Podcast
This Is Why
Hosted by Sky News · EN
The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you.
Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions.
Available every weekday afternoon.
This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
102episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why the King's tax return leaves unanswered questions
Yesterday00:15:10Tap to summarizeThe King has revealed how much income tax he pays, becoming the first monarch to ever do so. The Palace said the move was “increasing transparency”, but have the royals given us the full picture? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock and forensic accountant Professor Atul Shah, who have been combing through the tax releases. They explain exactly what was revealed and address whether the numbers are as clear-cut as they seem. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
Transcribe →
Why we're in the dark on defence under Andy Burnham
2d ago00:17:58Tap to summarizeIt's all a little awkward. Sir Keir Starmer is set to deliver his defence spending proposals to NATO next month, despite having lost both his job and his defence secretary.But the outgoing PM seems determined to push through with his plans just days before Andy Burnham potentially moves into Downing Street.The man whose resignation helped hasten Starmer's departure - ex-defence secretary John Healey - recently held talks with Burnham.But what do we know about our expected new prime minister's position on military spending? Will he prove to be more of a hawk or a dove when it comes to the defence of the realm?Niall is joined by Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell and military analyst Sean Bell.
Transcribe →
Why is the UK feeling the heat more than ever?
3d ago00:22:56Tap to summarizeWhen an event discussing extreme heat at London Climate Week is called off due to... extreme heat, you know things are bad. In the words of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, “London is cooking.” Yes, it’s summer and heatwaves are hardly a rarity. But as record temperatures in June follow record temperatures in May – it's the frequency and severity of these weather events that are frightening forecasters and climate scientists. With a rare red heat warning in place across much of England and Wales, hundreds of schools have closed, travellers have been warned to avoid public transport and there are threats of power cuts. But as our summers become ever hotter, are we doing enough to adapt national infrastructure? And why are politicians so hesitant to take transformative climate action? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s science and technology editor Tom Clarke. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
Transcribe →
Why Brexit will define Burnham’s relationship with Europe
4d ago00:20:33Tap to summarizeA decade to the day since the Brexit referendum, the European Union has postponed a proposed summit to reset the UK’s relationship with Europe.Following the fall of the Starmer premiership, Brussels will now wait and see what a new Labour leader – likely to be Andy Burnham – wants to achieve from any potential EU negotiation.But as every prime minister over the past 10 years has discovered, trying to reshape those relations from outside the union is fraught with political danger.Will a Burnham Number 10 seek to strengthen ties with Europe? Could he call for a customs union - and be willing to pay the price? And how will it be viewed by the Leave-supporting voters of Makerfield and the rest of the so-called “Red Wall”?Niall Paterson is joined by Anne McElvoy, executive editor of POLITICO Europe and co-host of our sister podcast, Politics at Sam and Anne’s.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
Transcribe →
Why did Keir Starmer resign as Prime Minister?
5d ago00:22:20Tap to summarizeIt's become a familiar sight in British politics - the lectern outside 10 Downing Street, ready for another resignation speech.On Monday morning, Sir Keir Starmer became the sixth prime minister to stand down in almost a decade, despite on paper commanding a huge Labour majority.So, why was his departure inevitable? And what will be the Starmer legacy following his two years in office?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's political correspondent Rob Powell.
Transcribe →
Why Serena Williams is taking another shot at Wimbledon
1w ago00:19:42Tap to summarizeSerena Williams has nothing left to prove. She's won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, inspired generations of players and built a legacy that reaches far beyond tennis. But after nearly four years away from the sport, she's returning to Wimbledon.So, Niall asks why one of the greatest athletes of all time is making a comeback. He is joined by Charlie Eccleshare, senior tennis writer for The Athletic, as they discuss what motivates elite competitors long after they've conquered their sport, and whether Serena Williams can still defy expectations one more time.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk. And if you wanted to watch Niall, check out This is Why on YouTube.
Transcribe →
Why reopening the Strait of Hormuz isn’t as simple as Trump thinks
1w ago00:19:41Tap to summarizeEnd the war, get the oil tankers moving, and the world’s economy returns to normal. It sounds easy. It really isn’t. Donald Trump and the Iranian regime have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the hopes of bringing the four-month conflict to an end. But the key objective of allowing global shipping to pass freely through the currently Iran controlled Strait of Hormuz is far less straightforward than it may appear. From the threat of minefields to a change of heart over military action, it could take months – if not longer – for the region to return to normal. Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's military analyst Sean Bell. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
Transcribe →
Why are Russian warships in the English Channel?
1w ago00:21:12Tap to summarize"Just one of those things." A typically British response to an unprecedented act of belligerence. When Alan and Jane Kelvey took their yacht out for a sail across the English Channel, the last thing they expected was to be at the centre of a huge diplomatic incident. But when a Russian-flagged frigate fired warning shots as the couple sailed nearby, it was yet another sign of the breakdown in relations between the Kremlin and the UK. Was this an indirect response to the impounding of a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker by British forces? Why are Moscow’s warships operating so close to the UK coastline in the first place? And is it another example of the Royal Navy's lack of resources? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s military analyst Professor Michael Clarke. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
Transcribe →
Why the social media ban could affect everyone
2w ago00:21:06Tap to summarizeIt's not just teenagers having tantrums over TikTok, a social media ban for under-16s could have unforeseen consequences for anyone who uses the internet.The government's decision to crack down on everything from YouTube to AI chatbots was announced on Monday – but remained short on detail.How will any ban work in practice? Is this all being pushed through to provide a legacy for the prime minister? And will every adult user now have to prove they're over-16, with a potential impact on privacy and civil liberties?Niall Paterson speaks to the tech journalist and broadcaster Will Guyatt.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
Transcribe →
Why Iran’s nuclear ambitions put peace in doubt
2w ago00:18:31Tap to summarizeIt was Donald Trump’s 80th birthday present to himself – announcing the US had finally agreed a peace plan with Iran. But is it really a done deal, especially when it comes to Iran’s nuclear ambitions?In fact, is it a deal at all? The two sides are understood to have reached a Memorandum of Understanding, bringing an end to the fighting and a start to 60 days of further negotiations.But whilst Iran has again reiterated its commitment to not produce a nuclear weapon, the future of the country’s uranium enrichment programme is far more vague.Will Mr Trump be satisfied his original war aims have succeeded? And what about the role of Israel in any longer-term peace deal for the region?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s International Affairs Correspondent Dom Waghorn.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.ukIntroducing Sky News Insider! You can listen to Stuff Matters, Electoral Dysfunction, and Trump100 without ads, get new episodes early, exclusive bonus episodes and much more, by becoming a Sky News Insider. Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over. Find out more and subscribe: https://skynews.supportingcast.fm/
Transcribe →