Veterans In Politics by CampaignForce

Send us a textNote- this was recorded prior to Danny's resignation.Danny Kinahan, is the first Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland and was appointed to this role by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in September 2020, as a result of the New Decade New Approach political agreement.He's a former Army officer, MLA and Member of Parliament.In this episode, our host Jonny Ball quizzes him about his military, civilian and political career as well as the role of Veterans' Commissioner.Danny's Key priorities:Ensuring the interests of veterans and their families are championed at all levels.Remembering, celebrating and promoting the contribution veterans have and continue to make to society.Ensuring that every veteran and their family living in Northern Ireland know where to turn, to access support, assistance or advice if they need it.Developing policy and improved services, in collaboration with government (both locally and across the UK) and other relevant organisations, to enhance veterans' daily experiences.For more information, check out his website here: https://www.nivco.co.uk/about-the-ni-veterans-commissioner/Dont forget to share with a friend, rate and leave a review.Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Send us a textColonel (Retd) James Phillips is the first veterans commissioner for Wales.James, who lives in Pembrokeshire, left the Army after serving 33 years, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and the Balkans.He believes Wales has a "long tradition of service and sacrifice".His appointment means Wales joins Northern Ireland and Scotland in having a dedicated commissioner, though at the time of the recording, England is yet to appoint.This was recorded before the General Election and we thank James for his patience.  We had to delay due to the restrictions placed on appointed persons like James, but as you will hear, it was an amazing chat.We cover his lengthy military career as well as what a commissioner's role is.  Don't forget to listen to our host Jonny's 3 key takeaways at the end!Huge thanks to Bags at Bare Arms Support to Film & TV for the lend of the studio.  For more on their work, see here: Bare Arms – Military Advisers to the Theatrical Industries – Film, TV, Theatre, GamesSupport the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Send us a textDaniel McBirnie is a Saffron Walden councillor and resident.  He has fought developers and won concessions for local people and is a former Army Lieutenant Colonel who's provided MoD briefings to the government on Covid and Mental Health.Daniel began his military career at the Army's 6th Form College, Welbeck, which is sadly no longer open.  He went on to a full career in the Royal Logistics Corps' serving as an Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO) which is more colloquially known as 'Bomb Disposal.'We talk Afghanistan, his journey into a demanding and highly pressurised role, as well as his transition into business and local politics.During the episode we touch on the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and Armed Forces Covenant which he advocates.  This is administered by MOD's Defence Relationship Management, and you can find out more about them here: Defence Relationship Management - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Don't forget to like, rate and follow the show!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Send us a textHailing from the West of Ireland, Rich's vibrant childhood was filled with sports and weekend fun with his grandparents. After an ankle injury and subsequent loss of his left leg due to sepsis, Rich found a new path in athletics and indoor rowing. His resilience shone at the 2023 Invictus Games, where he claimed gold in the 100m, silver in table tennis, and bronze in the relay. And this is where our host Jonny Ball met him, on the same team for the UK.In their side bar conversations over Invictus, they soon learnt that they had politics in common too, so it's a delight to be able to share this side of his story.  Moreover, it's a chance to talk about Rich's next challenge: The Limbitless Expedition: Conquering the Full Snowman Trek!  He is doing this alongside another one of our team mates, Rich 'Dickie' Davies.  To support their exped in support of amazing military charities go to their page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/rich-potter-1707920143406And please share with a friend!  Good luck boys!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Send us a textWe return this week during Season 10 of the podcast to the Conservative Leadership race with former Secretary of State, Rt Hon James Cleverly MP.  Our host Jonny Ball first met James back in the Noughties when they were both active in London Party Politics.  Since then, James has gone on to great things, but in this episode, Jonny recalls an early moment from a Party Conference in 2008, to demonstrate perhaps that James hasn't really changed that much!Alongside a busy political career, James has also served as an Army Reservist in the Royal Artillery.James Cleverly was Secretary of State for the Home Department between 13 November 2023 and 5 July 2024.He was previously Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs between 6 September 2022 and 13 November 2023.He was Secretary of State for Education from July 2022 to September 2022.Before that, James was Minister of State for Europe and North America in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) from February to July 2022. He was also Minister for Middle East, North Africa and North America from September 2020 to February 2022. James was first appointed as a joint Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development on 13 February 2020.James was Minister without Portfolio from July 2019 to February 2020, and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union from April 2019 to July 2019. He was first elected as the Conservative MP for Braintree in May 2015.To follow James's journey, see here: Homepage | Rt Hon James Cleverly (cleverly4braintree.com)Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Send us a textWe kick off season 10 of the Veterans In Politics Podcast with Conservative Leadership hopeful, Tom Tugendhat!  This is a fantastic start to the season, and you wont be surprised to learn that our host Jonny and Tom (whom share the same cap badge from their time in the army) talk about leadership... a lot!Tom was Minister of State (Minister for Security) between 6 September 2022 and 5 July 2024 and attended cabinet. He previously served as the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee from 2017 to 2022 and was first elected the MP for Tonbridge and Malling in 2015.Before being elected as an MP, Tom served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also worked for the Foreign Office, helping to set up the National Security Council of Afghanistan and the government in Helmand Province. On returning to the UK, Tom served as the military assistant and principal adviser to the Chief of the Defence Staff to the British Army, Lord Richards, and we talk about how he has inspired his leadership style in politics.Tom studied Theology at the University of Bristol, followed by a Master's degree in Islamic studies at Cambridge University, which included learning Arabic in Yemen.After graduating, Tom worked in Beirut as a journalist, and soon after established one of Lebanon's first public relations companies. On his return to the UK, Tom joined the Territorial Army. When the Iraq War broke out in 2003, he was mobilised as an Arabic-speaking intelligence officer to serve with the Royal Marines.In 2005, Tom was asked by the Foreign Office to travel to Afghanistan to establish the National Security Council. After two years in Afghanistan and a brief return to the UK, Tom was mobilised and served operationally for a further two years with the Royal Marines, for which he received an MBE, coming off his last patrol in July 2009.Tom went on to work on the Army Strategy Team helping to prepare for the Strategic Defence and Security Review. He later served as the Chief of the Defence Staff's military assistant and principal adviser. He remains an Army Reserve officer.For more on Tom, see here: https://www.tomtugendhat.org/aboutomSupport the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Jim was first elected to Ards Borough Council in 1985 and served as Mayor in 1991/92.He was elected as a member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue in 1996 until it completed its work in 1998. He was then subsequently elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly representing Strangford.Within the NI Assembly Jim served on both the Public Accounts Committee and Agriculture Committee. He was re-elected in both 2003 and 2007, stepping down from the NI Assembly in 2010.Jim was elected to Parliament at the General Election of 2010 where he received nearly 15,000 votes, with the next closest unionist receiving just over 9,000. He was again re-elected in 2015, 2017 and 2019.Jim is currently the DUP spokesperson on Health and Human Rights. He is also a member of the Ecclesiastical (Joint) Committee.In this episode we talk about his faith, his principles, his love of Leicester City FC and his service in the Armed Forces.Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

