The Leader: Recent Episodes
chris.stone@standard.co.uk
From the Evening Standard, a daily podcast that sets the evening's agenda. Taken from the newspaper's influential editorial column, hear exclusive insights and analysis from one of the most trusted newsrooms in the UK.
As the Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden writes for the Evening Standard to persuade Londoners to spend money at attractions in the city, our Business Consumer Editor Jonathan Prynn tells us why. He says this weekend is the last chance tourist traps that have been shut for the last 18 months have to bring in cash before everything closes again for the winter. We also discuss the dire straits of Theatreland, which is trying to battle back with a series of blockbuster openings like Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cinderella’. And we look ahead to the Festive season, when the city’s shops will be making the same appeal as they try to finish a horrendous 2021.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
A plea from Boris Johnson and other world leader for the US to extend its deadline for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan has been rebuffed by Joe Biden. To explain what’s happening, the Leader podcast spoke to Dr Julie Norman, deputy director of UCL’s Centre on US politics. She tells us that the White House’s decision is the first example of Biden’s foreign policy in action, in which he wants to work with allies but “basing the tough decisions on how he views US interests”. We also discuss whether Afghanistan will become an issue in the US midterm elections next year, and how the situation is playing out in neighbouring countries.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Marzia Babakarkhail is a former Afghan judge who fled Afghanistan when the Taliban targeted her for assassination during their first time in power in 1996.
In this edition of the Leader podcast, she tells us why she was targeted for her work helping divorced women and how she hid for five hours while nine Taliban soldiers ransacked her house looking for her.
In an extraordinarily powerful interview, she tells us how she fled that night in a terrifying nine hour car journey across the country and into Pakistan.
She now lives in the UK and says she fears for the friends she still has in her home country, but has hope that the people of Afghanistan will overcome “the darkness of this time.”
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil joins the podcast following his story revealing how several Tory MPs have joined the backlash against the government's once percent pay rise offer for NHS workers. Among
them is former health minister Dr Dan Poulter MP, who as a doctor has been working on the frontline in a central London hospital during the pandemic. He told The Standard the Government should consider an
inflation-matching pay rise and a one-off payment of at least two percent of salary to recognise the extraordinary work done by NHS staff in the last year.
Meanwhile, rumblings of industrial action are beginning to mount, and current health minister Nadine Dorries has suggested the government might "move" on the pay issue.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Talks have started between Britain and Greece which could pave the way for holidays this summer in the Mediterranean country. Greek tourism minister Harry Theoharis has revealed preliminary discussions are taking place including on “vaccine passports”. Our Deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil says Athens has been impressed by the UK's vaccine rollout, but the discussions may have been prompted by their dire economic situation.
He also warns the cost of a trip to Greece may be prohibitive for many, with it likely families of four facing an additional £1000 bill to cover quarantine costs on their return. Meanwhile, Covid-19 infection rates are tumbling in Britain but Boris Johnson's still resisting pressure to speed up the lifting of lockdown. Nicholas tells us that may be down to variations in the rate of infection across the country, and lingering fears of as yet unknown mutations.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
London’s public health director, Professor Kevin Fenton, reveals the findings of his study into the spread of coronavirus in London through the pandemic so far. He’s discovered that the capital’s Asian community was hardest hit in the second wave of the infection’s spread, and in this special edition of the podcast he explains why that may have happened.
Speaking to our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, he also reveals that more cases have been found in women than men, and discusses the ‘South African’ and ‘Kent’ variations of Covid-19.
He also tells us about when he hopes lockdown restrictions might start to be lifted, and pays tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, the Second World War Veteran who raised millions for the NHS and has died after testing positive for Covid.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Political editor Joe Murphy’s back on the podcast as it’s revealed the more contagious ‘South Africa’ variant of coronavirus has been found in parts of London and Sussex. More than 100 cases have been discovered so far and surge testing is underway in eight postcodes, with everyone over the age of 16 being encouraged to get one whether they’re showing symptoms or not. It comes as the government announces its secured 40 million doses of a vaccine from French firm Valneva. Joe says the Prime Minister’s confident the UK will be the first country in the world to stockpile jabs for use next year.
