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

Mr Johnson’s 30 days

Iain and Jacqui award exam style grades to Boris Johnson for his first month as prime minister and analyse his track record so far. They do their own review of HS2 and cast a weary eye over Dorothy Byrne’s Mactaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival. And they answer lots of your questions.

Aug 25, 20191 hr 1 minTranscript available on Metacast

No Woman, No Cry

Iain is without any female companionship in this episode, what with Jacqui Smith rocking her caravan in Wales and technology defeating Jess Phillips. So he makes as good a fist of it as he can and in the words of The Beautiful South, carries on regardless. He discusses the possibility of a government of national unity, Jo Swinson’s first three weeks and then answers a lot of listener questions. Back to ormal next week, though. Thank God. Smut quota: Almost non existent.

Aug 18, 201936 minTranscript available on Metacast

Edinburgh Melons

Iain and Jacqui cast their beady eyes over Boris Johnson’s first two and a half weeks as prime minister, and discuss the latest state of Brexit. They talk prisons and answer your questions on the Edinburgh Fringe and who might replace the holidaying Jacqui on next week’s podcast. Smut level: Medium

Aug 11, 20191 hr 3 minTranscript available on Metacast

Oops

A rather shortened version of the podcast this week, entirely down to Iain’s lack of ability to notice his hard drive was full. Normal service will be resumed next week. At least we think it will!

Aug 04, 201920 minTranscript available on Metacast

BoJo MoJo

Iain and Jacqui cast their beady eyes over the first four days of Boris Johnson’s premiership, plus a word or two about the new LibDem leader Jo Swinson and the sentencing of Carl Beech. #MoreDan joins them for the Q&A.

Jul 28, 20192 hr 36 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Plumber Calls

Iain and Jacqui review the latest developments in the Tory leadership, they bid a fond farewell to Andrew Neil and discuss the worrying developments in the Strait of Hormuz. They discuss Iain’s various bits of media tartery and Jacqui reveals perhaps more than she had intended in answering a question on… well, you’ll just have to listen to find out.

Jul 21, 20191 hr 20 minTranscript available on Metacast

Iain enjoys Five Guys

Iain and Jacqui review the latest developments in the Tory leadership race, the resignation of Sir Kim Darroch and Labour’s continuing woes over anti-semitism. They have some great anecdotes about Mo Mowlam and answer lots of your questions.

Jul 14, 20191 hr 9 minTranscript available on Metacast

#MoreDan Returns

Iain and Jacqui are joined once again by Daniel Bryce, who describes himself as the voice of “the many, not the few”. How true this is. Which is worrying in itself. Jacqui is recording the podcast from the Holiday Inn in Swindon, while Iain has been spending the day chairing another hustings in Nottingham. They discuss the latest developments in the Tory leadership contest, the letter from Police Chief to The Times, Ann Widdecombe’s speech in the European Parliament plus the Brexit Party and Lib...

Jul 07, 20191 hr 14 minTranscript available on Metacast

Jacqui’s Candles

Iain and Jacqui delve into the Tory leadership contest, and Iain reveals the secrets of the Tory hustings. Jacqui reveals what she used to do with candles on a reshuffle day (stop it at the back!), they both discuss the G20 and Donald Trump’s handshake with Kim Jong Un, and who’s likely to win the LibDem leadership contest.

Jun 30, 20191 hr 2 minTranscript available on Metacast

3-0 to the Ingerland

Iain and Jacqui demonstrate their powers of multi-tasking in this podcast. They talk about politics but keep an eye on the Lionesses who were playing Cameroon while they were recording. Iain explains what it was like to chair the first Tory hustings and how he reacted to being booed by the audience, while Jacqui tells how she outran Tom Watson at the Great Get-Together in memory of Jo Cox. They talk about Iran, arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the departure of Sarah Huckerbee-Sanders and the forthcom...

Jun 22, 20191 hr 14 minTranscript available on Metacast

Mr Johnson’s record length

Jacqui and Iain review the latest shenanigans in the Tory leadership contest were Boris Johnson (Mr Johnson, to Jacqui) seems to be storming through. They discuss Hong Kong, Iran, state banquets, the third anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox and Iain reviews the lineup for his 24 shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. Smut quota: Low to medium

Jun 17, 20192 hr 36 minTranscript available on Metacast

Iain’s Skanky Nic-nacs

Iain and Jacqui discuss the result of the Peterborough by-election and Jacqui calls for the winning Labour candidate to be suspended from the party over anti-semitism allegations. They discuss whether Michael Gove’s cocaine revelations will have any impact on his chances in the Tory leadership contest, as well as ask whether Donald Trump’s visit was a success. They speculate on whether Rebecca Long-Bailey is Jeremy Corbyn’s favoured successor, and Jacqui wonders about Iain’s choice of underpants...

