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As disquiet brews within Labour over cuts to welfare, and a perceived failure to pursue a progressive enough agenda, this week host Alain Tolhurst looks inside the governing party as a host of new caucuses and organised campaign groups have sprung up, and asking - who are the new tribes within Labour Who is behind them, what are their aims, and how dangerous could they be to Keir Starmer's leadership, as he faces his first major rebellion since winning office with a huge majority last year.On the panel to explain everything from the Labour Growth Group, the coastals and rural MPs, the Co-Operatives, Christian socialists, Blue Labour and a host of others are three of the finest Labour party Kremlinologists in Westminster; Sienna Rogers, deputy editor of our sister publication The House magazine and a former editor of the LabourList website, as well as Morgan Jones, journalist and another former editor of LabourList, along with Stephen Bush, associate editor of The Financial Times.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
With this month marking 15 years since the signing of the historic Conservative - Liberal Democrat coalition agreement, and given the fractured five-party politics of 2025, what can be learned from five chaotic days in 2010, that led to five years of surprisingly stable government?To discuss how it all came together, and what stopped it from falling apart, host Alain Tolhurst is joined by one of the people who helped negotiate the historic deal between the Tories and the Lib Dems, along with two members of the House of Lords, who in their past lives were at the heart of that 2010-2015 government, as well as a professor who quite literally wrote the book on the coalition.David Laws was the Lib Dem MP for Yeovil from 2001 to 2015, and was part of his party's team that thrashed out an agreement after the general election gave no party a majority to govern, and Baroness Kate Fall, who began working for David Cameron after he became leader, worked as deputy chief of staff inside Number 10 when he entered Downing Street.Lord Jonny Oates, a Lib Dem peer, was chief of staff for Nick Clegg during his time as deputy Prime Minister, and finally Robert Hazell, Professor of Government and the Constitution at University College London, and the co-author of the book The Politics of Coalition, joins the panel too.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
This week the podcast looks at another of those knotty, seemingly intractable issues sat on Labour's in-tray when they entered government last year; namely social care.To look at how successive administrations have failed to grasp the nettle and deal with the rising costs of a sector that has ballooned in size to deal with our ageing population, host Alain Tolhurst is joined on the panel by Paulette Hamilton, Labour MP and the acting chair of the health and social care select committee, as well as Joe Robertson, Tory MP for the Isle of Wight who also sits on the select committee.Alongside them are Lucinda Allen, policy fellow in social care at The Health Foundation, and Will Dalton, national officer for care at the GMB union, to discuss Andrew Dilnot's infamous unimplemented review, Theresa May's election-losing dementia tax, and what Keir Starmer's government is doing to take on the care crisis.They argue whether the latest review is another exercise in kicking the can down the road, and what impact this week's immigration white paper will have on the sector's massive vacancy issues, while later on in the episode Joe Dromey from the Fabian Society talks about the think tank's proposals for dealing with pay and recruitment.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
As a special extra, to round out this fifth season of Movers and Shakers, the show is coming to you live from Henley! Away from the pub (and with a live audience) the gang talk about their Parkinson's progress and are joined by a couple of special guests, representing the local area and giving you a glimpse inside Paul's brain...Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter petition by going to ParkyPetition.com!Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In today's episode, we'll talk about how The Standard is coming to Hyatt...(but we're too old for it). Nick will enlighten Greg about the fact that Air France flies to French Polynesia, and we'll talk through our recent award booking stories.(01:24) - A correction about the Delta Business Gold card (with a $150 hotel credit, not $200 as mentioned in the episode).(02:23) - Would a speculative Discover Miles card be worth it for the 3x everywhere for the first year, with the chance that those all become transferable to C1 miles when the merger goes through?(08:05) - Greg acquired Smartly 4% card, downgraded Chase Sapphire Reserve, and got approved for Chase Sapphire Preferred(20:06) - Citi Rewards+ may be achievable for some(22:54) - Cardless removes one card per lifetime limit(24:10) - Qatar cards increased offers(29:54) - Rakuten's shopping portal has a great new trick | Coffee Break Ep55 | 5-5-25 (Earn Amex and Chase cards at once)Check out the coffee break episode 55 here.(34:52) - TPG: "Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred: A $95 annual fee showdown"(37:57) - Hyatt integration of The Standard(43:15) - Air Tahiti bookable via Flying Blue(47:19) - Nick: Hilton free night extendable(50:43) - Gondola no longer requires access to your emailMain Event: Award Booking Stories(52:09) - Greg: Booked premium cabin flights to Japan for his sonRead more about this trip here.(1:01:28) - Nick: Booked unexpected trip to Bora Bora(1:18:54) - Greg: Booked lie-flat round trip to London for 3(1:34:28) - Why do people choose to do all this work for travel rather than just cash back?Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
