Tory Radio

In the latest in our series on gambling we speak to David Williams, Director of Public Affairs at the Rank Group.

We took the opportunity to talk to former lobbyist, pollster and founder of ComRes Andrew Hawkins.

We obviously touched upon the state of play in UK politics, from Brexit onwards and the Hartlepool by election, and what this could mean for the Labour party before moving on to looking at his recently launched "Democracy Three" platform which his to democratise the lobbying process in the UK.

Worth a listen for anyone with an interest in politics, policy and campaigning.

In a wide ranging interview with the Member of Parliament for North West Leicestershire we cover a wide range of topics including-

• Brexit;
• Covid;
• Social Media and echo chambers'
• Cancel Culture;
• Gambling and the Gambling Commission;
• HS2,

plus much more. 

Today (17th December) we took the opportunity to speak to former Labour Member of Parliament, and current CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, Michael Dugher.

For anyone with an interest in the Gambling and Gaming sector, this has to be a must listen interview with the man in charge of representing many of the operators in this sector, at a time with the Government has called for evidence as they review the Gambling Act.

We touched upon a variety of subjects, from what he sees as his biggest achievement having been in post for around one year; Parliaments current approach to gambling; whether the review into gambling is something to be welcomed; why the move to increase the age limit to 18 for playing on the national lottery is a good thing, and whether gambling operators are up for the challenge of addressing the concerns Parliament may have about the sector.

We took the opportunity to talk to Gardeners World Presenter, multi gold medal winning Chelsea designer, and all round great guy, Adam Frost.

We initially focussed on our joint submission to the DCMS committee which looked into garden tourism, before moving only issues including peat, the benefits of gardening in terms of health, and of course the huge issue of plant health.

Adam took time to talk through his current plans for his garden which will be at this years Chelsea Flower show, before we touched upon me and my hollyhock attempt. Some really big issues for industry and Government to think about in the months ahead, put superbly by one of the nicest people in horticulture. 

In a lengthy interview we spoke to former Minister at DCMS about the issue of gambling. We covered why the push to cut stakes on FOBTs came about and why the delay in implementing a stake change meant she felt she had to resign.

We talked about the issue of gambling advertising on Television and whether its necessary in order to fund sports, and whether the age at which people can gable, including the lottery and scratch cards needs to rise to 18.

The issue of future regulation was touched on as was what timescale this may take, and what industry could do to work with Government. We finally looked at whether the former Minister was ready to return to the front benches in what is likely to be an imminent reshuffle.

In the second in our series of podcasts looking at gambling we talk to Sir Iain Duncan Smith.

We started off talking about his recent General Election result, fighting the failed decapitation attempt of about and Momentum to take his seat before moving onto gambling and what the future might hold for the sector.

In a wide ranging interview ranging from issues with FOBTs, gambling advertising and whether focus needs to be places on the availability of scratch cards Sir Iain is gives his views as to what he thinks needs to be done to ensure gambling can remain a legitimate leisure pursuit in the UK.

With the issue of gambling in the headlines once more we took the opportunity to talk to the Chairman (previously and possibly once agin following the elections to the post) of the Digital Culture Media and Sports Select Committee. Our discussion ranged from changes to stakes on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, to whether closing high street bookies increase the possibility for problem gambling online. We discussed the issue of scratch cards and the fact that children are allowed to gamble in the UK, and whether the National Lottery gets an easy ride as it raises money for good causes, in spite of the fact that around only 10% of scratch card profits go to these good causes.

We discuss the relationship betting has both with sport in general and that of racing.

We touch upon the recent announcement of banning credit card transactions and what impact that ay have, whether future legislation or indeed a select committee inquiry may be in the offing, and what advice would be on offer to someone in charge of a gambling company should they ask.

In this interview conducted in a bustling hallway off Central Lobby I revisited a political opponent from 15 years ago. Then he was John Mann MP. Now he is Government Adviser on antisemitism Lord Mann of Holbeck Moor.  John was his usual forthright self, being hugely criticism of the cult of Corbynism at the heart of the Labour party and what that meant for the rise of antisemitism in the country. He gives his analysis of how Labour's stance on Brexit led to the party being punished in their former heartlands, and gives his opinions on some of the current leadership contenders.

We discuss the increase in a lack of tolerance in politics and political debate, and how we should all be able to engage in strong and robust debate without resorting to personal attacks - which in recent years have led to physical threats to MPs, their families and their staff.

In a message to Boris and Dominic Cummings, John tells them, to hold onto their newly won seats, it's all about football, not potholes, and building kiddies playgrounds. Intrigued? Listen to what Lord Mann has to say.

A look back at our interview with then ConservativeHome founder and now current Government Adviser Tim Montgomerie.

A Tory radio interview with Matthew Elliott while at the Taxpayers Alliance... the man who would later lead the NotoAV campaign and of course Vote Leave.

Interview with Francis Maude from the 2007 Conservative Party Conference

Looking back to some of our archive material we thought we should turn to one time party leader Iain Duncan Smith. 

A look back at when Tory Radio took the opportunity to question the Party Chairman on the events of the day.

A look back at when Tory Radio took the opportunity to question the Party Chairman on the events of the day.

A look back at when Tory Radio took the opportunity to question the Party Chairman on the events of the day.

A look back at when Tory Radio took the opportunity to question the Party Chairman on the events of the day.

A look back at when Tory Radio took the opportunity to question the Party Chairman on the events of the day.

A look back at when Tory Radio took the opportunity to question the Party Chairman on the events of the day.

A look back at when Tory Radio took the opportunity to question the Party Chairman on the events of the day.

A look back at when Tory Radio took the opportunity to question the Party Chairman on the events of the day.

We've been away a while.. but we ae coming back bigger and better than ever before.