Political by Design

Russell T Davies's drama Tip Toe imagined a Britain where prejudice curdles into violence between neighbours. Comedians Mark T Cox and Denis Len, of Your Internet Boyfriends , couldn't stop thinking about it, and built a new mini-series around one question: could this actually happen? Leslie Clarke sits down with Mark and Denis to talk about breaking format for something serious, the political moo...

In this second conversation with Siân Berry, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, Leslie Clarke turns to the issues that matter most to Scene Magazine's readership: the state of LGBTQ+ rights in the UK in 2026, and what to do about the decline. They cover the Supreme Court ruling and its real-world impact on trans people's daily lives, the EHRC interim guidance and why Berry believes it should be...

Dian Cathal is an award-winning trans comedian, writer, and performer who has spent the last decade doing what most people wouldn't dare: turning the politics of his own existence into a night out. Born in New York, living in London by medical necessity rather than choice (corn syrup, of all things, is the villain), he has built a body of work that uses sharp, personal comedy to pull apart identit...

What does it feel like to inherit the most famous Green seat in Britain? Siân Berry, MP for Brighton Pavilion and successor to Caroline Lucas, sits down with Leslie Clarke to talk about the rise of the Green Party and what it means to be at the heart of it. From the inside story of how the Greens planned and executed their historic 2024 four-seat win, to Zack Polanski's transformation of the party...

In this episode of Political by Design, Leslie Clarke is joined by Labour councillor and former journalist Sebastian Salek to unpack Labour’s and Prime Minister Keir Starmer's struggle to turn its message of “change” into a convincing governing brand. From the challenge of communicating achievements to voters, to the underestimated role of simple, positive language, we explore why political br...

In this special episode for Scene Magazine, Leslie Clarke interviews Dr Sam Hall, a GP and advocate for trans healthcare, discussing the challenges faced by trans individuals in the healthcare system, the impact of societal perceptions, and the importance of informed consent. They explore the evolution of trans rights and the need for compassion and understanding in medical practice. The conversat...

Gavin Newsom is dominating the political arena like no other Democrat, which really gets under the skin of Trump and MAGA loyalists. About the pod Political by Design is a Scene Magazine production that looks at politics through an LGBTQ+ lens. Hosted by Leslie Clarke, publisher of Scene. Follow Political by Design Instagram: @politicalbydesign.pod TikTok: @politicalbydesign Follow Scene Magazine...

In this episode of Political By Design, host Leslie Pumm speaks with Angus Abercrombie, a young political leader, about the importance of engaging Gen Z voters and the challenges faced by the Democratic Party. They discuss Abercrombie's journey into local politics, the significance of grassroots efforts, and the role of social media in shaping political narratives. The conversation highlights...

Welcome to Political by Design ! In this solo kickoff, host Leslie Pumm unveils the podcast’s mission: cracking open how branding shapes politics in the UK and US. Expect a roadmap of what’s ahead—1:1 chats with experts unpacking the moves behind the messaging. Curious about the strategies steering our debates? This is your start. Join the conversation and subscribe for more! About the pod Politic...