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

245. Projectile Vomiting Capers

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, discuss the leaked Labour strategy paper, the sacking of SNP MP Joanna Cherry, racism in football, Myanmar and Russia. Iain asks for advice on buying an electric car, and Jacqui reveals a shameful episode in her ministerial past. Smut quota: Low

Feb 03, 20211 hr 22 min

244. For the Many Goes Zoom!

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith host their first ever live edition of the podcast on Zoom, with an audience of 1500 listeners watching on the night the EU had to backtrack on plans to create a hard border in Northern Ireland. They discuss the EU Vaccine dispute, Macron’s comments on the AZ vaccine, Sir Desmond Swayne, Boris in Scotland, the withdrawal of the government’s “sexist advert” and much else. Smut Quota: Low to middling. You can watch this episode on Iain Dale’s Youtube Channel https://www.y...

Jan 30, 20212 hr 4 min

243. C+ For Effort

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith are in reflective mood on the day after it was announced 100,000 people in the UK have died with Covid. They discuss the EU vaccine rollout, or lack of it, cutting the size of juries, Holocaust Memorial Day, unemployment and the Channel 4 series ‘It’s a Sin’. Smut quota: Middling in the second half.

Jan 27, 20211 hr 23 min

242. Coals to Cumbria

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the vaccine rollout, why members of the BAME community seem reluctant to have the vaccine, Joe Biden’s first few days in power, the prospect of a new coalmine, new railway lines, the Chips Channon Diaries and much more besides. Smut quota: Middling to low.

Jan 23, 20212 hr 48 min

For The Many Live Zoom Event!

Iain Dale announces a live For the Many podcast on Friday 29 January at 7.30pm. Register for your Zoom ticket at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/for-the-many-podcast-live-zoom-event-free-tickets-137645909621?aff=ebdssbeac&keep_tld=1

Jan 21, 20212 min

241. A Game For All the Family

Iain Dale and Jacqui discuss Joe Biden’s inauguration, presidential pardons, the latest Covid developments, Opposition Day motions and he joys of power naps. Smut quota: Medium to low.

Jan 20, 20211 hr 16 min

240. Black Eyes and Kissing Cousins

Iain and Jacqui review the week’s news with sections on vaccines, travel bans, fish, workers’ rights, Angela Merkel and much else besides. Smut quota: Lowish

Jan 16, 20211 hr 29 min

239. Toad in the Hole

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Priti Patel, enforcing Covid guidelines, the vaccine rollout, Donald Trump, Marcus Rashford and free school meals, the abolition of the Brexit select committee and their joint liking for Toad in the Hole. Smut Quota: Middling

Jan 13, 20211 hr 13 min

238. Everyone Needs Good Neighbours

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith give us the benefits of their thoughts on Donald Trump and the events on Capitol Hill this week, and Iain reveals the true story of how high neighbours snitched on him enjoying a bit of Trance music. They also talk about lockdown and the vaccine rollout as well as Alex Salmond’s accusations against Nicola Sturgeon. And Page 3 Boy treats us to two jokes. Smut Quota: Non existent. Sorry.

Jan 09, 20212 hr 53 min

237. Lockdown: The Sequel

Iain and Jacqui are back with a New Year’s bang with a bumper length edition. They discuss lockdown, vaccines, closing borders, exams, Brexit, Trump, parliamentary boundaries, local elections, what they read and watched over Christmas and much else. Smut quota: Low until the last three minutes.

Jan 06, 20212 hr 3 min

236. The For the Many Awards of 2020

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith dole out their much coveted awards for 2020, with their characteristic wit and humour. Well, that’s what it says here. Find out who their sexiest politician of the year is, who wins the award for Best interview, Moment of the year, and much much more. A cracking way to start 2021.

Jan 02, 20211 hr 14 min

233. Ball or Aerosol?

On the eve of Christmas Eve Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale start loading your Christmas stocking with 90 minutes of festive banter, frivolity and the odd bit of political commentary. They discuss the state of the Brexit free trade talks, the likelihood of another national lockdown, Vaccinations, Nigella’s Christmas recipe, the appointments to the House of Lords and the prison system. Smut Quota: Middling.

Dec 23, 20202 hr 34 min

232. Projectile Vomiting in Caroline Flint’s Car

Jacqui Smith is away on Strictly duties so Caroline Flint deputises again. She and Iain Dale discuss the latest Covid developments and speculate on the likelihood of a last minute Brexit deal. They talk about drug deaths in Scotland, what they’re getting up to for Christmas and answer a lot of questions from listeners. Smut Quota: Virtually non existent. Graham will be pleased.

