Acting Prime Minister
ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand offers the hypothetical keys to Number 10 to a guest and asks them: What would you do now?
Thu, May 13, 2021
LGBT+ campaigner Jayne Ozanne on surviving conversion therapy and getting it banned
Acting Prime Minister this week is LGBT+ campaigner Jayne Ozanne. The former government adviser opened up about what it was like to go through years of conversion therapy. From exorcisms to hospitalisation and even thoughts of suicide, Jayne explains why she hasn't stopped campaigning to get it banned. Ms Ozanne also tells podcast host Paul Brand why the government needs to do more to stop spiritual abuse and address the dark side of religion. You can get all episodes of Acting Prime Minister in audio format wherever you get your podcasts!
Thu, April 22, 2021
Labour is 'turning around the tanker', says frontbencher Rachel Reeves
Acting Prime Minister this week is Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rachel Reeves. The frontbencher, who's been leading Labour's charge against Tory lobbying, admits her party would not get a majority if there was an election tomorrow. She explains what Labour needs to do to get in front and why she thinks her party is still behind the Tories. Ms Reeves also tells podcast host Paul Brand how she was inspired to enter politics, her route to the frontbench, her return to the backbench under Jeremy Corbyn and her revival under Keir Starmer. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!
Thu, March 25, 2021
Pimlico Plumbers boss Charlie Mullins on vaccine passports, sacking half the cabinet and marrying Margaret Thatcher
Pimlico Plumbers owner Charlie Mullins is this week's Acting Prime Minister. He talks to podcast host Paul Brand about why he wants vaccine passports, who he'd sack from the cabinet and why he wants young people to rediscover apprenticeships. He also speaks about his admiration for Margaret Thatcher and why her leadership helped inspire him to become the owner of London's largest independent plumbing company. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars.
Thu, March 11, 2021
Who is Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds?
Labour's Nick Thomas-Symonds is this week's Acting Prime Minister. He talks to podcast host Paul Brand about how early conversations with his grandma first inspired him to get into politics. He also speaks about his desire to emulate the ambitions of his political heroes Aneurin Bevan, Clement Attlee and Michael Foot. Labour'r rising star also talks about aiming to become the next home secretary. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars.
Wed, February 24, 2021
'I'd fire all the men': Amber Rudd on why she'd have an all female Cabinet
Former home secretary Amber Rudd is Acting Prime Minister in this week's podcast episode. She tells host Paul Brand why she thinks the government should not proceed with instating a 'free speech champion'. Why she's sad about the way the Tory Party has changed since she left, and why she'd fire all the men in government and have an all female Cabinet. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars.
Wed, February 10, 2021
It's A Sin's Jill Nalder on what losing friends to AIDS in the 80s was really like
Jill Nalder, the real-life inspiration for character Jill on hit TV show It's A Sin, has opened up to the Acting Prime Minister podcast about what it was really like losing up to 10 friends to AIDS friends to in the 1980s. Ms Nalder was also asked how she thinks Prime Minister Boris Johnson would have handled the Aids epidemic compared to former Tory PM Margaret Thatcher. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!
Wed, January 27, 2021
Bim Afolami on why taking the knee is 'virtue signalling'
Acting Prime Minister this is Bim Afolami, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Work and Pensions Secretary. In a wide ranging interview, podcast host Paul Brand and Bim discuss the Black Lives Matter movement, the coronavirus pandemic, how to improve Universal Credit and how Donald Trump 'trashed' democracy. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!
Tue, January 12, 2021
MP Tracey Crouch on battling cancer during Covid pandemic and why she’s coming off Twitter
Former minister Tracey Crouch opens up to the Acting Prime Minister podcast about what it's been like having cancer treatment during the coronavirus pandemic. She also chats to podcast host Paul Brand about why elite sports should be allowed during lockdown, why she's coming off Twitter and much more. You can listen to, and watch, new episodes of the Acting Prime Minister podcast each week - find us on all podcast platforms. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars.
