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

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 07757 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com. 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 07757 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com. 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 07757 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com. 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 07757 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com. 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 wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com. 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 wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com. 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 wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com. 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, 20242 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, 20242 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

496. Fascinated by Gay Men - with Joanna Cherry

Iain is joined by lawyer and former SNP MP Joanna Cherry for this ep! They talk about the twists and turns of the Tory leadership contest, Joanna's departure from Parliament, Yvette Cooper and Taylor Swift, renters' rights, assisted dying and more.

Oct 10, 20241 hr 22 min

495. On It - with Kirsty Wark

Iain is joined by the outstanding broadcaster Kirsty Wark for this one. They talk about the ongoing war in the Middle East, one year on from the October 7th attacks. They discuss the Tory leadership, assisted dying, Sue Gray stepping down as the PM's chief of staff and much more besides that!

Oct 08, 20241 hr 11 min

494. The Tale of Bobby J's Cap - with Penny Mordaunt

Iain is joined by the tremendous former cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt for this one, from the Conservative Party conference. She introduces us to her friend and podcaster David Reilly, before Iain and Penny discuss Robert Jenrick's controversial statements about the SAS, further developments in Israel and Lebanon, Liz Truss, Penny's future and more!

Oct 01, 20241 hr 7 min

493. You're Crackers - with Gillian Keegan

Iain is joined by the fabulous former education secretary Gillian Keegan. They talk all things Tory conference, the leadership campaign, Liz Truss and such. But they also talk about Israel and Lebanon, Simon Case's resignation, dodgy curriculums, Gillian's off-mic moment, what comes after politics and much more besides!

Sep 30, 20241 hr 15 min

492. Two Snorts - with Aggie Chambre

Iain is joined by fantastic LBC political correspondent Aggie Chambre to chat about conference season, whether the week's gone well for Labour, what to expect from the Tories next week, having opinions as a journalist, lobbying, Natalie Imbruglia and much more - do have a listen!

Sep 27, 20242 hr 51 min

491. Conservative Crush - with Baroness Margaret Hodge

Iain is joined by the wonderful Labour peer and former MP Margaret Hodge, at the Labour conference in Liverpool. They talk all things Labour - as well as all the other topics from the news. Many laughs, lots of fun and Margaret does not hold back!

Sep 23, 202456 min

490. Stiff as a Board - with Caroline Flint

Iain is joined again by the fabulous Caroline Flint - they discuss Sue Gray's pay affray, the pager attacks in Lebanon, interest rates, conference season, Sir Graham Brady's memoirs, Iain's recovery and plenty more besides that, I assure you.

Sep 19, 20241 hr 25 min

489. Untrue and Unfair - with Gina Miller

Iain is joined for this one by brilliant businesswoman and campaigner Gina Miller. They discuss the PM's wife getting clothes bought for her, Huw Edwards sentenced, what happened to Gina's True and Fair Party, the Lib Dem conference, Starmer mulling an Albania deal for channel migrants and much more too!

Sep 16, 20241 hr 12 min

488. Five Guys - with Carol Vorderman

Iain is joined by the one and only Carol Vorderman for some real For The Many fun. They discuss the state of the NHS, how Keir Starmer's getting on, Carol's views on the Tory leadership candidates, the Trump/Harris debate, the winter fuel payment cut, the Australian social media ban for young people and so very much more, including Carol's new book!

Sep 12, 20242 hr 39 min

487. Lithe as a Butcher's Dog - with Scarlett MccGwire

Iain is joined this time by political commentator Scarlett MccGwire. They discuss the row around cuts to the winter fuel allowance, media training politicians, the upcoming Harris vs Trump debate, counterfactuals and much more besides - plus of course an update on Iain's health!

Sep 09, 20241 hr 13 min

486. Red Socks?! - with Emily Thornberry

Iain is joined this time by marvellous Labour MP Emily Thornberry. They discuss the Grenfell enquiry, the Tory leadership contest, Emily's bid to be chair of the foreign affairs select committee, Jeremy Corbyn, Iain's upcoming operation, the power of hope and much more besides. Due to a few technical issues, a portion of the discussion was lost.

Sep 05, 20241 hr 6 min

485. Mouldy Infestations - with Yasmin Alibhai-Brown

Iain is joined by his ex-TV wife Yasmin Alibhai-Brown for some good fun. They discuss Tory candidates lost on the political moors, the winter fuel allowance, German elections, Jas Athwal, Nadine Dorries vs Angela Raver and much else besides!

Sep 03, 20241 hr 22 min

484. Mummy's Back! - with Caroline Flint

Iain is joined by former Labour MP Caroline Flint for this one. They discuss whether the PM is Mr Gloomster, banning smoking outdoors, the Tory leadership contest, fuel poverty, Iain's Thatcher biography, carbonara sauce in a can - and we get a special appearance from Her Ladyship!

Aug 29, 20241 hr 28 min

483. Daddy's Back!

Iain returns to the podcast and co-hosts with LBC's political editor Natasha Clark. They discuss how Jacqui's getting on in her new job, Natasha's favourite LBC presenters, who's doing well in the Tory leadership contest, conspiracy theories and Mike Lynch, Gen Z lingo and loads more.

Aug 22, 20241 hr 10 min

482. Rawdogging

Grant Tucker and Amy Hart present this week with Iain still away (but returning next time!) Our duo discuss A-Level results, the Tory leadership race, Liz Truss getting pranked, fantasy holiday guests and the modern phenomenon of 'rawdogging' - and much more!

Aug 15, 20241 hr 3 min

481. Put It In The Camel

The podcast continues with Iain still away - this time hosted by Grant Tucker and LBC's own Aggie Chambre! They discuss the riots of the last week, politicians on holiday, Kamala Harris's running mate, how much sleep is the right amount of sleep and loads more besides... and we get a rip-roaring nun joke!

Aug 08, 20241 hr

480. A Whole New Cast!

With Iain in hospital, For The Many continues with Grant Tucker and Carolyn Quinn! They talk about the unrest in Southport, Huw Edwards pleading guilty, Kamala vs Trump, Toby jugs, GPs taking industrial action, the Olympics and loads more.

Aug 01, 20241 hr 17 min

479. Vote, What Vote?!?! - with Dawn Butler

Iain co-hosts this episode with fabulous Labour MP Dawn Butler. They talk GB Energy, Labour MPs getting suspended, Dawn's rap video, the Tory leadership race, men on planes and loads more besides!  

Jul 25, 20242 hr 40 min