The Political Party

The co-leader of the Scottish Greens tells the inside story of their historic deal with the SNP which puts the Greens in government in the UK for the first time. What influence do the Greens hope to have on the SNP? What are they and aren't they bound by? What is the Green case for Scottish independence? Lorna also discusses her own politics beyond Green issues and reflects on her life as person with autism.  Follow Lorna on Twitter: @lornaslater NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE:27 Sept: Andy Burnham11 Oct: Penny Mordaunt25 Oct: TBC8 Nov: Anas Sarwar22 Nov: Anthony Scaramucci6 Dec: Jeremy Hunt Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the opening night with Andy Burnham on Monday 27 September here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/  Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Matt on WTSocial: https://wt.social/u/matt-forde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Siobhan has done it all. As a senior civil servant she advised both the new Labour and coalition governments before leaving to stand for office herself. In 2012 she ran for London Mayor as an independent and finished just behind the Lib Dems. It was an incredible achievement and underlined her appeal as a charismatic and impressive politician. In this fascinating interview she describes the elation and frustration of that campaign and the way independent candidates are locked out of key parts of the process. Siobhan was going to stand for the mayoralty again in 2021 and was the Lib Dem candidate until she stood down and eventually left the party. She explains how she came to that decision and why she and so many others still feel so frustrated with the state of British politics.   Follow Siobhan on Twitter: @SiobhanBenita Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the opening night with Andy Burnham on Monday 27 September here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Matt on WTSocial: https://wt.social/u/matt-forde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the most emotional episode of The Political Party ever recorded. Roh Yakobi was tortured by the Taliban when he was just 12. In this deeply moving interview he tells us his remarkable life story, including the brutal reality of being governed by the Taliban. He also speaks of his despair for his family and friends, particularly his female cousin, now that the Taliban are back in control. Roh is now a fellow at the Human Security Centre, having moved to Wolverhampton. A Labour member, his experience of growing up in Afghanistan has had a profound effect on his politics and his analysis of the West's foreign policy is devastating.  Follow Roh on Twitter: @Roh_Yakobi Find out more about the Human Security Centre: http://www.hscentre.org/ Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the opening night with Andy Burnham on Monday 27 September here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Matt on WTSocial: https://wt.social/u/matt-forde  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats gives a highly personal and entertaining interview about politics, faith and life. Alex shares his plans for the party and the incredible stories about how he was almost recruited for MI6 and how he saved his daughter's life. What is the future of the Scottish Lib Dems and how do they stand out in the crowded marketplace of Scottish politics? How does he plan to hold such a formidable opponent to account? And why did he become a Quaker? You'll find all the answers inside.  Warning: Alex also talks about the PTSD he suffered after witnessing a suicide in Edinburgh, a conversation you may find distressing.  Follow Alex on Twitter: @agcolehamilton Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the opening night with Andy Burnham on Monday 27 September here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Matt on WTSocial: https://wt.social/u/matt-forde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Tugendhat is an expert on Foreign Affairs and served in Afghanistan with the British Army. In this emotional and impassioned interview, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee gives a comprehensive explanation of why he believes leaving Afghanistan is wrong and what the implications of that decision will be. Follow Tom on Twitter: @TomTugendhatBuy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the opening night with Andy Burnham on Monday 27 September here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.comFollow Matt on Twitter: @mattfordeFollow Matt on WTSocial: https://wt.social/u/matt-forde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Kyle has led an extraordinary life. His misdiagnosed dyslexia meant he had to sit his A Levels again at 25, going back to his old school. He'd been inspired to get his A levels in order to go to university by Anita Roddick, who he worked for at The Body Shop. It's just one of many incredible moments that contribute to his unique drive. As well as the personal there's also the political and Peter reflects on the impact of Corbynism on his local party. Peter's story is exceptional and it's a long way from finished. Get tickets to The Political Party in the West End: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/Follow Peter on Twitter: @peterkyleEmail the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.comFollow Matt on Twitter: @mattfordeFollow Matt on WTSocial: https://wt.social/u/matt-fordeFor the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most direct communicators in politics delivers a dose of pure clarity. Pat has been at the heart of three different Labour leaders' operations: Donald Dewar, John Smith and Tony Blair. He reflects on the attributes they possessed and the importance of visible political change. Pat represents Wolverhampton South East and there are sobering lessons for Labour, especially for its relationship with the working class. With his no-nonsense style, this is Pat taking the Labour Party by the lapels and giving it to it straight.  Follow Pat on Twitter: @patmcfaddenmp Subscribe to Matt's other podcast British Scandal here or wherever you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/british-scandal/id1563775446 Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Order Matt's book 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Matt on WTSocial: https://wt.social/u/matt-forde For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the brilliant inside story of how Joe Biden won the Democratic nomination and The White House, told by Isaac Dovere, the lead political correspondent for The Atlantic. It begins analysing Obama's legacy inside and outside of the party, includes insights from voters who backed Obama twice and voted for Trump, assesses why candidates like Buttigieg, Bloomberg, Warren and Sanders were unable to defeat Biden... and how popular the politics of AOC and Ilhan Omar are with the wider party. In short, it's a corking summary of an incredible period in American politics.  Follow Isaac on Twitter: @IsaacDovere Buy 'Battle For The Soul' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Soul-Inside-Campaigns-Defeat/dp/1984878077/ DONATE to listener Jeremy's 'Tour de Full English' for the MNDA and The Brain Tumour Charity here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=TourdeFullEnglish&pageUrl=1 Subscribe to Matt's other podcast British Scandal here or wherever you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/british-scandal/id1563775446 Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Order Matt's book 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Matt on WTSocial: https://wt.social/u/matt-forde For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once the youngest MP in the Commons, Chloe Smith is now Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution. Chloe explains what the new Elections Bill will mean for Voter ID, expanding the franchise and online campaigning. Chloe reflects on some of the big moments in her life and career, including her recent announcement that she is clear of breast cancer. Chloe and Matt discuss some of the big questions in UK politics: where should power lie in the UK? Why is English devolution not done at a national level? Did Chloe ever try and get a job at North Norfolk Digital? Follow Chloe on Twitter: @NorwichChloe Subscribe to Matt's other podcast British Scandal here or wherever you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/british-scandal/id1563775446 Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Read about the Elections Bill: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/elections-bill-introduced-in-parliament-today Order Matt's book 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Matt on WTSocial: https://wt.social/u/matt-forde For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the UK's finest political correspondents, Carole Walker was a political correspondent for the BBC for 20 years. In a remarkable career spanning some of the most dramatic moments in modern political history, Carole had a front row seat. In this fascinating and entertaining interview, Carole reflects on the highs and lows of the job, the pressures on political journalists and the defining moments she witnessed at the closest proximity. This is a cracking insight into holding governments to account and the relationship between politicians and the media.  Follow Carole on Twitter: @carolewalkercw Buy Carole's brilliant book 'Lobby Life': https://www.waterstones.com/book/lobby-life/carole-walker/9781783965656 Subscribe to Matt's other podcast British Scandal here or wherever you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/british-scandal/id1563775446 Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Order Matt's book 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Matt on WTSocial: https://wt.social/u/matt-forde For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.