michael portillo. let us march into spring to melodies of art, culture, politics and world affairs. it is rare for a by—election result to trigger a prime ministerial speech outside 10 downing street, apparently the government was so concerned about the febrile campaign which led to george galloway becoming the mp for rochdale that rishi sunak strode to the podium to denounce the poison that he says puts our democracy under threat . puts our democracy under threat. but his words be followed by any effective actions. why did so many voters respond to george galloway evidently agreeing with him that the election was for gaza .7 to answer that, i have an gaza? to answer that, i have an excellent political panel. elections are happening in many places in iran . the places in iran. the parliamentary polls are taking place, which may be used by the ruling ayatollah ali khamenei to entrench a new generation of islamist hardliners. entrench a new generation of islamist hardliners . we've got islamist hardliners. we've got kasra aarabi, an expert on the regime, who warns that the elections will result in more instability and stronger

aggression by iran against israel and the united states, moving them from tehran to paris. what should we make of the french president's incautious remarks that western states could send ground troops to ukraine? in britain and germany rejected the suggestion, while vladimir putin said such a move could trigger a nuclear war. what did french voters think? and elizabeth moutet from the telegraph will tell us. whilst neither rishi sunak nor sir keir starmer was a winner last week, the singer songwriter ray lance night won six awards at the brits. what's the key to success? finally in the first houn success? finally in the first hour, we'll return from our tour of the world to do the rounds of british theatre. stefan kyrees will bring alive all the productions that are stimulating audiences. and in the second hour we'll discuss surrealism and the book dune on which the new blockbuster movie is based . new blockbuster movie is based. before all of that, here are your news headlines with sam

francis . francis. >> michael, thank you very much . >> michael, thank you very much. good morning from the gb newsroom. 11:02. and we start with news from the chancellor. he has hinted at what could be in his spring budget, including taxes on holiday. lets levies on vaping and possible changes to the non—dom tax status . ahead of the non—dom tax status. ahead of wednesday's announcement, the treasury has also revealed an £800 million tech package to boost productivity in the nhs and the police, with new ai technology and drones . labour technology and drones. labour says the suggested reforms are spin without substance . but spin without substance. but forecasts also appear to show jeremy hunt has little to no headroom for tax cuts, which will limit the prospect of any pre—election giveaways . however, pre—election giveaways. however, speaking to gb news in the last half hour, jeremy hunt said his budget will include a number of reforms to public services , reforms to public services, which he said will mean better value for taxpayers. >> it is wrong to say that we should be putting more money into the public sector, fewer

civil servants to be more productive, correct? >> you want fewer people to do more . more. >> i think we've got to stop always looking at the inputs and always looking at the inputs and always saying that the way to get better public services is to spend and actually ask if spend more and actually ask if we could be more efficient . we could be more efficient. aren't >> in other news, thousands of people have been taking to the streets in more pro—palestine protests across britain this weekend, and that comes after the prime minister's warning of extremist threats. campaigners also targeted around 50 barclays bank branches , which they accuse bank branches, which they accuse of having financial ties with suppliers of weapons. of having financial ties with suppliers of weapons . police suppliers of weapons. police ordered the protesters to move on, citing section 14 of the pubuc on, citing section 14 of the public order act comes after rishi sunak speech in downing street on friday, when he warned that islamist extremists and far right groups are, he says , right groups are, he says, spreading poison in british democracy . the government is democracy. the government is reportedly considering blocking hate preachers from entering britain, with more people added to warning lists.

britain, with more people added to warning lists . reports to warning lists. reports suggest that the current powers could be used to increase the number of people who are prevented from entering the country, if they're deemed to be non—conducive to the public good. that could include those who preach racism, intimidation or who incite violence . or who incite violence. currently, the rules are typically used to ban people who are known to pose a security threat . labour will ensure that threat. labour will ensure that compulsory training on violence against women and girls is given to all police officers. following an inquiry into sarah everard's killer last has also vowed to revamp police vetting procedures to stop those with a history of domestic abuse or sexual offences from joining any force in the country. a report published this week found that wayne couzens should never have been given a job as a police officer, and the chances to stop the sexual predator were repeatedly ignored and missed. today marks three years since he killed sarah everard , who was 33 killed sarah everard, who was 33 at the time, after tricking her into thinking she was being

arrested. he has been sentenced to life in prison and will never be released . rail passengers in be released. rail passengers in england and wales are facing a new 5% price hike from today, despite train cancellations being among the worst in ten years. campaigners argue the pubuc years. campaigners argue the public are being unfairly punished by the increase. it comes after thousands of services were cancelled in the past year, one of the worst performance in the rail industry since records began . and we turn since records began. and we turn now to israel and gaza, where israel has said that its forces did not strike against gaza's aid convoy last week , where more aid convoy last week, where more than 100 palestinian teens died while queuing for food . a while queuing for food. a spokesperson said the majority of people died in a stampede as they charged toward the aid trucks , according to israel's trucks, according to israel's review of the incident. warning shots, they say , were only fired shots, they say, were only fired to try and disperse the crowds. there to the united states, where an election rematch is

looking more likely with donald trump now winning three more republican contests overnight in missouri, michigan and in idaho. the former president's only rival, nikki haley, is still searching for her first win, trailing second in every state. so far. mr trump made several false claims at campaign rallies, including the allegation that president biden is trying to overthrow the united states. that's despite mr trump himself being charged with conspiracy to defraud the us. part of the 91 serious crimes he's accused of in four ongoing criminal trials. he's accused of in four ongoing criminal trials . and as we've criminal trials. and as we've been hearing in a historic sweep at the 2024 british awards , at the 2024 british awards, londoner ray at just 26, secured six wins that made her the most awarded artist ever . awarded artist ever. >> i'm so proud of this album . >> i'm so proud of this album. i'm in love with music. >> i'm so proud of this album. i'm in love with music . all i i'm in love with music. all i ever wanted to be was an artist and now i'm an artist with an album of the year. >> rayj speaking there at last

night's brit awards, where she claimed top honours for album and artist of the year , best new and artist of the year, best new artist and song of the year. >> she was also named songwriter of the triumphed in the of the year and triumphed in the r&b categories public she r&b categories public vote. she lost out to dua lipa in the pop category, but she still received the most british awards ever. those are the headlines for more. you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code here. on your screen right now. or course, go to gb news or of course, go to gb news .com/ alerts . .com/ alerts. >> thank you very much, sam francis, for the third time since he was expelled from the labour party, george galloway has swept to victory in a by—election presumably on the backs of the votes of muslims concerned about foreign policy . concerned about foreign policy. in the case of rochdale, which

galloway claimed on thursday, the scotsman denunciation of israel's campaign in israel's military campaign in gaza helped him comfortably to take the seat . was it mainly the take the seat. was it mainly the situation in the middle east that led voters to support galloway, or are they perhaps attracted to someone who speaks directly and trenchantly? are voters bored with politicians who prevaricate and deflect difficult topics to answer ? i'm difficult topics to answer? i'm joined by a the political consultant alex deane , a consultant alex deane, a historian, tessa dunlop , and the historian, tessa dunlop, and the former labour adviser matthew laza um matthew might begin with you. welcome to all of you. obviously um, i was very struck that sir keir starmer was quite welcoming of the prime minister's remarks in downing street on friday evening. why would the leader of the opposition , um, support the opposition, um, support the prime minister in the way that he did, when many people had criticisms of the prime minister's message and indeed the timing? >> well, i think that keir starmer was absolutely clear that we can't live in a culture

where mob rule , uh, runs our where mob rule, uh, runs our politics. i mean, labour mps up and down the country are the ones actually at the sharp end of this, as people have been attacking their offices and their homes and getting in the way of them serving their constituents. so keir is very clear work with the clear that he'll work with the government that. he's government on that. but he's also not dismiss the also clear not to dismiss the result in rochdale to and repeat that the labour party has let down the people rochdale, down the people of rochdale, which did last which it most certainly did last week. said that you week. i mean, you said that you know end, not in know, by not in the end, not in the having a candidate the end, having a candidate picking a lousy candidate and then end, not then and then in the end, not having candidate. you having a candidate. and, you know, is it. is know, you said that is it. is it because, know, down by because, you know, let down by prevaricate politicians? well, they down by, by they weren't let down by, by a particular because particular politician because labour candidate. particular politician because lalin|r candidate. particular politician because lalin a candidate. particular politician because lalin a sense, candidate. particular politician because lalin a sense, it candidate. particular politician because lalin a sense, it wasn'tndidate. particular politician because lalin a sense, it wasn't thatite. so in a sense, it wasn't that they uh, george galloway they chose, uh, george galloway oven they chose, uh, george galloway over, over labour. they chose george galloway in a vacuum . i george galloway in a vacuum. i actually think the political story week is this story of the week is this fantastic independent david tully, local, garage tully, the local, uh, garage owner who came from nowhere . i'm owner who came from nowhere. i'm told that i heard yesterday he didn't even know that. get didn't even know that. you get a free every candidate's free post in every candidate's allowed. mail will allowed. the royal mail will deliver piece election

deliver a free piece of election literature didn't literature for you. he didn't even that. reckon another even know that. i reckon another week. have been week. and he'd have been rochdale's martin bell. >> an >> thank you. that is an impressive diversion. away from the the ship. um, so the away from the ship. um, so look , will sir keir starmer have look, will sir keir starmer have to change language on the to change the language on the ceasefire gaza? do you think? ceasefire in gaza? do you think? you it strikes me that in you see it strikes me that in scotland, where labour is hoping to pick up, let's say , 25 seats, to pick up, let's say, 25 seats, the snp can outflank the labour party, they can say things about a ceasefire in gaza that the labour party cannot say. do you think , then, that sir keir think, then, that sir keir starmer, following the by—election result, will find that needs to his that he needs to change his approach ceasefire ? approach to the ceasefire? >> well, because i think >> well, no, because i think what starmer has on what keir starmer has done on gaza the way do gaza all the way through is do what right, not as what he thinks is right, not as what he thinks is right, not as what politically expedient. what he thinks is right, not as wiwouldn'titically expedient. what he thinks is right, not as wiwouldn'titic'politicallyent. it wouldn't be politically expedient for expedient to call for a ceasefire earlier. and in terms of in scotland, the of what happens in scotland, the snp needs concentrate on snp needs to concentrate on their home in their record at home in scotland. tell that, scotland. i can tell you that, you has somebody who you know, it has somebody who has quite has knocked on doors quite recently in central scotland. they're gaza, they're not talking about gaza, they about the snp's they are talking about the snp's failure. are about failure. there are issues about parliamentary tactics and whether will outflank whether the snp will outflank him. i clearly the, the,

