In this episode of “Mid Atlantic,” we explore the world of UK politics through the eyes of Steve O’Neill. Steve, a seasoned political strategist with a background in education and international policy, shares his journey from the British civil service to his involvement in political strategy with the Liberal Democrats, and his eventual shift to the Labour Party. The discussion delves into the dynamics of British politics during critical times like the end of New Labour in 2010, the coalition government, and the post-2015 election challenges faced by the Lib Dems. Steve also discusses his time in New York, including a stint with the United Nations, and his work on the “No Man’s Land” podcast, offering a perspective on political division and the quest for unity.

Notable Quotes:

1. On Political Awakening: “I wasn’t really interested in politics until I was 23, 24 years old. A lot of what I learned about policy and politics was from my day job in the civil service.”
2. On Coalition Compromises: “I thought a lot of the big ideas happened in politics. This led me to sympathize with the Lib Dems, particularly their stance during the coalition government.”
3. On Shifting Allegiances: “The world felt politically different around the Brexit referendum. That’s when I realized no more fence-sitting – it was time to support a more progressive party.”
4. On Political Identity: “I’d probably describe myself as centre-left now, aligning more with the Blair-Brown era of politics, having moved away from my earlier centrist views.”

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