Matt Forde's Political Party

Murdo Fraser - Scottish Conservative Leadership Special   What's next for the Conservatives in the UK and in Scotland?  Murdo Fraser wants to lead the party into the Holyrood election in 2026.  But what's a realistic ambition for them and how do they make a case for conservative values and policies at such a challenging time?  PLUS... a brilliant story about the time Donald Tru...

Sarah lived in Downing Street for the entirety of the last Labour government.    What is the role of a political spouse? Why doesn't the UK formalise the role?   More importantly, what was Sarah and Gordon's first date like?   This is the hilarious inside story of what it was like living on Britian's most famous street for 13 years.      WATCH  the goal that...

Jacob Rees-Mogg: LIVE at the Edinburgh Festival   After an earthquake of an election for Jacob and the Conservatives, what does the future hold?   Jacob Rees-Mogg opens up on why the Tories lost, how they can win again and whether he'll stand next time.   Plus... how does he stay so trim? His diet tips may surprise you...   SEE  Matt on tour until March 2025:  https:/...

After Labour's stunning general election victory. Anas Sarwar is on the brink of becoming First Minister.    But what would Labour do if they won in Scotland?    And more importantly, will Anas be getting a makeover?     SEE Matt at the Edinburgh Festival in August and on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024   31 July - 25 August: Edin...

James Frith     JUST ANNOUNCED:     Come and see The Political Party LIVE at the Edinburgh Festival with the following guests:    13 August:  Anas Sarwar   18 August:  Jacob Rees-Mogg   19 August:  Sarah Brown     Tickets:   https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows     James won the Bury North seat for Labour in 2017....

Toby Perkins     Toby won his Chesterfield seat for the fifth time at the recent general election. But how did he retain his seat throughout Labour's darkest years when colleagues around him were losing theirs?    One of the most likeable MPs in the Commons was a Shadow Minister but didn't get appointed to the frontbench after the election.    He talks openly and hone...

Jovan Owusu-Nepaul     Jovan is already a political star and he's only in his 20s.    A former Labour staffer, he tells the inside story of what it was like standing against Nigel Farage in Clacton.    This is about so much more than what happened in one seat. This is about what sort of country we want to be and how we get there.    You are listening to some...

Shama Tatler Shama was the Labour candidate in Chingford and Woodford Green and almost unseated Iain Duncan Smith just a few weeks ago.  Had it not been for an independent candidate standing in the seat, Shama would almost certainly have won.  Shama describes her experience in full, including the abuse she faced and the misinformation spread about her.  In an election when many cand...

Anthony Mangnall     Anthony was one of the stars of the Election 24 Series. A former adviser to William Hague, he'd been the Conservative MP for Totnes since 2019.     On 4 July he lost his seat to the Lib Dems.    In this candid and hilarious interview, he reflects on defeat and reveals what advice he gave his successor.      SEE  Matt at th...

Election 24 Season Finale with Lauren Edwards     It's all over, but how did all our guests do?    You're about to find out with the Political Party Results Service.     We couldn't end the series without catching up with one of our guests, so let's grab a pint of CAMRA approved real ale and a big back of pork scratchings and sit down with Lauren Edwards, who sen...

Election 24, Episode 32     It's Polling Day!    Soak up the final day of the election in style with one last tour of the campaign.    Today's candidates are:     Ian Murray, Labour, Edinburgh South   @IanMurrayMP  https://linktr.ee/ianmurraymp      Tom Tugendhat, Conservative, Tonbridge   @TomTugendhat  https://www.to...

Election 24, Episode 31     It's Political Christmas Eve! One of the most magical days in the political calendar.    The Battlebus picks up pace as we sprint towards the finish.     Today's candidates are:     Jonathan Ashworth, Labour, Leicester South   @JonAshworth  https://www.facebook.com/JonAshworth      Abi McGuire, I...

Election 24, Episode 30     It's a passionate and energetic day on the podcast as Polling Day becomes visible on the horizon.    Enjoy a refreshing glass of rosé but remember, no smoking on the Battlebus!    Today's candidates are:     Danielle Newson, Lib Dem, Sussex Weald   @LibDemDanielle  https://www.wealdenlibdems.org.uk/   &nbs...

Election 24, Episode 29   Today's episode is best enjoyed with some fine wine. And a pint of ale. And a Sunday roast.    Today's candidates are:   Steve Reed, Labour, Streatham and Croydon North  @SteveReedMP https://www.stevereedmp.co.uk/   Tom Pridham, Conservative, Battersea @tom_pridham https://www.wandsworthconservatives.co.uk/people/tom-pridham   Helen Baxt...

Election 24, Episode 28 We're trying to collect them all! The political Pokémon challenge continues with four more candidates:    Oliver Ryan, Labour, Burnley  @OliverRyanUK https://www.oliverryan.org.uk/   Sharmen Rahman, Green, Leicester South  @sharmen_r https://leicester.greenparty.org.uk/   Lauren Edwards, Labour, Rochester and Strood  @LaurenREdwards https:...

Election 24, Episode 27 Imagine a selection box only filled with the best chocolates. Now imagine that in audio form. You've just imagined this episode.   Today's candidates are:   Emily Thornberry, Labour, Islington South and Finsbury @EmilyThornberry https://www.emilythornberry.com/   Damian Collins, Conservative, Folkestone and Hythe  @DamianCollins https://linktr.ee/da...

Election 24, Episode 26   The Battlebus fridge is freshly stocked with ice cold lagers, best enjoyed with chips and cake.   It'll all make sense.    Today's candidates are:   Jeremy Hunt, Conservative, Godalming and Ash  X: @Jeremy_Hunt  W: https://www.jeremyhunt.org/   Carla Denyer, Green Party, Bristol Central  X: @carla_denyer W: https://linktr.ee/ca...

Election 24, Episode 25     If you think a Sports Direct mug is the biggest thing you can drink tea out of, guess again.     It's another treat-filled tour of Britain on the Battlebus.     Today's candidates are:    Judith Cummins, Labour, Bradford South    @JudithCummins  https://www.judithcummins.org.uk/     Scott Hamilto...

Election 24, Episode 24 The Battlebus picks up the pace as we speed around Britain on another grand tour of Election 24.  Today's candidates are: Samia Hersi, Conservative, Queens Park and Maida Vale  X: @SamiaHersi W:  https://www.samiahersi.uk/ Chris Foren, Green Party, Leeds Central and Headingley W:  https://leeds.greenparty.org.uk/our-people/ge-candidate-chris-foren/ Graem...

Election 24, Episode 23 Prepare yourself for some 90s anthems, we've got a new mixtape on the Battlebus as we hurtle around Britain. Today's candidates are: Natasha Irons, Labour, Croydon East  X: @NDIrons W:  https://www.natashairons.uk/ Conor Burns, Conservative, Bournemouth West  X: @ConorBurnsUK W:  https://www.conorburns.com/ Blaise Baquiche, Lib Dem, Chelsea and Fulham&nb...

The Battlebus picks up speed as we hurtle towards polling day with more trips to the seaside! Woohoo!   Today's candidates are:   Mark Maguire, Labour, Castle Point  X: @MarkMaguireX W: https://www.castlepointlabour.org.uk/   Tim Bearder, Lib Dem, Gosport X: @timbearder W: https://www.facebook.com/TimBearderUK/?_rdr   Alison Taylor, Labour, Paisley and Renfrewshire North&n...

Election 24, Episode 21 Positivity, resilience and talent. Today's show is packed with all three.  Buckle up, we're taking the bus and the ferry! Today's candidates are: Layla Moran, Lib Dem, Oxford West and Abingdon X: @LaylaMoran W:  https://www.oxonld.uk/layla-moran Anthony Mangnall, Conservative, South Devon  X: @AnthonyMangnal1 W:  https://www.anthonymangnall.co.uk/ Andy F...

Election 24, Episode 20 It's a good job we're out on the doorstep today because we're absolutely stuffing our faces.  Today's candidates are: Sharon Hodgson, Labour, Washington and Gateshead South X: @SharonHodgsonMP W:  https://linktr.ee/sharonhodgson Jake Berry, Conservative, Rossendale and Darwen  X: @JakeBerry W:  https://jakeberry.org/ Kellie-Jay Keen, Bristol Central, Par...

Election 24, Episode 19     Fasten your seatbelts for another thrilling ride around the General Election.    Today's candidates are:   Abena Oppong-Asare, Labour, Erith and Thamesmead   X: @abenaopp  W:  https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/   Bret Palmer, Lib Dem, South West Wiltshire   X: @Bret_S_Palmer  W:  https://www.facebook.c...

Election 24, Episode 18   Yes, we're off to the seaside again but we're also going to one of the greatest chip shops in Britain.   This is what politics is all about.   There are four motivated candidates on today's show:   Preet Kaur Gill, Labour, Edgbaston X: @PreetKGillMP W:  https://www.preetkaurgill.co.uk/   Andy Carter, Conservative, Warrington South X: @MrAndy_...