Political Business

Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch takes the stage at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, setting out her pitch to party members and plans to boost faltering poll ratings. In this special episode of Political Business, hosts Nathan Parsad-Wyatt and Kevin McKeever report live from the conference floor to analyse Badenoch's speech, key policy announcements, and reactions from across local government and industry. Plus, hear Sir James Cleverly's pitch to London as he bids to become the party's 2028 Mayoral Candidate.

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In this special episode of Political Business recorded from Green Party Conference in Brighton, Kevin is joined by the party's leader of Southwark Council, James McAsh.

The pair explore the evolving landscape of local politics, the role of green policies, and the importance of cross-party collaboration through the insights of a Green Party leader. Discover how new leadership, strategic priorities, and coalition-building are shaping the future of Southwark and beyond.

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Prime Minister Andy Burnham takes the stage at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, setting out a bold 10-year vision for the UK. In this special episode of Political Business, hosts Nathan Parsad-Wyatt and Kevin McKeever report live from the conference floor to analyse Burnham’s landmark speech, key policy announcements, and reactions from across local government and industry. Plus hear Kevin's interview with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting.

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In this episode of Political Business, Lowick Hedry's Associate Director, Stephen Gregory, speaks with Liberal Democrat London Mayoral Candidate, Sarah Olney, and Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Bridget Smith, live from the party's conference in Brighton.

This episode also explores the recent international and domestic political events, including UK Prime Minister's UN visit, UK party conferences, and the strategic insights from political leaders. It offers a detailed analysis of political diplomacy, party dynamics, and future campaign strategies.

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In this episode of Political Business, Kevin joins Nathan from One World Trade Center in New York during UNGA week to share exclusive insights on how US investors view the UK’s shifting political landscape—and why a "delivery problem" is stalling transatlantic business.

Back in London, Nathan breaks down the massive £72 million funding package for Reform UK from mega-donors Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. Is this a game-changer for Nigel Farage, or will it create hidden pitfalls? Plus, an in-depth preview of the high-stakes Holborn and St Pancras by-election following Keir Starmer's departure.

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In this episode, we take an exclusive look into the massive transformation planned for London’s iconic Oxford Street. With the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) stepping in as the local planning authority, major changes are coming to one of the world's most famous retail and commercial hubs, with Nabeel Khan of the Oxford Street Development Corporation.

From closing the street to vehicle traffic by the end of the year to creating a mixed-use, experiential destination, learn how local authorities, businesses, and global inspirations (from New York to Tokyo) are shaping the future of the West End.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The 2028 Vision: Moving Oxford Street from a high-traffic transit route to a high-dwelling experiential destination.
• Fast-Tracking Planning Powers: How OSDC built a Local Planning Authority (LPA) function in just six months.
• Traffic-Free Phasing: The strategy behind closing the street to vehicles, live "test and learn" trials, and managing complex underground infrastructure.
• Accessibility & Servicing: Nuanced approaches to disabled access, local bus routes, and store delivery logistics.
• Global Inspiration: Lessons learned from Times Square (NYC), Tokyo, Bordeaux, and Lyon.
• The Next Generation of Retail: Attracting major flagships (Liverpool FC, Warner Bros. Harry Potter, Pinterest) and balancing retail with F&B/leisure.

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In this week’s episode of Political Business, Nathan Parsad-Wyatt and Kevin McKeever dissect a chaotic week in UK politics following the Reform UK conference in Birmingham. From internal power struggles and donation scandals to the physical assault of a protester, is Nigel Farage’s leadership on fragile ground—and is Zia Yusuf quietly preparing a shadow leadership bid?

Plus, the hosts break down the Chancellor’s latest growth speech on business regulation, Ed Miliband’s foreign policy maneuvers, and the newly announced England tourist tax (overnight levy) powers for regional mayors.

Stay tuned until the end for an exclusive sneak peek of our upcoming interview with Nabil Khan, Chief Executive of the Oxford Street Development Corporation, on the future vision for London’s iconic high street.

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In this episode of Political Business, Nathan sits down with Reform UK's candidate for the 2028 London Mayoral Election, Laila Cunningham, at the party's annual conference in Birmingham.

Laila reflects on her ambitions for mayoralty, outlines her pitch to the capital's businesses and voters and addresses the recent controversy surrounding the party's donations.

Nathan and Kevin also discuss the political landscape surrounding the upcoming by-election in Holburn and St Pancras, how Reform's leadership might navigate the donations controversy engulfing the party, and the damage it could inflict politically.

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In this episode of Political Business, Nathan sits down on the 17th floor of City Hall with Councillor Paul Swaddle, Leader of Westminster City Council.

Paul reflects on his journey in Conservative Party politics—from joining during the 1997 general election defeat to serving on the party board and earning an OBE.

Now over 100 days into his leadership, he addresses the massive challenges facing Westminster, including a £160M budget gap driven by government funding cuts, proposed council tax increases of 75% to 100%, and the crackdown on dockless bikes.

He also sets the record straight on the recent "vertical drinking" media storm, outlines his stance against Sadiq Khan’s Oxford Street Development Corporation, and explains his vision for bringing a fast-paced, private-sector ethos to local government.

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Welcome back to Political Business! After a couple weeks off, Kevin McKeever and Nathan Parsad-Wyatt look at the changing UK political landscape following a high-stakes summer.

From Andy Burnham’s first weeks in office and Labour’s strategy to Kemi Badenoch strengthening the Conservatives and the internal battles facing Reform UK, we break down where every major UK political party stands heading into party conference season.

Plus, we preview what’s next for the budget, the government's 10-year plan. Where do both the Left and the Right of British politics sit as the summer recess ends and parliament gets set to return?

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