Politics of Peterborough

Local Elections 2026 - Reform UK

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT

In this mini-series of episodes, I speak with representatives from each of the political parties currently represented on Peterborough City Council to understand their priorities, their ideas for the city, and how they believe the council should be run.

Each representative in this series is being asked the same core set of questions on:

Their party’s vision and priorities
Local Government Reorganisation
The Council’s finances
The local plan, housing and growth
Their record on the council.

We then finish with party specific questions on the upcoming election.

In this episode, representing Reform UK is the party's first councillor on Peterborough City Council, Councillor Andrew O'Neil.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Local Elections 2026 - Liberal Democrats

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Each representative in this series is being asked the same core set of questions on:

Their party’s vision and priorities
Local Government Reorganisation
The Council’s finances
The local plan, housing and growth
Their record on the council.

We then finish with party specific questions on the upcoming election, and from you, the listeners.

In this episode, representing the Liberal Democrats is Group Leader Councillor Christian Hogg.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Local Elections 2026 - Labour

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Each representative in this series is being asked the same core set of questions on:

Their party’s vision and priorities
Local Government Reorganisation
The Council’s finances
The local plan, housing and growth
Their record on the council.

We then finish with party specific questions on the upcoming election, and from you, the listeners.

In this episode, representing the Labour party, is Councillor Shabina Qayyum, the Group Leader and current Leader of the Council.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Local Elections 2026 - Conservatives

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Each representative in this series is being asked the same core set of questions on:

Their party’s vision and priorities
Local Government Reorganisation
The Council’s finances
The local plan, housing and growth
Their record on the council.

We will then finish with party specific questions on the upcoming election, and from you, the listeners.

In this episode, representing the Conservative party, is Group Deputy Leader Councillor Steve Allen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Local Elections 2026 - Greens

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Each representative in this series is being asked the same core set of questions on:

Their party’s vision and priorities
Local Government Reorganisation
The Council’s finances
The local plan, housing and growth
Their record on the council.

We finish with party specific questions on the upcoming election, and from you, the listeners.

In this episode, representing the Green party, is Councillor Heather Skibsted, the Group Leader, and Councillor Imtiaz Ali, the Chairman of the Peterborough Green Party.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Council Leader Councillor Dr Shabina Qayyum

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:00:00 GMT

My guest on this episode of the podcast is Council Leader, Councillor Dr Shabina Qayyum. We discussed:

What's happened in the 2 years since she was last on the podcast
The Hilton Hotel
The Regional Pool replacement
Local Government Reorganisation
The 2026 local elections

Plus much more.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Steve Allen

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

My guest on this episode of the podcast is Councillor Steve Allen. We discussed:

His political journey to the Conservatives
His time as part of the Conservative administration in power
Council debt
The Hilton Hotel
The 2026 local elections

Plus much more.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Daisy Blakemore-Creedon

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

My guest on this episode of the podcast is Councillor Daisy Blakemore-Creedon. We discussed:

Her early route into politics
Her resignation from the Labour group
Using Tommy Robinson on her social media
Her role in the resignation of Councillor Dennis Jones as Council Leader
Her role in the Women's Safety Initiative

Plus much more.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With The Very Reverend Chris Dalliston

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

My guest on this episode of the podcast is The Very Reverend Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough Cathedral. We discussed:

How he got into a life of ministry
Religion in the UK
Religion and Politics
Peterborough Cathedral's place in the city
Its financial issues

Plus much more.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Sam Carling MP

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

My guest on this episode of the podcast is the MP for North West Cambridgeshire, Sam Carling. We discussed:

How he got into politics and becoming an MP
Whether he feels a responsibility to be a voice for young people
His vote on the welfare bill
His vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
The Local Government review
The proposed Sports Quarter

Plus much more.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

North West Cambridgeshire 2024 General Election Part 2

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:57 GMT

In this general election special, I speak to 4 of the North West Cambridgeshire candidates who hope to gain your votes at the General Election on the 4th July.

If you want to listen to any of the candidates' interviews in full, they can be found over on the new YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@PoliticsPboro

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

North West Cambridgeshire 2024 General Election Part 1

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:56 GMT

In this general election special, I speak to 4 of the North West Cambridgeshire candidates who hope to gain your votes at the General Election on the 4th July.

If you want to listen to any of the candidates' interviews in full, they can be found over on the new YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@PoliticsPboro

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peterborough 2024 General Election

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:24 GMT

In this general election special, I speak to 2 of the Peterborough candidates who hope to gain your votes at the General Election on the 4th July.

