Episode 15

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Published on:

5th Jun 2023

What is a Parliamentary Private Secretary?: Part 1

This week the gang are joined by Mark Fletcher, current PPS to the Chancellor, and Alex Davies-Jones, who is the current shadow minister for Digital but has previously been PPS for Rachel Reeves.

Mark and Alex help take us inside the world of the Parliament Private Secretary, Ministerial aids who are unpaid but have an influential role in how parliament and indeed government is run.

Follow and comment on Twitter: @WhitehallPodUK

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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.