The South West Agenda with Tim Williams

Studio TRW
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Politics

A new home for politics, business and leadership conversation in the South West of  England, hosted and created by BAFTA-winning media producer Tim Williams. The podcast is motivated by three main ideas: Firstly, that the South West deserves a bigger, clearer and more modern voice. Secondly, a belief that there are great people here who don’t often get the chance to share their lessons in life, business and politics like they would if they lived in London. I want to find those people and understand how they operate, how they make things happen. Politicians, business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, creatives and community leaders — and hear from them in a decent length conversation, inspiring the next generation. This podcast is the perfect platform. Thirdly, I want to build a serious conversation about the region’s future. There is so much more than tourism going on here. Mega space projects, clean energy, as well as the amazing farming and defence industries. You can expect politically impartial, open-minded chats, hearing from people sharing ideas that will shape the region’s future - building piece by piece a South West Agenda. I want this to be a place people come to provide thought leadership, announce things, share lessons. The North West had the Northern Powerhouse. This is the South West Agenda. Most of all, I hope you just enjoy hearing from amazing people. Thank you for finding it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 22 Oct

    Sir Ben Bradshaw: Blair, Brown, Devon & me (Part 1)

    Welcome to the latest episode of The South West Agenda! Tim is joined for this one by Sir Ben Bradshaw, former Labour Cabinet Minister and MP for Exeter. In this first part, Sir Ben begins by discussing his life and career before Parliament. This included growing up in Norfolk, working for the Exeter Express and Echo and BBC Radio Devon before graduating to become on the BBC’s top reporters. In 1993 Sir Ben won a Sony Radio Reporter of the Year Award for his coverage from Berlin. He then discusses the chance meeting that led to him standing to become a Member of Parliament and the controversial 1997 election race as he aimed to become the one of the first openly gay MPs, facing homophobia from his opponents. We then cover his years as a Minister under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Sir Ben was a Foreign Office Minister during 9/11 before moving to Defra where he spent four years. Gordon Brown then promoted him to Health Minister and Minister for the South West before another promotion to Culture Secretary in 2010. Sir Ben was very much Blair and Brown’s go-to minister for the morning and evening media rounds, including around the controversial Iraq War and Hutton Inquiry. He gives a brilliant answer to the question of how a minister should prepare for such interviews and fend off the likes of Jeremy Paxman, John Humphrys and Nick Robinson. In part 1, we leave it in 2009. Make sure to follow the podcast because in part 2, we later discuss: What changes when you become a Cabinet Minister What might have been different if David Miliband had beaten Ed Miliband in the Labour Leadership election How the South West can better punch its weight and make the best of devolution The Brexit and Corbyn years Stepping down His achievements as Exeter MP Sir Keir Starmer & Andy Burnham The future & The Sicilian olive harvest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Sir Ben Bradshaw: Blair, Brown, Devon & me (Part 1)

  2. 29 Sept

    Rebecca Pow on Government, Grief & the Environment | Part 2

    In the second part of Tim's conversation with former Taunton MP and Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, she opens up about one of the most difficult periods of her life: grieving the death of her husband, Charles Clark, while continuing to juggle the demands of Government and Parliament. Rebecca talks candidly about balancing family, grief and public life, before turning to the environmental issues that defined much of her political career. She explains the story behind the Environment Act, the legislation she helped steer through Parliament, and why protecting nature, promoting sustainability and tackling environmental challenges became such a central part of her work as an MP and beyond. We also discuss getting the calls from Boris Johnson, Theresa May and Rishi Sunak to become part of their top team within the Conservative Party - and her highlights as a local MP including campaigning to restore the Wellington Monument. A powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, politics and the environment, with a distinctly South West perspective. 🎙️ The South West Agenda with Tim Williams explores politics, business and leadership across South West England Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rebecca Pow on Government, Grief & the Environment | Part 2

  3. 15 Sept

    Ex-MP Rebecca Pow: My Path to Parliament (Part 1)

    She went from the West Country to Westminster - and back again. Former Taunton MP Rebecca Pow joins Tim Williams on The South West Agenda for an open and fascinating two-part interview. In Part 1, we explore how the farmer’s daughter set out on the path to Parliament, via a broadcasting and business career - with some brilliant insight into how you actually become an MP. In Part 2, released on 29th September, Rebecca discusses her life as a Government Minister under Theresa May and Boris Johnson, losing her seat in 2024, navigating huge personal loss along the way, and Tim asks what comes next. Without needing to please the whips anymore, it’s as fun, frank and lively as you’re likely to get from a politician. Don't forget you can follow The South West Agenda on Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, where clips are regularly published. And please follow the podcast for more in-depth conversations with key figures from the South West about politics, business and leadership. Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ex-MP Rebecca Pow: My Path to Parliament (Part 1)

  4. 8 Sept

    Do We Need More Elected Mayors? | with Paul Coles, CEO South West Business Council

