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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1,001 episodes
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Episodes1001

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May 11, 2023 · 24 min
Public Order Laws: Are we losing the right to protest?
The Metropolitan Police has faced criticism following the controversial arrest of six anti-monarchy protesters during King Charles III’s coronation under new public order laws. Recent changes to the law under the new Public Order Act, passed shortly before the coronation, make it illegal for protesters to use equipment to secure themselves to things like railings. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson explores what does the Public Order Act say, what is it meant to do, and why is there the potential to interpret it badly? Joining Niall are journalist Mic Wright who witnessed police action at the coronation, former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police Sir Peter Fahy, human rights barrister Adam Wagner, and professor of international law at the University of Portsmouth Leïla Choukroune. Producer: Soila Apparicio Interviews Producer: Alex Edden Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont
May 10, 2023 · 25 min
Eurovision: The Ukrainians who fled to Liverpool
This year's Eurovision Song contest will take place in Liverpool after the UK was chosen to host the competition on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, which won the 2022 contest. On the Sky News Daily podcast, Katerina Vittozzi is in Liverpool to speak to Ukrainians who came to the area following the outbreak of war, plus those helping to bring the contest to life, including Eurovision podcast host, Steve Holden. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Interviews Producer: Alex Edden Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont
May 9, 2023 · 19 min
Putin's "real war" speech - what did he actually mean?
Russia’s annual Victory Day parade, usually commemorating the surrender of Nazi Germany in the Second World War, is a more muted affair this year. There’s no air display, fewer troops parading through Red Square, and no Immortal Regiment march. The Kremlin says this was a precautionary measure, citing security concerns, and Vladimir Putin told crowds in Red Square that "a real war has again been unleashed" against Russia, in reference to the Ukraine war which Moscow sees as a conflict against the West. On the Sky News Daily podcast, Niall Paterson is joined by our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn and security and defence analyst Professor Michael Clarke to unpick Russia’s Victory Day parade and the display of Russia's military might compared against the backdrop of their weakened position in the Ukraine war. Producer: Soila Apparicio Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont
May 8, 2023 · 16 min
Vaping: The ‘epidemic’ among teens
Parents and teachers are facing an "epidemic" as the number of under 18s who are vaping has exploded. According to the NHS, 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds regularly use nicotine based vapes, which are disguised by bright colour packaging and sweet flavours. Australia recently announced it is set to ban recreational vaping, saying the products - that are deliberately targeted at children - are creating a new generation of nicotine addicts. On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto hears from a group of teenagers about why they vape and explores the impact vaping is having on children with headteacher Glyn Potts. Plus, John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association, discusses what the industry can do to prevent the illegal sale of vapes to under 18s. Podcast producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Rosie Gillott Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editor: Philly Beaumont
May 5, 2023 · 24 min
Local election results: What do they tell us?
Sir Keir Starmer has declared that the “road to a better Britain” is being “paved with Labour wins” as the party celebrated a series of local election victories across England. The Liberal Democrats have also been celebrating success, taking Windsor and Maidenhead, which covers Theresa May’s constituency. Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak has defended the government’s position. On the Sky News Daily Niall Patterson is joined by Deputy Political Editor Sam Coates and Sky’s Election Analyst Hannah Bunting to discuss what the results tell us. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Philly Beaumont
May 4, 2023 · 17 min
The Republican Royalist
This weekend sees the coronation of King Charles III – but how much do we really know about the man who wears the crown and the woman by his side, Queen Camilla? Ahead of the royal occasion, Niall Paterson has visited parts of the nation to find out what people think about Britain’s monarch - and the monarchy. On this Sky News Daily, Niall talks to Kathy Lette about being both a Republican and friends with Charles and Camilla. Plus, Kathy gives listeners an insight into what the couple are really like behind closed doors. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Philly Beaumont – editor
May 3, 2023 · 20 min
From Scilly to Scotland: What people think of King Charles
Ahead of the coronation of King Charles III, Niall Paterson has visited parts of Britain - including Edinburgh, York, Birmingham and Cornwall - to gauge the resilience of the Royal Family’s popularity. On the Sky News Daily, Niall speaks to people in communities along his journey, plus SNP MP Tommy Sheppard, Operation Black Vote’s founding director Lord Simon Woolley, Kehinde Andrews, who co-chairs the Black Studies Association, and the CEO of political organisation Republic, Graham Smith. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Stephanie Degroote – documentary producer Philly Beaumont – editor
May 2, 2023 · 22 min
Local elections: What's at stake?
This week millions of voters will head to the ballot box as more than 8,000 council seats in England are in contested in local elections. The vote will be the last big electoral test of public opinion before the next general election. On the Sky News Daily Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's political correspondent Sam Coates to discuss the key things to look out for, what's at stake for the key parties, and what the results will mean for the next general election. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Philly Beaumont
May 1, 2023 · 24 min
A Royal coronation: How the monarchy and Britain has changed since 1953
This weekend sees the coronation of King Charles III but for some people, this will be the second British monarch they have seen crowned during their lifetime. On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood speaks to two of those who were in the crowds in central London for Queen Elizabeth II’s big day in 1953. She also looks at how Britain has changed over those 70 years. Julie Windsor, 82, recalls taking photos of the royal procession on her new camera as a schoolgirl, while Brian Kesteven, 87, shares his reflections on the occasion itself and his memorable journey from Bath to be there. Plus, historian Dr Tessa Dunlop compares coronations, country and Commonwealth as we look at life in Britain from post-war to post-pandemic. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Alex Edden – interviews producer Nelly Stefanova – archive audio researcher Philly Beaumont - editor
Apr 27, 2023 · 20 min
How long can Wrexham's Hollywood dream last?
