Understand

Latest Episodes:

Derailed: The Story of HS2: 3. That can’t be right Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

As specific plans for HS2 were announced, protestors quickly sprang into action, forming campaigning groups and arguing for the line to be fundamentally re-thought. They saw HS2 as an industrial eyesore rammed through the heart of some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside. Communities all along the proposed line were staring down the barrel of massive disruption, from the compulsory purchase of family homes and farms, to the ruination of local ecosystems. A movement was forming, and beginning to define the project in the public eye.

Presenter: Kate Lamble Producer: Robert Nicholson Executive Producer: Will Yates Sound Design and Mix: Arlie Adlington A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

Derailed: The Story of HS2: 2. Mutually assured exaggeration Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

As the designs for HS2 took shape, the new team behind it set out to prove its value to Ministers and MPs. But as Kate hears, long term flaws were being baked into the project, with an economic justification that centred on outdated assumptions. And, as the designers sought to make the justification, they adjusted the design - making it more expensive. The focus on speed was exciting - but it also distracted from the line’s real purpose. The initial vision was becoming more muddled by the minute. Presenter: Kate Lamble Producer: Robert Nicholson Executive Producer: Will Yates Sound Design and Mix: Arlie Adlington A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

Derailed: The Story of HS2: 1. The Railwayman Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Kate meets Andrew McNaughton, the man who, in 2009, was given the task of sitting down with a blank piece of paper and designing a new high speed rail line. Ministers across the political aisle were aware of the desperate need for a capacity boost on the creaking West Coast Mainline; and looking for a jolt of optimism in the wake of the financial crash. It was the first new line north of London in over 70 years, and Andrew was venturing out into uncharted territory; he set out to design a futureproof, ambitious solution that would be the envy of the world. Presenter: Kate Lamble Producer: Robert Nicholson Executive Producer: Will Yates Sound Design and Mix: Arlie Adlington A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

Derailed: The Story of HS2: Trailer Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Kate Lamble investigates the extraordinary inside story of Britain's most ambitious and controversial rail project. Listen first on BBC Sounds from Monday 14 July 2025

The UK Election: 10. What Happens on Election Day? Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

Understand the UK Election is a simple 10-part guide to everything that is going on in the election, hosted by Adam Fleming.

In this episode, it's all about what happens at the end of the campaign and what everything has been building up to – election day! All you need to know from what happens when the polls open to when we can expect the first results, and how a government is formed.

Hosted by Adam Fleming, from Newscast and AntiSocial with BBC News presenter Reeta Chakrabarti one of the team hosting election night coverage on BBC 1, and Henry Zeffman the BBC’s Chief Political Correspondent who will be on BBC 5 Live and Radio 4 overnight. Also featuring a special message from Peter Snow - the man who was in control of the BBC’s Swingometer for decades.

Producers: Alix Pickles and Alex Lewis

Production Manager: Janet Staples

Editor: Sam Bonham

The UK Election: 9. How Does the Election Differ Across the UK? Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Understand the UK Election is a simple 10-part guide to everything that is going on in the election, hosted by Adam Fleming.

In this episode, how the election plays out differently across the country and the big impact that the smaller nations that make up the United Kingdom can have on the election outcome.

The host is Adam Fleming, from Newscast and AntiSocial, with James Cook, BBC Scotland Editor, Catrin Haf Jones, Political Correspondent for BBC Wales and Enda McClafferty, BBC Northern Ireland Political Editor.

Producers: Alix Pickles and Alex Lewis

Production Manager: Janet Staples

Editor: Sam Bonham

The UK Election: 8. What’s the Media’s Role in an Election? Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Understand the UK Election is a simple 10-part guide to everything that is going on in the election, with Adam Fleming.

In this episode, from the front pages of the press to the televised debates; why does what the media says matter and how has social media changed things?

This episode was hosted Adam Fleming, from Newscast and AntiSocial, with David Yelland, former editor of The Sun newspaper and host of Radio 4’s When it hits the fan podcast, and Katie Razzall, the BBC’s News Culture & Media Editor and host of The Media Show also on Radio 4. Also featuring broadcaster and host of many election debates, David Dimbleby.

Producers: Alix Pickles and Alex Lewis

Production Manager: Janet Staples

Editor: Sam Bonham

The UK Election: 7. What Can Polling Predict? Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Understand the UK Election is a simple 10-part guide to everything that is going on in the election, with Adam Fleming.

In this episode, what do polls actually tell us? What can we learn when the polls get it wrong? And do people really tell the truth about who they are intending to vote for?

This episode was hosted Adam Fleming, from Newscast and AntiSocial, with Professor Jane Green, Director of the Nuffield Politics Research Centre at Oxford University, co-director of the British Election Study and President of the British Polling Council.

Producers: Alix Pickles and Alex Lewis

Production Manager: Janet Staples

Editor: Sam Bonham

The UK Election: 6. How Important Are Marginal Seats? Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Understand the UK Election is a simple 10-part guide to everything that is going on in the election, with Adam Fleming.

Seats with slim majorities have played a big part in determining the outcome of the election in recent years, but how will constituency boundary changes affect this? What impact can tactical voting and electoral pacts have? And how safe are ‘safe seats’ really?

This episode was hosted Adam Fleming, from Newscast and AntiSocial, with Alex Forsyth, political correspondent and host of Any Questions, and Peter Barnes, the BBC’s senior elections and political analyst.

Producers: Alix Pickles and Alex Lewis

Production Manager: Janet Staples

Editor: Sam Bonham

The UK Election: 5. How Do You Make Sure Voting Runs Smoothly? Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

Understand the UK Election is a simple 10-part guide to everything that is going on in the election, hosted by Adam Fleming.

In this episode; changes to Brits abroad being able to vote, voter ID rules explained, dogs at polling stations and why pencils, not pens, are used to cast your vote.

Hosted by Adam Fleming, from Newscast and Anti-Social, with Vijay Rangarajan, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission.

Producers: Alix Pickles and Alex Lewis

Production Manager: Janet Staples

Editor: Sam Bonham

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