This week the podcast takes a look at the government's plans to try and fix the UK's rental market, with soaring rents, terrifying competition, no fault evictions, poorly maintained properties and huge supply pressures trapping an increasingly large cohort of tenants in a system that means they may never own their own homes.To discuss the Renters Rights Bill and how it will look to solve some of these issues, host Alain Tolhurst is joined by Joe Powell, Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater, who sits on the housing select committee, as well as Roisin Lanigan, journalist and author, whose debut novel ‘I Want to Go Home But I'm Already There' has been billed as a “gothic novel for generation rent”.Alongside them is Tom Darling, director of the Renters' Reform Coalition, a group of 21 housing organisations campaigning for stronger renters' rights , Charlie Trew, head of policy at the charity Shelter, and Chris Norris, director of policy and campaigns at the National Residential Landlords Association.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
This week saw the first substantial debate in the UK Parliament on the subject of Parkinson's – and it was initiated by an enterprising Scottish MP, Graeme Downie, off the back of the Movers and Shakers' Parky Charter. So, for this emergency episode, Gillian and Mark report live from Parliament, introducing some highlights from the debate, and speaking to Graeme and his office manager, the inimitable Vonnie, about how politics can be used to help Britain's Parkies.Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter petition by going to ParkyPetition.com!Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Britain's steel industry has all but vanished, and the government has intervened to save the last blast furnaces. But how did the country that invented the steel industry reach this pass and does it even matter? We talk to historian Ewan Gibbs about steel, the state, and the importance of ownership and production in an uncertain world.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Ewan Gibbs.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week the panel is discussing whether the government can avoid a pensions crisis? As most analysts think the UK's retirement industry is at a tipping point, needing bold and meaningful - if politically unpopular - reforms, Guy Opperman, the former Tory MP who was the UK's longest-serving pensions minister from 2017 to 2022, joins host Alain Tolhurst to discuss how ministers can ease the financial burden of the current state pension, while making sure younger workers will still have enough savings to retire comfortably. Alongside them is Lord David Willetts, president of the Resolution Foundation think tank, and Jonathan Cribb, associate director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and there is a chat with Baroness Ros Altmann, another former pensions minister, about the overall health of the sector, and what the government's priorities should be.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
In this, the last episode in our current series, the Movers & Shakers have gathered at the Notting Hill pub with (most of) their spouses, to talk about how to navigate a relationship after the diagnosis. With the able assistance of a relationship expert, Gillian and Mike, Mark and Jo, Paul and Julie, Nick and Liz, and Rory – riding solo – talk through the ups and downs of coupledom in the wake of the Parkinson's reveal. Honest, revealing and often very funny, this is a guide on how to (or, perhaps, how not to) stick it out. Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter petition by going to ParkyPetition.com!Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With much of England set to go to the polls next week we're previewing a crucial set of local elections, with more than 1,600 council seats up for grabs, as well as six mayoral contests and a high-profile Parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby.On the panel is Jonathan Ashworth, chief executive of the think tank Labour Together and a former shadow cabinet minister, Max Wilkinson, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham and his party's culture spokesman, as well as Scarlett Maguire, pollster and founder of Merlin Strategies, and Jack Sellers, a former Conservative special adviser who worked for Rishi Sunak in Number 10.They talk to host Alain Tolhurst about the government's potential electoral struggles, Reform's high hopes, whether the Tories will take another pasting, and why nobody is talking up the Lib Dems.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