Thu, December 10, 2020
Lisa Nandy on Brexit regrets and Labour’s red wall woes
Labour's shadow foreign secretary is the latest guest on Acting Prime Minister. The former leadership contender talks to us about Jeremy Corbyn, Keir Starmer, Brexit and what went wrong at the 2019 general election. You can listen to episodes on the podcast on all good platforms. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!
Fri, December 04, 2020
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross on keeping Scotland in the UK and his love for Atomic Kitten
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross on keeping Scotland in the UK and his love for Atomic Kitten. Acting Prime Minster this week is Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross. He chats to us about why positivity is key for uniting the union, how judging cattle helps him keep in touch with his farming background and why he loves Atomic Kitten. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!
Fri, November 27, 2020
Rory Stewart: 'Covid could spell the end of Boris Johnson's premiership'
Former prime ministerial candidate Rory Stewart has said the coronavirus pandemic could cost Boris Johnson his premiership, because grasping detail is his "greatest weakness". He also chats to podcast host about uniting the UK, cutting the foreign aid budget, and reveals whether he would return to British politics. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!
Fri, November 20, 2020
Louise Haigh on Jeremy Corbyn’s 'appalling' behaviour and uniting the union
Louise Haigh on Jeremy Corbyn’s 'appalling' behaviour and uniting the union Acting Prime Minister this week is Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Louise Haigh. She chats to us about her regret over nominating Jeremy Corbyn to be leader, how he compares with Keir Starmer and how she would ensure the United Kingdom stays together. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!
Thu, November 12, 2020
Laurence Fox has started a political party - here's what he'd do if he became PM
Actor Laurence Fox is launching his own political movement - the Reclaim Party - so what would he do if he was actually in power? He tells the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister why he's launched the party and what he wants to achieve. The actor-turned-politician, who has sparked controversy with some of his comments, talks to ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand through his journey from school, to starring in TV drama series Lewis, to his infamous Question Time appearance and becoming a free-speech advocate. He's asked whether he'd congratulate Joe Biden on winning the US election, what he'd do to save the UK economy from coronavirus - and whether he'd be prepared to press the nuclear button.
Thu, November 12, 2020
Laurence Fox has started a political party - here's what he'd do if he became PM
Actor Laurence Fox is launching his own political movement - the Reclaim Party - so what would he do if he was actually in power? He tells the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister why he's launched the party and what he wants to achieve. The actor-turned-politician, who has sparked controversy with some of his comments, talks to ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand through his journey from school, to starring in TV drama series Lewis, to his infamous Question Time appearance and becoming a free-speech advocate. He's asked whether he'd congratulate Joe Biden on winning the US election, what he'd do to save the UK economy from coronavirus - and whether he'd be prepared to press the nuclear button.
Fri, October 23, 2020
Get to know Lib Dem leader Ed Davey: His thoughts on Covid, care and fixing the party
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey is the latest guest on Acting Prime Minister. The MP speaks to us about his life as a carer, first for his mum, then his grandmother, then his young son. He also talks about his task as Lib Dem leader, to win seats in the next general election and to restore the party's reputation. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!
Wed, October 14, 2020
Tory MP Caroline Nokes on Boris Johnson's potential 'regret' and how it felt being sacked
This week's Acting Prime Minister guest is Caroline Nokes. The former minister tells the podcast she believes Boris Johnson may live to regret his decision to ignore scientific advice on a circuit breaker lockdown. She also explains what made her a Tory and what it was like to learn on Twitter how the prime minister had sacked her from government. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!
Wed, October 07, 2020
Tory MP Steve Baker attacks lockdown and admits Brexit divided Britain
This week's guest on Acting Prime Minister is Steve Baker. The Brexit-supporting Tory MP speaks to Paul Brand about coronavirus, Boris Johnson and much more. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!
Wed, September 30, 2020
Prue Leith on coronavirus, politics, death, and filming Bake Off in lockdown
This week's guest is Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith. In a wide ranging interview, Prue spoke about her political persuasion, how she wished she'd gone into politics herself and the laws she would change if she had the chance. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!