Also, our home affairs editor Martin Bentham discusses his interview with the Met’s deputy commissioner Stephen House, who says officers will continue “disproportionate” stop and searches of young black Londoners in an attempt to save lives. The robust defence of the Met’s approach came during a chat in which he also disclosed that around 300 knives a month were being seized during searches.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil joins us as the EU dramatically ramps up a vaccines row with demands jabs made in the UK are sent to them. It follows European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen demanding AstraZeneca publish its contract with the EU to deliver 300 million doses. The company’s done that, with redactions, but Nicholas tells us the fine print contradicts Ms von der Leyen’s claim that the agreement was “crystal clear.” He also says the UK government’s trying to stay out of the battle, which Brexiteers claim shows the country was right to leave Europe.
Also, economist and former trader Gary Stevenson explains what’s happening with Wall Street after struggling US retailer GameStop suddenly saw its share price rocket. He tells us how investors have been hit by a “classic short squeeze” and warns it will happen again as the effects of the covid pandemic start to hit economies.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
A special edition of the Leader looking at the decisions made by the government and others that have taken the UK past the 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths figure. Adapted from an Evening Standard article by Jonathan Prynn, we use interviews and archives to piece together what happened over the last 12 months and where things went wrong.From face mask controversies to the country’s obesity problem, we uncover a litany of issues that conspired together to pass that grim milestone. But we also highlight the progress being made including the new vaccines and the effect of the most recent lockdown to show there may be signs of hope emerging.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
After vaccination minister Nadhim Zahawi advised millions of us to delay booking a summer holiday, the Leader podcast speaks to travel consultant Paul Charles about the state of the industry. He tells us there is “no plan” from the government to help a sector already struggling after last season was cancelled by Covid, and predicts more airlines and travel agencies will collapse.
Paul also says so-called ‘quarantine hotels’ will be less effective in the UK than they have been in other countries and could lead to hundreds of millions of pounds being lost to the economy.
Also, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, joins the show as pressure grows on the government to deliver a blueprint on how schools will re-open. He says there appears to be a division between the Department for Education and Downing Street over the best way forward, which is causing confusion for teachers and parents.And he warns further delays risk harming young people’s confidence, as they wonder if there will be any classes at all this year.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Evening Standard’s political editor Joe Murphy tells us what the government’s planning with proposed ‘quarantine hotels’. Under plans being decided by ministers over the next 24 hours, some travellers will be put on buses and driven directly to isolation centres where they’ll stay for 10 days. Joe says there are divisions within the government over how stringently the rules should be applied, with some ministers wanting a blanket ban on all countries but others arguing it should only be applied to places known to have new dangerous mutations of the virus.
It comes as Boris Johnson warns he’s concerned about as yet undiscovered “vaccine-busting” variations of Covid making their way into the UK.
Also, the Michelin Awards are being held… but why? With restaurants across the country closed because of lockdown restrictions, some are wondering if the prestigious ceremony’s been rendered pointless by the pandemic.But our chief food critic, Jimi Famurewa says the prizes could bring a welcome spotlight to a beleaguered industry.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
To mark the launch of our YoungLondonSOS campaign, we’re joined by investigations editor David Cohen whose reporting has revealed how badly the pandemic has affected schoolchildren. 500,000 teenagers and children who had no mental health problems before the lockdowns will now need support in 2021 – that’s on top of the 1 in 6 already identified by the NHS.
The Evening Standard’s teaming up with Place2Be, a charity providing mental health support to schools. It currently works with 150 primary and secondaries in London. David tells us the campaign will help them “turbo-boost” expansion plans to double that figure by 2025, and how that will help the capital’s younger generation in a unique crisis.
The Standard is calling on its readers, as well as corporates and charitable foundations, to give generously. Every £100 you donate could deliver a whole school service to one vulnerable child for one year.