This week we are back with our 'Behind the Politics' segment, speaking to those behind the scenes, turning our attention to the world of journalism. Our guest is from The University of Northampton, Kate Ironside.Kate is a former political journalist, with 26 years experience in industry. She worked for the Reading Evening Post, Central Press, the Daily Express, Western Morning News and BBC Westminster. She spent two years reporting local government, 13 years at Westminster and 17 years writing an award-winning column on the European Union. Today she combines teaching, with regular contributions to the BBC, commentating on national politics. Kate sits on the executive board of the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, which accredits our journalism courses, and organised the nationwide reporting of the general election results by BJTC students across the UK in 2015, 2017 and 2019.Kate teaches public affairs, law, media regulation and practical reporting. She has won awards for her university teaching. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.Kate's research centres on public affairs and media regulation. She is the author of Reporting Power, the official textbook on public affairs of the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, now on its third edition.We refer to the amazing work Kate does with students running election counts coverage.  You can view the work here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzttiNQSq4s&feature=youtu.beAnd to follow Kate on X, find her @IronsideKateSupport the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Tom Blenkinsop was born  in Middlesbrough, brought-up in Marton and graduated from Teesside University with a BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and the University of Warwick with an MA in Continental philosophy.Tom joined  the Army Reserve in 2017 in the Royal Military Police in which he still serves today, and was an MP whilst training to be an RMP, something we explore in this episode.Tom worked as a constituency researcher for Ashok Kumar, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, from 2002 to 2008. He became a campaign manager for the Community Trade Union in 2008 and continued in the role until his election to Parliament in 2010.Tom was selected as the Labour candidate for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland in April 2010, following Ashok Kumar's unexpected death the previous month. He was elected at the May 2010 general election. In his first Parliamentary term, he was a member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee from 2010 to 2012, the Standards and Privileges Committee from 2010 to 2011 and the Treasury Select Committee in 2011. He joined the opposition front bench under the leadership of Ed Miliband, serving as a whip from 2011 to 2015.He was re-elected at the 2015 general election. During his second Parliamentary term, he was a member of the Energy and Climate Change Committee from 2015 to 2016, the Privileges Committee from 2015 to 2017, the Standards Committee from 2015 to 2017, and the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee from 2016 to 2017.After the calling of the 2017 general election, Blenkinsop announced that we would not seek re-election as an MP as he could not campaign for Labour whilst Corbyn served as party leader.  Again, this is something we discuss at length in the podcast.Blenkinsop returned to the Community union as a London-based project manager after leaving Parliament, and became a public affairs advisor for the Federation of Small Business in 2020. We thank Tom for sharing his story with us!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

About this week's guest: Dr. Sebastian Gorka is a Talk Show Host on the Salem Radio Network Platform, and began his show AMERICA FIRST on New Years Day, 2019. With parents who had lived as children under fascism and then escaped Communist Hungary, Sebastian was raised to love freedom. And his love of talk-radio developed early. As a child he would listen late into the night to the shows of the London Broadcasting Company with a small transistor radio under his pillow. It was with this special family background, and growing up under the influence of Margaret Thatcher, that Sebastian learned how to fight totalitarian ideologies, be they Fascism, Communism, or Global Jihadism.He would end up serving in the British Army reserve in a Military Intelligence unit, then after the fall of the Berlin Wall, in the first freely-elected Conservative administration in Hungary. The after the 9/11 attacks he became a professor on a Pentagon-funded counter-terrorism program run out of Germany.In 2008 he moved to America with his family where he continued to work for the Defense Department and become a proud American citizen in 2012. He obtained his doctorate in Political Science from Corvinus University in Budapest and was a fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. In Washington, he served as Associate Dean for Congressional Affairs and Relations to the Special Operations Community at National Defense University and has also taught on the Masters program at Georgetown University.In 2020, President Donald Trump named Gorka to the National Security Education Board. This board provides strategic consultation and was established by congressional act in 1991.Dr. Gorka has briefed the CIA, the DIA, the US Navy Seals, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, served as an expert for the DoJ during the Boston Bombing trial, and testified before Congress on the threat of Global Jihadism. He remains a guest instructor at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, at Fort Bragg, the home of the Green Berets.Gorka writes for The Hill and has written two books for Regnery Publishing. His first “Defeating Jihad,” was a national best-seller and his latest, released in October, is called “Why We Fight…Defeating America's Enemies with No Apologies.” Before launching his SALEM show, “AMERICA FIRST with Sebastian Gorka,” he was an advisor to candidate Donald J. Trump and served on the staff of the White House in 2017 as Deputy Assistant to the President for Strategy.Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

The Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP is a Minister at the MOD and we were excited to record this episode in the heart of our nation's Defence HQ at MOD Main Building.  We talk about the Invictus Games, Ukraine, his service in the Royal Navy as a doctor, both regular and reserve, his family, Defence and the various ministerial roles he has served in.We also share a special message this Christmas time to all those from the Armed Forces serving over the break.Big thanks to the MOD for their help in delivery this episode.About the MinisterDr Andrew Murrison was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence on 30 October 2022.He was previously Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development from 9 May 2019 to 13 February 2020.He was elected Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire in May 2010, and was first elected as the Conservative MP for Westbury in June 2001.In November 2003 he was appointed to the Conservative front bench as a health spokesman, transferring in July 2007 to defence. In May 2010 Andrew became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Secretary of State for Health and was asked by the Prime Minister to review and make recommendations on health care for members of the services community. The principal recommendations in the subsequent reports, ‘Fighting Fit' and ‘A Better Deal for Military Amputees', are being rolled out by the government.In November 2011 Prime Minister David Cameron appointed him as his special representative for the centenary commemoration of the First World War, a post he was re-appointed to by Theresa May.Andrew previously served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence and Minister for International Security Strategy from September 2012 until July 2014. He then served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office from July 2014 to March 2015. He chaired the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee from July 2017 to May 2019.Career outside politicsAndrew served for 18 years as a medical officer in the Royal Navy, leaving in October 2000 as a Surgeon Commander. In 2003 he was recalled to serve in Iraq.In 2021 was mobilised to lead vaccination teams as part of Operation Rescript. He remains an active reservist.Personal lifeAndrew and his wife live near Warminster. They have 5 daughters, 2 of whom serve in the Armed Forces.Useful links:OP Courage: Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists - NHS (www.nhs.uk)Combat Stress is the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans  Call them on 0800 138 1619, text them on 07537 404 719 or email helpline@combatstress.org.uk.Medical assistance for veterans in:England: NHS 111 service or call 111 when you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency, or contact NHSScotland: Scotland's Health on the Web or call 111Wales: NHS Direct Wales or call 0845 46 47Northern Ireland: nidirect government services - telephone contact details are available from the websiteSamaritans Call 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan.Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

This week we speak to veteran Channel 4 and BBC investigative journalist, Michael Crick as part of our 'Behind the Politics' feature where we interview experts in the field of politics, from campaign managers to pollsters to journalists like Michael... and maybe even the odd Special Advisor!Michael is a TV legend,  broadcaster, journalist and author. He was a founding member of the Channel 4 News team and remained there until joining the BBC in 1990. He started work on the BBC's Newsnight programme in 1992, serving as political editor from 2007 until his departure from the BBC in 2011. Crick then returned to Channel 4 News as political correspondent. In 2014 he was chosen as Specialist Journalist of the Year at the Royal Television Society television journalism awards.  In that same year, he even doorstepped our podcast host Jonny Ball, when Jonny was working for Grant Shapps MP!  Jonny and Michael talk about this rather amusing anecdote as well as Michael's current work unearthing the murky world of political selections via his Twitter/X feed @tomorrowsMPs which you must follow now!Big thanks to Bare Arms Military Support to Film & TV for lending us their podcast studio.  If you'd like to rent it, in the heart of Westminster, London, contacts Bags on: info@barearms.co.ukWhatsapp 07410 603080Web- https://barearms.co.uk/contact-bare-arms/SHOW LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics- Andrew Selous MP- Former Army Reservist on a day in the life of an MPOur host first met Andrew Selous MP when he himself was brand new to politics.  UIt was great to sit down in Parliament all these years later and chat through mucvh about the day in life of an MP.  From PMQs to consituency life and casework, this episode is packed full on insight.We also talk about his life in the army reserves, or the TA as it was known back then, through Andrew's service in the HAC and Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.  Off the back of this, we chat about work-life-reservist balance and how much of this helped him campaign.About AndrewAndrew was born in 1962 and married Harriet in 1993 and they have three girls. They live in the South West Bedfordshire constituency in Studham near to Whipsnade Zoo.Andrew is Patron of Leighton-Linslade Homeless Service and Patron of Homestart Central Bedfordshire. He was a Territorial Army officer for twelve years and served in Germany, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States of America.Andrew qualified as a chartered insurer and worked as a reinsurance underwriter before being elected to Parliament. His firm helped many of the world's poorest communities recover from natural disasters.Andrew supports local homeless charities by taking part in sponsored sleep-outs. Andrew is Patron of SIFT a development charity working with people in extreme poverty in Nicaragua.  Andrew is also Patron of Reclaim Life in Leighton Buzzard.LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