Fri, September 25, 2020
Who is Anneliese Dodds? Shadow chancellor on coronavirus, Starmer and house music
This week's guest is the Labour's shadow chancellor, Anneliese Dodds. She spoke to Paul about the economy, Labour's new leadership and dealing with the coronavirus crisis while being a mother to two children. All episodes of Acting Prime Minister are also available to audio-only on any podcast platform. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!
Thu, September 17, 2020
Mark Drakeford on dealing with Boris Johnson's government during coronavirus crisis
This week's guest is the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford. He spoke to Paul about dealing with the coronavirus crisis, how its raised his profile and how it's given some in Westminster a crash course in devolution. He also reveals how 'frustrating' it's been dealing with Boris Johnson's government during the pandemic. All episodes of Acting Prime Minister are also available to audio-only on any podcast platform. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!
Wed, September 09, 2020
Diane Abbott speaks candidly about 'frightening' abuse she receives
This week's guest on Acting Prime Minister is former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott. The representative for Hackney North, who was the first black woman to be elected an MP, opens up to podcast presenter Paul Brand about how it feels to be on the receiving end of harsh social media abuse. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars.
Wed, September 02, 2020
Jeremy Hunt critiques government's coronavirus response and offers solution to pandemic
🚨The Acting Prime Minister podcast is back🚨 Paul Brand's guest this week is former health secretary Jeremy Hunt. The former health secretary criticises the number of government U-turns and offers his solution to the coronavirus pandemic. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!
Wed, March 18, 2020
MP reveals what it's like to self-isolate with coronavirus symptoms
An MP self-isolating over coronavirus has revealed to the Acting Prime Minister podcast what it's like to be in quarantine with Covid-19 symptoms.William Wragg, one of several MPs self-isolating over fears of spreading the deadly virus, told podcast host Paul Brand the worst symptom he's experiencing is "night sweats".Listen to the full episode to find out what it's like to be in self-isolation, and of course, we ask him all the usual Acting Prime Minister questions.
Wed, March 11, 2020
Stab victim turned champion boxer on how the government can stop knife crime
A British champion boxer - who was stabbed as a teenager - has revealed to ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister how he thinks the government could tackle knife crime.Richard Riakporhe, who says he'd been mixing with the "wrong" people when he was...
Wed, March 04, 2020
Nadia Whittome on being Britain's youngest MP
Nadia Whittome talks about the "whirlwind" that saw her elected as a 23-year-old MP, just weeks after failing to secure a temporary Christmas job.
Mon, February 24, 2020
Labour deputy leadership candidate Angela Rayner on her 'traumatic' childhood
In a rare, revealing and candid long-length interview, Labour deputy leadership candidate Angela Rayner opens up on a wide range of topics.
Wed, February 19, 2020
Ken Clarke says Dominic Cummings should 'vanish' and warns BBC needs protecting
Veteran Tory Ken Clarke opens up to Paul Brand on a wide range of subjects, including the BBC, Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings.
Wed, February 12, 2020
'I'd invite everyone to Downing Street for a drink': What comedian Andy Parsons would do as PM
In this week's episode, we're joined by political satirist Andy Parsons - a panellist on Have I Got News for You and Mock The Week who is currently touring the country with his show "Healing the Nation". He tells ITV News Political Correspondent Paul...
Wed, February 05, 2020
Layla Moran brands Jo Swinson's election campaign 'arrogant' as she considers Lib Dem leadership bid
Ms Moran also spoke about her decision to come out as pansexual, which Cabinet ministers she'd kick out, and her unusual upbringing.
Wed, January 29, 2020
Sir Keir Starmer on Brexit, his job, and the rare illness that left his mum unable to walk, talk or eat
The Europhile MP also spoke about his role as shadow Brexit secretary, how he'll mark the UK leaving the EU and where he'll take the Labour Party if he becomes its leader.
