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: [email protected]

Episodes

444. Trussed Up

Iain and Jacqui discuss Iain's interview with Liz Truss, the Iranian attack on Israel, Angela Rayner, freedom of movement, the smoking ban policy, Mark Menzies and loads more! Smut quota: Graham needn't worry too much.

Apr 19, 20241 hr 2 min

443. Sloppy Seconds: Calling An Election

Iain and Jacqui explain the process of calling an election - and what happens next! Also, questions on new parliamentary candidates, banning smartphones for children, Owen Jones leaving the Labour Party and more.

Apr 16, 20241 hr 4 min

442. Dirndl and Lederhosen

Iain and Jacqui discuss Labour going after tax dodgers, William Wragg, Cameron paying Trump a visit, protesters outside Starmer's house, whether Angela Rayner's in danger, Harold Wilson's affair and loads more. Smut quota: Middling.

Apr 12, 20241 hr 1 min

441. Renowned Banker

Iain and Jacqui discuss aid workers killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza, calls for arms sales to cease, a new MRP poll looking bad for the Tories, Iain's new job, a change to the format, 25 years of the minimum wage, ID cards, a naughty Cross Question moment, the Michael Jackson musical and lots more besides. Smut quota: Largely decent.

Apr 05, 20241 hr 16 min

440. Short but Sweet

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith rejoice in the afterglow of their Dublin show as they discuss the week’s news, including the possibility of Johnny Mercer being jailed, the failures of Michael Gove as Housing Secretary, the pensions triple lock. The England football shirt and the NHS British Social Attitudes Survey. Smut quota: Zero

Mar 29, 202452 min

439. For the Many! Live in Dublin (to be sure)

Iain and Jacqui enjoyed a lovely weekend in Ireland’s capital, which culminated in a near sellout ‘For the Many Live! At the Laughter Lounge comedy club. The resignation of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach provided the ideal background to the show and they were delighted that the Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe, and mentioned as a possible successor to Varadkar, joined them as their special guest. Iain tested Jacqui on her knowledge about Ireland, its history and politics and they talk...

Mar 26, 20242 hr 53 min

438. Morning Glory (So It Is)

Iain and Jacqui discuss plots against the PM, Rachel Reeves's pitch to businesses and whether everybody loves Thatcher, Putin's electoral 'victory', Ed Balls vs Quentin Letts, Vaughan Gething becoming the new Welsh first minister, whether all-male clubs are wrong - and loads more besides. Smut quota: Reasonable.

Mar 21, 20241 hr 10 min

437. Blowing Bubbles

Iain and Jacqui discuss the racism row around Tory donor Frank Hester, redefining extremism, MPs getting a pay rise, the Princess of Wales's photoshopping, Theresa May stepping away, the Red Lion reopening and loads more besides. Smut quota: Wild in parts.

Mar 15, 20242 hr

436. Fiscal Drag Queen

Iain and Jacqui discuss when the next election will be (could it be May?!), the Budget, Jacqui's travels, Carolyn and Caroline, Super Tuesday, Michelle Donelan's libel case, Mandelson fat-shaming Starmer, Celebrity Big Brother, the end of TalkTV and Sunak reorganising the dishwasher. Smut quota: Middling.

Mar 08, 20242 hr 37 min

435. Peggy Lee

Caroline Flint sits in whilst Jacqui continues her sojourn. Iain and Caroline discuss Islamophobia in the Conservative Party, whether Speaker Hoyle is in trouble, the Rochdale by-election, Angela Rayner's housing, Bruce Springsteen, Lee Anderson, prisons, election presenters and much more besides. Smut quota: Outrageous from the start. Those of a sensitive disposition should skip to 9 minutes in.

Mar 01, 20242 hr 37 min

434. I Want Something Bigger

Carolyn Quinn sits in whilst Jacqui wanders around India. Iain and Carolyn discuss the bedeviled Mr Speaker, Prince William speaking out on Gaza, the formidable Yulia Navalnaya, photo shoots, Cuba, Tom Baldwin's book on Starmer and loads else. Smut quota: Mucha diversión.

Feb 23, 20242 hr 15 min

433. Behind The Sausage Curtain

Iain and Jacqui discuss Labour's tricky week, the recession, Trump sounding off about NATO, Piers Morgan moving to YouTube, the sad death of Steve Wright, Republicans vs Lord Cameron, protests outside MPs' homes, Valentine's Day and chocolate appendages. And our pair get interviewed by Radio Ulster live on the podcast! Smut quota: Ample.

Feb 16, 20242 hr 49 min

432. Down The Plug Hole

Iain and Jacqui discuss Labour's u-turn on green investment, Sunak getting into hot water at PMQs, Liz Truss and the PopCons, the dental crisis, Jacqui's row with a broadcaster, another political podcast on the scene, Biden's gaffes and loads more besides. Smut quota: Off the scale! SPOILER WARNING: The movie Saltburn is discussed in graphic detail.

Feb 09, 20242 hr 56 min

431. Political 'Movements'

Iain and Jacqui discuss Labour's position on banker bonuses, Iceland's Richard Walker abandoning the Tories, the Northern Ireland deal, Biden's foreign policy, safety of MPs after Mike Freer steps back, Paul Waugh, the UNRWA and sweary politicians. Smut quota: F****** s**********.

