Debated Podcast

In this episode of the podcast Will is once again joined by Chris Clarke to discuss a new piece he's written called The Two Deprivations, looking at wealth inequality across the UK and which political parties are gaining support from people suffering different types of deprivation. They discuss the Gorton and Denton by election, which inspired the piece, how Labour should tackle the new political climate and what the impact will be on the future of British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Stella Tsantekidou, a commentator, columnist for Labour List and one of Restoration's candidates for the NEC elections to discuss why she wanted to run to be elected to the NEC, what Restoration would aim to do if they were able to successfully elect candidates to the NEC and what Stella believes needs to change within the Labour Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Glen O'Hara, Professor of Modern and Contemporary Politics at Oxford Brookes University and author of "New Labour, New Britain? How the Blair governments reshaped the country" to discuss the book, why Glen decided to write it now, Blair's domestic policy and the family centred nature of much of his domestic policy and Blair's legacy as a leader and Prime Minister. "New Labour, New Britain? How the Blair governments reshaped the country" is available to buy from all good bookshops and online retailers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Chris Clarke, author of The Dark Knight and the Puppet Master, about a new paper he's written entitled "Putting Down the Vase" in which Chris argues that Labour needs to change its approach a year after winning the 2024 general election. They discuss how the ming vase strategy has played its part in how Labour governs, how the rules for established parties are different from those for smaller parties, the role of social media in how MPs operate and how migration has become a lightning rod for political debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Michael Mullaney, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Leicestershire County Council and Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Hinckley and Bosworth in 2024 about British By-Elections 1769–2025: The 88 By-Election Campaigns That Shaped Our Politics a book he has contributed a chapter to. They discuss the Workington by election of 1976, the significance of by elections, why the Liberal Democrats and other third parties have been so successful at winning them and how turnout can often dictate the result. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by the former Leader of the Liberal Democrats and former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Sir Vince Cable to discuss his new book Eclipsing the West: China, India and the forging of a new world. They discuss how the economies of China and India have increased, their relationships with the UK, the amount of centralisation in their countries as compared to the UK and what China and India's increasing dominance means for the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Will is joined by the legendary script writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran to discuss three of their TV series - Shine on Harvey Moon, The New Statesman and Mosley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Bea Martinez-Gatell, author of Swoon: Fangirls, Their Idols and the Counterculture of Female Lust – From Byron to the Beatles about how she came to write the book, the emergence of fan girls, why she chose the subjects for each chapter of the book, the connection between fangirls and the media's representation of women, how interlinked fangirls were to broader social and political changes for women's rights in the 19th and 20th centuries and how comparable fangirls and the perception of them in the media in the past is to the fangirls of today.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Dr Daniela Tepe, Senior Lecturer in Political Economy, Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology at the University of Liverpool and editor of a forthcoming collection of essays called "What went wrong with Britain?: An audit of Tory failure" The discuss how the book was developed, the Conservative Party's relationship to the NHS and race, the Conservative Party's perception of the public and the impact of Brexit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by William Kedjanyi, the Head of Political Content for Star Sports Betting to discuss the forthcoming local elections in England and their impact on the direction of political travel in the UK. They discuss who are likely to win out in the elections, which council elections could be key to understanding the future direction of the country, the possible results in the Runcorn and Helsby by election and what Donald Trump's first 100 days of his second term mean for the future of global politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Hope Watts to discuss her new project You Political. They discuss how Hope became interested in politics, what the aim of You Political is, how young people can be encouraged to engage more with politics, the presence of AI in society and the nature of the online world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Meadhbh Park author of the newly published book Blackpilled: Masculinity, Media and Incels to discuss the book, how she became interested in the world of Incels and the Manosphere, the impact of media and in particular films like Joker and Taxi Driver, how the media's view of masculinity has contributed to the ideology and how men become part of the incel community. You can buy Blackpilled from all good retailers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Tom Brown, author of The Mind of the Minister, a new book detailing how civil servants deal with politicians, why the relationship has deteriorated in the past decade, how it can be fixed and how the civil service works with government ministers to deliver policies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is once again joined by William Kedjanyi, the Head of Political Content & sports previewer for Star Sports Betting to discuss the 2024 Presidential election, what the result might be, what the polls and betting markets are predicting, the stand out moments of the campaign, the impact of the VP picks and which senate races to focus on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by David Laws, former Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil from 2001 to 2015 to discuss his new book Serpents, Goats and Turkeys: A Century of Liberal–Labour Relations. They discuss the original 1903 Liberal - Labour pact, known as the MacDonald/Gladstone pact, why the Liberals failed to make gains in 1945 whilst Labour won a landslide, the SDP - Liberal Alliance of the 1980s and the Liberal- Labour Pact of 1977 - 1978. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Sean Woodcock, the newly elected MP for Banbury, to discuss the election campaign, what he hopes to achieve as the Member of Parliament for Banbury, his hopes for the new Labour government and the impact the new government is already making. