Hello, this is the Red Box Podcast. I'm Matt Chawley in Exeter, batting down the hatches.

Not quite the eye of the storm, but not far off. I was in the stand-up show in Exeter on Thursday night.

So we've abandoned plans to do the radio show from a cafeing a lot of people down.

But instead, we'll still be able to bring you the best bits of the show.

But coming up, we will hear from the bishop of Exeter. And he's feared that there's too much talking about leveling up the north and the rural areas in the southwest of being overlooked.

We'll also take a look at the politics of the southwest. It's not a straight labour tour we fight.

In fact, in lots of areas, it's a Lib Dem tour we fight. Our labour really going to step back and let the Lib Dems have a one of it.

And in places like Exeter, how much of a threat to the Greens post? So we'll find out about that as well with Patrick English from Yugub.

But first, as ever, we kick off with our columnist panel. Today, they both live in the area, but they join us from home, just as everyone keeps safe.

So we've got the Times columnist, Alice Thompson, and the education list, Sir Michael Barber.

Morning, Alice.

Morning.

Nice to have you with us. And we've also been joined by Sir Michael Barber, educationist, chance of Exeter University, chair of the independent strategic review of policing in England and Wales.

And also the book accomplishment. I mean, so we could we could just discuss all of your jobs, Michael, but good morning.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to be with you. I'm in the eye of the storm units now as it passes over north to heaven.

Yes, tell us how is it? How is it with you this morning?

It's been there's been moments have come, but right now there's been some very, very fierce blasts of windway.

I think you're going to lose a tile or see a tree tumble, but so far so good. So keep your fingers crossed for me.

So we've had less luck, actually, we've already lost four trees.

Yes, the window.

Where are you at?

We just outside Tivitans. So we've lost and the both farms either side of us have lost their electricity. So we're about to go, I think.

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