Travelling with Parkinson's shouldn't be a nightmare – but often it is. From long lines at the airport to the constant battle for a seat on the Tube, how can people with Parkinson's navigate the frenetic world of travel? On this episode, the Movers and Shakers gather at the pub to consider their experiences – good and bad – and whether there's the chance to reinvent the way that companies and the public think about disabled people travelling. We also speak to a top travel expert, and a former Home Secretary, about the changes needed to make the world of travel a more accommodating place.Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter petition by going to ParkyPetition.com!Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Generals and politicians calling for rearmament often talk about the UK facing a "1937 moment" of rising threats and a deteriorating international situation. But what actually happened in the late 1930s, and how was an indebted and cash-strapped Britain able to mobilise its industry and spend so much more on armaments? Are there similarities to today and what can we learn? We talk to historian Dan Todman about the economic and military parallels.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Daniel Todman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With the Commons in recess the pod heads down the pub for another episode looking at the UK's hospitality industry and the struggles it continues to face - with a host of global headwinds and domestic policy contributing to a bleak outlook for the sector in 2025. Joining host Alain Tolhurst for a pint in The Westminster Arms, a stones throw from Parliament, is Conservative MP Richard Holden, vice chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Pubs and the Shadow Paymaster General, Morgan Schondelmeier, policy manager on tax and trade at the British Beer and Pub Association, Ellie Hudspith, campaigns manager for CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, Steve Alton, CEO of the British Institute of Innkeeping, and Jonny Garrett, chair of the British Guild of Beer Writers and co-host of the Craft Beer Channel. They discuss what the government can do to help this crucial part of the economy, that not only contributes £54 billion in tax receipts, £20 billion in exports, and is the third largest employer in the UK - but also plays a vital role in the country's social fabric - after it was hit by the triple of whammy of rising business rates, a National Insurance hike, and increased staff costs, this month.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
On this very special episode of Movers and Shakers, the gang head out of the Notting Hill pub to take, once again, to Downing Street. But handing over the latest petition is only the start of an action packed day – from there, it's on to the Houses of Parliament to convene with hundreds of Parkies for The Big Sing! This episode is a little journey through the day, as we speak to people who made the trip down to London about their experiences and hopes for the future. Plus, Mark Mardell is up in Huddersfield, as the WPD celebrations spread across the country.Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter petition by going to ParkyPetition.com!Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Senior Labour MP Liam Bryne, who chairs the Commons business and trade committee, joins host Alain Tolhurst to discuss how Keir Starmer navigates the post-tariff world, and whether the market turmoil could be an opportunity for Britain. Later in the episode a panel of experts discuss the small matter of what on earth is happening to the global economy - and what that will mean for the UK - after Donald Trump's sudden volte face on Wednesday, abandoning almost all of the tariffs he had meted out on so-called ‘Liberation Day' a week before, but leaving 10% levies on British goods and 25% on steel and the automotive sector. Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and a former senior civil servant, Raoul Ruparel, a former adviser to Theresa May on Europe and a special adviser in the Brexit department, Allie Renison, associate director at SEC Newgate and a former policy adviser to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and Clive Jones, Liberal Democrat MP and his party's spokesperson on trade, try to make sense of what just happened, and explain what might happen next.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
Each time we, the Movers and Shakers, convene at the pub for a recording session, we follow it up with an anarchic planning session, where we analyse the episodes that been recently broadcast and debate what should be featured on future instalments. This week, we're leaving the microphones running during this meeting to give you the inside scoop on how the podcast is made, and a little preview of the exciting editions that might be headed your way soon.Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter petition by going to ParkyPetition.com!And for more information about our plans for April 11th, World Parkinson's Day, please visit our website.Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Former Conservative MP and minister Mark Field speaks to host Alain Tolhurst about his new memoir The End Of An Era, which as the title suggests charts both his own time in politics as well as the waning fortunes of his party over the past 25 years. They discuss his reflections five years on from stepping down from the Commons, what the Tories got right as well as wrong in their time in office, how they might recover once more from last year's disastrous election, why he's voted for the losing candidate in every leadership contest stretching back to Ken Clarke, and the response to writing about his much-publicised affair with Liz Truss, and the incident at the Mansion House dinner in 2019 that led to the premature end of his ministerial career. To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