James Paul Watson (known as Paul) joined the Irish Guards straight from school and completed 6 operational tours including Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He sustained a spinal injury in Afghanistan, which ultimately led to his medical discharge from the British Army in 2015. He immediately enrolled at Salford University where he graduated in 2018 with a degree in Political Contemporary History before being elected as a local councillor. Whilst at university, Paul began to become disillusioned with society's relationship with the veteran community - specifically how our injured veterans are dependent on charities for support post-service.Paul fundamentally believes that it is the responsibility of local and national government to provide for our veteran's aftercare, as it was the politicians and not the charitable sector that send us to war, hence, the accountability lies solely with them. Paul was diagnosed with complex PTSD in 2017 and uses his platform to promote positive mental health by being honest and open about his own battles with PTSD.In 2021, Paul released his memoirs where he challenges the MoD's policy regarding the mental health of both serving personnel and veterans, and in 2022 founded the Ex-Forces Union to lobby on behalf of our veterans.LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukhttps://www.exforcesunion.org/OP Courage: Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists - NHS (www.nhs.uk)Combat Stress is the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans  Call them on 0800 138 1619, text them on 07537 404 719 or email helpline@combatstress.org.uk.Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Tobias Ellwood has always been in the headlines.  This interview covers the reasons why, and comes with a trigger warning as we talk about tricky subjects, including grief and trauma.  For details of supportive organisations, see the bottom of these notes.About our guest:Tobias was elected as Member of Parliament for Bournemouth East in May 2005, and subsequently re-elected in 2010, 2015, 2017 and most recently in December 2019. He was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with special responsibility for the Middle East and Africa from July 2014, and was made Parliamentary under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence in the June 2017 reshuffle.Shortly after being first elected to Parliament in 2005, he was appointed Opposition Whip. In July 2007, he was promoted to the post of Shadow Minister for Culture Media and Sport where he was responsible for a portfolio including tourism, gambling and licensing. After the May 2010 General Election, Tobias was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Defence Secretary, the Rt. Hon Liam Fox MP. He was appointed to similar positions for the Minister for Europe, the Rt Hon David Lidington MP, in October 2011, and the Health Secretary, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, in October 2013. He held this position until he was promoted to the Foreign Office in July 2014, with responsibility for the Middle East and Africa.Tobias was elected Chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee in January 2020 and remained in that position until September 2023.Tobias was born in New York, USA due to his parents' overseas posting at the time. He grew up in Bonn, Germany and Vienna, Austria, but returned to the UK to complete his first degree at Loughborough University. Whilst at Loughborough, Tobias was elected President of the Students' Union.He spent six years in the Regular Army with The Royal Green Jackets, head quartered in Winchester, and served in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Kuwait, Germany, Gibraltar and Bosnia. He now has the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as a reservist in the 77th Brigade. Tobias is married to Hannah and they have two young sons, Alexander and Oscar.  He is a patron of a number of local charities, including Caring Canines, Samaritans, and Boscombe's Crumbs Café.Outside of politics Tobias is a keen sportsman, an active Army Reservist and a private pilot. He is frequent visitor to the United States and the Middle East. He also enjoys the theatre, military history, and is an Eagle Scout.OP Courage: Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists - NHS (www.nhs.uk)Combat Stress is the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans  Call them on 0800 138 1619, text them on 07537 404 719 or email helpline@combatstress.org.uk.Medical assistance for veterans in:England: NHS 111 service or call 111 when you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency, or contact NHSScotland: Scotland's Health on the Web or call 111Wales: NHS Direct Wales or call 0845 46 47Northern Ireland: nidirect government services - telephone contact details are available from the websiteSamaritans Call 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan.Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Royston Smith GM MP is an RAF veteran, former council leader and George Medal recipient and our latest guest on Veterans In Politics Podcast.He has been the Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen since 2015 and is the former Leader of Southampton City Council, having served as the Councillor for Harefield Ward – where he was born – from 2000 until 2016.He has worked in both the private and public sectors, which offers useful experience to his approach to the key issues that face Southampton most effectively. His career spans four decades – starting by serving in the Royal Air Force as an aircraft engineer working with the Nimrod aircraft- and he later spent 16 years as a maintenance engineer at British Airways. He has also run local businesses in the city.We talk about the circumstances behind the award of the George Medal for bravery, and in doing so, remember Lt Cdr Ian Molyneux GM.The medal citation reads: "Lt Cdr Molyneux, with complete disregard for his own safety, had deliberately made an effort to tackle the gunman, knowingly putting himself into extreme danger in order to try to safeguard others from personal injury."His actions were incalculably brave and were carried out in the highest possible service traditions of courage and selfless commitment, resulting ultimately in providing just enough disruption to the sentry's intent to enable him to be subsequently overwhelmed and disarmed."We will remember him.LINKS:Spitfire Memorial Campaign-https://www.roystonsmith.co.uk/2020/10/12/a-national-spitfire-memorial/Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukOP Courage: Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists - NHS (www.nhs.uk)Combat Stress is the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans  Call them on 0800 138 1619, text them on 07537 404 719 or email helpline@combatstress.org.uk.Stand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

