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Episode details

Radio 4,16 Jul 2026,59 mins

Biggest local government shake-up in half a century

PM

Available for 29 days

In a shake-up of local government, 134 councils will be replaced by 38. They say it will help devolve power to local areas - but opposition parties accuse the government of gerrymandering. We hear from a local leader who says he won't cooperate. Andy Burnham prepares for government - but who should he appoint in his Cabinet? We hear advice from Alastair Campbell. The US Secretary of War highlights a new tool to boost the strength of his troops: testosterone. We examine the science. Ukraine is in the midst of political argument over President Zelensky's surprise replacement of the Defence Minister. A pollster tells us about Ukrainian public opinion. And Claudia Winkleman pulls out of her BBC chat show after just one series. We hear why TV talk shows are so tricky.

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