Peter, Polly and Danny explain what goes on inside 10 Downing Street - and the Leader of the Opposition's office - in the days and hours before Prime Minister's Questions. Why is it often the only way a PM can find out what's going on in their own government, and does Kemi Badenoch have a strategy yet? How much politics is involved in the free vote on assisted dying, and why doesn't Danny own a pair of Wellington boots? Send messages to Hugo, Peter, Polly and Danny at at howtowin@thetimes.co.uk,...
Nov 26, 2024•43 min
How should Keir Starmer cope with criticism from the world's richest man (and Trump adviser) Elon Musk - ignore him, or try to build bridges through mutual friends? And how worried should the government be as farmers protest over changes to inheritance tax? The political masterminds, and Hugo, look at the parallels with protests during the Blair years. Send messages to Hugo, Peter, Polly and Danny at at howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Hosted on Ac...
Nov 19, 2024•42 min
When you've lost an election, how do you work out what went wrong - and do you always have to blame the leader? The political masterminds (and Hugo Rifkind) look at what went wrong for Kamala Harris, and bicker (a little bit) over the Brexit referendum. And, what does Peter have to say about speculation he could be the next UK ambassador to the US? Send messages to Hugo, Peter, Polly and Danny at at howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Hosted on Acast....
Nov 12, 2024•45 min
The political masterminds are joined by Chatham House's Dr Leslie Vinjamuri to discuss the state of American democracy, the gender gap between US voters, and the chances of violence in the wake of the presidential election. Does Kemi Badenoch know which voters she'll be pursuing at the next election? And will increasing tuition fees damage Keir Starmer? You can send messages to Hugo, Peter, Polly or Danny at at howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Host...
Nov 05, 2024•44 min
The budget is at last upon us, and political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Hugo Rifkind to discuss how to manage such a crucial political and economic event. They also discuss the perils of political rallies, where Labour's obsession with 'working people' comes from, and why liberals love Diet Coke. If you've got a message, voice note or a cover version of the theme tune you can contact the political masterminds (and Hugo) at howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or...
Oct 29, 2024•43 min
We're answering your questions on the podcast this week, including - was it easier to manage the news agenda in the Blair and Cameron years? Will some Conservative MPs think about defecting under a new leader? And... whack-a-mole or guacamole, what's it all got to do with mushy peas? If you've got a message, voice note or a cover version of the theme tune you can contact the political masterminds (and Hugo) at howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Hoste...
Oct 22, 2024•54 min
We're in the final weeks of the race for the White House, and it could all come down to the votes of fewer people than it takes to fill two Taylor Swift concerts. Peter, Polly, Danny and Hugo are joined by Rest Is Politics US co-host Katty Kay to look at the latest on the contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Just how tight are the polls, what happened to Harris's momentum, and do Europeans misunderstand Trump? If you've got a message, voice note or a cover version of the theme tune yo...
Oct 15, 2024•42 min
Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein are back - now with added Hugo Rifkind. There's a lot to catch up on since they last met - including what's really going on with Sue Gray's departure from Number 10, Morgan McSweeney's leadership style, the saga of Starmer's suits, and is the Tory leadership contest a genuine clash of ideas? If you've got a message, voice note or a cover version of the theme tune you can contact the political masterminds (and Hugo) at howtowin@thetimes.co.u...
Oct 08, 2024•43 min
As the Conservatives get ready for a lengthy leadership campaign, how long could take to get back into a position where they can win - could it happen as soon as the next election, and how do they best oppose the government in the meantime? The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein look at the lessons from history, and consider how Keir Starmer will handle his first Prime Minister's Questions since taking power. We also say goodbye to Matt on his last epis...
Jul 23, 2024•44 min
Donald Trump has picked JD Vance as his running mate and looks on course to return to the White House. How is the UK Government preparing for Trump 2.0, and does it matter that the foreign secretary once called him a ‘neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath’? The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to discuss the presidential election, and whether the Conservative Party needs another Dominic Cummings. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to ...
Jul 16, 2024•38 min
It's the first week of the next election campaign, and new MPs are arriving in Westminster in their hundreds. The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to find out how the parties will manage the new intake. They also discuss the balance of power in what's left of the Conservative Party, Liz Truss's 'PopCons', and whether Tony Blair has made a helpful intervention over ID cards. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes...
Jul 09, 2024•40 min
The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley in front of a live audience to unpack the election and look forward to the next four years. Who can rescue the Conservative Party, how influential will Nigel Farage be, and can they predict Keir Starmer's first U-turn? Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...
Jul 05, 2024•47 min
Election night is nearly here, but which seats will the political masterminds be keeping an eye on as the results start flooding in? Could Liz Truss provide the next 'Portillo moment'? Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to try to predict what surprises the night might have in store, and to give their verdict on Tory attacks on a 'part-time' Keir Starmer. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the ...
Jul 02, 2024•37 min
After Joe Biden's calamitous performance in the first US presidential debate, will the Democrats have to replace him as their candidate for the White House? The political masterminds Daniel Finkelstein and Polly Mackenzie join Matt Chorley to answer your questions, including how to be authentic in politics and when is the right time to launch a leadership bid? Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Hosted on Aca...
Jun 28, 2024•24 min
It's the subject that none of the parties want to talk about - why hasn't Brexit played a bigger part in the election campaign so far? The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley as the podcast passes one million downloads. They discuss whether we'll ever rejoin the EU, whether a Keir Starmer cabinet would contain any big surprises, and why John Prescott has called Peter to apologise. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thet...
