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: dax@global.com

Episodes

ELECTION: Boris Johnson Interview with Nick Ferrari

In this episode, you can hear the full unedited interview with Prime Minister Boris Johnson where he is questioned over the NHS, Donald Trump and his comments about single mothers. Also when was the last time Boris had a Greggs sausage roll?

Dec 02, 201959 min

For The Many: The Bravery of Crowds

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith review the London Bridge terror attack and try to work out what effect, if any, it might have on the election campaign. They review the latest polls and debates and review the performances of the 7 politicians who took part in Friday’s BBC debate in Cardiff. Smut Quota: Very Low

Nov 30, 20191 hr 1 min

DAILY TRAIL: London Bridge Incident & Boris on LBC

In this episode having just come off air Shelagh discusses with Iain the importance of factual reporting during on going incidents such as London Bridge. They also look to the seven way TV debate and whether Channel 4 was right to use an ice scuplture as a stand in for Boris?

Nov 29, 201924 min

For The Many: Thin Gruel

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith turn their attention to a rather thin Tory manifesto, Labour’s promise to the WASPI women, Jeremy Corbyn’s car crash interview with Andrew Neil and whether the NHS is for sale to America. Jacqui explains her reverse advent calendar and they pay tribute to Clive James. Smut quota: Non existent

Nov 28, 201941 min

DAILY TRAIL: Is The NHS Up For Sale?

Shelagh and Iain focus their attention on labour, saying the NHS is up for sale! Labour aren’t free yet as the pair reflect on the interview with Andrew Neil and Jeremy Corbyn. Also, they pay their respects to the late Gary Rhodes, Jonathan Miller and Clive James.

Nov 27, 201923 min

DAILY TRAIL: Chief Rabbi Intervention & Register to Vote!

In this episode Shelagh and Iain examine the intervention by the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who highlights the anxieties over Mr Corbyn’s fitness to govern. Have religious leaders always been vocal in general elections? Plus Tuesday the 26th November is last day to register to vote, with over 2 million registering already, what impact will this have on the election result?

Nov 26, 201920 min

DAILY TRAIL: Skinnyfesto's and Baaaaaaa

Shelagh and Iain turn their attention to the Tory manifesto and Jo Swinson's comments on Andrew Marr's programme about trans women. We also learn something very interesting about Iain's mum.

Nov 25, 201927 min

ELECTION: Swinson on Prince Andrew and candidates failing to know their manifesto

In this episode Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson shares her views over that Prince Andrew interview. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is asked about the Conservative Press Office fake fact check account. Nigel Farage reveals who he will be voting for and two Lib Dem candidates fail to know the detail of their manifesto.

Nov 25, 201932 min

For The Many: Fluffy Bunnies

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith examine the latest election developments including the Labour and Brexit Party manifestos, the BBC Question Time debates, why some politicians are being hidden from us in this campaign, and much more besides. They also play ‘fluffy bunnies’ (yes, really) and Jacqui explains some unfortunate happenings at her yoga class. Smut quota: Middling to low.

Nov 24, 20192 hr 36 min

For The Many: Fact-checking Teabags

Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale delve into the latest election campaign developments, including the ITV leaders debate, the CCHQ factchecking farrago and trawl over the entrails of the ‘Camelgate’ scandal. Smut quota: Lowish

Nov 21, 201938 min

DAILY TRAIL: CCHQ Twitter Warning & Lib Dem Manifesto

In today’s episode, we look at the fallout from those TV debates and the warning to CCHQ Press Office over their Fact Check Twitter account. We also look at the Lib Dem manifesto launch which includes frequent flyer levy’s and Boris Johnson's pledge over national insurance contributions.

Nov 20, 201924 min

ELECTION: Farage Payback, Nuclear Deterrents and Lib Dem Pacts

In this episode Eddie Mair grills Nigel Farage on the Brexit party candidates he stood down and whether or not he will pay them back. Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry responds to Nick Ferrari’s question on whether Jeremy Corbyn would ever use a nuclear deterrent. Should we be concerned about foreign meddling in this General Election? Former Culture Secretary John Whittingdale defends the postponement of the report into Russian interference. Will the Lib Dem’s form a remain pac...

Nov 18, 201933 min

For the Many: Game, Set & Snatch

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith cast their beady eyes over all the developments in the election campaign. Will Labour’s free Broadband be an election winner or will people be sceptical about ‘free stuff’ and the cost to the taxpayer? They preview Tuesday’s ITV head to head debate between Corbyn and Johnson and then turn their attention to the Tump impeachment hearings, the Prince Andrew interview, as well as pay tribute to Frank Dobson, who died last week. They end by talking about the new series of ‘I...

Nov 17, 20192 hr 32 min

For the Many: Unhappy Endings

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith turn their attention to the latest developments in the election campaign and debate whether Nigel Farage’s decision not to stand candidate in Tory seats will have any impact on the final result. They look at the arguments about flood defence policy and the various candidate problems each of the parties has been experiencing. Smut Quota: Medium to High

Nov 14, 201940 min

LBC Election 2019: Informing Your Choice at the Ballot Box

For the next few weeks up to the General Election, For The Many will be changing it's name to LBC Election 2019. You will still be able to enjoy two episodes of For The Many each week along with the best bits of LBC’s election coverage. Over the campaign period, LBC’s biggest names including Iain Dale, Eddie Mair, James O’Brien and Nick Ferrari will be regularly grilling politicians from all the parties and this will be the place that brings all those key election moments. You will also hear tho...

