Mad, SpAd and Dangerous to Know: The Power of Special Advisors

Who has the new PM surrounded herself with – and how much power do they wield? Alex Rees is joined by columnist, Bunker regular and Westminster gossip maven Marie Le Conte to discuss the cosy coterie of hardcore conservative think tanks shaping her policy, and what it takes for a political obsessive to be by a minister’s ear. 

• “For junior roles, you need to prove your loyalty from the get-go, and only then are you rewarded.” 
• “Truss is the continuity candidate of Boris Johnson.” 
• “Truss is firmly from the small-state side of the party.”
• “Think tanks have created a space where, in the long run, they can influence policy.” 

Written, presented and edited by Alex Rees with guest Marie Le Conte. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. 

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