In the last of the mini election series James is joined by the fabulous James Heale, Political Correspondent of the Spectator to look at what historical parallels there might be with the current election and political actors of the past. James is an established lobby journalist and author, having written the Out of the Blue: The inside story of the unexpected rise and rapid fall of Liz Truss. He is also a keen follower of political history and the pair look at which political figures are most li...
Jul 01, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Jonathan rejoins James as a guest, having taken a leave of absence for the campaign. They discuss the way political parties are targeting voters during the election and the life of a candidate during the election campaign. They also take a look at the last two weeks of the election and what that brings as well as the campaign diet and how you keep going while walking 20, 000 steps a day! Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK...
Jun 24, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Alain Tolhurst, Chief Reporter at PoliticsHome, joins James this week to discuss manifestos. Each election political parties will publish a manifesto, an outline of what they would deliver should they win power. Alain and James look at which manifestos have made the biggest difference in recent election campaigns, for good or bad. Why are they important once a party is in government? What is the the Salisbury Convention and why does it matter? As well as a look at how the current party manifesto...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 25
James is joined this week by the Sunday Times Deputy Political Editor, Harry Yorke. They look at the TV debates between the political leaders. With the first of those debates for the 2024 General Election held last week, Harry and James look back at the history of debates in the UK and how they impact elections. Take a peak inside the 'spin room' with Harry, who has covered multiple TV debates, and the pair discuss who won last weeks debates and how much they really matter. Follow and comment on...
Jun 10, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 24
James and Jonathan discuss the moment the 2024 General Election was called and what Jonathan has had to do since. When did Jonathan find out? How do candidates prepare for an election? What's the difference between leafletting and canvassing? Listen to find out. The episode was recorded whilst Jonathan was still an MP, due to the dissolution of Parliament there are no longer any MPs for the duration of the election and Jonathan is now an official Conservative Party candidate. Follow and comment ...
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Jonathan and James were joined by George Eustice MP. George has spent the best part of a decade in Government, culminating in his time as Secretary for State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Recorded before the announcement of the timing of the General Election, we talked to George about his time working for David Cameron and the Conservative Party during opposition. From David Cameron's leadership campaign through to preparing the Conservative Party for government we take a look at how ...
May 27, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Jonathan and James were joined by Liz Truss MP to discuss her recent book 'Ten Years to Save the West'. In a wide ranging interview the former Prime Minister discusses her time in office, her career as a minister and how she fist got involved in politics. Liz describes the time she met Tony Blair in a laundry lift, whether or not she will appear on Dancing on Ice and what the future may hold for her. Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 21
The Ten Minute Rule Bill,. sometimes abbreviated to 'TMRB', is a way in which Members of Parliament can introduce their own bills. The vast majority of ours laws will pass because the government has put forward and passed legislation but the TMRB offers one avenue MPs can attempt to pass their own. Jonathan takes us through his own experience of passing a TMRB, being one of the first of the 2019 intake of MPs to do so. We also get an insight into the fabled MPs tearoom and discuss the limits of ...
May 13, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 20
With the local elections dominating the news we go inside local government with the former leader of Stoke on Trent City council, Abi Brown. Abi became the face of Stoke for many leading a number of high profile projects such as the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone and, working with local MPs like co-host Jonathan Gullis, secured significant new funding for the area. Abi is also active within the Local Government Association and shared insights with us on how to run a council and the ways local go...
May 06, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 19
James and Jonathan look behind the scenes in Parliament. What really goes on in the MP's team room? Why was Jonathan smuggled into No10 via 70 Whitehall and what did Theresa May make of James' trainers? Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
Apr 29, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 18
This week the team take a look at the upcoming local elections, the impact of those results on the national picture and Jonathan's new role as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party. Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
Apr 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Jonathan goes inside the budget process with Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury [EST] Gareth Davies MP. Gareth entered Parliament in 2019 after a stellar career in the City and has quickly risen through the ranks, and he's sure to play a big part in the future of the Conservative Party. As EST he plays a key role in the budget process and takes listeners through that process. Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
Apr 15, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 16
The Greater London Authority [GLA] is the body that governs London, the capital city of the United Kingdom, and home to 9 million people with a GDP of over £500 billion. The eventual successor to the Greater London Council, it came about to a backdrop of a wider push towards devaluation. To discuss the GLA and wider London politics we were joined by Gareth Bacon MP. Gareth is the current Minister for Sentencing and Member of Parliament for Orpington. He previously served as the leader of the Con...
Mar 25, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 15
They are the people who provide advice to ministers, provide consistency as Government’s change and run departments on a day to day basis. It is impossible to understand how Whitehall works without an understanding of the civil service. We were delighted to be joined by Sir David Bell, former Permanent Secretary of the Department for Education. His time there spanned 6 years, a change of government and 4 Secretaries of State, covering both Ed Balls and Michel Gove's time as Education Secretary. ...
Mar 18, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 14
The first episode of our podcast was Jonathan's journey to becoming an MP, here he gets to turn the tables on James and grill him about how he ended up inside Whitehall. From Baghdad to the bright lights of Westminster, hear how James ended up working on the Vote Leave campaign and onto his time as Special Advisor with Michael Gove and Priti Patel. Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
Mar 11, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Pippa Crerar has reported on all there is to in politics, general elections, referendums as well as breaking some of the biggest stories over the past decade. Pippa also covered London for almost a decade, throughout Boris Johnson’s time as mayor, for the London Evening Standard. Pippa is now the Political Editor of the Guardian newspaper, having moved there after 4 years at the Daily Mirror. Pippa takes us inside the daily print and online lobby, and the Scottish press mafia! Hear about her jou...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 12
There are few buildings as iconic as the Houses of Parliament. A UNESCO world heritage site, the Gothic style building is around 150 years and for many is the image that comes to mind with even the mention of the word Parliament. Parliament is home to the UK legislature, both the House of Commons and House of Lords with around 3, 000 people supporting the working of the place daily. Running this iconic institution is a mammoth task and one made harder by the restoration needed to a building that...
