This Is Why

Sky News

The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why  takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you.

Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions.

Available every weekday afternoon.

This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk

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1,000 episodes
Updated Friday

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Friday · 17 min
Why stuff matters...
Listen to Stuff Matters and subscribe for members-only content You'll never think about a banana or look at your airpods in the same way after listening to this episode. It’s the podcast crossover the world has been waiting for. Niall Paterson sits down with Sky’s data and economics editor Ed Conway to discuss his six-part podcast Stuff Matters. The premise of the show is simple - Ed takes an everyday object before diving down a rabbit hole to explore what it tells us about the forces shaping our world. So - how did a banana trigger a CIA-backed coup? What do LED lights tell us about the future of humanity? Listen to this episode of This Is Why... and then listen to Stuff Matters. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
Thursday · 20 min
Why is FIFA selling the World Cup?
The beautiful game is up for sale, with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino trying to raise billions of dollars from private equity for a stake in the World Cup. It’s put him on a collision course with some of football’s most powerful bodies – including the Premier League and UEFA, which says it will boycott FIFA competitions if these plans go ahead. So, what is Infantino proposing and why is it being rushed through? Could England and other European nations really go for the nuclear option and pull out of the World Cup? And what is the involvement of Donald Trump and his family? Mhari Aurora is joined by Sky’s sports correspondent Rob Harris. Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk
Wednesday · 15 min
Why the UK needs to learn from Europe’s wildfires
Continental Europe is ablaze. Could Britain be next? While we are yet to see the sort of devastation being experienced in France and Spain, record temperatures and drought conditions have already contributed to hundreds of wildfires across parts of the country. And experts are warning the UK can expect bigger and more dangerous fires in the future. So, what is causing this threat and how well prepared are we? Mhari Aurora hears from Sky correspondent Sadiya Chowdhury on France's frontline and speaks to wildfire safety expert Michael Bruce.
Tuesday · 17 min
Why was key evidence ignored in the Suzy Lamplugh case?
What happened to Suzy Lamplugh? It’s a painful question her family and the police have been asking themselves for 40 years. The 25-year-old estate agent vanished four decades ago this week after leaving her office in Fulham to meet a client – the mysterious “Mr Kipper”. It’s now hoped previously ignored witness testimony could help solve the high profile cold case - but why wasn’t this potentially key evidence taken seriously at the time? Mhari Aurora and Sky’s crime commentator Martin Brunt discuss the impact of the case on women’s safety, whether there were police failings and what lessons – if any – have been learned.
July 27 · 18 min
Why Burnham benefits from the Zelenskyy visit
Week two of Andy Burnham's premiership and he's hosting his first foreign leader: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It was a meeting with benefits for both leaders - as Mr Zelenskyy seeks support on defence, while Mr Burnham wants to show off his foreign policy credentials. They both may have got what they wanted after the UK prime minister announced support for Ukraine in relation to "Stone Cloak" drone jammers. So what is the technology and how might it help with the war effort? Mhari Aurora and Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke also discuss how important the UK's support is for Ukraine and how long it can last. Have you got a question for Mhari? Email us: why@sky.uk
July 24 · 18 min
'Burnham’s power broker': Why is Louise Haigh back at the heart of government?
Less than two years ago, Louise Haigh resigned from government under a cloud. Today, she's back at the heart of power as Andy Burnham's first secretary of state, and one of the most influential figures in Westminster. Niall Paterson is joined by Bloomberg journalist Rosa Prince to trace Ms Haigh's journey from Sheffield to the Cabinet Office. They discuss the conviction that derailed her career, her role in Mr Burnham's rise to Number 10, and why those who know her see her as much more than the "Red Lou" label. They also ask what kind of politician she really is, and whether the woman many now describe as the power behind the prime minister could one day become a leader in her own right. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk
July 23 · 16 min
Why millionaires like Gary Lineker want to pay more tax
120 super-rich people have signed an open letter calling for higher taxes on the richest in society. They say taxing wealth more fairly could help reduce inequality, support public infrastructure and help small businesses. And point out that there are 50 families with more wealth than half of all British people. Critics, though, argue it could drive wealth overseas and damage economic growth. So, what exactly are they proposing? And is there ever likely to be a wealth tax in the UK? Niall Paterson is joined by Julia Davies, a founding member of Patriotic Millionaires UK Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
