More than two billion people go to the polls next year in elections across the world. So, with that in mind, Adam catches up with political scientist Ben Ansell. 
 
Professor Ben Ansell delivered this year’s BBC Radio 4 Reith Lectures, following in the footsteps of Robert Oppenheimer, Hilary Mantel and Stephen Hawking.
 
They’re called: Our Democratic Future and in this episode, Adam and Ben discuss how we can make politics work for all of us in the 21st century. 
 
Listen to all the Reith Lectures here on https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00729d9
 
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Today’s Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Gemma Roper. The technical producer was Matt Dean. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

The Future of Democracy

The UK’s flagship daily news podcast from the BBC, Newscast dives into the day’s big stories so you’re never out of your depth.
 
Newscast picks the brains of BBC News experts so you’re ready if someone picks yours, covering the latest developments in politics in Westminster and beyond, what the cost of living means for the money in your pocket and the impact of climate change.
 
Can Rishi Sunak turn the Conservatives fortunes around? Will Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party win the next general election? Newscast will give you all the best insights from BBC News so you’re across all the day’s top stories. 
 
Newscast is hosted by trusted journalists including Adam Fleming, BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. Joined by special guests, including Lyse Doucet, Katya Adler, Marianna Spring, John Simpson and Victoria Derbyshire among others. In this election year, Newscast will track all the developments from Westminster - as well as following all the big developments around the world, from the race to the White House, to the war in Ukraine. Catch Newscast seven-days a week and watch on BBC One at 23:40 on Thursday night or later on BBC iPlayer
 
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Or us #Newscast Newscast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Newscast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Americast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Newscast (and if you’re reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below. The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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Americast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07h19zz
Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

News

Today, we look at how fighting within the Labour party over who should be their general election candidates is only the latest turn in a long running battle between different its different political wings. Laura and Paddy look at what it’s meant for the campaign so far, and they discuss the Lib Dem’s strategy. Plus - we answer questions from Newscasters including, what do polls actually tell us? Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Arsenii Sokolov. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Electioncast: What Is Labour Doing Abbott Candidate Selection?

Today, we look at Keir Starmer saying Diane Abbott can “go forward” as a Labour candidate. Plus, both Sunak and Starmer answer questions on the conviction of Trump.
 
Labour Leader Keir Starmer has spoken after days of speculation about the future of Diane Abbott saying she is “free to go forward as a Labour candidate”. Abbott claimed she had been banned form standing for Labour, something Starmer has previously denied. Adam and Chris reflect on what this means for Labour.    
 
Plus, after the historic conviction of Donald Trump, how will UK politicians deal with questions about the former, and potentially future President. Adam speaks to James Landale the BBC’s Diplomatic Correspondent. 
 
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Electioncast: Trump Towers Over Today's Campaigning

Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his historic criminal trial in New York. He called the verdict a “disgrace” and maintained his innocence - the sentencing happens on 11 July.  Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. This episode is a collaboration with our friends at Americast. Listen to more episodes of Americast on BBC Sounds or wherever you usually listen to podcasts.  You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere.  This episode was made by Tim Walklate with Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Breaking Newscast: Donald Trump Found Guilty

Today, we discuss the latest defection by former Conservative MP Mark Logan. Adam, Chris and Laura are joined by Jo Coburn, Politics Live presenter, to discuss the ongoing argument within the Labour party about Diane Abbott standing as a Labour candidate. They also discuss Rishi Sunak handling a question from a member of the public about Partygate. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Gemma Roper, Sam McLaren and Joe Wilkinson. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Electioncast: Conservative Defects Again (Again!)

Today, we look at the confusion around whether Diane Abbott can stand as a Labour candidate in the general election.
 
Keir Starmer has denied Diane Abbott has been barred from standing for the party, but Abbott told the BBC she has in fact been stopped from standing.  Adam and Alex are joined by Newsnight’s Nick Watt to try and get to the bottom of what has happened with the veteran Labour MP.  Meanwhile Chris Mason has been travelling with the Prime Minister in the South West of England and joins the pod.  And, Marianna Spring is in the studio to talk about how the political parties are using social media to target voters on TikTok.   You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Mike Regaard . The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

The Future of Democracy

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