This week we sit down with HAC Veteran James Gray MP.James was first elected as MP for North Wiltshire in May 1997.  He was educated at Hillhead Primary School and Glasgow High School and later read History at Glasgow University and Christ Church, Oxford. More recently he was a visiting Parliamentary Fellow of St Antony's College, Oxford and is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies.Before entering Parliament, James's career was in business. He worked for P&O, latterly as one of their shipbrokers on the Baltic Exchange, when he was also made a Freeman of the City of London. He helped devise the means for trading bulk shipping as a futures commodity, and wrote several books about it. After 15 years in the City, he became Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Michael Howard, and his successor John Gummer.After his election to Parliament in 1997, James served on the Environment and Transport Select Committees until his shadow ministerial career began with his appointment as a Conservative Whip and then as a Shadow Minister for Defence. He served as Shadow Minister for the Countryside and after the 2005 General Election briefly as Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland. James now serves as a Member of Mr Speaker's Panel of Chairmen.James's military interest includes seven years in the Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest regiment in the Army Reserve, on whose Court of Assistants he also served from 2002 to 2007, and of whose Saddle Club he is life Vice-President. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme and of the Royal College of Defence Studies. In 2010, James founded the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces, which he has chaired since. In 2013, James became founding Chairman of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Trust, which seconds up to 35 Parliamentarians a year to the three services.James has a particular interest in the Polar Regions, having travelled in both. He is Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Poles, and serves on the No 10 Advisory Committee on the environment.James is a member of NATO Parliamentary Assembly,  Patron of Operation Christmas Box, and a Younger Brother of Trinity House. He sat on the Defence Committee and the Committee on Arms Export Controls, and chaired the Defence Sub-Committee on the Arctic from 2016 to 2017. Following the 2017 election, he was appointed by the Prime Minister to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.He and his wife Philippa live on a farm in North Wiltshire.LINKS:Operation Christmas Box: https://operationchristmasbox.org/Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics Podcast this week meets Richard Drax MP, a former Guards Officer who served in Northern Ireland and is on the Defence Select CommitteeRichard was delighted to re-elected the MP for South Dorset in December 2019.He served across the world, including Germany, Cyprus, Kenya, Brunei, Hong Kong, the United States, London and three operational tours in Northern Ireland.Richard enjoyed a variety of activities, ranging from ceremonial duties, such as Trooping the Colour to mark the Queen's birthday, to parachuting with the Guards' freefall team.On leaving the army, he studied land management for three years at the Royal Agricultural College, near Cirencester, before embarking on a career in journalism, which spanned 17 years.His early years were spent with the Yorkshire Evening Press, a daily broadsheet in York, where Richard qualified as a professional journalist.While attempting to break into broadcasting, Richard did stints at Tyne Tees TV, the Daily Express and the Daily Telegraph.Finally, he joined BBC Radio Solent and BBC South Today, where he spent nine years.He became one of the station's senior reporters, working across the south of England and occasionally abroad.Those trips took him to Haiti, Florida and South America.In 2006 he was selected as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for South Dorset.At the same time, he took over the family business and retired from the BBC.Richard, who has four children, is married to Elsebet, who is from Norway.LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics this week is with Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, the former TA Officer and past Defence Minister who worked hard to bring the Armed Forces Covenant into being with the then Prime Minister David Cameron.We talk about his beginnings in the Royal Anglian TA, getting into local government and eventually becoming a Member of Parliament.  On the way, he even went up in a selection and beat a certain Boris Johnson!About MarkMark's political career began in local government, when he was elected to Basildon District Council in 1991 for the Langdon Hills Ward. When the Conservatives took control of the council in 1992.Mark fought his first parliamentary election in 1997, when he stood as the Conservative candidate in Brent East against Ken Livingstone (prior to Ken becoming the Mayor of London). He was subsequently first elected to Parliament as the MP for Rayleigh in June 2001. In May 2007 Mark was appointed as the Shadow Minister for Europe, where he worked directly for the Shadow Foreign Secretary the Rt Hon William Hague MP. Mark's job involved working as the Opposition spokesman on Britain's relations with Europe, including the European Union, Russia, the Balkans, NATO, and the OSCE. In January 2009 Mark was made a Member of the Shadow Cabinet by David Cameron.Following the 2010 General Election, Mark was appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron as a senior whip in the Government Whips Office. Mark's title was 'Vice Chamberlain of Her Majesty's Household'. In the same year Mark was also appointed to the Privy Council.In September 2012, Mark was promoted to become Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Min DPWV) in the Ministry of Defence. In this role Mark liaised with service charities and was also instrumental in the provision of the latest generation of prosthetics (what The Sun newspaper christened 'Bionic Legs') for service personnel injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.In October 2013, a year after joining the Ministry of Defence, Mark was again promoted to the role of Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Min AF) with responsibility for operations, operational policy, operational legal matters, training and force generation.Mark was appointed Minister of State for Communities and Resilience and Minister for Portsmouth in May 2015, a role which he held until July 2016, when he returned to the backbenches.Following the appointment of the Rt Hon Theresa May MP as Prime Minister, Mark was tasked by the Prime Minister to carry out a study regarding the future recruitment of regulars and reserves into the Armed Forces. The study, entitled "Filling the Ranks" was completed and submitted to the Rt Hon Theresa May MP in June 2017 before being published on Mark's website in September 2017.LINKS:Mark's book Spartan Victory: https://amzn.eu/d/7mayoaM Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Jonny and Lydia wrap up their look at Party Conference season with analysis of the Labour Party Conference.We take a look at the man who wants to be Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer's speech, which began with protester throwing glitter over him! But he handled it well and it actually played into his delivery.'Behind the Politics' is a new addition to the show where we interview experts in the field of politics, from campaign managers to pollsters to journalists.. and maybe even the odd Special Advisor!Next week we are back with another interview with an MP.LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Jonny and Lydia are back to take a look at Conservative Party Conference with more insights 'behind the politics' off of the back of the news Hs2 has been shelved for the North. We unpick Conservative Party Conference including the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's speech which was packed full of stuff!  A key moment for the Conservatives and the PM as they look to 'change' in the run up to a General Election!'Behind the Politics' is a new addition to the show where we interview experts in the field of politics, from campaign managers to pollsters to journalists.. and maybe even the odd Special Advisor!LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Jonny and Lydia are back with more insights 'behind the politics' as they review the Liberal Democrat Party Confidence and a particular focus on Ed Davey's speech.  What was said?  What wasn't said?  What does this all mean?  We unpick this and provide some analysis to better help you understand what's going on during Conference season and UK politics at the moment in the run up to a General Election.'Behind the Politics' is a new addition to the show where we interview experts in the field of politics, from campaign managers to pollsters to journalists.. and maybe even the odd Special Advisor!LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

We return this week with Flick Drummond MP a veteran of the Int Corps' TA and talk to her on political resilience amongst many things.Flick has a background in education and does some extraordinary policy development work in this are cross-party.  She also has been through the mill with her political career having experienced failure at the highest level, only to bounce back and get re-elected.  It certainly hasnt been all plain sailing for Flick and you'll find this an inspirational episode that we recorded over Summer Recess.LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

In this episode we meet Jason McCartney MP- a former RAF Officer, journalist and now MP We talk about his RAF family links, his career that took him to Iraq as well as his journey into journalism and latterly politics.  Jason knows what it is like to win and lose, and we discuss the disaster of the 2017 General Election and how the Prime Minister of the day called him to apologise due to his electoral defeat.  But Jason didnt give up, and came back fighting two years later for a comprehensive re-election victory.Jason is a super positive guy and we really enjoyed this chat with him on location in Parliament.  About JasonJason is a proud Yorkshireman who lives in Honley. His parents live down the valley in Holmbridge.Jason began his working life as an Officer in the RAF serving in Las Vegas, Turkey, Gibraltar, Germany, Cyprus and Iraq. He is the Honorary President of the Royal Air Force Association in Huddersfield and a member of the Royal British Legion.After leaving the RAF Jason completed Broadcast Journalism at Post Grad and freelanced with BBC Radio in Leeds and Middlesbrough. He then got his dream job with ITV Yorkshire in Leeds where he became the weekend presenter for Calendar News & Sport. Jason first got into broadcasting by hosting the very early morning radio show on Huddersfield FM, which became Pennine FM, back in 1995. On leaving ITV Jason lectured in Broadcast Journalism at Leeds Trinity and Leeds Beckett Universities.Jason was first elected as the MP for Colne Valley in 2010 and then re-elected in 2015. On losing his seat in 2017 he spent 2 years as the Head of Public Affairs at the University of Huddersfield. He was also a Director of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, a Director of Huddersfield Live and a Director of fairandfunky.Jason is a Huddersfield Town season ticket holder having cheered on Town at Wembley in 1994, 1995, 2012 & 2017. One of his proudest moments was reporting pitch side for Calendar at Cardiff on the 2004 playoff final win over Mansfield. Jason is also a fan of the Huddersfield Giants RL club. He regularly volunteers in our community and can be seen litter picking in Honley on the first Sunday of every month.LINKS:https://www.jasonmccartney.com/about-jasonJoin our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics- Sir Mike Penning MP- from Guardsman to Minister to Knight of the RealmIt was a huge pleasure recording this episode with Sir Mike Penning in his office in the heart of The House of Commons, in Parliament, Westminster.  Our host Jonny first met Mike at the MOD, where Mike was serving as Minister for the Armed Forces, essentially Deputy Secretary of State for Defence.Mike talks about his humble background, joining the army as a teenager, serving in Northern Ireland on operations, becoming a firefighter, a journalist and a politician!  Mike has packed a lot into his life.We get insight into what it is like to resign as a Minister, telling the Prime Minister that you're quitting as an MP, and when he met the Queen.  This is a story of aspiration, and how a soldier became a Knight of The Realm.LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics with Cllr Louise Jones, Veteran Intelligence Corps' Officer, local councillor and parliamentary candidateLouise and our host Jonny first met at Labour Party Conference and they share a history with the Intelligence Corps.  Louise was a commissioned officer in the Corps and tours included time in both Germany and Afghanistan.Now working in the private sector, Louise decided to stand up and serve again in local government and was successfully elected as a Labour Councillor.  She is also on their Parliamentary Candidates' List and hopes to become an MP.This interview was conducted outside in the open near Parliament, in front of the Pankhurst memorial and is a celebration of women in politics.Dont forget to rate our show and share with a friend or if you can afford a few pennies, become a supporter.LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

This week we talk to Stephen James, a former member of the Intelligence Corps', a teacher and social entrepreneur.  Stephen is also Chairman of Folkestone and Hythe Conservatives.In this episode we talk about his military career that took him to Afghanistan and his transition into teaching that benefitted from a veteran mentor.  We also discuss leadership in politics, including our host Jonny's disagreement with him over Boris.  Stephen explains why he stuck by his man.LINKS:Stephen's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StephenJamesGBR/Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics- Honourable Artillery Company Biz Network Special- with Ed McGuinness and James ClarkRecorded in front of a studio audience at the Honourable Artillery Company with their Business Network and our guests Ed McGuinness and James Clark from the Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces.This was a fun episode to record and it was great to have Ed and James return to the show as previous podcast guests.  Ed served in the Royal Artillery and James in the Infantry, and our host Jonny even served with James in Afghanistan having done their pre-deployment training together.We cover off their military story, why they got into politics, cats, doorknocking and fighting Jeremy Corbyn in a General Election.  It was great fun.Huge thanks to the Honourable Artillery Company for hosting.To find out more about the HAC see here:Home Main (hac.org.uk)LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

We're back with  new season kicking off with our host Jonny Ball and his wife Lydia!We launch a new season with a new feature to the podcast called 'Behind the Politics' where we interview experts in the field of politics, from campaign managers to pollsters to journalists.. and maybe even the odd Special Advisor!Sit back and learn how our couple met, their experience of military life and their commentary on British Politics based on years working behind the scenes.  We also share with you news of the upcoming interviews from our standard 'Veterans In Politics'.  We have a great line up.Lydia also shares the story of Mark Francois and the rabbit on the roundabout.  Not all heroes wear capes.On a serious note, we also take time to remember the fallen, with the sad incident concerning the Warrior 6 in Afghanistan and dedicate this episode to their memories and to their families.  This had a direct impact on our couple during that time and we talk about the incident.Their names liveth forevermore:Corporal Jake Hartley, 20Private Anthony Frampton, 20Private Daniel Wade, 20,Private Christopher Kershaw, 19Private Daniel Wilford, 21, all members of the Yorkshire Regiment's 3rd Battalion Sergeant Nigel Coupe, 33, of The Duke of Lancaster's RegimentLest we forget.LINKS:Join our Facebook Group community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314725475490967/Engage with us on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13628154/Insta/Twitter/Facebook: @CampaignForceUKor email the host jonny@campaignforce.co.ukStand Up and Serve Again!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics- Season 7, Episode 6- Cllr Will Stone - Former Rifles Soldier and now a Parliamentary Candidate for the Labour Party in Swindon.Cllr Will Stone has broken onto the scene recently as one of our younger veterans in politics.  He began his career as an infantry soldier in his local Regiment, The Rifles.  After a career that included representing his Regiment and the Army at a high level in sporting activities, Will decided to leave the army.As well as time spent as a doorman on the doors of Swindon's clubs, he has set up a successful gym business that has survived the turbulence of the pandemic and got selected and elected as a local councillor.He is now taking it to the next level and putting himself forward for Parliament.  Always out on the doors, he is campaigning for a better community, a community he lives in and loves.  His mantra is about showing people what you have done, not about what you might do!All of this, despite leaving school with just a few GCSEs.  Will is an inspiration.  Enjoy this episode and don't forget to support our show by becoming a subscriber in the link below.Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics- Season 7, Episode 5- Cllr Chris 'Chalky' Mitchell - Former REME Officer  and now a Council Leader in Worcester for the Conservatives.Chalky was introduced to the show by a mutual veteran friend.  This is the first time that we have had the privilege of interviewing a leader of a local authority so couldn't resist the opportunity to ask about the transferable leadership skills of veterans into local politics.By his own admission, Chalky doesn't get into the whole party political ding dong, which is just as well, as he leads a Conservative Group in a technical coalition with another party.This is a great run through of someone who had a decent military career and was simply asked to stand at an event.  We need to ask more veterans like Chalky to stand up and serve again!Thank you Chalky for sharing your story with us and don't forget to support our show in the link below.Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics- Season 7, Episode 4- Jonny Singh - Former chinook pilot on what purpose means and international development.Jonny Singh is super humble a despite having been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in Afghanistan for bravery.  He describes this incident in detail, and even talks about how 'we' won the award- referencing that the award wasn't just to him but to his crew too.  That's what we mean by humble.Since leaving, Jonny has worked overseas for various charities and NGOs in developing nations.  It's clear from our chat that this has shaped his world view.  He now advises the Lib Dems on international development and hopes to one day be a Lib Dem MP.This episode is humbling and inspiring in equal measure.  Thank you Jonny for sharing your story with us.Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics- Season 7, Episode 3- Mike Crofts- army veteran, approved Labour candidate and criminal justice charity founder. Our host Jonny Ball first met Mike Crofts working together on another podcast 'Veterans Work' where they focussed on veterans' employability issues.  He was immediately impressed by Mike's work in the criminal justice system, using things like sport as a way of helping young people in prison.When we saw Mike pop up in a Labour Parliamentary selection, we were not surprised to see this extension of his service.  From the Royal Tank Regiment, to politics, Mike is driven by a sense of social justice.  Jonny and he talk about the impact of Afghanistan, this generation of veterans and his hopes and fears for the future, including his thoughts on climate change.A must listen!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics- Season 7, Episode 2- Richard Foord MP- the newest veteran in Parliament having been elected as a Lib Dem MP in the Tiverton & Honiton by-election of 2022.Richard Foord is an army veteran having served for 10 years as an army officer in the Adjutant Generals Corps (ETS Branch).  Essentially, he was an army teacher, and served on an operational tour of the Balkans during this time.He talks about his struggle to find a purpose after leaving the army, as well as what drove him to stand up and serve again.He is the Lib Dems spokesman on Defence, so unsurprisingly we explore this during the episode.This was also recorded in Parliament!  So another exciting part of the show as we develop more face to face episodes.  Enjoy!Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics- Season 7, Episode 1- Councillor Bayo Alaba- The Parachute Regiment veteran on his work in the community, race, family values as well as his service as a local councillor.Cllr Bayo Alaba is a former member of the Parachute Regiment.  Fiercely proud of his Nigerian roots, he does not want to be simply known as just a 'black voice' but for his many other talents too.  He's a marketeer, community activist, father, soldier and now a councillor.Bayo speaks passionately and from the heart.  He recollects his Nigerian London working class roots and how this has shaped him to be the man he is today.  He's an inspiration.Bayo is a Labour Councillor for Redbridge, former Parachute Regiment soldier, self-made businessman, school governor, youth mentor, charity trustee and one of the pioneers of east London's (Shoreditch and Dalston) creative and night-time economy. Husband and father to three children.In September 2021, he decided that he had had enough of underrepresentation at local level and misrepresentation at the national level. On 5th May 2022, he was part of a historic achievement as one of three black Redbridge labour councillors - the first ever elected to office within the Labour group.Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Veterans In Politics concludes 2022 with a 'Best of' special, featuring snippets from 24 episodes published across the yearJoin our amazing guests who made 2022 a special year for our podcast.  From Felicity Cornelius-Mercer (our most popular episode of the year) to Sir Iain Duncan-Smith MP, to Dan Jarvis MP... we landed some great interviews this year.  From guests in Northern Ireland, Australia, Canada and even the Ukraine, we branched out from the comfort of Westminster, where was also managed to record episodes on both The House of Commons and The House of Lords.This year also included two Party Conference Specials at both Labour and Conservative Conferences.  We share some of the best parts of these episodes and much, much more.  Don't forget to catch up in full if there is an episode that catches your attention.In 2022, we recorded over 1000 minutes of content.  But don't worry, listen to the best bits right here!And to help us, don't forget to rate, donate or become our mate.  Rate the podcast on your favourite platform, donate via our website and join our mailing list.Thanks to you, our listeners, for all your support in helping us make the show.  And of course, to our amazing guests.  See you in 2023!See our website here: www.campaignforce.co.ukStand up, serve again!

