This is a masterclass in political strategy. Blair McDougall ran the Better Together campaign in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, which resulted in Scotland voting to stay in the UK. He tells the inside story of the referendum, but also delivers nuggets of pure political gold on how to reject your opponent's framing and how to exploit weakness in an opponent's argument. Blair also takes a longer view on what strategies have and haven't worked since 2014. This is political judgement at ...
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 43 min
One of Labour's greatest ever leaders and one of British politics' greatest ever stars returns to thrill and move in equal measure. Neil Kinnock is still blessed with a command of language and sharp wits that very few politicians will ever get near. Reminiscing about being a Labour leader having to expel the hard left draws an irresistible parallel with the present, and Neil shares his analysis of Keir Starmer's leadership and the lessons he learned in making the party more electable. Neil is al...
Mar 10, 2022•1 hr 48 min
Glasgow politics is never dull and Mhairi Hunter has a unique perspective on it. She's been a councillor there for 10 years and faces re-election this May. She also worked in the constituency office of one of Glasgow's MSPs, Nicola Sturgeon. Glasgow is often at the centre of international attention, often hosting major events, from the Commonwealth Games to COP26. With the prestige also comes pressure and Mhairi gives a great insight into the issues the Council faces as a result. She also shares...
Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Raucous, outrageous but also philosophical and thoughtful, this is an evening in the company of a true political fighter. Edwina Currie refuses to be pigeonholed. She simultaneously embodies the values of ambition and aspiration but is also a formidable campaigner against prejudice. This is a fascinating ride through social history, the changing role of women in politics and what it means to be a Conservative. Edwina shares her experience of being a Conservative Minister under Margaret Thatcher ...
Feb 23, 2022•1 hr 34 min
A true political heavyweight delivers a knockout performance in this mesmerising interview. Lord Heseltine is as sharp and as funny as ever as he delivers characteristically forthright and nuanced assessments of Margaret Thatcher, John Major and, of course, Boris Johnson. This is one of the most captivating episodes of the Political Party ever recorded. Pour yourself a glass of Chablis Premier Cru and enjoy. NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 21 Feb: Edwina Currie 7 March: Neil K...
Feb 08, 2022•1 hr 26 min
The woman who ensured Parliament got a vote on implementing Brexit joins Matt for a fascinating discussion about identity and nationhood. Gina has led an incredible life and her latest project is leading a new political party: True and Fair. Gina tells Matt what the party stands for, why it's launched now, what it seeks to achieve and what the challenges facing a new party are. This is a brilliant examination of where we are as a country and what needs to change. Follow Gina on Twitter: @thatgin...
Jan 31, 2022•53 min
If you're expecting a candid, raucous and hilarious interview then raise your expectations even higher because this is off the charts. Angela Rayner doesn't hold back, whether she's describing her childhood, her own motherhood, her political analysis or recalling various hilarious stories from her incredible life. At times emotional at other times outrageous, this is Angela Rayner as you've never heard her before. Follow Angela on Twitter: @AngelaRayner NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PAR...
Jan 26, 2022•1 hr 36 min
This is about way more than just politics. Since leaving Number 10, Craig has been reflecting on his life and why he'd always found it a grind. There's an important lesson in how we judge those who work in politics. To the outside world, it may have looked like Craig had it all. But he's never been comfortable with himself and in taking time out, has been forced to confront why. This is a deeply personal and reflective interview about the way we live our lives, and what the political implication...
Jan 17, 2022•57 min
Even by Alastair Campbell's standards this is superb. Passionate, direct, funny with occasional outbreaks of self-deprecation, it's the perfect way to start 2022. Alastair sets off at lightning pace, giving direct advice to Labour on how to campaign against the government. He shares his frustration with the recent BBC series about new Labour, reflects on his own changing sense of national identity and recalls a confrontation with a litter lout. He also answers the question: is he woke? There's s...
Jan 11, 2022•1 hr 32 min
There's not a journalist in the country whose work has dominated the political agenda like Pippa Crerar. She has dropped bombshell after bombshell during the pandemic, including the exclusive on Dominic Cummings' trip to Barnard Castle and the explosive revelations about Downing Street Christmas parties. Pippa tells Matt how big stories like these happen, the work that goes in behind-the-scenes and how they snowball. It's a thrilling insight into how journalists hold the powerful to account and ...
Dec 22, 2021•54 min
How does a working class girl from Nottingham end up being Leader of the House of Lords? Tina Stowell isn't your stereotypical Baroness and as well as rising to one of the highest offices in the land has also worked closely with some major figures at big moments in recent history. This is full of gems including what it was like inside Number 10 working for John Major and her time as Head of Comms to the BBC Trust during the Hutton Inquiry. Tina is passionate about opportunity and has written an ...
Dec 13, 2021•1 hr 20 min
Jeremy Hunt is an optimist and his positive attitude towards life shines out throughout this entertaining and revealing interview. He shares great stories and insights from his time as Foreign Secretary, Health Secretary and Culture Secretary - including his candid take on the Murdoch bid to takeover BSkyB. It's his time at Health that is most fascinating and he is open and philosophical about his successes and failures in the job. He's philosophical in general and has a great approach to politi...
Dec 08, 2021•1 hr 28 min
If you like surprises you're going to love this. Ayesha has so many brilliant stories from her time in politics and her account of the night of the 2015 election is absolutely electric. It's one of many great tales that will have you completely absorbed, including her visit to Iraq shortly after the removal of Saddam Hussein. Ayesha is also a successful comedian, writer and broadcaster. She reflects on her varied career and how she became political while working in the civil service. Follow Ayes...
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr 27 min
Oh boy. This will knock your socks off. The hurricane that is The Mooch whirls into London for this gripping, hilarious and heartfelt show. Packed full of incredible stories from inside the Trump White House and never-before-heard details about Steve Bannon, this is even better than you'd hope. It's a fantastic analysis of recent American politics, including how Trump appealed to blue collar America and why Anthony was initially attracted to the project. Anthony charts the deterioration of his r...
Nov 23, 2021•1 hr 36 min
This is a story about how quickly politics changes. Gemma Doyle was elected the MP for her hometown in 2010 with a massive majority. Then the 2014 independence referendum happened, upending Scottish politics. A year later Gemma lost her seat to the SNP on a 34% swing. Then Jeremy Corbyn became leader of the Labour Party. This is a refreshingly honest account of what it's like to be a Labour politician of this generation. Gemma worked for Labour in government, became an MP in opposition and saw B...
Nov 18, 2021•1 hr 6 min
You are about to hear something very special. Anas Sarwar is a captivating politician, blessed with a unique ability to transfix an audience and move them emotionally. This is somehow mixed with another ability. The ability to dance so well it creates complete chaos at a live podcast recording. It's an instant classic of an episode and includes Anas' analysis of how Labour can recover in Scotland and across the UK, the racism he has faced throughout his life and issues of national identity and p...
Nov 09, 2021•1 hr 37 min
Kinnock is on a mission to make Labour electable... sound familiar? Stephen Kinnock is very much his own man and his own politician, and his new project 'Labour Renaissance' has published a fascinating report into the voters Labour lost and what the party can do about it. This is a brilliant analysis of where Labour has gone wrong, combined with practical recommendations about how it reconnects with the public. Stephen also talks about his upbringing, how it made him who he is and an incredible ...
Nov 04, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Kevin Brennan isn't a typical MP and although he studied PPE at Oxford, he certainly doesn't fit the stereotype. A man of varied interests and talents, he's just recorded an album with a Sex Pistol. Kevin worked for Rhodri Morgan before replacing him as the MP for Cardiff West and this is packed full of great stories and insights from 20 years in Parliament, including some as a government minister. Kevin voted against the war in Iraq and then ending up as a government whip. He describes both exp...
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr 6 min
If Penny Mordaunt gives you options, consider them very carefully. You'll understand what that means once you've heard some of her incredible stories. Penny has done some weird and wonderful jobs inside and outside of politics - from being a magician's assistant to becoming the first ever female Secretary of State for Defence. Her approach to life is inspiring and her philosophy around unity is outlined in her recent book 'Greater'. A passionate advocate for the military, her close ties to the a...
Oct 12, 2021•1 hr 28 min
If you're not watching the new Labour documentary on the iPlayer, what is the matter with you? The new series has got everyone talking about the Blair and Brown era and one man who knows it inside out is John Rentoul. He wrote the definitive biography of Tony Blair and along with Jon Davies runs a course at King's College about new Labour. This is a great accompaniment to the BBC series, challenging some of the assumptions and narratives of the time, and some of the theories since. It's also hig...
Oct 06, 2021•1 hr 8 min
The Mayor of Manchester is on sparkling form as he sets out his vision for where Labour needs to be. It's a great mix of thoughtful political analysis and riveting behind-the-scenes detail as Andy tells the incredible inside story behind his showdowns with the UK and Scottish governments. He also tells the heartbreaking story of the Hlllsborough families' long campaign for justice and his role in changing the Labour government's position, including the moment he stands in front of a packed Anfie...
Sep 28, 2021•1 hr 28 min
This is pragmatism as its most inspirational. Anna Turley is here to sort stuff out and is passionate about solving problems. She was the Labour MP for Redcar until 2019 when the toxicity of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership turned a proud Labour seat into a Tory gain. Anna describes how she was simultaneously trying to mitigate the catastrophic loss of the steel industry in the area, while fighting a legal case against Unite the Union and a hard left website. On top of that, she had to deal with the f...
Sep 24, 2021•1 hr 14 min
Get comfy on the sofa because you are in for a treat. Gabriel Milland is one of the country's finest opinion researchers. After working alongside Michael Gove and Dominic Cummings at Education, he was Special Adviser to the Prime Minister from March to July 2020. Gabriel takes us inside Number 10 during the first months of the pandemic and his role in tracking public opinion during that time. This is a treasure trove of political insights, many of which may contradict perceived wisdom. A fascina...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 57 min
The co-leader of the Scottish Greens tells the inside story of their historic deal with the SNP which puts the Greens in government in the UK for the first time. What influence do the Greens hope to have on the SNP? What are they and aren't they bound by? What is the Green case for Scottish independence? Lorna also discusses her own politics beyond Green issues and reflects on her life as person with autism. Follow Lorna on Twitter: @lornaslater NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE:...
Sep 13, 2021•1 hr 13 min
Siobhan has done it all. As a senior civil servant she advised both the new Labour and coalition governments before leaving to stand for office herself. In 2012 she ran for London Mayor as an independent and finished just behind the Lib Dems. It was an incredible achievement and underlined her appeal as a charismatic and impressive politician. In this fascinating interview she describes the elation and frustration of that campaign and the way independent candidates are locked out of key parts of...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr 4 min
This is the most emotional episode of The Political Party ever recorded. Roh Yakobi was tortured by the Taliban when he was just 12. In this deeply moving interview he tells us his remarkable life story, including the brutal reality of being governed by the Taliban. He also speaks of his despair for his family and friends, particularly his female cousin, now that the Taliban are back in control. Roh is now a fellow at the Human Security Centre, having moved to Wolverhampton. A Labour member, his...
Aug 30, 2021•1 hr 26 min
The new leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats gives a highly personal and entertaining interview about politics, faith and life. Alex shares his plans for the party and the incredible stories about how he was almost recruited for MI6 and how he saved his daughter's life. What is the future of the Scottish Lib Dems and how do they stand out in the crowded marketplace of Scottish politics? How does he plan to hold such a formidable opponent to account? And why did he become a Quaker? You'll fin...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr 18 min
Tom Tugendhat is an expert on Foreign Affairs and served in Afghanistan with the British Army. In this emotional and impassioned interview, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee gives a comprehensive explanation of why he believes leaving Afghanistan is wrong and what the implications of that decision will be. Follow Tom on Twitter: @TomTugendhat Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the opening night with Andy Burnham on Monday 27 September here: ...
Aug 18, 2021•57 min
Peter Kyle has led an extraordinary life. His misdiagnosed dyslexia meant he had to sit his A Levels again at 25, going back to his old school. He'd been inspired to get his A levels in order to go to university by Anita Roddick, who he worked for at The Body Shop. It's just one of many incredible moments that contribute to his unique drive. As well as the personal there's also the political and Peter reflects on the impact of Corbynism on his local party. Peter's story is exceptional and it's a...
Aug 16, 2021•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 239
One of the most direct communicators in politics delivers a dose of pure clarity. Pat has been at the heart of three different Labour leaders' operations: Donald Dewar, John Smith and Tony Blair. He reflects on the attributes they possessed and the importance of visible political change. Pat represents Wolverhampton South East and there are sobering lessons for Labour, especially for its relationship with the working class. With his no-nonsense style, this is Pat taking the Labour Party by the l...
Aug 09, 2021•1 hr 22 min