July 22 · 19 min
Why has Zelenskyy sacked Ukraine’s most senior defence figures?
It's not just Andy Burnham who's been purging politicians from government. There's a wartime power struggle in Ukraine, where Volodymyr Zelenskyy ousted his top army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi – before trying to bring the country's former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov back into government, just days after dismissing him. The sacking of Fedorov led to almost a week of nationwide unrest and represents one of the biggest political crises since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. So, what does all this mean for Ukraine's ongoing struggle for survival? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
July 21 · 17 min
Why John Healey’s choices as chancellor will make or break Burnham
Everybody needs good neighbours. And on the day Andy Burnham moved into 10 Downing Street, he installed a surprise choice next door at Number 11. John Healey was highly critical of the Treasury when he quit as defence secretary last month, accusing it of being “unwilling” to provide the cash needed to fully fund his spending plans. Now he’s the one who will have to put his money where his mouth is as the new chancellor. So, what challenges does he face and will he be able to find the cash Rachel Reeves supposedly couldn’t? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso.
July 20 · 17 min
Why Burnham’s first 100 days will define his leadership
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face." Mike Tyson's infamous warning for his opponents could easily apply to the new occupant of Number 10. Giving his first speech outside Downing Street, the new prime minister hinted at what his priorities will be – from easing the cost-of-living crisis to keeping commitments on defence spending. But what happens when those plans make contact with reality? Can Mr Burnham's "Manchesterism" work on a national level? And will international events interfere with his domestic agenda? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig to assess what might happen in his first few weeks and months in office. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
July 17 · 22 min
Why it’s third time lucky for Labour leader Andy Burnham
Cabinet minister, Manchester mayor, ‘King of the North’ - Andy Burnham has held plenty of positions during his political career. But the next will be by far the most significant. The Makerfield MP is poised to take over as prime minister on Monday, after finally succeeding at his third attempt to become Labour leader. But who is the man behind the former Blair-era minister turned mayor of Manchester? How did his upbringing shape him and what underpins his politics? Niall is joined by chief political correspondent of The Times, Aubrey Allegretti. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
July 16 · 16 min
Why nationalisation could be Burnham’s big gamble
It’s coming home.... British Steel will once again be, well, British after it was renationalised to “protect the future of steel production in the UK” - and that could be just the start. Prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham has described water, energy, transport and housing as the “essentials of life” that should be run principally in the public, rather than private, interest. But can nationalisation solve the fundamental issues privatisation was meant to solve? And if Burnham does deliver more services back into public ownership, what would be the trade-offs and ultimately the cost? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
July 15 · 12 min
Why doesn’t the government trust teenagers?
You can have sex, learn to drive and join the army – but can’t be trusted to watch YouTube after midnight. Are the government’s latest curbs on teenage social media use practical or performative? The proposed curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds builds on the outright ban for under-16s due to come into force next spring – but won’t be compulsory. With the government committed to reducing the general election voting age to 16, are they in danger of sending a mixed message about how much we trust young people. Why do we allow teenagers to have certain responsibilities but not others? And should parents take more responsibility for preparing their children for adult life? Niall Paterson speaks to child psychologist Dr Adam Abdelnoor. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
July 14 · 17 min
Why is Trump risking a 'forever war' with Iran?
Rip up the Memorandum of Understanding, the ceasefire is well and truly over. Iran and the United States are once more at war – with oil tankers targeted and the Strait of Hormuz firmly shut. Donald Trump's response? He insists the US will take control of the disputed waterway and act as a "guardian angel" for all ships passing through. Originally, he wanted to charge a 20% toll for the privilege, before backtracking on what seemed like an unworkable claim. But is the US still in danger of being dragged deeper into a long-term conflict with Iran that could have repercussions for the region – and the global economy – for years to come? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke.