Wed, January 22, 2020
Tory MP Michael Fabricant on Donald Trump, the Royals and having famous hair
Veteran Tory MP is one of Parliament's most colourful politicians, with his life's journey and personality perfectly matching his eccentric style.
Wed, January 15, 2020
The 26-year-old new Tory MP on making Farage a lord and why she'd put Taylor Swift in the Cabinet
In this episode, Paul Brand speaks to Tory politician Dehenna Davison, who was recently elected MP for Bishop Auckland. She explains why she would give Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage a peerage, why she thinks Taylor Swift would make a good cabinet...
Wed, January 08, 2020
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan on her crowdfunding mum, a 'Ministry of Fabulosity', and dissecting Labour's election defeat
British politics is chock-full of stories of people overcoming adversity in an effort to make things better for others. But few will compare to the journey taken by Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour MP for Tooting and newly-declared hopeful for deputy leader. From grade-A student to school drop-out, she crowdfunded her way into Cambridge to study medicine and worked as a junior doctor on the A&E frontline before being elected an MP.
Thu, October 24, 2019
Naz Shah on her 'pain' at suing Labour, visiting her mum in prison and how police saved her from a forced marriage
Some paths into politics are remarkable but latest Acting Prime Minister Naz Shah's is truly extraordinary.The future Labour MP's father left home when she was six before her mother was jailed for killing her abusive partner, leaving Naz to bring up her...
Thu, October 17, 2019
David Mundell on coming out, being sacked by PM and meeting 'orange' Donald Trump
British politics can be a brutal business.Within hours of being sacked by Boris Johnson from the Cabinet, David Mundell's belongings were outside the Commons office he had held as Scottish secretary since 2015.Now the big grey crates sit, still unpacked...
Thu, October 10, 2019
Rosie Duffield overwhelmed by 'heartbreaking' responses to domestic abuse speech
The latest guest to take power in the new series of the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister is Rosie Duffield. The Labour MP told Paul Brand she has been overwhelmed with "heartbreaking" emails after an emotional speech she gave during a Domestic Abu...
Thu, September 19, 2019
Caroline Lucas on updating Parliament, Britain's nuclear 'shame' and what stops her going vegan
The latest guest to take power in the new series of the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister is former Green Party leader and co-leader Caroline Lucas.The MP for Brighton Pavilion had some strong words to say, including on Brexit as she criticised the...
Thu, September 12, 2019
Emma Lewell-Buck on accents, dyspraxia and siding with the Brexit Party over the Lib Dems
The latest guest to take power in the new series of the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister is Emma Lewell-Buck.The Labour MP for South Shields was unafraid of speaking out in the conversation with ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand -...
Fri, September 06, 2019
Chuka Umunna on his election bid, the reason Change UK failed and why he now feels 'liberated'
The latest guest to take power in the new series of the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister is Chuka Umunna.The pro-Remainer has had a whirlwind year after leaving Labour as a leading part of the independent breakaway before ditching Change UK for...
Thu, August 29, 2019
Mark Francois on losing his dad, his pre-Brexit epiphany and his controversial cut-throat gesture
The first guest to take power in the new series of the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister is ERG deputy chair Mark Francois.Speaking to ITV News Correspondent Paul Brand, the backbench rebel opened up about losing his father at 14, his unlikely...
Tue, July 16, 2019
Anna Soubry opens up on pain of Chuka Umunna's split and why Boris Johnson 'isn't fit to clean the loos'
Anna Soubry has revealed how Chuka Umunna refused demands to be leader of Change UK before leaving her pained by quitting the fledgling party without a phonecall.Speaking to ITV News Correspondent Paul Brand for his Acting Prime Minister podcast, she de...
Wed, July 10, 2019
Tory MP Nicky Morgan on Boris Johnson, the UK ambassador to the US and her surprising Cabinet addition
Conservative MP Nicky Morgan has taken a swipe at the man likely to be the next prime minister, claiming Boris Johnson should have backed up the UK's ambassador to the US after emails in which he criticised Donald Trump were leaked.After it was revealed...
Wed, July 03, 2019
Labour's Stella Creasy overhauls 'Hogwarts gone wrong' Parliament and ditches manifestos
"I wouldn't have a manifesto, I'd have a set of five ambitions because you can't do everything."Stella Creasy's plan for power is certainly more radical than most who have been offered the hypothetical keys to Number 10 by ITV News.The Labour MP spoke...
Wed, June 26, 2019
Labour's Angela Eagle fears things are getting worse for LGBT people
Ms Eagle was the first openly gay female MP when she came out in 1997. On Tuesday, she appeared close to tears as she challenged those protesting against LGBT equality teaching, insisting: “We aren’t going to get back in the closet.”She tells Paul she...
Fri, June 07, 2019
Andrea Leadsom: I'm absolutely sure I've got enough MPs to get through to first round of Tory leadership race
Paul Brand speaks to Andrea Leadsom about her bid to become Tory leader.
Wed, May 29, 2019
Prime ministerial hopeful Dominic Raab on why he is not a feminist and how he was 'undermined' as Brexit secretary
Dominic Raab regards himself as the "underdog" in the race to become the next Conservative Party leader, and also the country's next PM.
Wed, May 22, 2019
'I wake up to death threats': TOWIE's Bobby Norris reveals abuse as he campaigns to make online homophobia a crime
The reality TV star on his petition to make online homophobia a crime, and why he'd be the first prime minister to 'rock skinny jeans'.
Wed, May 15, 2019
Pastor Lorraine Jones, who lost her son to knife crime, on what she'd do to save other lives if she was PM
The pastor, who lost her son to knife crime, on turning her 'pain into power' and what she'd do to save other lives if she was PM
Tue, April 30, 2019
Labour's Jess Phillips says party will get 'drubbing' at European elections if they don't offer second referendum
The Labour MP on how she thinks her party will fare in May's European elections - and why she'd sack John McDonnell from her shadow cabinet.
Sat, April 13, 2019
David Lammy justifies comparing Tory Brexiters to Nazis and defends Comic Relief 'white saviours' criticism
The Labour MP on his vision for Britain - and defending his controversial comments about the ERG and Comic Relief.
Sun, April 07, 2019
Special live episode: Justine Greening on whether she'd run for PM and why Cabinet are 'woeful' over Brexit
Former Conservative Cabinet minister Justine Greening joins Paul Brand for this special live edition of the podcast.
Thu, March 28, 2019
Jacob Rees-Mogg backs Boris Johnson while outlining his own vision for the nation
We give the leading Brexiter the fantasy keys to Number 10 and ask him: What would you do?
Mon, March 18, 2019
Hannah Deacon on how her campaign to get medicinal cannabis for her son would define what she'd do as PM
Hannah Deacon was thrown into politics not by choice but by necessity, campaigning for her son Alfie Dingley to get life-changing drugs.
Mon, March 11, 2019
Why Ben Fogle would scrap exams and reintroduce national service if he was prime minister
Ben Fogle reveals a mix of political views as he tells Paul Brand what he'd do if he were prime minister.
Mon, March 04, 2019
Independent Group MP Heidi Allen: I'd want Nick Clegg in my fantasy cabinet but I'm too emotional to be prime minister
The MP, who defected from the Conservatives to join the Independent Group in February, says more Tories are keen to defect to the group - and reveals why she would have the former deputy prime minister in her fantasy cabinet.
Mon, February 25, 2019
Ben Bradley on ending the obsession with exam success, getting kicked out of school and forgiving his digital past
In this episode, we send Ben Bradley MP into Downing Street. A former vice chair of the Conservative Party, Ben is one of the youngest members of parliament. Elected in 2017 aged 27, he's managed to rack up a fair bit of controversy in that time, from his comments about sterilising those on benefits, to resigning over Brexit.
Tue, February 19, 2019
Labour's Sarah Champion on what she would make illegal, dating as an MP and the pet she would take to Downing Street
In this first episode, ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand is joined by Sarah Champion, the Labour MP for Rotherham and former Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities.
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