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

274. The Indestructible Relationship

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith discuss the G7, lifting of lockdown, Gareth Southgate, Euro 2021, the Queen’s Portrait, President Smackron, the Honours List, Matt Hancock & Dominic Cummings and Jacqui’s appearance on Cross Question. Smut content: Lower than last week.

Jun 12, 20212 hr 50 min

Introducing 'If It Bleeds It Leads'

Hi For The Many fans – we have a new True Crime podcast we think you’ll enjoy called ‘If It Bleeds It Leads’ Could you be a criminal? What separates the way you think, from the criminal mind? Join the world’s leading professor of criminology, Prof. David Wilson and star of Silent Witness Emilia Fox as they discover what’s really going on behind some of the most notorious crimes. What do you do with have-a-go heroes who try to stop you robbing a bank? What's it like inside an escalating prison ri...

Jun 11, 20213 min

273. Tan Lines Surprise

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith ruminate over trips to Portugal, the spread of Covid, money for schools, foreign aid, the political situation in Israel, Keir Starmer on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories and much else besides. We would like to apologise for the unusually high level of smut in this episode. Sorry Graham.

Jun 05, 20211 hr 25 min

272. Friends Reunited

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith discuss the week’s events and have a lot of laughs along the way. This week they talk about Dominic Cummings, Rob Roberts MP’s suspension from the Commons, the Batley & Spen by-election, the Ryanair flight hijacking by Belarus, mismessaging on Covid, the George Floyd murder one year on, the Tory islamophobia report, the Usman Khan inquest, Arlene Foster, Lord Geidt’s report, the Friends reunion, UFOs, the British podcast awards, Blue light glasses and the Playoff final/C...

May 29, 20212 hr 51 min

271. Plant Based Burgers

Iain and Jacqui review the week’s news and cover the Martin Bashir scandal, Israel and Gaza, the different meanings of Amber, burgers and much more besides. Smut Quota: Middling.

May 22, 20212 hr 35 min

270. Poots Alors!

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the fallout for Keir Starmer from last week’s elections, they fall out over Voter ID, discuss the situation in Israel and Gaza and what the election of Edwin Poots as DUP leader might mean. Iain reveals his Love DC text and they discuss whether David Cameron can recover his reputation. And on behalf of all For the Many listeners they send their love and support to Wes Streeting, occasional host of the podcast, who has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Iain rev...

May 15, 20212 hr 41 min

269. Steer Karmer

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith examine the political situation following last Thursday’s elections. And believe it or not they don’t have a cross word.

May 10, 20211 hr 6 min

268. For the Many Live 2: Long Corbyn

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith hosted their second For the Many Live event and it’s their longest podcast ever. They discuss the first batch of results from Thursday’s elections and the Battle of Jersey and answer a lot of questions from listeners. Smut quota: Middling to low. You can also watch this episode on Iain Dale’s Youtube Channel.

May 08, 20213 hr 38 min

267. Tinted Eyebrows

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith record their longest ever podcast to compensate their dear listeners for the loss of the Wednesday podcast! This week they cover the latest developments in the decoration of Boris Johnson’s Downing Street flat, the resignation of Arlene Foster, the anniversary of Tony Blair’s election victory in 1997, next Friday’s live podcast, Tony Blair’s hair, next week’s local elections, the opportunities for micro local businesses post Covid, Noel Clarke, John Snow leaving Channe...

May 01, 20212 hr 19 min

266. Vacuum of Integrity

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith have a lot to discuss after Jacqui’s caravan break last week. They get straight into the latest political developments on Greensill and James Dyson’s lobbying of the government. What’s Dominic Cummings up to? They discuss Covid in India, the end of the Number Ten Briefing Room, the Derek Chauvin verdict, the Post Office fraud scandal, the collapse of the European Super League, Johnny Mercer leaving the government, St George’s Day, will Jacqui apply to be the new HS2, I...

Apr 24, 20212 hr 7 min

265. Return of the Flint

With Jacqui Smith away, Iain Dale and Caroline Flint discuss the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, the Greensill scandal, Ukraine, Shirley Williams, Astra Zeneca, Caroline’s work as a vaccine volunteer, local elections and Labour’s poll ratings, the joys or otherwise of photoshoots, and Iain describes the trauma he experienced when his Jack Russell went missing. Smut quota: Very low.

Apr 17, 20212 hr 58 min

264. Required Decorum

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh and the deaths of three politicians, but don’t worry, it gets a bit more cheerful after that. They also talk about the riots in Northern Ireland, the worrying border conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Alan Duncan’s diaries, the Astra Zeneca decision, Ursula Von der Leyen’s seating issues, David Cameron and Rishi Sunak and Iain’s new obsession with Spotify. And who should replace Jacqui when she’s at her caravan next weeken...

Apr 10, 20212 hr 16 min

263. BONUS: Drag Names Compilation 1

BONUS EPISODE: A compilation of drag names by listener Oliver Turner | Prime Ministers, The Cabinet, The Shadow Cabinet, Lib Dems & World Leaders

Apr 07, 202120 min

262. Do you believe?

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss religion and Easter (what could possibly go wrong?), whether they’ve won Euromillions (they haven’t), 300 years of Prime Ministers (Jacqui’s lack of knowledge is shocking), Keir Starmer’s first year (6 out of 10, says Iain) and the best Drag Queen corpsing session yet (thanks Oliver Turner!). Smut quota: Very low.

Apr 03, 20212 hr 42 min

261. Au Revoir to the Wednesday Podcast

In the last Wednesday podcast for the time being (Saturdays continue as normal!) Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale discuss the lifting of lockdown, the Commission on race, why vaccine take up among some ethnic minorities is so low, David Cameron’s lobbying activities and Joe Biden’s dog. Smut quota: Disappointing middling for the final Wednesday podcast. We’ve let ourselves down, the podcast down, but thank you for all you do.

