About the episode

Labor leader Keir Starmer seems fine at first glance. Opposition parties have been leading in opinion polls for months. Yet Labor is behaving so nervously and insecurely as if they, not the Conservatives, are the frontrunners in the next election.

It’s not the Labor policy plan, but the fear that stands out. The fear of defeat seems to be the biggest motivation for the party. Is that why we’re hearing so little about Starmer’s possible cabinet plans? If you look at the poll, you might think: this can’t be wrong. But so did his party in 1992, and then Neil Kinnock lost the election. Who is Keir Starmer really, and what does he have planned for England?

Also in this episode of Van Bekhoven’s Britten: Though the Brits are divided over almost everything in life, they come together about a mysterious fire that destroys a crooked vintage pub. How the Crooked House, a very crooked old fashioned pub in rural North West England ends reminiscent of the Midsomer Murders, bodyless. The fire was said to have been deliberately started and the pub had to be rebuilt brick by brick. Will it happen?

Do you have a question for Lia? Or, going mad, maybe even for Connor? Send a whatsapp message (voice) to Van Bekhovens Britten on 06 28 13 5013

About Van Bekhoven’s English

In van Bekhoven’s writings, Britten Lia van Bekhoven and Connor Clerx talk about the biggest news topics and the most important developments in the UK each week. From Brexit to domestic politics, from Royals to tabloids. Why did England fascinate the Netherlands more than so many other European countries? What role does the UK play in Europe for now, after the word Brexit seems to be banned from British life, but the consequences of the decision to leave the EU are becoming clearer every day?

The British monarchy, and with it the country, is facing profound changes following the death of Queen Elisabeth and the imminent coronation of her son Charles. The popularity of the Royal Family is at an all-time low. How will the British monarchy change under King Charles, and how will it affect the Commonwealth? In Van Bekhoven’s Britten, Lia and Connor analyze an empire of waning prosperity, influence, and power. The Conservative Party has supplied prime ministers for thirteen years, will it end after Rishi Sunak? What would Britain be like under Labor’s Keir Starmer? And how do ‘ordinary’ Brits, if any, deal with this? All of these questions and more are addressed in Van Bekhoven’s Britten. A critical view of Great Britain, where there appears to be a race between Northern Ireland and Scotland who can secede from England first. How long will the Kingdom remain united?

After more than 45 years among the British, Lia van Bekhoven has a unique view of England. A resident, but definitely not an Anglophile, he is deeply concerned about news, politics, the monarchy and the daily life of the North Sea. Every Wednesday you get a new podcast about the life of Englishman Van Bekhoven on your podcast app. Sharp analysis, depth for which there is no time on radio and a good portion of humor. Subscribe and don’t miss a single episode.

About Lia

Lia van Bekhoven is the UK correspondent for BNR Nieuwsradio, VRT, Knack and Elsevier, among others, and is frequently seen on talk shows as a news interpreter from the UK. He has lived in London since 1976 and, in addition to being a correspondent for radio, television and written media, is also an author. Mama went dancing, legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales (1997), Land of the Divided Gods, Northern Ireland and Troubles (2000), In London, 9 runs through the British capital (2009) and Great Britain (2022).

About Connor

Connor Clerx is a presenter and podcaster at BNR Nieuwsradio. He has worked for BNR since 2017 and is frequently heard on De Ochtendspits, Boekestijn en de Wijk and BNR Breaks.