242 | David Miliband on the Crisis

We talk with David Miliband, head of the International Rescue Committee, about the impact of the pandemic on the world's poorest countries.  What happens in places where social distancing is not possible?  Plus we discuss the long-term implications of the crisis for the future global co-operation and global conflict.  Is this the moment for social democracy?  More details of the work of the IRC can be found here:  https://www.rescue-uk.org/

160 | A Mockery of Democracy?

Are the UK's looming European elections making a mockery of democracy, or is this how democracy is meant to work?  Would cancelling them at the last minute make the situation worse?  We talk about trust in politics, the threat to the two main parties, and the knock-on effects for the rest of Europe.  Plus we discuss what can meaningfully happen before the end of October, and whether the events of the last few weeks have done permanent damage to the Tory brand.  With Helen Thompson, Catherine Barnard and Chris Bickerton.