The New Statesman

Hello, I'm Anoush Shikilian and this is Daily Politics from The New Statesman.

I'm very sad to say that we're saying goodbye to our longest serving journalist, George Eaton.

And George has joined us now to have a few last words on the podcast, George.

That's right. The rumours are true. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm devastated because you were here. I think you were the first person that I saw in the office when I came in on my first day, because you used to come in early because you used to do morning call. That's right. Yeah. Which was then an article, wasn't it? Yeah. Yes. Yeah. And I, being a diligent new, young reporter,

came in on time at 9 a.m. No one else was there, but you were there. And you made me feel

very welcome. And I do remember in my first ever week, which was back in 2014, I had to host

the podcast in my first week. And I was terrified because it was you and Raf Baer Bear who's now at The Guardian, both of whom were sort of political journalism heroes of

mine. So I felt very nervous hosting the podcast with the both of you. But you've always been

so welcoming, George, and you've been this steadfast presence for my whole time at the New

Statesman and for many of my colleagues,

because you've been here 17 years.

That's right.

I know.

I can't quite believe it either.

So what prompted you to move on, George?

Let me give you my grilling.

That's a very good question.

Look, I think it's been a sort of wonderful innings. And I joined in 2009 as a staff writer and then went on to found edit the Staggers blog, then did my first thing to Westminster as political editor.

Yeah.

And then I went on to edit the website for a long period.

You know, editing is great writers like yourself.

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