...where a strong anti-Brexit angle would open the programme then, after the news, a string of anti-Brexit experts would appear making a damning case against Brexit and, finally, a pro-Brexit interviewee would appear to answer all the charges (often with Mark interrupting).
...is still in regular use.
Today's edition was nothing new under the sun in this respect, except that Matthew Price was in the chair instead of Mark Mardell.
The strong anti-Brexit angle which opened the programme was that the UK's road haulage industry would be very badly hit by a no deal Brexit. The string of anti-Brexit experts (with Matthew explicitly describing his first guest as "an expert") did indeed make a damning case against Brexit, and the final pro-Brexit interviewee - here Andrew Bridgen MP - duly appeared to answer all the charges and got interrupted.
From the end of the news bulletin, the build-up to the interview with Mr Bridgen lasted nine minutes, the interview with Mr Bridgen four minutes. (I've heard worse, balance-wise). But the interruptions had me laughing, as Matthew first interrupted the Tory backbencher three seconds into his first answer, interrupted him again four seconds into his second answer and interrupted him five seconds into his third answer.
Maybe he deserved it. The BBC's transport correspondent, listening, says the MP got his facts wrong:
The pro-EU #FBPE community was again pleasantly surprised:
- Great (for once) item on R4 World this Weekend, interview with Kevin Hopper, haulier re Brexit. Tory MP in response had no clue. #PeoplesVote
- I thought @BBCMatthewPrice did a fine job here. But sad that it stands out as unusual re-the beeb and Brexit interrogation.
- Good #wato
- Remarkable performance wasn’t it? The presenter tried (much better from the BBC) but was so exasperated he could barely conceal his despair.
They are having a good day, Radio 4-wise.
P.S. I'm sure the BBC's Tom Burridge wouldn't demur from the following explainer, which I've just seen on Twitter:
Why can’t people understand motorways?!
Left lane - lorries/anxious people
Middle lane - middle lane hoggers
Right lane - people going at 90+
It’s not difficult.
