Behind every politician is a fixer. After a stint as a councillor during the New Labour era, for many years Kelvin Blake has worked behind the scenes as a key figure in the city’s Labour party.
Blake, who also sits on the boards of a number of local organisations, worked on key campaigns that have seen Labour secure the lion’s share of political power. These have included those of the mayor, Marvin Rees, and Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy.
But what exactly goes on in the engine room of the local political machine? Where next for Labour as the Greens challenge the party’s establishment status? And how has a life-threatening motorbike accident almost two decades ago – which left him unable to walk – shaped his worldview?
Join Neil for a fascinating peek behind the curtain of power in our city.
Comments
Related content
Listen: Bristol Unpacked with new Green leader Emma Edwards on being the biggest political force in these parts
The Greens are now the council's biggest party, but given their limited experience of being in power, how will they work with others under the new committee system, including their antagonists on the Labour benches?