If you want to listen to any of the candidates' interviews in full, they can be found over on the new YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@PoliticsPboro

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pre-Elections 2024 - Part 2

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:00:27 GMT

My guests on this episode of the podcast are former BBC Radio Cambridgeshire breakfast presenter and current Director of Marketing and Communications at Peterborough Cathedral, Paul Stainton; Independent councillor for Orton Waterville ward, Cllr Julie Stevenson; and Local Democracy Reporter, Joanna Taylor. In this second part, we discussed:

The state of each of the local parties going into the local elections
Some of the most competitive wards
Predictions for the election

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pre-Elections 2024 - Part 1

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:57 GMT

The events of the last full council meeting
Turnout at local elections
Whether Councillors should live in the ward they represent

Plus much more.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillors Mohammed Farooq & John Howard

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 01:00:09 GMT

My guests on this episode of the podcast are the current leadership of the Council - Leader Councillor Mohammed Farooq and Deputy Leader Councillor John Howard. We discussed:

How Councillor Farooq got into politics, and his departure from the Conservatives
How Peterborough First took control of the Council
The Hilton Hotel
The closure of the Regional Pool and potential replacement details
The Station Quarter
The upcoming Local Elections

Plus much more.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Christian Hogg

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 01:00:27 GMT

My guest for this episode is Peterborough Liberal Democrats group leader Councillor Christian Hogg. We discussed:

The Lib Dems aims for the 2024 local elections
What changes there have been since Peterborough First took on the leadership of the Council.
The Council's net zero target
The Regional pool
Youth engagement within the city

Plus much more.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Mayor Dr Nik Johnson

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 01:00:31 GMT

My guest for this episode is Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayor, Dr Nik Johnson. We discussed:

What brought him to Cambridgeshire from Northumberland
What made him want to go into politics
His apology following the recently released report into his conduct during his first year in office
The changes in leadership at Peterborough City Council, and how that has changed the relationship with the Combined Authority
Peterborough MP Paul Bristow's tweets about him
Whether he wants to see a Low Emissions Zone introduced in Peterborough
The introduction and potential tripling of his mayoral precept

Plus much more.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

You can also find the podcast on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Shailesh Vara MP

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 00:00:24 GMT

On this month's episode, I sat down with North-West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara. We discussed:

His upbringing and route into politics
The racism he has faced along with the current dangers of being an MP
His reaction to the double by-election defeats suffered by the Conservatives
The resignation of 7 Conservative councillors and likely imminent change of leadership of the Council
The Showground development and potential loss of the Peterborough Panthers

Plus much more.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have questions you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com. You can also find us on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Andy Coles

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:00:34 GMT

This month, I sat down with Conservative councillor and Cabinet Member for Legal, Finance and Corporate Services, Councillor Andy Coles. He gives his response to the accusations made by the 7 councillors that departed the Conservative group after May's local elections; discusses the financial situation of the Council, including how close it came to having to issue a Section 114 notice; as well as many of the issues facing Peterborough currently.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or have any questions that you'd like asking, you can email them to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com. You can also find us on X (formally Twitter) and Facebook @PoliticsPboro.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor John Howard

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:00:17 GMT

My guest this month is Peterborough First Councillor John Howard. As well as chatting about how he got into politics, his time as a cabinet member, and some of the issues facing Peterborough today, we took a deep dive into his departure from the Conservative group as he talks about the events for the first time.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Eva Woods MYP

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:00:38 GMT

This month, our guest is Peterborough's member of the Youth Parliament, Eva Woods. We discussed what the role entails, what got her interested in politics from a young age, why youth turnout is much lower than other age groups, what Peterborough is like as a city for young people, her interactions with the City's MPs, and much more beside.

If you have any suggestions for future guests, or would like put questions to a guest, send them in an email to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Dr Shabina Qayyum

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 00:00:45 GMT

On this month's episode, we sat down with Labour Councillor Dr Shabina Asad Qayyum. We discussed her journey into politics, her suspension from the party in 2021 and her time as mayoress over the last year.

We then dived into the recent local elections, Labour's performance and what lessons have been learned for the next election.

We also discussed some of the issues currently facing Peterborough, including the local plan, the social media polling around the Cathedral Square fountains, the state of the NHS is the city, and much more.

