Newscast

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Old Newscast, 2010 Election: Brown vs Cameron vs Clegg (Part 2) Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

Today, we look at the closest General Election of a generation as three party leaders faced their first national test.

There had been building speculation about when Labour Prime Minister Gordon would call the election after taking over from Tony Blair in 2007. When he eventually did, he faced the Conservatives’ David Cameron and Liberal Democrats’ Nick Clegg.

Adam is joined by Nick Robinson, who was the BBC’s political editor at the time, and Jo Coburn, who was presenting the Daily Politics.

In this second episode of two focussing on the campaign, they look at bigotgate - one of the most legendary campaign gaffes of modern times, as well as the first TV leaders debates.

It’s the latest of our special Old Newscast series looking back at the moments that shaped the course of modern political history in the UK.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Rosie Merotra. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Old Newscast, 2010 Election: Brown vs Cameron vs Clegg (Part 1) Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

Today, we look at the closest General Election of a generation as three party leaders faced their first national test.

Adam is joined by Nick Robinson, who was the BBC’s political editor at the time, and Jo Coburn, who was presenting the Daily Politics.

In this first of two episodes focussing on the campaign, they look at the fight to win the argument over how to try to help the country recover after the 2008 financial crash, and Nick reveals his scariest moment in the job.

It’s the latest of our special Old Newscast series looking back at the moments that shaped the course of modern political history in the UK.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Is The Ukraine War Entering A New Phase Of Aggression? Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Today, after a week of deadly strikes targeting factories and infrastructure is the War in Ukraine entering a new phase of aggression?

President Zelensky has appealed for more ballistic missile interceptors after twenty one people were killed in a night in Kyiv. Moscow fired 115 drones and 24 ballistic missiles. Most of the drones were shot down, but Kyiv's depleted air defences did not intercept any of the missiles.

In Moscow oil refineries and factories have been targeted by Ukrainian drones. An estimated £750m worth of goods were destroyed after Russia’s biggest online retailer, Wildberries, was hit last month. So has the war entered a new phase?

Adam is joined by Russia editor Steve Rosenberg and Ukraine Correspondent Dan Johnson

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Is AI Going Rogue? Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Today, are some of the world’s leading AI companies doing enough to stop their models from going rogue?

Facebook owner Meta has become the latest tech firm to say one of its AI models hacked another company. Similar breaches by OpenAI and Anthropic models have raised cyber-security concerns and prompted calls for tougher safeguards and more rigorous testing. Adam discusses with Professor Gina Neff, Head of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at the University of Cambridge and Ciaran Martin - Former CEO of The National Security Centre.

And the majority of England’s rivers and lakes have failed a new environmental review. Data from the Environment Agency shows only around one in seven are classed as being in good ecological condition. Despite a record £22bn earmarked for water company environmental improvements by 2030, the overall picture has changed little since 2019. Adam is joined by Environment Correspondent Matt McGrath.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris and Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Why Have The Conservatives Picked An Ex Neo-Nazi Council Candidate? Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

Today, we discuss the Conservative Party’s decision to select an ex neo-Nazi as a council election candidate in Somerset.

Joshua Bonehill-Paine spent three years in prison for posting antisemitic material ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally in 2015. While in prison, he was also convicted of racially harassing then-Labour MP Luciana Berger, who is Jewish.

Kemi Badenoch has defended the decision, saying he had been rehabilitated and was now "part of the fight against antisemetism". Adam is joined by political correspondent Joe Pike and home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford to discuss.

Adam and Joe also look at the other stories making headlines in UK politics. Andy Burnham‘s appeared on another podcast, Green Party leader Zack Polanski has been speaking about Green issues in a more direct way than we’ve often seen him during his tenure.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Why Does The Government Keep Releasing Prisoners Early? Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Today, there has been more criticism from victims’ families over plans to release some prisoners early.

Under the policy, due to begin in October, thousands of prisoners will be eligible to be released part way through their sentences. Ministers announced last night that prisoners guilty of rape, serious child sex offences and grooming will be excluded. Adam is joined by home and legal affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani and Pia Sinha former prison governor and chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust.

And, after a humbling few days for President Trump is he able to reclaim the initiative before the US midterm elections? Adam is joined by Americast’s Anthony Zurcher.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Could Reform Use The Navy To Stop Small Boats? Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Today, Reform have announced plans to use the Navy to stop small boat crossings. They suggest, that if they are elected, military personnel would accompany migrants back across the English channel, overriding French objections if necessary.

Their opponents have said the plans are unworkable and come at a time when the party has been under pressure. Nigel Farage has been facing questions about his handling of donations and the party’s finances have been under wider scrutiny.

James and Henry unpack the policy and look at why Reform has had a difficult summer.

Plus, what happened when around 60,000 migrants tried to cross into Spanish territory from Morocco in one go? James is joined by Aitor Hernández-Morales, senior reporter at Politico and Greg Holyoke, Middle East North Africa specialist for BBC Monitoring to discuss Thursday’s migration crisis in Ceuta.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was James Cook. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Jonathan Greer. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Old Newscast: The Rise Of David Cameron (Part 2) Aug 02, 2026

Show notes

Today, we look at David Cameron’s rapid rise to Conservative leader in 2005.

This is the second of six Old Newscasts looking at the story of 30 years of British politics through six votes.

In this two part episode we tell the story of how after another damaging election defeat the Conservatives were once again looking for a new leader. After years in the political wilderness could the Tories elect someone who could end New Labour?

Adam is joined by James Landale who was chief political correspondent of BBC News and George Eustice who was head of press for David Cameron.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Old Newscast: The Rise Of David Cameron (Part 1) Aug 01, 2026

Show notes

Today, we look at David Cameron’s rapid rise to Conservative leader in 2005.

This is the second of six Old Newscasts looking at the story of 30 years of British politics through six votes.

Adam is joined by James Landale who was chief political correspondent of BBC News and George Eustice who was head of press for David Cameron.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Is The World Cup For Sale? Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Today, an almighty bust up is happening in the world of football between Fifa and Uefa.

FIFA, who run the World cup, whose President Gianni Infantino recently announced a proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. UEFA, the governing body of European football, responded by calling an emergency meeting and the confederation unanimously voted in favour of a boycott should these plans go ahead.

Jane Dougall, BBC Sports News Presenter and Simon Jack, Business Editor join Adam to discuss Infantino’s proposal and what might happen next.

Plus, Hamas have agreed to President Donald Trump’s plans to disarm in Gaza. However the deal is contingent on Israel ending "all forms of aggression" and withdrawing its forces from Gaza. International Editor Jeremy Bowen joins Adam to discuss the latest developments on this story and what this might mean for the ongoing conflict.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Rosie Merotra. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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