• Why British waters are less safe under defence drone plans
    Jun 29 2026

    Drones in, destroyers out. The Royal Navy looks set to be the biggest losers when the Defence Investment Plan is finally published.

    Instead of building a new fleet of state-of-the-art warships, we will have to rely on cheaper ‘common combat vessels’ to serve as hubs for a hybrid response to the threat from Russia.

    How will the change in military spending be received when Sir Keir Starmer makes his international swansong as prime minister at the NATO summit? And could he really be the next NATO secretary general, despite a mixed record on defence readiness?

    Mhari Aurora speaks to Sky’s security and defence editor Deborah Haynes.

    Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • Why the King's tax return leaves unanswered questions
    Jun 26 2026

    The King has revealed how much income tax he pays, becoming the first monarch to ever do so.

    The Palace said the move was “increasing transparency”, but have the royals given us the full picture?

    Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock and forensic accountant Professor Atul Shah, who have been combing through the tax releases.

    They explain exactly what was revealed and address whether the numbers are as clear-cut as they seem.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • Why we're in the dark on defence under Andy Burnham
    Jun 25 2026

    It's all a little awkward. Sir Keir Starmer is set to deliver his defence spending proposals to NATO next month, despite having lost both his job and his defence secretary.

    But the outgoing PM seems determined to push through with his plans just days before Andy Burnham potentially moves into Downing Street.

    The man whose resignation helped hasten Starmer's departure - ex-defence secretary John Healey - recently held talks with Burnham.

    But what do we know about our expected new prime minister's position on military spending? Will he prove to be more of a hawk or a dove when it comes to the defence of the realm?

    Niall is joined by Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell and military analyst Sean Bell.

    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • Why is the UK feeling the heat more than ever?
    Jun 24 2026

    When an event discussing extreme heat at London Climate Week is called off due to... extreme heat, you know things are bad. In the words of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, “London is cooking.”

    Yes, it’s summer and heatwaves are hardly a rarity. But as record temperatures in June follow record temperatures in May – it's the frequency and severity of these weather events that are frightening forecasters and climate scientists.

    With a rare red heat warning in place across much of England and Wales, hundreds of schools have closed, travellers have been warned to avoid public transport and there are threats of power cuts.

    But as our summers become ever hotter, are we doing enough to adapt national infrastructure? And why are politicians so hesitant to take transformative climate action?

    Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s science and technology editor Tom Clarke.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • Why Brexit will define Burnham’s relationship with Europe
    Jun 23 2026

    A decade to the day since the Brexit referendum, the European Union has postponed a proposed summit to reset the UK’s relationship with Europe.

    Following the fall of the Starmer premiership, Brussels will now wait and see what a new Labour leader – likely to be Andy Burnham – wants to achieve from any potential EU negotiation.

    But as every prime minister over the past 10 years has discovered, trying to reshape those relations from outside the union is fraught with political danger.

    Will a Burnham Number 10 seek to strengthen ties with Europe? Could he call for a customs union - and be willing to pay the price? And how will it be viewed by the Leave-supporting voters of Makerfield and the rest of the so-called “Red Wall”?

    Niall Paterson is joined by Anne McElvoy, executive editor of POLITICO Europe and co-host of our sister podcast, Politics at Sam and Anne’s.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • Why did Keir Starmer resign as Prime Minister?
    Jun 22 2026

    It's become a familiar sight in British politics - the lectern outside 10 Downing Street, ready for another resignation speech.

    On Monday morning, Sir Keir Starmer became the sixth prime minister to stand down in almost a decade, despite on paper commanding a huge Labour majority.

    So, why was his departure inevitable? And what will be the Starmer legacy following his two years in office?

    Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's political correspondent Rob Powell.

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Why Serena Williams is taking another shot at Wimbledon
    Jun 19 2026

    Serena Williams has nothing left to prove. She's won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, inspired generations of players and built a legacy that reaches far beyond tennis. But after nearly four years away from the sport, she's returning to Wimbledon.

    So, Niall asks why one of the greatest athletes of all time is making a comeback. He is joined by Charlie Eccleshare, senior tennis writer for The Athletic, as they discuss what motivates elite competitors long after they've conquered their sport, and whether Serena Williams can still defy expectations one more time.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk. And if you wanted to watch Niall, check out This is Why on YouTube.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Why reopening the Strait of Hormuz isn’t as simple as Trump thinks
    Jun 18 2026

    End the war, get the oil tankers moving, and the world’s economy returns to normal. It sounds easy. It really isn’t.

    Donald Trump and the Iranian regime have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the hopes of bringing the four-month conflict to an end.

    But the key objective of allowing global shipping to pass freely through the currently Iran controlled Strait of Hormuz is far less straightforward than it may appear.

    From the threat of minefields to a change of heart over military action, it could take months – if not longer – for the region to return to normal.

    Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's military analyst Sean Bell.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins