This Is Why

Lots of 30-year-olds are career-driven, ambitious types - but perhaps none more so than French far-right politician Jordan Bardella.

The sharp-suited, clean-cut leader of France’s National Rally party is tipped as a future prime minister – or even president – of one of the UK’s closest allies.

He’s also been the star of the show at the Reform party conference in Birmingham – signing a deal on small boats with his admiring counterpart, Nigel Farage.

So, who is Bardella? And why would a party like Reform – that denies being far right – consummate such a close relationship?

Niall Paterson is joined by Dr Philippe Marliere, a professor in French and European politics at University College London.

Most taxi drivers tell tales about who they’ve had in the back of their cab. But how would you feel about catching a cab that doesn’t have a driver in the front?

Autonomous taxis can now be ordered on London’s streets – in a move many would liken to something out of a sci-fi movie. In reality, the cars currently arrive with a human “safety” driver - but the plan is that fairly soon they won’t.

So, how safe are these vehicles? And what does the move mean for real-life cabbies who might be fearing for their jobs?

Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s technology correspondent Rowland Manthorpe, who had an eventful journey in an autonomous taxi in central London.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

Governments often tell people to live within their means - but can the new prime minister?

Andy Burnham will need to try hard after the UK's long-term borrowing costs reached a 28-year high.

It's a serious headache for a prime minister who faced his first PMQs on Wednesday. So why are the costs so high? And how will this impact chancellor John Healey's first Budget next month?

Niall Paterson sits down with Sky's economics and data editor, Ed Conway.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

The leader of the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party in Saxony-Anhalt has been called "the most dangerous man in Germany".

Ulrich Siegmund, a 35-year-old former perfume salesman, is on course to be elected as leader of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

His victory would be the biggest win for a far-right party since the Second World War.

So who is he and what does the AfD stand for? And what would a state election win for the party mean for Germany and for Europe?

Niall is joined by Sky’s Europe’s correspondent Alistair Bunkall, who tracked down Siegmund at an AfD rally in Saxony-Anhalt.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

Could artificial intelligence provide the key to finding true love?

The chief executive of Bumble certainly hopes so as she plans to introduce an AI feature to the popular dating app.

Whitney Wolfe Herd has already changed the world of dating by co-founding both Bumble and Tinder - so who is she? And why is she banking on AI being the future of matchmaking?

Niall is joined by Mashable's associate editor Anna Iovine for the last episode in our series profiling the biggest names in the tech industry you might have never heard of.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email us at: why@sky.uk. You can also watch This Is Why on YouTube.