Andrew Allison, Peter Ford & Bill Etheridge on The Lembit Öpik Show - 10 July 2024

GUEST OVERVIEW: Peter Ford is from a working class family in the north west of England. Opportunities created by Harold Wilson’s government enabled him to have a successful career in the Foreign Office serving as British Ambassador to Bahrain in 1999-2003 and then Syria 2003-2006 before retirement. Peter is a lifelong socialist and former member of the Labour Party. After retiring Peter worked for the UNRWA where he was its representative in the Arab world, fundraising millions in aid for the Palestinian people.

GUEST OVERVIEW: Bill Etheridge, born in Wolverhampton in 1970, hails from an aspirational working-class background. Raised by hardworking parents, his father's dedication to work and study influenced him. His grandfather's valor in WWII, recognized by Field Marshall Montgomery, shaped his family's ethos. After schooling in Wolverhampton, Etheridge pursued a career in the Steel Stockholding industry, climbing from the shop floor to Managing Director over two decades. Transitioning to politics, he worked for the Tories before joining UKIP in 2011. His political journey, marked by grassroots activism and electoral success, includes roles as an MEP and Metropolitan Borough Councillor. Etheridge's speaking engagements range from local councils to the United Nations, and his media presence includes interviews with prominent figures and participation in televised debates. Additionally, he founded a charity aiding those with physical and mental health needs and became a published author in recent years