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
Oct 11, 2019 • 58min
Beirut Babes
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith record an earlier than usual podcast because she’s off to Beirut for the weekend and Iain’s in North Devon. Well that’s their story anyway. In this hour long episode they discuss the prospects of an EU deal and whether the Boris/Leo meeting might be a breakthrough moment. They discuss diplomatic immunity in the light of the Harry Dunn tragedy, the conflict between Turkey and Syria, and the prospect of gay couple on Dancing on Ice and Strictly. Oh, and the big news of the week featuring Colleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy can’t be avoided. Smut quota: Too high
Oct 6, 2019 • 1h 4min
The late Jacqui Smith
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith record this week’s (shortish!) episode live at Podcast Live at The Light in central London. They discuss Boris Johnson’s new Brexit deal proposals, Rory Stewart leaving the Conservative Party, Tom Watson’s culpability in the Henriques report, the future of Thought for the Day and they pay tribute to Peter Sissons.
Sep 29, 2019 • 1h 57min
Surprise, Surprise
In the longest episode ever Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith discuss the seismic political events of the week and try to make some sense of what has happened, and in the last half an hour they welcome a much loved surprise guest from the world of political media. They start by discussing the Supreme court decision, the use of language in politics, the Labour and Tory conferences, John Major, David Cameron’s book, Naga Munchetty and the return of Spitting Image. Smut quota: Medium
Sep 22, 2019 • 1h 40min
Labour’s Circular Firing Squad
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Labour’s shambolic start to its annual conference and speculate as to the real agenda behind the attempt to oust Tom Watson. They review this week’s Supreme Court hearing, discuss Boris Johnson’s visit to Luxembourg and his confrontation at Whipps Cross hospital, which provokes another of Iain’s disgusting anecdotes. They also cover David Cameron’s book and Iain comes to regret seeing if Jacqui is in the index, as well as Thomas Cook, John Humphry’s departure from Today and they recall their experiences of Freshers’ Fairs. Smut quota: Medium
Sep 15, 2019 • 1h 39min
The Longest Podcast Evah!
Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith turn their attentions to a multitude of subjects including defections to the LibDems, John Bercow’s imminent departure, legal battles over Brexit, David Cameron’s new book. Amber Rudd’s resignation, the fall in rape convictions, Gareth Thomas telling the world he is HIV positive and most important of all that Snickers is reverting to its original name of Marathon. They answer a lot of your incisive questions but there’s a disappointingly low level of smut this week.
Sep 8, 2019 • 1h 26min
Mr Johnson’s Difficult Week
Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith cast their beady eyes over the week that Jeremy Corbyn outfoxed Boris Johnson. They speculate about what may happen over the next month as well as analyse the effect of the withdrawal of the whip from 21 Tory rebels, as well as the defections to the Liberal Democrats. Iain tells Jacqui he will not be going back into politics and explains what it was like to be on this week’s BBC Question Time panel. Smut quota: Medium
Sep 1, 2019 • 1h 34min
For the Many is Prorogued
Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith spend an hour explaining what proroguing parliament means and why people have become so excited about it, and they do it with barely a raised voice. It can’t last. They also discuss Ruth Davidson’s resignation, sacking SPADs and in questions they reveal what their student accommodation was like and which musical instrument could soothe the nation’s mood. It is at this point that the conversation degenerates into the usual cesspool. You have been warned.
Aug 25, 2019 • 1h 1min
Mr Johnson’s 30 days
Iain and Jacqui award exam style grades to Boris Johnson for his first month as prime minister and analyse his track record so far. They do their own review of HS2 and cast a weary eye over Dorothy Byrne’s Mactaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival. And they answer lots of your questions.
Aug 18, 2019 • 36min
No Woman, No Cry
Iain is without any female companionship in this episode, what with Jacqui Smith rocking her caravan in Wales and technology defeating Jess Phillips. So he makes as good a fist of it as he can and in the words of The Beautiful South, carries on regardless. He discusses the possibility of a government of national unity, Jo Swinson’s first three weeks and then answers a lot of listener questions. Back to ormal next week, though. Thank God. Smut quota: Almost non existent.
Aug 11, 2019 • 1h 3min
Edinburgh Melons
Iain and Jacqui cast their beady eyes over Boris Johnson’s first two and a half weeks as prime minister, and discuss the latest state of Brexit. They talk prisons and answer your questions on the Edinburgh Fringe and who might replace the holidaying Jacqui on next week’s podcast. Smut level: Medium