Nov 13, 20191 min

Election, Schmelection

Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale analyse the candidate woes that both main parties have experienced this week, but they do find a little time to talk about policy. A very little. They look at Tom Watson’s motivations for not standing in this election and examine the latest opinion polls. Jacqui’s a little sniffly this week. Remember, throughout the election there will be two episodes a week of the For the Many podcast, usually on Thursday and Sunday mornings. Smut quota: Low

Nov 10, 20191 hr 14 min

A Mass Debate

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith analyse the first few days of the election campaign. They rate the performances of the main parties and their leaders, talk about TV debates, the travails of the Tory campaign and there’s the odd bit (well, two bits actually) or Jacqui Smith inspired smut. What more could you ask for from a bonus podcast!

Nov 07, 201941 min

Jacqui’s Spin Cycle

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss all aspects of the beginning of the general election campaign, where the parties are in the polls, how the Brexit Party may affect the result, who’s had the best start to the campaign, Nigel Farage’s LBC interview with Donald Trump, . They also turn their attention to the Grenfell Tower report, the government’s failure to publish the ISC report, the election for a new Speaker, Rod Liddle, Any Questions, booing journalists and why Asda is treating its workers so...

Nov 03, 20192 hr 43 min

Jezza’s Election Dilemma

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the likelihood of a general election and speculate on whether Jeremy Corbyn is at odds with his party over the issue. They talk about the death of 39 Chinese nationals in a container truck in Essex, the LBC Rajar figures, Jacqui’s trip to Beirut and Boris Johnson’s failure to appear before the Liaison Committee. And Iain wants your money, and announces some new theatre dates. SMUT QUOTA: Almost non existent. Sorry.

Oct 25, 20191 hr 4 min

Puff the Magic Dragon

Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale spend much of the podcast discussing Boris Johnson’s deal and the ramifications of the Letwin amendment. Suffice today, there’s not too much agreement this week! They also discuss Dame Louise Ellman’s resignation from the Labour Party and the Rugby World Cup, as well as revealing a bit too much (in Iain’s case) in questions. Smut quota: Low

Oct 20, 20191 hr 7 min

Beirut Babes

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith record an earlier than usual podcast because she’s off to Beirut for the weekend and Iain’s in North Devon. Well that’s their story anyway. In this hour long episode they discuss the prospects of an EU deal and whether the Boris/Leo meeting might be a breakthrough moment. They discuss diplomatic immunity in the light of the Harry Dunn tragedy, the conflict between Turkey and Syria, and the prospect of gay couple on Dancing on Ice and Strictly. Oh, and the big news of t...

Oct 11, 201958 min

The late Jacqui Smith

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith record this week’s (shortish!) episode live at Podcast Live at The Light in central London. They discuss Boris Johnson’s new Brexit deal proposals, Rory Stewart leaving the Conservative Party, Tom Watson’s culpability in the Henriques report, the future of Thought for the Day and they pay tribute to Peter Sissons.

Oct 06, 20191 hr 4 min

Surprise, Surprise

In the longest episode ever Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith discuss the seismic political events of the week and try to make some sense of what has happened, and in the last half an hour they welcome a much loved surprise guest from the world of political media. They start by discussing the Supreme court decision, the use of language in politics, the Labour and Tory conferences, John Major, David Cameron’s book, Naga Munchetty and the return of Spitting Image. Smut quota: Medium

Sep 29, 20192 hr 57 min

Labour’s Circular Firing Squad

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Labour’s shambolic start to its annual conference and speculate as to the real agenda behind the attempt to oust Tom Watson. They review this week’s Supreme Court hearing, discuss Boris Johnson’s visit to Luxembourg and his confrontation at Whipps Cross hospital, which provokes another of Iain’s disgusting anecdotes. They also cover David Cameron’s book and Iain comes to regret seeing if Jacqui is in the index, as well as Thomas Cook, John Humphry’s departure f...

Sep 22, 20192 hr 40 min

The Longest Podcast Evah!

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith turn their attentions to a multitude of subjects including defections to the LibDems, John Bercow’s imminent departure, legal battles over Brexit, David Cameron’s new book. Amber Rudd’s resignation, the fall in rape convictions, Gareth Thomas telling the world he is HIV positive and most important of all that Snickers is reverting to its original name of Marathon. They answer a lot of your incisive questions but there’s a disappointingly low level of smut this week.

Sep 15, 20192 hr 39 min

Mr Johnson’s Difficult Week

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith cast their beady eyes over the week that Jeremy Corbyn outfoxed Boris Johnson. They speculate about what may happen over the next month as well as analyse the effect of the withdrawal of the whip from 21 Tory rebels, as well as the defections to the Liberal Democrats. Iain tells Jacqui he will not be going back into politics and explains what it was like to be on this week’s BBC Question Time panel. Smut quota: Medium

Sep 08, 20191 hr 26 min

For the Many is Prorogued

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith spend an hour explaining what proroguing parliament means and why people have become so excited about it, and they do it with barely a raised voice. It can’t last. They also discuss Ruth Davidson’s resignation, sacking SPADs and in questions they reveal what their student accommodation was like and which musical instrument could soothe the nation’s mood. It is at this point that the conversation degenerates into the usual cesspool. You have been warned.

Sep 01, 20192 hr 34 min