Shows
Quiet RiotSunday School: Belgian WafflingSo it turns out Belgium of all places has Russia by the financial short and curlies ... and that's awks for various reasons.
The EU is immobilising indefinitely £185bn of Russian assets – held mostly by Belgian bank Euroclear – to help Ukraine and Russia is somewhat miffed. Belgium doesn't want to be saddled with a huge bill if this all goes pear-shaped.
Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell pick over the latest developments in the conflict and, closer to home, ask what exactly the 'super-flu' furore is all about (hint: it's not just flu).
Plus ... ageism, misog...
2025-12-1457 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: Backing the USSR + Covid Inquiry ReportAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith, mull the week's news.
The second part of the Covid Inquiry issues its report on decision making and is scathing about the toxicity, chaos, and sheer incompetence at the centre of the Johnson administration. Should there be consequences?
Trump tries to impose a surrender on Ukraine, in order to distract from the MAGA meltdown at home. How should Europe respond?
And more questions than answers for Reform UK, after their former leader in Wales is jailed and Farage's alleged youthfull nazi-philia resurfaces.
***SPONSOR...
2025-11-231h 06
Quiet RiotSunday School: Trillion Dollar ManbabyWhy is a moral panic gripping the country about a handful of mistaken prisoner releases? How do we lift our gaze to a better horizon?
Musk's remuneration package is designed to shock. Why is the Tesla board so keen to reward failure?
And - with Comcast eyeing up ITV and the BBC scoring a massive Traitors hit, were news of the death of legacy media premature?
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith, mull the week's news.
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2025-11-091h 01
Quiet RiotHouse Rules: Defending democracy when the game is riggedLies, lies and more lies. How many lies can our institutions survive?
And why are we so bad at defending those institutions?
Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell are joined by a Quiet Riot favourite – Christina Pagel, a professor of operational research at UCL as well as the creator of the smash hit service to humanity that is the Trump Action Tracker.
Is Britain vulnerable to the sort of institutional vandalism that Trump had visited on the US? Heck, is Britain even *more* vulnerable than th...
2025-10-301h 04
Quiet RiotThe Windsor Knot: How to tie up a strongman without him noticingTrump gets the full Windsor treatment and turns to Royal Jelly.
PLUS: How to defeat the far right.
Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and special guest, boss of Hope Not Hate, Nick Lowles, discuss the Presidential visit and Nick's new book on lessons learned from decades fighting the fash.
Including regualr features 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'.
***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***
“Ultimately we are not going to be able to address or reduce people’s anger around immigration, without being able to address the economic pessimism that is d...
2025-09-181h 09
Alex Andreou's PodysseyThe Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey: A Fable by Aesop for Modern PoliticiansSubscribe to "Alex Andreou's Podyssey" on your favourite podcast app for the full three-part saga on Aesop - and the rest of Season 1, available now.
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What is the moral of "The Tortoise and The Hare"? What is the warning in "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"? What is "The Fox and The Grapes" about? You're probably wrong about all three.
In the last instalment of the Aesop Trilogy, Alex delves into the fables themselves and finds the many ways in which they have...
2025-08-1704 min
Alex Andreou's PodysseyAESOP III - How to Lose a Donkey in 10 Ways*** SUPPORT SEASON 2 OF PODYSSEY ON KO-FI.COM/PODYSSEY ***
What is the moral of "The Tortoise and The Hare"? What is the warning in "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"? What is "The Fox and The Grapes" about? You're probably wrong about all three.
In the last instalment of the Aesop Trilogy, Alex delves into the fables themselves and finds the many ways in which they have been twisted and why.
Welcome to Podyssey with Alex Andreou. Each week we will take one myth, one concept, person, place, or theme from Ancient Greece, take...
2025-08-121h 19
Quiet RiotSunday School: Heeeeere's Jeremy!The Left has a new bouncing baby party!
Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell talk through the week's political stories, with a focus on Your Party - no, not your party; Your Party - the trade deal between the UK and India, and the success story of Baltimore, pointing the opposite way of populism on how to reduce crime.
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“If we did an episode about every rich old fart that goes to Scotland to golf, it would be a daily podcast. Although, to be honest...
2025-07-2754 min
Alex Andreou's PodysseyBONUS - No thing is just one thing*** SUPPORT A SECOND SEASON ON KO-FI.COM/PODYSSEY ***
This week Alex gets to quiz the show's cultural historian, Dr Debbie Challis, starting with the obvious question: What the hell is a cultural historian?
Listen to Debbie explain her complicated on-again-off-again love affair with the classical and the classic - but also Greece itself. And her battle to be heard without being labelled and filed away - something which every contributor to this podcast seems to share; a compulsion to explore not just our allotted piece of the puzzle, but how t...
2025-05-2434 min
Alex Andreou's PodysseyBONUS - Archaeology: The Art of Interpreting Science*** SUPPORT A SECOND SEASON ON KO-FI.COM/PODYSSEY ***
This week we meet the show's archaeologist, Alexandra Angeletaki-Røe, and talk about her profession: What it used to be, what it is now, and what it isn't. The romantic ideas of it and how far they are from the practical reality... And why nothing can substitute being in a place, touching, smelling, hearing, and feeling the context of what is unearthed from below.
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The myths, tales, and concepts of ancient Greece echo and reach into every aspect of m...
2025-05-0342 min
Quiet Riot100 Days of Sod'emAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith opolling guru Peter Kellner, dissect opinions polls on Trump's second, first, 100 Days in the White House, the result of the Canadian election, and preview the local and mayoral elections in England.
Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'.
“What Mark Carney did was to come close to monopolising the centre/centre-left vote. Which, of course, might have echoes for what Starmer needs to do here. Labour is losing many more votes to the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the SNP. Labour is suffering, in...
2025-05-011h 17
Alex Andreou's Podyssey5. Persephone II - You Do Something To MeThe myths, tales, and concepts of ancient Greece echo and reach into every aspect of modern life. Often misunderstood, frequently romanticised, and sometimes deliberately twisted - to understand their origins and truth is to get a real glimpse into the universal themes that connect us to the past and each other.
