Whitehall Sources

Kirsty Buchanan and Calum Macdonald discuss Rishi Sunak's difficult week and the challenges he faces as Prime Minister. They explore the lack of vision and direction in the Conservative Party and the jockeying for position within the party. They also discuss the missed opportunities and the need for bold actions. Additionally, they touch on COP 28 and the climate deal, highlighting the compromises...

The conversation discusses Boris Johnson's emotional response during the COVID inquiry and the context in which it was given. It highlights the lack of empathy for bereaved relatives and the lack of self-doubt and introspection from Johnson and other key players. The conversation also explores Rishi Sunak's troubles and the Tory rebellions, as well as the culture war and divisions within the Conse...

Calum and Kirsty discuss Alistair Darling. Both have personal memories of him and stories about him. And Calum was reporting from the Covid Inquiry today as Matt Hancock gave evidence. So we discuss him too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Treasury adviser Ian Mulheirn joins to discuss the autumn statement. Plus, the latest migration figures and trouble coming for Rishi Sunak at the Covid Inquiry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calum and Kirsty digest Suella Braverman's departure letter, inflation falling and Rishi Sunak hitting a target, the Rwanda policy ruled unlawful, and the House of Commons ceasefire vote that's resulted in sackings from Labour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calum and Kirsty with a bonus episode after a reshuffle that sees David Cameron back in government Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calum and Kirsty are joined by Max Wilson, who spent over five years working for the Labour Party in several different roles including as Head of Campaigns for the Parliamentary Labour Party’s (PLP) Political Services Unit and as Senior Political Adviser in the Leader of the Opposition’s Office (LOTO). We discuss the ins and outs of the responses to the Pro-Palestine marches. Also on the podcast -...

Calum and Kirsty are joined by Max Wilson from Whitehouse Communications. Max spent over five years working for the Labour Party in several different roles including as Head of Campaigns for the Parliamentary Labour Party’s (PLP) Political Services Unit and as Senior Political Adviser in the Leader of the Opposition’s Office (LOTO). We discuss Sir Keir Starmer's speech on the Middle East and wheth...

Calum and Kirsty are joined by Alex Thomas, - Programme Director at the Institute for Government and Former Principal Private Secretary to the Head of the Civil Service to discuss the Covid Inquiry hearing evidence from Dominic Cummings. Alex was also a witness at the inquiry so shares his experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calum and Kirsty are joined by Scarlett Maguire from JL Partners, a leading polling company, for a forensic look at Rishi Sunak's first year as Prime Minister. Plus, how Labour are in a mess over their approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Simon Fraser is a British former diplomat who served as the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from August 2010 to July 2015. He joins Calum and Kirsty to discuss diplomatic efforts in Israel. Plus Calum debriefs on the SNP conference, and Kirsty analyses the upcoming by elections in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

Calum and Kirsty are joined by Alice Perry to discuss the Labour Party Conference, Sir Keir Starmer's speech and the evolving conflict in Israel/ Gaza. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calum and Kirsty are joined by Anita Boateng. Anita served three Cabinet Ministers as a government special adviser from 2016-2019, including the defacto Deputy Prime Minister in the Cabinet Office, the Lord Chancellor and the Work and Pensions Secretary. Today, we debrief on Conservative Party Conference. Anita was there, Kirsty watched on tele, and Calum listened to the PM speaking from a boat of...

Calum and Kirsty are joined by Jo Tanner, who has advised many politicians in Whitehall and elsewhere. Plus Pablo O'Hanna, a former Lib Dem adviser joins to review their conference in Bournemouth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calum and Kirsty are joined by Sam Richards - a former energy and environment adviser to Boris Johnson and founder of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade… to react instantly to Rishi Sunak's announcements on net-zero. After 24 hours of chaos, Kirsty reflects on the comms strategy, and Sam analyses what this means for you, for business and for industry. James Price who served as a Government S...

Calum and Kirsty are joined by Chris Wilkins, who was Theresa May's Director of Strategy and David Muir, who was Gordon Brown's Director of Strategy during the financial crisis 2008-2010. We discuss the issues of the week: will either party commit to maintaining the triple lock on pensions and Sir Keir Starmer's illegal migration proposals. Plus, as Theresa May publishes her book - The Abuse of Po...

We’re back with a fresh start for the new parliamentary session. Calum Macdonald is joined by Kirsty Buchanan - former Special Adviser to Theresa May when she was Prime Minister - and Alice Perry, who was a Labour Councillor for 11 years; was on Labour’s National Executive Committee for eight years, including one as chair, and was involved in drafting three general election manifestos for the part...

Calum and Kirsty rev their engines for a new parliamentary term, as Downing Street throws crime week out the window to announce a mini reshuffle. We talk about new Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, and new Business and Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho. Plus, the countdown to the new parliamentary term is well and truly on... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirsty and Calum discuss education week, in light of A-level results and GCSEs as well - plus Sir Keir Starmer's claim that he couldn't afford to go to university nowadays. There's reaction to the Lucy Letby conviction and sentencing and what it should mean for the NHS. And will he or won't he? Rishi Sunak's reshuffle has bitten the dust...it would seem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Rishi Sunak says we'll all feel better off next year. So we assess whether he's right or not. Plus, A-level results, First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf, and Calum's extremely large mic muff. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calum and Kirsty discuss Stop The Boats week - as outlined by the government. Will it actually work? Kirsty brings some nerdy research to the pod and is available for Ted talks... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calum and Kirsty are joined by Adam Bell, Director of Policy at Stonehaven, who used to be head of energy strategy at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to discuss Rishi Sunak's Energy Week - what are the big announcements and what do they mean? Plus, we talk about the PM appearing on a radio station no-one has ever heard of which is called LBC and to which no-one listens...

Calum and Kirsty are back to discuss the fall out of last week's three by-elections. Plus Nigel Farage brings down the CEO of NatWest in yet another influential victory. And Sir Keir Starmer discusses what a woman is: can this ever win votes, or is it an all out vote loser? With the Conservative Party's deep electoral troubles and a shift towards the right-wing faction, we'll discuss how Rishi Sun...

Calum and Kirsty turn their attention to rumours of upcoming reshuffles for both the Labour Party and the Conservatives. While rules prevent us from discussing the specifics of the by-elections, speculation continues to circulate regarding potential changes within the main political parties. The Labour reshuffle is said to possibly occur in September, while a Tory reshuffle might be approaching so...

Calum and Kirsty discuss the NHS on its 75th anniversary. Kirsty agrees with former Health Sec Sajid Javid that a Royal Commission is required to move away from the politicisation of the National Health Service. Calum brings a list of all the reforms that have been attempted recently (h/t Politico and reporter Noah Keate). Plus Kirsty discusses her own, ongoing, experiences of the NHS. Hosted on A...