over 1,000 diseases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the Grenfell Tower inquiry report which damns governments and the private sector and discusses what has to happen next. Labour's push on workers' rights is, he says, the biggest change in employment law for 40 years. Its ambition is radical but it is a ragbag of measures with no unity of thought behind it. He also considers the part suspension of arms sales of Israel and the complexity of such decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University considers the pessimistic tone adopted by Keir Starmer in his Downing Street garden speech. Will things get better after they get worse or is there something fundamentally wrong with the UK economy? With the right disunited and the Conservatives badly bruised, Tim considers the Tory leadership race and who is supporting each candidate. And he looks at the ideas behind the de-growth movement which suggests that we should abandon GDP as a measure of society's wellbeing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the Democratic nomination of Kamala Harris for US President and how the likely outcome of the election has changed since Biden stood aside. Back in the UK, he discusses the recent riots, asks where it might lead and ponders whether we currently have a justice system we can be proud of. He also looks at Labour's pay deals with the likes of the train drivers and whether it will embolden other public sector workers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University explains why the UK's world-class universities sector is in crisis and that it ought to be no surprise to economists, given that it has effectively a politically-imposed price control system. There are solutions, though, if the will is there. In China there is a huge glut in industrial production, with 30% of industrial firms operating at a loss. China's GDP could be at least 40% smaller than we're being told. And, he says, it is now clear that EV demand is not behaving as the politicians would wish, with some companies now developing new types of petrol engines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim Price of Price Value Partners offers a guide to investing in uncertain times and why it is important not to judge your performance against others but in absolute terms. He explains why his fund avoids bonds but instead invests in: trend-following funds (all TFF funds made money in the dreadful markets of 2008); profitable, debt-free value stocks following the strategies of Benjamin Graham; and tangible, real, non-financial assets. He discusses the under-reporting of inflation and the problems caused by the US national debt of $35 trillion, increasing by $1 trillion every 100 days, pointing out that the UK situation is comparable. Tim's weekly commentary is available at https://www.pricevaluepartners.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that Keir Starmer feels more like a Prime Minister than Rishi Sunak. The big themes emerging from the new government are wealth creation and growth, reducing debt and building homes. Labour's competence could pose problems for the Conservatives. Tim runs through the candidates for the Leadership, with Badenoch and Jenrick the frontrunners. But the new leader may need to purge its left wing, as Labour has, if it is to see off Reform. Reform, for its part, has huge opportunities and challenges and must modernise and professionalise if it is to become a proper, grown-up party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian is surprised that so little attention has been paid to one of the more radical things in the King's Speech, the boosting of employment rights. He discusses the rebellion of 7 Labour MPs over the child benefit cap. While insignificant now with such a large majority, he feels that things could get trickier with such a broadly-based range of MPs from the second year onwards. He explains how much the American electoral landscape has changed with the exit of Joe Biden from the Presidential race. Harris, he feels, could be a serious contender against Donald Trump but that her choice of Vice President will be key. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex Unviersity found the King's Speech fascinating. He feels that if Labour can deliver 1.5m homes, reform the NHS and grow the UK economy, then it will cement its healthy electoral position. He wonders if the Conservatives can find the unity and clarity of strategy to survive, feeling that the party does not understand the hatred many of its former voters have for them. If Reform can capitalise on this, the Conservative Party may be in a much more precarious position than they realise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian analyses the General Election result, astonishing for its massive majority on a tiny vote share and the way it exposed the oddities of the UK election system, particularly with Reform getting more votes than the Libdems but just a fraction of their seats. With Sir Kier Starmer probably only having a brief honeymoon period, Mike hopes they will underpromise and overdeliver. With Starmer at the NATO summit, will Labour deliver the promised defence increase in this dangerous period? He explains why Joe Biden should step aside and looks at the future for the Tories, currently facing electoral irrelevance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian assesses the state of the nation a week ahead of the General Election, finding the political betting scandal just the latest nail in the coffin of a disastrous Conservative campaign. Although the Prime Minister acquitted himself well in the debate with Keir Starmer, with most postal votes already sent in, it is far too late to