Go to standard.co.uk/YoungLondonSOS for more.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Evening Standard columnist Ayesha Hazarika says new US vice president, Kamala Harris, “represents the two things Donald Trump hates the most: women and people of colour”. She tells the Leader podcast, the Trump administration was “founded on racism” and Ms Harris’s arrival at the White House is “karmic justice” for four years of turbulence.
It comes as Joe Biden is inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States at a ceremony in Washington. But how will he work with a woman who attacked him, including over issues of race, when she was an opponent in his run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination?
Ayesha believes it was Ms Harris’s strength in those debates that most impressed Mr Biden, and the two of them have their work cut out to restore faith in the United States across the globe.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Evening Standard’s political editor, Joe Murphy, tells us why London may have turned a corner in the battle against coronavirus. We’ve learned case numbers for the infection are now falling in every one of the capital’s boroughs, in some cases up to 30 percent. But Joe also warns that, despite the good news, hospitals are still packed with record numbers of patients, and both the Health Secretary and Mayor of London are appealing for people “not to take their foot off the peddle”.
Also, we look at what the first 100 days of a Joe Biden presidency might look like. The man who beat Donald Trump will be inaugurated at a ceremony in Washington with unprecedented security, including extra vetting for the National Guard amid fears of an “insider attack.”Once he gets to the Oval Office, though, what will President Biden do?
We’re joined by Jack Kessler to look through the probable portfolio of executive orders and policy decisions that will be coming out of the White House from the very first day.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Evening Standard's Nicholas Cecil joins the show as pressure grows on the government to send more vaccine doses to London. It's emerged the city's delivered just one tenth of the jabs nationally, which mayor Sadiq Khan says has him "hugely concerned". But there appears to be hope on the horizon, with hospital admissions dropping and infections falling in some boroughs. Nicholas also discusses the possible threat of further lockdown restrictions, telling us the government's taking a 'wait and see' approach.
Also, from Washington, we're joined by The Hill's Capitol reporter Juliegrace Brufke who was in the building when the riots broke out. She describes a city nervous about the upcoming inauguration of Joe Biden, especially after Donald Trump's second impeachment. And she relives the moment the Capitol was breached, telling us how she texted her family while hiding from rioters.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Michael Gove appears to have contradicted the Prime Minister's suggestion that the new lockdown in England will end in February, by suggesting it'll be March before restictions are lifted. The Evening Standard's political reporter Sophia Sleigh tells us why the new rules may be in force longer than first thought, and how that's impacting the country's economy as well as morale.
And Netflix says Bridgerton was watched in 63 million households in the first four weeks of its release. Katie Rosseinsky says the period drama, which uses contemporary music and has a diverse cast, is among several to try shaking up the genre.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Our political editor Joe Murphy tells us why the “pitch is being rolled out” ahead of England being subjected to new, tougher, coronavirus restrictions. He says Boris Johnson’s been under huge pressure from within his own party, with former health secretary Jeremy Hunt among those calling for a national lockdown immediately. Meanwhile, education editor Anna Davis says headteachers are trying to work out how they can ever re-open schools, while the government continues to insist that exams will take place this year as planned.
And Julian Assange will not be extradited from the UK to the US, and the suicide of Jeffrey Epstein in an American jail is one of the reasons why. Our courts correspondent Tristan Kirk says a judge at the Old Bailey ruled the prison service Stateside wouldn’t be safe enough for Mr Assange, who the court heard has been suffering from depression while at Belmarsh.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Boris Johnson's rejecting calls for him to scrap the relaxation of coronavirus rules, instead telling the Commons he wants people to "exercise extreme caution". Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil says that's despite an alarming rise in cases, particularly in London. He also says Wales and Scotland are deviating from what was once a UK-wide agreed course, piling more pressure on the Prime Minister who refuses to budge.
And the Wonder Woman 1984 reviews are in, and it's almost universal praise for the superhero sequel. Our critic Charlotte O'Sullivan gives her verdict, and says in ordinary times it would be a huge hit. But these are not ordinary times, and it's controversially being released for streaming in the US at the same time as it goes into theatres.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
A public health chief's warning of the risk of London being plunged into Tier 3 restrictions as the squeeze on Covid-19 cases appears to be faltering. Professor Kevin Fenton, London director for Public Health England, has told the Evening Standard people must stick to social distancing and self-isolation rules ahead of the first weekend since lockdown was lifted. The Leader podcast talks to Dr Paul McKay, from Imperial College London, who warns that young people in particular appear to be being complacent about the disease, and may not appreciate just how badly it can affect even the healthy.