him. i mean, clearly the, the, the labour line has evolved because situation is because the situation is involved. i the whole involved. i mean, the whole world moment is angry world at the moment is angry with of israeli with the tactics of the israeli government the us, government, not least the us, who airdropping . so, i who are airdropping aid. so, i mean, i think that, you know, there paper there now is a cigarette paper between snp and labour and there now is a cigarette paper bethe en snp and labour and there now is a cigarette paper bethe snp snp and labour and there now is a cigarette paper bethe snp try np and labour and there now is a cigarette paper bethe snp try andind labour and there now is a cigarette paper bethe snp try and make bour and there now is a cigarette paper bethe snp try and make politicsi if the snp try and make politics of it, in the end that will be to their detriment. >> don't it's a >> but no, i don't think it's a cigarette the snp cigarette paper at all. the snp is saying that there's is out there saying that there's been collective punishment against it's against the people of gaza. it's about everybody >> but everybody wants a ceasefire now, which which is ceasefire now, which is which is a not a war crime, which is not something which labour going a war crime, which is not so say.|ing which labour going to say. >> no. keir starmer wants to be prime this country, >> no. keir starmer wants to be prin he this country, >> no. keir starmer wants to be prin he doesn't this country, >> no. keir starmer wants to be prin he doesn't want s country, >> no. keir starmer wants to be prin he doesn't want to ountry, >> no. keir starmer wants to be prin he doesn't want to become and he doesn't want to become prime minister. >> not going to >> that's why he's not going to back motion war crime. >> yeah, but it's not a cigarette no tesla cigarette paper. no tesla cigarette paper. no tesla cigarette what what cigarette paper. no tesla cigarettwe what what cigarette paper. no tesla cigarettwe you? what what cigarette paper. no tesla cigarettwe you? what?rhat cigarette paper. no tesla cigarettwe you? what? what do should we ask you? what? what do you make of this idea? we've just that just heard from matthew that people about people are not talking about gaza, yet they gaza, and yet. and yet they elect george galloway , who was elect george galloway, who was talking about gaza. >> mean , rochdale is a >> yeah. i mean, rochdale is a special case. exactly. and it does large muslim does have a large muslim minority, well over minority, i believe well over 20% the electorate muslim. 20% of the electorate muslim. that's to say all that's to not say that all muslims same way with muslims vote the same way with regard but the majority

regard to this, but the majority seemingly certainly in seemingly do. certainly in rochdale . i when it comes rochdale. i think when it comes to scotland and humza yousaf knows that gaza, courtesy of his wife , her brave stance, the way wife, her brave stance, the way she's spoken very effectively , she's spoken very effectively, um, on the situation as a as a palestinian, he knows this is a strong footing for him. it excites and plays well to his young foot soldiers . those who young foot soldiers. those who are going to take the message to the electorate. so whether if you're at home as mrs. bloggs, you're at home as mrs. bloggs, you're really exercising over this, case. but but but if this, this case. but but but if it means you get a young it means that you get a young person to mrs. person out to talk to mrs. bloggs, i think it's that connect overcome connect and it's overcome apathy. and i think that's going to be keir starmer's real weakness in this coming election . apathy. can we see him as the candidate for change? if you're a young person and you clearly are leaning towards them, who's very keen on the green agenda, we feel let down by keir starmer, not choice of starmer, not just a choice of jacket. you're a young person jacket. if you're a young person who believes passionately about the horror that's been unfolding on our television screens in gaza, do you feel that keir

starmer is the candidate for change in both cases? no. >> so the question to you, i mean, keir starmer can probably now win the general election with majority with a comfortable majority without scotland without taking seats in scotland . but he'd much rather take seats in scotland for snp. seats in scotland for the snp. so think , would you, if so do you think, would you, if you were advising keir, put it that you say shift that way, would you say shift your stance on the ceasefire? i feel it would now look to late. >> the horse has bolted and what's really interested is and this says i think more about british varne and our position globally and in relation to the us . since when globally and in relation to the us. since when did even the leader of the labour opposition feel they had to tack and align themselves so closely with america? apparently he didn't change his mind on the ceasefire until he spoke to anthony blinken. anthony blinken, the american secretary at the munich defence conference . that's defence conference. that's worrying. i think if we don't feel that we can actually lead and what we feel as brits, not what america tells us to feel,

well , labour what america tells us to feel, well, labour has been very sensitive about that . sensitive about that. >> i think that's why we got into the iraq war, actually, because was because labour thought it was so important have important not to have a cigarette between us and cigarette paper between us and the united states . um, alex, um , the united states. um, alex, um, the united states. um, alex, um, the house of commons had been sitting in the last two weeks. we all know that because there was much controversy so was so much controversy and so much . why on earth if the much mayhem. why on earth if the prime minister had something important extremism important to say about extremism and for extra and the need for extra legislation , then why earth legislation, then why on earth wouldn't the house wouldn't he say it to the house of when it was sitting? of commons when it was sitting? why appear wet why would he appear on a wet friday evening when everyone had gone such an gone home to make such an important statement? >> from anything >> well, apart from anything else, us all else, of course, it gave us all about hour wondering about an hour of wondering if there's a general there's going to be a general election basis election called and a snap basis had everyone thinking, my election called and a snap basis had ne thinking, my election called and a snap basis had ne thi1king, my election called and a snap basis had ne thi planned my election called and a snap basis had ne thi planned for' election called and a snap basis had ne thi planned for the god, what have i planned for the weekend? everything. weekend? change everything. yeah. so that's your deflecting weekend? change everything. yeah now that's your deflecting weekend? change everything. yeah now thethe (our deflecting weekend? change everything. yeah now thethe issue. aflecting weekend? change everything. yeahnow thethe issue. but ting weekend? change everything. yeah now thethe issue. but that joke now to the issue. but that was it was was that was true. i knew it was going a labour adviser who going to be a labour adviser who was i thought was there, i thought i thought he when the he might be resigning when the podium the podium came out with the government would government crest on, why would he say all that to the he not say all that to the house? i think he house? so i think i think he probably have done right. probably should have done right. i probably should say i think he probably should say those i think he probably should say thosi think there's also nothing but i think there's also nothing

wrong the wrong with government using the no bully pulpit of no pun intended bully pulpit of the , project the ability to, uh, project something on the national stage. i am your prime minister. here is announcement is my announcement from downing street. my thing about street. my thing, my thing about politics is we to realise politics is we fail to realise you cake and eat you can have the cake and eat it. can the big it. you can make the big presentation from downing street and in down in and have the debate in down in the commons and i think if the commons too. and i think if you can the incumbent you, you can use the incumbent power of downing street, make the announcements there and then go to the house and do an and have a debate about it. and no one could criticise you for that. you've given them advance nofice that. you've given them advance notice were going say. >> so the gb that poured >> so the gb views that poured in on and saturday, um, in on friday and saturday, um, was saying we don't think he's going to take effective action because , i mean, they weren't because, i mean, they weren't all this , obviously, but all saying this, obviously, but some saying don't expect some were saying we don't expect effective action because we've not had effective action before. you wants to do you know, if he wants to do something about something different about demonstrations, he demonstrations, why didn't he do it the past ? demonstrations, why didn't he do it the past? and as it in the past? and as for saying going remove saying we're going to remove people who foreigners, who people who are foreigners, who are engaged in extreme activities , we don't remove any activities, we don't remove any people that should be removed from the country. people say ,

from the country. people say, yeah, the prime minister yeah, i mean, the prime minister speaks position, in my speaks from a position, in my view, of unchallengeable authority in terms of the diversity of his own cabinet, to a point he made in the speech from number 10. >> it's the most diverse government in history. and of course, um , that's rather course, um, that's rather underacknowledged. i think perhaps precisely because it is a conservative government that's under acknowledged . and but under acknowledged. and but you've then got to do something with i accept the point with it. and i accept the point that, the prime minister that, um, the prime minister said we would have a framework, but do need to know what that but we do need to know what that framework is going to entail and going i'd to going to mean. so i'd like to see more on bones. see some more meat on the bones. but the point about but i think the point about defending a diverse and pluralistic in which we pluralistic society in which we don't just live alongside one another, but we live together. i thought that was an important one and rather under—acknowledged too. i don't think said think any prime minister said it in thought think any prime minister said it in a thought think any prime minister said it in a strong thought think any prime minister said it in a strong message,iought think any prime minister said it in a strong message, buthtfelt was a strong message, but i felt it late. it came too late. >> allow george >> why did he allow george galloway to trip him into making this statement where, by the way, finally this way, he finally addressed this highly contentious is it highly contentious what is it really? islamophobia as well as anti—semitism, he could

anti—semitism, when he could have it a week earlier , have done it a week earlier, courtesy of the remarks on this station's platform coming out of the mouth of his own mp, lee anderson. >> and let me take up with matthew as supposing now that what happen is that what does happen is that the prime does bring new prime minister does bring new legislation the house of legislation to the house of commons, what keir starmer legislation to the house of com said,;, what keir starmer legislation to the house of comsaid, do what keir starmer legislation to the house of comsaid, do you what keir starmer legislation to the house of com said, do you think keir starmer legislation to the house of com said, do you think we'retarmer has said, do you think we're going to see the two parties? uh in legislating on in unison, legislating on matters like new arrangements for public order? >> well, i think it depends what those if those arrangements are. if they're protecting mps at they're about protecting mps at home, if they're about ensuring that mps their job that mps can do their job properly and serve their constituents. and not constituents. and we're not having firebombed , having mps offices firebombed, um, there are um, then yes, if there are blanket and draconian, then no labour will look at them in detail . just one we detail. just one point we haven't mentioned this is haven't mentioned in this is that it's been totally not talked tories 31% that it's been totally not talked vote tories 31% that it's been totally not talked vote in tories 31% that it's been totally not talked vote in rochdale; 31% that it's been totally not talked vote in rochdale at 31% that it's been totally not talked vote in rochdale at the i% of the vote in rochdale at the last election they came. they had a candidate who wasn't , who had a candidate who wasn't, who was, he wasn't disgraced and they came a pathetic why they came a pathetic third. why weren't tories ? why were weren't the tories? why were people to this who people turning to this guy who ran the ran a garage rather than the tory especially in the tory party, especially in the absence a labour candidate? absence of a labour candidate?

>> activist absence of a labour candidate? >you activist absence of a labour candidate? >you should activist absence of a labour candidate? >you should be activist absence of a labour candidate? >you should be more activist absence of a labour candidate? >you should be more worriedist absence of a labour candidate? >you should be more worried in , you should be more worried in this more this instance, about more draconian measures against our right to protest peacefully. you and i both. >> we won't do anything that stops people's right to protest peacefully. the peacefully. um, but at the moment , peacefully. um, but at the moment, intimidating people in front and front of their offices and stopping their stopping them serving their constituents is not a peaceful protest. of protest. i've seen a lot of peaceful my peaceful protests in my time. >> and that the >> tessa and i agree that the mps protected, but mps need better protected, but you were caught up in you and i both were caught up in that giant ceasefire march that caught weekend . and actually, armistice weekend. and actually, enough. that's true. >> we were. that's true. >> we were. that's true. >> that we >> we both conceded that we didn't that didn't feel threatened, that the atmosphere overall was atmosphere generally overall was not one of intimidation. the police on the ground yeah, police on the ground said, yeah, our with senator. our problem is with the senator. >> things have >> i think things may have got worse since then for equality . worse since then for equality. let me give last point to let me give a last point to alex. do you expect effective legislation? what do you think it might be? >> i do think we are likely to have some form of more rigorous expulsion of people who don't hold british nationality, and that will lead to a real debate about whether we policing about whether we are policing appropriately in an environment where accident of where the accident of citizenship what's going to citizenship is what's going to dictate government on dictate government policy on

some serious issues some of the most serious issues of i agree with of the time. but i agree with what of the things that what some of the things that have been said. rochdale not have been said. rochdale is not a example extrapolate a useful example to extrapolate from galloway and two the george galloway and two the labour party was war to the labour party was at war to the knife its ancient knife with its ancient rival, the party, in the labour party, in that by—election. what by—election. and that's what determines the outcome. >> well, if it's very interesting that galloway is so exceptional and in so many ways it sound significant and yet it drove the prime minister to the podium downing thank podium in downing street. thank you much. tessa dunlop, you very much. tessa dunlop, alex and matthew laza from alex dean and matthew laza from the people of rochdale. two elections in tehran . i'll be elections in tehran. i'll be joined by an iranian expert who can interpret the results of parliamentary elections in the islamic . and he says islamic republic. and he says that the regime is being emboldened to more aggressive emboldened to be more aggressive towards israel and the united states. europe .

