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

218. Will Wednesday Podcasts Return?

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith avoid discussing Strictly (mostly) – as there will be a special bonus podcast tomorrow evening. Instead they spend most of this two hour edition talking lockdown and Corbyn, with the odd thought on the US election and the French terror attack thrown in for good measure. And you get to Iain practising his Welsh. What could possibly go wrong? Smut Quota: Low

Nov 01, 20202 hr 58 min

217. Pointless Victory

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith bask in the glory of their victory on ‘Pointless Celebrities’ and Jacqui updates us all on her debut on Strictly Come Dancing. That takes up the first twenty minutes of the podcast before they move on to discussing lockdown in Wales, Free School meals, Angela Rayner’s ‘scum’ comments, test & trace, Emmanuel Macron’s response to the French terror attack, the Pope’s views on civil unions, the US election and devolution. Smut Quota: A little higher than normal. Sorry.

Oct 25, 20202 hr 44 min

216. Tits Out, Stomach In

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith spend the first twenty minutes of the podcasts discussing Jacqui’s entry into Strictly Come Dancing and then they turn their attention to the three big political issues of the week – the latest developments in the Covid crisis, the diminishing prospects of a free trade agreement with the EU and developments in the US election campaign. They also spend an hour answering listener questions. Smut Quota: Low to middling. Note: For the next few weeks the podcast will be ava...

Oct 18, 20202 hr 5 min

Introducing 'What Next?' with Lionel Barber

Hi For The Many fans LBC have a new podcast we think you’ll enjoy - Hosted by Lionel Barber, the former Editor of the Financial Times, What Next? focuses on life after COVID-19 and sees the multi-award-winning journalist and author discover how the world is adapting to the pandemic, what needs to change and, most importantly, what lessons we have learnt that will shape our lives for the future. Each week, Lionel will be speaking to some of the biggest leading influential figures in the health, p...

Oct 15, 202043 sec

215. Diva!

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss new Covid new restrictions, Allegra Stratton’s appointment as the PM’s spokeswoman, Nicola Sturgeon’s political troubles, the latest developments in the US election, the government’s careers app, Darren Grimes and MPs’ pay. Smut quota: Middling

Oct 10, 20201 hr 25 min

214. Spin Cycle Defcon 5

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Donald Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis, his debate with Joe Biden, the idiocy of people who break Coronavirus rules (yes you Jeremy Corbyn, Stanley Johnson and Margaret Ferrier!), the latest from Strictly, Jenny Murray’s last Woman’s Hour, Priti Patel’s latest brainwave and National Poetry Day. Smut Quota: High at the start, low elsewhere.

Oct 03, 20201 hr 29 min

213. Frothy Coffee

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Rishi Sunak’s Winter Economic Plan, Student ‘incarceration’, office romances, Trump and the transferral of power, Ben Wallace’s comments on an ‘illegal war’, the disappearance of Priti Patel, Iain needing a passport to get into Kent, Harry & Meghan’s comments on the US election, Diane Abbott’s book and Jacqui gives us an update on her ‘Strictly’ activities. Smut Quota: Low. Ish.

Sep 26, 20202 hr 37 min

212. Emergency Smutcast

In this welcome return of the Wednesday podcast Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale turn their beady eye on Boris Johnson’s address to the nation and ask whether the measures taken to limit the spread of Coronavirus really go far enough. They also discuss Sir Keir Starmer’s virtual Labour party conference speech, and they lighten the mood at the end with a conversation about ‘bushiness’. Graham should stop listening at approx. 30 mins. Smut Quota: High at the end.

Sep 23, 202038 min

211. Second Spike

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the Internal Markets Bill, ask whether a second spike of coronavirus is about to happen, the death of Ruth Bader-Ginsburg, Jacqui’s wardrobe fitting for Strictly Come Dancing and much more besides. Smut Quota: Non existent. Graham will be pleased.

Sep 19, 20201 hr 11 min

210. Better Late Than Never

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the latest round of Brexit shenanigans, the Rule of Six, UKIP’s new leader, Rugby, the Proms and the Japan trade deal. Smut Quota: Lowish

Sep 13, 20202 hr 48 min

209. Strictly Not a ‘Strictly’ Podcast

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith start of this week’s podcast by discussing the news that Lady Smut will be contestant in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing show. So that’s the first twenty minutes done and dusted. They then move on to their normal fayre of political analysis, gossip and intrigue. This week they discuss Tony Abbott’s appointment as a UK trade adviser, Tim Davie’s first major speech as BBC DG, the XR protests, the rising number of coronavirus cases, and they preview the new James Bond f...

Sep 05, 20202 hr 45 min

208. Totes Emosh

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the week’s political news including possible tax rises, the new BBC Director General, developments in Belarus, the return of Parliament and the appointment of a new cabinet secretary. They also get a little emotional when answering a listener’s question. And they break some sad news… Smut Quota: Middling to high. Sorry Graham.

Sep 02, 20202 hr 35 min

207. LibDem Advice Surgery

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith dole out some well meant advice to the new LibDem leader Sir Ed Davey, scratch their heads about Chris Grayling’s resignation, talk local government reorganisation (don’t worry, not for long) and Jacqui wonders how on earth Iain’s partner John has put up with him for 25 years. Smut quota: Low.

Aug 29, 20201 hr 28 min

206. She’s Back!

Jacqui Smith returns from her holiday’s full of vim and vigour and tries desperately to convince Iain her services are worth retaining, following the popularity of her three stand-ins. They discuss Face masks, returning to school, Gavin Williamson’s continuing travails, Belarus, the BBC and the Proms and answer a lot of your questions. Smut Quota: Low to middling.

