The Least Worst Alternative: Recent Episodes
Shaun & Guy
Two ordinary guys with their take on the political and social news of the week - with a focus on constructive ideas for tackling the problems we face
The hosts, Guy and Shaun, spent decades in finance and have worked professionally in other areas - Guy's been a marketing director for a number of big UK names, while Shaun's worked in industrial relations for a large trade union and spent time in the Civil Service. Neither have any political affiliations but both have a lot to say......
This Week:
- We're anchored down in Anchorage as the circus comes to town
- As the Government awaits a possible Thames Water collapse - what can be done to secure our failing utilities?
This week:
- As Trump arranges a summit with Putin, are we on the verge of a ceasefire in Ukraine?
- Elon's value to Tesla is quantified - is anyone worth that much?
This week:
- Is there momentum behind Palestinian state recognition?
- We have a serious shortage of doctors in the NHS, so why as a nation do we have a surplus?
This week:
- With a further prospective £18bn shortfall hoving into view - how will the Chancellor square the circle?
- As Kemi Badenoch shuffles her shadows - what do the Tories stand for?
This week:
- Rachel Reeves reveals some policy objectives to the great and the good
- Is Donald Trump losing patience with Vladimir Putin?
This week:
- Deja vu - Are Resident Doctors about to upset Wes' applecart?
- Why is spectator sport so expensive?
This week:
- One year in, how are Labour and Sir Keir faring?
- Rachel Reeves has been through the mill this week..
This week:
- Is Donald becoming a combatant in the Israel/Iran War?
- Baroness Louise Casey's Report on the Grooming Scandal has been published - what's been learnt and what are its recommendations
This week:
- Has Rachel Reeves' long awaited Spending Review silenced discontent on Government backbenches, and provided the country with a route to the golden uplands?
- What going on in Los Angeles and are two big beasts looking to the future?
This week:
- The long awaited Defence Review is published with some startling conclusions
- As Rachel Reeves mulls next week's Spending Review we examine her options
This week:
- Sir Keir's J turn on pensioner's Winter Fuel Allowance
- Reducing the prison population - Shabana Mahmood looks to David Gauke's prescription
This week:
- What's just happened in Istanbul?
- Why is Sir Keir moving in Nigel's direction?
This week:
- As the UK signs trade deals with India and the US, we take a closer look
- It's 80 years since VE Day and commemorations have been in full swing all week. Who are they for, and what purpose should they serve?
This week:
- With the results of the Local Elections dribbling out, is this the era of Farage and Reform, or just a transitory protest?
- All worship the sun - solar power for the masses takes centre stage
This week:
- Trump berates the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell and threatens to remove him
- Can Trump's Ukraine plan get sign off from both Zelensky and Putin?
This week:
- Controversy as the Supreme Court rules on the definition of a woman
- Are China's investments in the UK for profit, or control?
This week:
- The inexorable rise of the Chinese electric vehicle producers BYD
- With the drama 'Adolescence' and ongoing legal action against the Tate brothers, toxic masculinity is back in the headlines
This week:
- Rachel Reeves prepares for her first Spring Statement
- Liz Kendall attacks the benefits bill
- Don and Vlad fiddling, while Ukraine burns
This week:
- Will Wes Streeting's strategy for the NHS work, and when will it start to bear fruit?
- Donald Trump's latest moves on Ukraine, and trade tariffs
This week:
- The new German Chancellor sets out his stall with unprecedented borrowing
- Rachel Reeves is pondering how to square the circle, borrowing, cuts, changing the fiscal rules, or a combination of all three
- Ukraine - the week's developments, and the prospects for peace
This week:
- With OfGem allowing a further increase to the Energy Cap, and BP getting back into oil, we examine an evolving market
- Sir Keir follows Emmanuel Macron to pay homage in Washington, while Trump plays cat and mouse with Vlodimir Zelensky - what's going on?
