The Political Party – Details, episodes & analysis

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: 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 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre

24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre

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, Little Theatre

22 November: Salford, The Lowry

27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre

28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre

29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry

31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre

2025

4 February: Leeds, City Varieties

5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill

6 February: Chelmsford Theatre

7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre

12 February: Bath, Komedia

13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre

16 February: Cambridge, The Junction

20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts

23 February: Brighton, Komedoa

25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club

26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal

2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory

11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree

12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm

9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt

10 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre

24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre

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, Little Theatre

22 November: Salford, The Lowry

27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre

28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre

29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry

31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre

2025

4 February: Leeds, City Varieties

5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill

6 February: Chelmsford Theatre

7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre

12 February: Bath, Komedia

13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre

16 February: Cambridge, The Junction

20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts

23 February: Brighton, Komedoa

25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club

26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal

2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory

11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree

12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 North 

@CatMcKinnell 

https://linktr.ee/catherine.mckinnell

Glenn Bluff, Conservative, Doncaster North 

@BluffGlenn 

https://www.doncasterconservatives.org/people/glenn-bluff

Tim Morgan, Green, Wrexham 

https://newales.greenparty.org.uk/

Just 523 to go... 

WATCH the 1966 film Jonathan Ashworth mentions about politicians responding to hecklers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRjDusinQdc  

SEE Matt at the Edinburgh Festival in August: Matt Forde The End of an Era Tour 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a riot. Emily and Jon are even more fun than you'd imagine. 

They were already two of the biggest stars in broadcasting. Then their podcast, The News Agents, propelled them to even higher heights. They talk candidly about leaving the BBC and the risks involved. Both passionate about journalism and holding powerful people to account, they share hilarious stories from their encounters with Prince Andrew, Donald Trump and the things they saw at Davos. You won't want this to end.  

Buy 'Tony Blair, The Moderniser' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tony-Blair-Moderniser-Jon-Sopel/dp/0553503871

Buy 'Airhead' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Untitled-Emily-Maitlis-Inside-Junkie/dp/0241362857

Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

Forthcoming guests include:

6 Feb: Ian Blackford

20 Feb: Keir Starmer

6 March: Eddie Izzard

20 March: Krishnan Guru-Murthy

3 April: Ruth Davidson

Plus more to be announced! 

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helen is one of Britain's most gifted journalists and after many years at The New Statesman is now staff writer at The Atlantic. She's also made an exceptional podcast called 'The New Gurus' which you have to listen to. The link is below. Having been a journalist since 2010, Helen has covered a number of major political and social changes and has found herself at the centre of various contentious debates, despite holding mainstream opinions. So what happened and why was she no-platformed by Stonewall? This is a brilliant account of the political changes of the last few years and they way they've been expressed. It's also a passionate defence of journalism and what it should be. Plus lots of cult chat. Enjoy! 

Listen to Helen's podcast 'The New Gurus' here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001g9sq?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Subscribe to Helen's Substack here: https://helenlewis.substack.com/

Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

Forthcoming guests include:

23 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel 

6 Feb: Ian Blackford

20 Feb: Keir Starmer

6 March: Eddie Izzard

20 March: Krishnan Guru-Murthy

3 April: Ruth Davidson

Plus more to be announced! 

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of Britain's most prominent political commentators shares his experience of writing in the online era - with all its pros and cons. Dan has led a fascinating life. Son of Glenda Jackson, the Oscar winning former Labour MP, he worked for her and then embarked on a varied career which includes working for the Mail on Sunday. Fascinated by politics but not obsessed with it, he has a unique perspective on Westminster. This is the perfect start to 2023, 

Follow Dan on Twitter: @DPJHodges

Buy Dan's book One Minute to Ten: https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Minute-Ten-Miliband-Ambition/dp/0718183312

Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

Forthcoming guests include:

23 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel

20 Feb: Keir Starmer

6 March: Eddie Izzard

Plus more to be announced! 

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, this Christmas Party goes up a gear in the second half...

Yvette and Emily continue the festivities with a detailed analysis of Labour's crime policy and a conversation you won't get anywhere else... Emily's love of puffins. It really is the show with everything. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

Forthcoming guests include:

23 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel

20 Feb: Keir Starmer

6 March: Eddie Izzard

Plus more to be announced! 

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merry Christmas!

What better way to celebrate the birth of Jesus than with Yvette Cooper, Emily Thornberry and a gin and tonic? This is the perfect end-of-year party with two of Labour's biggest stars. Yvette and Emily are on top form in this riotous first half. As well as the sharpest political analysis there's a great story about Yvette and Ed Balls' worst Christmas and a song written and performed by Emily Thornberry. It's even better than it sounds.  

Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

Forthcoming guests include:

23 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel

20 Feb: Keir Starmer

6 March: Eddie Izzard

Plus more to be announced! 

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Shadow Chancellor is on rollicking form in this hilarious, lively and impassioned interview. Rachel is steeped in economics, having worked for the Bank of England (at the same time Matt Hancock, more on that later). She sets out the dividing lines between herself and the Tories and explains the different decisions Labour would take if they win the next election. Rachel has only been Shadow Chancellor for a year and a half but in that time she has helped salvage Labour's economic credibility. She's also faced 4 Chancellors this year alone and gives us the inside story on how she prepares for each 'fiscal statement'. This is great fun with a politician at the top of their game. 

Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

Forthcoming guests include:

19 Dec: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Yvette Cooper, Emily Thornberry and music from MP4

23 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel

20 Feb: Keir Starmer

6 March: Eddie Izzard

Plus more to be announced! 

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen was Chief Strategist to the Yes campaign in the 2014 independence referendum. Following that he trained to be a Jesuit priest and is now an academic at Edinburgh University. He's led a fascinating life and the last few years have led him to some very interesting conclusions. In this thoughtful and considered interview he explains how both sides of the constitutional debate in Scotland can win, but only if they're prepared to change the way politics is done. He also has some sober advice for the current First Minister. 

Read Stephen's interview with The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brains-behind-2014-yes-campaign-returns-from-life-with-the-jesuits-gchwtdjz7

Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

Forthcoming guests include:

5 Dec: Rachel Reeves

19 Dec: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Yvette Cooper, Emily Thornberry and music from MP4

23 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel

20 Feb: Keir Starmer

6 March: Eddie Izzard

Plus more to be announced! 

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.