CakeWatch
76 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsSteve - @guitarmoog - and Chris - @ottocrat - investigate cakeism: the philosophy of having your cake and eating it, as preached and practised by the British government in its approach to Brexit. Each week, we explore the latest developments as we head towards Brexit and spend time wading through the weeds from the perspective of two long-standing Brussels and UK government insiders. Our aim: to inform you, our listeners, about EU realities and so, hopefully, to equip you to spot lies and to thwart attempts to manipulate you. There may be swearing. We are regularly joined by guests and occasionally by special guest co-hosts.
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Episodes
Episode 72: The Four-Letter Guest
October 06, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 78.7 MBSteve is back, but as a guest, and joined by Ian Dunt to reflect on what makes a liberal, how to win the culture war, and whether we remember anything from our undergraduate days. Swearing. Buy Ian Dunt's new book, How To Be A Liberal, from Canbury Press. (https://www.canburypress.com/products/how-to-be-a-liberal-by-ian-dunt-hardback-isbn9781912454419) Audio clips from Patrick Tull's reading of Treason's Harbour by Patrick O'Brian Special Guests: Ian Dunt and Steve Bullock.
Episode 71: Specific and Limited Return
September 23, 2020 05:00 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBChris and Garvan Walshe catch up on how they handled lockdown, what to expect next, and what has changed since they last recorded the podcast together, in November 2018. Just as it did two years ago, the Northern Ireland backstop features heavily in Lie of the Week. Also, will the Conservative Party have the good sense to ditch its current leader? Special Guest: Garvan Walshe.
Episode 70: Our Friends In The North
March 04, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBAlviina Alametsä (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/204335/ALVIINA_ALAMETSA/home#detailedcardmep) is a Green Party MEP from Finland. She took up her seat only in February 2020, after it was vacated by a departing UK MEP. Cakewatch likes to think that she took one previously occupied by a Faragist. Alviina's particular policy interests are public mental health and conflict resolution, so who better to talk about tackling the Brexit aftermath? Alviina draws on her own experience as a survi...
Episode 69: Back to the Future
February 04, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 58 MBTrade expert David Henig joins the podcast again for our first survey of the post B-day wreckage. With the EU and the UK apparently offering different visions of their future relationship, which one is the more realistic? Hahaha no seriously, which? Special Guest: David Henig.
Episode 68: One Thousand Days
January 22, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 71.1 MBFor our final podcast before Brexit, we're joined again by Tanja Bueltmann to talk about coping strategies, Steve's album of ambient prozac, and the ongoing work to support EU citizens in the UK as they face mounting hostility and an unforgiving bureaucracy. You can get Steve's album here, and become an EU Citizens' Champion (https://eucitizenschampion.allwelcome.org/en/donations/supporter/27/one-thousand-days/). We're dedicating this episode to the memory of our friend and colleague Andy Bar...
Episode 67: We Raged Against the Lying of the Right
December 16, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBThe aftermath. Rather than wallow in despair we look back on a fight well fought, and the friends that have joined us on the podcast. We also reflect a little bit on what the future will bring. It's not pretty, so we need to find strategies to help us through the dark times ahead. Thank you to all our guests who have helped us out on the podcast over the last 67 episodes: Alyn Smith Andy of Remainer Now Axel Antoni David Henig Dmitry Grozoubinski Garvan Walshe Ian Bond Jason Knoll Jim Corneli...
Episode 66: Goodnight and Good Luck
December 11, 2019 05:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBWe cut to the chase. Nothing is more important than this. On Thursday, vote for the candidate most likely to beat Boris Johnson. Because if you don't, if he wins, our country will become unrecognisable. This will be the defining battle of our culture war.
Episode 65: Vote Early Vote Often Vote Tactically
December 03, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBBrexit flowchart hero and EU Twitter legend Jon Worth joins Chris this week to take a deeper dive into tactical voting in the UK's general election - where is a tactical vote needed, how to work out where a tactical vote should go, and what might happen? All in the service of depriving Boris Johnson of a working majority and so keeping our hopes of remaining in the EU alive. Jon and Chris also reflect on their experiences of living and working in the EU and observing the way other EU countrie...
Episode 64: Centrist Unicorn Hunt
November 19, 2019 07:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MBSteve studied moral philosophy. (So did Chris but he doesn't get a word in edgeways.) We look at the ethics of tactical voting in the 2019 general election, and why you should hold your nose and vote for a candidate from a party you might not endorse as a party of government. Not just because you want to Remain in the EU, but also because you want to avert a catastrophic Johnson majority and engineer a situation where your first and second order goals might, just might, see the light of day. ...