Jun 09, 20191 hr 17 minTranscript available on Metacast

Game of Tories

Jacqui and Iain cast their eyes over the runners and riders in the Tory leadership contest and wonder if Boris Johnson and Michael Gove will be the two to contest it among the party membership. They discuss Donald Trump’s state visit, the LibDem leadership race, Alastair Campbell, Julia Hartley-Brewer and Iain reveals something new about his Edinburgh fringe show.

Jun 01, 20191 hr 12 minTranscript available on Metacast

Come What May

Iain and Jacqui discuss the resignation of the Prime Minister, analyse the runners and riders in the Tory leadership contest and wonder how the European elections will turn out when the results are announced on Sunday evening. They answer a lot of your questions and, I’m afraid to say, sing rather a lot. They promise it won’t happen again.

May 25, 20191 hr 27 minTranscript available on Metacast

Null Points to Change UK

On Eurovision weekend Jacqui and Iain reflect on the likelihood of Boris Johnson gaining ‘douze points’ in the Tory leadership race, they analyse why the cross party Brexit talks have broken down and Iain tries (and fails) to enthuse Jacqui about Eurovision. They even sing some Eurovision songs, but please don’t switch off. And they play snog, marry or avoid with Andrew Neil, Piers Morgan and James O’Brien. And Jacqui reveals the laziest ex Labour cabinet minister. Clue: It wasn’t her.

May 19, 20191 hr 19 minTranscript available on Metacast

Sex Tape

Jacqui and Iain delve into the latest developments in the European Election campaign, analyse why Change UK seem to be getting it all wrong and talk about the difficulties broadcasters have in achieving balance in elections. They discuss whether the BBC was right to sack Danny Baker, Jacqui coos over the Royal Baby and Iain introduces Jacqui to the Channel 4 ‘Sex Tape’ programme. And they answer a shed load of your questions. Smut Quota: Medium to Low.

May 12, 20191 hr 16 minTranscript available on Metacast

False Start

Iain and Jacqui delve into the local election results and ponder the sacking of Gavin Williamson. They discuss Jeremy Corbyn’s most recent brush with anti-semitism and Jacqui’s new job, chairing the Jo Cox Foundation. Iain reveals he likes vibrations up his back. Really. No smutvthis week. Well, very little.

May 05, 20191 hr 14 minTranscript available on Metacast

Cut, or Uncut?

Iain and Jacqui turn their attention to events in Sri Lanka, Donald Trump’s state visit, Ann Widdecombe joining Nigel Farage’s new party, leaks from the National Security Council, developments in Northern Ireland, Great Thunberg and Joe Biden’s presidential candidacy. Iain reveals why he has been circumcised (no, really), Jacqui imagines being married to Nigel Farage and Iain reveals a secret admiration for someone he’s banned from his programme. And they reveal their political Spice Girls, but ...

Apr 28, 20192 hr 35 minTranscript available on Metacast

David Starkey’s Potty Mouth

Iain and Jacqui kindly interrupt their Easter weekend to talk about terrorism in Sri Lanka, the Notre Dame fire, Nigel Farage’s poll ratings, the Edinburgh Fringe, Diane Abbott’s train tipple, the Mueller Report and David Starkey’s pottymouth. And all in just over an hour!

Apr 21, 20191 hr 8 minTranscript available on Metacast

Squeezing Zits

Iain and Jacqui look at Theresa May’s week, look forward to the European elections, ask if Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party can succeed and both express their wish to see the back of Julian Assange. Iain teaches Jacqui about the Amritsar massacre and Jacqui offers to squeeze Iain’s zits… except he has perfect skin. Smut quota: Low to middling.

Apr 14, 20191 hr 1 minTranscript available on Metacast

Live at PodcastLive

Iain and Jacqui do a special live podcast in front of an audience at PodcastLive at The Light, opposite Euston Station. Around 250 people listened to them discussing the latest Brexit development, the Sultan of Brunei as well as answering lots of questions. And the audience contained a special guest, whose presence ensured a limited smut quota. And, no it wasn’t HM The Queen.

