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In this episode, Jonny Ball interviews Alistair Carns about his journey from military service to politics, the importance of service, and how veterans can shape society. They explore themes of leadership, resilience, and the power of community engagement.  This is an episode not to be missed, and is one we have been asked about the most to produce!  Big thanks to the support of Culbert Ellis for supporting the show.

key topics

• Alistair Carns' military career and transition to politics
• The importance of service and community engagement
• Challenges faced by veterans and how to address them
• The role of veterans in shaping society and public life
• Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 and veteran integration
• Leadership lessons from military and political experience

About our episode supporter:

Culbert Ellis is a boutique firm of London and Cambridge solicitors built around respected specialists and is a proud supporter of the Armed Forces Covenant and the UK Afghanistan Veterans Community.  

 Founded by a Reservist , Culbert Ellis advises businesses on corporate transactions, commercial and tech/IP matters, employment, disputes/litigation as well as property and media work. 

Their Value Proposition is simple: Experienced lawyers 'in the room' when it matters the most.

For more info: https://www.culbertellis.com/

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In this episode of the Veterans In Politics Podcast, Jonny Ball is joined by Major General Neil Marshall OBE, Chief Executive of the Forces Pension Society on their 80th Birthday, for a wide-ranging conversation about one of the most important — and often misunderstood — parts of military life: the Armed Forces pension.

What does your pension really mean? How have recent changes affected serving personnel, veterans and those who have already left the military? And what should people be thinking about when planning their transition into civilian life?

Neil brings his experience at the Forces Pension Society to a conversation designed to cut through the complexity and explain what service personnel and veterans need to know about their pension and how he goes about engaging with government.

For more information on the Forces Pension Society, check out their website here https://forcespensionsociety.org/

Pensions can feel complicated, technical and a long way off — particularly when you're in the middle of a military career. But decisions made during service can have significant consequences later.

This episode is an opportunity to understand the bigger picture, hear directly from one of the leading voices in the pensions debate and get a clearer sense of what veterans and serving personnel should be thinking about.

About Major General Neil Marshall OBE

Major General Neil Marshall OBE is the Chief Executive of the Forces Pension Society, a not-for-profit organisation representing and supporting members of the Armed Forces community on pension matters. He has led the Society since 2019 and has been closely involved in its work on AFPS 15, the McCloud Remedy, pension taxation and wider Armed Forces pension policy.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share the episode with a veteran, service person or military family who might benefit from it.

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Jonny Ball speaks with his former government colleague Derek Plews about a career that moved from journalism in Northern Ireland to reservist service, civil service communications, and senior defence media roles. The conversation explores how employer support shapes reservist life, why Defence Relationship Management was created, and why storytelling matters for veterans and the public record. Derek also discusses his book, Shamrock Among the Poppies, and the importance of preserving soldiers’ experiences in their own words.

You can buy his book here: https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/shamrocks-among-the-poppies-musa-qaleh-2006-a-bloody-siege-and-the-failures-behind-it.php

The episode covers Derek’s time working with high-profile political figures including Michael Portillo, John Prescott, and Geoff Hoon, and what it is like to stay politically neutral while operating close to power. He reflects on the communications challenge around Afghanistan, especially the gap between official messaging and conditions on the ground in Helmand.

Derek and Jonny discuss the growing influence of veterans in politics, including serving reservists and ex-servicemen bringing lived experience into Westminster. The conversation turns to the Armed Forces Covenant, employer recognition, and the practical case for industry to support reservists and cadet volunteers.

Finally, Derek explains why he wrote Shamrock Among the Poppies: to tell the story of the siege of Musa Qala through the eyes of soldiers, NCOs, and junior ranks rather than just officers.

He closes by stressing the importance of storytelling, mental health awareness, and preserving the historical record before memories are lost.

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Jonny Ball welcomes Minister for Veterans & People at the UK Ministry of Defence, Calvin Bailey MBE MP.  We talk about his growing up in South East London, what inspired him to join the RAF, and the power of football communities with the Armed Forces.  This was recorded exclusively for Veterans In Politics.

We also pay tribute to Operation Pitting, as we hit the 5 year anniversary of the withdrawal from Kabul, Afghanistan, where as a pilot, Calvin played a vital role.  This episode is dedicated to all those who served and the civilians impacted by conflict.

Calvin is the Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, elected on the 5th of July 2024. Born in Zambia, Calvin’s family moved to London, settling in Plumstead. Growing up in south-east London as a young Black man, he faced far-right violence and was deeply affected by the tragic murder of Stephen Lawrence, the older brother of his close friend Stuart. This event profoundly influenced Calvin’s politics and desire to serve the community. 

Calvin graduated with a Master of Engineering from the University of Exeter in 1999 and later completed a Master of Arts in War Studies at King's College London in 2017.

Calvin spent over 24-years in the Royal Air Force, rising to the rank of Wing Commander. During his military service, he led humanitarian efforts and operations in conflict zones. He was awarded an MBE for his support of relief operations in Haiti and the Philippines. 

He also proudly led critical missions, including commanding the UK's largest deployed Air Wing during the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing the evacuation of 14,000 people from Kabul during Operation Pitting where he made the critical decision to double the number of passengers taken per flight, recognising that the risk of overloading the aircraft was outweighed by the risk to the lives of those who would have been left behind.

Calvin became a junior minister in Keir Starmer's government when he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People on 12 June 2026. A role he kept during the Burnham reshuffle.

See more here: https://www.calvinbailey.co.uk/

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This week Jonny Ball chats to former Royal Marine David Reed MP, who started his political journey listening to this podcast!

David is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Exmouth & Exeter East. He serves on the opposition front bench as Shadow Defence Whip, is a member of the International Development Committee, and Vice Chair of the APPG for Foreign Affairs.

David began his career in the Royal Marines and Special Forces Support Group, serving in multiple conflict zones over seven years. He was also part of the Royal Navy Parachute Display Team and was selected for the Team GB Wingsuit Skydiving Squad.

After leaving the military, he earned a First-Class degree in Business and a Master’s in International Security.

Before entering Parliament in 2024, David led major cyberspace development portfolios across the public and private sectors, co-founded a software engineering company, and held a senior role at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence.

To find out more about him check out his website here: https://www.davidreed.uk/

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This week, our host Jonny Ball catches up with an old friend, Dr Neil Shastri Hurst MP, who came on the show under very different circumstances in a previous season!

*Warning- we cover the subject of suicide in this episode.  Details on how you can find help are below.

Neil was elected as the Member of Parliament for Solihull West and Shirley in July 2024. Born and raised in South Birmingham, Neil knows the values that make our community strong – hard work, compassion, and a deep sense of service to others.

His parents both worked for the NHS – his mother a nurse, his father a GP – caring for families across our region. Their example of compassion, duty, and public service shaped his values from an early age.

Following in their footsteps, Neil trained as a doctor and went on to serve in the British Army as a Medical Officer, supporting our Armed Forces both at home and overseas.

After leaving the Army, Neil joined the NHS working at a number of hospitals across the West Midlands. His final medical post was with the Major Trauma Service at University Hospitals Birmingham, one of the most advanced trauma centres in the country, delivering world-class care for patients across our region, including here in Solihull West & Shirley.

When a medical condition ended his surgical career, Neil retrained as a barrister, specialising in healthcare law. It was this blend of frontline experience – as a soldier, a surgeon, and a lawyer – that drove Neil to seek public office. He has seen first-hand the impact government and national policy can have on people’s lives – and he wanted to bring real-world experience to Westminster to shape that impact for the better.

He believes that public service is about standing up for what is right – whether that is fighting for better local services, supporting those who serve our country, or ensuring that the next generation has the opportunities it deserves.

Neil’s priority is simple: to listen, to serve, and to deliver for our community.

He brings with him a commitment to integrity, service, and putting people first. As your Member of Parliament, Neil will always stand up for Solihull West & Shirley – and for the country he is proud to serve.

• call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans
• https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
• https://giveusashout.org/
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/managing-your-mental-health-as-a-veteran

To sign up to Neil's Resilience Report find the link here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-resilience-report-7386717617627242497/

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In this episode Jonny Ball meets Royal Navy Veteran Andrew Bowie MP.

Andrew grew up in Aberdeenshire spending the first years of his life in Alford, a village within the constituency of West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.  Andrew moved at a young age to the town of Inverurie.

Upon leaving school Andrew joined the Royal Navy in which he served as an officer for 3 years, a career that took him around the world to Brazil, Bahrain, Gibraltar and The Falklands. His duties back home included work for the ceremonial events commemoration team.  Following this Andrew returned to the North East, studying politics and history at the University of Aberdeen.

