Armando Iannucci hosts the programme that gives you a cast-iron guarantee to be laser-focused on decoding the baffling world of political language.
Each week he'll be joined by a guest to crack open the political phrasebook and attempt to demystify the doublespeak. Why does everything now have to be 'turbo-charged'? What's the difference between a 'pledge' and a 'mission'? Why has my local MP been 'weaponised' and should I be worried?
You'll be treated to a crash course in the dark arts of political language from people on the inside who are both baffled and beguiled by it. They'll walk you through the various verbal fiascos of the modern political lexicon so that by the end you'll be oven-ready for an appearance on Newsnight.
Armando's erstwhile partner in de-baffling political lexicon, Helen Lewis, is away working in the United States in the autumn and so her seat will be kept warm by a rotating cast of co-hosts.
Listen to Strong Message Here on Thursdays on Radio 4 at 9.45am, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds.
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4.
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Armando is at the Labour Party conference (well, in a portakabin in a car park nearby - the glamour!), and is joined by Newscast's Adam Fleming to chat all things conference. Has message discipline killed the party conference? Or does their own momentum still make them newsworthy? Looking at conferences past, we look at what makes them an interesting part of the political calendar, and how language comes to the fore. Listen to Strong Message Here on Radio 4 at 9:45 on Tuesdays, and an extended v...
Stewart Lee joins Armando Iannucci to explore the concept of "hurty words" and the erosion of free speech, examining how political figures like Trump and Vance use misinformation and intimidation. They discuss the redefinition of "cancel culture" as "consequence culture," the suppression of dissent, and the ideological conflict between entertainment corporations' liberal messaging and their owners' political leanings. The episode also critiques the manipulative use of ambiguous language by public figures like Elon Musk and Farage, highlighting the dangers of unspecified threats.
In the first episode of the new series, Armando Iannucci and guest co-host, Ria Lina look at the use and abuse of political language. The political summer is often called 'silly season', but with global conflict and rising tensions at home, Armando and Ria look at the language that defined recent months including Keir Starmer's "Phase 2" and the word "plastic". Armando’s erstwhile partner in de-baffling political lexicon, Helen Lewis is away working in the United States in the Autumn and so her ...
In the last of our summer mini-series, Helen brings a book by Terry Pratchett. To Helen's surprise, this is a blind spot for Armando, who hasn't read any despite being told to do so many times. Where do you start with such an extensive back catalogue? What makes Pratchett's satire so timeless? and has Helen found a new Pratchett super-fan in Armando? Strong Message Here will return next week. If you have a strong message for Helen and Armando, please email strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk Production ...
Armando has been watch Tehran on Apple TV. This multi-language show about spy agencies in Iran and Israel sheds gives you a glimpse in to life on the ground in these countries that you can't get from headlines alone. Like the Post Office scandal in the UK, why does it sometimes take a dramatisation to mobilise the public, and bring about change? Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds. Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Executi...
If you're interested in fantasy, and fancy taking on a responsibility equivalent to a part-time job, Helen recommends Elden Ring. A wildly popular Japanese video game which allows you to live in a world created by George RR Martin. With place and character names reminiscent of Lord of the Rings, we ask why that is the accepted register of fantasy. Could it be the detail and care which Tolkien gave to his languages, and the sounds of words denoting a sense of place, building a rich landscape? And...
In 1998, a Japanese man was filmed in solitary confinement for our entertainment. Naked as the day he was born, which led to his suggestive nickname, the Japanese people were gripped by Tomoaki Hamatsu's journey. Today, can we see how reality TV has infected our storytelling and our language? Whether it's someone in Big Brother proudly declaring they'll 'say it to your face' or an Apprentice-host-turned-President telling you 'you're fired' - are these reality shows replacing the art of storytell...
What is xenising? And why do authority figures do it? Can we trace Farage back to the shamans of the past? Helen recommends Dr Manvir Singh's book Shamanism: The Timeless Religion, which helps inform a discussion around ritual and our desire for formality, and even otherness, from authority figures. Helen and Armando also debate whether ayahuasca retreats are ego trips, or enlightening experiences, and why they could never follow Thatcher's night time regimen. Join Helen and Armando over the sum...
Fancy trying a new author, but don't know where to start? Armando recommends a short novel by Penelope Fitzgerald, and Helen shares a tip on how to try on a new author for size before committing. Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds. Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Sound Editing: Chris Maclean Recorded at The Sound Company Strong Message Here: Strong Recommend is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davi...
Helen has been to the theatre recently, so you don't have to! Jamie Lloyd's production of Evita has a moment in it which can be enjoyed by anyone who happens to be near the venue at about 9pm most nights across the summer. You can enjoy the showstopper yourself, whilst also adding to the experience of those in the venue who are missing out. Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds. Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Executive Pr...
This week, it's Armando's term to recommend something, and he makes the case for a little known up-and-coming writer, William Shakespeare. Richard II doesn't get its due among the other historical plays. Armando wonders why? It's full of drama and it's written in verse, what's not to love? Helen also discusses it in the context of the time, and what made it such a brave piece of writing. We also discuss which Shakespearean historical figure modern politicians might be. Join Helen and Armando ove...
This week, Helen picks a book she's enjoyed recently. Jason Roberts' book from this year, Every Living Thing, details Carl Linnaeus and Du Buffon's attempts at taxonomy. The naming conventions of various parts of our world have informed so much of our lives. From what we call different animals and plants, to how relatively arbitrary classification of human races may have helped justify the slave trade. Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on ...