Apr 07, 20191 hr 1 minTranscript available on Metacast

Boulton’s ‘Bollocks’

It’s another Brexit-tastic edition of the podcast in which Jacqui and Iain look back at the week’s momentous events in which the PM announced she would quit and parliament remained gridlocked. They discuss the possible deselection of Dominic Grieve and Iain’s encounter with Adam Boulton’s ‘bollocks’ on Sky News, the coming Tory leadership contest, while Iain reveals he is tempted to return to the political fray. Jacqui, less so. And they have some brilliant questions from listeners to answer inc...

Mar 31, 20191 hr 28 minTranscript available on Metacast

Rocking the Caravan

Iain and Jacqui take you through the astonishing developments on Brexit this week, discuss Jacqui’s love for caravanning, and whether caravan sites are centres for debauchery and swinging. Iain reveals a secret love for the Dutch language and they debate whether Birmingham schools are right to ban teaching about gay relationships. Smut Quotient: Low to medium

Mar 23, 20191 hr 11 minTranscript available on Metacast

Jacqui’s Runny Yolk

Iain and Jacqui discuss the terror attack in New Zealand and what we should learn from it in Britain. They look back on the last week of Brexit shenanigans and speculate what this week has in store, as well as predict who the next leader of the Liberal Democrats might be. Jacqui’s excited about her new car and tells a story from her time as Chief Whip when she told Diane Abbott to, well, go forth. Jacqui explains why she thinks Iain played a blinder on ‘Any Questions’. Iain is naturally too mode...

Mar 17, 20191 hr 21 minTranscript available on Metacast

Bonus: Jacqui’s Brexit Vibrations

Given that so much has happened this week on the Brexit front, Iain and Jacqui give you their view on where things might be heading, but as susual they stray off into the world of Bloody Sunday and the Inquiry into Historic Child Sexual Abuse. Normal service will be resumed on Sunday.

Mar 14, 201940 minTranscript available on Metacast

Blairites for Tom Watson!

Iain and Jacqui look into their crystal balls and try (and fail) to work out how Theresa May will get her Brexit deal through Parliament. They ponder on solutions to the knife crime epidemic and look at the continuing rows over antisemitism and Islamophobia in the two main political parties. They discuss the Michael Jackson documentary and whether Sajid Javid is any way to blame for the death of Shamima Begun’s baby. The Will Self/Mark Francis stare-out gets a mention and Iain puts Jacqui on the...

Mar 10, 20191 hr 26 minTranscript available on Metacast

Come And Have A Go

In a packed new episode Jacqui and Iain look at all the latest Brexit controversies, a bad week for Donald Trump and Jeremy Corbyn. They mull over how Liam Fox’s department could spend £100k on a podcast and ask if MPs should be paid more than £79k. They answer lots of listener questions and you can have the benefit of finding what is their favourite cheese. Smut quotient: Low, apart from one appalling aberration from Jacqui.

Mar 03, 20191 hr 21 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Caroline Flint Threesome

Jacqui and Iain are joind by Caroline’s ‘bessie’ mate Caroline Flint from Doncaster, where Jacqui is spending the weekend. They discuss this week’s defections and Jacqui reveals for the same time what would tip her over the edge. Caroline and Iain reminisce about their time together at university, but they also fit in the odd word about Brexit and Shamima Begum. Smut Quota: Medium to low.

Feb 24, 20191 hr 23 minTranscript available on Metacast

Kleenex 4 Brexit?

Iain and Jacqui discuss whether Jihadi bride Shamima Begum should be readmitted to Britain, ask if Theresa May knows what her Brexit strategy is and question whether middle class kids should have taken the day off school to take part in climate change protests. They discuss the recent passing of Lady Falkender and whether Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was right to take China to task. They answer lots of questions including whether either of them have been offered a peerage, who could follow...

Feb 17, 20191 hr 13 minTranscript available on Metacast

Naked Interviews

Iain and Jacqui discuss the week’s Brexit developments and both come to the conclusion that a deal will eventually be cobbled together. They wonder whether Italy & France are about to go to war, discuss LBC’s latest audience figures, “Failing Grayling”, the parliamentary antics of Sir Christopher Chope and reveal whether they have ever been interviewed naked. Smut quota: Medium

Feb 10, 20191 hr 13 minTranscript available on Metacast