Where Politics Meets History

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith analyse the government and public response to the Coronavirus crisis, they wonder whether Priti Patel can survive and express surprise at the way the Democratic primaries have turned out. They talk ‘tampon tax’ and ‘For the Many’ mugs, as well as answer listener questions. Smut quota: High, from the beginning

This emergency extra edition of the For the Many podcast sees Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale reacting to the breaking news of the resignation of Sir Philip Rutnam as Permanent Secretary of the Home Office. Jacqui shares her insights as a former Home Secretary, while Iain assesses the political fallout. Smut quota: Absolutely zero.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith talk about the Labour leadership and Jacqui reveals who she will be voting for. Will she betray the sisterhood? Listen and find out. They discuss the developing Coronavirus situation, the report on paedophilia in Westminster, changes in university application procedures and the appeal court decision on Heathrow expansion. Plus they both reveal how much it would take for...

Jacqui Smith returns to the podcast after her sojourn in India and reveals what going on a singles holiday is like. She and Iain then discuss the death of Caroline Flack, Priti Patel’s bumpy week, the government’s new points based immigration system, Michael Bloomberg’s terrible presidential debate performance, the dangers of hiring ‘weirdos’, #WheresBoris and they discuss the latest developments...

Iain Dale and Ayesha Hazarika dissect the cabinet reshuffle and wonder if Dominic Cummings has completed his takeover of the political side of the government machine. Iain talks for the first time about his walkout from the Good Morning Britain studio and they discuss the latest developments in the Coronavirus crisis, the New Hampshire Primary and the deportation of foreign criminals. And Ayesha f...

Jacqui Smith is away! So Iain Dale & Ayesha Hazarika discuss the latest developments on Donald Trump’s impeachment and the US Presidential race. Ayesha declares her love for Nancy Pelosi and Iain rolls his eyes. They talk about the Labour leadership, the impending government reshuffle, Tracy Brabin’s bare, naked shoulder and Diane Abbot’s tweet on the Bercow bullying allegations. Smut quota: High....

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith look back on Brexit Day and wonder what will be different. They analyse the cuts to BBC News, the seriousness of the Coronavirus, the coming cabinet reshuffle, the Iowa caucuses, Huwawei, HS2 and Iain wonders if Jacqui has ever ‘walked like an Egyptian’. And Jacqui looks forward to her holiday in India. Smut quota: unusually high. We’re sorry.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the Coronavirus, the prospects of the four remaining Labour leadership candidates and how they will each mark our exit from the European Union on Friday. They look at the BBC after Tony Hall, why Victoria Derbyshire’s show has been axed and the future funding of the Corporation. They talk about HS2, Holocaust Memorial Day and the importance of maiden speeches. Sm...

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith talk about royal developments (not because they want to), ask which of the candidates for the Labour leadership have had a good or a bad week and wonder why the LibDems won’t have a new leader until July. Jacqui takes on her critics over the Manchester grooming sex abuse scandal and they answer the question: to bong, or not to bong.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith pour over the week’s news and debate the royal goings on, events in Iran and the Labour leadership contest. Jacqui reveals what she will do if a certain candidate wins and Iain gives Jess Phillips some well meant advice. They discuss the consequences of Samira Ahmed’s employment tribunal win for the BBC and look forward to their appearance on Pointless Celebrities this w...

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith reveal how they spent Christmas and the New Year, discuss the growing crisis over the assassination of the Iranian military leader General Soleimani, and they spend the rest of the podcast answering a wealth of your questions on subjects like the Labour leadership, Dominic Cummings, football and which country they’d like to be British Ambassador in. Smut quota: Low

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith look back at a year which saw a change of prime minister, a general election, protests in Britain, France and Hong Kong, Donald Trump impeached and a Brexit deal done and ready to put in the over. Sort of. So not much to talk about then… Smut quote: Low

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith dish out their end of year awards to the politically deserving and undeserving. They empty their sack of awards doling out Worst Minister of the Year, Sexiest politician of the year and much more besides. What better way to celebrate Christmas than listening to two people who genuinely believe giving is better than receiving? Smut Quota: High, at the start!

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the week’s post-election events including the Queen’s Speech, the passing of the Brexit Bill, political appointments, the Labour leadership race and they reveal how they will be spending Christmas day. They also discuss the impeachment of Donald Trump and why people send homophobic hate mail. Smut Quota: Low

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith discuss the momentous result of the general election and Jacqui loses not time into ripping into Jeremy Corbyn. They look at the consequences for British politics over the next five years and wonder how Labour can rebuild. They talk reshuffles, Brexit and identify the potential candidates for the Labour leadership. They talk about their run-in with Grace Blakely on Good Mo...

In this episode Shelagh and Iain discuss Nigel Farage's comments saying Britain will face another Brexit crisis in the spring if Tories win. Nicola Sturgeon attacks Boris Johnson saying he is the 'greatest threat to Scotland of any Tory PM in modern times' And the leader of Plaid Cymru has called for a law to stop politicians lying to public.

In their final podcast before polling day Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith review the election events of the past few days. They wonder why Boris Johnson behaved as he did over the child at Leeds Infirmary and talk about Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth falling victim to a leak by a supposed friend. They give their predictions for the result on Thursday and preview LBC’s election night show. Smut Quota: Low.

Shelagh and Iain discuss the “fake news” surrounding the Conservative's after party sources wrongly claimed that a Cabinet minister’s aide was punched outside the hospital where a four-year-old boy was photographed lying on the floor.

In this episode Shelagh and Iain discuss the extraordinary moment where Boris grabs a reporter’s phone so he didn’t have to look at a photo of a sick child that was featured on the front page of the Mirror. Plus, the PM hints that the BBC Licence Fee may go. Elsewhere on the campaign trail, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell sets out Labour’s first 100 days in power which includes, mass nationalisat...

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith discuss the latest events in the election campaign including the final debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. Jacqui relates her experience knocking on doors in Workington and they both tell their stories about being a candidate on polling day and then making a concession speech at the count. Smut quota: Zero

In this episode Shealgh Fogarty is joined by LBC's Matthew Thompson. They dicusses Boris defending his decision not to do Andrew Neil interview. Tony Blair and John Major appear alongside each other to urge tactical voting and the leaked document on trade deal impact on Northern Ireland dismissed by the Tories.

In this episode, Shelagh and Iain look at whether the wheels are starting to come off Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party with the loss of four MEP’s? Boris Johnson refuses to commit to doing an interview with Andrew Neil. Is Sajid Javid right or wrong when he says Labour are to blame for the rise in homelessness and seventy Labour staffers give statements to antisemitism inquiry. Plus would Jeremy Corbyn...

Jacqui Smith & Iain Dale discuss the NATO summit, Justin Trudeau’s faux pas, the LibDem XR protest, the New Statesman refusing to endorse Corbyn and Jeremy Corbyn’s irritating habit… Jacqui reveals she wished she hadn’t contested the 2010 election and they both relate how it feels to lose an election.

Did diplomacy fail when Justin Trudeau was caught on camera laughing behind the President’s back at Buckingham Palace? And was it diplomatic for the President to call him ‘two-faced’? Shelagh reveals for the first time ever that she supports Trump, plus what can we read into the President cancelling his press conference at the Nato summit?

In this episode Ann Widdecombe tells us what offers she had from Number 10 to stand aside. Michael Gove is quizzed over that confusing number of new nurses they plan for the NHS. Sadiq Khan is asked what went wrong at London Bridge that led to the deaths of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones and Labour’s Barry Gardiner is put on the spot about Labour’s Brexit position