There's no doubting the ability of music to uplift the soul – but could it also help to manage the symptoms of Parkinson's? That's what the Movers and Shakers are discussing today in the Notting Hill pub, as they're joined by musical experts, including a man who whistled for Monty Python's The Life of Brian and a Welsh samba band (who have brought their drums all the way to W11). Whether it's a conduit for new creativity, a means of raising awareness or a cuing mechanism to arrest the disease's progression, there's something undeniably special about music. So pause Classic FM (or BBC Radio 6, we don't discriminate) and tune in. Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To discuss the fallout from this week's Spring Statement, after Rachel Reeves confirmed a host of cuts to benefit payments and a squeeze on public spending to offset a downgrade in the country's growth forecast, John Glen, Tory MP and a former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Helen Barnard, Director of Policy at the Trussell charity, Greg Thwaites, Research Director at the Resolution Foundation think tank, and Chris Curtis, Labour MP and Vice-Chair of the Labour Growth Group, join host Alain Tolhurst. As the question already turns to whether further tax rises will be needed as soon as this year, some Labour backbenchers fume about the optics of the government appearing to balance the books on the backs of some of the poorest in society due to self-imposed fiscal rules, while others have questioned the role of the OBR in guiding the Treasury's hand every six months.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
It's said that the most consistent symptom of Parkinson's isn't the tremor, but constipation. Could this rather inconvenient truth reveal a relationship between our gut microbiome and development of the disease? To help with this deep-dive into the gut, the Movers & Shakers are joined by a gastroenterologist, a professor of microbiome, and the creator of a probiotic for gut health. Tune in, and get to the heart of how a Mediterranean diet could help with PD (though sadly it doesn't consist of profiteroles, moussaka or a big bowl of paella).Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last week Keir Starmer scrapped NHS England as he signalled the government's aim to fundamentally reshape and rewire how the state operates, so the panel is discussing what this means for civil service staff numbers, what impact this will have on the delivery of public services, and how briefings about a so-called ‘project chainsaw' have gone down in Whitehall. Joining host Alain Tolhurst is Max Blain, who was the official spokesperson for three Prime Ministers, and is now a director at the global advisory firm Portland, as well as Hannah Keenan, associate director at the think tank the Institute for Government, and Suzannah Brecknell, co-editor at our sister publication and Whitehall bible, CivilServiceWorld.To sign up for our newsletters click hereTo view this year's Women in Westminster 100 list click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
A recent spate of Parkinson's related headlines – from miracle pumps to worm-based solutions – have had the Movers and Shakers questioning exactly how the condition is portrayed in the media. Are we getting a good balance between raising the salience of the diseases ill effects, on the one hand, and inspiring hope on the other? To discuss this, the (rather depleted) team in the pub are joined by a top newspaper editor and the Parkinson's UK's media bod.Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the wake of Donald Trump's demand for a juicy minerals deal in Ukraine, Neil and Jonathan join author James Barr to look at the history of possibly the greatest minerals carve-up of all time - in the post First World War Middle East - and ask the key question: "How did that all work out?"Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With James Barr.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After winning five MPs last year and continuing to surge in the polls - are the wheels starting to come off for Reform UK after this week's damaging but wholly predictable internal row involving MP Rupert Lowe and party leader Nigel Farage? Gawain Towler, the party's former director of communications and a long-time spokesman for Nigel Farage, as well as Sophie Stowers, research associate at the UK in a Changing Europe think tank, and Harriet Symonds, commissioning editor at The House magazine, join host Alain Tolhurst to discuss if this is just the usual teething problems for an insurgent party, if it might damage their electoral chances this May, and whether this meme is coming true once again.To sign up for our newsletters click hereTo view this year's Women in Westminster 100 list click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton for Podot
Do you know what mitochondria are? Don't worry, neither did the Movers & Shakers until they gathered two top experts with them at the Notting Hill pub in order to probe this line of enquiry. Could "aberrant" (as the Judge is prone to call them) mitochondria be responsible for Parkinson's? And, if so, are there possible therapies that might impact the development of the disease, and, if not cure it outright, arrest its progression? All this – and more! – on a fascinating voyage into one of the most exciting areas of scientific discovery.Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is Nick Hilton. He's someone who the real menswear people all know and respect. They also like him because he's a pretty nice guy. If you are interested in style, clothing, and dressing well, then Nick is a good person to meet. He has an interesting story, which he details in his book A Tailor-Made Man. At one point, Nick's family had one of the world's largest American-made tailored clothing brands. Fun fact: His father gave Ralph Lauren (who worked for Norman Hilton) the seed money to start Polo. This is just one of the many interesting stories surrounding the Hilton family, which Nick chronicles so well in his book. A friend recommended A Tailor-Made Man to me, but Nick reached out to me before I could read it. We met via Zoom, and we spoke for over an hour. I was intrigued with Nick, his family, and his history in menswear. I also liked that Nick has serious opinions about dressing and doesn't shy away from sharing them. I've always been fascinated by the history of things we use in our everyday lives. That's a big part of what has driven my point of view with ACL through the years. I arrived in New York after many of these apparel manufacturers were gone, but I still could extract some of the stories about the golden years of U.S.