Salma Shah is back!   The Tory strategist gives her entertaining assessment of Kemi Badenoch and how the Tories are doing.   This is such a great chat in which I have my centre-left prejudices thoroughly checked.    Talking about the Opposition has never been more fun.     FOLLOW Salma on X: @Ommasalma   SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024   20 November: York, The Crescent 21 November: Chorley,...

Seth Harris - US Election Special Well, it happened.  This is a comprehensive and entertaining analysis of why and how Trump won the election with friend of the show, Seth Harris. Seth served in Obama's Cabinet and worked closely with both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.  If you're looking for answers, you'll find them here.  FOLLOW Seth on X: @MrSethHarris SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 14...

Darren Jones - Budget Special This is a cracker. A full Budget briefing from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury which includes some excellent breakfast chat. SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 6 November: Exeter, Phoenix 8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre 14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket 15 November: Colchester Arts Centre 20 November: York, The Crescent 21 November: Chorley,...

One of our most gifted political writers reflects on the death of Alex Salmond and the current state of Scottish politics.   This is engrossing from the very first second.    SUBSCRIBE to the Ponsonby and Massie podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ponsonby-and-massie-podcast/id1749779794   SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024   6 November: Exeter, Phoenix 8 November: Tunbridge Wells,...

Sir Graham Brady What's it like telling a Prime Minister their time is up? Sir Graham chaired the 1922 Committee throughout the tenure of five Conservative Prime Ministers.  In this entertaining interview he tells us what those private moments with them were like and how each of them used their power differently. This is the thrilling inside account of the most tumultuous political time in living memory.  BUY Sir Graham's book 'Kingmaker'...

Thangam Debbonaire Thangam is one of the brightest stars of the Labour movement. As Shadow Culture Secretary she was all set to command the brief in government.  But things didn't go to plan. On 4 July, Thangam lost Bristol Central to the Green Party.  A classically trained cellist. Thangam has a range of life experience.  She's one of the most charismatic and engaging politicians in the country and her reflections on her career so far are thoughtful and hopeful.  SEE Matt at on tour until...

Pam Duncan-Glancy    Pam is the Shadow Education and Skills Secretary in Scotland.    She's only been an MSP for four years but has already made a huge impact.    Her life story is fascinating, as is her route into politics. As the first permanent wheelchair user in Holyrood, she has to overcome daily challenges in order to do her job.    Pam is an optimist and this is an amazing story about the power of politics and how to get the most out of life.       SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025,...

Iain McNicol    This. Is. Class.     Iain was General Secretary of the Labour Party from 2011 to 2018.     He tells us what it was like having to run the party during the most tumultuous time in its history.    You'll be hanging on his every word.       SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his 2 extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows  2024    31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance  2 October: Norwich Playhouse  3 October: Maidenhead,...

Siobhan Baillie   What's it like to lose your seat after one term, when your political career was really starting to flourish?   Siobhan was the MP for Stroud and had worked hard to do the job properly. But that experience was cut short in July.    As well as opening up about the emotional impact of losing the seat, Siobhan has clear ideas about what improvements she'd make to politics and the role of different politicians.    Despite the heartache of defeat, this is engrossing hour with a...

Emma Revell  What does a Thatcherite think tank do when the Tories are out of office? Emma Revell from the Centre for Policy Studies briefs us on what's next for one of Britain's most influential organisations.  Plus... why being a Lib Dem first is becoming a right of passage... SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhouse 3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm 9 October: Middlesbrough,...

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 Trump gave evidence to Murdo's committee in person at Holyrood.    SEE Matt at on tour until March...

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 Gordon hurried home for: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGQplbF_akc   SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025:...

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://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 2024   31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhouse 3...

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: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhouse 3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm 9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt 10...

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. He lost it in 2019 by just 105 votes.    A few weeks ago James won the seat for a second time with a majority of nearly 7000.    So what is going on in Bury and how much of a role, if any, did...

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 honestly about the mixed feelings he has about Labour finally forming a government, but not being a minister in it.     A massive...

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 someone who has a huge part to play in shaping our country in the coming decades.     FOLLOW Jovan on X: @jovanforclacton     SEE Matt at the...

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 candidates had to suffer a similar fate, Shama's story is a vital testimony of how abusive modern politics has...

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 the Edinburgh Festival in August and on tour until March 2025: Matt Forde The End of an Era Tour  2024    31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance  2...

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 sensationally won Rochester and Strood for Labour.    SEE Matt at the Edinburgh Festival in August: Matt Forde The End of an Era Tour  ...

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.tomtugendhat.org/    Uma Kumaran, Labour, Stratford and Bow  @Uma_Kumaran  https://www.umakumaran.co.uk/    Andrew David Green, Independent, North West...

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, Independent, Wells and Mendip Hills  @Abi4MP  https://abimcguire.co.uk/    Catherine McKinnell, Labour, Newcastle...

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/     Julie Marson, Conservative, Hertford and Stortford   @JulieMarsonMP  https://linktr.ee/julie.marson    Jeremy Lee, Independent, Bury St Edmunds and...

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 Baxter, Lib Dem, Queen’s Park and Maida Vale @HelenBaxter_LD https://www.westminsterandcityoflondonlibdems.org.uk/meet-helen   James...