Veterans In Politics- Season 6, Episode 7- Councillor Hannah Jarvis- The Iraq veteran on her work in Ukraine, being a mum in politics as well as her service as a local councillor.Cllr Hannah Jarvis is a long standing supporter and friend of CampaignForce and the Veterans In Politics Podcast.  A veteran of Iraq, she had a unique military career, serving on the frontline attached to the infantry.  We talk about this, including her role as a searcher.She has stood as a candidate in many elections, and that includes being on the Conservatives' Parliamentary Candidates list.  We delve deep into her work in Ukraine, delivering aid to the front line, helping others and making a difference.  She's many things, a campaigner, humanitarian and most of all- a mum!  We ask her about some of the abuse she has received, but she takes all of this in her stride.Her work in Ukraine is current, and she does this via friends of the podcast Bridge to Unity whom we have promoted in the past.Thanks Hannah for being so generous with your story! And here's a little about Hannah:I grew up in the north west of England. After taking A-levels in English, French and Politics, I went on to study English at university in Wales, where I joined the University Officer Training Corps, eventually leading to mobilising as an Army Reservist and serving in Iraq.Whilst in Iraq in 2007, I compiled and delivered Intelligence for six months. I was also the female searcher for strike operations into Basra City, during some of the heaviest fighting the British Army has seen in this generation.Eager to continue to fight to protect and serve those who need it, I went onto to serve in a number of other locations, including Cyprus as a UN Peacekeeper.I then enjoyed a few years of city life in Cardiff, working for a large insurance firm, before moving to the more rural location of Abergavenny, where I joined the Civil Service. Firstly, at the Ministry of Justice in Newport, where I gained invaluable knowledge of the courts and tribunals system, as well as the prison service. Then later, for the Ministry of Defence, working in finance, developing skills which will be invaluable when it comes to budgets and precepts.An experienced campaigner and Deputy Chairman of Monmouth Conservative Association, I stood in the 2019 General Election as the candidate for Rhondda, where I increased the vote share and knocked Plaid Cymru into third place for the first time in decades. I also played a key role on the campaign team in Monmouth, which saw David TC Davies re-elected.As a parliamentary caseworker within Gwent, I am acutely aware of the policing and crime related issues facing the people of Gwent and is keen to apply her fighting background to tackling these issues. I do not believe the precept should have been raised to the current level, when it appears all the incumbent has done is to close police stations.Outside of work I am a Community Councillor, dog lover, enjoys time in the great outdoors and am a very proud single-mother to children, Harriet and Hugo.Bridge to Unity: https://www.bridgetounity.co.uk/For more information on our epic sponsors Salesforce, see here: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/and Vetforce, here: https://veterans.force.com/s/

Veterans In Politics- Season 6, Episode 6- Councillor Michael Kurn- The sports journalist who answered the call to serve to lead by joining the army reservesWe met Councillor Michael Kurn at Conservative Conference 2022 to grab a quick interview ahead of his final stages of commissioning into the army reserves.  We are pleased to report that since recording, Michael successfully completed the army reserves commissioning course and now holds the King's Commission in the Royal Logistic Corps!  We delve deep into the 'why' Michael holds around service, what drove him into local government, and what made him sign up for the army reserves.  You will find out that much of this is firmly rooted in his family history, and how he holds the privilege of service dear.  Michael is a breath of fresh air and we are confident he will truly 'serve to lead' as goes the mantra of Sandhurst. And here's a little about Michael:Michael Kurn is a TV presenter, Author and Broadcaster who's career to date has included work on: BBC One, Sky Sports and Talk Sport.Growing up though Michael's ambition was to be a professional footballer. Pulling on that three lions jersey and playing in the Premier League was the focus, but after the realisation he wasn't going to make it he had a choice.Give up on something he loved, or find another way to get there.A career in broadcasting was the new path and the way to the Premier League. By the age of 24 he made his Premier League debut, not as a player but as a presenter. His journey so far has led to shows on TalkSport in the UK and the chance to broadcast across the globe.After following his dreams to achieve his goal Michael is a firm believer that:“WHATEVER YOU WANT IN LIFE…IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH YOU CAN GET IT”You just have to have a DESIRE, a DREAM and a VISION.For more information on our epic sponsors Salesforce, see here: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/and Vetforce, here: https://veterans.force.com/s/

Veterans In Politics- Season 6, Episode 5- Rachel Hopkins MP- Shadow Veterans' Minister in her first ever podcast interview.We return with yet another Shadow Defence team interview with newly appointed Shadow Minister Rachel Hopkins MP.  We have sat down with two of her predecessors and were only too pleased to be able to record this chat with her, in what is her first ever podcast interview!We chat about the term 'veteran' and its application Vs the term 'ex forces' as well as her efforts engaging with the armed forces community in her role as Labour's lead on veterans' affairs. And here's a little about Rachel:'I'm local and love my diverse home town of Luton where I have lived virtually all my life. I was born in the Luton & Dunstable Hospital, I grew up in Biscot and went to Denbigh High School. I studied at Luton Sixth Form College, before going to Leicester University. My first Saturday job was in Littlewoods in the Arndale (now Primark) and my first full-time job was at the TSB bank customer service centre that used to be on Cardiff Road. Later on in life, as part of my 20+ year career working in the public sector and wider civil service, I studied part-time for a Masters degree at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton.I live in High Town with my partner Iain and, like you, I use our local services – I take the train from Luton Station, I shop locally (on High Town Road or Bury Park Sainsbury's) and have gone to Woodland Avenue GP surgery since I was a baby! I'm active in supporting our Luton community, I've been a governor at Luton Sixth Form College since 2014 and I'm a regular volunteer at Luton Foodbank.Having spent my life in Luton, with family and friends across the constituency, I know Luton South like the back of my hand.Since childhood, I've always stood up for fairness and equality for all. This developed into a deep sense of social justice, which I have held all my life, and that is why I joined the Labour Party as a teenager. As a trade unionist, I have stood up for people's rights at work and against attacks on pay and pensions.'For more information on our epic sponsors Salesforce, see here: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/and Vetforce, here: https://veterans.force.com/s/And Rachel's website is here: Rachel Hopkins MP

Veterans In Politics- Season 6, Episode 4- Heston Russell- Australian Special Forces veteran on purpose, his sexuality and righting wrongs.In our second episode with an Australian veteran (Heston makes a dig about this fact!) we sit down with one of our most fascinating guests yet!  We talk veterans, purpose, sexuality and masculinity and much, much more in this must listen! And here's a little about Heston: Following his graduation from the Royal Military College of Duntroon, Heston was posted as a platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR), where he deployed to East Timor to carry out peacekeeping operations.  He went on to serve with the Special Forces, serving within 2 Commando Regiment which included four operational deployments to Afghanistan and the Middle East and saw Operational Service in support of several Counterterrorism operations.  In 2016, Russell completed his final operational deployment to Iraq as the Special Operations joint lead planner within the Special Operations Joint Task Force combating ISIS.In 2017, following his return from his deployment, Russell worked to expand Barry's Bootcamp, the US-originated boutique fitness brand to Australia and Singapore. In January 2019 Russell was officially discharged from the Australian Defence Force.In September 2021, Russell founded the Australian Values Party, an Australian Electoral Commission as a political party that focuses on veterans' rights.He describes himself as a person, who simply thrives on bringing People, Partnerships & Projects together, with a genuine sense of Purpose to achieve their greatest Potential. For more information on our epic sponsors Salesforce, see here: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/and Vetforce, here: https://veterans.force.com/s/ And Heston's website is here: Make Cultural Change | Keynote Speaking & Workshops | Heston RussellNOTE- this was recorded a short time before Her Majesty The Queen passed away

Veterans In Politics- Season 6, Episode 3- Ben Obese-Jecty the infantry officer veteran of Iraq and Afghan and former Conservative Parliamentary Candidate.We sat down with Ben at Conservative Party Conference 2022 to discuss his time in the infantry during the most intense period of war fighting for the British Army, having deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, and we also get an interesting perspective to diversity in politics, as a black man who has fought in elections.  We cover all of this, including standing for election against Labour front-bencher Diane Abbott!  We conclude the episode talking about dogs and their power and influence on the campaign trail!In addition to his political activities, Ben serves in a voluntary capacity as a member of the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committee, working to improve the lives of veterans and servicepersons. He also serves as a Trustee of Esher Sixth Form College.This forms part of our Conference specials sponsored by Salesforce in association with Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces.For more information on our epic sponsors Salesforce, see here: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/and Vetforce, here: https://veterans.force.com/s/ And Ben's website is here: https://www.benobese-jecty.org.uk/

Veterans In Politics- Season 6, Episode 2-Labour Party Conference 2022 Special with Dan Jarvis MP, Salesforce and Labour Friends of the ForcesWe return back to Labour Party Conference where we record a special episode of Veterans In Politics with a panel of veterans in front of a live audience.  Our host Jonny Ball welcomes Dan Jarvis MP, one of our most respected veterans in Parliament, a former Parachute Regiment Officer and metro mayor, RAF Veteran Toby Dickinson, Co-Chair of Labour Friends of the Forces, Gareth Derrick, a Royal Navy veteran and candidate for Plymouth Moor View, Louise Harbour, a RAF veteran and former local authority Deputy Leader and from our sponsors Salesforce, Chris Sykes, a serving army reservist and Commanding Officer of the London Guards.We look at the value of service in light of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, and explore how the Labour Party has been reaching out to the armed forces community.It's always fun to hold podcast recordings in public, and this Party Conference special will not disappoint.For more information on our epic sponsors Salesforce, see here: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/and Vetforce, here: https://veterans.force.com/s/ To help our mission, please go to our website where you can donate and sign up to our mailing list here: www.campaignforce.co.ukPlease don't forget to rate this episode and subscribe

Veterans In Politics- Season 6, Episode 1- Conservative Party Conference 2022 Special with James Sunderland MP, Salesforce and Conservative Friends of the Armed ForcesWe return back to Conservative Party Conference where we record a special episode of Veterans In Politics with a panel of veterans in front of a live audience.  Our host Jonny Ball welcomes Chair of the Defence Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill, Bracknell MP and former army Colonel James Sunderland, Founder of the Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces James Clarke, who served in the Mercian Regiment during the height of Afghanistan, former Royal Signals Officer and Parliamentary Candidate Donna Gavin, and from our sponsors Salesforce, former Brigadier Mike Dooley.We look at the value of service in light of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, diversity in our politics and the armed forces' potential to improve the quality of those who step forward to represent us.It's always fun to hold podcast recordings in public, and this Party Conference special will not disappoint.For more information on our epic sponsors Salesforce, see here: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/and Vetforce, here: https://veterans.force.com/s/ 

Veterans In Politics- Season 5, Episode 7 with Former Councillor Louise HarbourLouise Harbour served in the RAF Engineering Branch as one of the few women at that time.  She grew up in the North West, and has returned home to serve her community.  Sadly, since recording this episode, Louise lost her seat on the council in the local elections, and with it, her position as Deputy Leader.  But we are certain she will be back! In fact, she was Knowsley Council's first ever female deputy leader and joined the council's Cabinet for the first time, taking on the new Adult Social Care portfolio.Louise grew up in Kirkby and attended Brookfield School. She went to Kirkby Community College and studied engineering, joining the RAF at 18 as an electrical engineer. Even as a teenager, she always enjoyed public service and helping others – she volunteered with organisations including Centre 63 in Kirkby and as a sexual health advisor in Knowsley.Kirkby has always been home for her – in fact, she still lives in the former council house where she was born. She's fiercely proud to be from Knowsley.In this episode, she talks about the tricky transition from RAF to civilian life, what motivated her to stand up and serve again, and juggling politics, motherhood and her career.  She is one inspiring woman.We also talk about why just one third of all council leaders are women and what can be done to redress the balance.Follow Louise on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/louharbourKeep our podcast going here: Donate - CampaignForceFor more info on Labour Friends of the Forces see here: Home - Labour Friends of the Forces (labourforces.org)

Veterans In Politics- Season 5, Episode 6 with Ed McGuinnessEd McGuinness is a Conservative campaigner and former British Army officer, chairman of Islington Conservatives, President of Conservatives in the City and board member of CF Armed Forces. He was also a Parliamentary candidate in the 2019 General Election.Ed's passions are providing exciting policies for young people, ensuring the economy is secure and the Union.In this episode we ask him about his childhood, his military career, his campaigning experience and who inspires him.Ed grew up in Belfast in the 1990s and early 2000's during the transition from the Troubles to a lasting, but vulnerable peace. It was during this time he realised the value politicians can make to a country and community. During his youth, Conservative values of hard work and public service were instilled in him notably by his mother and father; a teacher and an accountant respectively, who gave a strong sense of family and community.Through school, and mostly through the influence of the Combined Cadet Force, Ed developed a keen interest in the military and, whilst studying Mathematics at the University of St Andrews, in Scotland, he commissioned into the Territorial Army (now known as the Reserves) in 2010. Following graduation, Ed was selected to attend the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and commissioned as a regular British Army officer in August 2012.During his six years in the Royal Artillery, Ed deployed to Afghanistan in 2014, running an intelligence gathering platform to secure the withdrawal of British Forces from Helmand. Following this he went on to lead teams in Kenya and in Canada. Ed finished his regular military service in 2018 as a Forward Air Controller, leading a team of specialist soldiers to co-ordinate the airspace in a highly pressured environment – a role he considers a highlight of his career. Speaking of his military career Ed says, “leading the fine men and women of the British Army was a true privilege, I learned so much from them and their capacity for selflessness is astonishing. It has shaped who I am today”In February 2018 Ed moved to Islington, London, and began to work for a leading financial services company. Ed also become active in his local Conservative Federation. Quickly taking on the role of deputy Chair Political, Ed also ran in the local London Borough Council elections in 2018 and was the Federation transport spokesman. In late 2018 Ed become the Treasurer of the Federation and in February 2019 was elected Chairman of Islington Conservatives. During this tenure Ed has been a passionate advocate of his local area, but also has taken the lead in the NE London GLA campaign as co-Chair. Ed is also active in the community as a school governor.In November 2019 Ed was selected as the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Hornsey & Wood Green. He is passionate about the local community, the Union and fundamental campaigning such that everyone's voices can be heardFor more info on Ed see here https://www.edmcguinness.org.uk/Ed McGuinness | FacebookEd McGuinness, CFA | LinkedInTo help us please visit our website to keep our podcast going with a small donation and dont forget to rate and share the show!  See here: Donate - CampaignForce #StandUpServeAgain #Veterans

