Matt Forde's Political Party

Vladimir Ashurkov is one of Vladimir Putin's most outspoken and prominent critics. Executive Director of Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, he was granted political asylum in the UK. In this candid interview, Vladimir reveals the reality of Navalny's incarceration and shares his hopes for significant change in Russia.     Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at Th...

You are about to be thoroughly entertained by one of the best raconteurs in the history of the show. Andrew Marr is one of the most gifted broadcasters that Britain has ever produced and he shares hilarious stories from his wonderful career. Now that he's left the BBC he can be honest about what he really thinks and his analysis of British politics is exceptional. This is a show packed with powerf...

Rosena Allin-Khan isn't like most politicians. As well as being one of Labour's brightest frontbench talents, she's also an A&E doctor. She served on the frontline throughout the pandemic, before the vaccine and before PPE. Her heroism doesn't stop there. Rosena recently visited Ukraine to help deliver humanitarian aid. She talks about both of these experiences and so much more in this spellbi...

Rosie Duffield's election in 2017 was a national news story, she became the first ever Labour MP for Canterbury. In 2019 her majority increased tenfold. She tells the remarkable story of how she became a politician in the first place and how she won the unwinnable, twice. Rosie has only been an MP for five years but in that time has made a name for herself as someone who speaks her mind, howe...

It's Chriiiistmaaas! The rescheduled Christmas Special is a cracker. Mixing the hilarious with the serious and the personal, Jacob Rees-Mogg shares his view of the Prime Minister, how he personally deals with disagreement and abuse, as well as the things in life that annoy him - especially about written communication. More importantly, what does he make of Matt's impersonations of Boris Johnson an...

One of the best guests in the history of the show returns. James Cleverly loves being a Foreign Office minister and tells Matt about the realities of the job and how the UK is perceived around the world. Regularly on the airwaves defending the government, James is a powerful advocate for the people and causes he believes in and he talks openly about why he's so keen to be publicly supportive.&nbsp...

Everyone's favourite Conservative comedian joins Matt for a brilliant discussion about class and politics. As well as touring and appearing on various TV shows, Geoff is also on the BBC Diversity Board and tells Matt exactly what it involves and why he's so passionate about increasing class representation at the BBC. The pair also discuss the realities of being a right-of-centre comedian. Wou...

Strap in for the best briefing on the Spring Statement you're going to get. Paul Johnson from the IFS returns to explain everything. This is an enthralling independent analysis of Rishi Sunak's announcements this week and the impact they're likely to have. More than that, it puts the public finances and the current global economic forces into context. How does this crisis compare to the 1970s and...

The first declared candidate in the next Tory leadership contest paints a sharp contrast with the current Prime Minister. Tom served in Iraq and Afghanistan and his shock at our withdrawal from Afghanistan is still raw. A clear thinker with strong values, Tom is a powerful communicator and offers a type of Conservativism many would prefer. He also loves Haribos and reveals which MP he's seen naked...

This is a masterclass in political strategy. Blair McDougall ran the Better Together campaign in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, which resulted in Scotland voting to stay in the UK. He tells the inside story of the referendum, but also delivers nuggets of pure political gold on how to reject your opponent's framing and how to exploit weakness in an opponent's argument. Blair also takes...

One of Labour's greatest ever leaders and one of British politics' greatest ever stars returns to thrill and move in equal measure. Neil Kinnock is still blessed with a command of language and sharp wits that very few politicians will ever get near. Reminiscing about being a Labour leader having to expel the hard left draws an irresistible parallel with the present, and Neil shares his analysis of...

Glasgow politics is never dull and Mhairi Hunter has a unique perspective on it. She's been a councillor there for 10 years and faces re-election this May. She also worked in the constituency office of one of Glasgow's MSPs, Nicola Sturgeon. Glasgow is often at the centre of international attention, often hosting major events, from the Commonwealth Games to COP26. With the prestige also comes...

Raucous, outrageous but also philosophical and thoughtful, this is an evening in the company of a true political fighter. Edwina Currie refuses to be pigeonholed. She simultaneously embodies the values of ambition and aspiration but is also a formidable campaigner against prejudice. This is a fascinating ride through social history, the changing role of women in politics and what it means to be a...

A true political heavyweight delivers a knockout performance in this mesmerising interview. Lord Heseltine is as sharp and as funny as ever as he delivers characteristically forthright and nuanced assessments of Margaret Thatcher, John Major and, of course, Boris Johnson. This is one of the most captivating episodes of the Political Party ever recorded. Pour yourself a glass of Chablis Premier Cru...

The woman who ensured Parliament got a vote on implementing Brexit joins Matt for a fascinating discussion about identity and nationhood. Gina has led an incredible life and her latest project is leading a new political party: True and Fair. Gina tells Matt what the party stands for, why it's launched now, what it seeks to achieve and what the challenges facing a new party are. This is a brilliant...

If you're expecting a candid, raucous and hilarious interview then raise your expectations even higher because this is off the charts. Angela Rayner doesn't hold back, whether she's describing her childhood, her own motherhood, her political analysis or recalling various hilarious stories from her incredible life. At times emotional at other times outrageous, this is Angela Rayner as you've never...

This is about way more than just politics. Since leaving Number 10, Craig has been reflecting on his life and why he'd always found it a grind. There's an important lesson in how we judge those who work in politics. To the outside world, it may have looked like Craig had it all. But he's never been comfortable with himself and in taking time out, has been forced to confront why. This is a deeply p...

Even by Alastair Campbell's standards this is superb. Passionate, direct, funny with occasional outbreaks of self-deprecation, it's the perfect way to start 2022. Alastair sets off at lightning pace, giving direct advice to Labour on how to campaign against the government. He shares his frustration with the recent BBC series about new Labour, reflects on his own changing sense of nationa...

There's not a journalist in the country whose work has dominated the political agenda like Pippa Crerar. She has dropped bombshell after bombshell during the pandemic, including the exclusive on Dominic Cummings' trip to Barnard Castle and the explosive revelations about Downing Street Christmas parties. Pippa tells Matt how big stories like these happen, the work that goes in behind-the-scen...

How does a working class girl from Nottingham end up being Leader of the House of Lords? Tina Stowell isn't your stereotypical Baroness and as well as rising to one of the highest offices in the land has also worked closely with some major figures at big moments in recent history. This is full of gems including what it was like inside Number 10 working for John Major and her time as Head of Comms...

Jeremy Hunt is an optimist and his positive attitude towards life shines out throughout this entertaining and revealing interview. He shares great stories and insights from his time as Foreign Secretary, Health Secretary and Culture Secretary - including his candid take on the Murdoch bid to takeover BSkyB. It's his time at Health that is most fascinating and he is open and philosophical about his...

If you like surprises you're going to love this. Ayesha has so many brilliant stories from her time in politics and her account of the night of the 2015 election is absolutely electric. It's one of many great tales that will have you completely absorbed, including her visit to Iraq shortly after the removal of Saddam Hussein. Ayesha is also a successful comedian, writer and broadcaster. She reflec...

Oh boy. This will knock your socks off. The hurricane that is The Mooch whirls into London for this gripping, hilarious and heartfelt show. Packed full of incredible stories from inside the Trump White House and never-before-heard details about Steve Bannon, this is even better than you'd hope. It's a fantastic analysis of recent American politics, including how Trump appealed to blue collar Ameri...

This is a story about how quickly politics changes. Gemma Doyle was elected the MP for her hometown in 2010 with a massive majority. Then the 2014 independence referendum happened, upending Scottish politics. A year later Gemma lost her seat to the SNP on a 34% swing. Then Jeremy Corbyn became leader of the Labour Party. This is a refreshingly honest account of what it's like to be a Labour politi...

You are about to hear something very special. Anas Sarwar is a captivating politician, blessed with a unique ability to transfix an audience and move them emotionally. This is somehow mixed with another ability. The ability to dance so well it creates complete chaos at a live podcast recording. It's an instant classic of an episode and includes Anas' analysis of how Labour can recover in Scotland...