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How To Win An Election

How To Tell Who's Really In Charge

Feb 4, 2025
Theo Bertram, a former Downing Street advisor to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, brings a wealth of political insight. He discusses the elusive nature of power within Keir Starmer's government and whether the chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, is truly in charge. The conversation highlights the challenges of political communication and media narratives, revealing how they shape perceptions and rivalries. They also analyze recent polling trends and voter sentiments toward Labour 2024, emphasizing the balance between principled leadership and the need for inspiration.
38:22

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Effective preparation for Prime Minister's Questions necessitates anticipating opposing arguments to avoid significant political embarrassment.
  • Current polling trends highlight rising smaller parties, urging major political entities to reevaluate their strategies and maintain public support.

Deep dives

The Importance of Anticipating Opposition

Preparing for Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) requires a keen understanding of the opposition's likely responses to questions asked by government officials. Anticipating the logic behind opposing arguments is crucial; failing to do so can result in significant embarrassment for the government. For instance, during their engagements, team members would study political rivals closely to predict their attacks effectively. The capacity to foresee counterarguments can often determine the success or failure of political discourse, making this preparation an essential aspect of governmental strategy.

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