This week:
- The Donald's extraordinary plans for Gaza
- Wes Streeting's winners and losers
This week:
- Rachel Reeves lays out plans for long term growth - will they work
- Liz Kendal is looking to counter benefits fraud - we explore the proposals
This week
- The Donald unveils a tsunami of Executive Orders
- Rachel's rolled back on the Non-Doms.....why?
This week:
- How will posterity look back on Joe Biden's four year term?
- What's Donald Trump lined up for the next four?
- And how does Rachel Reeves avoid the doom-loop of stagflation?
This Week:
- As markets sound the alarm are Rachel Reeves' plans in trouble
- Noises from across the pond are sending shockwaves through domestic political discourse. What are the long term consequences?
This week
- Ukraine, Gaza, Trump, and China - our take on 2025
- Working From Home raises it's head again - another heated debate
This week:
- A look back at 2024, the events, elections, and characters that emerged during the last twelve months
- How we fared on predictions
- Looking forward on the domestic front
This Week:
- Who are the WASPI Women and why might they feel betrayed by Sir Keir Starmer?
- Rumour has it that E;on Musk is about to open his chequebook to make a substantial donation to Nigel Farage's Reform - what are the implications ?
This week:
- Rachel Reeves Spending Review - what will it mean for government departments
- NATO are calling for 3% of GDP to be spent on defence - but why now?
- News from the British Retail Consortium tells a sorry story for Christmas on the high street - is it all doom and gloom?
This week:
- Keir's Milestones - charting the way ahead or millstones for the future?
- Football and Politics - as controversy erupts again within the higher echelons of the beautiful game, are sport and politics ever compatible?
This week:
- As the Government launches its Back to Work White Paper, we ask, will it work?
- With the goalpost forever moving, are the wheels coming off the electric vehicle revolution?
This week:
- Biden loosens the shackles on Ukraine using long-range weapons in Russia - we examine the implications
- Farmers are revolting - Rachel Reeves alterations to IHT bring the tractor boys (and girls) to Westminster
This Week:
- Wes Streeting's been outlining his NHS reforms - will they work?
- The Donald's been appointing his cabinet - we take a look at the characters
This week:
- Do we really need another conversation to fix the NHS?
- Two weeks left before the US decides between Harris and Trump - what's happening on the stump
- We preview Rachel Reeves' first budget, and speculate on what £50bn might be for
This week:
- Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer's big business summit in London
- As Kim Ledbetter's 'Assisted Dying' Private Member's Bill is debated in the Commons, we take a look at this emotive issue
This week:
- As the Middle East inexorably climbs the escalatory ladder, we examine recent events and ask, what next?
- The Tories have narrowed it down to four - we take a look at the visions the contenders for the leadership offered the faithful in Birmingham
This week
- After 14 years Labour celebrate their first party conference back in government - so why so gloomy?
- With talk of a ceasefire in the hostilities with Hezbollah, it only took Bibi a few hours to deflate the optimism - where to now?
This week:
- Sir Keir and Lady Starmer's sartorial excellence has hit the headlines. Why?
- With the Rwanda Plan in the dustbin of history, how's 'smashing the gangs' going?
This week:
- Are the wheels coming off the Labour/Business wagon, despite all the pre-election foreplay?
- Bans on outdoor smoking, over protective childcare, and breakfast clubs for kids - are we seeing the return of the Nanny State?
This Week:
- Having tightened the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Allowance is there anything the Chancellor can, or wants to do, to mitigate the surrounding furore
- Why now might be a good time to invest in an electric vehicle
This week:
- Sir Keir busy schedule...Downing Street Rose Garden, Berlin, and Paris. But why the continually gloomy prognosis - time for some hope?
- Having taken time out to lick their wounds subsequent to the worst defeat since WWII, the Tories are electing yet another leader. Who are the runners and riders, and what are their odds?
It hardly seems like yesterday that Sir Keir was walking through that famous black door, but it's over six weeks and time to have a look at what's been achieved.