Welcome to Podyssey with Alex Andreou. Each week we will take one myth, one concept, person, place, or theme from Ancient Greece, take it apart, figure out its inner workings, trace its influence, juice it for its wisdom, reimagine, update and put it...
2025-04-281h 10
Alex Andreou's PodysseyBONUS - The Making of PodysseyNaomi Smith gets the behind the scenes skinny on Podyssey from Alex Andreou. Where did the idea come from? What's coming up in Season 2? What is the most surprising fact so far? Lots of exclusive access, previews, and exclusive announcements. … The myths, tales, and concepts of ancient Greece echo and reach into every aspect of modern life. Often misunderstood, frequently romanticised, and sometimes deliberately twisted - to understand their origins and truth is to get a real glimpse into the universal themes that connect us to the pas...
2025-04-2842 min
Alex Andreou's Podyssey4. Persephone I - If You Can't Be Free, Be A MysteryThe myths, tales, and concepts of ancient Greece echo and reach into every aspect of modern life. Often misunderstood, frequently romanticised, and sometimes deliberately twisted - to understand their origins and truth is to get a real glimpse into the universal themes that connect us to the past and each other. Welcome to Podyssey with Alex Andreou. Each week we will take one myth, one concept, person, place, or theme from Ancient Greece, take it apart, figure out its inner workings, trace its influence, juice it for its wisdom, reimagine, update and put it...
2025-04-281h 32
Alex Andreou's Podyssey3. King Midas - All that glittersThe myths, tales, and concepts of ancient Greece echo and reach into every aspect of modern life. Often misunderstood, frequently romanticised, and sometimes deliberately twisted - to understand their origins and truth is to get a real glimpse into the universal themes that connect us to the past and each other. Welcome to Podyssey with Alex Andreou. Each week we will take one myth, one concept, person, place, or theme from Ancient Greece, take it apart, figure out its inner workings, trace its influence, juice it for its wisdom, reimagine, update and put it...
2025-04-281h 28
Alex Andreou's Podyssey2b. BONUS - The Music of PodysseyThe myths, tales, and concepts of ancient Greece echo and reach into every aspect of modern life. Often misunderstood, frequently romanticised, and sometimes deliberately twisted - to understand their origins and truth is to get a real glimpse into the universal themes that connect us to the past and each other. Welcome to Podyssey with Alex Andreou. Each week we will take one myth, one concept, person, place, or theme from Ancient Greece, take it apart, figure out its inner workings, trace its influence, juice it for its wisdom, reimagine, update and put it...
2025-04-2816 min
Alex Andreou's Podyssey2. Orpheus - Epic Hero or Drama Queen?The myths, tales, and concepts of ancient Greece echo and reach into every aspect of modern life. Often misunderstood, frequently romanticised, and sometimes deliberately twisted - to understand their origins and truth is to get a real glimpse into the universal themes that connect us to the past and each other. Welcome to Podyssey with Alex Andreou. Each week we will take one myth, one concept, person, place, or theme from Ancient Greece, take it apart, figure out its inner workings, trace its influence, juice it for its wisdom, reimagine, update and put it...
2025-04-281h 13
Alex Andreou's Podyssey1. Narcissus & Echo - The Influencer & The FollowerThe myths, tales, and concepts of ancient Greece echo and reach into every aspect of modern life. Often misunderstood, frequently romanticised, and sometimes deliberately twisted - to understand their origins and truth is to get a real glimpse into the universal themes that connect us to the past and each other. Welcome to Podyssey with Alex Andreou. Each week we will take one myth, one concept, person, place, or theme from Ancient Greece, take it apart, figure out its inner workings, trace its influence, juice it for its wisdom, reimagine, update and put it...
2025-04-2854 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: An Unexpectedly Good WeekAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, including the mood music (AARGH) around the upcoming UK/EU summit and Reeves' visit to Washington, the latest IMF economic report, and the Pope's funeral as well as the politics that unfolded around it.
***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***
ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451f
AMAZON...
2025-04-271h 01
Quiet RiotRapid Unscheduled Disassembly - How the MAGA dream began to crumbleAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith on a special episode, à trois, with Kenny Campbell discuss the skip fire that is the Trump administration right now - including Pete Hegseth's imminent departure to spend more time with a bottle of Grey Goose, Elon Musk's reversing away from the White House, so fast he should make a beeping noise, and RFK Jr's obsession with jizz.We also discuss the anti-far-right conference in Scotland and why Reform UK seem to be doing quite well north of the border. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin A...
2025-04-241h 11
Quiet RiotQR/PODYSSEY BONUS - The Making of PodysseyNaomi Smith gets the behind the scenes skinny on Podyssey from Alex Andreou. Where did the idea come from? What's coming up in Season 2? What is the most surprising fact so far? Lots of exclusive access, previews, and exclusive announcements. ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451f AMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8...
2025-04-2242 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: More Equal Than OthersAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, including the Supreme Court's decision on the protections under the Equality Act, the Trump administration's ultimatum in Ukraine, and rumours of a UK/France returns deal.***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451f ...
2025-04-2059 min
Quiet RiotThe Fork in The Road for StarmerAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest Rafael Behr to talk about the choices facing the Starmer government. Or as Raf put it "the fork on the road that everyone seems to see, but Starmer refuses to acknowledge. And - why has our right wing media landscape become so Americanised? Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ”I think we should be very glad that we are blessed with quite bad fa...
2025-04-171h 10
Quiet RiotSunday School: Nerves of SteelAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, including the dramatic recall of Parliament on Saturday to rescue the Scunthorpe Steel Works, the over racism David Lammy gets, and Sunak's resignation dishonours.Packed and gorgeous and VERY funny. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si...
2025-04-1356 min
Quiet RiotTrump BlinksAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest Henry Morris to talk - what else? - TRUMP TARIFF MADNESS, as well as the destruction of biodoversity, why it matters, and why we find it difficult to balance it with the need to build. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ”Trump wanted the Nobel peace prize, for resolving the situation in Ukraine within 24hours. Having failed… he’s now trying for the economics one. Maybe he’ll do the d...
