

Where Politics Meets History
Global
Join broadcaster Iain Dale and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop as they take a fresh look at the biggest news of the week - through the lens of history. Because nothing is ever truly new, and history has a habit of repeating itself.
With wit, insight, and the occasional good-natured row, Iain and Tessa explore how today’s headlines echo the past, unearthing fascinating stories and unexpected parallels. Expect sharp analysis, engaging debate, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.
For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com
With wit, insight, and the occasional good-natured row, Iain and Tessa explore how today’s headlines echo the past, unearthing fascinating stories and unexpected parallels. Expect sharp analysis, engaging debate, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.
For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 18, 2021 • 2h 7min
288. Shuffling the Pack
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the week’s events including the government reshuffle, Jacqui’s appearance on Pointless Celebrities, Aukus, their nun joke going viral, the M25 protests, Shamima Begum, speaking at party fundraisers, weight & measures, Andrew Neil leaving GB News and the triumph of Emma Raducanu. Smut Quota: Middling.

Sep 11, 2021 • 2h 2min
287. Jacqui to join Only Fans?
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith review the week’s news and discuss Cressida Dick’s future, Social Care reform, Triple Lock, Abba tickets, Gavin Williamson’s little local difficulty, Priti Patel’s war with France, Covid booster jabs and vaccine passports, David Starkey on Cross Question, Phone in on bisexuality, the 9/11 anniversary, Dominic Cummings Only Fans page, Afghan women, the government’s new LGBT business champion, Emma Raducanu and Jacqui’s ‘graduation’. Smut content: Extremely low.

Sep 4, 2021 • 1h 54min
286. Thruppling With Wes
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith reunite after a month apart, and they have a lot to discuss including Afghanistan, Abba’s big announcement, Jabs for children, Social care funding, the leaking of the Queen’s funeral plans, Piers Morgan being cleared by Ofcom, the German Election, Hungary’s racist football fans, the Canadian election, the start to the Football season, the Green party leadership debate on LBC and much else besides. Smut quota: Middling

Aug 29, 2021 • 1h 52min
285. The Wes Streeting Fit & Well Mix
Iain Dale welcomes guest host Wes Streeting to the podcast. They discuss events in Afghanistan, the Unite election result, the Green Party leadership contest, Only Fans’s reverse ferret, Wes’s plumbing difficulties and his 10 by 10 initiative. Smut content: Low

Aug 22, 2021 • 1h 24min
284. Imbeciles & Flinty Mattresses
Iain Dale and Caroline Flint take a trawl through the week’s news agenda, concentrating on Afghanistan but also turning their attention to the SNP/Green coalition in Scotland, the death of Austin Mitchell, a report on the apparent decline in swearing, Ed Balls’ new cookbook, the banning of porn on ‘Only Fans’ and, er, Harriet Harman’s hair. Smut quota: Lowish

Aug 13, 2021 • 1h 25min
283. Geronimo’s Last Stand
This week Jacqui welcomes Grant Tucker who spills the beans about sharing a flat with Iain. They discuss Plymouth, Afghanistan, Climate change, tensions in government and Prince Andrew as well as making some alpaca-loving enemies when discussing Geronimo. Grant can remember what A Level grades he got, but neither are impressed by Gavin Williamson. Smut levels: medium.

Aug 7, 2021 • 1h 35min
282. The Choirboy and the Whip
Jacqui welcomes Tim Montgomerie to fill Iain’s big shoes (small opportunity for smut) and they discuss Tim’s time advising Boris Johnson and where it all went wrong; teenage political crushes; Alok Sharma’s airmiles; travel traffic lights and whether Jacqui will get a holiday away from the caravan she is filling with young men; Latin and Jack Grealish. Smut quota: Lowish.

Jul 31, 2021 • 1h 20min
281. The Munchies
Iain and Jacqui discuss the latest Covid issues, a cowering Sajid Javid, Boris Johnson’s crime announcement, the Olympics, holidays, the Unite LBC hustings and much more! Smut quota: Middling. Next week it’s Jacqui with Tim Montgomerie.

Jul 24, 2021 • 1h 14min
280. Playing Nurses
Iain and Jacqui discuss the NHS payrise, the Police Federation’s no confidence in Priti Patel, Dawn Butler being expelled from the House of Commons, the Olympics and much else besides. Smut quota: Middling to low.

Jul 17, 2021 • 2h 13min
279. Flicking the Bogey
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the aftermath of the Euros, the foreign aid vote, ‘freedom day, Boris Johnson’s ‘levelling up’ speech, floods, the National Food Strategy, golf, Sian Berry, GB News, Iain’s new book and the sudden death of Guardian columnist Dawn Foster. Smut quota: Low-ish