Dec 19, 20202 hr 34 min

231. Home for Christmas

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith give their views on Christmas restrictions, the tier system and veer off into some Ronnie Corbett style stories, before getting back on track to discuss the progress on a Brexit free trade deal. It’s a more or less smut free podcast, until the last twenty minutes. Graham should then switch off, as they both disgrace themselves. Smut Quota: Very High

Dec 16, 20201 hr 23 min

230. Hoovering up the body hair

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith evaluate the prospect of no deal with the EU, look at the latest Covid developments, look at the year since the December 2019 general election, discuss Donald Trump’s loss in the Supreme Court, Jacqui’s re-entry into Strictly, the death of Dame Barbara Windsor, Iain’s skip delivery, Jacqui’s dream about body air, her panting lurcher and manicured eyebrows. Smut quota: Very low.

Dec 12, 20201 hr 26 min

229. Tiers at Christmas

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith discuss vaccinations, Brexit, the unthinkable thought that journalists might break Tier 3 rules (the very thought) and they answer your questions. Smut Quota: Middling getting higher towards the end.

Dec 09, 202052 min

228. Packed Lunch

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the progress, or lack of it, in the EU free trade talks, before moving on to more on vaccines and Covid. They both have a rant at Lloyds Bank and discuss deportations to Jamaica and the death of Valery Giscard D’Estaing. Smut quota: Medium

Dec 05, 20201 hr 28 min

227. German Humour

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the House of Commons vote on Covid restrictions, vaccination passports, the Welsh alcohol ban, the collapse of Arcadia and Debenhams and Scottish independence. And as it’s Wednesday there are even more laughs than usual.

Dec 01, 20201 hr 4 min

226. A Total Letdown

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith talk about the new tier system, Christmas arrangements, the Autumn Statement, the (lack of a) Free Trade Agreement, the possible collapse of Arcadia, Nicola Sturgeon, Diego Maradona and they ask their listeners for nominations for a Best of For the Many 2020. Smut quota: A bit too much for a Saturday.

Nov 28, 20202 hr 33 min

225. Short But Sweet

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith talk Christmas, Rishi Sunak’s autumn statement, Shamima Begum and the Covid vaccines. And there’s a special message from Page Three Boy. Smut content: High.

Nov 25, 202052 min

224. One Night in Bangkok

In a bumper two hour edition, Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith chew over the week’s political news and spend a lot of time dissecting the Priti Patel bullying scandal, as well as discussing what happens when lockdown ends in England, what the government might announce about Christmas arrangements, Defence spending, Public sector pay, International Men’s Day, bad book reviews, Amazon delivery times, Iain’s interview with Chris Bryant, The Crown and episode two of Naked attraction. And there are some br...

Nov 21, 20202 hr 4 min

223. Rearranging Downstairs

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Jeremy Corbyn’s readmission to the Labour Party, COVID vaccines, Brexit, road pricing, electric cars... and Iain’s back problems. And they play agony aunt and uncle to their listeners. Smut quota: Quite unacceptably high.

Nov 18, 20201 hr 22 min

222. Shut the door on your way out

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith review another momentous week in politics. They concentrate on the departures of Lee Cain and Dominic Cummings from Number Ten, the presidential transition, the death of Peter Sutcliffe, the Brexit free trade talks and the publication of Iain’s new book, THE PRIME MINISTERS. Smut content: For a Saturday, high. They’ve let themselves down. Again.

Nov 14, 20202 hr 37 min

Introducing Hunting Ghislaine with John Sweeney

Hi For The Many fans LBC have a new podcast we think you’ll enjoy - Hosted by legendary reporter John Sweeney, Hunting Ghislaine is a 6 part series about Ghislaine Maxwell, the daughter of a disgraced billionaire and the former partner of a super-rich paedophile who killed himself while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. After hiding for almost a year, she now finds herself facing multiple charges for helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually exploit and abuse under-age women which could lead to her spe...

Nov 13, 20201 min

221. The Wednesday Podcast is Back!

Due to no public demand whatsoever, Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale have decided to record a second podcast each week on a Wednesday, ostensibly to help their bereft listeners survive the second lockdown. Frankly it’s because they have got bugger all else to do. They do discuss Biden and Trump, Covid and the resignation of the FA Chairman Greg Clarke (not that one). And then it all gets a bit silly. Smut Quota: Middling to High. It’s Wednesday. Deal with it, Graham. (Not that one).

Nov 11, 20201 hr 9 min

220. Papped!

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss in detail the ramifications of what is happening in the United States and what Donald Trump will do next, the latest developments in Covid, the new For the Many face coverings (on sale at www.politicos.co.uk), Jacqui’s post Strictly comedown, and while she is recording the podcast Jacqui is papped through her window! And they make an announcement about the future of the podcast. The Wednesday podcast is to return! Smut quota: Low

Nov 07, 20202 hr 47 min

219. BONUS: Strictly Over

In a special bonus edition of the podcast Jacqui Smith tells us about the weekend’s events which saw her voted off Strictly Come Dancing. It all gets a little bit “totes emosh” on occasion and Jacqui takes us on her emotional rollercoaster, what the experience has been like, and what it has meant to her. Get your Kleenex ready.

Nov 02, 202036 min