Where Politics Meets History - podcast cover

Where Politics Meets History

Join broadcaster Iain Dale and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop as they take a fresh look at the biggest news of the week - through the lens of history. Because nothing is ever truly new, and history has a habit of repeating itself. With wit, insight, and the occasional good-natured row, Iain and Tessa explore how today’s headlines echo the past, unearthing fascinating stories and unexpected parallels. Expect sharp analysis, engaging debate, and plenty of laughs along the way. Subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: [email protected]

Episodes

24. I Marijuana Be With You

Iain is in London and Tessa in Romania for this edition, in which they talk King Charles in Canada to show his support, Sadiq Khan's support for decriminalising cannabis possession, Trump vs the courts and Macron being pushed in the face. Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

May 30, 202545 min

23. Elgin in the Sky with Marbles

Iain and Tessa bring you this edition mainly focused on your questions - questions on Israel, speed limits and the Parthenon/Elgin marbles! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

May 26, 202544 min

22. U-Turn Baby Turn

Iain and Tessa talk political U-turns as the PM changes his mind on winter fuel - they remember tuition fees, the poll tax, corn laws, the lot! Also, they check in on the Chagos Islands. Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

May 23, 202559 min

21. It's All About EU

Iain and Tessa talk the government's new deal with the EU - what will it mean for fish, young people and passport gates?! They also digest the new Romanian president and discuss Gary Lineker leaving the BBC. Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

May 20, 202553 min

20. Good Migrations

Our duo Iain and Tessa are back in the studio to talk Keir Starmer being compared to Enoch Powell (and who Powell really was), whether Tim Davie can save the BBC - and Tessa's trip to Kensington Palace! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

May 16, 202556 min

Introducing… Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

There was once hope in the Middle East, but does it now feel further away than ever? In this first episode, unparalleled insight into groundbreaking peace deals left dangling, a recent covert negotiation effort in the West Bank, revealed for the first time… and what it's like having Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat hang up on you live on air. As President Donald Trump lands in the Middle East – for the first major trip of his second term – Christiane and Jamie ask: could he be the person to brok...

May 13, 202539 min

19. Where Politics Meets History Live! from Fowey

Iain and Tessa host the podcast in front of a live audience for the first time at The du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival! They talk about the PM's announcement on immigration, tensions between India and Pakistan, whether Trump really is a peacemaker and more. Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop....

May 13, 20251 hr 1 min

18. VE Day Special: WWII veteran Colin Bell

In this episode, Iain and Tessa are joined by 104-year-old WWII veteran Colin Bell on Iain's LBC show. Colin answers questions about whether the younger generations care enough about remembrance, whether defence spending ought to go up... and the secrets to his longevity! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunl...

May 09, 202548 min

17. VE Day Special: We'll Meet Again

Iain and Tessa convene for a special episode dedicated to Victory in Europe Day. Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

May 06, 202552 min

16. Heaven is a Place on Rare Earths

Iain and Tessa come together once again to talk about the rare earths deal between the US and Ukraine, the King speaking about his cancer care - and Tessa's experience of sexual harassment on a train. Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

May 02, 202543 min

15. Carney Get You Out of My Head

Iain and Tessa return to your devices to delve into why Russia wants to keep expanding, what's up for grabs at the local elections, how electricity came to be such a large part of our lives and why Mark Carney won the election (and is he as ruthless as Keir Starmer?). Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop....

Apr 29, 202554 min

14. That's The Way (I Biscuit)

Iain and Tessa reconvene to discuss what Pope Francis symbolised as they preview his funeral. Plus, they talk about what it means to be English and whether St George should be replaced - and the cultural significance of digestives (and how WWII sugar rationing ties in!). Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlo...

Apr 25, 202550 min

13. Easter Special: The Crying Game

For Easter, Iain and Tessa come together once again and take your questions about energy prices, YouTube and much more! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Apr 21, 202546 min

12. Man! I Feel Like A Woman!

Iain and Tessa come together once again, this time to talk about the UK Supreme Court ruling that defined a woman, the pension age and much more! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Apr 18, 202547 min

11. China in You're Banned

Iain and Tessa come together once again, this time to talk about the fate of British Steel and its context in our industrial past, China preventing a Lib Dem MP from entering Hong Kong and much more, including a huge row about Brexit and a debate over the future of a doll's house! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @Dr...

