The Political Party

Raucous, outrageous but also philosophical and thoughtful, this is an evening in the company of a true political fighter. Edwina Currie refuses to be pigeonholed. She simultaneously embodies the values of ambition and aspiration but is also a formidable campaigner against prejudice. This is a fascinating ride through social history, the changing role of women in politics and what it means to be a Conservative. Edwina shares her experience of being a Conservative Minister under Margaret Thatcher and yes, reflects on the leadership and character of John Major. Strap in.  Follow Edwina on Twitter: @Edwina_Currie Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the next show with NEIL KINNOCK on Monday 7 March here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Buy tickets to Matt's brand new stand-up show Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers to the Right, touring across the UK including at The Southbank Centre on Saturday 19 February: https://www.mattforde.com/2022tour Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A true political heavyweight delivers a knockout performance in this mesmerising interview. Lord Heseltine is as sharp and as funny as ever as he delivers characteristically forthright and nuanced assessments of Margaret Thatcher, John Major and, of course, Boris Johnson. This is one of the most captivating episodes of the Political Party ever recorded. Pour yourself a glass of Chablis Premier Cru and enjoy.  NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 21 Feb: Edwina Currie7 March: Neil Kinnock11 April: Christmas Special with Jacob Rees-Mogg and Rosena Allin-Khan Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the next show with EDWINA CURRIE on Monday 21 February here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Buy tickets to Matt's brand new stand-up show Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers to the Right, touring across the UK including at The Southbank Centre on Saturday 19 February: https://www.mattforde.com/2022tour Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The woman who ensured Parliament got a vote on implementing Brexit joins Matt for a fascinating discussion about identity and nationhood. Gina has led an incredible life and her latest project is leading a new political party: True and Fair. Gina tells Matt what the party stands for, why it's launched now, what it seeks to achieve and what the challenges facing a new party are. This is a brilliant examination of where we are as a country and what needs to change.   Follow Gina on Twitter: @thatginamiller Follow the True and Fair Party on Twitter: @VoteTrueandFair NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 7 Feb: Michael Heseltine21 Feb: Edwina Currie7 March: Neil Kinnock11 April: Christmas Special with Jacob Rees-Mogg and Rosena Allin-Khan Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the next show with MICHAEL HESELTINE on Monday 7 February here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Buy tickets to Matt's brand new stand-up show Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers to the Right, touring across the UK including at The Southbank Centre on Saturday 19 February: https://www.mattforde.com/2022tour Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're expecting a candid, raucous and hilarious interview then raise your expectations even higher because this is off the charts. Angela Rayner doesn't hold back, whether she's describing her childhood, her own motherhood, her political analysis or recalling various hilarious stories from her incredible life. At times emotional at other times outrageous, this is Angela Rayner as you've never heard her before.  Follow Angela on Twitter: @AngelaRayner NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 7 Feb: Michael Heseltine21 Feb: Edwina Currie7 March: Neil Kinnock11 April: Rescheduled Christmas Special with Jacob Rees-Mogg Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the next show with MICHAEL HESELTINE on Monday 7 February here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/Buy tickets to Matt's brand new stand-up show Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers to the Right, touring across the UK including at The Southbank Centre on Saturday 19 February: https://www.mattforde.com/2022tour Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is about way more than just politics. Since leaving Number 10, Craig has been reflecting on his life and why he'd always found it a grind. There's an important lesson in how we judge those who work in politics. To the outside world, it may have looked like Craig had it all. But he's never been comfortable with himself and in taking time out, has been forced to confront why. This is a deeply personal and reflective interview about the way we live our lives, and what the political implications of that are. Of course there are more overtly political moments and Craig gives his assessment of the storm engulfing current Prime Minister Boris Johnson. For the main, this is something a bit different to the usual, a calming experience that may help you find inner peace. Which might be handy for those currently working in Number 10, or those of us who read about what they've been up to.   