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Jo Phillips and David Seymour, authors of Why Vote How to make your voice heard in a world of broken politics about the book, the electoral system, why young people might be disengaged from politics, the past 14 years of Conservative government, Brexit and Covid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Daniel Smith-Christopher, Professor of Theology at Loyola Marymount College and author of Keir Hardie, the Bible, and Christian Socialism to discuss Keir Hardie's Christian faith, what Christian Socialism meant to the Labour Party and how Hardie's religious beliefs intermingled with his progressive politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Wes Kussmaul about his book Quiet Enjoyment, the founding of his company Delphi, AI and its influence on the world around us, PKIs and internet security and the media's perception of technology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Philip Norton, Lord Norton of Louth, to discuss his recently published book on the 1922 Committee - The 1922 Committee: Power Behind The Scenes. They discuss how the committee was formed, its influence on the Conservative Party, the importance of its Chairman and Executive, the relationship it had with David Cameron and Margaret Thatcher and what the future holds for it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Jon Cruddas, the Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham and the author of A Century of Labour. They discuss the Labour Party's relationship to Ramsay MacDonald, Labour in the 1950s and 60s and the USSR, Keir Starmer's place in the ideological traditions of the Labour Party, the Attlee government's agenda and the mythologising of political figures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Denis MacShane, former Labour MP for Rotherham from 1994 - 2012 and Minister of State for Europe from 2002 to 2005 about his recently published diaries Labour Takes Power: The Denis MacShane Diaries 1997 - 2001. They discuss Denis' time working with Robin Cook, the preparedness of new Labour ministers at the start of the 97 Parliament, Milosevic and Kosovo, Labour and the trade union movement and the impact of William Hague's time as leader of the Conservative Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast, Will is joined by George Baldock, a student at the University of Cambridge and a candidate to become Young Labour's next Disability Officer, to discuss Pupil Referral Units, how they are perceived by the public and press, funding for SEND students, funding in education, what policies he would like to see in Labour's next manifesto and the recent debate over Labour's teeth brushing policy for primary school children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Nick Thomas Symonds, Labour MP for Torfaen, Shadow Minister without Portfolio and author of Attlee: A Life In Politics, a new edition of which was recently published. They discuss Attlee's early life, his involvement with the Stepney Boy's Club, his service in World War I, his time as Mayor of Stepney and PPS to Ramsay MacDonald, his leadership of Labour and his time as a reforming Prime Minister. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to author Linda McDougall about her new biography of Marcia Williams, later Baroness Falkender, a key member of Harold Wilson's team before, during and after his time in Downing Street. They discuss Marcia's upbringing, her first time meeting Harold, how she helped him become Labour Leader and win the 1964 General Election, the misogyny she encountered and the infamous Lavender List, Wilson's resignations honours list. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast, Will speaks to Anthony Broxton, creator of the Tides of History Twitter account and author of Hope and Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher's Britain. They discuss the connection between politics and Rugby League, the decline and revival of the game, the politics of authenticity versus consumerism and the Cod Wars. You can buy a copy of Hope and Glory here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hope-Glory-League-Thatchers-Britain/dp/1801504555 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Will speaks to Maria Fernandez - Garcia from Right to Roam about what the right to roam is, what the major political parties are doing about it, the Countryside and Right of Ways Act and how it could be expanded and the positive mental health implications for greater access to the countryside. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast, Will speaks to Lucy Hulme, Chair of the Votes at 16 Campaign at the British Youth Council and founder of The Future Is Ours, to discuss votes at 16, what the Future is Ours Is, political engagement amongst young people and what impact votes at 16 would have on politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Francesca Peacock, author of Pure Wit: The Revolutionary Life of Margaret Cavendish to discuss the book. They discuss Margaret Cavendish's life, the role of women in the English Civil War, Margaret's influence on subsequent authors, the rise of print culture during the Civil War and Margaret's first novel and one of the first works of science fiction The Blazing World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Tom Green, Communications Officer for Seasalt Housing Co-op, Communications Officer for Brighton and Hove Land Trust and a Community Organiser with Acorn to discuss community housing, how it is defined, what student housing co operatives are, how we ensure new housing is built sustainably and how flexibility on housing design can help with the house building crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by David Skelton, author of Little Platoons, former head of research at Policy Exchange between 2011 and 2013 and founder of Renewal, a Conservative campaign group, to discuss his latest book The New Snobbery. They discuss how David came to write the book, the impact of Brexit on British politics, snobbery and the divisions between Westminster and the rest of the country and how the Conservatives won the 2015 General Election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Nye Davies, a lecturer in politics at Cardiff University, to discuss a new collection of essays he has edited taken from Aneurin Bevan's extension contribution to Tribune. They discuss Bevan's style of writing, his approach to writing about international affairs, how Bevan thought Parliament worked and what drove Bevan's desire for improve housing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Michela Wrong, a renowned author and journalist, to discuss her recently published book Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad, about the murder of Patrick Karegeya and the regime of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. They also discuss the Rwandan Genocide and Kagame's rise to power and Britain's decision to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features reference to sexual offences which some listeners may find