welcome back to the program. despite keeping the polls open for an extra two hours, turnout in elections in iran was at a record low officially on friday of 40. the regime of the islamic republic, which carefully manages the electoral process, prefers to have high turnouts to live optimise its rule. nonetheless, it's believed that the elections will serve to entrench a new generation of islamist hardliners and to encourage iran's bellicose foreign policy. i can speak now to kasra aarabi, who is director of research into the iranian revolution guards corps at the united against nuclear iran organisation and also a non—resident scholar at the middle east institute . um, middle east institute. um, welcome to gb news. thank you for coming in on a sunday, michael. um, tell us about the nature of these elections and how far are they from being free and fair? >> well, from the offset , let's >> well, from the offset, let's make absolutely clear .

make this absolutely clear. elections in regime are not elections in the regime are not free and are not fair. um, and this is reflected by the participation as well. the iranian people have made it clear that you cannot reform the islamic republic. change cannot occur through the ballot box. and they have been calling particularly in the past five years, for outright regime change. we saw the nationwide protests last year. this regime is a totalitarian dictatorship and elections for the supreme leader, ayatollah ali khamenei. the 84 year old who rules by the way, as god's representative on earth . they had previously earth. they had previously served as a propaganda tool to give the iranian people false hope that the system can be changed and, more importantly, for the west to lift sanctions , for the west to lift sanctions, ease pressure off the regime. each time it's committed gross human rights violations or spread terror across the world, including in the uk. but now , including in the uk. but now, now, khamenei no longer cares about this . the lack of

about this. the lack of consequences by the west on the regime has made khamenei believe it's given khamenei the confidence that he can get away with anything that he wants and really , this time around, we saw really, this time around, we saw unprecedented election engineering, even for the standards of the islamic republic. so khamenei only permitted his own personal social base and that of the all powerful islamic revolutionary guard corps. his paramilitary force to run . and really, what force to run. and really, what we saw on friday, it was a patron client fight between various oligarchic clans competing for a greater slice of the pie in the kleptocratic regime . regime. >> um, and what can the voter do in those circumstances? the voter is seeing that there's no candidate represent his or candidate to represent his or her views. the voter then chooses to boycott the elections . is that what happens? >> i mean , the iranian >> yes. i mean, the iranian people no longer believe in this system. seek the system. uh, they seek the overthrow. the they seek outright regime change. and a vote for this system. any in any

case, voting for any candidate who is personally hand selected by the supreme leader is a vote for the islamic republic. so if we actually take a step back and look at the statistics, even before the, uh, friday's so—called vote, the regime's official statistics had said that in the capital city, they are only expecting 15% of people to vote . those figures are to vote. those figures are always inflated . nationally, always inflated. nationally, we're looking at between 12 to 15. so you dismiss this 40?100. yeah absolutely. that's an inflated figure . um, more inflated figure. um, more accurately, 12 to 15. and that is reflective probably of the social base of the islamic repubuc. social base of the islamic republic . you're talking between republic. you're talking between 15% at best. but you know, 15% of 80 million, uh, that's still quite significant number. and these zealots make up the paramilitary forces that have the appetite and the resources to violently suppress the iranian people. tell me about the character, the qualities of

the character, the qualities of the people who are coming forward as candidates. >> what as we move from one generation to another, what kind of change are we seeing? >> this is this is like >> so this is this is like a mafia, like tussle between the old general of khomeini, absolutists and the younger generation of khomeini zealots. >> now, if we just take a step back and look at the older generation, you had individuals such as hardline islamist cleric agha—tehrani, an individual who studied under ayatollah mesbah yazdi, studied under ayatollah mesbah yazdi , the so—called ideological yazdi, the so—called ideological god , father of the revolutionary god, father of the revolutionary guard , a man who once gave guard, a man who once gave a fatwa that encouraged acid attacks on women for poor hijab. um relative to agha—tehrani , the um relative to agha—tehrani, the new zealots are even more extreme. you have individuals that, such as ali akbar rifai , that, such as ali akbar rifai, someone who's involved recently in doxing iranian protesters , in doxing iranian protesters, exposing the identities of iranians, dissenting online,

serving as a revolution guard, indoctrinator really, really horrible , nasty individual . horrible, nasty individual. these are the new generation . these are the new generation. these are the new generation. these are the new generation. these are the new ilk of khomeini. absolute is very extreme , very young, extreme, very young, inexperienced . but khomeini has inexperienced. but khomeini has sort ought to give rise to this new generation to complete his personal ization of power and ensure that his hard line ideology outlives him. he's 84 years old, so this whole process, this election manufacturing, is geared towards success in ensuring a smooth succession process. but while khamenei can control his elites , khamenei can control his elites, he can't control the iranian people. and that's really the achilles heel. when khamenei dies , inevitably he will. they dies, inevitably he will. they will have hope that this is the moment to collapse. the islamic republic. once and for all. >> and what are the implications for foreign policy towards the united states and israel, for example ? example? >> well, look, you've got an

absolute absolutist generation of khamenei in power across the branches in terms of political power . political power in the power. political power in the regime is completely centralised in the hands of the 84 year old supreme leader and his office. these individuals who've been permitted to run are a reflection of khamenei and the revolutionary guard . these revolutionary guard. these individuals are not just anti—israel , they're not just anti—israel, they're not just pro—palestine . these are pro—palestine. these are extremely anti—semitic figures, figures that are driven by the ideological goal of eradicating the state of israel in terms of political policy, we're going to see a continuation of what's going on, because power, as i said, is in the hands of the supreme leader. but this generation of zealots , as we generation of zealots, as we said, extremely anti—semitic , said, extremely anti—semitic, extremely radical, and are tied to the paramilitary forces that are suppressing the iranians on the streets and spreading terror across the world, including in the united kingdom , understood the united kingdom, understood and, um, i think you must be a very brave man because you're very brave man because you're

very clearly outspoken and you are an iranian and you must have family back there. >> thank you very much. thank you. michael kasra aarabi. uh, in a few minutes, the unmatchable anneliese bakhmut, chief translator of french politics for perfidious albion, will give her reaction to president macron's eyebrow raising suggestion that western troops might be deployed in .

ukraine welcome back to the program. the leaders of britain and germany were quick to quash suggestions from french president emmanuel macron. the western troops might be deployed to ukraine, vladimir putin, perhaps predictably, seized upon the remark to say that such a move would risk nuclear conflict . it follows nuclear conflict. it follows a pattern of unilateral interventions by macron on the

world stage, from declaring nato brain dead single handedly trying to dissuade donald trump from quitting the iran deal and flying to moscow on the eve of russia's invasion of ukraine to reason with putin. here to explain macron's missionary mindset is french journalist at the telegraph and spectator and elisabeth moutet and elisabeth, welcome back to the program . so welcome back to the program. so tell us, why would president macron go further than any other european leader in making this suggestion happen? >> well , when he gave the press >> well, when he gave the press conference around 11 pm. of the day on monday, where he had this five hour ukraine conference in paris with four heads of state, 17 heads of government, most of the leaders of europe, uh, there had been discussions on five different subjects, none of which included, uh, the point of sending troops. which included, uh, the point of sending troops . so, um,

sending troops. so, um, i suspect at one stage he just wanted to be disruptive because he still believes that disruption works for him. um, it it got the reception that you can imagine . so the day after can imagine. so the day after you had people including senior members of the military , uh, members of the military, uh, trying to sort of get back into a different context, explaining that what he had wanted was to shake up nato the way donald trump had shaken up nato by saying that nations should all contribute to a minimum of 2% of their gdp , and that it was of their gdp, and that it was of that budget , sorry. and that it that budget, sorry. and that it was extremely it was extremely salutary to say those things, even though they might shock in the beginning . uh, i actually do the beginning. uh, i actually do not believe that this was the rationale to begin with. i really believe that , um, he really believe that, um, he almost did this on the hoof, trying to sort of organise something that would have an effect , uh, in terms of, of , uh, effect, uh, in terms of, of, uh, sort of i would say, you know, the communication, uh, spinning

in europe. and i think he always conceives that you can spin the world politics and actual things, uh, as opposed to moods in, in, in, in geostrategy the way he did it successfully when he got elected twice . he got elected twice. >> one rather good reason why he would want to spin is that there is the most enormous gap between what france is providing to ukraine and what germany is providing to ukraine. i mean, it really is , uh, there's no really is, uh, there's no comparison between the two numbers at all. >> yeah. i mean, it's something like ,17 billion contributed by germany . and us 900 million or germany. and us 900 million or 800 million. uh, that's the proportion. i mean, it's ridiculous. the french dispute those figures. the figures come from german. think the from a german. think tank, the kiel institute, and the german think tank, uh, used the value of the stuff that was actually sent by france to ukraine. the french calculate that whenever we take something from our arsenal. uh, the cannons and missiles, whatever . uh, what missiles, whatever. uh, what needs to be put in accounting

terms is the replacement value. which means what it would cost to replace, say, a 20 year old tank. uh, and of course, the replacement value is much higher. so we, according to that kind of accounting , which will kind of accounting, which will be true in the nation's accounts , uh, we have sent several billions worth to ukraine, but it is not really true. >> and do you think, do you think that the president at this stage thinks that nato is brain dead? >> actually , no. >> actually, no. >> actually, no. >> and he also thinks that calling nato brain dead was another of those disruptive moments in which it would shake people up. um i think he called nato brain dead before , uh, nato brain dead before, uh, before the war in ukraine. and i think that what shook up europe and nato was , you know, the and nato was, you know, the reality of an actual war of aggression in which macron did not believe even after it started . uh, so that's that's a, started. uh, so that's that's a, you know, it's a clash between, uh , the sort of spinning, uh, the sort of spinning, elegant s of, of french politics and the reality of a brutal war

in which , to be entirely honest, in which, to be entirely honest, we have not been good enough. we're still germany is still not sending tourists to ukraine. and one of the reasons why the counteroffensive last summer in ukraine did not work so well and doesn't work so well today, uh, is that we did not send the right equipment at the moment when it was needed and well, we're talking about sending them stuff they needed six stuff that they needed six months whereas now the months ago, whereas now the military the ground military situation on the ground is and they need is different and they need different and what we different equipment and what we should really be doing is sending it now. should really be doing is senand it now. should really be doing is senand i'm ow. should really be doing is senand i'm going to be talking >> and i'm going to be talking later to some american republicans thank republicans about that. thank you anne—elisabeth you very much. anne—elisabeth moutet talking to that there about the great disruptor. uh president macron. well, the brit awards might have been relabelled this year. the ray awards, as the london born singer won six of the gongs, including artist of the year, album of the year and song of the year. let's get more details from media commentator stephanie takyi. from media commentator stephanie takyi . wow wow wow wow what a takyi. wow wow wow wow what a ray of sunshine . an excellent

ray of sunshine. an excellent pun to begin with. where did she come from? this ray of sunshine? she's erupted upon the scene. >> she has . and michael, i think >> she has. and michael, i think people think that ray's been an overnight success. she might not have had the mainstream success like you're adele's or your amy winehouse, but ray has been a singer since she was 15 years old. she's now 26, so the pure passion for music , obviously passion for music, obviously she's a brit alumni , but also she's a brit alumni, but also she's a brit alumni, but also she was putting out mix tapes. she got signed to polydor , she she got signed to polydor, she was with them for about five years. she felt like she had been shelved. you know, when you're with a record label, they're going to market. you the way they think you should be marketed, the music you should put had enough of marketed, the music you should pu�*she had enough of marketed, the music you should pu�*she felt had enough of marketed, the music you should pu�*she felt like had enough of marketed, the music you should pu�*she felt like she d enough of marketed, the music you should pu�*she felt like she was ough of marketed, the music you should pu�*she felt like she was being)f it. she felt like she was being underestimated and not used to her talents. three ago, her talents. so three years ago, she went independent. most she left, went independent. most people thought that's going to be it for ray, but she done what all young singers are all these young singers are doing into tiktok, tapped doing tapped into tiktok, tapped into social media, started pump out songs through there and through there. she's gained a fan base and she's been true to

her voice . her voice. >> yeah, i've been looking at her curriculum vitae a bit this morning. she is actually so far from being the overnight sensation. she is the sensation. yeah, she is the ultimate professional. she's been absolutely dug into the industry since her teens, or possibly will tell me even before that she and her music before that she is and her music has a message. >> know, a lot of, you >> you know, a lot of, you know, older listen to older people who listen to music, finding it hard music, they're finding it hard to . oh, what's hype to connect. oh, what's this hype about, when you listen about, ray? but when you listen to music, she reminds me of to her music, she reminds me of amy music has amy winehouse. her music has depth. it has a message in there, her herself. she's faced sexual assault by a music producer all which she's penned into a song called the ice man. theice into a song called the ice man. the ice cream man. and it's like for her age, she's quite wise . for her age, she's quite wise. and as well, last night was just a turning point in the music industry . it shows the power of industry. it shows the power of the independent artists now usually when you see all these artists on stage , they're signed artists on stage, they're signed to big record labels. they have that backing and she's gone against the grain. and now last night was just her getting her kudos from her industry peers.

