About that episode

The Conservative Party’s annual conference was held in Manchester, and location-wise, it was a brutal decision. This is because in the British media the news of the Tory Conference was quite drowned out by the news that part of the HS2 high-speed line which will connect Manchester with Birmingham and London will most likely be removed.

There was a strange atmosphere at the conference. The large halls remained half empty, the events on the fringes of the conference were packed with visitors. For example, Liz Truss, the Prime Minister who refused to give up even though her very short leadership had very bad consequences. And sure enough, he got more support from within the party. How could it be?

Also in this episode

A new documentary puts the spotlight on David Beckham, the footballer who was married to a Spice Girl and remains a cultural phenomenon in British circles to this day.

About Van Bekhoven’s Britten

In van Bekhoven’s Britten, Lia van Bekhoven and Connor Clerx talk weekly about the biggest news topics and most important developments in the UK. From Brexit to domestic politics, from the Kingdom to the tabloids. Why does England attract Dutch people more than many other European countries? What role does the UK play now in Europe, now that the word Brexit has seemingly disappeared from British life, but the consequences of the decision to leave the EU are becoming clearer every day?

The British monarchy, as well as the state, is facing major changes following the death of Queen Elisabeth and the coronation of her son Charles. The Royal Family’s popularity was at its lowest ebb. How did the British monarchy change under King Charles’ reign, and what impact did this have on the Commonwealth? In Van Bekhoven’s Britten, Lia and Connor analyze Empires of declining prosperity, influence, and power. The Conservative Party Has Been Prime Minister For Thirteen Years, Will That End After Rishi Sunak? What would Britain look like under Labour’s Keir Starmer? And how do ‘ordinary’ Britons, if any, deal with this? All these questions and more are discussed in Van Bekhoven’s Britten. A critical look at England, where there seems to be a competition between Northern Ireland and Scotland to see who can break away from England first. How long will this Kingdom remain united?

After more than 45 years of British rule, Lia van Bekhoven has a unique view of Great Britain. A resident, but not an Anglophile, he paid close attention to news, politics, the monarchy and daily life in the North Sea. Every Wednesday you’ll receive a new podcast about Van Bekhoven’s life of Britten in your podcast app. Sharp analysis, depth that radio doesn’t have time for, and humor galore. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

About Lia

Lia van Bekhoven is the British correspondent for BNR Nieuwsradio, VRT, Knack and Elsevier, and often appears on talk shows as a news translator from England. He has lived in London since 1976 and, as well as being a correspondent for radio, television and written media, is also a book author. Mum went dancing, a legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales (1997), Land of the Divided Gods, Northern Ireland and the Troubles (2000), In London, 9 people walk through the British capital (2009) and Little England (2022).

About Connor

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