About that episode

The famous British Museum is so embarrassed that it seems that more than 2,000 art treasures have disappeared from its collection. It also doesn’t help that the museum doesn’t know how much of the collection has been stolen, as the registration of the collection is far from complete. The collection is already controversial because most of it comes from former colonies or has been plundered elsewhere. The return of its most famous objects, the Parthenon frieze and the Benin bronzes, has been the subject of much debate over the years. One of the main British arguments – at least they are safe with us – no longer applies.

Meanwhile, the search for Scotland’s largest Loch Ness monster in fifty years is underway this weekend. The results are predictable.

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Also in this episode

Where’s Nadine Dorries? At least not at his regular job in the House of Commons. Immediately after Boris Johnson resigned, he said he was resigning ‘immediately’. He had hoped for a seat in the House of Lords, but the appointment was blocked. Nine weeks later, he still hasn’t resigned, and voters in the district he represents are fed up.

Do you have a question for Lia? Send a message (voice) via Whatsapp to 06 28 13 5013.

About the Englishman Van Bekhoven

In van Bekhoven’s, 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 the Empire to the tabloids. Why did England attract the attention of the Netherlands more than many other European countries? What role does the UK play in Europe today, after the word Brexit seems to be banned in the life of British society, but the consequences of the decision to leave the EU are becoming clearer every day?

The British monarchy, and thus the state, is facing profound changes following the death of Queen Elisabeth and the 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 with waning prosperity, influence, and power. The Conservative Party has supplied prime ministers for thirteen years, will it end after Rishi Sunak? What was England like under Labor’s Keir Starmer? And how do ‘ordinary’ British people, if at all, deal with this? All of these questions and more are addressed in Van Bekhoven’s Britten. A critical view of England, where there appears to be a rivalry between Northern Ireland and Scotland who could secede from England first. How long will this Kingdom remain united?

After more than 45 years in England, Lia van Bekhoven has a unique view of England. A resident, but 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 radio time 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, and is frequently seen on talk shows as a news translator 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 Gods Split, Northern Ireland and Troubles (2000), In London, 9 people walk 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.