2025-04-101h 23
Quiet RiotBONUS: Grin And Share It SpecialAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith with a Grin And Share It Special, featuring TEN good news stories from politics to the environment and LEGO bricks to beavers. Read more about Intertrade UK here. Find out about the Senedd's plans to punish politicians who lie.Look at the French metro's turnstiles that generate energy! Read about (and see) the LEGO bricks here. Why are publishers taking Russell Brand to court?The loveliest little video rental place in Canada.Sing up for updates from...
2025-04-0827 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: Tariffically StupidAlex Andreou and Kenny Campbell talk through the week's news, with a focus on the fallout from Trump's tariffs, Scottish politics in flux, and the dénouement of the South Korean attempted imposition of martial law last December. Packed and gorgeous and VERY funny. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** -“So, how do you think they came up with the list of countries and tariffs?”-“Someone asked ChatGPT to create an episode of Pointless.” “Some of these mar...
2025-04-0657 min
Quiet RiotMajority Rights; Minorities WrongedAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest Danny Sriskandarajah, chief executive of the New Economics Foundation and author of "Power to The People", to discuss how to stop the current global backsliding on minority rights, diversity initiatives, and democratic norms. As well as practical advice on how to organise at the grassroots level. Plus, of course, 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:APPLE: https...
2025-04-031h 09
Quiet RiotLIBERATION DAY SPECIAL: TrumponomicsAlex Andreou with special guest top economist Vicky Pryce explores Trump's tariffs and other economic policies on their merit. Is there any logic behind them, however unorthodox? Could they actually work? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451fAMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8c996062-ef8d-42...
2025-04-0226 min
Quiet RiotCrime and Le PenishmentFrom presidential hopeful to criminal with an electronic tag, Marine Le Pen's fall from grace has been swift and – at least as far her punishment is concerned – eye-popping.Quiet Riot producer Kenny Campbell is joined by our favourite Chevalier/French expert, Olivier Morel who, as well as being a partner at Cripps lawyers, holds senior trade positions and is a champion of Anglo-French business links.How did this all start? What does it mean for France? Is it good or bad news for Le Pen's party, and the ambitious indi...
2025-03-3136 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: Welfare to ArmsAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on Labour's welfare cuts, Trump's tariffs, JD Vance's visit to Greenland. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451fAMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8c996062-ef8d-42e4-9d80-5b407cb6e2...
2025-03-301h 00
Quiet RiotNot-Growing Pains: Spring Statement SpecialAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest Vicky Pryce - former Joint Head of the United Kingdom's Government Economic Service and Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research - to discuss Rachel Reeves Spring Statement. Plus, of course, 'Wokey Dokey'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5...
2025-03-2756 min
Quiet RiotTalking dirty (water) with Clive Lewis MPWith pollution out of control, infrastructure at breaking point and water companies prioritising the pumping of pounds – many pounds – to shareholders, our water industry has dissolved into a murky mess. Our seas and rivers are a disgrace, the National Audit Office has warned some areas could run out of water by 2034, and Britain's biggest water company is begging for a Government bailout, after years of loading up with debt to help it pay out juicy dividends.In this Quiet Riot special, our producer Kenny Campbell takes a deep dive into...
2025-03-2550 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: Net Zero is Net GainAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on the Labour govt's excellent plans for solar, "unpacking the coalition of the willing", and Lib Dem conference. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451fAMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8c996062-ef8d-42...
2025-03-2359 min
Quiet RiotUntil the PIP squeaksAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest David Gauke - former Conservative Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Justice, and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who had the whip withdrawn over his rebellion against no-deal Brexit, and was recently appointed by Starmer to lead an independent review into prison sentences. They discuss Liz Kendall's welfare reform proposals, Kemi Badenoch's net zero u-turn, and the future of prisons and justice. Plus, of course, 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'.
2025-03-201h 14
Quiet RiotCANADA SPECIAL: Carney knowledgeWith a looming election, a troublesome neighbour and a former Bank of England Governor as unelected PM, Canada is living through excruciatingly interesting times.We thought it was time to cuddle up to our Canuck cousins, and so Naomi Smith is joined for this special episode by Canadian journalist Graham Lanktree.Graham is Politico's UK trade specialist, and an ideal guide to the ins and outs of Canadian politics.How do Canadians feel about Mark Carney, a leader who has not been elected as...
2025-03-1834 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: You wouldn't like us when we're angry!Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on the Labour govt's incoherent welfare reforms, and Musk's destruction of his own companies. PLUS Germany goes shopping! ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “A lack of an ideological basis is leading Labour to some very poor choices. When you’re cutting international aid, you are cutting it for the most vulnerable people in the world. When you are cutting PIP, you are cutting it for the most disadvantaged people in the...
2025-03-1651 min
Quiet RiotEverything is SwirlyAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest, veteran journalist, straight-talker, and German sage, Annette Dittert, to discuss the latest in UK and European politics and the effect of instability from across the Atlantic. Plus, of course, 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy...
2025-03-131h 25
Quiet RiotIRELAND SPECIAL: A Test of Neutrality'Tis the season of St Patrick and so Naomi Smith is joined by Irish politics specialist Professor Mary C Murphy, to see whether Ireland's political glass is half empty or half full. Questions are there many...Ireland is one of three neutral EU countries but is that sustainable in the age of Trump and Putin? How do young people on the island differ politically from their parents? Could there be a border poll and why would it be fraught with risk?And should the Taoiseach be raising a glass...
2025-03-1135 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: Rats-in-Sack LatestAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on the astounding implosion within Reform UK and signs of reversal of policies and freezing out of Musk by Trump.PLUS will changes on how GDP is calculated help or hinder Reeves? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “Parliaments with a higher number of female leaders are more likely to be more equal, achieve higher economic growth and experience lower levels of corruption.”“Have Reform peaked too so...
2025-03-0949 min
Quiet RiotSPECIAL: What's Eating Paul Marshall?Alex Andreou talks to investigative journalist Peter Geoghegan about the mysterious - and increasingly influential figure - the owner of GB News, Unherd, and The Spectator, Paul Marshall.***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Peter's substack Democracy for Sale. It's free and you should subscribe. Peter's LRB profile of Paul Marshall. Our bookshop featuring many of the books we have featured - including Peter Goghegan's - can be found at uk.bookshop.org/shop/quietriot. Kick your...