Veterans In Politics- Season 5, Episode 5 with Councillor Alex LeeWe sit down this week with Alex Lee, a former soldier of both the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (PWRR) and the Royal Signals.  Joining the army shortly before 9/11 Alex's career was highly operational.  From Kosovo to Iraq to Afghanistan.  In this episode, he bravely shares his experience of mental health and PTSD following an incident during a mortar attack.Since leaving the military, Alex has enjoyed a successful civilian life and is now an elected councillor having failed at his first go.  His perseverance has paid off!Alex is also a driving force behind Labour Friends of the Forces and an active member of that community.  This is an episode that proves you can achieve anything, even if you don't have a political background.For more info on Labour Friends of the Forces see here: Home - Labour Friends of the Forces (labourforces.org)#StandUpServeAgain #Veterans

Veterans In Politics- Season 5, Episode 4  with Earl AttleeWe meet Earl Attlee who first entered the House in 1992 and in 1999 was elected to be one of the remaining hereditary Peers. In opposition he served as a Whip and Spokesperson for various departments and as a Lord in Waiting (Lords Whip) from 2010 to 2014 under the Cameron Government.Earl Attlee served as a Major in the Territorial Army and latterly Army Reserves (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) and served in Operation Lodestar and Operation Telic. He was also President of The Heavy Transport Association between 1994 and 2008 and was an In-Country Director (Rwanda) of British Direct Aid between 1995 and 1996.Our host first met Earl Attlee when he himself was a REME Cadet some 30 years ago, so this podcast is a special reunion via politics.He is of course, grandson to one of our greatest Prime Ministers- Clem Attlee.NOTE- Please rate us on Apple Podcasts, donate or become our mate on our website HERE:  Donate - CampaignForce

Veterans In Politics- Season 5, Episode 3  with  Dr Neil Shastri-HurstSoldier, surgeon and Conservative campaignerNeil Shastri-Hurst was brought up in a tradition of public service. Neil's parents both worked for the NHS; his mother a nurse and his father a GP of forty years. They passed that dedication down to Neil and, following in their footsteps, he went on to study medicine.Whilst at medical school, Neil joined the British Army as a Medical Officer — serving our country's national interests in the UK and overseas. Neil understands the challenges facing our veterans, servicemen and women, and their families. He remains a passionate advocate for our Armed Forces and maintains close links with the military community.  In 2021, Neil was appointed a member of the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee by the Veterans Minister, Leo Docherty MP.Neil worked as a surgeon in the NHS, caring for both civilians and military personnel who have sustained catastrophic and life changing injuries.  A peripheral neuropathy prevented Neil from continuing with his surgical career. Whilst an unexpected set back, Neil used this as an opportunity to re-evaluate and channel his skills in a new direction, retraining as a barrister specialising in healthcare related law.Since leaving regular military service, Neil has been actively involved in politics. He has served as an officer of the Voluntary Party at Constituency, Area, and Regional level. He has played an active role in numerous local and national campaigns, including standing as a parliamentary candidate. He unsuccessfully fought the North Shropshire by election for the Conservatives, a very public campaign, but is determined more than ever to use this experience in order to continue to stand up and serve again.More on Neil here: About Neil Shastri-Hurst | Dr Neil Shastri-HurstNOTE- Please rate us on Apple Podcasts, donate or become our mate on our website HERE:  Donate - CampaignForce

Veterans In Politics- Season 5, Episode 2 with Bob Seely MBE MPBob is MP for the Isle of Wight parliamentary constituency.  He is the sixth generation to be involved in community life on the Isle of Wight, including family members who have served as its MP.  Our host Jonny explores this history, including that of his Uncle Jack and his famous warhorse 'Warrior' who served in WW1.  A fascinating story not to be missed!He first worked as a foreign correspondent in eastern Europe for four years as a stringer for The Times newspaper.  He first visited the USSR in early 1990, witnessing the first celebrations of Easter in western Ukraine since Soviet occupation after World War II, and also the first Chernobyl disaster protests in Kiev that year.  He filed an initial batch of reports and was invited by the newspaper to return permanently to the USSR / former USSR from 1990 to 1994.  During his time, Bob reported from most of the Union republics / new nations of the USSR: Russia (including Moscow, European Russia and Siberia) Ukraine (including Crimea), Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenian (including Nagorny Karabakh), Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.  He also made occasional visits to the Balkans, including Sarajevo and Kosovo.  He also wrote occasional articles for The Spectator and The Sunday Times.In the final year in the former USSR, Bob became a Special Correspondent for The Washington Post.  He then spent a year in the USA writing a book, Deadly Embrace, on Russia's role in the Caucasus.  During this time, Bob was a fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute.  He returned to the UK to work for the Associated Press as a London-based reporter.In 2000 Bob moved temporarily into politics.  He headed up the foreign affairs team for Francis Maude and afterwards worked briefly for Michael Howard and Sir Malcolm Rifkind. In 2005, he stood in the Broxtowe Parliamentary seat in the General Election but lost to the Labour candidate by 2,296 votes.From 2005 to 2008 Bob worked for MTV Networks International.MilitaryFrom 2008 onwards, Bob served in the UK Armed Forces.  He was mobilised or placed on Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) for nearly a decade until his selection as a parliamentary candidate in the 2017 election, at which time he resigned his full-time service and returned to the Army Reserve.Bob was initially mobilised in 2008, deploying to Iraq.  He served out of the main operating base in at Basra Airport.  Over eight months (parts of Op TELIC 12 and 13), he deployed on over 20 operations during his tour, mainly focused on extended patrolling through the villages around the southern Basra marshes and parts of Basra city, meeting local village elders and providing atmospherics reporting for the UK Command.  After his tour Bob was remobilised and asked to remain in the Armed Forces on full-time service.  He deployed on four occasions to Afghanistan for one to four month tours.  He was based out of Lashkar Gah, and Nad Ali.Bob was awarded a Joint Commanders Commendation in 2009, and was decorated with a Military MBE in the 2016 Operational Awards and Honours List, receiving it from Her Majesty the Queen in early 2017.  Bob has also supported the development of UK military thinking in unconventional warfare.More on Bob here: About Bob Seely | Bob Seely MP

Veterans In Politics- Season 5, Episode 1  with  Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MPWe meet Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Member of Parliament  for Lagan Valley since 1997. As of 2022, he is Northern Ireland's longest-serving MP.He served in the Ulster Defence Regiment during the Troubles and  was also the campaign manager for the UUP MP Enoch Powell's successful re-election campaigns in 1983 and 1986.  This is something our host Jonny asks about in this episode as well as the Good Friday Agreement during the Northern Ireland peace process.We also talk about the murder of his cousin Samuel Donaldson, an RUC constable. He was the first policeman to be blown up by the IRA in the 'Troubles'.For more info on Sir Jeffrey see here: Jeffrey Donaldson MP - Biography | Jeffrey DonaldsonNOTE- Please rate us on Apple Podcasts, donate or become our mate on our website HERE:  Donate - CampaignForce