July 13 · 20 min
Why England vs Argentina means more than just football
From beef over barbed wire to a shared love of Oasis and The Beatles – the relationship between England and Argentina is... complicated. On the pitch, it’s one of the great footballing rivalries – defined by Diego Maradona’s "Hand of God" and David Beckham’s red card redemption. Off it, the two countries share a complex history. The dispute over the Falklands remains at the core of the Argentine psyche, but so too does a love of British music, sport and even red post boxes. Now, the old rivals are set to meet once more for a place in the World Cup final. So why does this fixture feel so different? Niall Paterson is joined by the writer, broadcaster and author of Angels With Dirty Faces, a history of the Argentinian game, Jonathan Wilson. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
July 10 · 21 min
Daddy diplomacy: Why NATO's Mark Rutte remains the Trump whisperer
Mark Rutte has spent years quietly building a reputation as one of Europe's most effective political operators. Now, as NATO secretary general, he's trying to keep the world's most powerful military alliance together at a time of growing global uncertainty. So, who is Mark Rutte? Niall looks at the leadership style that's defined his career, how he's navigating some of the biggest challenges facing NATO, and why his ability to build relationships could shape the alliance's future. With insight from Royal United Services Institute director general Rachel Ellehuus, we explore what makes Rutte tick, and what his leadership could mean for the years ahead. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us at why@sky.uk Become a Sky News Insider! You can listen to Stuff Matters, Electoral Dysfunction, and Trump100 without ads, get new episodes early, exclusive bonus episodes and much more, by becoming a Sky News Insider. Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over. Find out more and subscribe here: skynews.supportingcast.fm
July 9 · 18 min
Why Harry’s legal loss leaves him at a crossroads
Everybody has a bad week from time to time - but for Prince Harry the last few days have been something of a royal disaster. The King's wayward son lost his High Court battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail before accusing the judge of a "complete and obvious whitewash". Days earlier Buckingham Palace denied he would be staying there after the duke's team said he was. And as things stand, there will be no meeting with the King before the end of his stay in the UK. So, what's next for Harry in the rift with his family and his fight with the press? Niall Paterson is joined by royal commentator Jennie Bond.
July 8 · 17 min
Why Donald Trump says the Iran ceasefire is over
The US and Iran are trading strikes again as Donald Trump turns to his weapon of choice - sitting down at press conferences and calling people names. America’s insulter-in-chief has used a NATO summit to say Iran are “sick people" and "scum" and that the ceasefire is now "over”. It was a fragile agreement that has broken down after tankers were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz - so who is to blame for the latest violence? What next for the ceasefire and could we soon see a return to all-out war? Niall is joined by Sky’s military analyst Michael Clarke.
July 7 · 19 min
Why has Nigel Farage resigned as an MP?
A fight for his political future or nothing more than a publicity stunt? Nigel Farage has announced he’s resigning as MP for Clacton only to stand to again in the by-election he’s triggering. Mr Farage calls it a case of the “people versus the establishment” but did he jump before he was pushed? He has faced intense scrutiny over his financial affairs, after it was reported he had received support from his long-time ally, the convicted fraudster George Cottrell – and is also the subject of a parliamentary investigation over a £5 million gift from Reform donor Christopher Harborne. So why resign now? Will Mr Farage’s political enemies be able to take advantage? And is there any truth to the conspiracy theories of an establishment and media hatchet job? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s Chief political correspondent Jon Craig. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk
July 6 · 18 min
Why is Sky buying the home of Coronation Street?
Cancel Corrie? No chance! ITV will remain free-to-air and continue to show fan favourites, such as Coronation Street and Love Island, following a deal to sell the broadcaster to Sky. Both Sky and ITV insist the move will make it easier to compete with global streaming giants like Netflix. And there’s a commitment to buy programmes from ITV Studios – which is not included in the sale – until 2034. But what does the deal mean for both viewers and the UK media landscape? And will regulators have questions about Britain’s biggest commercial TV station being snapped up by a US-owned rival? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso. Sky is the parent company of Sky News, which makes this podcast. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk