On this week's episode we speak to Professor David Bell about the levelling up agenda and the thorny debate over the replacement for EU Structural Funds.

We are also joined by Darren Hughes, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society, which this week has published a key report on 20 years of proportional representation in the UK.

Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam in Scotland, also kicks off his series on COP26: what it is all about and what to expect from the November conference.

Timestamps

David Bell

1:02 Regional Equalities and Brexit

8:07 Levelling up and the Shared Prosperity Fund

15:17 Correct policy response to regional spending of funds

20:54 Coordination of local, regional and national governments in delivering outcomes

Darren Hughes

26:24 Overview of ERS report on 20 years of PR

29:10 The Westminster system and recent UK elections

31:28 The relationship between research and policy development

36:12 Likelihood of change to the UK system

40:21 The place of referenda as a democratic tool

45:24 Developing role of private money in UK politics

James Livingstone

50:27 Introduction to COP26