Feb 02, 20242 hr 6 min

430. The Problem With Cloven Hooves

Iain and Jacqui discuss Sir Simon Clarke sniping at the PM, what happens in Westminster if Trump returns, Jacqui's spat with Carol Vorderman, measles on the rise, conscription and Sarah Champion's campaign to free the lemurs. Smut quota: Like a sunny afternoon at Chester Zoo.

Jan 26, 20242 hr 33 min

429. Man with a Plan

Iain and Jacqui discuss Rishi Sunak's victory over Rwanda (but will it be short-lived?), the resignation of 30p Lee, Trump winning in Iowa, Iain's eyes, Davos, taxes vs borrowing, Rishi Sunak's style, banning Hizb ut-Tahrir and lots more. Smut quota: California Dreamin'.

Jan 19, 20241 hr 17 min

428. Justice Prevails

Iain and Jacqui discuss the Post Office scandal and the exoneration of the victims, Jacqui's glucose levels, upcoming elections, dog whistle politics, the very young French PM, Joey Barton's comments online, Iain getting certain signals on a train and loads more. Smut quota: Middling.

Jan 12, 20242 hr 54 min

BEST OF FOR THE MANY 2023: PART TWO

Even more brilliant bits from For The Many in 2023. Lots of fun, lots of politics, lots of innuendo. All the stuff you need to start your year with a bang... so to speak!

Jan 05, 20242 hr 8 min

427. FOR THE MANY AWARDS 2023

Iain and Jacqui run through their picks for the famed For The Many Awards for 2023. Sit down, get the popcorn out and strap in!

Dec 29, 20231 hr 8 min

BEST OF FOR THE MANY 2023: PART ONE

Some of the choicest morsels from the year that was 2023. Iain and Jacqui discuss a whole host of topics. There are laughs, tears and plenty of smut. Do enjoy!

Dec 26, 20232 hr 13 min

426. That'll Be Fifteen Pounds Please

Iain and Jacqui discuss the Christmas number one, Michelle Mone, junior doctors striking, Rishi Sunak at the Liaison Committee, Network North, predictions for 2024, a stingy nan and loads more besides. Smut Quota: Copious.

Dec 22, 20231 hr 6 min

425. That's a Hard One

Iain and Jacqui talk the Rwanda Bill, Harry hacking, Mark Drakeford, a two-state solution, the heroism of David Davis and loads more besides! Smut quota: Fair to Middling.

Dec 15, 20231 hr 21 min

424. You're So Vain

Iain and Jacqui discuss Starmer's thoughts on Thatcher, cutting legal immigration, the Rwanda plan causing chaos in Westminster, toilet breaks, the rising licence fee, the COVID inquiry and loads more. Smut Quota: Lower this week, as the duo records from an ITV green room. Listeners, please submit your choices for our Best Of episode to [email protected], citing the episode number, title and timecode of your favourite bits!

Dec 08, 20231 hr 6 min

423. Death and Destruction

Iain and Jacqui discuss COP28, the row over the Elgin Marbles, the death of Henry Kissinger, Alistair Darling, Shane MacGowan and Dean Sullivan, Royal troubles, Ursula von der Leyen's comments on Britain rejoining the EU, strife in the Lib Dems, Jonny Reynolds, Christmas Number Ones and their appearance in Northampton. Smut quota: Very low unless you find Iain's sniffles a turn-on.

Dec 01, 20231 hr 23 min

422. The Graceland of Malvern

Iain and Jacqui discuss the Autumn Statement, a hostage deal in Israel and Gaza, immigration figures rising, the Dutch election, Cliff Richard on Elvis Presley, the Home Secretary saying 'shit' and loads more. Smut quota: Middling.

Nov 24, 20231 hr 13 min

421. Devil Woman

Iain and Jacqui discuss the latest battle between Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman over Rwanda and stopping the boats. They chat more about the reshuffle, Labour’s problems over Gaza, the Autumn Statement, Nadine’s book, Cliff Richard and, er, Muffwash. Smut quota: Must do better.

Nov 17, 20231 hr 25 min

420. Daddy's Home

Iain and Jacqui reconvene (during Iain's holiday!) for an emergency recording, breaking down the cabinet reshuffle which saw the return of David Cameron and the sacking of Suella Braverman! Smut Quota: Stop it! This is serious business!

Nov 14, 202333 min

419. Parisian Bedbugs

Iain and Jacqui discuss Suella Braverman's response to the planned pro-Palestine marches, the King's Speech, Iain's visit to Number 10, Jacqui's visit to Paris, the COVID inquiry, the AI summit and loads more. Smut Quota: Normal Service Has Been Resumed

Nov 09, 20232 hr 52 min

418. Nappy Valley

Zoe Williams sits in whilst Jacqui takes a well-earned birthday break in bedbug-ridden Paris. Iain and Zoe discuss the situation in Gaza, the COVID inquiry, Keir Starmer's leadership, kids going to school in nappies, the King's visit to Kenya, internships, AI images of Iain and much more. Disagreement quota: High!

Nov 02, 20232 hr 46 min

417. Copy That!

Iain and Jacqui discuss Keir Starmer's position on Gaza, calls for a ceasefire, Jeremy Hunt's future, Rachel Reeves's book, British values and much more besides. Smut quota: High in parts!

Oct 27, 20232 hr 48 min