Centre Think Tank in conversation

In this episode, Torrin Wilkins speaks to Baroness Pitkeathley OBE. She is the Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords and a former CEO of Carers UK. Baroness Pitkeathley is also the Co-chair of the Carers All-Party Parliamentary Group.Their discussion covered the social care system and supporting unpaid carers. They also spoke about whether we need to make social care free at the point of use, the new review of the social care system, and how we can expand the social care workforce. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Torrin Wilkins speaks to Linsey Farnsworth, the Member of Parliament for Amber Valley since 2024, who spent over twenty years working at the Crown Prosecution Service. She also serves as the National Mission Champion for Safer Streets and is a member of the Justice Select Committee.Their discussion covered the early release scheme, the lessons we can learn from the Norwegian prison system, and how to expand education within prisons. They also spoke about how we can tackle drug use outside of prison using methods such as diversion, how new prisons can be built to cope with an expanding prison population, and where rehabilitation can be used within prisons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Torrin Wilkins speaks to Dr Allison Gardner MP, who has been the Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent South since 2024. She is also a Senior Scientific Adviser for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on Artificial Intelligence and a lecturer at Keele University, where she teaches data science.Their discussion covered the future of health care, social care, and the role of technology in the NHS. They also spoke about the independent commission to reform our social care system, whether social care should be free at the point of use, the use of Artificial Intelligence within the NHS, expanding prevention throughout life, and spending on the NHS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Torrin Wilkins speaks to Michael Ignatieff, who is the former Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and a professor of history at Central European University.Their discussion covered his leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada as a centrist and moderate, the nature of centrism, and the challenges facing modern liberal democracy. They looked at the future of centrist and liberal politics in Canada, the UK, and across liberal democracies.Michael reflected on his 2011 election defeat, the pressures of campaigning from the political centre, and the difficulty of campaigning in an election with two strong contenders on the left and right of politics. The conversation also looked at how figures such as Rob Jetten and Mark Carney have been successful in creating bold proposals whilst standing on a centrist platform.They also look at the deeper structural problems affecting liberal democracy, including the rise of populism and the failures of over-centralisation. Michael argues that centrists must confront bureaucratic inefficiencies and address legitimacy deficits caused by rapid social change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Torrin Wilkins speaks to Sonia Kumar, the Member of Parliament for Dudley since 2024, who previously worked within the NHS.Their discussion covered how we can fix the NHS, moving the NHS further towards the use of AI and digital, the vital role of physiotherapists in tackling musculoskeletal (MSK) issues, and the need for increased investment in this area, the assisted dying bill, protecting our economy, and supporting small businesses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Torrin Wilkins speaks to Baroness Ritchie, the former Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and a Labour Member of the House of Lords. She is also the Chair of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, a former Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Minister for Social Development, and a former Member of Parliament for South Down.Their discussion covered the future of peace in Northern Ireland and the future of devolution. They also spoke about the education system in Northern Ireland, the impact of Brexit, the veto within the Assembly, and replacing the role of First Minister. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this interview, we spoke to Sinéad McLaughlin, MLA. She serves as a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Foyle and is the Social Democratic and Labour Party spokesperson on Jobs, the Economy, and Justice.The discussion included how to fix the justice system in Northern Ireland, rejoin the single market, and the status of Irish Gaelic in Northern Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Will Barber-Taylor speaks to Mari Burton. She is the National Campaign Manager for the National Education Union, co-host of the National Education Union Podcast, and a former history teacher.Their discussion covered the No Child Left Behind campaign, which supports free school meals for all students, and how this has already been implemented in London. They also discuss how this impacts students from families with a lower income and how hunger can affect learning at school. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Will Barber-Taylor and Torrin Wilkins speak to Neil Kinnock. Their discussion covered his time in politics, how his views on devolution have evolved, his support for Proportional Representation, and how he ended up appearing in the “My Guy” music video with Tracey Ullman.He was Leader of the Opposition and Labour Leader during the 1987 election against Margaret Thatcher and the 1992 election against John Major.Neil then served in numerous positions within the European Union. These include as the European Commissioner for Transport, the European Commissioner for Administrative Reform, and the Vice-President of the European Commission.He is now a Member of the House of Lords and a supporter of Centre Think Tank. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Will Barber-Taylor speaks to Yair Zivan, former advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel, Yair Lapid, of the centrist Yesh Atid party.Their discussion covered what centrism means and his new book, “The Centre Must Hold”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.