Personal Politics

Aoife Clements, Founder of 50:50 NI

Today's guest is Aoife Clements, PhD student and founder of the 50:50 NI organisation which works to encourage more women to get involved in politics. We discussed everything from why we have so few women in political life, how to change that and why that is for the better, and what she thinks of gender quotas.
 
You can find more information on the work of 50:50 here: https://5050ni.com/ 
 

David Mc Cann, Deputy Editor, Commentator & Lecturer

In this week's episode, I chat with Dr David McCann, Deputy Editor of Slugger O'Toole, political commentator and lecturer. 
We discussed his early memories of politics, why he finds the field so interesting and which politicians are best at standing out from the crowd at a time when politicians are under scrutiny more than ever. 

Claire Hanna MP, Leader of the SDLP

In this week's episode, we chat to Claire Hanna about her early years in politics, her opinions on the current state of our politics and her hopes for the SDLP now that she has become party leader. 

Eoghan Murphy, former TD & Minister of Housing

Our guest today is Eoghan Murphy, former Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South and the Minister of Housing Planning and Local Government between 2017 and 2020. 
We discussed his new book, Running from Office, written based on his experience in Irish politics before his surprise resignation in 2021. 

Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail

I first met Brian over 12 years ago when we both did the Legislative Studies and Practice Masters Course in Queen’s University, Belfast. Brian is originally from Longford and studied a degree in History, Politics and International Relations in UCD. Following the Masters in Belfast he spent several years working as a lobbyist in London, before returning to UCD to do a Masters in Journalism. After spending several years with The Times Ireland, he now works as a political correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail.
Brian spoke to us about working in political media, the impact of social media, and advice for his 16 year old self. 

Chris Hazzard, South Down MP

Today's guest is Chris Hazzard, MP for South Down. First co-opted as an MLA to the Stormont Assembly in April 2012 at the age of 26, Chris was the youngest MLA in the Assembly at that time. He went on to become Minister for Infrastructure in May 2016 until the institutions collapsed the following year. He then became MP for his home constituency of South Down in the 2017 Westminster election, becoming the first Sinn Féin MP to hold the seat and has held the seat ever since.

Personal Politics Intro Ep

This is Personal Politics with Ursula Savage. 
Join me as I speak to politicians, policy-makers, journalists, campaigners and many others as we hear what motivated them to become involved in political life, to listen to their stories and find out what they’ve learnt so far.
It’s easier to understand the politics, when we get to know the people.