yeah. >> and so that is something else to celebrate . so you would say to celebrate. so you would say thoroughly just justified six awards. >> i do think it is justified. i think, you know , just the fact think, you know, just the fact that she's done it on her own and she's managed to remain market herself and she hasn't come out nowhere . there is come out of nowhere. there is a back there. there is back story there. there is a talent there. and the fact that the the members of the the brits, the members of the brit academy have seen the brits, the members of the brit i academy have seen the brits, the members of the brit i think.cademy have seen the brits, the members of the brit i think that'siy have seen the brits, the members of the brit i think that's somethingn that. i think that's something to be respected. marvellous >> well, all respect to ray. what a fantastic evening for her. thank you very much, stephanie taoiseach now from the international stage, we will return to the theatres of london. stefan kyriazis will be here in a few minutes to whisk us through the latest productions that engaging productions that are engaging audiences

welcome back. stefan kyriazis is

here, replete with some of the latest productions that you've been to see. have you had a good week or a bad week? >> i've had a challenging week, michael. i'm replete with politics and social issues and artistic arty theatre , which i artistic arty theatre, which i have strong views on. and the first one we're going in on is the human body, which is on at the human body, which is on at the donmar at the moment and promises much . the luminous promises much. the luminous keeley it. i was hoping it keeley hawes it. i was hoping it would be an illuminating study of the creation of the nhs in post—war britain. social change. it's got all the pieces in place . written by lucy kirkwood . um, . written by lucy kirkwood. um, i got in there and, you know, when you just sit down and the floor is blue, the turntable stage rotates and then all the furniture is moulded blue beds, desks , chairs, stagehands come desks, chairs, stagehands come on holding a telephone as it fings on holding a telephone as it rings. it's a blue moulded telephone, blue moulded champagne glasses, whatever it might be. so we're in art land here. and then guess what?

hand—held cameras. because that's the thing at the moment you've got to have a hand—held camera, a handheld camera and the image projected, projected on back, only of the on the back, but only of the central two characters. so we have keeley have iris, which is keeley hawes, glass posh hawes, terribly cut glass posh local doctor that's moved to shropshire to become a labour councillor with political ambitions , as her husband is ambitions, as her husband is much more traditional. she meets on a train jack davenport, who's a rather dissolute brit who is an actor, spend all his time in hollywood, was very absent dunng hollywood, was very absent during the war and very blase about it and all their scenes are filmed by the cameras projected above in black and white. the brief encounter parallels are inescapable . parallels are inescapable. there's all smoke billowing whistles blowing, lingering looks nicely turned ankles with lovely purple socks like you, um , and you feel like there's two plays going on at the same time , plays going on at the same time, and one's this kind of fun pastiche with all this romantic music playing. they both have unhappy marriages which actually take away all the jeopardy from will. they, won't they? um, and

then you have this really serious fan baiting political story about the creation of the nhs and nye bevan , and but what nhs and nye bevan, and but what you get is you get little snippets, all the cast plays multiple characters with very wandering accents. um, and you get like a sort of a single father to buy a little stove with his little daughter, but he still doesn't trust the local doctor. and they don't like socialists , and they love socialists, and they love winston churchill , socialists, and they love winston churchill, and socialists, and they love winston churchill , and they winston churchill, and they don't this new nhs . and don't trust this new nhs. and it's very sketched in. the labour councils are all very up north corners, um, and the husband's family are terribly posh and silly and snobbish , and posh and silly and snobbish, and it's just filled with cliches, poor plotting. >> you don't like it too much? no. >> and i felt it's called the human body. >> it's on at the donmar for while. >> it's it is and it's the age old question. whatever you think of the play , it's selling out of the play, it's selling out because let's move on. >> because i also love it when you're passionately in favour of something. >> not yet something. >> not yet . we're >> well, not quite yet. we're going we're going throw going to we're going to throw to a clip a called natland, a clip of a play called natland,

which about nazis. yes this which is about nazis. yes this painting was in the attic. >> it'sjust painting was in the attic. >> it's just a painting was in the attic. >> it'sjust a painting, a >> it's just a painting, a pretty painting of a church . pretty painting of a church. >> you've no respect for our dead father , nor for art . dead father, nor for art. >> destroy the painting and i'll come back to your hotel . come back to your hotel. >> am i allowed to say straight away that the painting is by adolf hitler ? adolf hitler? >> you are absolutely. that. that that's pretty early on. so a father has just died in germany . sort a father has just died in germany. sort of middle class family on on hard times. and they find a painting in the attic. it is by hitler. there is out there an underground market in hitler paintings. um lots of controversy, whether they're actually real or not. but the most expensive one went for over ,100,000. so there is there's something to . um, and the something to it. um, and the family discover the painting . family discover the painting. the daughter initially thinks

it's rubbish until she finds out who it's and she just who it's by, and then she just wants the money. the son is a kind of wet liberal who is married and his wife is jewish. um, but he feels rather proud of the fact that he's married a jew. it feels like his german duty. and there's an an element of fetishising to it as well. then the chap that was there, you saw with the grey hair, we're introduced to him dancing to iggy pop in black pants with sort of cut out stripes , like, i sort of cut out stripes, like, i mean underpants with cut out patches on the bum. um, he . patches on the bum. um, he. you're not happy, are you? he's a dealer . i'm you're not happy, are you? he's a dealer. i'm not happy. um, and then the family suddenly start having to create a nazi history to their family to make the painting more valuable. and so there's so many issues. then they throw in palestine, they throw in possible bits of incest . but, uh, the other wet husband gets scratched by a nail on the painting and sort of his arm gets a bit of rigour mortis and really does. no. so you have you have all of this now. it's supposed be absurdist art, i

supposed to be absurdist art, i get it. it's supposed be get it. it's supposed to be a comedy. doesn't land . comedy. it just doesn't land. and it gets more and more and more ridiculous by the end. and i honestly sat there thinking, you have wasted my time . you have wasted my time. >> stefan doesn't want you to go to dolan . no, and i'm to mark dolan. no, and i'm saying, where that they saying, where is it that they shouldn't young vic? shouldn't go at the young vic? oh, april shouldn't go at the young vic? oh, 20th. april the 20th. >> however , i can happily, >> however, i can happily, happily talk about social issues. the change wing politics of the country in the incredible, extraordinary standing at the sky's edge musical, which i saw when it was on at the national theatre. >> but it's now transferred. >> but it's now transferred. >> has transferred to the >> it has transferred to the gillian lynne theatre in covent garden, gillian lynne theatre in covent garthe, through august all the way through to august and we're talking about that development that development of flats that overlooks there on the heights, >> it's up there on the heights, park hill. what's it called? park hill. it what's it called? >> it's park hill. >> i think it's park hill. park hill, called hill, i think it's called indeed, developed around indeed, it was developed around the 1960s and we're looking at three different of three different generations of people happen to live in the people who happen to live in the same a gorgeous same place. we've got a gorgeous little as well. little clip of that as well. >> three mornings decades apart

at a castle built of streets in the sky. >> as the dawn breaks , breaks >> as the dawn breaks, breaks over roof slates . hope three over roof slates. hope three households decades apart , households decades apart, sharing one roof, one hope to matter to someone. as i trips over the house, i'm starting over. >> oven >> not running away and a new look. >> a new lease aslef right. time for a new set of people in this movie . movie. >> morning. >> morning. >> i'm going to look after you. don't you worry . don't you worry. >> everything we need is right here. >> there's a part of this city that's gone, right? i don't think it's coming back. >> should have torn think it's coming back. >> should have tom the old place down when they had the chance. place down when they had the chance . no life in it yet. chance. no life in it yet. >> we need . >> we need. >> we need. >> so this development of flats was the bee's knees when it was built. then, of course, it became a slum. and then finally it becomes where the

it becomes a place where the yuppies go because it's gentrification. gentrification happens. and interestingly , the happens. and interestingly, the three generations are not there sequentially on the stage . sequentially on the stage. they're there simultaneously. so we have to kind of bear in mind, oh, this person 20 years before that person. clever play. i liked it very much. i don't think i'm quite enthusiastic think i'm quite as enthusiastic about about it as you. >> i'm very much i'm always the one by emotion. so one that's led by emotion. so i often including with my often just be including with my critic friends. disagree if critic friends. i disagree if it's lots of ideas. my baseline is always if you make me laugh and make me care, i'll and you make me care, then i'll listen to the issues and i'll get involved in the stories. i think for me it's the example of there many issues going there are so many issues going on here between race, immigration, class, working classes, the unions, thatcherism , whatever modern the modern world, great jokes about ocado . world, great jokes about ocado. um, but it doesn't lecture you. it's just humanity. and they're not, i don't know, people in sheffield. i don't know people from this area, but we're all human beings. and that, for me is the importance to it. so the

other plays, i never other two plays, i could never actually with actually care or engage with the characters. therefore i don't want shouted out about the want to be shouted out about the issues. this does the opposite. you really care. and i just came away thinking that the music, it is a little bit manipulative at the end and i of course cry. um, but music is beautiful, but the music is beautiful, poetic. you listen to the lyrics, it's a clever , bold, lyrics, it's a clever, bold, exciting piece of theatre. it's also a piece of theatre about not london, not about middle classes, not intellectual ideas. it's about the nation . it's it's about the nation. it's about all of us. so for me, i think it's beautiful. >> i was struck this week yet again by what a privilege it is to live in this country. yes, and particularly in london. i went to two of the best shows i've been to in my life in the last week. one was the flying dutchman at covent and dutchman at covent garden, and the the ballet the other one was the ballet manon, about which you also feel very, deeply . and when very, very deeply. and when i said to friends, i went to the flying someone said flying dutchman, someone said to me, was the me, oh, yeah, but that was the night shostakovich's night i went to shostakovich's fourth. when said i went fourth. and when i said i went to said that that to manon, they said that that was night i went to haydn's

was the night i went to haydn's creation. mean, what a place creation. i mean, what a place we live in that there's so much art accessible prices art going on, accessible prices everywhere . everywhere. >> there are >> if people look, there are always offers morning offers always offers, morning offers on the lottery offers, the day offers, lottery offers, all the nationally funded institutions like the national theatre prices are theatre ticket prices are maximum around £60. it's accessible and out of london. >> thank you so much. stefan kyriazis . with that celebration kyriazis. with that celebration of the arts in britain , you are of the arts in britain, you are watching michael portillo on gb news, britain's news channel. after the break, we'll debate whether republicans are to whether republicans are right to hold military aid hold up the vital military aid to ukraine. look back on to ukraine. we'll look back on a century of surrealism , and we'll century of surrealism, and we'll explore the influences behind the book. dune, which has now been made into a major movie release this week. stay with . us release this week. stay with. us >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> hello there, i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your