    South West Business Council CEO Paul Coles argues that the region needs more powerful, directly elected mayors if it is going to unlock economic growth and have a stronger voice in Westminster. In this 'Agenda Item' episode of The South West Agenda, Tim Williams speaks to Paul about the case for giving local leaders greater powers, whether the South West is getting a fair deal from central government, and what stronger regional leadership could mean for businesses and communities across the region. From devolution and economic growth to transport, investment and the future of the South West, this is a conversation about who should have the power to shape the region's future. Could elected mayors give the South West the political clout it needs? Paul singles out four potential areas that could end up with an elected mayor: Cornwall, Devon, an expanded 'West of England' and Wessex, comprising Somerset, Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and parts of Wiltshire. Follow The South West Agenda for more conversations with the politicians, business leaders and thinkers shaping the future of the region. Leave a comment below with any thoughts of your own! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Do We Need More Elected Mayors? | with Paul Coles, CEO South West Business Council

  5. 2 Sept

    Does Westminster Understand Rural South West England? | Justin Sargent OBE (Part 2)

    Rural villages across the South West face “big city challenges” but they are often “hidden” and not appreciated fully by central government in Whitehall. That’s one of the insights from special guest Justin Sargent OBE in this second part of his conversation with Tim - in which they also share their appreciation of cheese and cider! We delve deeply into the characteristics of the Westcountry, particularly Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, where Justin has been Chief Executive of the Somerset Community Foundation for over 20 years. But the lessons equally apply to Gloucestershire, where Justin hails from, plus the cities of Bristol, Bath, Plymouth, Bournemouth and the county of Wiltshire. In that time, he’s seen the charity sector evolve - and Tim asks whether it’s become more corporate as the years have gone by. Justin offers brilliant advice for small charities and community groups looking for funding - tapping in Justin’s wide expertise of the grantmaking world. We also discuss how philanthropy has changed and whether cultures of the United States rubbed off over here. There’s also political chat - from the Big Society to Levelling Up. From New Labour to the Coalition government of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to the latest Labour government. Plus how the Civil Service sees the region of the South West. How should the balance be between the public sector, such as local government, councils and mayors, and the community and charity sectors? Also you might be surprised to hear that the Somerset Community Foundation has been experimenting with Artificial Intelligence, AI, in clever but careful ways using Claude. We finish with some advice for Members of Parliament and a heartwarming story of Justin and his wife visiting the then-Prince Charles at the royal palaces to receive his OBE and meeting a poignant fellow guest. Follow and subscribe to The South West Agenda with Tim Williams for more political, business and leadership conversations - and find us across Instagram, Youtube and TikTok where you can see clips of the interviews. Thanks to Justin - and thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Does Westminster Understand Rural South West England? | Justin Sargent OBE (Part 2)

  6. 17 Aug

    Leading The Way: Justin Sargent OBE (Part 1)

    Justin Sargent OBE is one of the most thoughtful and respected CEOs in the West Country. In this honest conversation with The South West Agenda host Tim Williams, he discusses the highs and lows of leading Somerset Community Foundation for over 20 years.  We discuss his background, including his time in Africa witnessing positive and negative practices in international development. The characteristics of the South West of England including challenges for rural areas - and whether that is fully understood by Westminster politicians. There are also lessons in philanthropy and fundraising and much more. The South West Agenda is grateful to Justin for being the first of many guests on the new podcast. Please follow the show for future episodes relating to leadership, politics and business in the South West of England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Leading The Way: Justin Sargent OBE (Part 1)

  7. 24 Jul

    Agenda Item: Does it matter where the Cabinet comes from?

    Welcome to the first Agenda Item from The South West Agenda with Tim Williams. These are occasional, bitesize analytical takes on topics affecting the political and business world in the South West. We begin with some reflections on Andy Burnham's Cabinet selections - and ask whether it matters that so few are from the South West, with some potted history along the way. You can get in touch by emailing thesouthwestagenda@studiotrw.co.uk Thanks for listening Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Agenda Item: Does it matter where the Cabinet comes from?

  8. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    The South West Agenda - coming soon

    A new home for in-depth conversation with leaders from across the South West of England is coming soon with a range of brilliant guests. Please subscribe to receive episodes in your feed as soon as they are published. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The South West Agenda - coming soon
  • 1 Trailer
    7 Episodes

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A new home for politics, business and leadership conversation in the South West of  England, hosted and created by BAFTA-winning media producer Tim Williams. The podcast is motivated by three main ideas: Firstly, that the South West deserves a bigger, clearer and more modern voice. Secondly, a belief that there are great people here who don’t often get the chance to share their lessons in life, business and politics like they would if they lived in London. I want to find those people and understand how they operate, how they make things happen. Politicians, business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, creatives and community leaders — and hear from them in a decent length conversation, inspiring the next generation. This podcast is the perfect platform. Thirdly, I want to build a serious conversation about the region’s future. There is so much more than tourism going on here. Mega space projects, clean energy, as well as the amazing farming and defence industries. You can expect politically impartial, open-minded chats, hearing from people sharing ideas that will shape the region’s future - building piece by piece a South West Agenda. I want this to be a place people come to provide thought leadership, announce things, share lessons. The North West had the Northern Powerhouse. This is the South West Agenda. Most of all, I hope you just enjoy hearing from amazing people. Thank you for finding it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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