Matt Forde's Political Party

Peter Mandelson - LIVE   For the first time in nearly a year and a half, the Political Party returns to the stage and oh boy, are you in for a treat.   This is Peter Mandelson at his hilarious, outrageous and politically astute best.   Nothing will prepare you for this. Strap in and enjoy the ride!   Get your tickets for the Political Party Special on 2 June at the Vaudeville T...

A titan of British politics shares stories from his fascinating career. David reminisces about Roy Jenkins, Shirley Williams and Margaret Thatcher, but also delivers sharp political analysis about Keir Starmer, Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Brexit. Oh and explains the differences between The Gang of Four and The Independent Group. As well as founding and leading the SDP, David served as Foreign...

Louise Casey is one of a kind. A uniquely gifted public servant, she has been a fearless champion of the most vulnerable people in society at the highest level. In this deeply personal interview, Louise recalls her experience of helping to tackle some of the UK's toughest social problems and how she's had to continually deliver uncomfortable truths to the most powerful people in the country. ...

'Mystic' Greg Cook was psephologist to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and helped Labour leaders understand every subtle shift in the political landscape. He has a unique antenna for public opinion and has a detailed knowledge of constituencies and what results in different parts of the country mean. Now the Senior Political Analyst at Lexington Communications, Greg explains what the 6 May e...

This is a gripping personal account of how Labour managed to lose Hartlepool for the first time in the history of the constituency. Paul was Labour's candidate and in this comprehensive analysis, he explains the factors in the defeat, what the public really said to him and Keir Starmer about Labour, how Keir Starmer dealt with the public in Hartlepool and what Labour needs to do if it not only wan...

One of the funniest guests in the history of the show shares some more hilarious tales of Polling Day disasters and dramas. Whether you're a voter, activist, member of party staff or a politician, you'll love these behind-the-scenes stories about the chaos of election day. If your phone rings at 3am you might get a surprise...     Get your tickets for the Political Party Specials at The...

A gifted and powerful communicator, the Leader of Plaid Cymru makes an impassioned case for his party and for the cause of Welsh independence. With just a couple of days until polling day, Adam outlines where Plaid stand, what they can learn from the SNP and what the relative position of the Labour Party means for their fortunes. This is a brilliant and entertaining exploration of the principles o...

Labour's candidate for West Midlands Mayor mixes the personal and the political in this searingly honest interview. Reflecting candidly about how he dealt with the loss of both his parents as well as his father's alcoholism, Liam describes the effect on him as a person and as a politician. Liam shares his narrative on Labour's wilderness years and his analysis of what the party has to do to w...

Brace yourself for the most entertaining conversation you'll ever hear about Parish Councils, with Britain's favourite local government official. Jackie Weaver shot to fame for her chairing of a notorious Handforth Parish Council meeting and she updates us on what's happened since. Jackie also tells Matt why she went into local government and why she'd rather be council officer than an electe...

One of the leading lights of the SNP and one of the most talented politicians in Scotland gives a funny and candid account of his time in government and politics so far. The Justice Secretary talks openly about the political challenges facing him and his party as well as the personal challenges he's faced in his life. (Including how he manages to campaign in an election taking place duri...

Episodes like this are why this podcast exists. Shaun Bailey is the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London, but his life could have taken a very different path. He tells Matt about how close he came to getting involved in gangs at a young age and the role that his mother, uncle and Star Wars played in keeping him away from a life of crime. Shaun also explains how growing up black and working c...

Bristol has been at the centre of two major demonstrations in the last year: the removal of the Colston statue and the 'Kill the Bill' protest. The elected mayor of Bristol explains how he handled the delicate politics of both events and the wider politics and history of the city. He also shares his own political philosophy in this candid interview reflecting on the challenges he still faces as a...

The Shadow Chancellor tells Matt what Labour's economic priorities are and gives an insight into the mood of the party. This is a frank and open conversation about the political realities of the pandemic and what the pressures on the Opposition are at a time of national crisis. Anneliese also shares her passion for dance music... could Doctor Dodds have rivalled Judge Jules in the superclubs of Ib...

The founder of Wikipedia explains why his site is so different to the other big stars of the internet, like Twitter, Facebook and Google and why the decisions he took mean that Wikipedia is run in a completely different way. It turns out there's a whole side to this you might not know about! This is a fascinating discussion about how the internet should function and in whose interest, who should d...

If you heard about a single mum from Spingburn in Glasgow who had her political awakening during the 2014 independence referendum, you'd probably presume that she voted Yes. Well, not only did Annie Wells find herself voting No and discovering her inner Tory, she then joined the Conservatives and now sits on their front bench in Holyrood. One of Scottish politics' biggest characters explains why w...

The former editor of the News of the World and former Director of Communications at 10 Downing Street talks in depth about both roles, the people he worked with and for, and the lessons he's learned from going through his own crisis. It's a gripping account of what life was really like as a tabloid editor, the things that drove the people who worked at The News of the World and his take on why the...

The audio equivalent of a fine cigar, Paddy Tipping has one of the most soothing voices in politics. The Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire shares his love of the job and how it compares to his previous life as the MP for Sherwood. He also explains why Nottinghamshire Police received plaudits for their policing of a vigil in the city. Paddy was an anti-war MP and he recalls the pres...

Stop what you're doing, find a quiet space and immerse yourself in this impressively candid recollection of the new Labour government from one of its leading lights. This has it all - an insight into the principles behind controversial policies, what it was like behind-the-scenes during the fuel protests, the tensions between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown - as well as a frank assessment of the thing...

Two different reports, two different headlines, lots of conclusions, even more confusion.    On the face of it, one report was bad for the First Minister and one report was good for the First Minister. But there's a lot more to it than that. Jackie Bailie sat on the Committee which concluded that the First Minister did mislead Parliament. She tells Matt how that conclusion was reached an...

This is a brilliant analysis of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy from the chair of the Defence Select Committee. Covering everything from nuclear weapons to why China isn't mentioned as much as it should be, from the soft power of the Premier League to why Brexit isn't mentioned as much as it should be, from the weaponisation of space to the 'Indo-Pac...

Jamie Klingler is one of the Co-Organisers of Reclaim These Streets, a group formed to remember Sarah Everard and all women lost to violence. It has been an incredible few days - Jamie got involved on Wednesday and was in the High Court on Friday. In this personal account of the last five days, she explains how Reclaim These Streets was set up, how they were treated by The Metropolitan Police and...

If you still think that Mayors are those councillors in funny hats and gold chains then prepare to have your mind blown. The Conservative Mayor of the West Midlands - and former boss of John Lewis - tells Matt about the significant powers he has and the potential that comes with them. This is a great explanation of the difference mayors can make but also why certain powers should lie in certain ha...

This is a detailed and accessible briefing on Rishi Sunak's 2021 Budget and a brilliant wider discussion about tax, the economy and financial regulation. It's way more exciting than it sounds and it's full of fascinating facts, including about the effect of tax on gingerbread men. You might even end this episode excited about economics. Follow Paul on Twitter: @PJTheEconomist Follow The IFS on Twi...

One of the true greats of British politics shares stories from one of the most distinguished political careers in modern history. From being Deputy Leader under John Smith to standing against Tony Blair for the Labour leadership in 1994, to introducing the minimum wage and then becoming the first ever female Foreign Secretary, this is a phenomenal selection of recollections from the top of Labour...

If you've found yourself confused by the twists, turns and competing narratives around the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints then firstly, you are not alone and secondly, this is the briefing you've been after. Mandy Rhodes is the Managing Editor of the brilliant Holyrood Magazine, the fortnightly trade paper for Scottish politics. Mandy takes through the detai...