Tory Radio

In a lengthy interview we chatted with Weston-super-Mare MP John Penrose.

John has recently published some policy proposals which we took a look at in more detail.

These included offering the British Overseas Territories the opportunity to be a full part of the UK, with their own representation in parliament should they wish.

We then turned to his recent publication "A Shining City Upon A Hill - Rebooting Capitalism for the Many, Not the Few" in which he describes several issues which the country is now facing and offers his own prescription as to how to solve these problems.

We look at everything from why the economy as its currently structured doesn't seem to be working for those under 45, to how you could introduce competition into the rail system.

We talk about how building upwards not outwards could be one way of solving the UK's housing crisis, and then look at how its possible to stop fake news, and how being exposed to one sides news online might not be such a good thing and what if anything can be done about it.

In the second in our series of podcasts looking at gambling we talk to Sir Iain Duncan Smith.

We started off talking about his recent General Election result, fighting the failed decapitation attempt of about and Momentum to take his seat before moving onto gambling and what the future might hold for the sector.

In a wide ranging interview ranging from issues with FOBTs, gambling advertising and whether focus needs to be places on the availability of scratch cards Sir Iain is gives his views as to what he thinks needs to be done to ensure gambling can remain a legitimate leisure pursuit in the UK.

With the issue of gambling in the headlines once more we took the opportunity to talk to the Chairman (previously and possibly once agin following the elections to the post) of the Digital Culture Media and Sports Select Committee. Our discussion ranged from changes to stakes on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, to whether closing high street bookies increase the possibility for problem gambling online. We discussed the issue of scratch cards and the fact that children are allowed to gamble in the UK, and whether the National Lottery gets an easy ride as it raises money for good causes, in spite of the fact that around only 10% of scratch card profits go to these good causes.

We discuss the relationship betting has both with sport in general and that of racing.

We touch upon the recent announcement of banning credit card transactions and what impact that ay have, whether future legislation or indeed a select committee inquiry may be in the offing, and what advice would be on offer to someone in charge of a gambling company should they ask.

In this interview conducted in a bustling hallway off Central Lobby I revisited a political opponent from 15 years ago. Then he was John Mann MP. Now he is Government Adviser on antisemitism Lord Mann of Holbeck Moor.  John was his usual forthright self, being hugely criticism of the cult of Corbynism at the heart of the Labour party and what that meant for the rise of antisemitism in the country. He gives his analysis of how Labour's stance on Brexit led to the party being punished in their former heartlands, and gives his opinions on some of the current leadership contenders.

We discuss the increase in a lack of tolerance in politics and political debate, and how we should all be able to engage in strong and robust debate without resorting to personal attacks - which in recent years have led to physical threats to MPs, their families and their staff.

In a message to Boris and Dominic Cummings, John tells them, to hold onto their newly won seats, it's all about football, not potholes, and building kiddies playgrounds. Intrigued? Listen to what Lord Mann has to say.

A look back at our interview with then ConservativeHome founder and now current Government Adviser Tim Montgomerie.

A Tory radio interview with Matthew Elliott while at the Taxpayers Alliance... the man who would later lead the NotoAV campaign and of course Vote Leave.

Interview with Francis Maude from the 2007 Conservative Party Conference

Looking back to some of our archive material we thought we should turn to one time party leader Iain Duncan Smith. 

A look back at when Tory Radio took the opportunity to question the Party Chairman on the events of the day.