upsetting. In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Lauren Davison, a member of the Young Fabians Executive and Membership Secretary for Stoke South CLP and Oliver Probert Hill, Member of the LGBTQ+ Co-operators committee and LGBTQ+ rep for Young Labour Under 19s to discuss the benefits system, why people who receive benefits are often stigmatised by the media and politicians and the Labour Party's recent decision to keep the two child benefit cap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Kirsty Innes, the Director of Public Services Policy at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, about a new paper she has co author for the TBI called The Great Enabler: Transforming the Future of Britain’s Public Services Through Digital Identity. They discuss how digital identity could change the benefits system and healthcare, the concerns some may have over its use, whether it could be used to tackle illegal migration and how a UK digital identity might interact with digital identity services around the world. You can read the full paper here: https://www.institute.global/insights/tech-and-digitalisation/great-enabler-transforming-future-of-britains-public-services-digital-identity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Richard Vinen, Professor of History at King's College, London, about his recently published book Second City: Birmingham and the Forging of Modern Britain. They discuss Birmingham's origins, the role of Birmingham in the career of Joseph Chamberlain, the emergence of the city as a leading industrial power and the political state of Birmingham and the West Midlands today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Nandini Das, a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford and a Professor of Early Modern Literature and Culture at Oxford, to discuss her recently published book Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire. They discuss how the book came to be written, how England was seen at the Mughal Court, the differences in religious tolerance between the Mughal Court and that of James I, how the first English ambassador Thomas Roe came to bond with the Mughal Emperor Jahangir over alcohol and the lasting legacy of Roe's time in India. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Lauren Davison, the Young Fabian's Women and Equalities Officer and a former Labour Party candidate in the local elections to discuss how Labour did in Stoke where Lauren was standing, what the election campaign was like, how it will inform Labour's General Election campaign and how important social media was to the campaign. They also discuss criminal justice police, the policing of the Coronation and whether the Met Police can be trusted by the public again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to comedian Nerine Skinner about her comedy career, how she got started, how she started making videos online, when she started making parodies of Liz Truss and her future comedy ambitions and plans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Hugh Goulbourne to discuss the new project he is leading with Progressive Britain and Labour Renaissance, Fair Competition for Fair Growth. They discuss how the project came about, the Labour Party's relationship to SMEs and how regionalised economic planning can be linked to a wider national economic picture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Charles Loft, author of Last Trains: Dr Beeching and the Death of Rural England, to discuss the Beeching report, its impact on the rail network in Britain, how transport has changed in the decades since and what the future of rail is. Make sure to also check out the Reimagining Government podcast which you can listen to here https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/research-and-conversations/reimagining-government-podcast. Also, please note there are some technical difficulties with Charles' audio in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast, Will is joined by Remi Adekoya, a lecturer in politics at the University of York to discuss his new book, It's Not About Whiteness, It's About Wealth: How The Economics of Race Really Work. They discuss how Remi came to write the book, how the media deals with race, the discrepancies in funding between western universities and those in the global south, global income and poverty and how racial inequality and financial inequality are interlinked. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Tom Clark, Fellow at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Contributing Editor at Prospect and a Visiting Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford, to discuss a new book he has edited -Broke: Fixing Britain's Poverty Crisis. They discuss the strain on the welfare system and how it is often difficult for the people who need it most; how inequality and poverty can be linked to a lack of fixed housing and how the asylum and immigration system have so often failed the most vulnerable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Primesh Patel, the Labour Party's Parliamentary candidate for Harrow East, about why he wanted to become Labour's candidate for the next general election, his main campaign focuses such as health care and workers rights and what he'd like to see in Labour's next manifesto. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Jacob Jefferson, a Conservative Party candidate for Bushey North at this May's local elections, about his campaign, what he sees as the priorities for the voters of Bushey North, Rishi Sunak's government and the future direction of the Conservative Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Chris Curtis, the Labour Party's parliamentary candidate in Milton Keynes North about what his time as a pollster taught him about campaigning, what he thinks the biggest issues are facing Milton Keynes and what he thinks the next Labour government should focus on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by Ben Dunany, editor of Frontier Myanmar to discuss the political history of Myanmar, the Chin people and the Rohingya Muslims, Aung San Suu Kyi and the military coup of 2021 and covid and its impact on Myanmar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will is joined by David from Labour Beyond Cities to discuss why he decided to set up Labour Beyond Cities, the Labour Party's relationship with the North of England versus London, Labour 2015 election campaign, how the Labour Party could connect its activists better and Labour's future approach to areas that has felt neglected by the party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast Will speaks to Joe Shepherd, founder of the United Rural Democrats, about the 2022 Mid Term Elections in the United States and the Democrats victories in them, the recent Georgia Senate run off between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker, President Biden's potential run for re election in 2024, whether or not Donald Trump's conspiracy theories have damaged the Republican party and a US perspective on the recent political crisis in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.