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About

The Big Picture

last updated 22.05.13

The Big Picture is URN's flagship politics and current affairs discussion show, covering issues from a local, national and international level. Our student panellists debate all the big political issues, including British politics, the Middle East and human rights. You can join in the debate by texting us during the show, or via email by contacting us at bigpic@urn1350.net

Go to our show page

Episodes

  • The Splits in the Conservatives, Trouble in Syria and SU referenda added 22.05.13 First up on the show tonight was the fierce debate on the state of the conservative party regarding the apparent splits over EU membership and gay marriage. On the panel were David, Tom, Luc and Elliot, who provided a very welcome discussion on the possible future of the right-wing parties in this country. After the song, the panel changed completely, with Alex, Seb and Gaffers debating the current crisis in Syria regarding weapon supply to both sides from Russia, the USA and other interested parties, as well as the potential involvement of British personnel. The final debate of the night focused on the referenda posited by the SU and the apparent apathy shown towards them by the student body. The panel changed again to Elliot, Gaffers, David and Luc, who had some fierce debates, once involving turning Elliot's microphone down (again). Listen live at 6pm Wednesdays on urn1350.net!
  • Big Picture 15th May 2013 - The Liberal Democrats' Future, David Cameron's Advisors, and Probation Reform added 22.05.13 Michael gathers a diverse group of Nottingham students to debate some of the biggest news of the last few weeks: the fate of Nick Clegg -- and his Liberal Democrats -- at the next General Election; the allegations of elitism and even institutional racism in David Cameron's advisory team; and reforms to privatise the Probation Service. Join us for another informed and impassioned series of debates!
  • The Big Picture - The Rise of Ukip, Pakistani Politics & Abu Qatada added 12.05.13 In this week’s episode the Big Picture panel look at the (irresistible rise) of Ukip in the local council elections, the run up to the Pakistani elections on May 11th and the possibly imminent deportation of the radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada. Thanks for listening, and join us next week, Wednesday at 6pm.
  • Big Picture 01/05/2013 - Benefits, North Korea and Pornography added 07.05.13 Our first debate tonight focussed on the benefit changes that had come into effect over the Easter break - including the bedroom tax, the universal credit and the capping of housing benefit. Our second debate was on our dear friend North Korea, their recent posturing and whether they represented a credible threat to the west, China or nobody at all. And our final debate centred around the proposal that pornography should be used in sex education to give children better, more realistic body images and prepare them for the 'hyper-sexualised' culture we live in. Thanks very much for listening, we hope you'll join us next thursday at 6pm!
  • Big Picture Gove Thatcher and Boston added 26.04.13 The Big Picture returned from the Easter Holidays with a bang on Tuesday. The three behemoth topics of Michael Gove's proposed educational reforms, the funeral and legacy of Margaret Thatcher and the terrible bombings in Boston and the US government's response. The panel got rather heated at times but was able to have a very enjoyable debate on all three topics.
  • Big Picture 20th March 2013 - Press Regulation, Cyprus in Crisis, and Pope Francis I added 20.03.13 David chairs the last Big Picture of the Spring Term, talking about plans to introduce a new body to regulate the press in the wake of the Leveson Enquiry, the banking crisis facing Cyprus as part of the ongoing woes of the Eurozone, and the appointment of Pope Francis I. Listen, comment, and tune in every Wednesday of term-time from 6pm!
  • URN Big Picture 20th February 2013 - NUCA Port & Policy Row, Kenyan Elections, and 10p/Mansion Tax added 20.02.13 This week, Seb chairs for the first time, taking the Big Picture panel through the controversy surrounding allegations of victim-blaming at a Conservative Association debating event, the possibility of Uhuru Kenyatta, suspected of crimes against humanity, being elected President of Kenya, and Labour's first policy stance in favour of a 10p tax band subsidised by a 'mansion tax'. Listen in, comment, and tune in to the show every Wednesday from 6pm!