latest gb news news, weather sunday, much brighter out there compared to saturday. some sunny spells, yes, a few scattered showers. looking at the bigger picture . low pressure which picture. low pressure which dominated yesterday is moving away leaving a brighter window. however, further wet and possibly windy weather will move into western areas through monday, for the rest of monday, but for the rest of sunday, plenty of sunny spells across the country. yes, there will be a few showers down western areas. perhaps something a little more organised across the south—west, but many places dry . this weather front should dry. this weather front should stay away, but perhaps could give rain to northern isles give some rain to northern isles and eastern coasts at and some eastern coasts at times, and temperatures well, with sunshine around with a bit more sunshine around it a little warmer it will feel a little warmer compared to saturday into the evening time. a few showers but generally clearing skies for most, so this will allow temperatures to fall away as winds fall. light and overnight we'll see again the return of some mist and fog patches. some freezing fog patches by dawn, as temperatures fall close to , if temperatures fall close to, if not below freezing in towns and cities —2 to —4, again in the

countryside , however, it is all countryside, however, it is all changing to monday. this weather system into the southwest system moving into the southwest starts to bring outbreaks of rain into southwest england , rain into southwest england, wales and northern ireland. later on in the day. elsewhere, a frosty start but plenty later on in the day. elsewhere, a sunshiney start but plenty later on in the day. elsewhere, a sunshine this|rt but plenty later on in the day. elsewhere, a sunshine this turn|t plenty of sunshine this turn increasingly hazy by the afternoon as this weather system slowly pushes north and eastwards, temperatures rising as southerly winds set in, as well . well. >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers , sponsors of boxt boilers, sponsors of weather on .

gb news. away. >> good afternoon and welcome to the second hour of sunday with michael portillo. as ukrainian

defensive positions in the country's east are yielded in the face of a russian offensive and a $60 billion of american military aid is held up in washington's house of representatives. how concerned should we be about republican recalcitrance? i'll be joined by two american republicans . recalcitrance? i'll be joined by two american republicans. this year will bring us many exhibitions devoted to surrealism. since the movement turns 100 this year. it began with a series of manifestos pennedin with a series of manifestos penned in paris in 1924, but a later variant was brought to these shores by the artist and poet sir roland penrose . i'll be poet sir roland penrose. i'll be exploring the lesser spotted british surrealists with penrose granddaughter. hundreds of thousands of working age people with disabilities are on out of work benefits , which is work benefits, which is something the government has said determined to address said it's determined to address among those will be many with the developmental disability autism. new review by the autism. a new review by the former justice secretary, sir robert buckland mp, has urged a string of reforms to help those people back into work . i'll talk

people back into work. i'll talk to him and as june 2nd hits the cinemas after massive anticipation, we will explore the diverse range of influences in the book behind the movie , a in the book behind the movie, a science fiction novel which encompasses islamic theology, environmentalism and feudalism. all of that to come. but first, your news headlines with sam francis . michael thank your news headlines with sam francis. michael thank you very much and good afternoon. >> from the newsroom. it's just gone 12:00 leading the news this afternoon. the chancellor has hinted what could be in his hinted at what could be in his spnng hinted at what could be in his spring budget, including taxes on lets levies on vaping on holiday lets levies on vaping and possible changes to the non—dom tax status . ahead of non—dom tax status. ahead of wednesday's announcement, the treasury has also revealed an £800 million tech package to boost productivity in the nhs and the police s with new ai technology and drones. labour says the suggested reforms, though, are spin without substance . forecasts also appear

substance. forecasts also appear to show jeremy hunt has little to show jeremy hunt has little to no headroom for tax cuts, which will limit any prospect of pre—election giveaways . however, pre—election giveaways. however, speaking to gb news this morning, jeremy hunt said that his budget will include a number of reforms to public services , of reforms to public services, which he says will mean better for value taxpayers. it is wrong to say that we should be putting more money into the public sector, fewer civil servants to be more productive, correct? >> you want fewer people to do more . more. >> i think we've got to stop always looking at the inputs and always looking at the inputs and always saying that the to always saying that the way to get better public services to get better public services is to spend more and actually ask if we could more efficient . we could be more efficient. >> and news over the course of this weekend that we've been covering, thousands of people have taken to the streets in pro—palestine protests across britain and that's after the prime minister's warning of extreme list threats. campaigners have also targeted around 50 barclays bank branches , which they have accused of having financial ties with

suppliers of weapons. having financial ties with suppliers of weapons . police suppliers of weapons. police ordered the protesters to move on, citing section 14 of the pubuc on, citing section 14 of the public order act. it's after rishi sunak's speech in downing street on friday, when he warned that islamist extremists and far right groups are, he says , right groups are, he says, spreading poison in british democracy . the government is democracy. the government is reportedly considering blocking hate preachers from entering britain, with more people being added to warning lists. reports suggest that current powers could be used to increase the number of people who are prevented from entering the country. that's if they're deemed to be non—conducive to the public good. i could include those who preach racism , those who preach racism, intimidation, or incite violence. currently, the rules are typically used to ban people who are known to pose a security threat . labour will ensure that threat. labour will ensure that compulsory training on violence against women and girls is given to all police officers if they're successful at the general election. that's following an inquiry into the sarah everard case. labour's

also vowed to revamp police vetting procedures to stop those with a history of domestic abuse or sexual offences from joining any police force . a report any police force. a report published this week found that wayne couzens should have never been given a job as a police officer , and it said that officer, and it said that chances to stop the sexual predator were repeatedly ignored and missed. today marks three years since he killed sarah everard, who was 33, at the time, after tricking her into thinking that she was being arrested, he has been sentenced to life in prison and will never be released . rail passenger cars be released. rail passenger cars in england and wales are facing a new 5% price hike from today. that's despite train cancellations being among the worst in ten years. campaign heirs argue the public are being unfairly punished by the increase . it comes after increase. it comes after thousands of services were cancelled in the past year in one of the worst performances in the rail industry since records began. the rail industry since records began . israel has said that its began. israel has said that its forces did not strike a gaza aid

convoy last week, where more than 100 palestinians died while they were queuing for food . a they were queuing for food. a spokesperson said the majority of people died in a stampede as they charged towards the aid trucks , according to israel's trucks, according to israel's review of the incident . but they review of the incident. but they say warning shots were only fired to try and disperse the crowds to the united states. now, where an election rematch is looking ever more likely , is looking ever more likely, with donald trump winning three more republican contests overnight night in missouri, michigan and in idaho, the former president's only rival, nikki haley, is still searching for her first win, trailing second in each state so far . for her first win, trailing second in each state so far. mr trump made several false claims at campaign rallies, including the allegation that president biden is, he said, trying to overthrow the united states. that's despite mr trump himself being charged with conspiracy to defraud the us , part of the 91 defraud the us, part of the 91 serious crimes he's being accused of in four criminal trials . and finally , last trials. and finally, last night's brit awards were swept by ray, a stunning turnaround

for the 26 year old singer after she was dumped by her own record label . label. >> i'm so proud of this album. i'm in love with music. all i ever wanted to be was an artist, and now i'm an artist with an album of the year. >> the victorious ray claimed top honours for the album and artist of the year , best new artist of the year, best new artist and song of the year. >> she was also named songwriter of the year, and she triumphed in the r&b pop categories public vote . so in total she scooped up vote. so in total she scooped up an astonishing six gongs, the most wins in a single year ever at the brit awards those are the headunes at the brit awards those are the headlines for more , you can sign headlines for more, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code there on your screen . the code there on your screen. or if you're listening on radio, you gb news common you can go to gb news common alerts.

>> thank you very much, sam francis. since the ukrainian army withdrew from the eastern town of depher, its failure to establish a firm defensive line has allowed russian forces to push forward. ukraine says it desperately needs more munitions as russian artillery is out shelling its forces 10 to 1. meanwhile a $60 billion aid commitment from washington is currently stalled in the house of representatives as republican congressmen refused to approve it to discuss the republican position on ukraine. i'm joined by two members of the republicans overseas group, a chair, greg swenson , and chair, greg swenson, and jennifer ewing . lovely to see jennifer ewing. lovely to see you both. thank you very much for coming to the studio on a sunday. um, greg, if the democrats , um, decided to, uh, democrats, um, decided to, uh, give you what you want, give the republicans what they want on the border with mexico , would the border with mexico, would the border with mexico, would the 60 billion package for ukraine sail through? >> i think it would . there's no >> i think it would. there's no doubt about it. and you saw that

and even some of the senators that voted no on the senate package a few weeks ago, most of them said if they had concessions from the democrats on the border, especially from biden, because all he needs to do is flip the switch on the border, it doesn't require money. it doesn't require more funds being committed. it just requires biden to unwind the executive actions that he took when he took over in 2021, and literally opened up the border. so, yes, i think the republican would get behind that. and you've heard that from mike johnson, speaker of the house. >> so just give us a couple of words more on what the effect of president throwing these president biden throwing these switches back. would the switches back. what would the effect be? effect of that be? >> first of all, would >> well, first of all, it would stop at stop the humanitarian crisis at the he's turned over the the border. he's turned over the border to the drug and human trafficking cartels . that that trafficking cartels. that that would end as well as the fentanyl crisis, which is, again caused by biden and the fentanyl coming through the border. 200 people a are dying from people a day are dying from fentanyl overdose. so um, or fentanyl overdose. so um, or fentanyl poisoning. so it's a

really important to the republicans to get those concessions because it really is a national security issue. it's not apples and oranges . it's not not apples and oranges. it's not you know, we're tying something up to get a concession on some unrelated issue. it is national security . so if we want to argue security. so if we want to argue that it's important for us to support ukraine, which i think it is, we have to we have to get those concessions to voters are demanding . demanding it. >> maybe i'm fairto ask demanding it. >> maybe i'm fair to ask you to explain another party's position, but how would you explain the democrats refusals to do something which you portray as being so straightforward? >> yeah, it's a shame, because biden could have a win win moment. he would. he would win in dependence. and moderates that appalled he's that are appalled with how he's handung that are appalled with how he's handling the border even handling the border and even moderate , it's, you moderate democrats, it's, you know, his border his he's polling on the border at depending on the poll anywhere from 18 to 31. this is a disaster for him electorally . disaster for him electorally. now the open border left that he's really following here and seems like they're running the

show in washington. they're probably going to vote for him anyway. i can't see them voting for that's for for donald trump, that's for sure. it would be a win win sure. so it would be a win win for biden . i don't understand for biden. i don't understand why doing unless why they're not doing it unless the would argue that the real cynic would argue that biden wants this to happen so he can blame the republicans. right hold back the support from ukraine. six months from now, he can say , i had package for can say, i had a package for ukraine, that the republicans rejected but that's really rejected it. but that's really cynical. would argue win win cynical. i would argue win win for biden if he shuts down the border. that will work for him in the election. and then he gets to 60 billion for ukraine. >> jennifer , thank you for your >> jennifer, thank you for your patience. you patience. sorry to keep you waiting. so same question to you that asked greg at the that i asked greg at the beginning . you believe beginning. do you believe that if the democrats made the changes that greg has described , changes that greg has described, that the package would then sail through with republican support ? through with republican support? >> i don't think it would sail through . and the reason is, is through. and the reason is, is because the longer this has gone on, the more voter is on, the more the voter is looking is actually looking at what is actually going on here. right? so this package, 60 billion of which is

for ukraine, and a far smaller number, which is for the us border number one, people are like, that's a bit strange. number two, with regards to ukraine, is strategy ukraine, what is the strategy like? come out and like? nobody has come out and said this is the end goal. nobody can explain what that end goal two, as greg goal is. number two, as greg said, um, our number one voting issue right now is the southern border, bar none. you know , and border, bar none. you know, and that to inflation and the that leads to inflation and the economy and crime and everything . and then thing is, . and then the third thing is, and a of people, even and i know a lot of people, even in republican side will in the republican side will argue we cannot do argue with me, but we cannot do it all. you know, russia has a population of one tenth of the size of a united states . and yet size of a united states. and yet these munitions, i think it's these munitions, i think it's the 155 millilitre that, um, millom that need to be made. russia's doing 25,000 of those a day. and the us is doing 30,000 of those a month . it will take of those a month. it will take us three years to get up to speed , to be able to do speed, to be able to do something in ukraine, as well as do something if we have to, um, in the indo—pacific. yeah, but

