Whitehall Sources

By Shortbread MediaNews Politics

Whitehall Sources episodes

December 08, 2022 The Government's Advent Calendar
On every day until Christmas, someone, somewhere is on strike. That, combined with colder weather and the need for more heating making the cost of living crisis very real for many thousands of us, means the Government's advent calendar is like no other. Kirsty Buchanan, a former special adviser to Theresa May, compares this run up to Christmas to what is usually calm and traditionally a period that's a little easier to allow exhausted political staff a bit of a break. Calum was at the Times Radio, The Times, and The Sunday Times joint Christmas party last night; Kirsty has a cold. We've got an update on Oscar, and a nod ahead to Whitehall Sources 2.0. Also a new concept from Kirsty: front footery vs back footery. What's it like getting woken up at 2am with news of a political crisis? And we open the doors to The Correspondence Unit to read your - very well informed and insightful - messages. Email anytime: [email protected].
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44 min
December 01, 2022 Hellish Honeymoon
Nope, not the name of Matt Hancock's memoir - but a reflection on Rishi Sunak's first month as Prime Minister. Calum Macdonald hosts; Kirsty Buchanan, who used to advise Theresa May as PM, is joined by Frankie Leach who was an adviser to Jeremy Corbyn when he was Labour Leader of the Opposition. The Conservatives have lost a year due to in-fighting - did Rishi Sunak end up getting any "honeymoon" period when he became Prime Minister? We reflect on the role of the media and respective parliamentary parties in *allowing* a honeymoon for a new leader; Frankie tells us how Jeremy Corbyn and his Chief of Staff fended off a coup; Kirsty considers the nobility of Theresa May trying to maintain party discipline, and were we all surprised by Matt Hancock on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here? If this is the end of the honeymoon, what does ongoing strike action mean for Rishi Sunak? Email us to say hello and have your say: [email protected]
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1 hr 2 min
November 24, 2022 IndyRef2 and Britzerland
This week on Whitehall Sources, we take you behind the door of Number 10 Downing Street and discuss Britzerland. It's Brexit-related and it's all about The Chequers Deal: what is it, what does it mean, why is it back four years after it was first discussed, and what should it do to the messaging around Brexit policy from here on? Kirsty Buchanan - who was a Special Adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May - and Oscar Reddrop - who was a Special Adviser to Boris Johnson - discuss their different strategies on Brexit, and how to deal with the Conservative Party. Also on this week's episode, we're joined by Luke Graham who worked in the Union Unit of Number 10 Downing Street. He tells us about its purpose, his "robust conversations" and getting annoyed at Nicola Sturgeon. He and Calum also enjoy being able to discuss "dualling the A9" which is likely a campaign you can all now get behind. As we open the door to The Correspondence Unit, Sam wants to know how to become a Special Adviser so Kirsty tells him to work hard and Oscar tells him to go to the pub. We discuss the intersection of politics and sport as the World Cup in Qatar continues, and players are apparently too scared to protest effectively. Plus Calum gets angry about the government media "round" once again. But is he right to? You can email your questions anytime, as well as your takes on the issues we're talking about, the email address is [email protected].
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1 hr 11 min
November 17, 2022 The Not-Mini Budget* (*autumn statement)
Whitehall Sources takes you behind the door of Number 10 Downing Street to understand life behind politics. Today, a podcast special - we’re doing something slightly different to bring you snap reaction and analysis of the autumn statement from those who have advised prime ministers, cabinet secretaries and opposition leaders. Kirsty Buchanan is here throughout - PLUS we’ve got Ben Nunn, who was Sir Keir Starmer’s Director of Communications until 2021; Simon Jones, who was an adviser in the department for transport and the No 10 business unit under Theresa May and Boris Johnson; Jake Richards who used to advise Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor and Kevin Pringle who was the SNP’s Director of Communications at Westminster. Do they miss being in Westminster on days like today? What's the political strategy behind the announcements? How can opposition parties respond?
What does the autumn statement mean for you? Email us: [email protected]
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1 hr 14 min
November 10, 2022 Gav the Enforcer, Hancock's in slurry and why isn't Oscar a Lord?
Kirsty Buchanan OBE and Lord Reddrop (*Tbc) join man-of-the-people Calum Macdonald to take you behind the door of Number 10 Downing Street and unpack all that's going on. Is it valid to use someone as the "enforcer" in a political party? Gavin Williamson had to resign because of his conduct and how he dealt with others in the Conservative party. Kirsty and Oscar explain what the Chief Whip does and whether "good-cop-bad-cop" works in party discipline. More than that - is this just one of many problems now facing Rishi Sunak? We look at the economy, ahead of the autumn statement on November 17th and the short leash the Conservative party have got the prime minister on, depending on what he announces. Plus how much of a challenge will it be when Boris Johnson appears before the privileges committee. And what happens when nurses say they want to go on strike? For Chequers and Balances we're joined by Frankie Leach who used to advise Jeremy Corbyn when he was the Leader of the Opposition. Frankie identifies a shift in mindset among the Labour party as they set their sights on winning the next general election. Plus a bit more on Matt Hancock on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here - is there a chance we all begin to empathise with him? Share your thoughts on Hancock in the jungle. Email us: [email protected]
