Stay ConnectedInside Whitehall demystifies many of the aspects we hear and read about in politics coverage every day. What really happens inside a Cabinet meeting? How is legislation made? What are Special Advisors?
Hosted by former Special Advisor James Starkie, and current MP Jonathan Gullis, Inside Whitehall interviews people across the political divide and beyond to provide a unique perspective on modern British Politics.
Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
Copyright: © Copyright 2023 James Starkie and Jonathan Gullis MP
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 like our current political leaders and whether elections past point to what might ahead for the main parties.
Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
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
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 manifestos have gone down so far and what they might mean in the months ahead in the week that both the Labour Party and the Conservative Party launched their manifestos.
Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
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 Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
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 on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
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 you go from being seen as the party of opposition to a potential party of government.
Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
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
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 free speech.
Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
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 government interacts with national politicians and central government.
Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK
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
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