2025-03-0738 min
Quiet RiotFrom Five Eyes to Wise GuysAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest More in Common's Luke Tryl to discuss the latest from Washington and how it is making life very difficult for right wing politicians in the UK, including Nigel Farage, suffering rejection-by-association. PLUS We take a deep dive into 'Blue Labour'. Is it genuine? Is it attractive? Is it coherent? Why is Steve Bannon and the Trump regime so interested in it?And of course 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM...
2025-03-061h 06
Quiet RiotWales Special - Come Taith With MeNaomi Smith is joined by award-winning journalist - and QR regular - Will Hayward for a timely stock-take of political life in a part of the country that we Quiet Rioters love, and a look at the Welsh budget (you will never believe how it got through), how farming complaints are different to the rest of the UK, a very inventive youth mobility scheme, and how Reform UK are using Wales - with Lee Anderson saying the quiet bit out loud. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***ALEX ANDREOU'S...
2025-03-0535 min
Quiet RiotMidnight Mass: Steel PorcupineAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith with a short debrief at the end of a historic day, on which Starmer has brought Europe (and friends) together, to make a stand for Ukraine.***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here:APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451fAMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8c996062-ef8d-42...
2025-03-0522 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: With Friends Like TheseAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on the gangsters who have taken over the White House.***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***NAOMI: "It's not so much that the world has changed as that the world has finally realized how much the world had already changed. For those for whom the penny hadn't already dropped, it's dropped now. And my overriding feeling is just this renewed anger about the decision to leave the EU."ALEX: "Deliberation is...
2025-03-0252 min
Quiet RiotLone Starmer StateAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest LBC host James O'Brien to discuss Starmer's trip to Washington. What is the best he could come back with? And was raising defence at the expense of aid worth it? And of course 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“The idea that history was over, because the Cold War was over, the Berlin Wall had come down, and liberal democracy had prevailed over the extremes of fascism or communism, wa...
2025-02-271h 06
Quiet RiotGerman Election Special with Annette DittertAlex Andreou and special guest, London bureau chief for the ARD, the multi-award winning journalist, Annette Dittert with an analysis of Sunday's German federal election results.***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“NATO may have died - in the sense that, if the Article 5 commitment is not longer believable, if it is not something you can bank on, we may already be at a point when we need to start looking at something else, which looks a bit like NATO but doesn’t involve the US.”“...
2025-02-2428 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: Time for Europe to Fight BackAlex Andreou and special guest, former diplomat and security analyst, Arthur Snell talk about the end of NATO as we know it, today's German federal election, and Apple's tussle with UK gov't over encryption. A packed episode!***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“NATO may have died - in the sense that, if the Article 5 commitment is not longer believable, if it is not something you can bank on, we may already be at a point when we need to start looking at something el...
2025-02-2346 min
Quiet RiotQR EXTENDED: Trump's America switches sidesExtended 40min version of Alex Andreou and Salma Shah (filling in for Naomi) talking to Emmy-award-winning journalist specialising on NATO, Luke McGee, discussion on whether the USA is still our ally and what the future of NATO is. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“There is a logical inconsistency to America demanding that Europe commit more to the NATO project, at the moment it also says: we’re not particularly committed to it.” “I don’t think it’s one man, behind a desk in the White...
2025-02-2143 min
Quiet RiotTrump's America switches sidesAlex Andreou and Salma Shah (filling in for Naomi) welcome guest Emmy-award-winning journalist specialising in NATO, Luke McGee, to discuss whether - and I cannot believe I am about to type this - the USA is still our ally or "Putin's Bitch". Plus - Who is out to get Rachel Reeves? We sort truth from gossip and explore why there is already dysfunction in such a young administration with such a secure majority. And of course 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR...
2025-02-2059 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: Make Europe Great AgainAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on Trump and Musk's assault on federal government - and how it might just turn against them. A detailed report by Frontier Economics AND a megapoll by YouGov, commissioned by Best for Britain, outline stunning growth opportunities - if Starmer goes for the right UK-EU reset. The public is fully behind the idea.Plus, as Reform UK continues to gaslight the country about Brexit and ride high in the polls, there may be a giant chink...
2025-02-1649 min
Quiet RiotWhat is Britain's place in the world?Alex Andreou talks to special guest FT science editor, Michael Peel, about his book "What Everyone Knows About Britain, Except The British". Nostalgia is the disease from which our dysfunctional politics flows. How can we change course? And what could modern Britain be in the future, if it stopped longing for the past? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“There are probably two types of voter, those who vote emotionally and those who vote emotionally but don't admit that they do.” “The way Brexit was cam...
2025-02-1436 min
Quiet RiotSunday School: Hold Your NerveAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on Trump and Musk's assault on federal government - and how it might just turn against them. A detailed report by Frontier Economics AND a megapoll by YouGov, commissioned by Best for Britain, outline stunning growth opportunities - if Starmer goes for the right UK-EU reset. The public is fully behind the idea.Plus, as Reform UK continues to gaslight the country about Brexit and ride high in the polls, there may be a giant chink...
2025-02-0944 min
Quiet RiotIndecent Proposal: Trump's Unreal EstateAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith (fresh from Brussels) welcome special guest Rachel Shabi to discuss her new book on antisemitism, Trump's proposed cash + ethnic cleansing deal, Starmer trying to make himself invisible, while negotiating with Europe, and the general fever dream we seem to be living through. Plus a stunning audio letter from Arthur Snell in Israel. And of course 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“The only way to stand up to...
2025-02-061h 18
Quiet RiotBrexit Wounds; Anniversary SpecialAlex Andreou, Naomi Smith with special guest migration, policy one-woman army, Zoe Gardner ask what happened to the sunlit uplands, the magical cake, the oven ready pie - and all the other things we were promised in 2016. Also, a frank discussion about Britain's true immigration problem: that numbers are dropping off a cliff. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and a Dramatic Reading of Daniel Hannan. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“The arguments for Brexit were masking something much more sinister and deeper in the ideology of those who were advocating fo...