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1 hr 19 min
November 03, 2022 Test Balloons & Attack Strategies
Welcome to Whitehall Sources where we take you behind the scenes at Number 10 Downing Street. This week: what do we know so far about the plans Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt have for the economy? We discuss "test balloons" (also known as kite-flying) and why this strategy is effective. In Chequers and Balances - where we speak to an opposition adviser - we hear from James Meadway who advised John McDonnell who was Shadow Chancellor for Labour while Jeremy Corbyn was leader. He explains the ins and outs of Rishi Sunak's favourite attack against Sir Keir Starmer: that he supported Jeremy Corbyn. Plus, we open the doors (complete with sound effects) to The Correspondence Unit - this week, you wanted to consider Suella Braverman and immigration: does the Home Secretary speak for you on immigration policy? Also - Calum makes inappropriate jokes about Matt Hancock going on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here; Kirsty has a laughing fit and Oscar tries to make a serious point in the midst of it. We LOVE to get your analysis of what we've said, plus your questions about how things work in Whitehall. You can email us anytime: [email protected].
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1 hr 16 min
October 27, 2022 A BraverMan than I
Welcome to Whitehall Sources, where former advisers to UK Prime Ministers take you behind the door of Number 10 Downing Street to analyse events today. On this week's episode: just how much trouble as the re-appointment of Suella Braverman as Home Secretary caused the new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak? Kirsty Buchanan - former adviser to Theresa May at No. 10, and to Liz Truss - and Oscar Reddrop - former adviser to Boris Johnson - reflect on what it means to spend political capital and how to best choose your moments (remember Dominic Cummings?). Also, the art of a reshuffle. What's it like to be in the room as the Prime Minister haggles, negotiates and works out who their top team will be? What happens when an MP stages a sit in? Oscar remembers the trauma and panic of one of Boris Johnson's latter reshuffles, and Kirsty reflects on Theresa May's lack of power and influence during her reshuffle in January 2018. Email us to become one of our Sources - we want to hear from you on what we're talking about. Or, do you have questions for Kirsty, Oscar and Calum? Email anytime: [email protected]. Please subscribe and follow - and share with those who are as into politics as you are!
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1 hr 9 min
October 26, 2022 Stop it and Roll it: Sunak's First Speech
Stop It and Roll It is where we play you a bit of political theatre and drama - in this case, a speech - and stop it, analyse it, then roll it. Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister on Tuesday 25th October and delivered his first speech on the steps of No 10. Downing Street. Calum, Kirsty and Oscar listen to the speech, stop it, comment on it and contextualise it, and roll it again. Did Rishi Sunak make you feel calmer? Email us: [email protected].
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47 min
October 25, 2022 Rishi Ready?
This is episode one of a two-part special analysing Rishi Sunak taking over as Prime Minister. In this episode: what is the state of the Conservative Party? He's inheriting a mess - we assess who's been behaving badly. Kirsty and Oscar share their experiences of meeting Rishi Sunak and working with him - what's he really like? We find out about steps he took when he was meeting farmers despite not being a meat-eater, and how he is "fiercely" intelligent. Kirsty outlines his in-tray, Oscar cheers for Boris Johnson but concludes now was not the right time for him to try to make a comeback as Prime Minister. And what's Kirsty and Oscar's advice to those who are stepping into Downing Street as part of the new administration? Plus, we find unanimity on something or, actually, someone! Find out *who* it is. Email us anytime: [email protected].

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1 hr 11 min
October 20, 2022 The Resignation of Liz Truss
Liz Truss has resigned. Today on Whitehall Sources: Calum spent the day reporting live from Downing Street - what was it like and how did it unfold? Kirsty and Oscar were as plugged into the Whitehall matrix as ever - what have they been hearing, and what is their analysis? Plus - they know what it's like to experience a day like today on the inside. We hear what it's like. This episode is slightly different to usual, given the frantic nature of the day. How has the resignation of Liz Truss changed your life? Email [email protected] to get in touch and we'll read them in The Correspondence Unit on our next episode.
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28 min

About Whitehall Sources

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Top advisers to our significant political leaders analyse the successes and failures of today's politics, sharing their experiences of working in Whitehall. Jo Tanner is a political adviser and…