Podcast: Putin’s empire building, Osborne’s election plans and what Ukip want

Are we heading into a new Cold War? On this week’s View from 22 podcast, we revisit Vladimir Putin’s empire building plans and the Mail on Sunday’s Peter Hitchens debates his intentions with author Ben Judah. Is the West right to mistrust Putin? Do we have the moral upper hand regarding the situation in Ukraine? And should nations always assume that NATO and the EU always have better democratic solutions than Russia?

Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth also discuss George Osborne’s interest in the north and what it means for the Tories’ electioneering plans. Will the Conservatives pick up support outside of their comfort areas? Should the Manchester area have devolved powers when they said no to a mayoral referendum a few years ago? And how has the booming economy rescued the Chancellor’s public image?

Plus, Matthew Goodwin and I discuss what Ukip really want from this election. Getting Nigel Farage in South Thanet is vital to their plans, but so winning a good number of seats and coming second in 100+ northern seats.