Episode 8

full
Published on:

29th Jan 2024

Inside Parliament's petitions committee, with Cat Smith MP

Labour MP Cath Smith takes us inside the petitions committee. This is a part of Parliament that the public get to play a direct role in. The petitions committee is a function of Parliament that perhaps has the most obvious direct public engagement and receives thousands, even hundred of thousands, of signatures from members of the public every week. 

So what is the petitions committee and what does it do? Join us to find out.

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About the Podcast

Inside Whitehall
Inside Whitehall demystifies many of the aspects we hear and read about in politics coverage every day. What really happens inside a Cabinet meeting? How is legislation made? What are Special Advisors?

Hosted by former Special Advisor James Starkie, and current MP Jonathan Gullis, Inside Whitehall interviews people across the political divide and beyond to provide a unique perspective on modern British Politics.

Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK

About your hosts

James Starkie

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Co-host James Starkie previously served as a senior political adviser to Secretaries of State including Michael Gove, Dominic Raab and Priti Patel as well as working on the EU Referendum and two General Election campaigns.

James is a Founding Partner at 5654 & Co, a corporate communications agency. You can find out more about 5654 & Co at www.5654.co.uk. James is also an advisory board member at the Centre for Progressive Change and runs the www.notimetowait.co.uk mental health campaign.

Jonathan Gullis

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Co-host Jonathan Gullis is the current Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove & Talke.

During his time in Parliament, Jonathan has been a member of the Education Select Committee, Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the Minister for School Standards.

Before entering Parliament, Jonathan was a secondary school teacher, Head of Year, and trade union representative for the NASUWT.