To start off this mini-series, Armando picks a film he's enjoyed recently. Tim Key and Tom Basden's hit film The Ballad of Wallis Island started life as a short film, and has won plaudits for its offbeat, funny and warm story. How do films get made, when is the British film industry at his best, and what makes a film like this so special? Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds. Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Executive Prod...
This week, Helen and Armando look back at a year of the Labour government. What language has come out of if, and why is it struggling to define itself? Looking at phrases from the year, like "The tepid bath of managed decline" and "National Health Recovery Mission Champions", does their language connect, and are their opponents any better? Strong Message Here will be back on Radio 4 in September, but subscribe to BBC Sounds to hear Helen and Armando over the summer in Strong Message Here: Strong...
This week, Helen Lewis is back! In the longer edition, you can hear what Helen has been up to in her absence, before Helen and Armando set their sights on the language around Net Zero. They ask, Why has it taken long for them to cover it on the show? Is it being framed in a relatable enough way? And, does it suffer from being part of an 'omnicause'? Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode. Have you stumbled up...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci decodes the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen Lewis is still away, so Journalist Marina Hyde steps in to join Armando. They discuss what an ordinary person might be, and examine if politicians use them as cover? Why is it always that things 'ordinary people' are saying 'on the doorstep' just so happen to be the exact things they wanted to do anyway? We also look at delivery in politics. Do we believe politicians when they say they'll de...
This week, Helen Lewis is still away, so comedian Sara Pascoe steps in to join Armando. They reminisce over their first meeting on the set of a classic episode of The Thick of It - which was also in a radio studio - and then go on to discuss politicians on both sides of the Atlantic having thunderous breakups, and then making up in record time. Musk regrets his posts about Trump, and Zia Yusuf returns to Reform, despite some in the party 'popping champagne' at his departure. And we examine more ...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci decodes the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen Lewis is away, so comedian and writer Stewart Lee joins Armando to look at Robert Jenrick's flashy video in which he takes aim at 'weird Turkish barber shops', among other things. They discuss how the way politicians, entertainers and journalists are changing and overlapping, and Armando recalls the time he read politician's jokes in a comedy club (spoiler alert, it was a disaster). Listen t...
This week, we have a very special guest, Jon Stewart! Jon joins Armando and Helen to discuss whether Trump is the political equivalent of Miles Davis, the quaintness of UK politics compared to the US, Jon does a flawless Margaret Thatcher impression and they answer the age old question... are escalators the most emasculating form of travel? Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode. Have you stumbled upon any pe...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, we're looking at inflammatory language. From Immigration to EU deals, we've heard talk of of 'betrayal' 'surrender' 'invasion' and of course 'an island of strangers'. When is this hyperbole appropriate and when is it egregious? And, can we ever forgive Boris Johnson for the mental image of the Prime Minister as the 'orange ball-chewing manacled gimp of Brussels'? Listen t...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando take a step back and look at whether we're seeing the death of nuance in political debate. Is everything boiled down to 'yes or no' questions? What are the shibboleths of modern politics, and does the language you use, or decline to use, put you firmly on one side of a debate? Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then hea...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, following Reform's announcement they will remove all flags from all council buildings under their jurisdiction - other than the Union Flag and the St George's Cross - Helen and Armando are joined by Phil Wang to discuss Britishness, Englishness, Scottishness, Irishness, Welshness and Malaysianess. Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then ...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, a look over the pond at Trump's first 100 days. How have his administration used language to further their agenda? From the Gulf of America, to Making Showers Great Again, Helen and Armando examine how the US government is finding linguistic tricks to set the terms of debate. Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC S...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Helen Lewis and Armando Iannucci are joined by the BBC's former Live Political Editor to discuss the art of the political interview. What's a valid question? What's a cheap gotcha? They also discuss Paxman's beard, the best political interviews and how to get the most out of a politician who is bending over backwards to say absolutely nothing. Listen to Strong Message Here every Thu...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando are joined by economist and journalist for the Financial Times, Soumaya Keynes. They take a look back on Liberation Day - what exactly was America being liberated from? What was the response in China to the tariffs? and Soumaya wades into the murky waters of Truth Social. Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head str...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando are joined by author, broadcaster and former adviser to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, Cleo Watson. Taking a look back at the three word slogans that defined politics in recent years, especially those that relate to Cleo's time in number 10. Why are they so catchy? Hands Face Space... Take Back Control... Strong Message Here.... Listen to Strong Message ...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Following the remarkable security breach dubbed 'Signalgate', Helen and Armando are joined by political editor of Politics Joe, Ava Santina Evans, to discuss how casualness has crept into political communication. Is it a threat? Is it just cringe? And why oh why do we still use the suffix 'gate' for a scandal, given its origins are over 50 years old? Listen to Strong Message Here ev...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Are Labour telling a good enough story? Who is the best storyteller in politics? How do you establish a narrative to take control of events, rather than let events define you? To answer these questions, Helen and Armando are joined by Associate Editor and Columnist for The Financial Times, Stephen Bush. Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head ...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, the Government announced their plans for welfare reform, so we take a look at the language around welfare, around benefit claimants, and how it's changed over the years. Gone are the 'strivers vs shirkers' of the 2010s or even Peter Lilley's infamous 'little list' of the early 90s. This government talks of 'supporting people into work' and 'right to try', but with the sav...
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Musk has been threatening a former astronaut (no, not the one he threatened the other week - another one), Trump has been talking tariffs, and Rupert Lowe took on his party's 'Messiah', Nigel Farage. What does all this tough talk mean in politics? Does projecting strength always work? Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight...