Wrexham AFC have been promoted to the English Football League after 15 years in the lower divisions, but their Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have lost nearly £3m getting them there. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson talks to club commentator and voice of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, Mark Griffiths, about how his club and town has changed since the take-over. Plus, Sky's sports correspondent Rob Harris on how Wrexham can hope to improve their finances whilst continuing to climb the leagues. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 26, 2023 · 21 min
Trump v Biden - Round Two
President Joe Biden has announced his intention to run for a second term in the White House. Already the oldest president in US history, he would be 86 after finishing a second full term. Donald Trump has already relaunched his bid for presidency. So, is America up for another round of Trump versus Biden? On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson takes a look at Biden's first term with our US correspondent Mark Stone, and asks how important his age really is. Plus, we hear from two strategists from opposite sides of the American political divide: Sidney Blumenthal, a former senior adviser to President Bill Clinton; and former Nevada State GOP Chairman, Amy Tarkanian. Alex Edden - podcast producer Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer Philly Beaumont - editor
Apr 25, 2023 · 19 min
Diane Abbott, antisemitism and a ‘hierarchy of racism’ in the UK
Former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott has been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party after she wrote a letter to the Observer newspaper which said Traveller, Roma, Gypsy and Jewish people could not be the victims of racism. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to the author of This is Not America, and writer of the Observer article Ms Abbott was responding to, Tomiwa Owolade, about what he believes are the limitations of viewing racism as a black and white issue. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 24, 2023 · 20 min
Sudan crisis: The Britons left behind
As other nations scramble to extract their citizens from Sudan, thousands of Britons are still stuck with no clear government plan to help them escape the violence. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson hears about the terror faced by those on the ground from our Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir and speaks to Dr Shaza Faycal as she awaits news from her mother and two young daughters, who are trying to flee the country. Plus, Sky’s security and defence editor Deborah Haynes on why pressure is mounting on the British government to do more. Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 23, 2023 · 16 min
Voter ID: “Threat to democracy” or sensible fraud prevention?
For the first time in England, people turning up at polling stations to vote in May’s local elections will need photographic ID to cast their ballot. Some argue the move is identity cards ‘by the back door’. On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood examines the debate with our political correspondent Liz Bates, who has been speaking to young people in Hull about what the changes mean to them. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Philly Beaumont – editor
Apr 21, 2023 · 20 min
Dominic Raab resigns: What does it mean for the Prime Minister?
The Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has resigned from the government over a report investigating bullying allegations against him. Raab, who was also Justice Secretary, said the inquiry dismissed all but two of the claims against him and hit out at what he called its "flawed" findings, saying it "set[s] a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government". On the Sky News Daily with Sally Lockwood, political correspondent Joe Pike talks about the investigation, and what this means for the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. Producers: Alex Edden and David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 20, 2023 · 20 min
The Ukrainian children rescued from Russia
Natalya ran a children's care home in southeastern Ukraine when Russian forces invaded in February 2022. Soldiers turned up at her door saying they were taking the children to Russia, and she insisted on going with them. Thousands of Ukrainian children have been illegally taken to Russia over the course of the war but Natalya and her children are some of the few who have escaped. Russia claims it is giving them sanctuary from the horrors of war. On the Sky New Daily, host Sally Lockwood is joined by aid volunteer Kathy Stickel, who helped rescue the children from Russia, and our international affairs editor, Dominic Waghorn, who's been out to Tbilisi, Georgia, to meet them. Podcast Producer: Rosie Gillott Editors: Philly Beaumont and Paul Stanworth
Apr 19, 2023 · 17 min
Why does the UK have the highest inflation in the G7?
The government has made it its primary aim to halve inflation by the end of the year but things aren't quite going to plan. Britain has shot up the leader board and now has western Europe's highest rate of consumer price inflation. On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood speaks to founder of consumer advice website Nous and household finance expert, Greg Marsh, about what this means for the money in your pocket, and to Sky's business and economics correspondent, Gurpreet Narwan, about why the UK has been affected so badly – and if there's any light at the end of the tunnel. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 18, 2023 · 13 min
Hillary Clinton on Northern Ireland, Biden and Ukraine
The former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby about the war in Ukraine, next year’s US presidential election and the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Mrs Clinton says that the age of the “showman” is over as she put support behind President Joe Biden. She praised the President’s work on Ukraine and she reiterated the importance of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland on its 25th anniversary.
Apr 17, 2023 · 15 min
Is Sudan heading for civil war? Why it matters
By Monday, close to 100 civilians – including at least three UN workers - had lost their lives in Sudan following violence that broke out between the African nation's army and a paramilitary group two days earlier. On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood speaks to our Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir - whose parents are trapped in their home in Sudan - and Arshad Malik, country director for the charity Save the Children in Sudan, about what's going on, why it's happening and where it could lead. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Alex Edden – interviews producer David Chipakupaku – podcast promotion producer Philly Beaumont – editor
Apr 16, 2023 · 15 min
Tony Blair on restoring power-sharing to Stormont
Global leaders have been visiting Northern Ireland to mark 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement, the peace treaty that bought an end to 30 years of conflict. US President Joe Biden, who boasts of his Irish heritage, was among those calling on the leaders of Northern Ireland to restore power-sharing in Stormont which is currently in deadlock. This week, former US president Bill Clinton, who played a key role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, will also be visiting Belfast. But can the leaders of today demonstrate the bravery and pragmatism demonstrated by their predecessors in 1998? On the Sky News Daily, Sky's senior Ireland correspondent David Blevins speaks to ex-prime minister Tony Blair, who was a driving force behind the Good Friday Agreement.