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
Jul 18, 2020 • 1h 49min
195. Eat Out to Help Out
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith indulge in some post watershed chat about the week’s political events including the Intelligence & Security Committee shenanigans, Boris’s Back to Work speech, the plight of the Uigher Muslims, Russia and the vaccine, Liam Fox’s bid to be WTO chief, the EU rescue package, the LibDem leadership contest and the death of civil rights campaigner, John Lewis. Smut quota: Middling
Jul 15, 2020 • 1h 26min
194. Runny Custard
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Huawei, Face Masks, Paedophile hunters, Sir Keir Starmer’s first 100 days and PMQs. Smut quota: Possibly a little too high
Jul 11, 2020 • 1h 30min
193. Dreaming of Layla
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith ask whether the wearing of facemasks should be made mandatory. They ask why Donald Trump would intervene on Roger Stone’s behalf and commute his sentence and bemoan the retail job losses on the UK High Street. They discuss the membership of the Intelligence and Security Committee and the non publication of the Priti Patel report. They then talk about the use of personal pronouns and a few other things besides: Smut quota: Very low, apart from at the end.
Jul 8, 2020 • 1h 31min
192. Snort, Snort
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith analyse Rishi Sunak’s Summer Statement and ask the all important question: Can someone who is 5’7” become Prime Minister? They lament that the party conferences have all been cancelled and they discuss the imminent demise of the BBC’s Politics Live programme and ask how the BBC can seriously call itself a public service broadcaster if this happens. And Iain panics when he learns his books have gone out of stock. Smut quota: Middling to high right from the start.
Jul 4, 2020 • 1h 46min
191. Hong Kong Phooey
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith turn their attention to Hong Kong, lifting lockdown, David Starkey and televised press conferences in Number Ten. And Jacqui insists on talking about The Clap…. for the NHS… Smut Quota: Low
Jul 1, 2020 • 1h 19min
190. Build, Baby, Build
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the Leicester lockdown, Boris Johnson’s big speech in Dudley, job losses and Richard Madeley’s mea culpa on domestic violence. Smut quota: Middling
Jun 27, 2020 • 1h 53min
189. Rebecca Who?
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith examine the entrails of Rebecca Long-Bailey’s political career and ask if Keir Starmer did the right thing by sacking her. They talk about why some people think lockdown is over and the consequences of abandoning social distancing. They ask if Robert Jenrick is safe in his job and Jacqui bemoans the cancelling of Glastonbury (Iain doesn’t). They discuss Parler, a new rival to Twitter and at the end of the podcast they indulge in the best corpsing you’ll ever hear, in reaction to Alison’s question. Enjoy: Smut Quota: Middling.
Jun 24, 2020 • 1h 26min
188. Twice a Week
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the lockdown measures which are being lifted, the Reading terror attack, the Windrush and Brexit anniversaries, and ask who should be the three Jokers in a pack of prime ministerial playing cards. Iain and Jacqui wish to apologise for the lack of a question from Noah Keates. Smut Quota: Medium to high
Jun 20, 2020 • 1h 22min
187. Blue Rim, Red Rim
Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale discuss events in the week’s political debate including the relaxing of the 2 metre social distancing rule, the failure of the Tracing App, Black Lives Matter, Why Trump hates Bolton (has he ever been there?!), and the return of Premier League football. Smut Quota: Lowish
Jun 17, 2020 • 1h 9min
186. Jacqui’s Front Door
Iain and Jacqui discuss free school meals and the abolition of the Department for International Development before moving on to answer lots of listener questions like: Might they one day get married? Have either of them ever had a strong accent? The podcast ends rather abruptly when Jacqui hears a man knocking on her front door. Smut quota: Medium
