Have you got a problem? Are you at the end of your tether? Perhaps you’d like to enlist the help of Michael & Hilary Whitehall? This podcast is your invitation to take a comfy seat in the Whitehall family home and garner their thoughts on everything from workouts to weddings, seaside towns to social media and everything in between. Expect rants, raves, harsh truths and expletives as Hilary & Michael consider your points of view and possibly even help you solve an issue! The Whitehalls are of ...
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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
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Top advisers to our significant political leaders analyse the successes and failures of today's politics, sharing their experiences of working in Whitehall. Kirsty Buchanan worked with Theresa May as PM, and Liz Truss when she was Secretary of State. Frankie Leach advised Jeremy Corbyn when he was Labour Leader. Journalist and broadcaster Calum Macdonald manages their in-tray of talking points, U-turns and crises. From parties in Westminster to the tactics of SpAds, this is your exclusive in ...
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Jo Tanner joins Kirsty and Calum. The conversation discusses the announcement of the general election and the strategy behind it. It explores the mishaps and challenges faced by the Conservative Party, including the timing of the announcement and the optics of the Prime Minister speaking in the rain. The conversation also delves into the potential …
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Inside Whitehall with Liz Truss MP
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Jonathan and James were joined by Liz Truss MP to discuss her recent book 'Ten Years to Save the West'. In a wide ranging interview the former Prime Minister discusses her time in office, her career as a minister and how she fist got involved in politics. Liz describes the time she met Tony Blair in a laundry lift, whether or not she will appear on…
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This weeks life lesson comes not just from Mrs Whitehall... In fact, it comes courtesy of a Mr A Schwarzenegger... Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that may not be suitable for all listeners. Please review Glob…
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Red Flags, Letter Writing & Split Infinitives
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If you were to have a rummage through the Wittering Whitehalls mail bag, you'd find dozens of emails trying to wind Mr Whitehall up about language, grammar and other such things. This week, one of those emails gets through. Plus, relationship red flags and a lovely idea for those who enjoy good old fashioned paper and pen. You can email your questi…
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Analysing Sir Keir Starmer's Six Pledges
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Kirsty Buchanan, former special advisor to Theresa May, and Calum Macdonald discuss the prison system in the UK, and Sir Keir Starmer's six pledges for the next general election. The conversation touches on the challenges of the prison system, the need for a fresh look at remand and recall, and the importance of rehabilitation and reform. It also e…
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LIFE LESSONS: "Always make an extra portion."
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It's always a relief to be able to pull something out of the freezer if you can't be bothered with making dinner. Mrs Whitehall advises just that, based on an email from a DL, but what's Mr Whitehall's take? Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains expl…
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Inside the passing of a Ten Minute Rule Bill
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The Ten Minute Rule Bill,. sometimes abbreviated to 'TMRB', is a way in which Members of Parliament can introduce their own bills. The vast majority of ours laws will pass because the government has put forward and passed legislation but the TMRB offers one avenue MPs can attempt to pass their own. Jonathan takes us through his own experience of pa…
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Worst Pain Homework, Binge Watching & A DL Pilot
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They're back and ready to do it all again! Michael & Hilary are primed with another crop of your fabulous emails and they've got plenty of thoughts to share! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that may not be suitable for all listeners. Plea…
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In this episode, Calum and Kirsty discuss the recent defection of Natalie Elphicke from the Conservative Party to Labour, the appointment of John Swinney as the new First Minister of Scotland, and the issue of antisemitism on university campuses. They highlight the controversy surrounding Elphicke's defection and the potential impact on both partie…
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Would you like to come and see The Wittering Whitehalls LIVE work in progress shows? On May 28th & 29th, you can see Michael & Hilary live at The New Wimbledon Theatre as they work out how on earth The Wittering Whitehalls will work as a live show! Please visit the link below for tickets... https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-wittering-whitehalls-…
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Inside local government with Abi Brown OBE
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With the local elections dominating the news we go inside local government with the former leader of Stoke on Trent City council, Abi Brown. Abi became the face of Stoke for many leading a number of high profile projects such as the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone and, working with local MPs like co-host Jonathan Gullis, secured significant new fund…
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We discuss the local elections in the UK and their implications for the Conservative Party and Rishi Sunak. We consider the impact of immigration on the elections, the performance of Sadiq Khan in the mayoral election in London, the role of personality in local elections, and the support for Rishi Sunak among Conservative councillors. We highlight …
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Local Elections and the £3000 trip to Rwanda
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It's the eve of local elections across England and Wales, and Calum and Kirsty give the rundown on what to expect, and what they really mean. Plus as Humza Yousaf announces his resignation as First Minister, and John Swinney or Kate Forbes tipped to replace him, what comes next in Scotland? And the government announces the first departure of a fail…
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James and Jonathan look behind the scenes in Parliament. What really goes on in the MP's team room? Why was Jonathan smuggled into No10 via 70 Whitehall and what did Theresa May make of James' trainers? Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUKPor James Starkie and Jonathan Gullis MP
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Westminster Gossip, The Bute House Agreement and Rail
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Kirsty's got fresh gossip from all of her swanky Westminster events about the timing of an election; Calum explains why Humza Yousaf might not be First Minister of Scotland for much longer; and will Labour be the Government to finally improve rail services? Support the podcast by becoming a member at: https://plus.acast.com/s/whitehallsources. Host…
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This week the team take a look at the upcoming local elections, the impact of those results on the national picture and Jonathan's new role as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party. Follow and comment on Twitter @WhitehallPodUKPor James Starkie and Jonathan Gullis MP
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Another Tory Scandal, Drunk dogs, ping pong and Liz Truss's book
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We're joined by James Price. The conversation covers various topics including the investigation into Conservative MP Mark Menzies, standards in public life, and the ongoing debate over the Rwanda deportation bill. The hosts and guests discuss the lack of action by the Conservative Party in response to the allegations against Menzies and the need fo…
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LIFE LESSONS: "You CAN teach an old dog new tricks." (with special guest Patricia Hodge!)
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The marvellous Patricia Hodge very kindly stayed a little longer, to assist Mrs Whitehall in a pointed life lesson. Michael has got some homework to do... The Whitehalls will return very soon! Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language a…
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Inside the budget process with Gareth Davies MP
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Jonathan goes inside the budget process with Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury [EST] Gareth Davies MP. Gareth entered Parliament in 2019 after a stellar career in the City and has quickly risen through the ranks, and he's sure to play a big part in the future of the Conservative Party. As EST he plays a key role in the budget process and takes li…
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Godly, Noble & Hilarious (with special guest Patricia Hodge!)
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What a fabulous guest to end the series with! Patricia joins Michael and Hilary on the sofa at Whitehall Towers, to discuss baby names, least favourite destinations and the reasons why people lie about their age. You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult …
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LIFE LESSONS: "If you're doing something illicit, make sure you're wearing a sturdy walking shoe."
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It's one of the more wordy life lessons, but it's a valuable one nonetheless. Also this week, hear Mr Whitehall proven wrong on the pronunciation of a word... SHOCK! Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that may no…
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It's a trademark 45 minutes or so of Wittering from the Whitehalls this week. They end up all over the place, from towel bundles to charades and beyond! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that may not be suitable for all listeners. Please re…
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UK Weapons Supplies to Israel and Four Years of Keir Starmer
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Kirsty and Calum discuss the messaging around sending weapons to Israel after several aid workers - including three British people - were killed by the Israel Defence Forces. Plus, as Sir Keir Starmer rides high in the polls, what else should we remember on his fourth anniversary of becoming Labour leader? Support the podcast by becoming a member a…
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LIFE LESSONS: "Always double and triple check, before you post something!"
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Mrs Whitehall recently had a social media mishap. Do you ever post pictures online? If you do... Be absolutely certain what's in the picture before you post it! Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that may not be …
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Practical Jokes, Craft Projects & Home Videos
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Never mind the fact that 'wittering' is in the title... This week, the Whitehalls get further off track than they've ever been before. Even so, they still find time for some of your fabulous emails. You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that ma…
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How hard is it to be Prime Minister? And Privatisation
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Calum and Kirsty discuss various topics including water companies and privatisation, Angela Rayner and housing questions, and Rishi Sunak's recent interview with William Hague. They also explore the challenges and optimism faced by being Prime Minister, the expectations placed on them, and the reality of being in that position. Support the podcast …
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Despite Mr Whitehall's preference for more 'upmarket' content, as he calls it, sometimes there will be an inevitable slip into the gutter. That said, it's a brave DL (albeit anonymous) who can email in and make a confession like this one. Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail…
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Inside London politics with Gareth Bacon MP
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The Greater London Authority [GLA] is the body that governs London, the capital city of the United Kingdom, and home to 9 million people with a GDP of over £500 billion. The eventual successor to the Greater London Council, it came about to a backdrop of a wider push towards devaluation. To discuss the GLA and wider London politics we were joined b…
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The Wittering Whitehalls is almost always eclectic, but this week is all over the place! Michael addresses his habits around bodily hair, a DL has a story from deep underground and Hilary has some sensible advice on how not to ruin a friendship. You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode cont…
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LIFE LESSONS: "Our worst fears are in anticipation."
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How are you with public speaking? This week, a DL has got a new job (yay!), but may have overstated his ability in this particular arena. Fear not, because Mrs Whitehall has the right advice! Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language an…
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Conservative psychodrama: qu'est ce que? Can the Rwanda Bill make it out of Parliament? Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves gives another pragmatism-first speech: but has she wowed us yet? And is the mounting number of potholes in roads the perfect example of broken Britain? Calum and Kirsty pick apart the biggest political stories from SW1 and beyond.…
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Pronunciation, Funerals & Trooping The Colour
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It's all about light and shade, this game. This week, The Whitehalls have all their usual laughs and rants, plus a more thoughtful email from a young DL with a few things on their mind. You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that may not be suit…
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Inside the Civil Service with Sir David Bell
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They are the people who provide advice to ministers, provide consistency as Government’s change and run departments on a day to day basis. It is impossible to understand how Whitehall works without an understanding of the civil service. We were delighted to be joined by Sir David Bell, former Permanent Secretary of the Department for Education. His…
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LIFE LESSONS: "Warm it, before you whip it in."