$60 billion would make a big difference to ukraine. >> i think that's pretty unarguable. and when you say what is the end game here? the end game is to thwart vladimir putin. i mean, there are many people here who believe that this front line . i mean, this is our front line. i mean, i think you're probably living in europe at the moment, we in europe at the moment, but we think that if we don't thwart in europe at the moment, but we think inat if we don't thwart in europe at the moment, but we think in ukraine, ion't thwart in europe at the moment, but we think in ukraine, he'llthwart in europe at the moment, but we think in ukraine, he'll come putin in ukraine, he'll come next for estonia. he'll come next for estonia. he'll come next for estonia. he'll come next for poor little moldova. uh he'll be after the other baltic states in due course. that's what we think . we think it's the what we think. we think it's the front line. well i do live in london, so. >> absolutely i haven't, you know, i'm not sitting back home in thinking is, in california thinking this is, uh, is in my backyard. so. uh, it is in my backyard. so. yes. and i agree, we had to, you know, stop russia from fully invading ukraine. but this argument that putin is somehow going to march to berlin when he hasn't been even able to take kyiv. >> we didn't we didn't say berlin , take moldova, okay. berlin, take moldova, okay. >> but people okay, let's go to moldova. great danger. right okay, let's go let's go to okay, let's go to let's go to moldova . i, i just don't see the

moldova. i, i just don't see the evidence for that happening. i really i really don't and i think if you look at the way the american voters feel right now, it's kind of 30, 30, 30, 30% think we should give , um, think we should give, um, increase the amount of money we're giving to ukraine, 30% think we should decrease it and 30% think we should stay the same . but again, it's not about same. but again, it's not about money. if we can't produce the weapons . weapons. >> but, jennifer, would you be happy with the result where putin up with sizeable putin ends up with a sizeable extra of ukraine having extra chunk of ukraine having taken crimea back in 2014, when extra from what he has now like the two eastern donbas regions and crimea? >> or are you saying he's going for kyiv? >> no , no, no, no, i'm not >> no, no, no, no, i'm not saying you give kyiv but saying you give him kyiv but are you should keep you saying that he should keep what during this what he has gained during this aggression? i do think what we're going to end up very much is a peace agreement. >> and he's going to keep crimea. and i think he's probably going to keep some parts the eastern. the parts on the eastern. and the quicker we get to that peace agreement that the quicker people stop dying on all people will stop dying on all sides this and the quicker us

sides of this and the quicker us taxpayers and europeans will stop putting more money after this. >> greg, i heard it being suggested earlier that this would be donald trump's position where he , president of the where he, president of the united states again, that he would want bring about would want to bring about a resolution the conflict resolution of the conflict very quickly and a quick resolution would inevitably mean putin holding to ukrainian holding on to ukrainian territory . is that something territory. is that something which also can countenance? which you also can countenance? >> yeah, for i'm stopping the war as soon as possible. so again, i'm for support. you know, i think if there was just if ukraine just rolled now, if ukraine just rolled over now, they'd really weak they'd be in a really weak position or we didn't support position or if we didn't support them this, with 60 billion them with this, with 60 billion or whatever they're or whatever, whatever they're suggesting. and so i think that the idea that trump has is to let's support ukraine, remember , let's support ukraine, remember, he's the one sent javelin he's the one who sent javelin missiles ukraine in 2017 missiles to ukraine in 2017 after eight years of obama , after eight years of obama, biden sending blankets and ready to meet, ready to eat meals to the us airbase and poland, and then shipping it on trucks, commercial trucks to kyiv , you commercial trucks to kyiv, you know, they didn't want to provoke or offend putin, whereas

trump, in spite of his his dialogue with with putin, came in and said, no, we're going to we're sending lethal weapons. and i think trump would do that again . again. >> um, jennifer, supposing you were wrong and supposing after a peace treaty has been made, which leaves part of ukraine in the hands of vladimir putin and under a trump administration , under a trump administration, suppose he does go for moldova next, are you and president trump willing to change your minds ? minds? >> um, i mean , we have to >> um, well, i mean, we have to protect our nato allies , right? protect our nato allies, right? so the second anything happens to nato ally , the us, you to a nato ally, the us, you know, go in article five. know, will go in article five. nobody's saying that . and all of nobody's saying that. and all of this of you know, oh, this talk of you know, oh, president trump wants to get out of quite the of nato. quite, quite the contrary. actually he's contrary. i actually think he's trying support nato by trying to support nato by encouraging european members encouraging the european members to get up to their 2, because if the us does have to turn our attention to the indo—pacific, and if we cannot continue to provide weapons, forget money, provide weapons, forget money, provide weapons, forget money, provide weapons, europe has to be able to defend itself. and as

you said, michael, i mean, i live here, i want i want to protected uk in europe too, as a former defence secretary, i am mightily heartened by the concluding remarks. >> there . thank you to jennifer >> there. thank you to jennifer ewing and greg swenson after the break. as surrealism marks its centenary this year, i'll explore the movements british footprint with author amy buzan , footprint with author amy buzan, whose grandparents brought surrealism to these shores .

welcome back exhibitions will open across the world this year to mark a centenary of, um, surrealism , the movement that surrealism, the movement that was born in 1924. with the publication of the surrealist manifesto . that was a series of

manifesto. that was a series of critiques and ripostes between the french literary figures ivan gall and andre breton. the movement came to british shores through the work of painter and historian sir roland penrose and historian sir roland penrose and his dashing second wife, the photographer and war correspondent lee miller. it's my absolute pleasure to be joined by their granddaughter , joined by their granddaughter, the author and the manager of the author and the manager of the lee miller archives, amy bersani , who is also the bersani, who is also the director of farleys house and gallery, which is the home of her grandparents , where they her grandparents, where they entertained some of the 20th century's most famous artists . century's most famous artists. it really is a pleasure to have you here. so tell us a little bit about sir roland penrose and the way in which he brought surrealism to britain. um well, he was very he knew about it from when the manifesto was first put together in in 1924, because his first wife was a surrealist poet, valentine boue , surrealist poet, valentine boue, and she introduced him to paul eluard. >> he's one of the key figures in named in that first manifesto, man , and paul eluard

manifesto, man, and paul eluard and roland became very close friends and he was very much, um , impassioned or inspired, not by the fact that he loved the fact that the surrealism was the idea of looking at things in a different way, finding the marvellous in the ordinary. but also it wasn't just a way of doing weird art , it was doing weird art, it was political. and they had other beliefs and they were very much nonconformist and into challenging the status quo and, and kind of going that little bit further. and i think that's maybe why surrealism has stood the, the test of time . the, the test of time. >> um, so the surrealist exhibition in london was in 1936. is that right? yeah. 12 years after it had started altogether. and that year , altogether. and that year, coinciding with the beginning of the spanish civil war. and your grandfather , sir roland penrose, grandfather, sir roland penrose, took a great interest in the spanish civil war. >> yes. he did, and, um, it was funny because the first international surrealist exhibition opened in june 1936

with herbert read and already then, when they were organising it, there was this kind of, um, conversation as to whether they should include dali's works or not, because dali had already come out in support of franco, but they they decided that he was kind of too important in the movement to not include his works . but eluard was movement to not include his works. but eluard was very movement to not include his works . but eluard was very key works. but eluard was very key in, in making sure that those works were included . the press works were included. the press trashed the show, but it got more than a thousand visitors a day. um, and actually , it was day. um, and actually, it was quite funny because the head of curator at the tate, at the time called it surrealism , which is called it surrealism, which is even more ironic in the fact that some of those works are. quite a few of those works are now in the tate collection. yeah yeah, but and then after that, he went to actually went to spain because he was really disturbed about what was happening. and he wanted to not just be kind of supporting it from afar. but he did go . and he from afar. but he did go. and he was hearing this kind of

propaganda coming from franco's side saying about how how the republicans were trashing the monasteries and the art and things like that. and so he, along with christian zervos , um, along with christian zervos, um, went and valenti went there and they protested. they went and, and found these monasteries and they the, the, the, the artworks were being kept perfectly fine. >> they were able to counter the propaganda. yeah. tell us a bit about lee miller, an american, um, photographer . yeah. um, how um, photographer. yeah. um, how did she get involved in all of this? >> well, she, she got involved the next year, she was already a surrealist, and she was very much in with the paris lot. the original kind of nucleus, because surrealist , um, kind of because surrealist, um, kind of was born in france . but she met was born in france. but she met roland in 1937. um at a fancy dress party in france. came for a crazy surrealist weekend in

cornwall, where they were joined by a lot of the kind of big artists leonora carrington , max artists leonora carrington, max ernst, henry moore , man ray , um, ernst, henry moore, man ray, um, and she had a long association with man ray. yeah, she did, and man ray, in fact, roland's first introduction to lee was a man ray painting that was two metres wide of her lips that used to hung hang , wide of her lips that used to hung hang, um, wide of her lips that used to hung hang , um, above his bed wide of her lips that used to hung hang, um, above his bed . hung hang, um, above his bed. but he lent it to the first international surrealist exhibition in london. what was great about also about that show was it wasn't because it started very much french centric , but very much french centric, but that show in london wasn't just kind of. the french artists include and included artists from scandinavia to it. um, belgium , um, and there was also belgium, um, and there was also some czech what was formerly known as czechoslovak artists as well in the within the show and there was 400 works, 73 artists, although only less than ten were

women. so they had taken some further steps at widening it, but they're not quite with the women . women. >> i suppose if people want to imagine in their mind what surrealism is, they're likely actually to think of salvador dali . they're likely to think of dali. they're likely to think of melting clocks and things like that. your grandfather might be disappointed, given that he disapproved of him, and politically . but i'm coming politically. but i'm coming really the point that what is really to the point that what is the importance or relevance of surrealism today ? surrealism today? >> i think the fact that art can be used as a vehicle to encourage people to look in a in another way, and it's very much has a place in politics, um, you know, that whole thing. meret oppenheim , himars hairy teacup, oppenheim, himars hairy teacup, the whole idea that you have this teacup and normally you use it to drink your tea from. but coverit it to drink your tea from. but cover it in hair and you look at it different. so encouraging people to get out of their normal vision and look at something from a different point

of view can only help kind of political situations. and understanding across different, um , beliefs and um, points of um, beliefs and um, points of view. my ask what it's been like for you personally to be the granddaughter of these two, um, great figures . great figures. >> and i might say i've had the great pleasure of working with your father well. mean, your father as well. so, i mean, the family has been very, very heavily affected by by this heritage. >> yeah . um, well, heritage. >> yeah. um, well, i'm incredibly proud to have grandparents like that. i mean, i love the fact that roland is still actually, he's better known in catalonia , in spain known in catalonia, in spain than he is now in england. we've kind of forgotten him a little bit over for , here because he bit over for, here because he continued to champion , um, the continued to champion, um, the republicans . and he was part of republicans. and he was part of the arc the artist refugees committee when the which started in 1938 as well. and they helped between 20 and 30 people escape , between 20 and 30 people escape, not just franco, but also the nazi . there were artists that