Andrew began his political career in 2014 when he became the Conservative campaign manager for the North of Scotland, organising the 2014 European Election, the Scottish Independence Referendum and 2015 General Election.  Andrew then worked for Conservative MEP Ian Duncan as his Parliamentary Assistant and Rural Affairs Policy Adviser.  Andrew was recruited by Liam Kerr MSP following his election to the Scottish Parliament in 2016 where he was Head of Office based in the Scottish Parliament.

In 2017 Andrew was selected as the Conservative and Unionist candidate for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.  Andrew was elected with a total of 24,704 votes, a majority of 7,949.  Andrew became the first Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine since its creation in 1997.

Since June 2017 Andrew has represented the people of West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine as their Member of Parliament in Westminster.  In March 2018 he became the first new Scottish MP and the first of the 2017 intake, to be promoted when he was appointed as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In January 2019 Andrew was promoted to Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister.

In August 2019 Andrew was appointed Vice Chair of the Conservative Party, covering the Union and Youth within the party. Following a snap election in December 2019 Andrew was re-elected by the residents of West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine to represent them once again and was again re-elected in July 2024.

Andrew was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exports in October 2022 until February 2023. That month he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Following the election on the 4th July 2024 Andrew was appointed Shadow Minister for Veterans and Shadow Minister for Energy. Since the election of Kemi Badenoch as Leader of the Conservative Party Andrew has served as Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Shadow Minister for Energy.

There are many way to support our show, including leaving a review or subscribing, becoming a sponsor, or you can give via the links below.

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Note- 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/

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Colonel (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, Games

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Daniel 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)

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Hailing 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-1707920143406

And please share with a friend!  Good luck boys!

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We 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)

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We 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/aboutom

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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.

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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.be

And to follow Kate on X, find her @IronsideKate

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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!

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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.

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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 Minister

Dr 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 politics

Andrew 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 life

Andrew 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 NHS
Scotland: Scotland’s Health on the Web or call 111
Wales: NHS Direct Wales or call 0845 46 47
Northern Ireland: nidirect government services - telephone contact details are available from the website
Samaritans Call 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan.

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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:
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Veterans In Politics- Andrew Selous MP- Former Army Reservist on a day in the life of an MP

Our 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 Andrew

Andrew 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:
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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:
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https://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.

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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 NHS
Scotland: Scotland’s Health on the Web or call 111
Wales: NHS Direct Wales or call 0845 46 47
Northern Ireland: nidirect government services - telephone contact details are available from the website
Samaritans Call 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan.

Support the show

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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/

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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.

Stand Up and Serve Again!

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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:
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Stand Up and Serve Again!

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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 Committee

Richard 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.

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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 Mark

Mark’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

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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 Jason
Jason 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.

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Veterans In Politics- Sir Mike Penning MP- from Guardsman to Minister to Knight of the Realm

It 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.

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Veterans In Politics with Cllr Louise Jones, Veteran Intelligence Corps' Officer, local councillor and parliamentary candidate

Louise 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.

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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.

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Veterans In Politics- Honourable Artillery Company Biz Network Special- with Ed McGuinness and James Clark

Recorded 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)

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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, 20
• Private Anthony Frampton, 20
• Private Daniel Wade, 20,
• Private Christopher Kershaw, 19
• Private Daniel Wilford, 21, all members of the Yorkshire Regiment’s 3rd Battalion 
• Sergeant Nigel Coupe, 33, of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment

Lest we forget.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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Veterans In Politics concludes 2022 with a 'Best of' special, featuring snippets from 24 episodes published across the year

Join 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!

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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/

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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 reserves

We 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.

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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.'

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And Rachel's website is here: Rachel Hopkins MP

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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 Russell

NOTE- this was recorded a short time before Her Majesty The Queen passed away

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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/

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Veterans In Politics- Season 6, Episode 2-Labour Party Conference 2022 Special with Dan Jarvis MP, Salesforce and Labour Friends of the Forces

We 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.uk

Please don't forget to rate this episode and subscribe

Support the show

💳A small donation helps us pay our publishing fees & expenses and enables us to reach even more people by creating the content you love! You can do this for just a few pounds (or contact us about becoming a sponsor by emailing jonny@greatcampaigns.co.uk)

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