Rachel Reeves has her first budget on 30th October and with more black holes than even Jean Luc Pickard could imagine how's she going to balance the books? Welook at the options.
This week
- As Ukraine launches a dramatic incursion in the Russian Kursk region, we discuss the rationale, likely response, and ultimate outcome
- With the ASLEF dispute on the railways looking to be over, we discuss the deal struck and what it means for industrial relations going forward
- After the devastating events in Southport, we discuss the subsequent unrest on Britain's streets and whether such behaviour can ever be justified
- As Rachel Reeves gets to grips with the books at the Treasury, we examine her first moves in trying to balance them
We're looking at what's been happening on the other side of the pond, and the tough decisions the new Chancellor has in her in tray
Sir Keir Starmer's first King's Speech.
- Pageantry
- Tradition, and
- The Legislative Highlights
This week:
- Rachel Reeves has been laying out how she's going to engender growth - We've had a look beneath the bonnet
- Wes Streeting has declared the NHS is broken - We explore what he's proposing to fix it
- And what seems like the annual Tory Leadership Contest is here again. Let the bloodletting commence. We explore the 'beauty parade'.....
We look back on a tumultuous night:
- What do the results mean for
- Labour - in Government for the first time in 14 years
- The Tories - another divisive leadership election imminent
- The Lib Dems - with their best result in over 100 years
- And Reform, with elected representation at Westminster for the first time
With only eight days until the electorate pass judgement, the heavyweights of the political world took to the stage in Birmingham, and slugged it out.
- Who took the most hits?
- Who was on the canvas?, and
- Were there any knockout blows?
General Election Special - Frome and East Somerset
What have the candidates standing for Frome and East Somerset got to offer?
In our third and final Frome Special we discuss local and national issues with Robin Moss (Labour) and Lucy Trimnell (Conservative)
General Election Special - Frome and East Somerset
What have the candidates standing for Frome and East Somerset got to offer?
In the second of our Frome Specials we discuss local and national issues with Gavin Heathcote (Independent), David Swain (Reform), and Shaun Hughes (Independent)
This Week
The Manifestos, Part 2
- Plaid Cymru
- The SNP
- Reform
And.....
- The Panorama Debate - Post Mortem
General Election Special - Frome and Somerset East
What have the candidates standing for Frome and Somerset East got to offer?
In the first of our Frome specials we discuss local and national issues with Anna Sabine of the Liberal Democrats, and Martin Dimery of the Greens.
Week 4:
- What happened in the Sky Debate - Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer and Beth Rigby....
- Exploring elements of the manifestos published to date - LibDems, Conservatives, Greens and Labour
Week 3 of our General Election coverage:
- D-Day 80 years on
- Nigel Farage throws his trilby in the ring
- Gladiators ready? A review of Sunak v Starmer
Week one of a six week slog
- Why Now?
- Campaign launches
- What's in-store
- The Lighter side
- Labour's Pledges, as the pre-election shadow boxing rolls on
- OECD predictions for the health of the British Economy
- How are we doing on sales of Electric Vehicles - we explore the figures
- After last weeks excitement we trawl through the embers and the fallout
Recorded before the recent local elections, but uploaded somewhat late due to technical problems with the broadband provider, this episode looks at:
- Predictions for the Local Elections
- Jeremy Hunt's plans to scrap National Insurance
With Rishi Sunak finally attaining Royal Assent for his Rwanda legislation, what are the chances of it working?
Those claiming benefits off the back of a mental health diagnosis have rocketed since the Pandemic - Rishi Sunak aims to cut the budget, and redefine the condition in doing so. Is it a serious attempt to tackle a growing problem?
The kaleidoscope of the Middle East has been shaken by developments over the last 14 days - the question is, where do we go from here?
Health legislation is set to divide the nation into those who can chose to smoke, and those who can't. Should public health trump an individuals' right to chose?