Episode 63: Honey Badger
October 21, 2019 16:45 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBLaura's kitchen table is once again the scene of a cosy chat about our favourite things: Brexit, Boris Johnson, his so-called new deal, and the wholesale attack on citizens' rights. For light relief we join four Remainers Now standing in the rain outside the European Commission's headquarters and hear from them why they've made the journey to Brussels and what they want to achieve here. This podcast was brought to you by a large gin and tonic. Jamie Susskind, author of Future Politics (https:...
Episode 62: Rally For Our Rights
October 10, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBNicky James, aka Bloke from Barnsley, joins us to talk about the Rally For Our Rights taking place in London this coming weekend. Plus some further reflection on how it is that the Westminster bubble still can't read the other side, despite them being an open book. Brexit is a necessary crisis (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/09/brexit-crisis-global-capitalism-britain-place-world?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium=&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1570599167) - opinion piece...
Episode 61: Brexit is a Legacy Issue
October 01, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 45.4 MBChris is back from Tashkent with a head full of musings. How badly does the EU want the UK to leave? Quite badly, he thinks. Steve sort of agrees. But this week's unicorn chaser is the imminent collapse of the Bannonite populist project on both sides of the Atlantic. Steve sort of disagrees. Rafael Behr's excellent analysis piece in the Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/01/boris-johnson-eu-prime-minister-brexit?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) Rally 4 Our Rights (https://www...
Episode 60: Bettel The Devil You Know
September 17, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBJohnson says he has a deal that might fly but he won't show it to anyone yet, because it's too soon isn't it? [turns head, stares at camera] Is the EU losing patience? Xavier Bettel looks as if he has. What are the implications for Remainers? Plus we have a half-hearted go at a making verbal Jon Worth flowchart (https://jonworth.eu/brexit-what-next/) on the fly - what are the scenarios from here on out? And - we can dream - what happens the morning after revocation? Don't forget the Rally 4 O...
Episode 59: Rentrée
September 04, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBAfter a long absence, Steve is back co-hosting the podcast and here we all are again: parliament versus executive. Does Cummings have a grand strategy? Or is Johnson flying by the seat of his pants and about to crash? After a long evening watching Parliament TV, we catch up with each other and wonder where this shaggy dog story will go next. Our rights are under immediate and serious threat from Brexit and Boris Johnson: join us on 12 October and Rally 4 Our Rights (https://www.r4or.co.uk)! A...
Episode 58: Transatlantic Perspective
August 05, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 59 MBChris is joined by Jason Knoll who teaches high school students in Verona, Wisconsin. His particular interest is the European Union, and he brings his particular point of view to the podcast in a discussion about Trump, Johnson, populism, and grassroots politics. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EA4nCIZWwAETmR0?format=jpg&name=4096x4096 Cakewatch will be back in September. Special Guest: Jason Knoll.
Episode 57: Act Three Scene Three
July 23, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 66 MBFormer Tory Party insider Peter Wilding is back on an historic day for his old party and for the UK. We reflect on the realisation of Boris Johnson's ambition and how he'll handle his poisoned chalice; the Jacobins are now in charge and the next hundred days will be... eventful. Plus a few reflections on the European election and on the EU top jobs. Special Guest: Peter Wilding.
Episode 56: Montagegate
June 25, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour - 71.4 MBChris and Steve Analyst discuss 'montagegate', in which Steve documents selective editing of news footage by the BBC to give the false impression that Leavers and Remainers alike said ahead of the referendum that voting to leave the EU would mean voting to leave the Single Market. This is not true. Montagegate Part 1 Montagegate Part 2
Episode 55: In Medias Res
June 12, 2019 14:00 - 1 hour - 72.9 MBAncient historian Katie Low joins Chris to talk about why ancient history has so much to teach us about modern Brexit. Will Brexit be the UK's Sicilian Expedition? (Yes.) Is Boris Johnson the modern Alcibiades? (Sort of.) Is Jacob Rees Mogg a modern Cicero? (No.) Is Jeremy Corbyn the modern Julius Caesar? (No but Seumas Milne might be.) With a side order of griping at British educational elitism. Katie's guest post on Chris' blog Timothy Snyder's speech for Europe Day 2019 - "we are more than...