Apr 15, 20251 hr

10. I Wanna Know What Gove Is

Iain and Tessa are back to talk China vs the US on trade, with Tessa bringing context from the Opium Wars. Also a peerage for Michael Gove, Charles and Camilla meet the Pope and why does nobody talk about the Welsh? Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Apr 11, 202539 min

9. Homeward Bound MPs

Iain and Tessa break down the ongoing fallout of President Trump's tariffs - also up for discussion are Labour MPs expelled from Israel, the King and Queen's anniversary, leaders changing their minds, Iain being a 'lightweight' and more! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Apr 08, 202557 min

8. Tariff Me Baby One More Time

Iain and Tessa digest Trump's tariffs, whether young boys have enough male role models, remembering the wonderful Betty Webb and dealing with death - and an awkward moment with gooseberry fool! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Apr 04, 202551 min

7. Marine Le Penitentiary Blues

Iain and Tessa meet again to joust over Trump's further threats to Greenland, Marine Le Pen convicted, Justin Welby's latest interview, MPs' expenses, changing the clocks and more! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Apr 01, 202554 min

6. Money For Nothing (and everything else is free)

Iain and Tessa are back! They're digging into Wednesday’s Spring Statement and Prince Harry’s charity work in Africa. Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Mar 28, 202556 min

5. Should I Stay or Should Nato

Iain and Tessa return to discuss the upcoming spring statement, NATO expansion, crisis in Turkey, Scottish independence and Blue Peter - something for everyone! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Mar 25, 20251 hr

4. I Guess That's Why They Call It Blue Labour

Iain and Tessa connect from different countries to talk Israel, whether the Labour government is shifting to the right - and Tessa tells a story about a nun (no, really!). Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Mar 21, 202552 min

3. I Know Him So Welfare

Iain and Tessa come out swinging in this third instalment! They joust over welfare cuts, they debate America's outlook on the world, they trade blows over Meghan's new Netflix series... and they make a pitch for the next Celebrity Gogglebox! Send your questions and voice notes to 07757 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Mar 18, 202549 min

2. Wake Me Up Before You Quango

Iain and Tessa are back for seconds. On the menu: NHS England being abolished, Putin's response to a ceasefire plan, Trump's long ties - and should you give a quote to an author if you haven't read their book? Send your questions and voice notes to 07757 187929 or [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Mar 14, 202548 min

1. It's Raining Strong Men

In the first episode of this brand new podcast, Iain and Tessa talk strong men: then and now. Stalin and Putin, Roosevelt, Churchill and Trump. Do strong men always win? And how will the incoming German and Canadian leaders Friedrich Merz and Mark Carney make their mark? And why was Iain sleeping in a castle at the weekend? Email your questions and voice notes to [email protected]. Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can ...

Mar 11, 20251 hr

Introducing: Where Politics Meets History

If you enjoyed For The Many, you're going to love this new podcast: Where Politics Meets History. Join Iain Dale with his new podcast pal, historian Dr Tessa Dunlop, as they delve through the biggest news of the week, but setting it in its historical context. Nothing is ever new, the wheel keeps turning, and our pair will guide you through what's happening now, and when it happened before! Expect laughs, fascinating facts... and maybe the occasional row! Listen and subscribe on Global Player or ...

Mar 03, 20252 min

500. The End

Iain and Jacqui are reunited for this, their final episode. There are tears. There is laughter. And the producer plays a few clips (badly - apologies). You really don't want to miss it.

Oct 23, 20241 hr 1 min

499. Parasocial Relationship - with Tessa Dunlop

Iain is joined by the wonderful historian and commentator Tessa Dunlop for this one - they talk about Moldova, Wes Streeting's family tree, Tessa's dream about Iain, reparations, the Royal visit to New Zealand and much else too!    

Oct 21, 20241 hr 39 min

498. Funky House - with Rosena Allin-Khan

Iain is joined by the tremendous Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan for this ep! They discuss ozempic and the NHS, Christopher Chope's remarks about Kemi Badenoch being a mother, England getting a German manager and lots more besides.

Oct 17, 20241 hr 32 min

497. Rude Health - with Lynne Featherstone

Iain is joined for this one by the Lib Dem peer Baroness Featherstone for this 'un. They talk about Labour's first hundred days in government, the death of Alex Salmond, Lynne's legacy on equal marriage, the future of the Lib Dems, international investment and more!

Oct 14, 20241 hr 20 min
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