stop the Labour juggernaut. Which, though, will be the main opposition party? Could the Libdems return more MPs than the Conservatives. And will Labour end up with a "sandcastle majority"? Mike discusses what he expects to happen on 5th July and in the subsequent days, believing the real test for Labour will come during next winter when the reality of Britain's position could hit home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The main parties' political atmospherics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the Conservatives' dismal election campaign, feeling it indicative of a tired, worn-out government. He wonders where Labour's inspiring moment is, feeling the Tories are losing rather than Labour winning. He senses that Labour is planning attacks on CGT and wealth. Despite Nigel Farage attempting – for the 8th time – to become an MP, Mike thinks turnout could be down. He'll be fascinated to see if Reform get more votes than the stunt-obsessed LibDems. Looking at what has happened with European elections, he believes that Starmer must deliver, or politics could become more extreme and populist in the UK too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University explains that the Conservative Party is no longer trusted, that it is out of touch with its base and so is relying on negative campaigning. Without a positive visiion, they stand no chance of stopping a landslide. While Labour is more moderate and united, it may come under pressure once it is in power. Can it rise to the many domestic and global challenges it will face, particularly with such an appalling handover? if so, it might become the natural party of government. It will be fascinating to see if Reform overtake the Tories in the polls, in which case the Conservative argument against voting for Reform vanishes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the main parties' prospects for the UK's General Election. He thinks that this might be a day without a high turnout. With so many Tory MPs abandoning politics, he feels that the gap between the Conservative Party and its membership will become even wider. He discusses Labour's big Achilles' heel and laments the lack of an element of excitement, though he expects the TV debates to be interesting. A change of government, he says, could be a good thing. It will shake the Conservatives out of complacency, though Labour might find that the current control freakery will come back to haunt them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University offers some thoughts on the General Election, explaining that Rishi Sunak is not a lucky PM. This is, he points out, a year in which half of humanity is going to the polls, with 1.4 billion Indians entitled to vote. But with press freedoms being curtailed, is the country sleepwalking into becominging a managed democracy and can it maintain growth while reducing its serious unemployment problems, particularly among young graduates? He also looks at the problems global companies have with mounting geo-political tensions and why economists need to think precisely about populism, as political scientists have for some time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses Keir Starmer's six pledges as the long General Election campaign gets underway. He looks at why underinvestment in infrastructure in the UK is coming back to haunt us, offering some suggestions at ways to improve things. And he looks at who is pulling the strings in Labour behind the scenes at think tank Labour Together. Although Labour may mock the chaos of the Conservative Party, Mike wonders how turbulent the broad church of the Labour Party will be when it is in power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at shadow foreign secretary David Lammy's attempts to woo Donald Trump as well as Joe Biden. With even the Prime Minister appearing not to believe the Conservatives will be in Government soon, he considers the future of the party and "Conservatism", wondering if there is going to be a massive shake-up of the order of British politics. And he looks at the shocking state of the NHS estate, with over 2,000 hospital buildings predating the birth of the NHS in 1948. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses what will happen to the SNP after the resignation of Humza Yousaf. With devolution now 25 years old, he highlights the problems faced by all single-issue parties and believes it cannot defy gravity for much longer. He highlights the OECD report that the UK will be the worst-performing G7 economy next year, which should worry Labour as well as the Government. And he looks at Labour's apparent decision to abandon its pledge to ban zero-hours contracts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University discusses the report that higher-rate Scottish taxpayers have been heading south, explaining that it shows the truth of the Laffer Curve in action. He highlights the Basque Region's Mondragon Experiment which, in showing that there is a different way of running businesses, is effectively socialism without the state. Could it offer a future direction for the NHS? And he wonders how an increase in the UK's defence spending, announced by the Prime Minister, could work with so many other urgent calls on the public purse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the latest delay in the Rwanda Bill, asking if the flights will ever get off the ground. In the light of Iran's drone and missile attack, he wonders how much influence the UK has, or should seek to exert, over Israel. Is the rebellion over the smoking bill about freedom or manoeuvering for post-election power? And he assesses Liz Truss's book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices