Make yourself a cup of tea in your favourite mug and settle in for a rollercoaster of an episode. It's got everything: the inside story of the 2017 election campaign, a philosophical discussion about liberalism and tales from inside Theresa May's Downing Street. This will satisfy your every political desire. Enjoy! Pre-order a signed copy of Matt's book 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Order 'Remaking One Nation: The Future of Conservatism' her...
Sep 04, 2020•1 hr 17 min
Scottish Labour's Finance Spokesperson gives us a brilliant insight into the latest issues in Scottish politics. Jackie responds to the latest figures on Scotland's spending, revenue and deficit - and what it means in the political context of independence. She also shares her experiences as a member of the Committee on the Scottish Government's Handling of Harassment Claims and their frustration at not being able to access the information they want. Jackie is also Deputy Leader of Scottish Labou...
Aug 27, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Six weeks ago the Education Select Committee published a report on calculated grades. That report raised serious concerns about disadvantaged pupils having their grades downgraded. The committee's chair, Robert Halfon, takes us through their findings and expresses his frustration with a system which they knew was clearly flawed. Matt and Robert also discuss other areas of the committee's work, Robert's passion for tackling disadvantage and his desire to see the Conservative Party change its logo...
Aug 20, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Bill Browder tells the story behind the Magnitsky Act that he successfully lobbied governments around the world to introduce. Sergei Magnitsky was Bill's lawyer and was tortured and murdered by the Russian authorities. Bill explains how he went from running the largest foreign portfolio investment fund in Russia to having the company taken over by criminals, getting deported, being found guilty of tax fraud in his absence and having Interpol arrest warrants issued for him. This is an astonishing...
Jul 31, 2020•59 min
Get ready for the best briefing on the Russia Report you'll hear. Tom is back to explain the findings of the report and the context behind it. An expert on Russia and its relationship with the UK, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee gives his top-level insight into the issues around our handling of Russian interference and why the Russian government behaves the way it does. Pre-order a signed copy of Matt's book 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product...
Jul 24, 2020•1 hr 6 min
In the second of two Lib Dem Leadership Specials, Ed Davey delivers his leadership pitch and reflects on his time in government. He gives an impassioned critique of the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, especially on care home deaths. Ed also underlines his own liberal philosophy and how it would apply to future public health challenges. Follow Ed on Twitter here: @EdwardJDavey Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK G...
Jul 17, 2020•1 hr
In the first of two Lib Dem Leadership Specials featuring each candidate, Layla Moran explains how the party can move on from the shock of the last few years and force itself into the national conversation. How do the Lib Dems win back the trust of their former voters? Where does the party position itself in a post-Corbyn world? What do Lib Dem members want the party to do? What's it like running for the leadership during lockdown? Oh and a bit of personal stuff... Follow Layla on Twitter here: ...
Jul 10, 2020•1 hr
Barack Obama's former Deputy Labor Secretary takes us inside the administration with brilliant insights about both Barack Obama and Joe Biden - their personalities and their leadership styles. Seth explains what being on a transition team for in incoming President actually involves and shares some great stories about his time on both the Bill Clinton and Barack Obama transition teams. Looking ahead to the election the pair discuss how clean it will be and how much outside interference we can exp...
Jun 26, 2020•1 hr 38 min
The importance of free speech - and the limits of it - have again been the subject of contentious debate. Ruth Smeeth is the new Chief Executive of the Index on Censorship, an organisation which champions freedom of expression. Her timely appointment follows her 4 years as the Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent North. Ruth reflects on her experience as a Jewish woman in Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party and delivers her analysis on how Labour can win places like Stoke back. Follow Ruth on Twitter here: @Ru...
Jun 19, 2020•1 hr 22 min
If you want to feel better about the world, you've come to the right place. The energetic Shadow Justice Secretary (and Shadow Lord Chancellor) talks movingly about the power of identity and tribes. In the middle of this distressing and emotional time, David Lammy helps us make sense of it with an inspiring generosity of spirit and sharp political advice. It's a classic. Follow David on Twitter here: @DavidLammy Buy David's latest book 'Tribes' here: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Tribes-David-Lammy...
Jun 10, 2020•1 hr 4 min
The SNP's Home Affairs Spokeperson is also a QC and was central to bringing the case against the government to the Supreme Court, which ruled the Prime Minister had unlawfully prorogued Parliament. Joanna shares the story behind the case as well as discussing the need for internal debate in political parties and what the future prospectus for an independent Scotland should be and how it should be decided. Follow Mark on Twitter here: @joannaccherry Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde For the late...
Jun 01, 2020•1 hr 15 min
Our foremost political playwright and screenwriter joins Matt for a brilliant discussion about creating theatre and film out of politics. Do his shows reflect his own politics? Does he try to be balanced? Why, in This House, choose to write a play about a minority government and the challenges it faced? It's also a discussion about the role of James' background on his art and why growing up in a Nottinghamshire coal mining community shaped the things that he values in politics. Oh, and a bit abo...
May 28, 2020•1 hr 8 min
George W Bush's former speechwriter delivers a devastating assessment of Donald Trump's Presidency and electoral prospects. Expanding on the themes of his new book 'Trumpocalypse', David analyses the effect of Trump on the Republican party and the democratic structures of the United States. Credited with creating the phrase "axis of evil", David explains the reasoning behind those specific words and takes us inside George W Bush's White House. Follow David on Twitter here: @davidfrum Buy 'Trumpo...
May 25, 2020•56 min
The First Minister of Wales shares his personal experience of leading a country through a crisis, covering the practical, personal and political elements of the crisis as well as of what comes after. The FM also ponders the differing political forces within the UK, particularly of what makes the experience of Labour in Wales so different to that of Labour in Scotland. This is a packed hour of top-level leadership insight and political wisdom. Follow Mark on Twitter here: @MarkDrakeford Follow Ma...
May 22, 2020•56 min
One of the biggest stars of the Thatcher and Major years takes us back in time to a political arena with very different values. This is an enthralling experience mixing the personal and the political. Prepare to live history through someone who was so prominent and who documented the time in such detail. Follow Edwina on Twitter here: @Edwina_Currie Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Buy Edwina's diaries here: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Diaries-1987-1992-Edwina-Currie/dp/0316860247/ref=sr_1_1?cr...
May 19, 2020•1 hr 25 min
Prepare for a top-level briefing on geopolitics from the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. Tom Tugendhat explains what the real threat from Huawei's involvement in our 5G network is, how the UK should seek to influence China (and other powerful nations) and shares his experience of serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's a corker. Follow Tom on Twitter here: @TomTugendhat Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow the work of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee here: https://committee...
May 12, 2020•1 hr 13 min
Vernon Coaker is a Labour Party legend. He was the MP for the marginal seat of Gedling from 1997-2019 and held it when safer seats nearby fell. So how did he defy political gravity for so long? This is a brilliant insight into a particular brand of Labour politics, told by one of its most charismatic standard bearers. Follow Vernon on Twitter here: @Vernon_Coaker Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Watch Vernon debating against Nigel Farage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku4voAVMoqk For the lat...
May 08, 2020•1 hr 13 min
Rosie Duffield won Canterbury in 2017 and became its first ever Labour MP. She repeated the feat and increased her majority in 2019. So how did she manage to get a seat that had never voted Labour to vote Labour twice and increase a majority at a time when Labour's vote was collapsing? In this hugely optimistic interview, Rosie shares her insights into those two amazing results as well as her work on the Domestic Abuse Bill and her role as Chair of the Women's PLP. You'll end the show feeling be...
May 05, 2020•55 min
The former Health Secretary turned Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee shares his insights from both sides of the fence. He tells Matt why accountability is best done in the open and how he uses his position to make constructive suggestions - like the importance of getting contact tracing delivered as soon as possible. He also shares some fascinating insights on dealing with the Iranian regime when trying to get Nanazin Zaghari-Ratcliffe released. Oh and what it's like to have your nam...
Apr 30, 2020•55 min
One of the most influential political scientists of the modern era shares his work on 'superforecasting' - the art and science of prediction. Philip explains what makes some people able to better predict the future, how you can you change your thinking to improve your predictions, why we don't always answer the question we're being asked and what questions we should be asking. Fascinating from start to finish, this will change the way you try and solve problems. Follow Philip on Twitter here: @P...
Apr 27, 2020•1 hr 23 min
Once again, a major crisis has added implications for the people of Ireland. Against the backdrop not just of Brexit, but a resurrected Assembly in the north and coalition negotiations after an election in the Republic, how differently is the crisis being handled in different parts of the island? What are the implications of the changing political situations either side of the border and what are the political implications of the crisis? Claire Hanna is the recently elected SDLP MP for Belfast S...
Apr 21, 2020•1 hr 21 min
After another damaging episode in the Labour Party's relationship with the Jewish community, Matt is joined by Mike Katz, Chair of the Jewish Labour Movement. He gives his reaction to the leaked Labour Party report which circulated on social media earlier this week and charts the changing relationship between Labour and the Jewish community. Does the election of Keir Starmer offer some hope that Labour is serious about rooting out anti-Jewish racism? Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikekatz Follow Matt...
Apr 17, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Brace yourself for a top-level briefing from one of The Scottish Government's most senior public health experts. This is a brilliant explanation of how and why different governments react differently to the crisis, what role demographics play in the spread of the virus and what messages work best with the public. It's a comprehensive public health briefing delivered in a characteristically human way. Follow Jason and say nice things to him on Twitter here: @jasonleitch Follow Matt on Twitter: @m...
Apr 14, 2020•1 hr 9 min
Following a stunning result in the Labour Deputy Leadership campaign, Rosena returns to share her experiences of going back to the front line of the NHS as an A&E doctor. Recorded just before Boris Johnson came out of intensive care, Rosena explains what being in ICU involves if you're a patient. Having been elevated to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Rosena also reflects on the mental health impact of the crisis but also gives us some messages of hope. Follow Rosena...
Apr 10, 2020•46 min
Cancel your plans for the next hour, you've got a date with The Mooch. Donald Trump's fast-talking and deep thinking former Director of Communications delivers a comprehensive assessment of the President's profound mishandling of the crisis. Mixing personal insight of Trump's character and an analysis of the political risks to the President, Anthony Scaramucci proves himself to be one of the best guests in the history of the show. Oh, and listen out for investment advice! Follow The Mooch on Twi...
Apr 07, 2020•1 hr 1 min
One of Scotland's finest political columnists analyses the political implications Alex Salmond's trial and verdict. What are the ramifications for Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP and the cause of Scottish independence? One of Salmond's allies, Kenny Macaskill has promised a "reckoning" but who for and when? Euan takes us inside the rival camps of the SNP and a gathering storm delayed by the coronavirus outbreak. Follow Euan on Twitter: @euanmccolm Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde FOR TH...
Apr 03, 2020•1 hr 1 min
A friend of mine who works in Whitehall has told me that the army are going to be on the streets this week arresting people who don't listen to this podcast. If that sounds familiar, you'll be aware that this crisis has already been fertile ground for disinformation. Marianna Spring is a BBC specialist reporter covering disinformation and social media. In this fascinating interview, Marianna reveals how disinformation and misinformation gets so widely shared, why we share it, how to spot it, wha...
Mar 31, 2020•53 min
Pour yourself a glass of your favourite drink, unwrap a bar of your favourite chocolate and enjoy the fascinating insights of Ben Page, Chief Executive of IpsosMORI and all-round polling guru. He takes us inside the mind of the nation and tells us what the country thinks about the government handling of the crisis, public attitudes to stockpiling, what it is that we most fear and even how many Britons think that coronavirus is 'fake news'. You might be in for a shock... Follow Ben on Twitter: @b...
Mar 27, 2020•57 min
As the Labour Leadership election quietly comes to an end, one time leadership hopeful Emily Thornberry reflects on the contest and her role in it. As candid as ever, Emily reveals the challenges some leadership candidates face in being able to obtain data and in her case, incredibly, a ballot paper. Emily also tells Matt what she thinks the party must do next, regardless of who is leader. You can follow Emily on Twitter here: @EmilyThornberry You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde FOR ...
Mar 25, 2020•1 hr 3 min
As the country deals with coronavirus, we are facing an economic crisis as well as a public health one. So how do we mitigate the worst effects of that and avoid a damaging recession? Torsten Bell is the Chief Executive of the influential Resolution Foundation and they've produced some radical plans to keep the economy afloat. Torsten knows a thing or two about handling a major crisis, he was a member of the Council of Economic Advisers at the Treasury during the 2008 Financial Crash. You can re...
Mar 20, 2020•47 min
