Isabel Hardman
Isabel Hardman | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Hardman presiding over a Policy Exchange discussion, September 2014 | |
| Born | 5 May 1986 |
| Alma mater | University of Exeter |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Known for | Assistant editor, The Spectator |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Isabel Hardman, Lady Walney (born 5 May 1986) is a British political journalist who serves as assistant editor at The Spectator. She earned the title of Journalist of the Year at the Political Studies Association’s annual awards in 2015.
Early life
Hardman was born in Camden, London and is the daughter of Michael Hardman, who was the inaugural chairman and co-founder of the Campaign for Real Ale. Her education began at the private St Catherine's School, Bramley, followed by studies at Godalming College. She graduated with first-class honours in English literature from the University of Exeter in 2007. During her university years, she contributed freelance pieces to The Observer and completed a National Council for the Training of Journalists qualification at Highbury College in 2009.
Career
Her professional journey started as a senior reporter for Inside Housing magazine. She then advanced to assistant news editor at PoliticsHome before joining The Spectator in 2012. Between 2020 and 2021, she authored a weekly column focusing on London's natural environment for the Evening Standard.
Currently holding the role of assistant editor at The Spectator, Hardman also contributes a monthly column on health policy to the i paper. On radio, she hosts BBC Radio 4’s Week in Westminster and took on the position of Political Commentator at Times Radio starting July 2023. Her television appearances include programs such as Question Time, The Andrew Marr Show, and Have I Got News for You.
Hardman is the author of three books: Why We Get The Wrong Politicians (2018), which received best political book by a non-parliamentarian at the Parliamentary Book Awards and was shortlisted for both the Waterstones Book of the Year and Orwell Prize; followed by The Natural Health Service (2020); and most recently, Fighting for Life (2023).
Her accolades include being named among GQ’s 100 most connected women in Britain in 2014, alongside her recognition as Journalist of the Year by the Political Studies Association in 2015.
Personal life
In April 2016, Hardman reported an incident involving a male MP who referred to her as "the totty" to party whips; this MP was later identified as Conservative Bob Stewart. She has been open about her experiences with depression and anxiety, which led her to take a temporary leave from work in 2016. In 2017, she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following a significant personal ordeal. Hardman attributes her recovery to outdoor pursuits such as cold-water swimming and completed the London Marathon in 2019, raising £37,000 for Refuge.
Hardman began dating politician John Woodcock in 2016. They announced expecting their first child in November 2019; their son was born in May 2020. The couple wed in July 2021 in Barrow-in-Furness. Although entitled to use the courtesy title Lady Walney as the spouse of a peer, she chooses not to adopt it publicly.
Bibliography
- Hardman, Isabel (2018), Why We Elect the Wrong Politicians, Atlantic Books, London, UK
- Hardman, Isabel (2020), The Natural Health Service, Atlantic Books, London, UK
- Hardman, Isabel (2023), Fighting for Life, Viking, Edinburgh, UK