nazi. there were artists that escaped to england. so i feel like he really tried to do his piece . it wasn't just about piece. it wasn't just about painting pictures and showing, showing art and it was very much rooted in it. and the lee was very was like that too. when you look at her world war two work and what she's reporting on, she's very she kind of she's not scared to question what's going on. she's not scared to say , you on. she's not scared to say, you know, at the liberation of luxembourg , is liberation really luxembourg, is liberation really enough ? are we doing enough when enough? are we doing enough when , you know, you come in and suddenly everybody's free? who stocks the cupboards with with food and how do things go on from there? >> how are you going to spend the century a year? are you going be touring exhibitions? going to be touring exhibitions? presumably many . presumably there will be many. >> yeah, mean, obviously they >> yeah, i mean, obviously they have collection have a wonderful collection of art from their friends who just happened massive happened to be these massive names. should come and visit names. you should come and visit us at farleys . us at farleys. >> yes, i would, i would love to do that. and one other little

question where now ? how is that question where now? how is that extraordinary huge picture of your grandmother's lips painted by man ray ? by man ray? >> um, it's in a private collection in greece, unfortunately. right >> that must be a remarkable piece . yeah. um, such piece. yeah. um, such a pleasure, amy, to have you in the studio and enjoy your centenary year of surrealism. that's amy. bush—cheney. later in the program , we'll be in the program, we'll be discussing the cultural influences behind the movie dune . and after the break, i'll speak to sir robert buckland mp about how to move more people with autism into the workplace before that, here are your news headunes before that, here are your news headlines with sam francis . headlines with sam francis. >> michael, thank you very much. good afternoon. the headlines just after coming up to 1230 and we start with the some breaking news that's just come into us in the newsroom that a seven year old girl, we understand has drowned today after a small boat

capsized while trying to cross the english channel. we understand 15 people were on board that vessel and that a government spokesperson says french authorities are currently leading the response and investigation . we will, of investigation. we will, of course, keep across that for you throughout the rest of this afternoon. but to recap there a seven year old girl has died after drowning in the english channel. and in other news, today , the chancellor has hinted today, the chancellor has hinted at what could be in his spring budget, including taxes on houday budget, including taxes on holiday lets levies on vaping and possible changes to the non—dom tax status . ahead of non—dom tax status. ahead of wednesday's announcement, the treasury has also revealed an £800 million tech package to boost products in the nhs and police , with new ai and drones . police, with new ai and drones. laboun police, with new ai and drones. labour, though, says the suggested reforms are spin without substance . forecasts without substance. forecasts also appear to show jeremy hunt has little to no headroom for tax cuts, which will limit the prospect of any pre—election giveaways. however, jeremy hunt did tell gb news this morning

that his budget will include a number of reforms to public services , which he says will services, which he says will mean better value for taxpayers . mean better value for taxpayers. those who preach hate could be blocked from entering britain under plans being considered by the government . reports suggest the government. reports suggest that current powers could be used to increase the number of people who are added to blacklists if they're deemed to be non—conducive to the public good. that would include those who preach racism, intimidation or incite violence . currently, or incite violence. currently, the rules are typically used to ban people who are known to pose a threat to security . and rail a threat to security. and rail passengers in england and wales are facing another 5% price hike from today . that's despite train from today. that's despite train cancellations being among the worst in ten years. campaign owners argue the public are being unfairly punished by the increase. it comes after thousands of services were cancelled in the past year , cancelled in the past year, which was one of the worst performing years in the rail industry since records began .

industry since records began. those are the headlines. more at 1:00. in the meantime, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen , or go to gbnews.com screen, or go to gbnews.com slash alerts and michael will be back right after this short .

break. >> welcome back. hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities are currently out of work and unable to find a job, and among them will be many people with the developmental disability, autism . in a new disability, autism. in a new review, sir robert buckland mp says that fewer than a third of the 1 million people with autism in this country are in work. amongst his recommendations are changes to application forms and interview questions in order to make them more intelligible. i'm

very pleased to be joined by sir robert buckland mp . now robert, robert buckland mp. now robert, welcome , um, i presume that welcome, um, i presume that people who have autism have a whole range of different qualities and characteristics , qualities and characteristics, some of which might make it difficult for them to get into work , and others of them might work, and others of them might suit them very well and make them very reliable and dependable employees . dependable employees. >> that's absolutely right. >> that's absolutely right. >> we're talking about an incredible range of skills and talents that, uh, we tend to think of autism as. >> you remember, the film rain man some years ago ? uh, you man some years ago? uh, you know, an incredible mind , but, know, an incredible mind, but, uh, not necessarily socially aware. that's one facet of the condition , but there are many condition, but there are many other different facets. i think what brings it all together in common is the fact that very often the sort of mainstream questions that you and i might be able to handle in an interview actually are really quite difficult for autistic

people to deal with. and i think the stress and the anxiety levels then overwhelm people . levels then overwhelm people. and it means that there are barriers out there that make employment a very difficult thing. and even if a job is secured, the retention of that job, uh, if there's a problem, can be difficult as well. and i think that, um, what we need to do is look again at the way we interview and retain people more generally in order to capture not just those with an identified condition , but many identified condition, but many others who perhaps don't think of themselves as autistic or neurodiverse and don't have a diagnosis yet . diagnosis yet. >> yes. give me an example. if you would, of the sort of question that that, uh, that i might find straightforward , but might find straightforward, but a person with autism might find less straightforward . well, less straightforward. well, i think a general, non—specific question like, you know, what sort of person are you like, um, you and i perhaps can start to imagine how to describe that . imagine how to describe that. >> i think for, for many autistic people , that's a very

autistic people, that's a very vague and unspecific question that will take them time to consider and think about in other words, perhaps it's better to make stop making interviews some sort of ordeal or memory test. uh, but instead a genuine attempt to explore the potential of the applicant. why not tell them the questions in advance? why not? you know , help them why not? you know, help them prepare better so that they can give a considered view . and then give a considered view. and then the interviewing panel will know more about the qualities of the applicant before them . applicant before them. >> is your report mainly about procedures for getting into work? is it mainly about, um, interviews and forms . interviews and forms. >> no, it's a more general, uh, view of all stages of the process . it's supporting people process. it's supporting people through internships and apprenticeships into employment. it's about working with existing organisations like the chartered institute of recruitment consultants and indeed, uh, other institutions , ones that

other institutions, ones that specialise in in procedures and process searches in order to build into the system much more of an understanding and a flexibility that will unleash the potential of hundreds of thousands of people. you know, michael, at the moment we hear a lot about economic inactivity and the productivity in the and the productivity gap in the uk . uh, this report a genuine uk. uh, this report is a genuine attempt not just to deal with the sort of moral dimension of people not working, but the economic imperative of getting more people in our society into work. and therefore there is, i think, a wider , uh, you know, a think, a wider, uh, you know, a hard edge to this, that i think can really benefit the economy . can really benefit the economy. >> what provoked your interest in this subject? what has led you to devote so much time to the issue ? well i'm a parent of the issue? well i'm a parent of a young adult who's autistic. >> as a result of my own family experiences, i had to get to gnps experiences, i had to get to grips with the issues . uh, experiences, i had to get to grips with the issues. uh, and that's, uh, taught me a lot,

grips with the issues. uh, and that's, uh, taught me a lot , not that's, uh, taught me a lot, not just about, um, from my own experiences, but the experiences of many other families and friends out there who have lived this same particular experience . this same particular experience. and as a result of that, i thought doing something positive was absolutely the right thing for me to do. and over the last ten months, it's been a privilege to work with autistica , the leading uk research charity, and indeed the dwp , to charity, and indeed the dwp, to produce an independent report that michael for once doesn't ask for more laws or more public dodi, but asks for wider business and industry to take up the best practice that many businesses are doing and change subtly but effectively. ways in which they retain and recruit people so that more and more autistic adults can actually get into work. and we can close that really shocking gap at the moment that exists . moment that exists. >> may i seek your expert advice on another matter? the prime minister made a statement in downing street on friday evening

at and hinted that there would be legislation in coming forward where would you say are the gaps in our legislation? if we're talking about dealing with extremism and if we're talking about the way in which we police pubuc about the way in which we police public order events ? public order events? >> yes . i public order events? >> yes. i think that a lot of changes were made when i was in office that that, uh, made it clear that notice had to be given in advance of static protests, which were a particular problem, if you remember, with xr and just stop oil now, six days is the rule at the moment , oil now, six days is the rule at the moment, it's clear that we're having quite a sustained attempt to keep a regular rolling protest in london and other main cities. i think a longer terme of notice would be a good idea. i also think that we need to look at some of the work done by previous advisers on terrorism, about closing the gap between what might be lawful but still harmful in terms of

terrorist content , and making terrorist content, and making sure that the law is as flexible as possible to anticipate the changes that we see being made and the adaptations being made by extremists in order to try and get around the letter of the law . i think and get around the letter of the law. i think the prime minister's statement was absolutely right. on friday, but we now need action to make sure that this country's democracy and our way of life is protected against those who wish us harm. >> one of the things that may have surprised a number of people is that sir keir starmer gave quite a warm response to the prime minister's remarks on friday. uh, do you think, particularly now that you're on the backbenches and you're in a position to speak to the other side? think there could side? do you think there could be consensus here between at be any consensus here between at least two main political least the two main political parties about the way forward with issues ? >> well, 7 >> well, there ? >> well, there should be. and in the past there's been an absence of that. i hope that the labour party has moved beyond its rather corbynite, uh, iteration.

i remember when i was in office having great problems with their with with them in order to get them to agree between themselves about what would be an appropriate response to public disorder. i hope they've moved beyond those days and that they can work constructively with the government, because we have a common threat here from extremists on both ends and this rather alarming alliance between elements of the far left and extremist islamism, which is a clear threat to our country and which we all have a common interest in combating people within a political party, not able to agree with each other, whatever next. >> thank you very much, sir robert buckland mp . after the robert buckland mp. after the break, the influences behind the new blockbuster that's sweeping cinemas this coming week, dune two is based on frank herbert's famous novel, which we'll explore in a few minutes time. stay with

us welcome back. the cream of hollywood has been recruited for the year's biggest blockbuster so far, dune two is the second of director denis villeneuve's adaptations of the famous science fiction book by frank herbert, which was published in 1965. in the book, an aristocratic family takes over a desert planet. prize for its valuable resource, which is known as melange. only for the family heir to ally himself with the planet's indigenous people in order to exact bloody revenge in order to exact bloody revenge in a dynastic feud . it's in a dynastic feud. it's celebrated for the diverse range of influences that go into it. middle east and politics. environmentalism and islamic theology . here to explore those theology. here to explore those is the writer and dune fan will collins and will welcome to gb news. and you wrote a piece, i think, in the spectator recently in which you explored some of

the cultural influences on this book. do you just want to set out a few of those for us? please >> hi, michael, thank you for having me. >> fascinating read >> it's a fascinating read because herbert draws from such a diverse array of sources . as a diverse array of sources. as you mentioned, islamic theology . you mentioned, islamic theology. he's also drawing inspiration from medieval european feudalism. he's also taking ideas from eastern mysticism , ideas from eastern mysticism, buddhism, for example, and he also draws from some obscure sources, like a russian war in the 19th century to suppress the independent tribes in the north caucasus. so it's a really fascinating book, in part because the authors taken all of these different ideas and blended them together in such a unique fusion . unique fusion. >> yes. so the accusation here is not in any way of a plagiarist . um, it is that he plagiarist. um, it is that he went around collecting different ideas.i went around collecting different ideas. i mean, just an example . ideas. i mean, just an example. uh, you mentioned the caucuses there . you found a text about there. you found a text about a war in chechnya. i think , which war in chechnya. i think, which you felt was a clear inspiration