With new restrictions on immigration having taken effect, we explore the consequences.
From Profumo in the 60s, through to William Wragg today the honey trap continues to intrigue. Why
In December we made some predictions regarding current affairs for 2024. This week we review the first three months and see what's come to pass.....
This week
- As BBC Director General Tim Davie unveils their plans for the future, we take a look at the challenges they face
- Was Working From Home (WFH) just a flash in the Pandemic, or is it sustainable?
- As the crisis in NHS Dentistry intensifies, we explore possible solutions
- What's ticked off Jacob Rees-Mogg and 30p Lee?
Are the Conservatives setting up for another episode of regicide?
Do the numbers claiming sickness benefit suggest the criteria needs a reset?
Why is the Government redefining extremism
How are John Lewis performing
The latest from Russia's nuclear obsessed president
Unpacking what could be Jeremy Hunt's last budget before the election, and results from the American Primaries with a look at Trump's manifesto
Events in the Middle East are having serious repercussions on the streets of London and in the Mother of all Parliaments.
A major independent review of UK housing policy is less than complimentary
President Macron has raised the spectre of NATO troops on the ground in Ukraine
We explore the background to the ongoing Parliamentary position on the war in the Middle East.
Does Britain need a new Industrial Revolution to kickstart economic growth?
Getting to grips with the latest UK inflation and growth figures - are we in recession?
With funding for the war effort stalled in Washington, what's been happening in Ukraine
Climate change news, both on a national and international level.
Quickly becoming an election issue, we drill down on NHS dentistry
With the population predicted to hit 76 millions in the next decade we explore what the implications are
Stormont should be back in session by next week - we delve into the agreement that's made it possible
Jeremy Hunt has supposedly had to scale back tax cuts for the Budget in March. How much is true and how much posturing with a General Election due in the Autumn?
With more councils declaring section 114 notices, we explore the reasons and remedies.
Who are the Houthis? We delve into their origins, history, and what they hope to achieve.
With potential threats to the West from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran are calls for a return to conscription to be taken seriously?
Exploring problems in the Red Sea threatening international shipping; the ongoing Post Office saga; and Financial Exclusion on the high street
The starting pistol of an election year....we digest the offerings from Keir and Rishi by way of their New Year Messages
An update on interest rate movements, controversy over the resurrection of the Super League project, selling brands, and Christmas dinner in a war zone
What's happening to interest rates around the world, at home, and how it will affect the cost of living in the UK.
We're also revisiting what's happening in Ukraine, exploring developments and the prospects for peace
We cover the week's events including the continuing Rwanda debate, Robert Jenrick's resignation, and Boris Johnson's appearance at the Covid Inquiry
Should we be concerned about record levels of legal immigration? Plus, Matt Hancock gives evidence at the Covid Inquiry
Rishi's week from Hell as he's forced to sack his Home Secretary, while facing the indignity of having his 'Stop the Boats' scheme holed below the waterline by the Supreme Court
Delving into the agenda for the new session of Parliament, and a closer look at the controversy concerning pro-Palestinian marches in Central London
Reviewing the evidence given to the Covid Inquiry, while casting an eye over developments in the Middle East and Ukraine
We explore developments in the Middle East, the Home Secretary's spat with the Met, and the scrapping of limits on banker's bonuses
The latest from Israel and Gaza plus our take on the latest economic news from the UK, specifically wages and inflation figures
After the dreadful events of the weekend, we discuss what the ramifications are for Gaza, and the diminishing prospects for peace in the region.
Our coverage of the party conferences comes to a close as Labour wrap the season up in Liverpool.
