Home Podcasts The Bunker – News without the nonsense
The Bunker – News without the nonsense

The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Podmasters 1840 Episodes Jul 24, 2026

The Bunker is a daily news podcast that cuts through the noise to explain what's really happening in politics, current affairs, economics, and culture. It features smart explainers, interviews, and under-reported stories, offering a refreshing alternative to typical news coverage. The show is hosted by a rotating team of journalists and commentators including Gavin Esler, Ros Taylor, and Andrew Harrison. It is produced by Podmasters, the same team behind Oh God, What Now?

Episodes

Did Burnham’s first week go to plan? – Weekly Wrap-Up with Seth Thévoz
Did Burnham’s first week go to plan? – Weekly Wrap-Up with Seth Thévoz Jul 24, 2026 27:32 Looking back on the big stories of the past seven days… Did Andy Burnham’s first week as PM go as planned? A raging Elon Musk says he’s going to make his own Odyssey with A.I. and it’ll be better than Christopher Nolan’s and he’s not mad, OK?? (Plus bonus Musk interview from The Economist). Donald Trump brings back his election interference claims, this time pointing fingers at China. And an OpenA
How The Odyssey conquered the culture war whiners
How The Odyssey conquered the culture war whiners Jul 23, 2026 25:39 “You can’t have a black Helen of Troy!” “You can’t have trans actors as Greek warriors!” Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of The Odyssey answered the far-right hecklers and Elon Musk fanboys with a colossal opening weekend and critical acclaim. But is it truly a masterpiece? Does it capture the essence of Homer’s epic poem or simplify and Hollywoodise it? And what does the movie leave ou
Turning France fascist? – Inside the Le Pen dynasty
Turning France fascist? – Inside the Le Pen dynasty Jul 22, 2026 32:18 Marine Le Pen is expected to make her fourth run at the French presidency sporting a unique accessory: an ankle tag. The scandal-plagued National Rally leader has gained ground with each attempt and the far-right may never have been so close to power. So how did we get here? From the Dreyfus affair and the collapse of the French military in WW2 to the rise of the Le Pen dynasty, Enda O’Doherty – a
The Clacton Job – Inside Farage’s “anti-establishment” con
The Clacton Job – Inside Farage’s “anti-establishment” con Jul 21, 2026 27:13 Nigel Farage launched a “people versus establishment” by-election in Clacton – but which side is he REALLY on? The Reform leader claims to speak for ordinary people but the privately-educated former banker has pocketed over £2 million in outside earnings since becoming an MP, accepted a £5m gift from a crypto mega-donor and has taken more cash from “Posh” George Cottrell – a convicted fraudster. I
Burnham: Harder, better, faster, stronger? — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler
Burnham: Harder, better, faster, stronger? — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler Jul 20, 2026 27:17 Burnham is finally going to become Prime Minister – but can he really move faster than his predecessor? And will simply communicating better make all that much difference? Gavin Esler joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss this and the other key stories to look out for this week.www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Gavin Esler. Audio production: SimonWilliams. Managing Edito
England fail heroically, Reform stoke anger, Starmer’s farewell – Weekly Wrap-up with Zoë Grünewald
England fail heroically, Reform stoke anger, Starmer’s farewell – Weekly Wrap-up with Zoë Grünewald Jul 17, 2026 26:50 Looking back on the big stories of the past seven days… An astonishing World Cup rollercoaster ends in crushing disappointment for England against Argentina – but it all seems unimportant next to the repercussions from the horrific killing of Ann Widdecombe. Are Reform’s claims that rival parties and the media are “inciting” violence making a tense situation worse? Plus, Keir Starmer opens his far
The truth about Palantir
The truth about Palantir Jul 16, 2026 31:54 It’s been branded “the scariest company on the planet” and it is busy weaving itself into the fabric of Britain’s NHS, defence establishment and beyond. Peter Thiel’s Palantir has a terrible reputation – but do its products even work as billed? As MPs call for Palantir’s £330m NHS contract to be scrapped and fears grow over Big Brother-style data sharing, we talk to Democracy for Sale founder
Who’s really paying your MP?
Who’s really paying your MP? Jul 15, 2026 27:31 Nigel Farage is under fire over his £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire – but does British politics have a wider money problem? MPs earn a salary of just shy of £100,000 but for many that's just a sliver of the total pay packet. Side hustles, political gifts and personal donations can add millions more a year. So how does it all work – and where’s the line? Dr. Sam Power of the University of
Star Wars – Why our obsession with star ratings is ruining everything
Star Wars – Why our obsession with star ratings is ruining everything Jul 14, 2026 26:46 “Please rate this book.” “What was your experience at Tesco like?” “Did this carrot meet your expectations?”… Star ratings are everywhere and they’re ruining the world. You can’t order a curry, watch a film or buy a kettle without having to check what others said about it – and being pestered to give your review. We’ve turned the entire planet into a customer satisfaction survey, but how did
Widdecombe murder, Burnham to become PM – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr
Widdecombe murder, Burnham to become PM – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr Jul 13, 2026 29:33 Setting up the stories of the next seven days… Police say there is no reason to suspect that the murder of Anne Widdecombe was politically motivated, but it’s not stopping Nigel Farage and Reform from trying to weaponise the killing. Plus, what’s on Andy Burnham’s plate as he prepares to move into No.10? The hard right lose their sense of humour over Count Binface. The US and Iran are at it again.
Farage’s farce, Trump's truce and Harry’s hacking loss – Weekly Wrap-up with Alex von Tunzelmann
Farage’s farce, Trump's truce and Harry’s hacking loss – Weekly Wrap-up with Alex von Tunzelmann Jul 10, 2026 31:26 Nigel Farage’s by-election stunt has blown up in his face – but could he really lose to Count Binface? Donald Trump has gone back to bombing and declared the Iran ceasefire “over”. Will this Groundhog Day ever end? And Prince Harry lost his landmark privacy case against the Daily Mail’s publisher – will more cases follow or is this it? Alex von Tunzelmann joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the biggest,
Hot Take Time Machine – Britpop Burnham, ‘eat the ponies!’ and kinky cruises with Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge
Hot Take Time Machine – Britpop Burnham, ‘eat the ponies!’ and kinky cruises with Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge Jul 9, 2026 35:20 Columnists need critics too… Hot Take Time Machine is back with Paper Cuts alumni Miranda Sawyer, Jonn Elledge and Jacob Jarvis picking apart the most bizarre takes in the op-edaverse.  On this episode: Andy Burnham’s wardrobe causes a stir, Kwasi Kwarteng – yes, the man who nearly exploded the economy – warns against “Red Ed” Miliband becoming chancellor, one Telegraph columnist has a s

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