Follow Craig on Twitter: @CraigOliver100 Subscribe to Desperately Seeking Wisdom here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/desperately-seeking-wisdom/id1600658755 NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 24 Jan: Angela Rayner7 Feb: Michael Heseltine21 Feb: Edwina Currie7 March: Neil Kinnock Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the next show with ANGELA RAYNER on Monday 24 January here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even by Alastair Campbell's standards this is superb. Passionate, direct, funny with occasional outbreaks of self-deprecation, it's the perfect way to start 2022. Alastair sets off at lightning pace, giving direct advice to Labour on how to campaign against the government. He shares his frustration with the recent BBC series about new Labour, reflects on his own changing sense of national identity and recalls a confrontation with a litter lout. He also answers the question: is he woke? There's so much in this episode that a blurb cannot do justice to. Enjoy! Follow Alastair on Twitter: @campbellclaret NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 24 Jan: Angela Rayner7 Feb: Michael Heseltine21 Feb: Edwina Currie7 March: Neil Kinnock Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the next show with ANGELA RAYNER on Monday 24 January here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's not a journalist in the country whose work has dominated the political agenda like Pippa Crerar. She has dropped bombshell after bombshell during the pandemic, including the exclusive on Dominic Cummings' trip to Barnard Castle and the explosive revelations about Downing Street Christmas parties. Pippa tells Matt how big stories like these happen, the work that goes in behind-the-scenes and how they snowball. It's a thrilling insight into how journalists hold the powerful to account and the relationships they have with politicians and advisers. Merry Christmas! Follow Pippa and send her your tips on Twitter: @PippaCrerar NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 10 Jan: Neil Kinnock24 Jan: Angela Rayner Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the next show with NEIL KINNOCK on Monday 10 January here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does a working class girl from Nottingham end up being Leader of the House of Lords? Tina Stowell isn't your stereotypical Baroness and as well as rising to one of the highest offices in the land has also worked closely with some major figures at big moments in recent history. This is full of gems including what it was like inside Number 10 working for John Major and her time as Head of Comms to the BBC Trust during the Hutton Inquiry. Tina is passionate about opportunity and has written an essay for the Social Market Foundation about the education divide. You can find the link to that below.  Follow Tina on Twitter: @tinastowell NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 20 Dec: Christmas Special with Jacob Rees-Mogg and Rosena Allin-Khan10 Jan: Neil Kinnock24 Jan: Angela Rayner Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the Christmas Special with JACOB REES-MOGG and ROSENA ALLIN-KHAN on Monday 20 December here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Read Tina's essay on the education divide: https://www.smf.co.uk/publications/education-divide/ Download Tina's podcast 'Tina Talks to Today's Britons' here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tina-talks-to-todays-britons/id1586136742?i=1000536472532 Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Hunt is an optimist and his positive attitude towards life shines out throughout this entertaining and revealing interview. He shares great stories and insights from his time as Foreign Secretary, Health Secretary and Culture Secretary - including his candid take on the Murdoch bid to takeover BSkyB. It's his time at Health that is most fascinating and he is open and philosophical about his successes and failures in the job. He's philosophical in general and has a great approach to politics which is inspirational. The contrast with the current incumbent of Number 10, who Jeremy stood against in the 2019 Leadership Election, is irresistible. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @Jeremy_Hunt NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 20 Dec: Christmas Special with Jacob Rees-Mogg, Rosena Allin-Khan and MP410 Jan: Neil Kinnock24 Jan: Angela Rayner Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the next show with JACOB REES-MOGG, ROSENA ALLIN-KHAN and MP$ here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you like surprises you're going to love this. Ayesha has so many brilliant stories from her time in politics and her account of the night of the 2015 election is absolutely electric. It's one of many great tales that will have you completely absorbed, including her visit to Iraq shortly after the removal of Saddam Hussein. Ayesha is also a successful comedian, writer and broadcaster. She reflects on her varied career and how she became political while working in the civil service.  Follow Ayesha on Twitter: @AyeshaHazarika NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 6 Dec: Jeremy Hunt20 Dec: Christmas Special with Jacob Rees-Mogg, Rosena Allin-Khan and MP410 Jan: Neil Kinnock Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the next who with JEREMY HUNT on Monday 6 December here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.