It’s 60 years this month since National Service was abolished – but the idea remains popular. Could it ever work again, or is it just a pipe dream sustained by right-wing cranks? Jude Rogers is joined by Professor of History Richard Viven, author of National Service: Conscription in Britain 1945-1963, to explore the boredom, terror, and nostalgia of life under compulsory conscription.  “Military service was a bit like the workhouse for the poor, it was the last option.” “There was always more tedium over terror.”  “National Service is not meant to be a social service.” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast  Written and presented by Jude Rogers. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Proud Boys may not be proud no more after four of its members have been found guilty of seditious conspiracy. The neo-fascist group is accused of leading the Jan 6th assault on the capitol and has heavy links to Trump and other influential, right-wing figures. But just how deep does their power lie? And is that power flailing? And talking of the right wing, why is America still so captivated by Fox News, even post-Tucker Carlson? Gavin Esler is joined in the Bunker by Juliet Jeske, Proud boys expert and host of Decoding Fox News podcast. “Right-wing authoritarianism is very much what they’re drawn to.” – Juliet Jeske “McInnes was just this angry bigoted racist man who thought starting a group would be a good idea.” – Juliet Jeske “This is all about masculinity and they think they’re saving the Western world.” – Juliet Jeske “You’ll see something that’s not true on FOX and within 24 hours GOP politics will push the exact same thing.” – Juliet Jeske Written and presented by Gavin Esler Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Around 12,000 people in England and Wales volunteer as magistrates. That means they can sentence people to up to a year in prison. Yet they have barely any training and no legal qualifications. Penelope Gibbs, the director of Transform Justice, tells Ros Taylor about the problems with relying on a self-selecting, middle-class magistracy who may never have seen inside a jail. They talk about the difficulties in trying to hold remote hearings during the pandemic and how a cash-strapped system struggles to deliver justice. “The training for magistrates is woeful, and I and others have been saying that for years.” – Penelope Gibbs “There used to be really feisty magistrates who would speak out but gradually their independence has been ground down.” – Penelope Gibbs “It’s an incredibly closed and untransparent system.” – Penelope Gibbs “What happens in magistrates court is pretty hidden most of the time.” – Penelope Gibbs Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast  Written and presented by Ros Taylor Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Sadiq Khan really clean up London? From the Met to the air, the Mayor of London has a tough road ahead of him. He speaks to Andrew Harrison to discuss his new book: Breathe and plans to tackle the climate crisis, the controversial ULEZ expansion and how a boy from Tooting ends up a fan of Liverpool FC.  “We don’t want money from the ULEZ. We want people walking, cycling or using public transport.”  “As Mayor I chose to tackle climate issues, Boris Johnson chose to bury his head in the sand.” “Cressida Dick didn't have a credible plan to address issues in the MET. ” Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast You can purchase Sadiq's book here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/452035/breathe-by-khan-sadiq/9781529152784  Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Recorded at Spiritland Studios. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sherine Tadros reported from war zones across the world. She joins Alex Andreou to discuss her new book Taking Sides: a memoir about love, war, and changing the world. How has she managed to stay hopeful after so much tragedy? And how can her story of personal strength inspire us to keep going against the odds?  “It is our instinct to survive that makes our story less believable.” “When you show strength in the face of great difficulty people often don’t believe you.” “I’m not saying that tragedies don’t hurt but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast  BOOK LINK: https://scribepublications.co.uk/books-authors/books/taking-sides-9781914484254 Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices