Our very own Ryan Henson and CGP Future Leader Alumnus Stewart Harper host Political Journeys — a podcast exploring the paths political candidates take to enter Parliament. Started in the run-up to the 2024 General Election, the series features conversations with journalists, campaigners, candidates and Members of Parliament, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, opportunities and personal stories that shape a political journey.
Once you start in politics it's very difficult to stop. With Stewart Harper
Sophie Malby interviews Stewart Harper, who recounts his political journey and analyzes the components of successful political parties, highlighting the necessity of policy renewal.
14 May 2025
Leaders need to be not just competent, but courageous. With Lawrence Newport
In the penultimate episode of Season 2, Ryan and Stewart speak with Dr Lawrence Newport about his success on the XL Bully campaign and his new venture, Looking for Growth.
Lawrence's political journey differs from those of our other guests; with no desire to enter Parliament he is instead committed to holding policymakers to account.
They discuss what is holding back change from within government, the need for policies that can withstand macro events, as well as the importance of political courage.
30 Apr 2025
Don't be what you think they want you to be. With Nic Puntis
In this week's episode, Ryan and Stewart chat to Nic Puntis, Conservative Party spokesman for the Chippenham Parliamentary Constituency. Nic tells his story of his route into politics and his reasons for standing to be an MP. They discuss the benefits of being a local candidate, rooted in the community, and the impact this name and face recognition has on campaigning.
16 Apr 2025
You are capable, You have agency, You can make things better. With James Clark
In this week’s episode, amidst the audible Farmers’ Protests, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper speak with James Clark, 2024 Conservative candidate for Great Yarmouth, about fighting back from personal lows, effecting change in the community, and the surprising lessons of life in the military. James makes a compelling case for taking responsibility and resisting complacency, across personal, local and governmental issues.
2 Apr 2025
A Legacy I Can Be Proud Of. With Jane MacBean
In this week's episode, while missing our co-host Stewart Harper, Ryan Henson speaks with Jane MacBean about her path to becoming a councillor, the importance of staying motivated and resilient during campaigning, and her desire to make legislation fit for purpose. Jane shares her thoughts on the differences between local and national campaigning, and the need to pace yourself during the busy periods. They discuss balance, vulnerability, and how to support and uplift other candidates at the same time.
19 Mar 2025
You can, in one day, change the course of history in this place. With Mario Creatura
This week, while missing our co-host Stewart Harper, Ryan Henson speaks with Mario Creatura - former and first ever Digital Special Adviser to 10 Downing Street - about his journey through the tough days of Downing Street. From advising PM Theresa May during Brexit to running for Parliament in 2019, Mario shares what it takes to succeed in high-pressure environments. They discuss resilience, imposter syndrome, and breaking through systemic barriers of opportunity for the next generation.
5 Mar 2025
You Need to Know What it Means to Real People. With Jack Sellers
In this week's episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper are joined by Jack Sellers, Director at Blakeney and former Special Adviser to Rishi Sunak. We discuss Jack's background and how that has shaped his perspective on politics, and enabled him to be a successful special adviser.
We hear about the pace of life in politics, the importance of communications to campaigning and governing, and how difficult it is to work against a prevailing narrative.
19 Feb 2025
The Best Part of Campaigning is When You Head Out Onto the Doorsteps. With Jamila Robertson and Frances Lasok
In this week’s episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper are joined by Jamila Robertson, Entrepreneur and Broadcaster and Frances Lasok, 2024 Conservative Candidate for Newcastle Central and West and former campaign manager, to discuss the challenges of running for office in snap general elections and being young Conservatives. They explore how Conservative values translate into policy, the importance of cross-party dialogue in an increasingly polarised political climate, and why greater civic education is needed.
6 Feb 2025
Development in the Pre-War Era. With The Rt Hon Grant Shapps
In this week's episode, recorded from a live event at RUSI, former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps joins Ryan Henson, to discuss the Coalition for Global Prosperity’s latest report Development in the Pre-War Era. Shapps, who wrote the foreword for the report, highlights the urgent need for Britain to play an active role in global security and development. Revisiting his Lancaster House speech from a year ago, warning that the world is shifting from a post-war era to a pre-war era - not because conflict is inevitable, but because failure to invest in stability could lead to dire consequences.
22 Jan 2025
We Come Back and We Fight and We Get Back On With It. With Owen Meredith and Rachel Carnac
After a long pause following the general elections, Season 2 kicks off with a conversation recorded before the general election campaign began in July 2024. Our guests, Owen Meredith, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate 2017 and Rachel Carnac Conservative Group Leader on Canterbury City Council, Founder & Owner, Metal Events LTD. share their motivations for running for office and underscores the need to break the cycle of political disengagement, particularly among young people, highlighting how involvement in political affairs can be key to achieving financial freedom.
We explore the value of an internationalist perspective in addressing global challenges, showing how serving constituents connects to the UK’s broader role on the world stage. Beyond their political career, we learn about their professional journey, personal setbacks in elections, and their resilience in staying connected with their community. The conversation also touches on the diverse ways one can influence the political sphere without being a Member of Parliament.
Note: This episode was recorded prior to the 2024 U.K. General Election.
11 Apr 2024
Power of the Community and the Power of Hope. With Johnson Situ
In this week's episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper speak with Johnson Situ about what first engaged him to politics, the importance of encouraging the next generation into politics and his passion for Education.
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27 Mar 2024
How to be the change you want to see. With Shazna Muzammil
In this week's episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper speak with Conservative Party Candidate Shazna Muzammil about what made her want to be in politics, her journey from Sri Lanka to the UK and the importance of overseas development.
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20 Mar 2024
How The right seat finds you eventually. With Peter Gibson MP
In this week's episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper speak with Peter Gibson MP - Conservative Member of Parliament for Darlington since 2019. They discuss Peter's experiences of running for selection, the reality of life in Westminster as a new MP and how you can really make a different as a Member of Parliament.
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1 Mar 2024
It's Not All Bad News. With Kate Fairhurst
In this week's episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper speak with Conservative Councillor Kate Fairhurst about her journey into politics, her role as a Councillor, her aspirations for the justice system and why in a period of a lot of news around MPs and candidates safety, there are some glimmers of hope!
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16 Feb 2024
It's About Being Authentic. With Heather Staff and Peymana Assad
In this week's episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper speak with Labour Party Councillors Heather Staff and Peymana Assad. They discuss the journey of running for office in their local authorities, life as elected officials and the importance of working across the aisle on issues of particular importance.
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7 Feb 2024
The Importance of the Grassroots Support. With Aliona Hlivco
In this week's episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper speak with Aliona Hlivco. Aliona is Managing Director at the Henry Jackson Society, a former Member Parliament in Ukraine and is on the CGP Advisory Council.
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2 Feb 2024
How to help more women to win. With Resham Kotecha
In this episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper speak with Conservative Party candidate and CGP Advisory Board Member Resham Kotecha about being a woman in politics and her political journey through elections and selections.
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24 Jan 2024
A Call To Be Engaged. With Jay Singh-Sohal
In this week's episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper speak with Jay Singh-Sohal, Conservative Party Candidate about his broadcast background, his journey into politics and the experience of standing for elected office.
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17 Jan 2024
What makes Tomorrow's MPs? With Michael Crick
In the first ever episode of the Political Journeys Podcast. In this episode, Ryan Henson and Stewart Harper speak to journalist and author of the Tomorrow's MPs Twitter account, Michael Crick. They discuss what candidates seem to need to do to be selected, what makes a good candidate and the sometimes peculiar quirks of a Parliamentary selection.
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5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100
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YouTube
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Engagement
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