for herbert. >> i think that's right. it's written by a famous british travel writer, leslie blanch. she wrote a book that is sadly now a bit obscure, called the sabres of paradise. and it's about this somewhat forgotten conflict in the 19th century caucuses in which the russian empire, under the tsars is trying to suppress the local islamic tribes. and it's a really brilliant book, a bit of writing, highly recommended. and it's also very clear that herbert drew a lot of inspiration from the culture of the north caucuses to inform his creation of the fremen, this indigenous tribe, on arrakis thatis indigenous tribe, on arrakis that is fighting the outside was very often he he picks up herbert, picks up words in particular titles which come from, uh, potentates around the world. >> is that right? >> is that right? >> absolutely . for example, the >> absolutely. for example, the galactic empire, emperor in his bookis galactic empire, emperor in his book is called the, uh, padishah emperor. that's, uh, clearly

from persia. uh, there are lots of other terms that he borrows from various cultures and historical epochs. the influences , uh, some of some of influences, uh, some of some of which are pretty obscure, but some of which are very straightforward and it makes the book very interesting to revisit i >> -- >> it doesn't sound to me as though this would be very straightforward to convert into a . so we've had one movie a movie. so we've had one movie already . what did you make of already. what did you make of that? will? were you pleased with it ? with it? >> uh, well, i enjoyed it. it's always fun to see a book that you loved as a kid come on to the big screen. i thought it was an interesting pretty an interesting and pretty faithful adaptation. and i'm looking forward to the second part film . part of the film. >> a is able to do >> and a film is able to do justice. is it some of these justice. is it to some of these themes? for example, uh, themes? i mean, for example, uh, are we aware in the first film are we aware in the first film are we aware in the first film are we likely to see the are we likely to see in the second references to second film these references to islamic theology ? islamic theology? >> uh, that's an interesting point . it's >> uh, that's an interesting point. it's hard to >> uh, that's an interesting point . it's hard to convey some point. it's hard to convey some of herbert's denser ideas on screen, because you don't have all that text to work with. i think you do see some pretty

clear islamic overtones in the movie. i think that some of the religious terminology is still in there , and, uh, i think it in there, and, uh, i think it does make the movie a lot more interesting than other block busters. >> uh, while we're so much thinking about the middle east, tell me , what is the connection tell me, what is the connection with t.e. lawrence? lawrence of arabia? >> well , well, if arabia? >> well, well, if you're british, there's a good chance that you're aware of the history behind the arab revolt during world war i that was spearheaded in many ways by this british army officer, t.e. lawrence, and i think there's some very clear parallels between his story and the story of the, uh, paul atreides, the protagonist in dune, who is this outsider ? he, dune, who is this outsider? he, uh, gets integrated into these fremen tribes out in the desert and eventually leads their uprising against the empire . and uprising against the empire. and this was clearly inspired by by t.e. lawrence and seven pillars of wisdom is a famous book that he wrote and.

>> and you would be very happy, would you? will if, uh, those of us who might go to the cinema to see the second film, uh, if we went back to the book and opened it and looked at what herbert did all those years ago, back in 1965, absolutely . 1965, absolutely. >> i think it's, uh, still a very fun book to revisit. uh, i think it's interesting how herbert took all of these different influences and blended them together to create a really unique science fiction slash fantasy setting. i think it makes it very rewarding to revisit the book when you're a bit older and a bit more sophisticated, because you start to pick out these references, you notice parallels between you notice the parallels between paul t.e. lawrence . paul atreides and te. lawrence. you see how herbert is drawing inspiration from all these different traditions different religious traditions and historical epochs , and i and historical epochs, and i think that makes the text very rich to revisit. >> think i recognise there in >> i think i recognise there in the clips we've been showing , the clips we've been showing, uh, timothee which uh, timothee chalamet, which doubtless will draw people to the even if they've never the cinema even if they've never opened the book by herbert . uh, opened the book by herbert. uh, thank you very much, will collins, contribution . collins, for your contribution.

enjoy going well in enjoy your cinema. going well in a few moments. dawn neesom will be here. it's lovely to see you in studio again. your in the studio again. your deliciously dressed in mr portillo. >> as are you indeed. i thought we kind of suffragette vibe going on here. green, white, lilac . lilac. >> yes. of course. >> see, we're working on it. we're working on being coordinated. >> got cracking show >> we've got a cracking show there coming up. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> what have worked a little >> what have you worked a little bit you? bit it just for you? >> yeah >> yes. very. yeah >> yes. very. yeah >> so we are talking free money >> yes. very. yeah >> sthat'sare talking free money >> yes. very. yeah >> sthat's nottalking free money >> yes. very. yeah >> sthat's not foring free money >> yes. very. yeah >> sthat's not for you. ree money that that's not for you. obviously i'm not going obviously sex. i'm not going down one. down that one. >> um and why buying around in the is triggering and needs >> um and why buying around in th> um and why buying around in th> um and why buying around in th> um and why buying around in th> um and why buying around in th> um and why buying around in th> um and why buying around in th> what about trains? >> what about trains? >> well, you to won't >> well, you have to watch won't you. telling you now. you. i'm not telling you now. all you find out. >> how % be around em— >> how can buying be around and be triggering? i suspect it's not bang around that's triggering. well it is sort of. >> we've all got those mates, haven't we? >> we've all got those mates, michael. >> that suddenly it's there >> that suddenly when it's there around suddenly around in the pub, suddenly go, oh, the wife's oh, is that the time the wife's on or the cab's on the phone or the cab's outside really need to go outside or i really need to go to toilet, so, we're

to the toilet, so, so we're talking that . talking about that. >> but in the modern day speak where it's triggering , it's where it's triggering, it's a microaggression and you need a safe space to recover. >> um , um, what made you go into >> um, um, what made you go into that subject is there some research on this or something? >> well , it's research on this or something? >> well, it's a sunday research on this or something? >> well , it's a sunday afternoon >> well, it's a sunday afternoon and everyone's down pub. and everyone's down the pub. >> with, with with gb news on on the telly in the pub, obviously, because why else wouldn't you. >> you've to tell me >> you've got to tell me something are you something about trains. are you talking that the talking about the fact that the fares england fares are going up in england and wales and in scotland, even though more though we've had more cancellations before? cancellations than ever before? >> like me >> is that what you'd like me to talk >> is that what you'd like me to taliwell, to know whether >> well, i want to know whether that's in. >> well, i want to know whether tha it in. >> well, i want to know whether tha it might in. >> well, i want to know whether tha it might be in. >> well, i want to know whether tha it might be mentioned because >> it might be mentioned because it's not really fair, is it? >> we have the most expensive trains in europe. why is that ? trains in europe. why is that? and worst in europe . and the worst trains in europe. i mean, your experience, you know, trains are not very good. >> here are they? >> here are they? >> so completely >> i'm just so completely saddened by it all, because it seems to me until the pandemic came along, we were doing reasonably well. we had more and more using trains. we had more people using trains. we had , you know, what the companies

were doing was they were filling in middle the because in the middle of the day because it's easy trains in the it's easy to fill trains in the morning in evening. but morning and in the evening. but the the whole business the trick of the whole business is fill them in the of is to fill them in the middle of the day. i thought they were doing good job, doing a pretty good job, but since pandemic, it's just doing a pretty good job, but since all pandemic, it's just doing a pretty good job, but since all downhill. :, it's just doing a pretty good job, but since all downhill. :, it's thhe been all downhill. this is the problem, been all downhill. this is the pro it'sn, been all downhill. this is the pro it's like less of us are >> it's like less of us are using trains so like we using trains so it's like we need get people them. need to get people back on them. we to encourage we need to encourage them, especially their environmentally friendly. a lovely most friendly. they're a lovely most of a lovely, relaxing friendly. they're a lovely most of travel, lovely, relaxing friendly. they're a lovely most of travel, loveit's relaxing friendly. they're a lovely most of travel, loveit's so axing way to travel, but it's so expensive . expensive. >> i need to go to. i need to go to airport now, but i cannot to an airport now, but i cannot go course go by train because of course the trains are not functioning, so to go in a car. what a so i have to go in a car. what a shame. um, thank you dawn, have so i have to go in a car. what a shame. show.hank you dawn, have so i have to go in a car. what a shame. show. thank)u dawn, have so i have to go in a car. what a shame. show. thank you awn, have so i have to go in a car. what a shame. show. thank you to n, have so i have to go in a car. what a shame. show. thank you to alliave a great show. thank you to all my guests week. it's always my guests this week. it's always so when people come so marvellous when people come in a sunday. thank you very in on a sunday. thank you very much at home. much for watching at home. i will back next week . at the will be back next week. at the same i very look same time, i very much look forward seeing then, and forward to seeing you then, and i in the interval i hope that in the interval that you very pleasurable you have a very pleasurable week. bye . week. bye bye. >> looks like things are heating up . boxt boilers spot of weather

up. boxt boilers spot of weather on gb news news. hello there, i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your latest weather for gb news. >> it's going to be quite cold tonight again, some frost and fog and then we'll see some rain beanng fog and then we'll see some rain bearing weather fronts coming in from atlantic. we can see from the atlantic. we can see that on the pressure that nicely on the pressure chart. pressure chart. this area of low pressure moving the southwest moving into the southwest through monday , giving some through into monday, giving some outbreaks though not as outbreaks of rain, though not as heavy and persistent as it has been of recent weeks , but this been of recent weeks, but this evening dry for many. clearing skies mean temperatures start falling away and into the early hours with light winds will generally see some mist and fog patches. reformi freezing fog patches. reformi freezing fog patches across parts of the uk, as well as temperatures fall below freezing, particularly in the . but the countryside. but temperatures rising across the far southwest as this weather front moves in, bringing outbreaks rain to parts of outbreaks of rain to parts of cornwall devon, wales. as cornwall into devon, wales. as we move through morning, we move through the morning, reaching northern ireland by around lunchtime could be some heavy bursts in there, but it

starts fragment slowly starts to fragment as it slowly pushes north and eastwards into the afternoon . elsewhere, plenty the afternoon. elsewhere, plenty of sunshine to come through the day, though northern isles day, though the northern isles generally damp generally remaining quite damp here and temperatures with southerly winds start to rise. double figures across many parts of the uk for tuesday. the weather front gets stalled across eastern area in the west. we'll see some blustery showers moving in, but plenty of sunny spells. and as the week goes on, it generally becomes drier. will be variable amounts of cloud, but there'll be some sunny spells at times too, and temperatures a little above average . average. >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> hello and welcome to gb news sunday. hope you're having the most wonderful weekend out there

.thank most wonderful weekend out there . thank you forjoining us this . thank you for joining us this lunchtime. i'm dawn neesom and for the next two hours i'll be keeping you company on tv, onune keeping you company on tv, online digital radio. online and on digital radio. coming up this hour, jeremy hunt is set to go to war over woke whitehall wasters as he continues to tease the prospect of tax cuts in the budget . but of tax cuts in the budget. but has he revealed some sneak peeks as to what will appear in the spnng as to what will appear in the spring budget this wednesday ? spring budget this wednesday? then, on the third anniversary of sarah everard's murder, labour say they will introduce compulsory training on violence against women and girls for police officers . but hello, why police officers. but hello, why has it taken this long and why wasn't it done before? so many questions on this. you don't want to miss one. and at want to miss this one. and at the the hour, do you the end of the hour, do you think that given every 30 year old british citizen , ten grand old british citizen, ten grand will help redistribute wealth? well one tory peer seems to think so . hm.

well one tory peer seems to think so. hm. freeman