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 2, 2018 • 54min
Iain’s Brexit Depression
Iain and Jacqui run the runes over the Cabinet’s Chequers sleepover and Iain reveals he’s more depressed about Brexit than ever. They discuss possible Tory leadership contenders, the NHS at 70 and the Intelligence & Security Committee report on rendition. They then give their World Cup tips and Iain says something nice about Russia, which has to be a first. And they answer lots of your questions. Smut quota: Medium.
Jun 24, 2018 • 59min
Live at the Politics Festival
Iain and Jacqui perform live at the Kings Place Politics Festival in central London. They cover the latest in Trumpland, Brexit, the NHS and whether Question Time should be axed altogether. They take questions from the audience too.
Jun 17, 2018 • 1h 3min
Theresa Plays Sister Bountiful to the NHS
Back from her holidays, Jacqui Smith wastes little time in laying into the Prime Minister for promising £600 a week for the NHS, money which Iain says if Jeremy Corbyn had promised, she’d have been wholly supporting. They talk about the latest Brexit chaos and the summit in Singapore. Jacqui waxes lyrical about her love of ‘dicks’ – spotted ones and otherwise, and they discuss ‘Upskirting’. They also discuss the World Cup so far and answer your questions. It’s a packed episode, and the smut quota is medium.
Jun 10, 2018 • 43min
Clout and Jeremy Thorpe
Iain and Jacqui review the BBC drama about Jeremy Thorpe, they discuss a new book by CNN’s Max Foster about the importance of Clout and they preview the World Cup. They also answer a voluminous amount of your questions. And Jacqui increases the smut quotient this week by a factor of ten. Iain is appalled. Obvs.
Jun 4, 2018 • 51min
The Madness of A C Grayling
Iain and Jacqui discuss Donald Trump’s latest antics on steel tariffs and speculate about whether the on-off-on summit with Kim Jong Un will take place. They talk about the art of political interviewing and question Richard Madeley’s tactics in cutting off Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. They ask why Brexit continues to drive some people mad, and Iain has some strong words about Professor A C Grayling. They discuss why the trend seems to be for some countries to appoint very good looking prime ministers – yes, they really are that shallow.
May 27, 2018 • 55min
Ireland, Abortion & the Trump Flip-Flop-Flip
Iain gets a bit ‘totes emosh’ about the Irish abortion referendum, while Jacqui takes Donald Trump to task for his decision to cancel the North Korean summit. They discuss what it’s like for a Home Secretary to address the Police Federation conference and assess Sajid Javid’s performance this week. They also ask why Oxford is failing to attract more BAME and disadvantaged students. And we find out what Jacqui’s ‘sex noise’ sounds like. Gulp.
May 20, 2018 • 55min
Special Live Edition from the Bath Festival
Iain & Jacqui take the podcast on the road, and talk to the people of Bath about the Royal Wedding, the future of the Speaker of the House of Commons and Carillion. Jacqui reveals more about her time as Home Secretary including the time she was bollocked by Gordon Brown. She even does a Gordon Brown impression. A bad one. And they answer lots of questions from the Bath audience.
May 13, 2018 • 17min
Tessa Jowell Tribute
An extra podcast in which Iain and Jacqui pay tribute to their friend Baroness Tessa Jowell, whose death was announced today.
May 13, 2018 • 1h 1min
Iran, Brexit & Eurovision
Iain and Jacqui discuss Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuke deal, and its effect on peace in the Middle East, but don’t worry, they revert to a spirited discussion on Brexit and why Heidi Alexander has resigned from the Commons. Iain tests Jacqui’s Eurovision knowledge (it isn’t vast…) and they discuss next week’s live episode of the podcast at the Bath Literary Festival.
May 6, 2018 • 58min
Elections, Home Secretaries & Willies…
Jacqui Smith reveals what it’s like to be appointed Home Secretary, and for the first time tells the full, rather emotional, story of her own resignation from the office in 2009. She and Iain also discuss the political and electoral fallout from Thursday’s local elections. Have we reached Peak Corbyn? Where does the last week leave Theresa May? And they ask if Theresa May needs a ‘Willie’. Naturally, this is the cue for this week’s rational of full blown smut.
