Friday Drivetime

BCfm’s weekly politics show presented by Tony Gosling

At five: discussing the big stories in Bristol, Britain and around the world
After six: straight talking and investigative reports with Martin Summers and Marina Morris

For all the shows back to Easter 2009 visit the Friday Drivetime archive page.

First hour: Defence secretary Liam Fox resigns after lying to parliament & allowing secret arms deal broker Adam Werrity to run a shadow foreign policy with his charity Atlantic Bridge which was funded by a corporate intelligence firm, hedge fund boss, an Israeli arms tycoon and others. NHS privatisation and the ‘arms length’ approach of future Health ministers; future of nuclear power in Bristol & Britain after Fukushima disaster; Shelter report, private rents are unaffordable in 55% of local authorities in England; Lords communication committee hears evidence from The Guardian’s Nick Davies who warns that journalists only have one third of the time they need to write stories and warns of ‘information chaos’ to come; time is up for Bristol’s pubs as they close at the rate of one every three weeks; news review with Cllr Ron Stone (Lab).
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Second hour: Conservative MPs Jack Lopresti and Chris Skidmore cancel three appearances each on this show plus Bristol NHS chiefs Ruth Brunt & John Savage and Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Colin Port also repeatedly refuse to appear, exploration of possible reasons why. US Occupy Wall Street campaign hears from Roseanne Barr, Michael Moore and Joe Stiglitz. Former banker Michael Hudson looks at a the failure of the left to propose state control of banking. South London gangster Charlie Richardson walks out of jail straight into a job in the City of London – organised crime in the Metropolitan police, government & City of London – extract from The History of Organised Crime by David Southwell. Martin Summers’ world news roundup – Alexander Litvinenko inquest opens in London, Was there really a plot to assassinate Saudi Arabian ambassador to US? Egyptian military orchestrating sectarian violence between Coptic Christians and Muslims. EU recognises Syrian resistance movement in Syria. Plan to occupy the London Stock Exchange and Bristol’s College Green tomorrow. Money reform: Bromsgrove group this weekend and Positive money conference on Saturday 29th October. Discussion on the state of the region’s roads and driving as the most common social interraction – as pubs and libraries close – with Sherry Townsend.
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Link to my three hour BCfm music show for John Peel Day 2011 – Tuesday 11th October 9pm to midnight.
Backup & track listing for hours 1, 2 and 3