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The Power Hours series seeks to examine different aspects of power in politics and public life in the UK and beyond.
From the role of special advisers to opposition backbench MPs, to Government Ministers and think tank directors, we spend 60 minutes with key decision-makers looking at their early careers, the big issues they’ve grappled with and their hopes and fear for the future.
Below you will find our full archive of the Power Hour series, with the likes of David Lammy MP and Baroness Grey-Thompson. Plus, Director’s Cuts where the host Kezia Dugdale summarises the key points and insights from the Power Hours.
Director’s Cuts
Baroness Helena Kennedy KC – The Director’s Cuts
Baroness Helena Kennedy KC is one of Britain's most distinguished lawyers. She has spent her professional life giving voice to those who have least power within the system, championing civil liberties and promoting human rights.
Lisa Nandy MP – The Director’s Cuts
Lisa Nandy is the MP for Wigan and the Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up.
Claire Hanna MP – The Director’s Cuts
Claire Hanna is the SDLP MP for Belfast South and was elected to the House of Commons in 2019.
Ali Goldsworthy Power Hour – The Director’s Cut
Ali Goldsworthy is the co-author of “Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together”.
Alison Evison Power Hour – The Director’s Cut
Alison is the former CoSLA President, and an independent councillor in Aberdeenshire Council.
David Lammy Power Hour – The Director’s Cut
David is the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Labour MP for Tottenham.
Tanni Grey-Thompson Power Hour – The Director’s Cut
Tanni Grey-Thompson is a multi-gold medal winning Paralympian and disability rights campaigner.
Sen. Sarah McBride Power Hour – The Director’s Cut
When Sarah McBride was elected in November 2020 to the first state senate district of Delaware, she became the first openly transgender state senator in American history.
Mo Hussein Power Hour – The Director’s Cut
Mo is now the Public Affairs Director of leading PR and Marketing firm PLMR, but prior to that he worked in communications in the heart of the Conservative UK government.
Power Hours
Women in Public Life – Baroness Helena Kennedy Power Hour
Watch back our Power Hour with Baroness Helena Kennedy KC.
Women in Public Life – Lisa Nandy MP Power Hour
Watch back our Power Hour with Lisa Nandy MP
Women in Public Life – Claire Hanna MP Power Hour
Watch back our Power Hour with SDLP MP, Claire Hanna.
WATCH BACK: Women in Public Life – Ali Goldsworthy Power Hour
Watch back our Power Hour with Ali Goldsworthy on polarisation.
Alison Evison Power Hour
Alison Evison is a former CoSLA President and independent councillor in Aberdeenshire.
David Lammy MP Power Hour
Introduced by University of Glasgow Principal, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, David joined Centre Director Kezia Dugdale in conversation discussing his early life, his book "Tribes" and how he’s used the role of a MP to secure justice for the Windrush Generation and victims of the Grenfell fire.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson Power Hour
In conversation with Kezia Dugdale, Tanni discusses her work in the House of Lords, looking at the Duty of Care in sport after high profile incidents of abuse, bullying, racism and discriminations, as well as her hopes and fears for the future.
Sen. Sarah McBride Power Hour
She has been involved in community advocacy for most of her life, including working for former Governor Jack Markell, the late Attorney General Beau Biden, and as a White House intern during the Obama Administration. Most recently, she served as a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, the United States of America’s largest LGBTQ equal rights organization.
Mo Hussein Power Hour
He was part of David Cameron’s communications team in 10 Downing Street for four years and has also worked as Media Advisor to the British Forces in Afghanistan. He’s now the Director of Public Affairs for the London based PR agency PLMR.
Power Hour – The Briefing Room: Do TV Debates Matter?
The first John Smith Centre Power Hour - The Briefing Room event looked at TV Debates and whether they matter, on the eve of the first US Presidential head to head.
Torsten Bell Power Hour
Torsten joined Kezia Dugdale to explore his background and career to date, what COVID-19 means for our economy and our living standards, and what he thinks the government should do next.
Anna Soubry Power Hour
Anna joined Centre Director Kezia Dugdale in conversation to discuss her background and her career.
Wendy Chamberlain MP Power Hour
Wendy joined John Smith Centre Director Kezia Dugdale to discuss her background and entry into politics, her election as an MP for the first time in December 2019 and her work on the Scottish Affairs Select Committee.
Preet Kaur Gill MP Power Hour
Born and raised in the West Midlands, Preet was a social worker and a Councillor and Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection prior to entering Parliament.
Mark Diffley Power Hour
In his career Mark has worked with and advised most if the mainstream political parties in Scotland.
Joe Pike Power Hour
Joe is a political correspondent for Sky News, providing reports and analysis from Westminster.
Stewart McDonald Power Hour
Following the 2017 General Election, he was named the Scottish National Party’s Defence Spokesperson and has sat on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee since 2019.