97 | Socialism in this Country?

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After John McDonnell said he was still committed to the socialist transformation of Britain, we ask what that might mean.  Does socialism really require the overthrow of capitalism?  What's the difference between socialism and communism?  And with successful Democratic candidates in the US starting to use the s-word in public, what does socialism have to offer in America?  Plus we talk about whether social media and social networks offer the possibility of a new kind of socialism for the twenty-first century.  With Helen Thompson, Chris Bickerton and Chris Brooke.

88 | James Meek on the NHS

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David talks to journalist and novelist James Meek about his epic new study of the NHS in crisis.  They discuss the ideas behind a generation of NHS reforms, the meaning of efficiency and the challenge of caring for an ageing population.  What does the future hold - Japanese-style robotics or explosive politics and intergenerational strife?  Read the essay in the current edition of the LRB - https://bit.ly/2IpapQv
 

66 | Brexit and the Universities

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After some Tory politicians have started asking for details of what lecturers are saying about Brexit, we're joined this week by regular panellist Chris Bickerton to talk about what it's like being a pro-Brexit academic in an anti-Brexit university.  Plus we catch up with Helen Thompson and Chris Brooke on where they think the Brexit negotiations have reached and what chance they see of a successful outcome.  We also revisit Catalonia to discuss the latest developments there.  Is Madrid winning, and what might that mean for the EU?

43 | The Corbyn Surge?

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With a week to go, and the polls tightening, we ask what Corbyn is doing right and what May is doing wrong.  Is Corbyn riding a wave like the one that got Bernie Sanders close to the White House?  Or are May's troubles more about Tory weaknesses?  Plus we discuss the missing international dimension to the campaign.  After Merkel declared that Europe could no longer rely on a Trump-led United States, why is our Brexit election still so focussed on domestic issues?  With Aaron Rapport, Maha Rafi Atal and Chris Bickerton.

41 | The Who, The What, The How

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We recorded this week in the aftermath of the Manchester terror attack, with the election campaign temporarily suspended.  We take a step back to review some of the broad themes of the campaign so far and talk about how the main parties have been presenting themselves and what they are trying to achieve.  We reflect on the importance of leadership style - what makes Theresa May different from Tony Blair? - and we ask why so little of the election has been about Brexit.  With Helen Thompson, Glen Rangwala and Chris Brooke.
 

39 | The Meaning of UKIP

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After UKIP’s dreadful performance in the local elections we ask about the historic legacy of Nigel Farage’s party.  How big was its role in taking the UK out of the EU?  Will UKIP turn out to be the gateway drug for turning Labour supporters into Conservatives?  How do its fortunes compare with the Front National in France?  Plus we catch up on the latest development across the Channel and discuss the prospects for Macron’s presidency.  Can he find a solution to the perennial problem that hangs over French politics: Germany?  With Helen Thompson, Hugo Drochon, Chris Bickerton and Chris Brooke.