-made clothing. I love to hear stories about the prime days of American-made suits when hundreds of thousands were made in Brooklyn and all over the Northeast. Having guests like Nick on the podcast to tell some of these stories is important to me. If you read his book, you'll understand that era even better. Until then, I hope you enjoy our conversation. Below are two ads from the Norman Hilton natural shoulder glory days.The ACL Podcast is meant to be a companion to the newsletter. You can listen in the Substack App, on Apple Podcasts or via Spotify directly if you prefer that. If you like this story, please consider subscribing and sending it to a friend. As always, I appreciate your support.Big thanks to Al James for lending me his music. The song is Hard Working Dogs by Dolorean. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.acl.news/subscribe
As the future of Europe dominates the headlines, Lib Dem defence spokesperson Helen Maguire MP, former Tory ministers James Heappey and Greg Hands, and More in Common's Luke Tryl join host Adam Payne to discuss a seismic week in world affairs as Prime Minister Keir Starmer tries to bring peace to Ukraine. With the tectonic plates of geopolitics shifting day by day, the Labour government faces major questions like how to deal with Donald Trump, and whether a 'coalition of the willing' can really protect a peace deal from Russian aggression.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Adam Payne, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
Would you rather: bid for a rugby shirt signed by the mysterious "Mike Tiddle", run a marathon around Loch Ness, or paraglide off the top of Mont Blanc? Those are some of the extraordinary fundraising projects undertaken in the name of Parkinson's, and that's what the Movers & Shakers are discussing in the pub today. With inspirational stories from great fundraisers as well as a look at how effective charities are – both at accumulating this money and also at spending it – this episode will make you grateful for the amazing acts of bravery (and generosity) going on around us.Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With the Prime Minister in Washington this week the Labour MPs Steve Yemm and Chris Evans, as well as Professor Sam Edwards from Loughborough University, and Lord John Alderdice, Liberal Democrat peer, join host Alain Tolhurst to look at the so-called ‘special relationship'. From its history, to why the close bilateral partnership between the UK and America is so enduring, but why it might now be under threat as Keir Starmer tries to deal with the Donald Trump White House. Elsewhere in the episode Katie Perrior, Downing Street director of communications under Theresa May, also talks about what is was like to deal with the first Trump administration. To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
It's getting rather hot in the Notting Hill pub this week, as we convene to discuss the (t)horny question of intimacy. Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it – but do Parkies? The Movers and Shakers are joined by an expert sexologist and an intimacy co-ordinator to get to the bottom of the issues around sex. It's a candid conversation – covering everything from erectile dysfunction to vaginal dryness, viagra to lube – that will open your eyes to the possibilities of intimacy with the condition.Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This Parliament could finally see further modernisation of the way the Commons operates, with a new committee led by Cabinet minister Lucy Powell setting out plans for meaningful reform in a host of areas, after clamour from new MPs to finally bring how Westminster works into the 21st century. One of the 2024 intake, Labour's Rachel Blake, joins Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney, her party's spokesperson for the Cabinet Office, as well as Sophie Church, reporter at our sister publication The House magazine, alongside host Alain Tolhurst discuss if Westminster working will finally get dragged into the 21st century. To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
A man walks into the pub wearing vibrating shoes – no, that's not the start of a joke, but exactly what happened to Rory Cellan-Jones. On this week's episode, the Movers and Shakers are looking at some of the new technology, from fancy footwear to rhythmical cuing devices, to look at what tech can do for Parkies. They're also joined by the author of a snazzy new guide to Parkinson's gadgets, which aims to separate steps forward from snake oil. Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
One of the most complex, and divisive, issues in modern politics is making a return under this government; ID cards. Advocates describe it as a potential way to improve public services, tackle illegal migration and modernise the state, but it remains intensely controversial, due to significant concerns over privacy, data security and equality. To discuss those issues host Alain Tolhurst is joined by Jake Richards, Labour MP for Rother Valley, Kirsty Innes, director of technology at the think tank Labour Together, Rebecca Vincent, interim director at the campaign group Big Brother Watch, and James Baker, campaigns manager at the Open Rights Group. To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