Episode 54: Denied My Vote
May 29, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 75.4 MBChris, Tanja, and Axel Antoni offer a first take on last week's European election and its aftermath before examining in a bit more detail what led to the disenfranchisement of many EU citizens who were denied their vote, and what can be done about it. Now updated with new and improved sound thanks to post-production by heroic listener Charlie Elwess (https://twitter.com/CharlieElwess)! Join The 3 Million's case against the government by sharing your story (https://www.the3million.org.uk/denie...
Episode 53: More Joy in Heaven
May 15, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBAndy voted Remain but was not particularly engaged in politics. But something prompted him to become an activist and launch a huge and growing grassroots campaign providing a platform for people who voted Leave, but regret it, to challenge the Westminster orthodoxy that "the people have spoken". It's OK to change your mind, and Andy wants to make sure that regretful Leavers understand that. We talk to Andy about his activism, and we also continue where we left off last week on party politics,...
Episode 52: Happy Europe Day 2.0
May 10, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 52 MBNow the parties have published their manifestos, how should Remainers plan to use their votes in the European election on 23 May? We talk about the tribal nature of party politics and why good people stay loyal to bad parties. Intro music this week by Ludwig van Beethoven arranged & performed by Mr Steve Bullock.
Episode 51: Pattern Recognition
April 30, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 74.4 MBSteve is off sick this week with a tummy bug so Chris is flying solo as host with guest Peter Wilding, aka @eurorealist, long-time Tory party insider, former head of the British Influence think tank, inventor of the dread word Brexit, and now a European Parliament candidate for Change UK. As we work our way through various beverages, we discuss the state of the Tory party and British politics, contemplate what might happen between now and the end of the Brexit Hextension, and whether Change ...
Episode 50: Useful Idiots
April 23, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 50.5 MBWe D'hondt tell you how to vote in the European elections, but we hope our prolix chat about infighting and outfighting and tactics and principles and manifestos and candidates and choices and dilemmas has given you a helping, er, hondt. Steve's article for politics.co.uk
Episode 49: Be An EU Citizen
April 16, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 65.2 MBSo we got another extension, to Halloween - did the threat of no-deal actually work? Are there divisions appearing among the EU27? What happens between now and October? Also, how should we be approaching the European elections? Should we vote tactically? To what extent should we treat it as a proxy referendum for Remain v. Leave? How would this sit with our democratic responsibility as EU citizens to vote on a European platform? Not A level politics exam questions in 2029 but an hour and a ha...
Episode 48: Stitched Up Like Kippers
April 04, 2019 05:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBRecorded on the evening of Wednesday 3 April, Steve and Chris discuss the failure of Meaningful Vote 3.0, Indicative Votes 2.0, and Theresa May's Road to Damascus moment (spoiler: it's not). How will the EU27 respond to her plan for a further short extension?
Episode 47: Not Our Last Podcast Before Brexit
March 27, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 47.6 MBWith only two days to go until UnBrexit Day, we try to survey the rapidly shifting landscape and chart a course for where we head next. It's an exciting and unexpected place to be with only two days to go until 29 March, but we are by no means out of the woods. Listen while our takes still have some residual warmth left.
Episode 46: Narcissistic Pish
March 21, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 86.3 MBIn the second episode of the week, we visit Alyn Smith MEP in his offices, surrounded by boxes, for what might be a farewell chat, and reflect on another absolutely hatstand day in Brexit's endgame. Theresa May has written a letter to the European Council asking for a short extension and managing to annoy everybody on all sides; and (at time of recording) we're hiding behind the sofa waiting for her latest excruciatingly awful podium address to the nation. Special Guest: Alyn Smith.
Episode 45: Erskineful
March 20, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 66.7 MBChris, Steve, and a gurgling kitchen sink discuss extensions and whether the neighbours might lodge an objection with the council.
Episode 44: Cox Blocked
March 12, 2019 22:00 - 54 minutes - 62.6 MBSo the government has lost the meaningful vote on the Withdrawal Agreement by a massive margin - AGAIN - and now what? Should we celebrate? How will Brussels react? What are the options for and chances of extending the Article 50 two year deadline? Steve and Chris bravely combat man flu to bring you their thoughts. Listen all the way to the end for a treat and, er, brillax! (Episode title shamelessly stolen from Remainiacs' Twitter feed)
Episode 43: It Takes a Village Idiot
March 06, 2019 13:00 - 1 hour - 64 MBCoffee tariffs and orange tariffs and zero tariffs oh my! Chris in conversation with Twitter trade legend and man of mystery, Jim Cornelius, self-made walking encyclopedia of all things tariff-related, and scourge of so-called liberal leavers everywhere. Heads up: there are a couple of audio glitches that might make you jump if you're listening over headphones, for which we apologise in advance. Special Guest: Jim Cornelius.
