People Behind Politics: Recent Episodes
People Behind Politics
Launched in 2022, People Behind Politics is a new podcast exploring the lives of people working behind the scenes in Politics. From Special Advisers and Speechwriters to Comms professionals and Journalists, this podcast seeks to pull back the curtain and hear the personal stories of what life has been like for those working in the employment of various political figures & parties. Hosted by James Matthewson, the former spokesman to the Chair of the Labour Party, People Behind Politics releases one episode a week every Saturday!
In the 8th Episode of People Behind Politics, James Matthewson interviews former adviser to Emily Thornberry MP, Rhiannon Melliar-Smith. Rhiannon now works at the British Council.
in the 7th Episode of the People Behind Politics Podcast, James Matthewson interviews Senior Parliamentary Researcher and Chair of the GMB union's Parliamentary Branch Jenny Symmons.
In Episode 6 of People Behind Politics, James Matthewson speaks to former Liberal Democrat Adviser, PR strategist and Celebrity Agent, Pablo O'Hana. Find out how Pablo's background in entertainment, working for celebrities including Billie Piper, equipped him for working as an Adviser to several post-coalition Lib Dem leaders during the tumultuous Brexit years.
In the Fifth Episode of 'People Behind Politics' James Matthewson interviews former Special Adviser and current Political Editor of TalkRadio, Peter Cardwell. Peter is the Author of 'The Secret life of Special Advisers' and has worked for four different Cabinet Ministers.
Christine Quigley is the director of Public affairs at Grayling and a former Political Adviser to the Labour Party
David Kusnet is a published Author and the former chief speechwriter to President Bill Clinton.
Today we talk to Polly MacKenzie, chief executive of the think tank Demos, ex special advisor to Nick Clegg and was at the centre of formation of the coalition government.