In October last year, broadcasting legend John Stapleton, a former host of shows like Nationwide and Watchdog, was diagnosed with Parkinson's. This week, he joins the Movers & Shakers in the Notting Hill pub to discuss his life, career and his PD journey so far. From getting pecked off our screen's by Rod Hull's intemperate Emu to making a film about his diagnosis with his award-winning documentarian son Nick, John has led an extraordinary life. Sitting down with Mark, Gillian, Rory, Paul and the Judge in 2025 is not quite watching the Beatles in 1963 – but it'll have to do!Sponsored by Boardwave, who support Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Instead of tapping into the mood at Westminster, this week The Rundown is looking at the political mood of the country as we move further into 2025, teaming up once again teamed up with the guys at Thinks, the global insight and strategy consultancy. Last week they polled more than 2,000 UK adults on how they feel about the first six months of the Labour government, their view of the different opposition parties, and if they regret their vote at last year's general election. To discuss the findings as well as the results of focus groups conducted with voters in swing seats that backed Labour in 2024, Ben Shimshon, co-founder and CEO at Thinks, joined host Alain Tolhurst along with PolHome editor Adam Payne, and Sienna Rodgers, deputy editor of our sister publication The House magazine. To sign up for our newsletters click here Presented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
We're back! But today's episode isn't coming to you from the Notting Hill pub – instead, it was recorded live at the Middle Temple. In this special episode Rory, Gillian, Nicholas, Paul and Mark talk through their Parkinson's journeys and are joined, from the gallery, by a number of special guests (you'll have to tune in to find out who but they include a star neurologist, a research director and a charity CEO) to kick off this the fifth – !!! – season of Movers and Shakers. Sponsored by Boardwave. Recorded live at the Middle Temple.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 1976, the Labour government went "cap in hand" to the IMF for a loan to tide it through deteriorating economic conditions. The price was large cuts in public spending. Neil and Jonathan talk to economist and author Duncan Weldon about the "bailout", what caused it, the changes it brought, and whether there are any parallels to the predicament faced by Rachel Reeves.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Duncan Weldon.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For the 150th episode this week former deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine comes on the show for a special interview ahead of the publication of his new memoir 'From Acorns to Oaks' about the second part of his career as an advisor to David Cameron and reflecting further on his time in Margaret Thatcher and John Major's Cabinets. The Conservative peer, who at 91 is still one of the ‘big beasts' of British politics, despite leaving parliament in 2001 and retiring to Thenford House in Northamptonshire and its 400 acre estate. The book contrasts his work to restore the woodland at his family's arboretum with his time trying to pursue urban regeneration and increasing Britain's regional growth, and he speaks to Alain Tolhurst about his long career championing devolution, what Labour need to do to get the economy moving again, and how his party rebuilds after last year's devastating defeat. To sign up for our newsletters Presented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
Before the election Labour promised to restore confidence in government by cleaning up lobbying, improving transparency and tightening the rules for MPs, but is Keir Starmer's administration really sticking to its word? The Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Melanie Onn, a member of the Commons standards committee, Gabe Winn, chief executive of the Blakeney Group, a public affairs and communications agency, John Johnston, London Influence reporter at Politico, and Jon Gerlis, head of public relations and policy at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, join Alain Tolhurst to take a look inside the sometimes hidden world of lobbying in Westminster. To sign up for our newsletters click here Presented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot
We discuss why CNN is under pressure after a viral news report from Syria turned out not to be all it claimed to be. As ABC News settles a defamation lawsuit with Donald Trump for $15m, we look at what it means for journalism. Also on the programme, a BBC World Service investigation has found that Steven Bartlett's Diary of A CEO is amplifying harmful health misinformation with little or no challenge. We hear why health and wellness content has proven so popular on podcasts and social media. One half of the Youtube comedy group Map Men reveal how they turned their passion for cartography into a global phenomenon. Plus the editor-in-chief of Time Magazine tells us why they have selected President Elect Trump as their Person of the Year. Guests: David Folkenflik, Media Correspondent, NPR; Katie Fallow, Deputy Litigation Director, Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University; Cécile Simmons, Investigative Researcher, Institute for Strategic Dialogue; Dr Megan Rossi, Dietician, known as The Gut Health Doctor; Nick Hilton, Co-founder, Podot; Jay Foreman, Comedian and YouTube creator; Sam Jacobs, Editor-in-chief, Time magazinePresenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lucy Wai Assistant Producer: Martha Owen