Feb 26, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Can you guess your favourite guest? As we take a break over parliamentary recess tune in to this special 'Best of Inside Whitehall' episode, featuring highlights from: • Michael Gove • Matt Warman • Priti Patel • Eleni Courea • David Linden • Sir Robert Buckland • Cat Smith • Sam Coates A big thank you to all the wonderful guests who have come on so far. Follow and comment on Twitter: @WhitehallPodUK
Feb 12, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this episode we look at the point business and politics meet. How can that relationship work best? Do great businessmen make great politicians? Our guest Saqib Bhatti MP, is the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy. Saqib was the youngest President of the Birmingham chamber of commerce, and also the first Muslim to hold that office. Previously the Conservative Vice Chair for Business, as well as PPS for Sajid Javid MP during his time as Health Secretary. Saqib talks to us about his own e...
Feb 05, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Labour MP Cath Smith takes us inside the petitions committee. This is a part of Parliament that the public get to play a direct role in. The petitions committee is a function of Parliament that perhaps has the most obvious direct public engagement and receives thousands, even hundred of thousands, of signatures from members of the public every week. So what is the petitions committee and what does it do? Join us to find out. Follow and comment on Twitter: @Whitehallpoduk
Jan 29, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In this episode we look into the world of political polling with Anthony Wells. Anthony is one of the leading political pollsters in the country, having work at YouGov, the countries best known polling company, for two decades. He has covered general elections, referendums as well as a range social and political issues. In this episode we look at the methodological changes that have taken place to keep track with changing political attitudes, the data science behind MRP polling and what to look ...
Jan 22, 2024•54 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this episode we look at political parties, and specifically how they’re run. Behind the leader, and elections there is a whole organisation dedicated to its members, supporting the party leader, raising money and ultimately - fighting and winning elections. There is no one better for that than our guest for this episode - Sir Brandon Lewis MP. Brandon is one of the most respected people in Westminster, having been in government across a range of portfolios and know as one of the most competen...
Jan 15, 2024•54 min•Season 2Ep. 6
The One Nation Conservative group has played a leading role in many of the major political debates in recent years. From Brexit, to leadership elections and more recently issues around the ECHR and immigration the One Nation group have played a major part in shaping Conservative Party policy. Inside Whitehall is joined by leading member of the group, Matt Warman MP, to discuss the history of the group, its current make up and aims and what the future may hold as we head into an election year. Fo...
Jan 08, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Parliamentary group's are not new but have risen in prominence in recent years. Most notably perhaps with the European Research Group [ERG] during the Brexit battles in Parliament during Theresa May's time as Prime Minister. The latest such group is the New Conservatives, set up by MPs Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, comprising Conservative MPs who joined Parliament during the 2017 and 2019 elections, including the pod's own Jonathan Gullis. In this episode, Danny and Miriam talk to Jonathan and ...
Dec 18, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 4
James and Jonathan talk to Eleni Courea, Deputy Editor of Politico's Playbook. Playbook is the daily email that act's as the parish newsletter for Westminster, covering the day's events and news and is read keenly by Westminster watcher's and those inside Whitehall itself. Eleni tells Inside Whitehall how Playbook is put together and the tricks of the trade. Follow and comment on Twitter: @WhitehallPodUK
Dec 11, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 3
We all consume political news and the most common way is via TV news channels such as Sky News. With rolling 24hour news, much of it clipped for social media, people like Sam Coates of Sky are, to many, the face of politics in the UK. In this episode, Sam takes Jonathan and James inside the broadcast lobby describing how it really works behind the scenes. With two decades of experience covering politics he brings us tales of scoops, interviewing PM's and how the news is really made. Follow and c...
Dec 04, 2023•50 min•Season 2Ep. 2
The gang are joined by Sir Robert Buckland KC to talk about the UK's membership of the European Convention on Human Rights [ECHR]. There has been a renewed focus on the UK's membership of the ECHR amid claims it prevents Parliament from dealing with the small boats issue. Would leaving make it easier? How has the UK Government dealt with issues with the ECHR before? And what should Rishi Sunak now do to ensure the Rwanda policy is delivered? Find out with Sir Robert as Inside Whitehall helps you...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Welcome back to Series 2 of Inside Whitehall! Thank you all for your support and comments over the past few weeks. Inside Whitehall talks to the people who matter about how Government and Whitehall really works, hosted by former government Special Advisor James Starkie and former Minister Jonathan Gullis MP. Join our hosts as they lift the lid on the inner workings of Whitehall, with the help of a host of special guests. Follow us on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
Nov 02, 2023•43 sec
In this finale episode of season 1, James and Jonathan review the discussion with Tim Shipman on political book writing and look back on this season's topics and guests. Follow and comment on Twitter: @WhitehallPodUK
Jun 14, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 18
James and Jonathan talk to Tim Shipman, author of ‘All out war’ and ‘Fall out’, two of the top political books of the past decade, about the art of writing a political book. Tim shares his motivation and experience for writing, as well as a sneak preview of his forthcoming book to complete the trilogy. Follow and comment on Twitter: @WhitehallPodUK
Jun 12, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 17
