Episode 13

full
Published on:

11th Mar 2024

The Journey to Whitehall: how our James Starkie ended up inside Whitehall

The first episode of our podcast was Jonathan's journey to becoming an MP, here he gets to turn the tables on James and grill him about how he ended up inside Whitehall.

From Baghdad to the bright lights of Westminster, hear how James ended up working on the Vote Leave campaign and onto his time as Special Advisor with Michael Gove and Priti Patel.

Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUK

Show artwork for Inside Whitehall

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

Profile picture for James Starkie
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

Profile picture for Jonathan Gullis
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.