  • Big Picture - 30th January 2013 added 30.01.13 David chairs a session in which the panel discuss the proposal to hold an EU referendum in 2017 (if the Conservatives get a majority in the next General Election), Liberal Democrat backbencher proposals to lower the voting age to 16, and the appointment of Sir Andrew Witty as Chancellor of the University of Nottingham.
  • Big Picture 16th January 2013 - Benefits Cap, US Gun Control, IP Rights in Academia added 16.01.13 David chairs a session discussing plans to cap benefit increases in coming years, new moves in the US gun control debates after the Sandy Hook massacre of December 14th, and the fairness of journal distribution and IP rights for academics in the online age.
  • Big Picture 28-11-2012 - Minimum Pricing on Alcohol, EU Budget and NUS Demo2012 March added 28.11.12 Join us for another Big Picture, with an unusual balance of left- and right-wing opinion over the panel and some heated discussion about EU, taxes, booze and student loans. Catch the show live every Wednesday 6-7pm at urn1350.net!
  • Big Picture 31-10-2012 added 31.10.12 A not-so-special Hallowe'en special for the Big Picture panel, in which the team discuss the UK's energy policy, the impact of 'super-storm' Sandy upon the US Presidential elections, and the government's policy with regard to tuition fees. Enjoy, and listen in from 6pm next Tuesday (the 6th) for our Presidential election special!
  • Big Picture 17-10-2012 added 17.10.12 The Big Picture politics show from the 17th October, 2012. A discussion on the recent charges brought against five troops in Afghanistan for the murder of a local, the audacious awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the EU & local student housing issues - are we sardines or aren't we? Download, listen, enjoy!
  • Big Picture 20121010 added 10.10.12 The second Big Picture of the 2012/13 academic year. David and the Big Picture panel discuss the US presidential elections and the major political party conferences closer to home, as well as having a brief debrief on the contact hours debate. Enjoy, and listen in every Wednesday at 6pm - 7pm to hear us live!
  • Big Picture 03-10-2012 added 04.10.12 The first show of the 2012/13 academic year. A brand new Big Picture panel discusses the summer's explosion of patriotic fervour in the wake of Olympic success and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee; the impact of the latest Cabinet reshuffle and the resounding failure of Nick Clegg's apology video; and the impact of rising tuition fees on university applications and funding. N.B.: Due to technical issues in-studio the audio from the microphone that David and Jonny were using was *very* quiet. We've tried to correct for this in the version here on the podcast, but be aware that background noise may be a problem in the first twenty minutes or so.
  • Big Picture Interview Lilian Greenwood MP added 25.02.11 The Big Picture interviewed the MP for Nottingham South (which covers University Park and Lenton) Lilian Greenwood, and asked her about tuition fees, the economy, Ed Miliband's leadership and how she was adapting to being a Member of Parliament.
  • 16th June 2010 - Bloody Sunday, the BP Oil Crisis, and Libel Law added 26.06.10 This week Simon, Henry and Jeff discussed the Saville Report into the Bloody Sunday killings, the BP oil crisis, and recent developments in libel law.
  • 9th June 2010 - Cuts, North Korea, and the World Cup added 26.06.10 This week Rob, David and Simon discussed the cuts proposed by the coalition government, North Korea, and the economics of the World Cup. The show was chaired by Simon Brown.
  • 26th May 2010 - Labour leadership and Malawi added 28.05.10 This week, Simon Brown, Simon Alvey and David Hayes discussed the Labour leadership contest, the sentencing of a gay couple in Malawi to 14 years of hard labour, and the conviction of two young boys for attempted rape.