2025-01-301h 05
Quiet RiotExecutive Disorder: Worst. Reboot. Ever.Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith with special guest USA Politics Guru, Dr. Brian Klaas, look at the flurry of executive orders and try to sort the wheat from the chaff. And how should Europe respond? Which fights are not worth fighting and where the red lines should be drawn. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin and Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“Donald Trump simultaneously says we should execute drug dealers and pardoned the largest drug market creator in human history. And so he is...
2025-01-241h 04
Quiet Riot200 Days of Hard LabourAlex Andreou, Naomi Smith with special guest Guardian columnist Zoe Williams assess Labour's first 200 days in power, in pretty frank, no-holds-barred conversation. And, as the Trump cabinet confirmation hearing stun Capitol Hill, the gang engage is some preemptive group therapy on how to survive the next four years of Trump. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin and Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“There is a real problem with Keir’s cabinet and Keir’s government… He will not let anyone go out and buil...
2025-01-161h 02
Quiet RiotEMERGENCY RIOT: Why are markets jittery?Alex Andreou talks to top economist Vicky Pryce, to get to the bottom of what is behind market volatility and high gov't borrowing rates, how much of it is inherited, how much of it international, how much down to the gov't, what can be done to fix it, and why it isn't being done. Much of it not as you might expect. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“The US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England missed a trick. The confidence of central ba...
2025-01-1029 min
Quiet RiotMusk is grooming Europe for Trump 2.0Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith with special guest Dame Emily Thornberry try to decipher the incoherent tweets of Musk, the incoherent strategy of Badenoch, and the incoherent ramblings of Trump. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin and Share It'.***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***"The idea that they can just play political games on the bodies of these girls, whose lives would have been turned upside down by what happened, to have it all raked over again and again for petty point scoring. The stakes for the victims are very...
2025-01-0955 min
Quiet RiotA Very Nigel(la) Quiet Riot: Xmas Special Part IIAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome two very special guests - their best friends Nigel Smith and Nigella Lawson. Recorded with a special live audience of many of our previous guests, in this PART II we look forward to 2025, take questions from the audience, and - of course - talk all about FOOD!!!***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“If you hurry the cooking of an onion, all is lost.”“I would win Ready, Steady, Cook. I would be very good at tha...
2024-12-2653 min
Quiet RiotA Very Nigel(la) Quiet Riot: Xmas Special Part IAlex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome two very special guests - their best friends Nigel Smith and Nigella Lawson - to look back at a momentous year, the moments that have depressed, delighted, and surprised them, the people they have admired and the telly they have binged. As well as an incredible six months of Quiet Riot. Recorded with a special live audience of many of our previous guests! Plus the 'Wokiest Dokiest' of 2024. PART II is out on Christmas Eve and is all about FOOD!!!
2024-12-2049 min
Quiet RiotThe Fall of Assad: Syria SpecialAlex Andreou talks to former diplomat and host of the Behind The Lines podcast, Arthur Snell, to try and construct some order out of the recent chaos in Syria. Who are the good guys? What does this mean for Israel? How exposed is Iran? Is it an opportunity for the Kurds to carve out a state? What is Türkiye's agenda? How does this impact Russia and Putin in both practical and reputational terms? What is next for Assad? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“Who can...
2024-12-1431 min
Quiet RiotMo Money Mo ProblemsAlex Andreou, Naomi Smith and special guest investigative journalist Peter Geoghegan discuss the huge amounts of money that is currently flowing into our politics, the ways in which it is corrupting our democracy, and what we can do about it. And in Part II, the very narrow path left to the Labour government, because of a lack of money. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin and Share It'.***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***"In 2023 two-thirds of all the money raised in British politics came from 19 people, who all gave...
2024-12-121h 07
Quiet RiotBLUESKY SPECIAL II with Rose WangAlex Andreou talks to Rose Wang, BlueSky Chief Operations Officer in SanFrancisco - one of two women at the top of this social media startup. about the rollercoaster of the last few months, the coming election, and what is next for the platform.***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***“It was happening in real time for all of us. I don’t think the team slept for 48 hours, trying to keep the service online, and I am proud to say we had no down time, despite the fact a coup...
2024-11-0532 min
Quiet RiotQuiet Riot Bonus - LEADERSHIP HOPELESSHere is the full - AND VERY FRANK - conversation between Alex Andreou and More In Common's chief Luke Tryl on all four Conservative leadership hopefuls.And if you think “why should I care?” - this is why: our entire political system, for good or ill, is adversarial in nature. The quality of the opposition to the government shapes policy. Ideas that have had their tyres properly kicked, will always be better ideas. Luke: "What we hear from our focus groups is that Kemi is refreshing."Alex: "So is...
2024-10-0543 min
Quiet RiotBRITAIN'S GOT TORIESAn absolutely jam-packed episode on the Tory leadership contest and the US Election VP debate. Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell are joined by Guardian quill-wielder Zoe Williams, US omni-expert Brian Klaas, and More In Common gros fromage Luke Tryl to dig out the genuinely interesting stuff from these debates (and there is plenty of genuinely interesting stuff). We craft two political silk purses from a couple of sow's ears. We're also knitting – see how seamlessly we stitch such disparate subjects together?On both sides of the Pond, important debates; on both sides of the Po...
2024-10-031h 04
Quiet RiotCOVID SPECIAL with Christina PagelAlex Andreou, in conversation with Christina Pagel and Tom Brufatto, teases out the main threads from the Covid Inquiry Module 1 Report and discusses the current wave of Covid sweeping the country and the status of Long Covid.“Our plan was how do we cope with the number of deaths. And they planned, into the 2011 strategy, for over 800,000 people to die over about five months. And nobody ever said: that seems like a lot.” ~Christina Pagel“Having delivered Brexit, they certainly felt they had something to prove. And it was often in a direct...
