Bim Afolami is a rising Conservative star and has only been an MP since 2017. As a One Nation Conservative who's passionate about climate change, is he happy with the direction and leadership of his party? Can the Conservatives bring the whole UK together in the wake of Brexit? What effect are the politics of London having on the rest of the country? Bim also reveals what his style of football does or doesn't say about his politics. Follow Bim on Twitter: @BimAfolami Follow Matt on Twitter: @mat...
Nov 15, 2019•34 min
Gloria de Piero has been the Labour MP for Ashfield since 2010 but is standing down at this election. In this electric interview Gloria talks frankly and hilariously about the political challenges she faced locally and nationally and reflects honestly about her time in politics. This is a classic from the outset, enjoy! Follow Gloria on Twitter: @GloriaDePiero Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email your tales of canvassing and campaigning mishaps to: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to ...
Nov 14, 2019•32 min
Greg Cook was Labour's Head of Political Strategy and the party's polling guru. Known to Labour Party staff as 'Mystic Greg', his insights and expertise have helped shape numerous Labour election campaigns. In this fascinating interview he analyses this campaign. How is each party trying to plot a course to victory? Can either of the two major parties win an outright majority? Are the rules of politics changing? Are there any? Follow Greg on Twitter: @GregCook10 Follow Matt: @mattforde Email the...
Nov 13, 2019•41 min
Boris Johnson's former adviser and Chief Exec of iNHouse Communications, Jo Tanner, shares her assessment of the Prime Minister. Jo worked closely with Johnson on his 2008 Mayoral campaign with her colleague Katie Perrior. Johnson said of them “They are the Fortnum and Mason of Communications. They deliver, and they deliver quality. Without them, I simply would not have been made Mayor.” As well as insights into his personality, working style and character, Jo also tells us what advice she'd giv...
Nov 12, 2019•31 min
Brandon Lewis is the Minister of State for Security and the Conservative MP for Great Yarmouth since 2010. He joins Matt for the very first daily edition of the show and discusses the Conservative themes for the campaign, as well as the report on the threats to UK democracy, the Conservative claims about Labour spending and Brandon's personal tips for electoral success. Oh and the time he was accused of murder. Follow Brandon on Twitter: @BrandonLewis Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Sign up t...
Nov 11, 2019•36 min
Jo Swinson is the Leader of the Liberal Democrats and is hoping to become the UK's next Prime Minister. She talks to Matt at the start of the 2019 General Election campaign and explains why the Lib Dems policy of revoking Article 50, why the party wouldn't enter into a coalition with Jeremy Corbyn or Boris Johnson and gives the inside story on how she was almost a lad's mag pin-up. REGISTER TO VOTE (but only if you promise to use your vote sensibly): https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Follow Jo...
Nov 01, 2019•1 hr 37 min
Kate Andrews is Associate Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs and at just 29 is already an experienced and assured pundit on TV and radio, regularly advocating the power of free markets. In a fascinating discussion about what openness and freedom mean, Kate speaks passionately in favour of immigration as well as public sector reform. It's a timely reminder than politics is exciting when it's about ideas and more enjoyable when discussed respectfully. You can follow Kate on Twitter here...
Oct 17, 2019•1 hr 1 min
The star of Newsround, Channel 4 News and Shaun of the Dead gives his fascinating insights into holding politicians to account. From his first presenting job before he was at university, to hosting 'Britain's Next Prime Minister', Krishnan takes us inside the life of a modern news presenter: the challenges, the culture and the tactics that some politicians use to evade scrutiny. It's a riveting listen and a timely reminder of the importance of rigorous and impartial news reporting. The big quest...
Oct 10, 2019•1 hr 12 min
Ken Clarke is the Father of the House and one of the longest serving Cabinet ministers in British history. A prominent Chancellor, Health Secretary and Home Secretary among many other positions, he is one of the most popular politicians in Parliament. He now finds himself in an unusual position, having the Conservative Whip removed for blocking a 'No Deal' Brexit. He joins Matt on the evening that Boris Johnson addressed the Commons following the Supreme Court ruling that found he'd acted unlawf...
Sep 26, 2019•1 hr 39 min
Darren Grimes is a Eurosceptic campaigner who tells Matt the harrowing inside story of how he came to be fined £20,000 by the Electoral Commission and how he had the verdict overturned on appeal. In one of the most fascinating episodes of The Political Party, Darren explains his journey from the Lib Dems to the Conservatives and the story of his rise to prominence so early in his 20s. Follow Darren on Twitter here: @darrengrimes_ Follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Get tickets for the London...
Sep 18, 2019•1 hr 26 min
Richard Carr is Senior Lecturer in History and Politics at Anglia Ruskin University. He joins Matt to discuss his new book 'March of the Moderates', which studies The Third Way - a political creed championed by Bill Clinton's Democrats and Tony Blair's new Labour. As well as analysing the rise and fall of both, Matt picks Richard's brains about whether The Third Way could have a resurgence today. Get tickets for The Political Party and the London dates of 'Brexit, Pursued by a Bear': www.mattfor...
Sep 16, 2019•51 min
Nicola Sturgeon joins Matt at the Edinburgh Festival for a wide-ranging and often hilarious interview. The First Minister reveals what really happened behind closed doors with Boris Johnson and her plan for dealing with him. They discuss the economic case for independence, the challenges and lessons of leadership and a love of books which leads to a question Nicola did not see coming... You can follow Nicola here: @NicolaSturgeon You can follow Matt here: @mattforde For tickets to the Political ...
Aug 28, 2019•1 hr 3 min
In the first of two specials recorded at the Edinburgh Festival, Matt is joined by Kezia Dugdale. Kezia is only 37 but has already been Deputy Leader and Leader of Scottish Labour. She led the party through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history, guiding it through the aftermath of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. In this fascinating and frank interview, Kezia reveals the challenges she faced as leader and the work she now does in combating populism at the John Smith Centre....
Aug 22, 2019•1 hr 2 min
Deborah Mattinson is a founding partner of research company BritainThinks and advised the Labour Party from 1987 before becoming chief pollster to Gordon Brown. Deborah gives not just a fascinating snapshot of British public opinion now, but the benefit of years of analysis and research to tell us the changes in public opinion and our relationship with politicians. Deborah is the oracle of public opinion and shares her extensive experience and expertise, which makes for a thrilling listen. You c...
Jul 12, 2019•1 hr 10 min
Keir Starmer is the Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and to many people, the real Leader of the Opposition. In this honest and sometimes hilarious interview, Keir takes us behind the scenes of the cross party Brexit talks, shadow cabinet meetings and his own discussions with Michel Barnier. He also reveals his frustrations with Brexit, his own party and British politics in general. Follow Keir on Twitter: @Keir_Starmer Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Get tickets to Mat...
Jul 03, 2019•1 hr 32 min
Tom Harris was a Labour MP in Glasgow for 14 years. In that time saw rapid change in the politics of Scotland, the Labour Party and the UK. Never one to pussyfoot around a subject, Tom delivers his unvarnished assessment of it all. Gloriously unpredictable, he doesn't always stand where you'd expect him to and in this straight-talking and hilarious interview, he calls it as he sees it. Buy Tom's book 'Ten Years in the Death of the Labour Party' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ten-Years-Death-Labo...
Jun 25, 2019•1 hr
In this Conservative Party leadership special, Matt is joined by David Cameron's former PPS, Sam Gyimah and the man who's made all the running in the Conservative leadership election so far, Rory Stewart. Two compelling interviews, for very different reasons, make this a Political Party like no other. Plus, does Matt have a major scoop on his hands? You can follow Sam on Twitter here: @SamGyimah You can follow Rory on Twitter here: @RoryStewartUK You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde M...
May 30, 2019•2 hr 2 min
John McTernan is a highly respected political strategist and has advised leaders around the world including Tony Blair and Julia Gillard. For the first time ever, he talks in detail about his experience of the Cash for Honours inquiry, during which he was interviewed twice under caution. You can follow John on Twitter here: @johnmcternan You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com See the final performances of Matt's 'Brexit Through The Gift Sh...
May 17, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Sophie Walker was the founding leader of the Women's Equality Party and led the party for 4 years. In this powerful interview she reveals the lessons of leadership, the impact that the party has already had, the reason she stood down and what the future holds. Sophie also discusses the challenges facing women in politics and those that have personally effected herself as an individual. Oh and there's a discussion about Phillip Davies MP which might surprise you. You can follow Sophie on Twitter ...
May 03, 2019•1 hr 21 min
Suella Braverman has become one of the most prominent Brexiteers in Parliament. She is a leading member and former Chair of the European Research Group and dispels some of the myths surrounding it. As well as her frustrations with the government's handling of Brexit, Suella explains her journey towards voting Leave, why she believes Brexit is an opportunity for the UK and some top tips on how to make a great spaghetti bolognese. You can follow Suella on Twitter here: @SuellaBraverman You can fol...
Apr 30, 2019•1 hr 34 min
Arthur Snell served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Zimbabwe as a diplomat and worked on the UK's anti-terrorism strategy 'Prevent'. In this revealing interview, Arthur gives a fascinating insight into the effects of Empire, Britain's role in the world and the dangers of working in some of the most volatile parts of the world. You can follow Christopher Hope on Twitter here: @SnellArthur You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com See Matt's ev...
Apr 19, 2019•1 hr 3 min
Ten years ago the Expenses Scandal exposed the financial claims of our MPs and was an earthquake in UK politics. Christopher Hope helped break the story at the time and gives an insiders account of how The Daily Telegraph ran with it, his own unique role in the team and how it's changed our politics. He is also Chair of the Lobby and gives a peek into the world of political journalism including some potential help for Matt... You can follow Christopher Hope on Twitter here: @ChristopherHope You ...
Apr 12, 2019•1 hr 4 min
Just a few days ago Nick Boles sensationally resigned from the Conservative Party. In this revealing and honest interview he tells Matt how he reached that point, the changes he's seen in the Tory Party and the way he thinks politics will develop. Oh and a chat about his favourite Ibiza nightclubs. You can follow Nick on Twitter here: @NickBoles You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com See Matt's ever-extending 'Brexit Through The Gift Shop'...
Apr 05, 2019•1 hr 8 min
Well, the timing could not have been better. George Osborne joins Matt on the day that Theresa May announced that she would resign if her deal passed in the Commons and the night that the Commons held its indicative Brexit votes. George overcomes his grief at the Prime Minister's imminent departure and shares hilarious stories about working for Iain Duncan Smith, facing Gordon Brown for the first time and Russian spying. He also discusses his new role as editor of the Evening Standard, his oppos...
Mar 29, 2019•1 hr 46 min
Brace yourself for some juicy political detail and a burst of positivity as Naomi Smith is the Chief Operating Officer of Best for Britain and co-host of the Remainiacs Podcast is tells Matt about the various anti-Brexit campaigns and how they're distinct from each other, the way to win a second referendum and the things that inform her own politics. Prepare to enter the world of MRP (all will be explained). Oh and there's some food chat scattered throughout the show like seasoning. You can foll...
Mar 22, 2019•1 hr 24 min
Welcome to this special, bonus live episode with 4 members of the newly formed Independent Group: Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes, Heidi Allen and Chuka Umunna. They all recently left the Labour and Conservative parties to sit together in the House of Commons. In these hilarious and at times emotional interviews, they reveal why they came to their individual decisions, what the future of the group is and what will set them apart from other political parties. Oh and what they had at Nando's. You can find ...
Mar 08, 2019•2 hr 3 min
There aren't many politicians who've led a life like Johnny Mercer. In this hilarious and sometimes emotional interview, Johnny tells Matt about his tours of Afghanistan and the effect they had on him, the way he thinks politics should be and his hopes for the future. Oh and some incredible stories you won't hear elsewhere. You can follow Johnny on Twitter here: @JohnnyMercerUK You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Matt brings his brand-new 'Brexit Through The Gift Shop' show to these ...
Mar 01, 2019•1 hr 31 min
Matt is joined by the Editor of Brexit Central, Jonathan Isaby. The pair first met 12 years ago and here they rekindle their love of political impressions, election coverage and football stickers. Jonathan has been a prominent and influential writer and lobbyist, working for The Telegraph, ConservativeHome and running the Taxpayer's Alliance as their Chief Executive. You can follow Jonathan on Twitter: @Isaby You can follow Brexit Central on Twitter: @BrexitCentral Matt brings his brand-new 'Bre...
Feb 15, 2019•1 hr 21 min
Tony Blair joins Matt for a discussion about the latest on Brexit. What happens with the backstop? Should we delay Article 50? Will he personally protest in the streets if he doesn't get his way? The former Prime Minister answers all those questions and more. You can follow The Institute for Global Change on Twitter and Instagram: @InstituteGC You can read Tony's latest article on Brexit here: https://institute.global/news/tony-blair-what-next-brexit You can catch Matt's tour 'Brexit Through The...
Feb 08, 2019•45 min
David Blunkett served as Education Secretary, Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under Tony Blair. One of the most talented and prominent members of the new Labour government, his achievements are even more remarkable given the challenges he had to overcome. David talks warmly and openly about politics then, politics now and how being blind at football matches is a lot better than it used to be. Oh and listen out for a timely intervention from his dog, Barley... Matt is ...
Feb 01, 2019•1 hr 31 min
