This is a riot. Emily and Jon are even more fun than you'd imagine.  They were already two of the biggest stars in broadcasting. Then their podcast, The News Agents, propelled them to even higher heights. They talk candidly about leaving the BBC and the risks involved. Both passionate about journalism and holding powerful people to account, they share hilarious stories from their encounters with Prince Andrew, Donald Trump and the things they saw at Davos. You won't want this to end.   Buy 'Tony Blair, The Moderniser' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tony-Blair-Moderniser-Jon-Sopel/dp/0553503871 Buy 'Airhead' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Untitled-Emily-Maitlis-Inside-Junkie/dp/0241362857 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 Feb: Ian Blackford20 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.

Helen is one of Britain's most gifted journalists and after many years at The New Statesman is now staff writer at The Atlantic. She's also made an exceptional podcast called 'The New Gurus' which you have to listen to. The link is below. Having been a journalist since 2010, Helen has covered a number of major political and social changes and has found herself at the centre of various contentious debates, despite holding mainstream opinions. So what happened and why was she no-platformed by Stonewall? This is a brilliant account of the political changes of the last few years and they way they've been expressed. It's also a passionate defence of journalism and what it should be. Plus lots of cult chat. Enjoy!  Listen to Helen's podcast 'The New Gurus' here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001g9sq?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile Subscribe to Helen's Substack here: https://helenlewis.substack.com/ 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:23 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel 6 Feb: Ian Blackford20 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of Britain's most prominent political commentators shares his experience of writing in the online era - with all its pros and cons. Dan has led a fascinating life. Son of Glenda Jackson, the Oscar winning former Labour MP, he worked for her and then embarked on a varied career which includes working for the Mail on Sunday. Fascinated by politics but not obsessed with it, he has a unique perspective on Westminster. This is the perfect start to 2023,  Follow Dan on Twitter: @DPJHodges Buy Dan's book One Minute to Ten: https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Minute-Ten-Miliband-Ambition/dp/0718183312 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:23 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel20 Feb: Keir Starmer6 March: Eddie Izzard Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, this Christmas Party goes up a gear in the second half... Yvette and Emily continue the festivities with a detailed analysis of Labour's crime policy and a conversation you won't get anywhere else... Emily's love of puffins. It really is the show with everything.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  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:23 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel20 Feb: Keir Starmer6 March: Eddie Izzard Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merry Christmas! What better way to celebrate the birth of Jesus than with Yvette Cooper, Emily Thornberry and a gin and tonic? This is the perfect end-of-year party with two of Labour's biggest stars. Yvette and Emily are on top form in this riotous first half. As well as the sharpest political analysis there's a great story about Yvette and Ed Balls' worst Christmas and a song written and performed by Emily Thornberry. It's even better than it sounds.   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:23 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel20 Feb: Keir Starmer6 March: Eddie Izzard Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Shadow Chancellor is on rollicking form in this hilarious, lively and impassioned interview. Rachel is steeped in economics, having worked for the Bank of England (at the same time Matt Hancock, more on that later). She sets out the dividing lines between herself and the Tories and explains the different decisions Labour would take if they win the next election. Rachel has only been Shadow Chancellor for a year and a half but in that time she has helped salvage Labour's economic credibility. She's also faced 4 Chancellors this year alone and gives us the inside story on how she prepares for each 'fiscal statement'. This is great fun with a politician at the top of their game.  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:19 Dec: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Yvette Cooper, Emily Thornberry and music from MP423 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel20 Feb: Keir Starmer6 March: Eddie Izzard Plus more to be announced! Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen was Chief Strategist to the Yes campaign in the 2014 independence referendum. Following that he trained to be a Jesuit priest and is now an academic at Edinburgh University. He's led a fascinating life and the last few years have led him to some very interesting conclusions. In this thoughtful and considered interview he explains how both sides of the constitutional debate in Scotland can win, but only if they're prepared to change the way politics is done. He also has some sober advice for the current First Minister.  Read Stephen's interview with The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brains-behind-2014-yes-campaign-returns-from-life-with-the-jesuits-gchwtdjz7 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:5 Dec: Rachel Reeves19 Dec: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Yvette Cooper, Emily Thornberry and music from MP423 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel20 Feb: Keir Starmer6 March: Eddie Izzard Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The former Chair of the Conservative Party doesn't hold back in this revealing and heartfelt interview. He tells the inside account of both recent Conservative Leadership Elections and what he told Rishi Sunak about certain members of the government. Clearly concerned about the direction of the government, Jake explains his own brand of conservatism and why 'levelling up' is so important to him and his constituents. Jake also tells the hilarious story of when Boris Johnson jilted the Northern Research Group of Conservative MPs to go to Ukraine instead, leaving them all waiting at Doncaster Racecourse. Despite that, could Boris come back..? 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:5 Dec: Rachel Reeves19 Dec: Christmas Special with Emily Thornberry and music from MP423 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel6 March: Eddie Izzard Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a broadcasting legend as you've never heard him before. David Dimbleby is as thoughtful and incisive as you'd imagine, but he's also devilishly hilarious. Finally able to say what he really thinks, he delivers his analysis of politics, broadcasting, the BBC, the monarchy and pyjamas in that familiar voice. This is crammed with great stories about interviewing titans like Thatcher and Blair, as well as the reality of hosting election night TV and Question Time. It's one of the funniest and most fun episodes of the show ever recorded.  Buy David's book 'Keep Talking' here: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/david-dimbleby-2/keep-talking/9781399702423/ 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:14 Nov: Jake Berry5 Dec: Rachel Reeves19 Dec: Christmas Special including music from MP423 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel6 March: Eddie Izzard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gavin has a unique perspective on politics, government and the Conservative Party having served as both an MP and the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff. Unusually he was an MP first, but having lost his seat in 2017, was hired by Theresa May to be her most senior adviser. Gavin takes us inside the Brexit negotiations, with some surprising insights on some of Europe's major players. It's also a defence of Theresa May and the values of public service and how she contrasts with some of her successors... Follow Gavin on Twitter: @GavinBarwell 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:7 Nov: David Dimbleby14 Nov: Jake Berry5 Dec: Rachel Reeves19 Dec: Christmas Special including music from MP423 Jan: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel6 March: Eddie Izzard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.