Whitehall Sources

Baroness Hazarika - Ayesha Hazarika, former Labour adviser - joins Calum and Kirsty Buchanan, former Special Adviser to Theresa May, to discuss the politics and policy of the moment. We consider why far-right thugs were able to stage a mini riot in the aftermath of the stabbing attack in Southport in which three young girls died. We also reflect on Chancellor Rachel Reeves's announcement ending universal Winter Fuel Payments and preparing the country for tax rises. Plus, why the Tory leadership contest is going on too long.

In this conversation, Calum and Kirsty discuss various topics including the King's speech, the challenges of delivering on government promises, and the European political community meeting at Blenheim Palace. They highlight the importance of the first 100 days of a government in setting the tone and managing expectations. They also discuss the potential challenges and complexities of bilateral agreements on immigration and the need for a closer working relationship with the European Union.

The conversation discusses the upcoming general election and the expectations for the results. It highlights the lack of excitement and momentum in the campaign, as well as the messaging and strategies of the different parties. The conversation also touches on the challenges and complexities of implementing policies and delivering on promises. It concludes with predictions for the SNP and the potential outcomes for the Conservatives and Reform UK. Overall, the conversation emphasises the need for parties to appeal to the centre ground and address the concerns and values of the British people.

Calum Macdonald and Kirsty Buchanan discuss various topics related to the upcoming election. They talk about the length of the campaign, the impact of polling, and the challenges faced by the Conservative Party. Kirsty also shares her experience at her son's school and discusses the views of children on politics. Adam Bell, former Energy SpAd and now Director of Policy at Stonehaven joins. We explore energy policy in the UK and the different approaches of the political parties. The main themes include the division between parties on how to tackle climate change, the feasibility of decarbonising the grid by 2030, the challenges of infrastructure development, the role of community benefits, the potential for judicial reviews, the need for a skilled workforce, the political consensus on net zero, the purpose of a state-owned energy company, and the fiscal rules and investment needed for the energy transition.

The conversation discusses the recent TV moment where Beth Rigby questioned Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak individually. It explores the lack of inspiration and vision from both leaders and the sense of distrust and cynicism among the public. The conversation also touches on the manifestos of the Labour and Conservative parties, highlighting the Conservatives' blizzard of policies and the cautious approach of Labour. It emphasises the need for an honest debate about tax and spend and the impact of spending cuts on local government. With former Special Adviser Giles Wilkes, who's now at the Institute for Government.

The first TV debate between Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak is in the books, but what did we learn? Nigel Farage is firmly back in the UK political fray: what does this mean for the Conservatives? And former MP and housing minister Sir Brandon Lewis CBE joins to discuss how to fix the country's housebuilding problem, and why Labour might have taken a page out of the Conservatives' book when drawing up their plans.

The conversation covers various aspects of the ongoing election campaign, including the performance of the Conservative and Labour parties, the impact of policy announcements, the handling of key issues such as Brexit and the economy, and the upcoming manifesto launches and leadership debates. The discussion also delves into the strategies and challenges faced by the party leaders, as well as the role of media and public perception in shaping the election narrative.We're joined by Patrick Diamond, former policy adviser to Tony Blair.

Jo Tanner joins Kirsty and Calum. The conversation discusses the announcement of the general election and the strategy behind it. It explores the mishaps and challenges faced by the Conservative Party, including the timing of the announcement and the optics of the Prime Minister speaking in the rain. The conversation also delves into the potential impact of the election on issues such as the compensation scheme for victims of the contaminated blood scandal and the postmasters' scandal. The conversation touches on the swing in voter support and the challenges faced by both the Conservative and Labour parties in winning over voters. It concludes with a discussion on the negative campaigning strategies employed by the parties. The conversation discusses the challenges and pitfalls of election campaigning, including the timing of the election, campaign strategies, and the importance of optics. It also touches on the rules and guidelines for campaign communications, the role of technology and social media, and the potential for embarrassing moments on the campaign trail.

Kirsty Buchanan, former special advisor to Theresa May, and Calum Macdonald discuss the prison system in the UK, and Sir Keir Starmer's six pledges for the next general election. The conversation touches on the challenges of the prison system, the need for a fresh look at remand and recall, and the importance of rehabilitation and reform. It also explores the effectiveness of political pledges and the need for realistic and achievable goals. The conversation covers various topics, including the Labour Party's five missions and the addition of a sixth mission related to border security. The discussion also touches on the timeline for achieving these missions and the importance of managing expectations. The hosts then shift to a clip of an interview with Rishi Sunak on the Loose Women program, where he is questioned about his policies towards pensioners. The hosts analyse the interview style and the effectiveness of different interview techniques.