{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/f5ef4d7c-1ca4-4c5e-98d6-c4ff11971d6a/6a7dc4ec049c692a6be31a06?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"What Happens Behind Closed Doors: Interview With A Top Government Special Adviser","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61b9fed21a8cbefa353cf074/1786627639303-63d2d9b1-76ee-4b8a-a0a7-bc9f23fbe53b.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, Kevin sits down with Liz Bates, a former political journalist turned special adviser for Keir Starmer's Government. Liz lifts the lid on what a SPAD does, the \"funereal\" reality of Keir Starmer's resignation to those on the inside and the difference between reporting the news and influencing the story.</p><p><br></p><p>Timecodes</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 – Introduction.</p><p>05:07 – What is a special adviser and what do they do?</p><p>07:59 – What was it like working for Steve Reed, the former Housing Secretary and Environment Secretary?</p><p>13:10 – Behind the scenes of Keir Starmer's resignation in July.</p><p>18:30 – Why does a SPAD also lose their job when the minister they're serving does?</p><p>20:32 – What's next for Liz and what does she think about the future of Andy Burnham's Government.</p><p>23:35 –&nbsp;Bluffers Guide and end.</p><p><br></p><p>You can follow us at @commons.people on Instagram and TikTok. This is a HuffPost UK podcast. Music provided by Epidemic Sounds. Producer: Sam Cleal</p>","author_name":"HuffPost UK"}