Whitehall Sources
By Calum Macdonald
Top advisers to our significant political leaders analyse the successes and failures of today's politics, sharing their experiences of working in Whitehall. Kirsty Buchanan worked with Theresa May as PM, and Liz Truss when she was Secretary of State. Frankie Leach advised Jeremy Corbyn when he was Labour Leader. Journalist and broadcaster Calum Macdonald manages their in-tray of talking points, U-turns and crises. From parties in Westminster to the tactics of SpAds, this is your exclusive insight into how politics is done and how politicians work.
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Latest episode
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Conference Season
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. Support the podcast by becoming a member at:… -
Net Zero, KamiKwaze and the Contaminated Blood Scandal
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, Ki… -
Why can't PMs deliver their vision?
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… -
Concrete comms; One Year Since Liz Truss
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; wa… -
🚨RESHUFFLE (A mini one, anyway)
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 Coutinh… -
(not) Education week
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 shou… -
Will we all feel better off next year?
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. Support the podcast by becoming a member at: … -
Stop the Boats week
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... Support the podcast by becoming a member at: -
The Connectivity of Politicians
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 a… -
Yet More Foot-Shooty
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…
