Inside Whitehall

Ever wanted to know what borough councils are responsible for? How is that different from a town or country council? Well wonder no more, James and Jonathan take us into the world of local government. The duo also take a look at the proposed changes to local government by the Labour government, including the cost, outcomes and whether they will go ahead. Jonathan also talks about his new role as leader of a Borough Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and what he’s managed to achieve so far. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan discuss what could happen in the days and weeks after the result of the Makerfield on 18th June. How quickly could Andy Burnham challenge Kier Starmer? Does Wes Streeting really have the numbers to challenge for the leadership? The duo also discuss what impact this will all have on the Labour brand, will Starmer’s toxicity with the electorate be confined to him or spread to the wider Labour Party? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

Jonathan talks about his recent trips to Makerfield for the by-election and the conversations he’s had with local residents, including one voter who was shocked to find out they had to go out to vote again so soon after the recent local elections. James and Jonathan also look at the latest twists and turns in the Labour leadership saga, and ask whether former Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, and has missed his chance at the top job and is now yesterday’s man. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

This week marked the, by now, inevitable end of Starmer. However, there is still no clear leadership timetable, nor has any Labour pretender confirmed they will actually run. Therefore the country faces weeks, if not months, of stasis.James and Jonathan look at how we got here and what next for Labour and the country. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan dive into what the potential outcomes of the local and devolved elections might be. Will Keir Starmer face a leadership challenge? Would a new leader even help the Labour party current plight? Jonathan talks about his own experience as a Conservative MP of replacing the leader, and provides some advice for the Labour plotters… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan dissect a dramatic end to the week with the revelation that Peter Mandelson, Starmer’s former ambassador to the USA, failed his security clearance but was appointed to the top position anyway. Can the PM survive this? Is his leadership now doomed anyway, and what does this mean for the local and devolved elections? Listen to find out. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan talk this week about James’ recent review of a book on the Canadian Reform party and specifically what lessons can, and can’t, be learnt here in the UK from the experience of the Canadian right. The duo also look at the game of expectation management in the local elections and ask whether Ed Davey will be the party leader most in trouble come mid-May. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan discuss the fallout from the Gorton and Denton by-election, which was nothing short of a political earthquake. Is this the end of the two party system? What does the result tell us about tactical voting? And how long can Prime Minister Starmer last now?The duo dissect a massive week in politics. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan discuss the fallout from the Gorton and Denton by-election, which was nothing short of a political earthquake. Is this the end of the two party system? What does the result tell us about tactical voting? And how long can Prime Minister Starmer last now? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan discuss Reform’s newly announced Shadow Cabinet, looking at what this means for Reform as a party and why it’s being presented now. Who are the winners and losers, does this mean Reform is no longer a one man band and an announcement you may have missed! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan discuss Reform’s newly announced Shadow Cabinet, looking at what this means for Reform as a party and why it’s being presented now. Who are the winners and losers, does this mean Reform is no longer a one man band and an announcement you may have missed! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

With Morgan McSweeney’s resignation, James and Jonathan look at what comes next for the Prime Minister, who might replace McSweeney and if this is the beginning of the end for Starmer.Jonathan also discusses what it was like during times of crisis when he, as an MP, attended meeting’s at No10 including discussions with then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

With Morgan McSweeney’s resignation, James and Jonathan look at what comes next for the Prime Minister, who might replace McSweeney and if this is the beginning of the end for Starmer.Jonathan also discusses what it was like during times of crisis when he, as an MP, attended meeting’s at No10 including discussions with then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

How will the Mandelson scandal impact Starmer’s future?Jonathan reports back from a visit to the Gorton and Denton by-election after a day spent canvasing with Reform. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

How will the Mandelson scandal impact Starmer's future? Jonathan reports back from a visit to the Gorton and Denton by-election after a day canvassing with Reform. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan discuss the Prime Minister’s decision to block Andy Burnham from running in the upcoming by-election plus the duo cover the defection of Suella Braverman to Reform. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan discuss the Prime Minister’s decision to block Andy Burnham from running in the upcoming by-election plus the duo cover the defection of Suella Braverman to Reform. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

James and Jonathan discuss the defections, looking at how they may impact their respective parties as well as what it means for Labour. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

The Inside Whitehall podcast returns, also available on YouTube. In the opening episode, James and Jonathan look ahead to the political year. The duo discuss whether or not Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, will face a leadership challenge? How safe is Kemi Badenoch? And what Nigel Farage needs to do in order to prepare Reform to be a party of Government? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com

The Inside Whitehall podcast returns as both a podcast and video channel, also available on YouTube. In the opening episode, James and Jonathan look ahead to the political year. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesstarkie.substack.com