Jun 25, 2024•40 min
We're answering your questions in another bonus episode, including: Does someone at Conservative HQ have a bet on the party being wiped out? If Labour wins, will it keep MPs at Westminster all summer while the Tories are in disarray? And who will win the 2034 election? Political masterminds Daniel Finkelstein and Polly Mackenzie join Matt Chorley to discuss all of that, and whether the Tories should follow the example of Marks & Spencer to win back middle class voters. Send questions, commen...
Jun 21, 2024•23 min
As ministers admit on the airwaves that a Conservative victory looks unlikely, how will a small Tory rump in Parliament oppose a new Labour government? The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt to look back at what happened in the aftermath of the 1997 Labour landslide, and to consider which way the Conservative Party will turn next. We've also had our first piece of fan art, and launched a colouring competition. Send questions, comments and voic...
Jun 18, 2024•38 min
With Reform UK now ahead of the Conservatives according to one poll, how should Rishi Sunak respond? The political masterminds Peter Mandelson and Daniel Finkelstein think the prime minister could electrify the campaign by tackling Nigel Farage head on. They join Matt Chorley to talk about whether the polls could still shift before July 4, and whether Keir Starmer really should start measuring the curtains for 10 Downing Street. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk,...
Jun 14, 2024•24 min
We've got a special guest on the podcast this week, with American pollster and strategist Frank Luntz joining Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie, Daniel Finkelstein and Matt Chorley to discuss why Joe Biden is in trouble in the race against Donald Trump, and why the Tories are facing a Canadian-style wipeout. Was it wise for Rishi Sunak to head to a racetrack to launch the Conservative manifesto, and are any of the parties being honest about the economy? Send questions, comments and voicenotes to ...
Jun 11, 2024•42 min
The podcast is going twice-weekly for the rest of the campaign, with the political masterminds answering your questions. First up today, how did Rishi Sunak get it so wrong when he decided to leave the D-Day ceremony in France early? Can being a good constituency MP save you from defeat? And what's the point of canvassing? Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
Jun 07, 2024•23 min
How will Nigel Farage's decision to stand as a candidate for Reform UK affect the election result, and can things get any worse for Rishi Sunak? The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to discuss the chances of a Conservative implosion, Peter's last-ditch plan to replace Sunak with Penny Mordaunt, and whether the TV debates could still shift the dial. We also hear a new version of the theme music, sung in the style of The Smiths. Send q...
Jun 04, 2024•40 min
The race is on to get candidates in place for the general election, with the Tories having to deal with more MPs announcing their departure by the day. The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to discuss who the parties will pick, and who they’ll come to regret. And has Rishi Sunak’s campaign actually started better than we’d expected? Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the...
May 28, 2024•50 min
It's happened. Rishi Sunak has announced the General Election for 4th July - as predicted by Danny in the last episode of the podcast. The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt for an emergency episode, recorded at the Podcast Show in London. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 22, 2024•28 min
The long election campaign is well underway, and politicians are vying for attention with eye-catching photocalls, speeches, visits and stunts. The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein explain what happened when Blair and Brown shared an ice cream, when Ming Campbell pointed down the toilet, and when Danny was asked to arrange an actual bonfire of regulations. And why does Danny think the chances of a summer election may be rising? Send questions, comment...
May 21, 2024•41 min
Is there a point in an election campaign when you realise that the game is up and you're going to lose? And can you admit it when it happens? The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to discuss whether Rishi Sunak has another roll of the dice, why Polly planned for a coalition that never happened, and when Peter, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown knew they had no chance of beating the Tories. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin...
May 14, 2024•41 min
What is Rishi Sunak's political legacy, and has he still got time to build one? The political masterminds discuss when leaders have left a lasting change - and whether they can ever leave the public wanting more. Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to talk about legacy, why Rachel Reeves is using the word 'gaslighting', and why Peter thinks the Green Party is becoming a 'dustbin' for the hard left. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes...
May 07, 2024•40 min
In a special bonus episode of the podcast, Matt and the political masterminds analyse the local elections results in front of a live audience. How easy is it to spin your way out of a heavy election defeat, has Rishi Sunak done enough to see off Tory rebels, and should Labour be talking more about Liz Truss? Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 03, 2024•47 min
Is there anything that Rishi Sunak can do to defy political gravity and deny Labour a majority? And after flying high for so long, can the SNP find a new leader that will help them turn the page? The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to discuss the turmoil in Scottish politics, whether Labour is overpromising, and Conservative fortunes heading into the local elections in England and Wales. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to ho...
Apr 30, 2024•40 min
There's currently no vacancy for the leadership of the Conservative Party, but that hasn't stopped potential candidates from positioning themselves for life after Rishi Sunak. Matt Chorley asks the political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein how to get the top job without being seen to wield the knife. After Rishi Sunak turns on Liz Truss, has he been taking their advice? And what will happen if Donald Trump endorses Nigel Farage during the election campaign? Se...
Apr 23, 2024•43 min
How much lasting damage has Liz Truss done to the Conservative Party, and any future leaders hoping to pursue a radical tax-cutting agenda? The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to discuss the former prime minister's new book and whether she wants her party to win or lose the election. And with local elections on the way, does expectation management really work - and could a defeat even lead to Rishi Sunak walking away from Downing St...
Apr 16, 2024•40 min