Also, theatre critic Nick Curtis tells us about being in a live audience again, after seeing a performance of A Christmas Carol at the Bridge Theatre. He also talks about his delight that some, although not all, of London's Pantomime's will be going ahead under Tier 2 restrictions, saying it's one of this county's "only indigenous art-forms".
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
International organisations involved in distributing Covid-19 vaccines have been targeted by possible state-linked cyber spies, according to IBM. The US tech giant says it's uncovered a “global phishing campaign” it believes started in September. We speak to security expert Professor Alison Wakefield who says there's been a rise in hacking attempts during the pandemic, and this latest one looks like it came from a nation state.
Also, the Evening Standard's launched its Shop London campaign to encourage our readers to support our great city by shopping local this Christmas. Shopping editor Ellie Davis joins the podcast to explain what we're doing, and how to get up to fifty percent off participating brands. Find out more here.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
A Covid-19 jab has been approved in Britain. The UK is believed to be the first country in the world to give the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine approval and it will be available across the country from next week. Our health editor, Ross Lydall, says it's going to be a "challenge" to get the injection to everyone who wants it, but hospitals in London are being prepared right now. He also says doctors and government ministers are insisting "no corners have been cut" in ensuring the safety of the vaccine, despite the speed in which it's been prepared.
And, London has sprung back to life on a frenzied “Wild Wednesday” of shopping and eating out after the four-week lockdown to control Covid-19 infections ended at one-minute past midnight. The capital returned to Tier 2 status that allowed “non-essential” retailers to open again as well as restaurants and pubs that serve drinks with a “substantial meal”. We speak to the editor of the Evening Standard's Reveller pages, David Ellis, who says people have been missing the "sense of occasion" that going out can bring, but warns even with a busy few weeks ahead some establishments may still close in the spring.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In four weeks, new laws will end the decades-old duty free regime for travellers from outside the EU. The result will be to make shopping here 20 per cent more expensive for them. Our city editor Jim Armitage has written an open letter to Rishi Sunak, urging the chancellor to drop the plans. He argues they will wreck the hospitality and retail sectors at a time when they need customers most.
Also, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas is You' is as much a Christmas classic as Jingle Bells, but it's never been to number 1 in the UK charts. This year, it looks like it will finally hit the top spot, but what's the story behind it. We speak to the Evening Standard's Jochan Embley who reveals the heart-breaking reason the singer loves the Festive season so much, and why the song is so important to her.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
A Scotch egg may amount to a “substantial meal” so ordering one in a pub or restaurant could entitle people to drink alcohol under Covid-19 rules. Environment Secretary George Eustice has said provided it was served as part of table service, he believes it would meet the criteria to be allowed to drink alcohol in pubs or restaurants in Tier 2. But our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil says Downing Street doesn't seem so certain. Meanwhile, he also tells us why the latest figures for coronavirus infection in London appear to how the city's heading in the right direction.
Also, shops could stay open 24 hours a day in the run-up to Christmas in a Government bid to boost England’s ailing high street. We speak to the CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association, Andrew Goodacre, who says even though smaller stores don't have the resources to stay open all night, extra hours might help some of them get through 'the most important December ever'.
And, Rita Ora has apologised for “breaking the rules” to attend a “small gathering with some friends” to celebrate her 30th birthday. The pop star reportedly held a private event at Casa Cruz restaurant in Notting Hill, west London, on Saturday. The Evening Standard's Lizzie Edmonds says Rita's also volunteered to pay the maximum possible fine for breaking lockdown rules, despite not being charged with anything.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The UK’s home-grown Covid vaccine is “highly effective” — and the first Britons are expected to receive it by the end of the year. Oxford University says its vaccine was found to be up to 90 per cent effective in preventing people falling seriously ill with coronavirus. Our deputy political editor says rollout is due to begin "within weeks" but the government has a job on its hands to make sure everyone who should take it actually does.