Episode 42: The Answer to the Great Question
February 27, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBA podcast of two halves this week. The first half is a look at the day's news from Westminster, where Corbyn now says he backs a referendum with Remain on the ballot, and where May now says she will call for a vote on whether to leave with no deal, or extend Article 50. Plus, more importantly, how the EU might feel about this. Then, in the second half, an extended discussion on Steve's personal Twexit - why he has taken the decision to step back from Twitter activism.
Episode 41: Operation Badger
February 22, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 90.7 MBNavel-gazing post-Remainiacs self-congratulation cut with road trip excerpts all amount to another week in the podcast that isn't about cake. We also reflect on the futility of TIG-related hope and the futility of unicorn-related Brussels tourism.
Episode 40: First Anniversary Special
February 07, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 78.5 MBWe donned safety helmets and ventured forth into the archives to seek out our very first podcast, recorded one year ago on wax cylinder, and listen back to it to see whether anything has changed in the world of Brexit. Spoiler: it hasn't. The Brexit database from Twitter user @brexology_uk
Episode 39: A House Fire in Pompeii
January 22, 2019 14:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBDmitry Grozoubinski is our guest this week to talk about what the hell a "WTO terms deal" is(n't), and we weigh up the risks and chances of a disorderly Brexit. Plus easily the sexiest Lie of the Week ever. Dmitry's trade explainer blog, Trade Explained (https://www.explaintrade.com/) Special Guest: Dmitry Grozoubinski.
Episode 38: Hands Off, Hände Weg!
January 16, 2019 23:00 - 1 hour - 75.4 MBChris and Tanja have no confidence in this government and reject its withdrawal agreement but more specifically talk about Brexit British attitudes towards Germany, where things stand for EU citizens as B-day approaches, and Brecht. Become an EU Citizens Champion EU citizens are your colleagues, neighbours, friends and family. Your doctors, builders, teachers and hairdressers. As the UK descends further and further into chaos, we need you to stand with EU citizens. We need you to say: #Hands...
Episode 37: Coping
January 10, 2019 07:15 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBJanuary can be a difficult month, and Brexit is not helping. Many of us find ourselves struggling to cope with the insecurity that Brexit is causing. In this episode, we look at how Brexit is making us feel and how we're dealing with those feelings. We also look ahead to The Convention, an event taking place in London on 11 January to prepare for a potential new referendum. Mind, the mental health charity (https://www.mind.org.uk), offering help and advice to you if you are suffering from dep...
Episode 36: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Brexit
December 19, 2018 21:00 - 1 hour - 79.8 MBTheresa May's shocker at the European Council, and why it happened. Plus: Tony Blair, huh, what he isn't good for. And some home truths on what the Article 50 ruling means and what it doesn't mean. Finally, a few cracking Lies of the Week, and an absolute zinger as Tweet of the Year. Chris' tweet about the Economist's Bagehot column Ivan Rogers' speech JC Piris' tweet of the century
Episode 35: Looking a Backstop in the Mouth
December 12, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 65.4 MBA throwback to the early days of the podcast in which Steve and Chris wind each other up into a state of high-pitched sweary indignation as they survey the carnage wrought by Brexit. Specifically, the importance of accuracy and honesty on the Remain side, negative and exceptionalist framing, government dishonesty and delusion, and car doors.
Episode 34: Dog's Brexit
December 06, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 37.1 MBThe unorthodox structure of this week's podcast is not so much down to avant garde editing as technical snafu, but we start at the beginning with Chris and Laura putting the world to rights over kebabs and prosecco, and end in the middle of things as we join Steve, Steve, and Chris half way through a discussion of Tuesday's events in Westminster, where this leaves Brexit, and was the UK really such an obstacle anyway? Special Guest: Laura Shields.
Episode 33: Baskets Case
November 29, 2018 20:00 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBThe Centre for European Reform is the UK's foremost think tank on matters European, and Ian Bond is its Director of Foreign Policy, so Chris is in his element this week discussing how Brexit might affect both UK and EU foreign policy. Featuring not one, not two, but three baskets. Special Guest: Ian Bond.
Episode 32: Hostile Environment Lady
November 21, 2018 23:00 - 1 hour - 67.4 MBNick Crosby joins Chris to wonder whether and how the House of Commons might yet find a way to reject the Withdrawal Agreement and #StopBrexit. Also Hostile Environment Lady jumps the Lie of the Week queue. Special Guest: Nick Crosby.
