大象传媒

February 2020 a new sales drive is being planned at Union Jax, a 鈥渁n ironic-patriotic novelty souvenir and confectionery鈥� company run by young entrepreneurs Stuart and Jacqueline. Orders and profits are soaring, but they are concerned about the impact of the likely closure in lockdown of shops they supply.

In March, their fears are confirmed, with the high streets around the world closed. They are trying to mitigate losses by increasing their digital footprint, when they receive a phone call from Eugene, who identifies himself as a special adviser to the government. What does he specially advise them on? 鈥淧rocurement.鈥� Are they familiar with the term 鈥淧PE鈥�? The government needs billions of items, and the suitably patriotically named 鈥淯nion Jax鈥� feels just like the sort of dynamic start-up that should be providing some of it. Would they like to tender?

The amazed young executives point out that their expertise is more in the line of cakes and biscuits in the shape of London landmarks or marzipan models of the Royal Family. Shouldn鈥檛 they be using people who know about this stuff? But Eugene assures them that this government doesn鈥檛 do things the way they鈥檝e always been done. They think outside the box.

But as deadlines draw near and Union Jax discovers itself way out of its depth when it comes to PPE, the Good Law Project comes calling. Exactly why have millions been spaffed on these neophyte incompetents? And, awkwardly, neither Stuart nor Jacqueline can provide a credible answer.

Politics, Philosophy, and Economics by Mark Lawson

EUGENE ..... Alex Jennings
JACQUELINE ..... Macy Nyman
STUART ..... Tom Glenister
HANNAH ..... Jane Slavin

Producer/Director, Eoin O鈥機allaghan
A Big Fish Radio production for 大象传媒 Radio 4