Meet the MPs - Labour

About this episode

The episode explores the role of MPs in the planning system through conversations with Labour representatives Elsie Blundell and Mike Reader.

The role of local councillors in the planning system has been a familiar topic of conversation on the podcast in the context of, for example, overturning officer recommendations and the case for a national scheme of delegation. There is less talk about the role of MPs in the planning system, which is something that friend of the podcast Andrew Taylor wanted to remedy. This then is the first of what he and Sam Stafford hope will be five episodes exploring the role of a member of a parliament by way of conversations that Andrew records with representatives from the now five major parties. First, Labour, and a conversation recorded with Elsie Blundell and Mike Reader at Soho Radio Studios in March 2025. Andrew, regular listeners will know, is Group Planning and Sustainability Director at Vistry, Elsie represents Heywood and Middleton North and Mike represents Northampton South. Andrew explores with Elsie and Mike their journeys to Westminster and their role now in the space between national objectives and what is going on in their respective patches. They talk local government reorganisation, they talk infrastructure delivery and regulation, and they talk about skills. Some…

People in this episode

Host: Samuel Stafford

Guests: Elsie Blundell, Mike Reader

Topics covered

• planning system
• local government
• infrastructure delivery
• MPs role
• politics

Keywords

• planning
• local councillors
• MPs
• infrastructure
• politics
• Labour

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Vistry

Places: Heywood and Middleton North, Northampton South, Soho Radio Studios

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