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Hrkn to .. The Bigger Picture

Hrkn to .. The Bigger Picture

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 The Bigger Picture is Simon Rose at his presenting best. He regularly enjoys digging behind the headlines to find the really interesting stories that are being talked about by economists and think-tanks which are helping to shape the conversations in Whitehall. In his weekly analysis with Mike Indian and Professor Tim Evans, Simon brings the latest political and economic thinking into sharp focus. Hrkn to www.shareradio.co.uk for more ..Share Premium Ltd Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • The Bigger Picture: The Gorton by-election, Gammon's Law in the NHS & the nicest man in British politics

    The Bigger Picture: The Gorton by-election, Gammon's Law in the NHS & the nicest man in British politics
    Feb 26 2026
    Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University wonders what the Gorton and Denton by-election could portend for British politics. Could it be another signpost to the end of traditional two-party politics? Is something going wrong for the established political class? Might it signal the end of Starmer's Premiership? Tim cites both a study into NHS maternity services and a statement from a former health minister that doubling the NHS budget over 20 years has made no difference to the nation's health as evidence of the truth of Gammon's Law about the growth of bureaucracy displacing useful work. Lastly, he and Simon discuss the loss of a mutual friend, Simon Richards, former chief executive of the Freedom Association. Dubbed "the nicest man in British politics", he wore his politics lightly but had an amazing talent for bringing people together. In an age where politicians are so earnest and serious, we need more people like Simon. He, and his infectious laugh, will be much missed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • The Bigger Picture: Starmer's Teflon premiership and Reform's 'shadow cabinet'

    The Bigger Picture: Starmer's Teflon premiership and Reform's 'shadow cabinet'
    Feb 19 2026
    Political commentator Mike Indian marvels at the Prime Minister's extraordinary survival act over the past fortnight or so, despite the circling vultures. His new cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo, has just been appointed to disprove the talk of an inner circle "boys' club", but it's a moment of maximum danger for the Labour government with public anger at central government and the elite at a peak. Starmer probably only has weeks left, particularly after the astonishing U-turn over cancelling local elections and the revelation that the legal advice on this only came to light just ahead of Reform's court case. However, the battle for Starmer's soul is not over. This week also saw the unveiling of Reform's "shadow cabinet", aiming to show that they can be seen as a credible political force with a broad team ready to govern. If they do as well as predicted in the local elections, this will make life for the party more complex and expose them to yet more scrutiny. It would be ironic after what has transpired if there is a low turnout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • The Bigger Picture: Why life is increasingly unaffordable, Labour's fissures & how Trump is reshaping our world

    The Bigger Picture: Why life is increasingly unaffordable, Labour's fissures & how Trump is reshaping our world
    Feb 12 2026
    Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that the increasing unaffordability of daily living is something politicians won't admit to. It was masked for a time by the influx of cheap Chinese goods but no longer, pushed up by Net Zero, the minimum wage, tax rises and ever more burdensome regulations and government interventions. The costs of energy and housing are having the biggest effect, with property up by 250% since 2000. Only in the remaining free market areas is it not the case, thanks to the magic of capitalism. Less than two years after the election, Labour is now as divided and fractious as the Tories were and Tim cannot foresee the Labour Party patching things up. The electorate is increasingly reminded of the last Tory government. He also considers how Trump is rapidly reshaping our world, with his actions towards Venezuela, Cuba and Iran effectively taking some of Putin's chess pieces off the board. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    28 mins
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