Veterans In Politics Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics- Season 2, Episode 6  with  Crispin Blunt MP Crispin Blunt MP was commissioned as an Army Officer into the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) and served until 1990. During the 1980s, he served in Cyprus, Germany and Britain before entering Parliament. This episode is full of very personal insight and we thank Crispin for his honesty.  From recalli...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics- Season 2, Episode 5  with  Jamie Stone MP Jamie Stone is the only Liberal Democrat with military experience in the House of Commons having served in the TA Infantry, in his words: 'ages ago!' In this episode, he talks about how he has remained current with his military knowledge through the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, that keeps MPs informed...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics- Season 2, Episode 4  with Clive Lewis MP Clive Lewis MP served in The Rifles as Officer Commanding of the Combat Camera Team in Afghanistan.  He is also a former Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, and began his career in journalism. On paper Clive and Jonny might seem to be diametrically opposed ideologically, but it's clear from listening to this ep...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics- Season 2, Episode 3  with Caroline Henry Caroline 'followed the flag' with her husband's career in the RAF as a service spouse.  You may have heard of her husband, Darren Henry MP, guest of season 1!  But like this episode, now is Caroline's turn, as she is standing up to serve as a Police & Crime Commissioner in her home patch of Nott...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics- Season 2, Episode 2  with Jay Singh-Sohal Jay is a serving reservist army officer currently campaigning to be a Police & Crime Commissioner of one of the largest police forces in the country. Jay and our host Jonny work out many similarities in both their childhood and their military careers in this chat, despite coming from very different backgrounds.  I...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics- Season 2, Episode 1  with Ruth Davidson MSP Veterans In Politics returns for season 2 kicking off with Ruth Davidson MSP! Ruth served in the Territorial Army before having to leave on medical grounds following an accident during Officer Selection.  She details this incident in this episode and the lasting impact this had on her. But Ruth is better known for b...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Episode 11 with Darren Henry MP (our last episode of season 1!) Darren served in the RAF for 26 years having risen through the ranks to Squadron Leader.  He is one of just a handful of RAF veterans in Parliament. In this episode, he talks about his Windrush Generation roots, the value of working hard, and how he got started in politics.  You never know where a...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Episode 10 with Alicia Kearns MP Alicia Kearns was elected in 2019, succeeding Sir Alan Duncan in the Rutland and Melton seat. Prior to being elected, she worked in counter-terrorism working at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and then as an independent consultant across the Middle East and North Africa, Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.  Although not...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Episode 9 with Andrew Lewer MBE MP Andrew is the only MP in Parliament to have served at every level of government, having been a Parish councillor, District councillor, County Councillor (and Leader), European Parliamentarian and now, UK Parliamentarian.  He was awarded his MBE for services to local government in 2014, and remains a passionate supporter of th...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Episode 8 with Sir Julian Brazier TD Sir Julian lost his beloved Canterbury seat to Rosie Duffield MP on a shock results night during the snap general election of 2017.  He'd been an MP for 30 years, and at one stage, was our host's local MP when Jonny resided at Howe Barracks, Canterbury with 1PWRR! In this episode, Sir Julian explains some of the r...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Episode 7 with James Sunderland MP James shares the illustrious title of 'most senior military veteran in the House of Commons', alongside Bob Stewart DSO MP, having left the army in 2019 as a Full Colonel. He served for 26 years as a Regular officer, only leaving at short notice in November 2019 to stand as a Parliamentary candidate. In this episode...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Episode 6 with Sarah Atherton MP Sarah is the only female regular army veteran MP having started her career as a Junior NCO in the British Army's Intelligence Corps. She has service in her DNA, as she has also been a nurse, and a social worker in a lifetime of service that is now channelled through her work as a Member of Parliament.  In December 2019, Sa...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Episode 5 with Stuart Anderson MP Stuart is a veteran of the Royal Green Jackets, and from humble beginnings, is one of the new MPs to put on your 'ones to watch' list. Stuart recalls his experience of being shot early on in his career, how he recovered and how what he witnessed on operations has helped form a view on what government is for and part...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Episode 4 with Dan Jarvis MBE MP Dan is a veteran of the Parachute Regiment and was awarded an MBE during his military service. As well as being the MP for Barnsley Central, he is also the elected Mayor for South Sheffield Region, a post that has gained prominence during the COVID19 pandemic. In this episode, he talks about how his dealing with personal grief...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Episode 3 with Doug Beattie MC MLA Doug is a Royal Irish Regiment veteran and serving reservist, a career than spans several decades.  A decorated soldier of Afghanistan and 12 other operational tours, Doug now represents his home town as a veteran in politics as a Member of the Northern Irish Legislative Assembly. In this episode, he gives us a whistle-stop t...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Episode 2 with Shadow Veterans' Minister Sharon Hodgson MP Although not a military veteran, Sharon can be said to be a veteran 'of' politics, and has served in and out of government on various Defence briefs, including now in her current role. During this conversation our host Jonny Ball delves into Sharon's background and journey, finds ou...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans In Politics Premiere Episode with Veterans' Minister Johnny Mercer MP We kick off this Pilot Series of the Veterans In Politics Podcast with none other than former 29 Commando Officer, Johnny Mercer MP. During this 20 minute chat our host Jonny Ball delves into our guest's early entry into politics, finds out what motivates him as well as who inspires him.  We s...