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The Wittering Whitehalls is not a podcast awash with double entendre, but it's a phenomenon that will crop up from time to time. Mrs Whitehall considers a food life hack sent in by a DL, whilst Mr Whitehall misbehaves. Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode co…
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The centre of government has failed successive prime ministers. That's according to the Institute for Government think tank, which outlines 7 recommendations for "radical reform" to make our government function better. Programme Director Alex Thomas joins Calum and Kirsty to discuss why the Cabinet Office needs to dissolve, and why Number 10 should…
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The Journey to Whitehall: how our James Starkie ended up inside Whitehall
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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.…
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Health & Safety, Fancy Shoes & "Where Do Babies Come From?"
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Good luck to anybody having to answer the "where do babies come from" question. It can be a tough one! Also this week, Rob, the health & safety officer DL and a classic story featuring (but not limited to) the ever-present Nigel Havers. You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains expl…
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Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan and Chris Ward discuss the budget. Kirsty was a Special Adviser to Theresa May and Chris was an adviser to Sir Keir Starmer, working on several budgets with the Labour leader. The conversation discusses the recent budget and its implications. It explores the lack of impact and ill feeling within the Conservative Par…
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LIFE LESSONS: "Everything Frittata..."
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Hands up if the episodes with recipes make you hungry! Mrs Whitehall has another budget busting recipe this week, with a few meanders, avenues and alleyways thrown in by Mr Whitehall. Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult …
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Inside the print and online lobby, with Pippa Crerar
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Pippa Crerar has reported on all there is to in politics, general elections, referendums as well as breaking some of the biggest stories over the past decade. Pippa also covered London for almost a decade, throughout Boris Johnson’s time as mayor, for the London Evening Standard. Pippa is now the Political Editor of the Guardian newspaper, having m…
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Step Counting, Incense & Bluetooth Mishaps
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This week, Hilary managed to persuade Michael into wearing her smartwatch, in order to count his steps. Find out what happened next... Plus, burning incense and accidentally connecting to a bluetooth speaker! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult them…
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LIFE LESSONS: "It's often easier to pull than to push."
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Hilary & Michael tackle your traditional midweek query and offer some (occasionally) sage advice. Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that may not be suitable for all listeners. Please review Global's Privacy Poli…
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We're joined by Director of the Project on Center-Left Renewal at the Progressive Policy Institute Claire Ainsley, who was policy director to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, to debrief on a chaotic week in Westminster and look ahead to what might come next. Did the last seven days descend into a worst case scenario for the Labour Party, or will the…
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There are few buildings as iconic as the Houses of Parliament. A UNESCO world heritage site, the Gothic style building is around 150 years and for many is the image that comes to mind with even the mention of the word Parliament. Parliament is home to the UK legislature, both the House of Commons and House of Lords with around 3, 000 people support…
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Sexist Remarks, Solving A Mystery & Dating In DC
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This week, a DL is compelled to write in her kind thoughts on a previous DL's email and there's a 40 year old mystery to solve, involving a lamp post in Newcastle and a whip... Plus, dating and ghosting in Washington DC. You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language an…
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LIFE LESSONS: "Sit down and shut the f*** up."
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Mr Whitehall quite effectively distills the life lesson down this week, into one easily remembered phrase. So, what should you do Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that may not be suitable for all listeners. Ple…
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Kemi Badenoch vs The Post Office and Ceasefire Vote
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This conversation covers the Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch's denial that the former Chairman of the Post Office had been instructed to stall payments in order to allow the government to "limp" into the next General Election, the potential for tax cuts being announced at the budget in March and what they mean for us. MPs are also debating a motio…
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By Elections, Scottish Labour Conference
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The conversation covers the Scottish Labour Party Conference, the performance of Scottish Labour, the recent by-election results, Labour's Green Prosperity Plan, Labour's relationship with business, Labour's economic challenges, the recession and the Conservative government, Reform UK and the Conservative strategy, and Labour's presidential electio…
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American Tourists, Celebrity Products & Retro Toys (with special guests Woody Harrelson & Laura Louie!)
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Well, this is a bit of a surprise... A mid-series appearance from a pair of BIG guests! Woody Harrelson and his lovely wife Laura join Michael and Hilary for this weeks wittering! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that may not be suitable f…
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LIFE LESSONS: "Join The National Trust... For Uncle Neil."
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It's always nice to get Neil on the phone and that's exactly what's happening this week. As it turns out, he's uniquely qualified to answer this weeks email! Make sure you're subscribed! You can email your questions, thoughts or problems to TheWitteringWhitehalls@gmail.com This episode contains explicit language and adult themes that may not be sui…
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