CPF Voices podcast series

CPF Voices

Listening to ideas. Learning from experience. Shaping the future.

CPF Voices is the Conservative Policy Forum's new podcast series, bringing Conservative policy to life through engaging conversations with the people shaping Britain's future.

Our aim with this podcast is simple: to make policy accessible, thought-provoking and relevant. Through interviews with parliamentarians, policy experts, practitioners and CPF members, we explore the ideas behind today's biggest challenges and the practical solutions that can help build tomorrow's Britain.

Watch this short introduction to the Conservative Policy Forum's new podcast series from Helen Edward, our CPF Regional Ambassador for London, who presents and produces CPF Voices: CPF Voices podcast series introduction by Helen Edward

CPF Voices examines the key policy questions facing the country while also capturing the experience, achievements and lessons of previous Conservative governments. We believe that good policy is built not only on new ideas, but also on understanding what has worked well, why it worked, and how those successes can inform the future.

Whether discussing transport, health, education, housing, employment, or the economy, our conversations explore how Conservative principles have shaped policy, infrastructure, and public services, creating a valuable resource for today's policymakers, candidates, members, and future leaders.

ABOUT THE CPF PODCAST SERIES:

Series 1: Episodes 1-4 - Education and Skills

We hear from former Education Ministers and education sector experts including:

Episode 1 - Sir Nick Gibb, former Minister for Schools - reflects on 10 years at the heart of education reform, discussing school reform, the "reading wars" and phonics, the school curriculum, school standards, and rising standards in education (PISA rankings).
Episode 2 - Baroness Amanda Spielman, former Head of Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) and former HM Chief Inspector of Ofsted - discusses qualifications and standards reform, education quality and inspection, curriculum topics and more.
Episode 3 - Former Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan - discusses her strong focus on apprenticeships and skills, and on raising the status and parity of apprenticeships and skills training with academic routes.
Episode 4 - Councillor John Cope, Executive Director of UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) and National Chair of the CCA - brings his career dedicated to education, adult learning and apprenticeships to discuss apprenticeships, skills and education in depth.

You can watch the full Education and Skills podcast series HERE.

Series 2: Episodes 1-3 - Britain's Housing Challenge

Hear from a wide range of expert voices in the housing sector, focusing on the policy approaches needed to tackle Britain's housing challenge:

Episode 1 - Kevin Davis, former Leader of Kingston Council and property development and housing finance expert, discusses housing affordability and availability in the context of Britain's housing challenge.
Episode 2 - Councillor Jonathan Hulley, lawyer and law firm partner specialising in housing - discusses his specialism in the social housing sector, the affordability and availability challenges in Britain's housing market, and the new legislative changes introduced by Labour and their impact on the housing market.
Episode 3 - Councillor John Moss, campaigner, political consultant and former chartered surveyor - discusses his passion for housing and urban development, housing policy, and the economic importance of solving Britain's housing challenge.

You can watch the full podcast series on Britain's Housing Challenge HERE.

Series 3: Episodes 1-2 - Transport, Growth and Delivery

Hear from expert voices sharing insights on the policy aspects of Transport, Growth and Delivery:

Episode 1 - Sam Dimitriu, Policy Chief at Britain Remade - discusses the pressing issues surrounding transport and infrastructure in the UK, along with actionable steps for improvement.
Episode 2 - Michael Dnes, Co-Founder of Future Works - discusses his civil service career during a Conservative government under Grant Schapps at Transport, plus innovative ideas for transforming Britain's transport infrastructure, including cost-saving tunnelling technologies, large infrastructure projects and funding, EVs and the future of driverless vehicles.

You can watch the entire podcast series on Transport, Growth and Delivery HERE.

Series 4: Episode 1 (current) - The Natural Environment

In our opening video of the latest in our podcast series, we explore the natural environment with Sam Hall, Director of CEN (Conservative Environment Network):

Episode 1 - Sam Hall, Director of CEN (Conservative Environment Network) - Sam who was also formerly a Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under Michael Gove and also Head of Research at Bright Blue, leading their work on energy and environment, discusses the current state of environmental policy post-Brexit and the imperative to support farmers. This discussion highlights how vital the natural environment is and its integration into Conservative policy.

You can watch the first episode of our series on the Natural Environment HERE.

Future CPF Voices podcasts:

True to the spirit of the Conservative Policy Forum, CPF Voices also provides a platform for the Party's grassroots. Alongside ministers and parliamentarians, we will showcase the expertise, innovation and lived experience of CPF members, Member Expert Groups and Conservative Friends organisations, recognising the vital role they play in developing practical policy solutions.

Designed to be flexible, accessible and easy to share, episodes are released in a lightweight, conversational format that fits around busy lives. Whether you're travelling to work, walking the dog or catching up over a coffee, CPF Voices offers an engaging way to stay connected with Conservative thinking.

We hope the podcast becomes a valuable resource for members, policymakers, candidates and supporters alike—and something you will enjoy sharing with colleagues, friends and your own social media networks.

In future, we plan to time the launch of these podcasts to align more closely with the launch of our CPF consultation papers and act as background briefings for consultation topics.

Coming up soon: Further episodes in our series on the Natural Environment.