Preparing for Power podcast series
This six-part series takes you behind the scenes to find out how our politicians, their advisers and officials get ready for being in government.
Episodes
Preparing for Power – Episode 1: Access talks
Harriet Harman and Gus O'Donnell reveal how they prepared for that all-important election result and its aftermath.
Preparing for Power – Episode 2: The civil service
Five former permanent secretaries reveal how they readied themselves and their departments for a potential change in their political bosses.
Preparing for Power - Episode 3: The opposition
Jonathan Powell, Harriet Harman, Gus O’Donnell and Oliver Letwin reveal how they got ready for the possibility of a change of government.
Preparing for Power – Episode 4: The governing party
Oliver Letwin, Harriet Harman, Gus O'Donnell and Nick Macpherson reveal how they approached the work of government during an election campaign.
Preparing for Power – Episode 5: Making manifestos
Former civil servants who were asked to turn manifesto pledges into workable policy reveal the inside story of this key part of an election campaign.
Preparing for Power – Episode 6: First days in government
Ed Balls, Jonathan Powell, Gus O'Donnell and Harriet Harman tell us what happens in the first days, weeks and months of a new government.
What we talk about in this series
Seven things we learned from the Preparing for Power podcast
The general election campaign will dominate the coming months – but time and energy must be spent on preparing for what comes after.
Preparing a shadow ministerial team for office
What the last two changes of government tell us about effective transitions.