Description

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST 

Episode 33:  Michael Howard – Reflections on a Political Journey 

In this special episode of The Kent Politics Podcast, Simon Finlay interviews for leader of the Conservative Party Michael Howard, Lord Howard of Lympne.

Key Discussion Points: 

1. Political Career Overview

• Elected as MP for Folkestone and Hythe in 1983.
• Served in the cabinets of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, notably as Home Secretary.
• Led the Conservative Party into the 2005 General Election.

2. Conservative Party's Future

• Despite recent electoral defeats, believes in the resilience and recovery potential of the Conservative Party.
• Emphasises that historical precedents show political parties can rebound from significant losses.

3. Election Analysis

• Discusses factors contributing to recent election outcomes including voter shifts towards Reform UK.
• Highlights impact of internal party issues like Boris Johnson’s tenure and Liz Truss’s policies on voter confidence.

4. Leadership Insights

• Reflects on his time as Leader of Opposition post-Ian Duncan Smith’s no-confidence vote loss.
• Stresses importance of establishing competence within opposition to gain public trust for future elections.

5. Modern Political Landscape

• Acknowledges increased volatility in politics due to changing news consumption habits and social media influence.

6. Immigration Challenges

• Talks about handling immigration during his tenure as Home Secretary through agreements with France.
• Critiques current strategies while emphasising need for effective deterrence mechanisms against illegal crossings.

7. Life Post-Parliamentary Career

• Splits time between homes in Kent and London; remains active with business interests, football fandom, and contributions at House of Lords.

Notable Quotes:

"The Conservative Party is the oldest and most successful political party in the world."

"Oppositions don't win elections; governments lose them."

"Margaret Thatcher by a country mile," — On who he considers being the most impressive Prime Minister since his entry into politics.

Additional Resources:

For more information about Michael Howard's career or topics discussed: Michael Howard Biography

Thanks for listening to the Kent Politics Podcast - don't forget to check out stories throughout the week on the politics pages of KentOnline, and you can watch the Kent Politics Show on KMTV every Friday at 5pm or on demand at www.kmtv.co.uk

Don't forget to look out for more episodes of the Kent Politics Podcast, along with other shows at kmfm.co.uk or wherever you get your podcasts

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