After an interesting few days in Manchester we explore how the Tories are attempting to frame themselves as the party of change
Redwood, Elm, Cedar....why the Cabinet is obsessed with trees, and which Government policy has gone off the rails
We dissect the speech Liz Truss gave to the IFG (Institute for Government), and explore whether some policy ideas warrant discussion
We explore why Birmingham City Council have gone bust, and raise questions regarding this week's great prison break
We explore structural chaos in our classrooms as the new term approaches, and debate the virtues of working from home
We examine Sir Keir Starmer's new initiative on housing, and developments in Russia/Ukraine
Two recent polls have called into question the efficacy of Rishi Sunak's 'Five Priorities' - we explore how this strategy is panning out.
As Scotland's annual drug death figures are announced we look closer at how they're progressing in comparison to the rest of the UK and Europe
We delve into the economic crisis unfolding in china, and how small boats week has panned out for rishi sunak (5/1)
As Mel Stride grapples with getting over 50s to re-engage with work, we speculate on prosepctive success and how this fits with the overall labour shortage in the UK
We explore the one big story in town, both on an individual level and how confidentiality, the cornerstone of banking, has been called into question
As both major parties get cold feet on green issues we delve into what's being jettisoned or kicked into the long grass.
Michael Gove has reset the criteria for housing with a focus on brownfield sites. We explore the ambition and possible consequences
In this special edition, we give Rishi some options that might help salvage his Premiership
we look at the current state of the nhs and where it goes from here, and explore oracy - what it is, why it should be taught, and how sir keir's taken a liking
exploring the court of appeals decision on the government's rwanda plans and the difficulties being experienced by thames water
looking at the movements of uk interest rates, and what yevgeny prigozhin is doing (4/8)
Delving into the Parliamentary Privileges Committee's report on whether Boris misled the House, and if his Resignation Honours List could sound the death knell for the House of Lords, and for the current honours system in general (4/7)
we delve beneath the figures of an extraordinary recent poll, and navigate the atlantic declaration
exploring the long awaited ukrainian counter offensive, and closer to home the controversy over whatsapp messages, diaries and documents requested by the covid inquiry
we take a closer look at recent uk inflation figures, and explore the phenomenon of working from home
in a single subject, special edition, we take a look at progress on rishi sunak's five priorities, and sir keir starmer's five missions
we explore what's behind the bank of england's interest rate rise, it's effect on the economy, and kemi badenoch's spat with commons speaker sir lindsey hoyle
delving into the outcome of local elections in england, and the curious case of the kremlin drones
three people making the news this week - we dive into their respective stories, and discuss what each means for society
a closer look at the dominic raab affair, the problems facing the snp, and a failing obesity strategy
a deep dive into what's coming out of beijing, and the embarrassing leaks, ostensibly emanating from the pentagon
we lament the withdrawal of 'help to buy', and take a further look at developments surrounding the small boats controversy
turmoil in the banking market, johnson's turn for the privileges committee, and the xi/putin love-in
we delve into jeremy hunt's budget, and take a lingering look at the lineker affair's effect on broadcasting
we explore the trajectory of us interest rates, and focus on uk legislation trying and stop the small boats
we discuss concern on this side of the atlantic about the us inflation reduction act, and take an overview of the windsor framework's chances of success
a closer look at what's affecting gas prices, where they might be going, and what's driving the continuing turmoil.
as the snp leadership campaign opens with religious beliefs at the fore, we debate their relevance to the top job.
as the war in ukraine approaches it's first anniversary we take a look at the latest developments. we're also exploring possible movement on an agreement to amend the northern ireland protocol
we discuss what president zelensky wants from his whirlwind tour of european centres of power, while exploring whether more could have been done to limit the loss of life resulting from dreadful recent events in turkey
with the imf and bank of england reporting on the nations economic prospects we take an overview, while also taking the pulse of ongoing industrial action
with the industry going through a turbulent period, we take a look at the future and electric car usage in the uk; we're also delving deeper into honour in british politics against the background of the zahawi affair.