Also, London appears to be heading for a return to Tier 2 restrictions when lockdown ends - but it'll feel like Tier 3. Pubs and restaurants are still due to face strict new measures, with businesses in Tier 2 having to serve sit-down meals with any drinks. That's not good news for bars like the Dodo Micropub in Ealing, which doesn't serve meals. Its bos, Lucy Do, tells us that it's "the worst" outcome for them at the end of a heartbreaking year.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Mouthwash can kill coronavirus within 30 seconds of being exposed to it in a laboratory, a scientific study has found. The preliminary result comes ahead of a clinical trial into whether using over-the-counter mouthwash could to reduce the levels of Covid-19 in a patient's saliva. We speak to Professor Damien Walmsley, from the British Dental Association, who says the latest research from Cardiff University now joins a growing body of evidence that mouthwash can kill coronavirus. He explains how it works, and why the government should include dental hygiene in its anti-Covid messaging.
Also, Barack Obama's revealed the 'Presidential Playlist' he says he used to get him through his time in the Oval Office. With tracks like Aretha Franklin's 'The Weight' and BB King's 'The Thrill is Gone' has he revealed what it's really like to be President? We talk to Professor John Street who has written a book on the connection between music and politics. He tells us how global leaders use their favourite tunes to help shape their public brand, and has anything like that Love Actually scene with Hugh Grant dancing in Downing Street ever really happened?
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Dominic Cummings has left Downing Street, but will he really have no influence over the government in future? We speak to Peter Cardwell, a former special advisor who worked with, and was fired by, Mr Cummings to find out what he's really like and what his legacy will be. Peter tells us Boris Johnson now has an opportunity to "reset Downing Street" and predicts a big reshuffle.
Also, Evening Standard political reporter Sophia Sleigh gives us the reaction from Westminster. Who's being lined up as a potential replacement, and what will a new approach for the government actually look like?
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Boris Johnson’s Downing Street operation's been thrown into turmoil following the dramatic resignation of his communications chief Lee Cain. We speak to our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil who explains how the departure was forced by an apparent power struggle involving both the new press secretary Allegra Stratton and the Prime Minister's partner Carrie Symonds. He also says Dominic Cummings is facing calls from within the Conservative party for him to quit too. But the resignations couldn't come at a worse time, with Brexit negotiations bearing down on Mr Johnson, and a change in the political landscape following Donald Trump's US election loss.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
A row over a statue dedicated to feminist icon Mary Wollstonecraft is continuing, with protesters now covering up the silver sculpture featuring a naked woman in London. The artist behind it, Maggi Hambling, has told the Evening Standard she thinks some people are "missing the point", and it does have its defenders. We speak to historian Dr Christina Faraday who tells us why she thinks it works as a thought-provoking piece of art, and says there are lots of statues of naked men out there, too.
And, Joe Wicks has told the Evening Standard he's "tired" as he picks up his PE classes for children in the second lockdown. The body coach has spoken to Susannah Butter, who tells us how the new level of stardom he achieved the first time round has led to him looking for more control and privacy in his life. She also says he's determined to carry on, taking on an exhausting challenge for Children in Need which will see him exercise for 24 hours, with just short breaks to go to the toilet and eat.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock's confirmed the UK's coronavirus vaccination programme could begin "from the start of December", but our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil says it won't be available to everyone straight away. He also says a second vaccine, being researched in Oxford, could be just weeks away from being ready. As the world breathes a sigh of relief with the end of the coronavirus era in sight, Nicholas warns the UK government says it's not over yet.
And, it's been widely reported that Dominic West’s marriage to Catherine Fitzgerald is “as good as over”. The 51-year-old star of the Affair is said to have admitted his “feelings” for 31-year-old actress Lilly James. The Evening Standard's Katie Law says the story of an older man leaving for a younger woman has been told many times, but in the modern age it's the wife who turns out to be the big winner.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.