Mar 31, 20211 hr 9 min

260. Cunning Cats

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Alex Salmond’s new party, the EU vaccine blockade, Lockdown powers, Chinese sanctions, Mondeos, Batley Grammar, flags and musicals. Smut quota: Middling

Mar 27, 20212 hr 59 min

259. Pansies in the Hot Tub

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the Bristol protests, the vaccine latest, a year of Covid, Boris Johnson’s greed comments, Prince Harry’s new job title, the death of Barbara Hosking and Lord Tony Greaves and a few other things too. Smut quota: Low to middling

Mar 24, 20212 hr 35 min

258. Knickers at Work

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Nicola Sturgeon’s woes, the vaccine rollout and the EU’s position, the Hartlepool by election, the BBC moving to the regions, Iain winning a Parliamentary Book Award, World Happiness and Joe Bidens stumble(s). Smut quota: Low to middling

Mar 20, 20212 hr 45 min

257. We’re Very Sorry, But…

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith announce the end of the Wednesday podcast after Easter, discuss the Astrazeneca suspension by 17 EU countries, David Davis’s speech on the Salmond?Sturgeon crisis, the Policing Bill and the aftermath of the Women’s vigil, the Number Ten 10 TV room, the Integrated Review and the Hartlepool by election. Smut quota: Middling. NOTE: Iain's audio quality is slightly distorted due to some technical difficulties.

Mar 18, 20211 hr 10 min

256. Jacqui’s Recital

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss violence towards women, their failure to win the Podcast of the Year award, Margaret Beckett’s insult to Laura Pidcock, British exports to the EU, a new Covid wave on the continent, the naked protest at the French Oscars and they ask, what next for Nigel Farage? Smut Quota: Too high for a Saturday

Mar 13, 20212 hr 50 min

255. Senior Moments

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith reveal they’ve missed out on yet another podcast award, they discuss the consequences of the Harry and Meghan interview, Piers Morgan’s departure from Good Morning Britain, Joe Biden’s senior moment, the PAC report on track & Trace, Charles Michel’s untruth about Britain banning vaccine exports and much else besides. Smut quota: Higher than usual.

Mar 10, 20212 hr 35 min

254. Toilet Break

Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale review the budget, the proposed NHS pay rise, levelling up, Priti Patel’s bullying payoff, Schools reopening, Downing Street spending money on refurbishment, the royal interview and much else besides. Smut quota: A little higher than a normal Saturday. We’re very sorry.

Mar 06, 20212 hr 59 min

253. Addicted to Coke

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss someone impersonatin Iain on Instagram, Rishi Sunak’s coke addiction, the budget, the latest Salmond/Sturgeon shenanigans, Pontins’ anti-Irish discrimination, cutting famine aid to Yemen, the jailing of Nicolas Sarkozy, Trump at CPAC, the success of Zoom and why they won’t be doing a charity sky dive. Smut quota: Lowish

Mar 03, 20211 hr 6 min

252. Statues of Lenin

Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale discuss Alex Salmond’s evidence yesterday, vaccine priorities, JVT’s message, Labour’s new defence policy, the CIA report into the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the Shamima Begum ruling, next week’s budget, Lady Gaga’s dogknapping, narcissism and, er, Yorkshire puddings. Oh, and they’ve been nominated for another award. Smut quota: Lowish

Feb 27, 20212 hr 56 min

251. Hole in One

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith review Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown, they discuss Matt Hancock’s comments on PPE, Alex Salmond’s accusations, Tiger Woods’ crash and the increasing number of women on company boards. This episode contains a nun joke. You have been warned. Smut quota: Middling.

Feb 24, 202159 min

250. Our Universal Service

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith celebrate their 250th episode of the For the Money podcast by recording for more than 2 hours 10 minutes. Plenty of incentives to stick with it to the end, though! As well as covering all the political news of the week – Covid, Keir Starmer’s big speech, comings and goings in Number 10, Matt Hancock’s court case, Uber, IR35, Harry and Meghan, the Duke of Edinburgh and coming out of lockdown – we also learn about the dangers of wearing a bra holster and Jacqui’s tidying...

Feb 20, 20212 hr 14 min

249. Sending Jacqui into Space

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith review the latest Covid and vaccine developments, they discuss Princess Latifa’s plight in Dubai, free speech in universities, the Munich Security conference, the hunt for a British astronaut and a new book about Jeremy Heywood. Smut quota: Low

Feb 17, 20211 hr 27 min

248. Soggy Crackling

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith set the world to rights by discussing if we’ll have to learn to live with Covid, quarantine, holidays, whether the Home Office is fit for purpose, the NHS white paper, Donald Trump’s impeachment, Iain’s talk to Swindon Labour Party, Boris Johnson’s hair, the Number 10 Photographer, whether letters should remain private, the joys or otherwise of outdoor sex and Iain reveals why he spent the morning in tears. Happy Valentine’s Day! Smut Quota: Lowish

Feb 13, 20212 hr 52 min

247. Leaving Dirty Underpants in the Kremlin

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith recount their experience of going viral and then discuss border closures, the latest Covid figures, apprenticeships, trade union membership, cladding, Alex Salmond and much else besides. Smut quota: Middling.

Feb 10, 20211 hr 12 min

246. Page Three Boy Speaks!

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss vaccines, the prospects for economic recovery, the goings on at Hanforth Parish Council, Keir Starmer’s woes, Kemi Badenoch’s tweets, why they hate doing their VAT returns, local elections, West Ham’s victory over Aston Villa and, er, Celebrity Sumo. Smut quota: A little too high for a Saturday.

Feb 06, 20212 hr 41 min