2024-07-3054 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseForegone delusion – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisRishi Sunak is trying to spin his local election trouncing as best as he can – what bluster should we ignore this week? Plus, the latest from Gaza as Israel strikes Rafah. And, the Trump trial rolls on – while Xi visits Europe for the first time in five years. Alex Andreou talks Jacob Jarvis through the week ahead. • “There’s a sort of electoral ruthlessness to the Labour Party at the moment.” – Alex Andreou • “Sunak should call an election, he won’t, but he should.” – Alex Andreou • “If Sunak should do something then that usually suggests he won’...
2024-05-0737 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseMenzies Behaving Badly – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Alex AndreouSunak has lost another MP after Mark Menzies announced he’s leaving the Tories and won’t stand at the next election. What issues does this raise for the PM? Meanwhile, the Tory leader is set to head to Poland to discuss the Ukraine war with Donald Tusk. What will they talk about? Plus, will Israel go ahead with further strikes on Rafah? And can Donald Trump manage to stay awake during his hush money trial this week? Alex Andreou joins Ros Taylor to discuss the week ahead. • “They were happy to comment on an ongoing inv...
2024-04-2233 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseThe world at war? – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Hannah FearnAll eyes remain on the Middle East after Iran’s drone attacks on Israel. How will Netanyahu respond? And how are Britain and the US going to react? In the UK, Parliament returns – what is on the agenda? Plus, we look at other flashpoints across the globe – and round-up the rest of the domestic news. Alex Andreou and Hannah Fearn talk through the week ahead. • “Perhaps it is a poor choice of timing for Iran, but it feels like a febrile time for the entire region.” – Hannah Fearn • “It feels like both sides are looking for a fore...
2024-04-1531 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseFor whom the bell polls – Start Your Week with Alex AndreouThe Tories face electoral obliteration, according to the polls – can Sunak do anything about it? We reflect on the latest damning survey and the current fallouts swirling around the PM. Plus we discuss conflict in the Middle East, and the latest strikes on Gaza and Syria. And finally we look at the latest from the war in Ukraine, then the election results in Turkey. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the week ahead. • “This is a really high-stakes local election – if the Tories do as poorly as some of the polls predict, it might be time-up...
2024-04-0233 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseHack Job – Start Your Week with Alex AndreouBritain is blaming Beijing for a major cyber attack on voter data – how will this impact relations with China? And how awkward could things get for David Cameron? Plus, Rishi Sunak isn’t doing well as Prime Minister – but are the Tories giving up on plans to replace him? And we discuss the fallout from the recent Moscow terror attack, as well as the latest calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to talk through the news to look out for this week. • “I can’t imagine how [David Cameron] must be feeling, it w...
2024-03-2536 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseNo Money for Old Men — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisHunt’s budget hasn’t shifted the dial for the Tories like they wanted – what will they try next? Plus, we’ve got curious tales of Boris Johnson’s trip to Venezuela and of a doctored Royal family photo… Plus, the latest from Biden vs. Trump and an update on the situation in Gaza. Alex Andreou talks Jacob Jarvis through the news to look out for this week. • “We know the Tories are headed for defeat, and because Sunak is too afraid to call an election, we are forced to watch them mess up again and again.” – Alex...
2024-03-1132 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseBy and by-elections — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisThis week: By-elections will prove yet another test for Sunak – but things aren’t smooth sailing for Labour either. Plus, updates as Israel strikes Rafah – what will this mean for the conflict? And, Trump latest as he delivers controversial comments on Russia. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to tee up the week ahead. • “The level of defeat in these by-elections matters” – Alex Andreou• “Michael Gove defending you feels like one of the four horsemen of the Tory apocalypse” – Alex Andreou •“There is a balance to be struck between being cautious and being unambitious” – Ale...
2024-02-1235 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseFriends without benefits — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisIt’s a bad Brexit news week as new regulations are put in place. Plus, Sunak’s woes continue – but Hunt’s going to try and help him out. And we discuss the latest from conflicts and elections across the globe, including Trump being made to look like a loser. • “The government is once again farming out its problems caused by Brexit to companies.” – Alex Andreou • “The last thing Sunak needs is to be seen as being helped by Labour because his own back benches are too fractious” – Alex Andreou • “If Trump has to start selling s...
2024-01-2932 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseRebel strikes — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros TaylorPM Rishi Sunak faces the commons today to explain military action against Houthi Rebels. Plus – the Rwanda bill is back. Will the Conservatives be satisfied with the latest draft? Across the pond – The Republican Party caucuses in Iowa. Is a Trump victory inevitable? And finally President Biden has congratulated Lai Ching-te following his victory in the Taiwan election, how will Beijing respond? • "You simply cannot notify your enemies that you’re about to take military action." – Alex Andreou • “We are vastly underestimating the threat of Russia.” – Alex Andreou• “Democratic nations are always at a disadvan...
2024-01-1536 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseMone Alone — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisMichelle Mone has admitted to lying to the media over her links to a PPE firm. What fallout will happen next? Plus – Rishi Sunak continues to pander to backbenchers over immigration, what does the PM have to gain by embracing the right? Plus, calls mount for a prolonged pause in the Israel/Hamas conflict, will Netenyahu be strong-armed into another ceasefire? And finally we have the latest on reports of financial difficulties for Ukraine.
“Michelle Mone didn’t just lie to the media, she tried to bury the story with the full force of her legal team.” – Alex Andreou
“F...
2023-12-1839 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseThe Covid Inquiry so far: 7 key moments with Prof. Christina Pagel and Alex AndreouThe Covid-19 inquiry is nowhere near halfway through, but already we’ve learned a lot. But there’s been so much to learn about how our government worked (or didn’t) during the pandemic that it’s been a little hard to comprehend. So before we hear the likes of Patrick Valance give evidence Alex Andreou sat down in the Bunker with Prof. Christina Pagel, Professor of Operational Research at UCL, to explain 7 key moments that we’ve seen so far and why they’re so important to notice.
“How can we change the way that we do pol...
2023-11-2151 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseLaws and disorder — Start your week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisWith the final King’s Speech before the election due, is there any point to Sunak’s plans anymore? What can we expect from the government’s agenda – and can any of its goals even be achieved? Plus the latest on the Israel-Hamas conflict – will growing calls for a ceasefire or pause be heeded? Finally, Trump is expected to testify in one of his many court cases, what should we expect? Jacob Jarvis is joined in The Bunker by Alex Andreou to get you prepped for the week ahead.