We're back in the Notting Hill pub for our final episode of 2024. And after some rather gloomy subjects in recent weeks – from caring responsibilities to assisted dying – the Movers and Shakers are turning their attention to something a little more optimistic. With contributions from listeners – and a couple of special guests – this episode looks at the reasons all Parkies have to be cheerful. Whether that's defying the condition or embracing it, there's always a silver lining to be found.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Could discreet pumps, constantly providing adjustable doses of your top Parky drugs, be the future of 24-hour care? That's one of the suggestions made by advocates of a new range of pumps, one of whom, Professor Ray Chaudhuri (aka the Judge's neurologist), joins the Movers and Shakers in the Notting Hill pub. And if that's not a sufficiently bumper discussion, Prof Chaudhuri also discusses a new project that's he's developing: a Parkinson's dashboard to help make sure that new patients are asked all the right questions in the weeks after a diagnosis.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week the Movers & Shakers are celebrating our four-legged friends, both canine and feline. But how do pets help or hinder the experience of having Parkinson's? With expert testimony from Bilbo Mostyn, Derek Paxman, Sophie Cellan-Jones and Lana Del Grey Mardell – not to mention several listeners calling in – and some special guests, this episode explores the special bond between animals and humans.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this special live edition of Movers and Shakers half of the gang – The Judge, Rory and Paul – head to the famous Belfry golf club, where Sport Parkinson's were hosting their annual Four Nations golf tournament. In this wide-ranging conversation about the merits of sports (and a few pitfalls), special guests join to discuss the various initiatives for motivating Parkies into athletic endeavour. From golf and football to horse riding and – you guessed it – ping pong, this will be the inspiration you need to get off the couch and dust off those trainers!Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Women make up about 40% of all Parkinson's cases – but the Movers and Shakers panel doesn't often reflect that! Do we pay enough attention to women's experience with the disease? And does medical science have the same blindspot? On this week's episode of the show, we're talking about the female experience with PD, how the disease differently impacts the genders, and what we need to do to even the playing field for biomedical research. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the world of Parkinson's, Bas Bloem is something of a rockstar. The Dutch neurological giant (in more ways than one) joins the Movers and Shakers in the Notting Hill pub for this special interview, where he talks about his personal journey into PD research, his suspicions on the causes of the illness, and his pathological optimism for the future of the condition. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's episode of Hear Me Out: a fond farewell. This is the last episode of Hear Me Out. And it comes at a volatile, strange time in the world of podcasting. Networks' priorities have shifted, the money has shifted, and “success” means different things to different people. Nick Hilton of Podot and Future Proof joins us for a discussion about the future of podcasting… whether we're in it or not. The Hear Me Out team is grateful, endlessly, to every single listener who's sent us a note. We're not sure how long the address will work, but if the show mattered to you, we'd love to read your emails: hearmeout@slate.com Podcast production by Maura Currie, who owes many more things than this podcast to Celeste Headlee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's episode of Hear Me Out: a fond farewell. This is the last episode of Hear Me Out. And it comes at a volatile, strange time in the world of podcasting. Networks' priorities have shifted, the money has shifted, and “success” means different things to different people. Nick Hilton of Podot and Future Proof joins us for a discussion about the future of podcasting… whether we're in it or not. The Hear Me Out team is grateful, endlessly, to every single listener who's sent us a note. We're not sure how long the address will work, but if the show mattered to you, we'd love to read your emails: hearmeout@slate.com Podcast production by Maura Currie, who owes many more things than this podcast to Celeste Headlee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's episode of Hear Me Out: a fond farewell. This is the last episode of Hear Me Out. And it comes at a volatile, strange time in the world of podcasting. Networks' priorities have shifted, the money has shifted, and “success” means different things to different people. Nick Hilton of Podot and Future Proof joins us for a discussion about the future of podcasting… whether we're in it or not. The Hear Me Out team is grateful, endlessly, to every single listener who's sent us a note. We're not sure how long the address will work, but if the show mattered to you, we'd love to read your emails: hearmeout@slate.com Podcast production by Maura Currie, who owes many more things than this podcast to Celeste Headlee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices