Replay: Christmas Special with Ed Balls and Alastair Campbell. The year is 2016. Ed Balls has just done Strictly. Alastair Campbell is yet to launch his podcast. This is the barmy Christmas Special we all need. THE POLITICAL PARTY IS BACK ON STAGE! Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 29 January: Norwich, Pl...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 29 min
Alex Burghart Politics. History. Food. What more do you want for Christmas? Alex Burghart is the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and fills in for Kemi Badenoch at PMQs. More importantly, he has a deep fat fryer and he's keen to experiment. This is the indulgent Christmas special we all needed. FOLLOW Alex on X: @alexburghart THE POLITICAL PARTY IS BACK ON STAGE! Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE Matt at on tour un...
Dec 23, 2024•56 min
Natalie Fleet Natalie has only been an MP since July but has already established herself as one of the most impressive members of the new intake. She has had to overcome a lot to become an MP and talks passionately about how hard it is to succeed if you're working class in modern Britain. This is gripping from start to finish. FOLLOW Natalie on X: @NatalieFleetMP SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2025 29...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min
David Yelland This is a gripping inside account of editing The Sun when tabloids were still dominant. David tried to take the paper in a different direction. But did Rupert Murdoch approve? Plus, does Elon Musk's use of X have its roots in tabloid culture and influence? FOLLOW David on X: @davidyelland SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 14 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE 2025 29 Ja...
Dec 09, 2024•51 min
Policy! Football! Pies! It's the interview with everything. After years in opposition, Alison is now an Employment Minister and is keen to get on and change things. She explains the changes she's making to Jobcentres and the difference they'll make. Plus... will Alison become the latest politician to start a podcast? FOLLOW Alison on X: @Alison_McGovern ORDER a Homebaked pie: https://www.homebakedbakery.com/ SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatr...
Dec 02, 2024•48 min
This is inspirational. David was the Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan for 7 years. Then he suffered a spinal stroke. Incredibly he wasn't allowed to defend his seat in the general election. This is the remarkable story of how he recovered, why he was blocked and how he's remained so positive. FOLLOW David on X: @david_duguid SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Salma Shah is back! The Tory strategist gives her entertaining assessment of Kemi Badenoch and how the Tories are doing. This is such a great chat in which I have my centre-left prejudices thoroughly checked. Talking about the Opposition has never been more fun. FOLLOW Salma on X: @Ommasalma SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 20 November: York, The Crescent 21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre 27 No...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Seth Harris - US Election Special Well, it happened. This is a comprehensive and entertaining analysis of why and how Trump won the election with friend of the show, Seth Harris. Seth served in Obama's Cabinet and worked closely with both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. If you're looking for answers, you'll find them here. FOLLOW Seth on X: @MrSethHarris SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 14 November: ...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Darren Jones - Budget Special This is a cracker. A full Budget briefing from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury which includes some excellent breakfast chat. SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 6 November: Exeter, Phoenix 8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre 14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket 15 November: Colchester Arts Centre 20 November: York, The Crescent 21 November: Chorley, Littl...
Nov 04, 2024•55 min
One of our most gifted political writers reflects on the death of Alex Salmond and the current state of Scottish politics. This is engrossing from the very first second. SUBSCRIBE to the Ponsonby and Massie podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ponsonby-and-massie-podcast/id1749779794 SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 6 November: Exeter, Phoenix 8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity The...
Oct 28, 2024•53 min
Sir Graham Brady What's it like telling a Prime Minister their time is up? Sir Graham chaired the 1922 Committee throughout the tenure of five Conservative Prime Ministers. In this entertaining interview he tells us what those private moments with them were like and how each of them used their power differently. This is the thrilling inside account of the most tumultuous political time in living memory. BUY Sir Graham's book 'Kingmaker' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingmaker-Secrets-Truth-abou...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Thangam Debbonaire Thangam is one of the brightest stars of the Labour movement. As Shadow Culture Secretary she was all set to command the brief in government. But things didn't go to plan. On 4 July, Thangam lost Bristol Central to the Green Party. A classically trained cellist. Thangam has a range of life experience. She's one of the most charismatic and engaging politicians in the country and her reflections on her career so far are thoughtful and hopeful. SEE Matt at on tour until March 202...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Pam Duncan-Glancy Pam is the Shadow Education and Skills Secretary in Scotland. She's only been an MSP for four years but has already made a huge impact. Her life story is fascinating, as is her route into politics. As the first permanent wheelchair user in Holyrood, she has to overcome daily challenges in order to do her job. Pam is an optimist and this is an amazing story about the power of politics and how to get the most out of life. SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra ...
Oct 07, 2024•51 min
Iain McNicol This. Is. Class. Iain was General Secretary of the Labour Party from 2011 to 2018. He tells us what it was like having to run the party during the most tumultuous time in its history. You'll be hanging on his every word. SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his 2 extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhouse 3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm 9 October: Middlesbro...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Siobhan Baillie What's it like to lose your seat after one term, when your political career was really starting to flourish? Siobhan was the MP for Stroud and had worked hard to do the job properly. But that experience was cut short in July. As well as opening up about the emotional impact of losing the seat, Siobhan has clear ideas about what improvements she'd make to politics and the role of different politicians. Despite the heartache of defeat, this is engrossing hour with a positive, optim...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Emma Revell What does a Thatcherite think tank do when the Tories are out of office? Emma Revell from the Centre for Policy Studies briefs us on what's next for one of Britain's most influential organisations. Plus... why being a Lib Dem first is becoming a right of passage... SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhouse 3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm 9 October: Middlesbrough, The Cr...
Sep 16, 2024•54 min
Murdo Fraser - Scottish Conservative Leadership Special What's next for the Conservatives in the UK and in Scotland? Murdo Fraser wants to lead the party into the Holyrood election in 2026. But what's a realistic ambition for them and how do they make a case for conservative values and policies at such a challenging time? PLUS... a brilliant story about the time Donald Trump gave evidence to Murdo's committee in person at Holyrood. SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/...
Sep 11, 2024•40 min
Sarah lived in Downing Street for the entirety of the last Labour government. What is the role of a political spouse? Why doesn't the UK formalise the role? More importantly, what was Sarah and Gordon's first date like? This is the hilarious inside story of what it was like living on Britian's most famous street for 13 years. WATCH the goal that Gordon hurried home for: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGQplbF_akc SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 31 ...
Sep 02, 2024•58 min
Jacob Rees-Mogg: LIVE at the Edinburgh Festival After an earthquake of an election for Jacob and the Conservatives, what does the future hold? Jacob Rees-Mogg opens up on why the Tories lost, how they can win again and whether he'll stand next time. Plus... how does he stay so trim? His diet tips may surprise you... SEE Matt on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhouse 3 October: Maidenhead, Norden ...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 5 min
After Labour's stunning general election victory. Anas Sarwar is on the brink of becoming First Minister. But what would Labour do if they won in Scotland? And more importantly, will Anas be getting a makeover? SEE Matt at the Edinburgh Festival in August and on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhouse 3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm 9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt 10 October: London, Leices...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 6 min
James Frith JUST ANNOUNCED: Come and see The Political Party LIVE at the Edinburgh Festival with the following guests: 13 August: Anas Sarwar 18 August: Jacob Rees-Mogg 19 August: Sarah Brown Tickets: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows James won the Bury North seat for Labour in 2017. He lost it in 2019 by just 105 votes. A few weeks ago James won the seat for a second time with a majority of nearly 7000. So what is going on in Bury and how much of a role, if any, did Reform play in the result...
Aug 12, 2024•42 min
Toby Perkins Toby won his Chesterfield seat for the fifth time at the recent general election. But how did he retain his seat throughout Labour's darkest years when colleagues around him were losing theirs? One of the most likeable MPs in the Commons was a Shadow Minister but didn't get appointed to the frontbench after the election. He talks openly and honestly about the mixed feelings he has about Labour finally forming a government, but not being a minister in it. A massive football fan, Toby...
Aug 05, 2024•38 min
Jovan Owusu-Nepaul Jovan is already a political star and he's only in his 20s. A former Labour staffer, he tells the inside story of what it was like standing against Nigel Farage in Clacton. This is about so much more than what happened in one seat. This is about what sort of country we want to be and how we get there. You are listening to someone who has a huge part to play in shaping our country in the coming decades. FOLLOW Jovan on X: @jovanforclacton SEE Matt at the Edinburgh Festival in A...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Shama Tatler Shama was the Labour candidate in Chingford and Woodford Green and almost unseated Iain Duncan Smith just a few weeks ago. Had it not been for an independent candidate standing in the seat, Shama would almost certainly have won. Shama describes her experience in full, including the abuse she faced and the misinformation spread about her. In an election when many candidates had to suffer a similar fate, Shama's story is a vital testimony of how abusive modern politics has become. SEE...
Jul 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Anthony Mangnall Anthony was one of the stars of the Election 24 Series. A former adviser to William Hague, he'd been the Conservative MP for Totnes since 2019. On 4 July he lost his seat to the Lib Dems. In this candid and hilarious interview, he reflects on defeat and reveals what advice he gave his successor. SEE Matt at the Edinburgh Festival in August and on tour until March 2025: Matt Forde The End of an Era Tour 2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhou...
Jul 15, 2024•49 min
Election 24 Season Finale with Lauren Edwards It's all over, but how did all our guests do? You're about to find out with the Political Party Results Service. We couldn't end the series without catching up with one of our guests, so let's grab a pint of CAMRA approved real ale and a big back of pork scratchings and sit down with Lauren Edwards, who sensationally won Rochester and Strood for Labour. SEE Matt at the Edinburgh Festival in August: Matt Forde The End of an Era Tour Hosted on Acast. S...
Jul 08, 2024•41 min
Election 24, Episode 32 It's Polling Day! Soak up the final day of the election in style with one last tour of the campaign. Today's candidates are: Ian Murray, Labour, Edinburgh South @IanMurrayMP https://linktr.ee/ianmurraymp Tom Tugendhat, Conservative, Tonbridge @TomTugendhat https://www.tomtugendhat.org/ Uma Kumaran, Labour, Stratford and Bow @Uma_Kumaran https://www.umakumaran.co.uk/ Andrew David Green, Independent, North West Essex https://adg4nwe.co.uk/ Alexandra Marsanu, Conservative, M...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 30 min
Election 24, Episode 31 It's Political Christmas Eve! One of the most magical days in the political calendar. The Battlebus picks up pace as we sprint towards the finish. Today's candidates are: Jonathan Ashworth, Labour, Leicester South @JonAshworth https://www.facebook.com/JonAshworth Abi McGuire, Independent, Wells and Mendip Hills @Abi4MP https://abimcguire.co.uk/ Catherine McKinnell, Labour, Newcastle North @CatMcKinnell https://linktr.ee/catherine.mckinnell Glenn Bluff, Conservative, Donca...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 21 min
Election 24, Episode 30 It's a passionate and energetic day on the podcast as Polling Day becomes visible on the horizon. Enjoy a refreshing glass of rosé but remember, no smoking on the Battlebus! Today's candidates are: Danielle Newson, Lib Dem, Sussex Weald @LibDemDanielle https://www.wealdenlibdems.org.uk/ Julie Marson, Conservative, Hertford and Stortford @JulieMarsonMP https://linktr.ee/julie.marson Jeremy Lee, Independent, Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket @independentlee_ https://www.indepe...
Jul 02, 2024•58 min
Election 24, Episode 29 Today's episode is best enjoyed with some fine wine. And a pint of ale. And a Sunday roast. Today's candidates are: Steve Reed, Labour, Streatham and Croydon North @SteveReedMP https://www.stevereedmp.co.uk/ Tom Pridham, Conservative, Battersea @tom_pridham https://www.wandsworthconservatives.co.uk/people/tom-pridham Helen Baxter, Lib Dem, Queen’s Park and Maida Vale @HelenBaxter_LD https://www.westminsterandcityoflondonlibdems.org.uk/meet-helen James Nelson, Green, Filto...
Jun 30, 2024•56 min