‘“The Conservatives are a party that has gi...
2023-11-0630 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseTerror in Israel – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisFollowing a weekend of brutal attacks on Israel, the prospect of a ground invasion of Gaza looms. We take a look at Hamas’s actions, how Netanyahu will respond, and the international reaction to the violence. Plus, we preview the Labour Conference as Starmer and his team present their views for the future of the country. How will Starmer’s speech stand up to Sunak’s?Jacob Jarvis is joined in The Bunker by Alex Andreou to get you prepped for the week ahead.
“It will be tricky for Netenyahu to balance...
2023-10-0931 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseThe Fast and the Spurious — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisRishi Sunak is having a grim time up north as the Tories gather in Manchester for their annual conference. As the PM attempts to put crowd pleasing policies forward (and not mention HS2), the race to replace him has already started. In world news, we look at the U.S. after it narrowly avoided a government shutdown, the latest on Ukraine — and finally, a slow burning financial crisis in China. Jacob Jarvis is joined in The Bunker by Alex Andreou to get you prepped for the week ahead.
“Sunak wa...
2023-10-0236 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseJailhouse rot — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisBritain’s prisons are under the spotlight following Daniel Khalife’s escape from HMP Wandsworth. Alex Chalk did the damage control rounds over the weekend – but does the justice secretary have more problems than this high profile debacle?Meanwhile, a parliamentary researcher was arrested under suspicion of sharing official secrets with China. What does this mean for the UK’s relationship with Beijing? Plus we look back at the key developments from the G20 conference, the latest on Ukraine — and we examine the international aid efforts following the devastating earthquake in Morocco....
2023-09-1134 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseConcrete Bungle — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros TaylorSchool’s out indefinitely across the country as many deal with a concrete crisis. But how much did the government know about this looming fiasco? Meanwhile, parliament is back in session — inflation, small boats and green energy are on the agenda for the Conservatives. Meanwhile, Starmer looks towards the general election with a shadow cabinet reshuffle. Plus a preview of the G20 conference, the latest on Ukraine — and it’s been one year since the Queen died. How does this new era of Britain stack up to the last? Ros Taylor is joined in The Bunke...
2023-09-0434 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseThe Barge that Flopped — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros TaylorThe Bibby Stockholm plan has been beset by legionella. Who could have seen this coming? The Tories want us to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, why are they obsessed with chaos? Plus, this week is ‘health week’. Given that doctors are on strike, what could possibly go wrong?We also have an update on wildfires in Maui, the latest from Niger’s military coup, and the stories you may have missed. Ros Taylor is joined by Alex Andreou to give you the news to look out for in the week ahead....
2023-08-1435 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseFume and Gloom — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisRishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are both on manoeuvres after the by-elections – but what are their tangible plans? As the Labour leader asks Sadiq Khan to “reflect” on ULEZ, the Tory PM is doubling down on just being horrid. Plus, we have the latest on the climate crisis in Greece, an update on elections in Spain, and news from Ukraine. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to map out the week ahead.
“Rishi Sunak will fail on all of his five promises.” – Alex Andreou
“Labour have relied on Sadiq Khan’s popularity instead of making a case for ULEZ.” –...
2023-07-2431 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseElectoral dysfunction — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Hannah FearnRishi Sunak’s Tories face three by-elections this week — what will these results mean for the struggling PM? Meanwhile, Keir Starmer’s latest u-turn has frustrated even his most loyal supporters. What pressure does he face? Plus global weather is out of control — and actors join the fight against AI. Hannah Fearn joins Alex Andreou to map out the week ahead.
“These three by-elections are a snapshot of the nation’s mood." – Hannah Fearn
“If the Tories keep just one seat, they’ll be able to say Labour are weak to not take all three." – Alex Andreou
“I struggle to see how loo...
2023-07-1735 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseStop the Boasts – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Arthur SnellSunak has a brand new immigration policy which looks just like the old one. Does anyone support it? With train strikes looming and an NHS staffing crisis, looks like we’re in for another summer of discontent. In international news, following a weekend of riots across France, we ask if President Macron has lost control. Plus updates on attacks on the Westbank and the latest on Ukraine. Arthur Snell joins Alex Andreou to map out the week ahead.
“Sunak’s immigration policy is headline grabbing but won’t reduce numbers.” – Arthur Snell
“The Tories immigration plan is a very simple so...
2023-07-0330 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseRebel Force – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Hannah FearnThe Russian revolution ended as quickly as it started, where does this leave Putin and the war in Ukraine? Rishi Sunak’s failure to deliver his 5 key pledges could prove to be his downfall as byelections loom. Plus we’ve got the results from the Greek election, an update on Britain’s cat pupil hysteria and a review of Boris Johnson’s latest rant for the Daily Mail. Hannah Fearn joins Alex Andreou to map out the week ahead.
“If Putin can’t control the people and media what does he have left?” - Hannah Fearn
“People aren’t expecting that Pr...
2023-06-2639 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseI don’t know it’s over – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisThe Johnson rebellion promised a bang but delivered a whimper over the weekend. What now? Can Starmer capitalise on the Conservative Party chaos? Across the pond, Donald Trump is set for a day in a Miami courtroom – what should we expect? Plus we’ve got more on Nicola Sturgeon’s arrest and the latest from Ukraine’s counter offensive. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to map out the week ahead.
“Organising a coup takes a lot of work which I don’t think Johnson was willing to do.” – Alex Andreou
“Johnson inspires enthusiasm which he mistakes for loyalty.” – Alex Andreou
“If any o...
2023-06-1229 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseSuella on Speed – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Andrew HarrisonSuella Braverman has had a busy week with speeding ticket drama. Can the Home Secretary outrun another controversy or is this the end of the track? And with the Northern Irish council election in favour of Sinn Féin, is the future of Éire up for grabs? Plus we’ve got the results from the Greek elections, the latest from Ukraine and rumours of Boris Johnson’s continued downfall. Alex Andreou joins Andrew Harrison to map out the week ahead.
“Suella Braverman is a world champ at getting sacked and coming back 5 minutes later.” – Andrew Harrison
“T...
2023-05-2232 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseBlue on Blue Monday – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros TaylorBattle lines were drawn this week as the Conservatives held two conferences – whose side are you on? In the blue corner Suella Braverman and a whole host of unsavoury fringe figures from the National Conservatism Movement. In the other blue corner it’s the Conservative Democratic Organisation aka the ‘bring back Boris brigade’ led by Nadine Dorries. Plus the Turkish election – is Erdogan’s time up? And yes, we’ll be talking about Eurovision. Alex Andreou joins Ros Taylor to explore the week ahead.
“Boris wasn’t there which isn’t unusual as it wasn’t a paid gig.” – Alex Andreou
“...
2023-05-1536 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseCouncils Culture – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Alex AndreouLocal elections (for local people) are coming up this week. What would mark a good night for Starmer? And what will a bad one mean for Sunak, amid the cost of living crisis and strikes? Plus, as the coronation brings the role of the royals into the spotlight, we get ready to pledge allegiance… And war in Sudan and Ukraine rumbles on – what is the latest from these conflicts? Gavin Esler joins Alex Andreou to explore the news to look out for.
“We have got the talent in this country to do things – but we tend not to have tha...
2023-05-0228 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseSee if I Keir — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob JarvisKeir Starmer is staying on the attack while Sunak faces more strike conundrums with junior doctors staging a mass walkout. Is the Government going to resolve these issues – or just try to distract? Plus, we discuss the latest from Ukraine, protests in Georgia and Xi’s posturing over Taiwan. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Alex Andreou to tee up the week ahead.
“If [the right] can character assassinate you online, why should you have to play nice?” – Alex Andreou
“Junior doctors came out of the pandemic and the government said ‘sorry, applause is all you get’” – Alex An...
2023-04-1134 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseKind of a big deal – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Alex AndreouRishi Sunak is meeting Ursula von der Leyen to seal a new deal to get Brexit done again, again. Will the agreement get sealed? And what fallout will any such settlement spark? Plus, we return to the strikes and discuss the SNP leadership latest. Ros Taylor joins Alex Andreou to discuss the week ahead.
“It all depends on whether the DUP think they can get anything more out of it or not.” – Alex Andreou
“There’s nothing Johnson would like more than return as Prime Minister… but my sense is that the energy is moving away from him.” – Ros Taylor
“Peop...
2023-02-2730 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseFasten your seatbelts – Start Your Week with Alex AndreouFasten your seatbelts, because it’s going to be a rocky week in UK politics as sleaze comes back with a vengeance. How will Sunak handle backlash to his car misdemeanour, Johnson’s loan scandal and Zahawi’s ongoing tax quagmire. Plus, we look at the latest news on strikes. Alex Andreou talks to Jacob Jarvis to outline the week ahead.
“Part of the government is so incestuous, it doesn’t even realise it has a problem.”
“Sunak’s made an idiot of himself by getting a fine and messing up gaining ground.”
“The public perception is that the government always...
2023-01-2332 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsense2023 and me – Start Your Year with Alex AndreouWith the NHS in crisis and strikes ongoing – will the Government’s New Year’s Resolution be to get a grip? Then further afield, we look to the alarming covid situation in China and a new Congress being sworn in in the United States. Plus, a few dates for your diary – there might even be some bits to look forward to… In our first show of 2023, Alex Andreou talks to Andrew Harrison to outline the year ahead.
“Everyone is incredibly scared, it’s not nice to live in a country and feel like if something happens to you...
2023-01-0337 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseIce Strike Baby – Start Your Week with Alex AndreouRail, nursing and Border Force workers strike during sudden extreme cold weather, but their public support seems solid. Will the Government’s “Union Barons” attacks stick? Plus, James Cleverly ditches human rights priorities in a desperate search for any post-Brexit upside. Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its deep winter phase. And the last legislation to get squeezed through Parliament before Christmas. Alex Andreou takes Andrew Harrison through the week ahead.
“The Tories are fudging the economy because they know Labour will win the next election.” – Alex Andreou
“Thank God It's too cold for drunken...
2022-12-1228 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseLet’s take lots of money – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Yasmeen SerhanHunt’s cuts bonanza faces dissection from angry MPs this week. How will he handle the pushback? Plus, there are rumours of a Swiss-style EU deal – could this possibly happen? Then we cast an eye to the US, with ripples still coming from the midterms and Trump’s presidential announcement. And with the Qatar World Cup underway, what has reaction been to the tournament so far? Yasmeen Serhan joins Alex Andreou to discuss the news to look out for in the days ahead.
“There’s some buyers' remorse with Brexit and the economic impact we’re starting t...
2022-11-2136 min
The Bunker – News without the nonsenseExit Through the Grift Shop – Start Your Week with Alex AndreouThe US midterms could see Biden hamstrung by his political enemies – as the prospect of a 2024 Trump run looms. Is America headed for another period of turmoil and deadlock, with the Republicans controlling the Senate and the House? And in the UK, the political sack race is on between Gavin Williamson and Suella Braverman. Will Sunak ditch either of them – or wait until a more convenient time? Plus, the world turns its eyes to COP27. Andrew Harrison is joined by Alex Andreou to tee up the week ahead.
“If the Democrats lose both the House and Sen...
2022-11-0729 min
VINTAGE BOOKSApril Podcast: Greece with Yanis Varoufakis, Owen Jones, Alex Andreou and Caroline AlexanderWe're taking you to Greece in this month's podcast and also on another journey through time. Yanis Varoufakis talks with Owen Jones about his life as an activist, his arrests on the picket line and his own father's struggles with oppresive rule that led to imprisonment in a concentration camp. Alex Andreou, winner of the inaugural Jane Grigson Trust Award, brings food and memory into the studio as we talk about childhood favourites, what real Greek food is and how caring for his mother has brought Greek culture and food flooding back into his writing. Finally we head to the...
2016-04-1449 min