Aug 26, 20202 hr 46 min

205. The Caroline Flint Show

Jacqui Smith is still on her holidays (she’s back next week) so Iain is joined by former Labour MP Caroline Flint to discuss the week’s news events and much else besides. It turns out to be the longest edition of the For the Many podcast ever – two hours and ten minutes of pure, unadulterated joyful political commentary and entertainment! Do listen to the end as you won’t want to miss some very revealing anecdotes from both Caroline and Iain. In the first part of the podcast they discuss Joe Bid...

Aug 22, 20202 hr 11 min

204. The Wes Streeting Show

With Jacqui Smith away, Iain Dale invited Labour MP and For the Many podcast Superfan Wes Streeting to sit in the hot seat. They discuss the A Level grading fiasco, Public Health England and the Democrats National Convention, as well as taking on a whole host of listener questions. Smut quota: Disappointingly low for a Wednesday.

Aug 19, 20201 hr 10 min

203. The Denise Headley Show

Jacqui Smith is on holiday so Denise Headley joins Iain to chew over the week’s events. They discuss the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, the new Quarantine measures, the reaction to the A Level results and what the government should do next. They answer listener questions too. Smut Quota: Non existent (Graham will be pleased).

Aug 15, 20202 hr 44 min

202. Arrivederci Jacquelina!

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the Channel migrants, Kamala Harris, bleak economic figures, Dawn Butler and Ben & Jerries. They also talk about Jacqui’s imminent summer holiday and who will be replacing her on the next three episodes. Stand by for some quality corpsing too. Smut quota: Medium

Aug 12, 20201 hr 16 min

201. On White Horses

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith review the news of the last few days and talk about the latest Coronavirus developments, the weird interviews given this week by Trump and Biden, and the likelihood of a Japan-UK trade deal. They answers lots of your questions and reminisce over 1970s television. Smut Quota: Lowish

Aug 09, 20202 hr 46 min

200. Not Out

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the explosion in Beirut, the latest developments on Coronavirus, the death of John Hume, Peerages and whether the Tory MP being questioned over sexual assault should have the party whip withdrawn. Smut quota: Middling to low.

Aug 05, 20201 hr 17 min

199. The Caravan Rocks

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the latest emergency lockdown in the North West, Donald Trump’s election rigging tweet, Charlie Elphicke’s conviction and much else besides. Smut Quota: Low (with one transgression).

Jul 31, 20201 hr 22 min

198. Loving Brandi Carlile

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith turn their attention to Wiley’s antisemitic tweets, the LibDem leadership contest, the Spanish quarantine, the government’s new obesity strategy and BAME representation in the boardroom. And they answer your questions in their own inimitable manner. Smut quota: Middling.

Jul 29, 20201 hr 20 min

197. Fat Chozzers

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the government’s new obesity strategy, face coverings, Aston Villa’s chances of avoiding relegation, Wiley’s Twitter shame and how worried the Tories should be about Scotland. And a lot of other nonsense too including the size of Jacqui’s new bed. Listen to the end… Smut quota: Lowish

Jul 25, 20202 hr 54 min

196. The Putin Kompromat

The now award winning Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss their Civility in Politics Award before discussing the entrails of the ISC report into Russian activity in the UK. They talk about Labour’s decision to reach a settlement with 7 former employees and Panorama journalist John Ware. Jacqui gets emotional over Aston Villa’s hopes of retaining their Premier League status and they answer a shed load of listener questions. Smut quota: Middling to high.

Jul 22, 20201 hr 27 min

195. Eat Out to Help Out

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith indulge in some post watershed chat about the week’s political events including the Intelligence & Security Committee shenanigans, Boris’s Back to Work speech, the plight of the Uigher Muslims, Russia and the vaccine, Liam Fox’s bid to be WTO chief, the EU rescue package, the LibDem leadership contest and the death of civil rights campaigner, John Lewis. Smut quota: Middling

Jul 18, 20202 hr 49 min

194. Runny Custard

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Huawei, Face Masks, Paedophile hunters, Sir Keir Starmer’s first 100 days and PMQs. Smut quota: Possibly a little too high

Jul 15, 20201 hr 26 min

193. Dreaming of Layla

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith ask whether the wearing of facemasks should be made mandatory. They ask why Donald Trump would intervene on Roger Stone’s behalf and commute his sentence and bemoan the retail job losses on the UK High Street. They discuss the membership of the Intelligence and Security Committee and the non publication of the Priti Patel report. They then talk about the use of personal pronouns and a few other things besides: Smut quota: Very low, apart from at the end.

Jul 11, 20202 hr 30 min

192. Snort, Snort

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith analyse Rishi Sunak’s Summer Statement and ask the all important question: Can someone who is 5’7” become Prime Minister? They lament that the party conferences have all been cancelled and they discuss the imminent demise of the BBC’s Politics Live programme and ask how the BBC can seriously call itself a public service broadcaster if this happens. And Iain panics when he learns his books have gone out of stock. Smut quota: Middling to high right from the start.

Jul 08, 20202 hr 31 min

191. Hong Kong Phooey

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith turn their attention to Hong Kong, lifting lockdown, David Starkey and televised press conferences in Number Ten. And Jacqui insists on talking about The Clap…. for the NHS… Smut Quota: Low

Jul 04, 20202 hr 46 min

190. Build, Baby, Build

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the Leicester lockdown, Boris Johnson’s big speech in Dudley, job losses and Richard Madeley’s mea culpa on domestic violence. Smut quota: Middling

Jul 01, 20201 hr 19 min