About the episode

Charles’s coronation was a bit of a joke in a British municipal election, but once the royal dust settled, it was clear: the Conservative party had lost badly. In the weekly Question Time in the House of Commons, Labor leader Keir Starmer is shooting prices: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has predicted that the Tories will lose 1,000 seats. According to Starmer, the first promise in thirteen years kept by the Conservatives.

Comparisons to the rise of Starmer Tony Blair’s predecessor are often made: like the late 1990s, Labor appeared capable of winning the national election. But Starmer’s numbers are underwhelming compared to New Workforce under Blair. Enthusiasm for his leadership is lacking. And meanwhile, the Tories are licking their wounds. What paths did they take to become future proof? We may find the answer next Monday, at the UK’s NatCon National Conservative conference, a movement like a think tank within conservatives pursuing right-wing populism á la Trump and Orbán. Is this the future of the Tories? Or is it time to give Boris Johnson a second chance?

About Van Bekhoven’s English

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 every 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 an interpreter for news 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.