we take a closer look at the recent round of levelling up, what it means to the communities benefitting, together with gender reform in scotland and how it's stirred up the independence debate
the week we're looking at the state of pmq's, movements on the energy market, and initiatives with regard to the economically inactive
with both the prime minister and the leader of the opposition delivering new year speeches from the same industrial estate, we drill down into the policy offering and vision involved
as 2023 takes hold we look at president xi's decision to open up after tight covid controls, president putin's continued bombardment of ukraine in the context of an end-game, and, after the sad death of pele, the legacy of arguably the best footballer the world has ever seen
we continue to cover industrial unrest sweeping the nation, take a look at the supreme court's ruling on the government's rwanda scheme, and explore how jeremy clarkson's found himself in deep water
we explore the current industrial unrest, whether we are heading into a winter of discontent, and makes some suggestions as to how things might be resolved.
in addition, following on from england's return from qatar we look at the future for gareth and who might be in the wings
an exploration of pmq's and its' value in contemporary britain; are we heading for a winter of discontent and can it be avoided; in light of hsbc's recent decision we discuss the banks withdrawing from the high street
controversy at the fifa world cup in qatar, sir keir starmer at the cbi, and talk of a swiss style trade agreement with the eu.
Well he did it. Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement goes under the microscope.
We explore the tax, spend, and cutting implications of the most radical budget in a generation
In advance of jeremy hunt's autumn statement we provide our own versions, providing the rationale for certain choices.
We'll be back later in the week to examine the actual statement, and how we did predicting the contents.
a look at the controversy over gavin williamson, COP27, and the upcoming autumn statement
The ongoing controversy around the new Home Secretary together with our involvement with COP27
The drama of the Conservative Party leadership, and the role of Prime Minister, is back in focus again after Liz Truss announced resignation on Thursday.
With a truncated process and narrow field the three front runners are put under the microscope and we each plump for the nag we think will take take the coveted rosette.
With Prime Minister Liz Truss rapidly losing authority and the economy in a perilous state she's been forced to dispense with the services of her economic soulmate, Chancellor Kwazi Kwarteng.
We examine events in the lead-up, subsequent to that event, and what impact the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is having for individuals in light of threatened public sector cuts.
We also attempt to predict where those cuts might fall and/or increases to taxation occur.
Finally we look at how secure Liz Truss is in Downing Street and who the Conservatives might chose to replace her with should they chose to move
With the markets still unsettled, and talk in the Tea Rooms of usurping Liz Truss as Prime Minister, we explore what her options are and how long she's got to put an appropriate strategy into place.
It's been a heady week in Birmingham as the Conservatives have welcomed new leader and Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Following on from the Fiscal Event, presented by her Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, we take a look at how she's been received and
the mood music, after little more than a month of the new administration
As the repercussions from the 'Fiscal Event' roll on we examine why and how the markets reacted, what the PM and Chancellor might do now, and how the Party, MPs and general public are feeling.
With the Labour Party in buoyant mood after their Annual Conference in Liverpool, we discuss their prospects and how Sir Keir is faring with presenting them as a Government in waiting.
Kwazi Kwarteng our new Chancellor unveiled a 'Fiscal Event' today - previously known as a mini-budget - and sent sterling, and the markets into meltdown. We take a look at what's in it, why it's controversial, and how it might pan out for UK PLC
In what's been an historic week for the UK - ending with both a new Monarch and Prime Minister - we examine the emotional impact of Her Majesty's death, and the challenges faced by King Charles III to keep the institution relevant in contemporary Britain.
In other news we anticipate what might constitute the Government's Fiscal event at the end of the month, and explore the options available to President Vladimir Putin subsequent to Ukraine's success in their recent counter-offensive.
We examine the recent Government announcements on help to pay energy bills this winter.
Exploring the scope, cost, and how it's going to be funded, we also look to the future and how Britain intends to become self sufficient in energy.
With the Conservative leadership race entering it's final days we explore the runners and riders and speculate who might get the top jobs.
We investigate what qualities and qualifications the candidates have, and what makes them eminently suitable, or otherwise, to take responsibility
for the big departments of state.