Podcast
Politix and Chill
Hosted by BBC Local Radio · EN
Local politics, properly explained, with Ben Weisz..
Originally broadcast on BBC Local Radio. Produced by BBC Radio Surrey and BBC Radio Sussex.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Political Landscapes: Best Of 2021
Dec 6, 202100:56:49Tap to summarizeBen Weisz has a sit down on the sea front and looks back at the highlights of the last three months of walking with MPs. Huw Merriman on bees, Lloyd Russell Moyle on being ginger and Jeremy Hunt on switching off.Editor: Richard Culver Presenter: Ben Weisz
Transcribe →Political Landscapes: Henry Smith MP
Nov 29, 202100:56:44Tap to summarizePack your thermals and your second (and third) jumper for this chilly walk round Tilgate lake with Crawley’s MP Henry Smith. Interrupted by most of England’s native wildfowl along the way, Henry tells us how his first brush with Parliament came as the winner of a back-of-the-cereal-packet competition, and how his heart sinks with every new Covid travel restriction – such is the importance of air travel to his town’s economy. Henry also opens up about the lasting impact his mum has on his politics – both inspiring his passion for animal welfare, and spurring him to campaign on beating blood cancer.Editor: Richard Culver Presenter: Ben Weisz
Transcribe →Political Landscapes: Tim Loughton MP
Nov 22, 202100:56:48Tap to summarizeAmbling along the Adur river this week with East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton. We discuss his burgeoning acting career, which noises to make in Parliament, and pick out our favourite houseboats. But in a month where MPs’ second jobs have come under intense scrutiny, Tim defends his work outside Parliament – explaining why he feels it adds value to his constituents, his work and the children his employers help. And after a stressful few years in Westminster – is Parliament’s mindfulness champion still finding time to cogitate in the bath? Editor: Richard Culver Presenter: Ben Weisz
Transcribe →Political Landscapes: Munira Wilson MP
Nov 15, 202100:56:48Tap to summarizeIn the grounds of a mansion built for George II’s mistress, Lib Dem MP for Twickenham Munira Wilson begins our walk along the Thames. West London’s parks were a haven for her family as the new MP became her party’s health spokesperson in the middle of a pandemic. Munira opens up about the how her faith gives her strength – and the frustrations of opposition when the Government has a huge majority. And we relive her best student nights out in Europe – and start the playlist for a Parliamentary night out. Editor: Richard Culver Presenter: Ben Weisz
Transcribe →Political Landscapes: Sarah Jones MP
Nov 8, 202100:51:23Tap to summarizeInto the woods with Sarah Jones MP this week – as we discover the wild parkland in the heart of her Croydon constituency, not far from where she grew up. Labour’s shadow policing and fire minister tells us how a Tory speech got her into politics, what it was like to work on the London Olympics, and why she’s hopeful her community can tackle knife crime. Editor: Richard Culver Presenter: Ben Weisz
Transcribe →Political Landscapes: Maria Caulfield MP
Nov 1, 202100:56:48Tap to summarizeIn the town of Polegate, dragons and witches are mustering under a tree full of baying birds...well, it is the annual children's Halloween do. We're not invited, so instead, Lewes MP Maria Caulfield takes us for a walk down the nearby Cuckoo Trail. She tells us about MP's safety, the tricky work-life balance when your spouse is also a politician - and where to get the best ice cream with a view in her constituency. Editor: Richard Culver Presenter: Ben Weisz
Transcribe →Political Landscapes: Mims Davies MP
Oct 25, 202100:56:47Tap to summarizeEmployment minister Mims Davies takes us on a dander through Haywards Heath’s hidden parkland gems.She talks about having done every job under the sun - from cooking at Little Chef to doing local radio traffic and travel.She discusses whether politics is welcoming enough for real people with messy lives.And through it all, she is upstaged at every turn by her cockapoo, TJ.Editor: Richard Culver Presenter: Ben Weisz
Transcribe →Political Landscapes: Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP
Oct 18, 202100:56:47Tap to summarizeHe’s known as the leftwing firebrand who grabbed the mace from the House of Commons - but where does it come from? In this walk, Labour’s Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP explains that being ginger has something to do with that. So too the Woodcraft Folk and growing up in Lewes.And as we meander down from the hills near Woodingdean to the beach at Rottingdean, we discuss whether Sussex needs its own Parliament, what to sing on a political hike, and what to wear for a dip.Editor: Richard Culver Presenter: Ben Weisz
Transcribe →Political Landscapes:Huw Merriman MP
Oct 11, 202100:56:46Tap to summarizeHuw Merriman may be a Conservative MP now – but as a teenager, he had to come out to his staunchly socialist parents. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t have time for what he calls the ‘pie throwing’ of Parliamentary politics. In this hilly ramble down from Burwash to Batemans in his Bexhill and Battle constituency, Huw talks about why transport gets him out of bed in the morning, where he wants to put bees in the Houses of Parliament, and whether he’s planning a supergroup with his celebrity constituents.Producer/Editor: Richard Culver Presenter: Ben Weisz
Transcribe →Political Landscapes: Peter Kyle MP
Oct 4, 202100:54:32Tap to summarizeThe Sussex coast has been with Peter Kyle all his life. Growing up in Bognor, where Anita Roddick gave him the impetus to go back to school and on to university – to life as the MP for Hove, and shadow schools minister. In this ramble along his constituency’s seafront, Peter reflects on how Alan Rickman bounced him into doing a doctorate, his ability to identify a naval ship on the horizon, and even shares a few gym tips. Producer/Editor: Richard Culver Presenter: Ben Weisz
Transcribe →