Johanna is the Chair of Labour's NEC and this is the most exciting chat about internal party machinery that you will ever hear. In fact, it's going to make you want to join a political party and get involved. It's a great inside account of what some of Labour's most infamous NEC meetings have been like, including the recent one that voted to bar Jeremy Corbyn from standing for the party. Johanna has so many great stories about helping the party function as a volunteer, what it's like having to chair party conference in an arena and how seating plans can defeat factionalism. It's a positive, optimistic and funny defence of political activism.  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:3 April: Ruth Davidson17 April: Jess Phillips22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip HammondPlus more to be announced! Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest newsEmail the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy is one of the true greats of broadcasting and he delivers an exceptional analysis of the state of British news. Not just of the BBC and Channel 4, but the whole thing. At times hilarious, this is a first-hand account of what it's like holding the powerful to account, live on TV. Clearly gifted from a young age, his TV career began at just 15. He recalls the surreal situation he found himself in: his own TV show before he'd even gone to university. As well as brilliant stories about his experiences with politicians (like Steve Baker), he also shares fascinating encounters with Robert Downey Jr, Quentin Tarantino and Jimmy Savile. This is an hour in the company of an exceptional broadcasting talent, blessed with remarkable clarity of thought.   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:3 April: Ruth Davidson17 April: Jess Phillips22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond 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.

Greg Dyke is so much more than a former Director General of the BBC. He's been at the top of various organisations that have shaped our national life and in this sparkling interview gives his verdict on the Gary Lineker controversy and what the rules should be for non-BBC News employees. Greg also reflects on the Hutton Report and the events surrounding his departure from the BBC, as well as sharing his insight on the pressures on any Director General. As former Chair of the FA (and Brentford), Greg gives his unique perspective on the runaway success of the Premier League that he helped found. Did he ever imagine it would end up here? Plus a couple of Brian Clough stories.  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:20 March: Krishnan Guru-Murthy3 April: Ruth Davidson17 April: Jess Phillips22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond 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.

In the second SNP Leadership Special, Ash Regan outlines her plan to deliver independence as well as her plans to change the SNP. It's a candid conversation in which Ash also shares her concerns about how the contest is being run. Does her leadership campaign prove that SNP members who were once gradualists are becoming more fundamentalist? Would Ash keep the coalition with the Scottish Greens? Also, this is a conversation about how life turns out, and how things might have been different for Ash. If she'd continued living in England, would she even be in politics at all? And what do her children make of her campaign to run the country? It's a fascinating hour with someone determined to take Scotland in a different direction.  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:20 March: Krishnan Guru-Murthy3 April: Ruth Davidson17 April: Jess Phillips22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond 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.

Eddie Izzard is one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time, as well as being a gifted actor, marathon runner and campaigner... but there's at least one other major ambition still burning: to get elected to the House of Commons. In this hilarious, emotional and deeply personal interview, Eddie talks about everything from the death of loved ones to serving on Labour's NEC in the Corbyn years. Possessed with amazing stamina and drive, Eddie plans to change Britain for the better by getting elected in 2024. Plus it wouldn't be an interview with Eddie Izzard without some exceptional routines on all manner of subjects including Jesus, Abraham Lincoln and fat tigers.  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:20 March: Krishnan Guru-Murthy3 April: Ruth Davidson17 April: Jess Phillips22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond 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.

It's been quite the week for Kate Forbes, who's standing to be the next leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland. On maternity leave when Nicola Sturgeon resigned, Kate is now the most talked about politician in the UK. In this frank and open interview, she discusses her vision for the future of Scotland and the SNP. Kate also reflects on her personal resilience following the difficult birth of her daughter and how that's helped her in politics. It's a wide-ranging conversation about business, the economy and the role of government in our lives. It's also about faith in politics and the fundamentals of freedom of speech.   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 March: Eddie Izzard20 March: Krishnan Guru-Murthy3 April: Ruth Davidson22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond 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.

Keir Starmer returns to The Political Party in scintillating form. As well as sharing some hilarious stories, mainly about what his children say to him to keep him grounded, he talks openly about recent events, including his emotional trip to Ukraine to meet Volodmyr Zelensky. Keir is open about his strategy for changing the Labour Party and reflects on the decisions that led Labour to their current poll lead. The show it's a mix of serious politics and laugh out loud moments. Keir reacts to Nicola Sturgeon's resignation but also to THAT video of Dominic Raab eyeballing him in Parliament. It's an engrossing interview with a man on the verge of becoming Prime Minister.  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 March: Eddie Izzard20 March: Krishnan Guru-Murthy3 April: Ruth Davidson22 May: David Blunkett 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.

This is a highly entertaining interview with the Political Editor of The Sun. Harry takes us into the modern world of the tabloid and explores The Sun's relationship with politics. How does it decide who to back at an election and has that decision been taken yet? How much politics does The Sun aim to cover? What is the balance between print and online. Ultimately this is an account of modern political journalism by a total political obsessive. It's a story about the relationship between newspapers and their readers, and why politics is about personalities. Out of the Blue - www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Blue-inside-story-unexpected/dp/0008605785 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:20 Feb: Keir Starmer6 March: Eddie Izzard20 March: Krishnan Guru-Murthy3 April: Ruth Davidson22 May: David Blunkett 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.

Stewart McDonald is an ally of the First Minister and in this candid interview he reacts to the shock news of her resignation. Nicola Sturgeon bows out of Scottish politics at the very top, enjoying an unprecedented electoral record it is all but impossible to surpass. So why has she resigned now and what does it mean for the SNP, Scotland and the UK? What will she do next? And more importantly, what 'low and no' beers does Stewart recommend? 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:20 Feb: Keir Starmer6 March: Eddie Izzard20 March: Krishnan Guru-Murthy3 April: Ruth Davidson22 May: David Blunkett 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.

The former leader of the SNP in Westminster shares stories from his 5 years in charge of the group, including the inside account of what really happened when he was ejected from the Commons in 2018. And his infamous attack on Boris Johnson in 2022. He also talks about the current state of Scottish politics, including the controversial policy of Self ID. It's got everything!  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:20 Feb: Keir Starmer6 March: Eddie Izzard20 March: Krishnan Guru-Murthy3 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.