Episode 31: Not the Foggiest
November 14, 2018 06:00 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBSteve is back and vaping hard (sorry for the background noises) while he outlines options for amending the bill to pass the Withdrawal Agreement and Chris listens in increasing bewilderment. We also discuss whether the UK has really been the disruptive force within EU structures that it's been made out to be in some quarters (OK these quarters).
Episode 30: damned if we do, damned if we don't
November 06, 2018 16:00 - 1 hour - 66.6 MBAlas poor Steve, he's still poorly, so Chris is hosting solo this week and joined by special guest Garvan Walshe (yes we know he was already on Remainiacs grrr) for a chat about the so-called Irish backstop, Jeremy Hunt's brass-necked cakeism, and whether Anna Soubry is a Leninist. Plus: would Remaining really be a good thing? No I mean really?? Also: Thucydides! Jon Lis' opinion piece in the Guardian: "Britain’s arrogant attempts to hoodwink the EU have sacrificed all trust (https://www.theg...
Episode 29: Blood in the Water
October 30, 2018 21:00 - 1 hour - 83.2 MBSteve Analyst is back and promoted to stand-in co-host covering for Steve B. What do Chris and Steve A do while Steve B is away? Get stuck in to some proper trade nerdery, that's what. We discuss how the UK can realise its global trade ambitions, whether EU trade deals can be rolled over, and what a unilateral zero tariff regime would do to the country's bank balance. Rock & roll! Also: a controversial lie of the week and a discussion of how to herd Remainer cats. (No intro/outro music or lie...
Episode 28: Cross Party Parly Party
October 17, 2018 06:00 - 1 hour - 48.2 MBWe leave the podcast dungeon and lug our recording equipment to a meeting room in the European Parliament where we chat with not one, not two, not three, but four MEPs about the Brexit endgame! This was a cracking conversation with political heavyweights so do not miss this one Remain nerds! Our guests are, in no particular order: Julie Girling MEP (http://www.juliegirling.com) (EPP/independent - Julie was a Conservative MEP until the party withdrew the whip from her for her stance on Brexit ...
Brexit: What Next? Special Bonus Podcast
October 14, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 77.9 MBOur friends at the Nottingham European Movement asked us if they could use our podcast to share a recording of their 'Brexit: What Next? (https://www.euromovelincs.org.uk/brexit_what_next)' event with our listeners, and we bit their arm off! Enjoy this hour and a half panel discussion with these stone-cold Remain legends: Ken Clarke QC MP, Conservative Chris Leslie MP, Labour Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Natalie Bennett, Green Party (leader of the Green Party 2012-16, and currently prospect...
Episode 27: Fight Brexit with Beer
October 12, 2018 19:00 - 1 hour - 49.3 MBWe were going to have a theme this week but we ran out of time before we could start on one. Plenty of follow-up, looking ahead to next week's European Council showdown, wondering where it's all heading, and looking at the In Limbo book that was launched this week. Oh and Lie of the Week, of course. Sponsored by Wandsworth European Movement (https://www.wandsworth.eu) who are launching their Four Freedoms Pale Ale on 19 October - sign up for the launch event here!
Episode 26: Tanja drops the C-bomb
October 04, 2018 13:00 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBWarning: this episode includes very strong language (I mean, read the title) - listener discretion is advised (not one for teatime with the kids) Awesome citizen rights campaigner Tanja Bueltmann co-hosts this week's episode as we talk about her work on behalf of EU27 citizens in the UK, what it's like being a constant target of online and offline harrassment, why we should reclaim the c-word, and what we think of the Tory party conference. Christopher Kissane's article for the Irish Times on...
Episode 25: Starmer Stormer
September 26, 2018 06:00 - 1 hour - 53.9 MBA bit of follow-up on Armenian regulatory competences trade nerds, then it's straight into Salzburg OMG she didn't did she she did! and then Labour Conference and the thrill we felt when Starmer said what he said and the Conference did what it did. Closing out with Silver Jubilee Cake(ism) and one of the all time great Lies of the Week. Jim Cornelius we salute you.
Episode 24: Peoples Vote and trade geekery
September 19, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 67 MBA bit of a long one this week, in which we explore how a Peoples Vote might happen, and ask what a successful campaign might look like. And we take Cakewatch to a sunny Place Lux for lunch with David Henig, he of #TwitterTrade fame. Lie of the Week featuring the Raabinator. Special Guest: David Henig.