  • 4th March 2010 - Economy, Mephedrone, and the U.K's Relationship with the U.S. added 04.04.10 This week Simon, David and Rob discussed the Chancellors' Debate, banning mephedrone, and the U.K's "special relationship" with the U.S. The panel was chaired by Simon Brown.
  • 24th March 2010 added 29.03.10 This week Henry, Simon and David discussed healthcare reform in the U.S, the strike by B.A. employees and the influence of the unions, and the "Cash for Influence" scandal.
  • 17 March 2010 - Newspaper Review, Voting and Soldiers' Rights added 19.03.10 This week Simon, Rob and Jeff reviewed the day's newspapers, and discussed voting in the general election and soldiers' rights. The panel was chaired by Henry.
  • 10th March 2010 - Newspaper Review, Jon Venables, and the SU Elections added 14.03.10 This week Luke, Simon and Jeff reviewed the day's newspapers and discussed Jon Venables and the removal of James Phillips from the SU elections.
  • 3rd March 2010 - Newspaper Review, Education and Mugabe and the White African added 04.03.10 This week, in a break from the usual format of the show, Simon, Jeff and Tom reviewed the main stories in the newspapers before a special report on education and discussion of the film Mugabe and the White African.
  • 24th February 2010 - Personality in the Election, Mossad, and the Early Release Scheme added 04.03.10 This week Richard, Simon and Henry discussed how personality might affect the general election, the alleged use of British passports in an operation by Mossad, and the ending of the early release scheme for prisoners.
  • 17th February 2010 – MI5, Afghanistan and Greece added 18.02.10 This week, David, Simon and Rebecca discussed the economic crisis in Greece, Operation Moshtarak in Afghanistan, and MI5's involvement in the case of Binyam Mohammed
  • 10th February 2010 - Electoral Reform, the Pope and the Equality Bill, and BAE Systems added 10.02.10 This week Henry, Simon and Kristina discussed the proposals for electoral reform, the Pope's criticism of the Equality Bill, and the investigation into BAE Systems.
  • 3rd February 2010 - Assisted Suicide, the Iraq Inquiry, and University Funding added 05.02.10 This week Henry, Simon and David discussed assisted suicide and the case of Kay Gilderdale, the Iraq Inquiry, and the proposed cuts to university funding.
  • 27th January 2010 - Haiti, Sarah's Law, and Google in China added 29.01.10 This week Simon, Richard and David discussed the relief effort in Haiti, the expansion of "Sarah's Law" which allows parents access to information about sex offenders in the area, and the recent hacking of Google in China.
  • 9th December - EDL, Class War, and Copenhagen added 10.12.09 This week Simon, Richard and Jeff discussed the EDL protest in Nottingham on Saturday, class war tactics in elections, and the Copenhagen climate summit.
  • 2nd December - Graduate Tax added 04.12.09 The Big Picture and Nottingham Debating Union held a public debate on graduate tax with a live audience. The panel included Dan Downes (the SU's Equal Opportunities and Welfare Officer), Tom Jackson, and James Torrance.
  • 25th November - EU Presidency, General Election, and Bank Fees added 02.12.09 This week Simon, Richard and Jeff discussed the EU Presidency, the build-up to the general election, and bank fees.
  • 18th November - Apologies, Democracy, and Student Loans added 18.11.09 This week Simon, Ollie and Matt discussed Gordon Brown's apologies to Jacqui Janes and the apology for the child migrant policies, democracy in Afghanistan and Burma, and the non-payment of student loans.
  • 11th November - Philip Laing, Conservatives in the EU and Protest at the Trent Building added 17.11.09 This week, Matt, Simon and David discussed the case of Philip Laing, Conservative policies on Europe and the Lisbon Treaty, and the protest against the visit of the Israeli ambassador.
  • 4th November - Drugs, Karadzic and MPs' Relatives added 04.11.09 This week David, Henry and Jeff discussed the sacking of Professor David Nutt over his remarks on drugs, the trial of Radovan Karadzic and whether or not MPs should employ their close relatives.
  • 28th October - The Economy, Lockerbie and Famine in East Africa added 01.11.09 This week Simon, David and Jeff discussed the continuing economic recession, the investigation into the Lockerbie bombing, and the worsening famine in Ethiopia