We also looked at the recent resignations by Conservative councillors, although this was recorded before the 3 further resignations took place on 7th June.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Paul Stainton - Part 2

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 02:00:48 GMT

This month, we sat down with local radio luminary Paul Stainton. In Part 2, we got into the state of each party locally; What he thinks are the major problems with the Council and the city currently; What his first 5 priorities would be as leader of the council; Where he would put a new stadium for Peterborough United; And whether Peterborough's MPs are too visible, or not visible enough.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Paul Stainton - Part 1

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 02:00:49 GMT

This month, we sat down with local radio luminary Paul Stainton. In Part 1, we talked about the state of national and local media and what effect that was having upon the city and its people; and whether we might see Councillor Paul Stainton in the future.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Nick Sandford

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 02:00:34 GMT

On this month's episode, we sat down with former local Liberal Democrat leader and long time member of the Council, Councillor Nick Sandford. We discussed his political journey, from joining the Liberal party to standing multiple times in General Elections. We also talked about his thoughts on the current set up of Peterborough City Council, the Lib Dem's 8-point plan for Peterborough going into the local elections in May, and whether he thinks taking control from the Conservatives after 23 years is a realistic possibility.

If you have any feedback to give on the episode, want to suggest potential guests for future episodes, or have any questions that you'd like us to ask of future guests, send us an email to politics.peterborough@hotmail.com. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter @PoliticsPboro.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Professor Ross Renton

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 02:00:08 GMT

On this month's episode, we chat with the principal of ARU Peterborough, Professor Ross Renton. Obviously, there was a lot of talk about the University's development and how things have gone since it opened in September 2022, and what the future holds as it continues to grow.

We also talked about its place on the Embankment; the relationships they require with the Council and Combined Authority; how further education will develop as time goes on; whether the Government has been providing enough support; and whether Professor Renton has considered moving into politics in the past or future.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Nicola Day

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 03:00:31 GMT

On this episode, we sat down with local Green party leader, Councillor Nicola Day. We discussed her journey in politics from the Labour party into the Greens; whether the Greens can ever become of a party of Government; The defection of Councillor Skibsted from Labour; is Peterborough a safe city; and whether the city is ready to be carbon neutral by 2030; along with a whole host of other topics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Paul Bristow MP

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT

We sat down with Peterborough MP Paul Bristow, for a chat about the recent Conservative leadership issues, Brexit, the financial state of Peterborough City Council, the recently opened University, and his comments on the use of the Great Northern Hotel as a base for asylum seekers.

We also asked the question that everyone wants an answer to...Has he been voting for Matt Hancock to undertake trials on I'm a Celebrity?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Wayne Fitzgerald - Part 2

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 04:00:45 GMT

In the second part of our conversation with Peterborough Council Leader Wayne Fitzgerald, we covered the embankment including the university and the potential for an arena, whether the city's net zero target is realistic, and the rejection of a change in voting frequency.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Wayne Fitzgerald - Part 1

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 04:00:47 GMT

In part 1, we chat with Peterborough Conservative leader and leader of the Council Wayne Fitzgerald about how he got into politics, how he has found being leader and the current state of national politics.

We then got into the issues facing Peterborough, from the financial position and the cuts to services that have resulted from that, and the recently released Future City Council Strategy report.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Julie Stevenson - Part 2

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 04:00:08 GMT

Part 2 of our conversation with independent Councillor Julie Stevenson, where we get into the issues facing Peterborough including: The problem of drifting in Orton; The climbing wall development at Ferry Meadows; Whether the city is a friendly place for people with disabilities; Should Peterborough move to an all-out system of voting; Honesty in politics; And whether local councillors should be full time, professional positions, and whether they get enough money for the job they do.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Julie Stevenson - Part 1

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 04:00:38 GMT

In part 1, we chat with newly independent Councillor Julie Stevenson about how she got into politics, how she ended up as a Green, whether the Greens have been given enough credit for their results in Orton Waterville, and why she recently stood down as Green party leader before leaving the party entirely.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Councillor Shaz Nawaz

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 15:29:51 GMT

We talk to Labour group leader, Councillor Shaz Nawaz, about how he got into politics, the resignation of Boris Johnson, Labour's local election performances, and some of the key issues facing Peterborough.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Politics of Peterborough

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 14:39:56 GMT

The Politics of Peterborough is a new podcast exploring the issues that face our city, and finding out more about those who influence the direction the city is taking. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.