Matt Forde's Political Party

You are about to hear something very special. Anas Sarwar is a captivating politician, blessed with a unique ability to transfix an audience and move them emotionally. This is somehow mixed with another ability. The ability to dance so well it creates complete chaos at a live podcast recording. It's an instant classic of an episode and includes Anas' analysis of how Labour can recover in Scotland and across the UK, the racism he has faced throughout his life and issues of national identity and privilege. It also contains massive laughs, largely at Matt's expense as Anas starts to take over the night. Enjoy! Follow Anas on Twitter: @AnasSarwar NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 22 Nov: Anthony Scaramucci6 Dec: Jeremy Hunt20 Dec: Christmas Special with Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP4 and Rosena Allin-Khan10 Jan: Neil Kinnock Buy tickets to The Political Party including the show with ANTHONY SCARAMUCCI at The Vaudeville Theatre on Monday 22 November here: www.mattforde.com/live Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kinnock is on a mission to make Labour electable... sound familiar? Stephen Kinnock is very much his own man and his own politician, and his new project 'Labour Renaissance' has published a fascinating report into the voters Labour lost and what the party can do about it. This is a brilliant analysis of where Labour has gone wrong, combined with practical recommendations about how it reconnects with the public. Stephen also talks about his upbringing, how it made him who he is and an incredible experience in Russia that had a profound effect on him.  Follow Stephen on Twitter: @SKinnock NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 8 Nov: Anas Sarwar22 Nov: Anthony Scaramucci6 Dec: Jeremy Hunt20 Dec: Christmas Special Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the opening night with ANAS SARWAR on Monday 8 November here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Read the Labour Renaissance report here: https://labour-renaissance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Renaissance-Report-FINAL-17.10.21.pdf Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin Brennan isn't a typical MP and although he studied PPE at Oxford, he certainly doesn't fit the stereotype. A man of varied interests and talents, he's just recorded an album with a Sex Pistol. Kevin worked for Rhodri Morgan before replacing him as the MP for Cardiff West and this is packed full of great stories and insights from 20 years in Parliament, including some as a government minister. Kevin voted against the war in Iraq and then ending up as a government whip. He describes both experiences and his personal take on new Labour. It's the perfect listen for an autumn evening.  Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinBrennanMP Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the opening night with CAROLINE FLINT on Monday 25 October here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ 25 Oct: Caroline Flint8 Nov: Anas Sarwar22 Nov: Anthony Scaramucci6 Dec: Jeremy Hunt Pre-order 'The Clown & The Cigarette Girl': https://revolverrecords.com/kevin-brennan-the-clown-the-cigarette-girl/ Listen to 'Tabernacle Lane': https://open.spotify.com/track/76lkzqbBd4V4MZ4BDj5H75 Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Penny Mordaunt gives you options, consider them very carefully. You'll understand what that means once you've heard some of her incredible stories. Penny has done some weird and wonderful jobs inside and outside of politics - from being a magician's assistant to becoming the first ever female Secretary of State for Defence. Her approach to life is inspiring and her philosophy around unity is outlined in her recent book 'Greater'. A passionate advocate for the military, her close ties to the armed forces have often put her in life and death situations. If you've got a fear of helicopters, be warned! Follow Penny on Twitter: @PennyMordaunt NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 25 Oct: Caroline Flint8 Nov: Anas Sarwar22 Nov: Anthony Scaramucci6 Dec: Jeremy Hunt20 Dec: Christmas Special Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the opening night with CAROLINE FLINT on Monday 25 October here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Buy Penny's book 'GREATER' here: https://www.gogreater.org/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're not watching the new Labour documentary on the iPlayer, what is the matter with you? The new series has got everyone talking about the Blair and Brown era and one man who knows it inside out is John Rentoul. He wrote the definitive biography of Tony Blair and along with Jon Davies runs a course at King's College about new Labour. This is a great accompaniment to the BBC series, challenging some of the assumptions and narratives of the time, and some of the theories since. It's also highly relevant to the current situation Labour is in... Follow John on Twitter: @JohnRentoul NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 11 Oct: Penny Mordaunt25 Oct: Caroline Flint8 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 PENNY MORDAUNT on Monday 11 October here: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Buy Tony Blair, Prime Minister here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tony-Blair-Minister-John-Rentoul/dp/0751530824 Buy Heroes or Villians here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heroes-Villains-Blair-Government-Reconsidered/dp/0198862814/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=0198862814&psc=1 Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Mayor of Manchester is on sparkling form as he sets out his vision for where Labour needs to be. It's a great mix of thoughtful political analysis and riveting behind-the-scenes detail as Andy tells the incredible inside story behind his showdowns with the UK and Scottish governments. He also tells the heartbreaking story of the Hlllsborough families' long campaign for justice and his role in changing the Labour government's position, including the moment he stands in front of a packed Anfield at the memorial service. Recorded during the Labour Conference, Andy reacts to the big stories of the week as well as revealing his plans for when the Conservatives hold their Conference in Manchester.  Follow Andy on Twitter: @AndyBurnhamGM Watch the moment Andy addresses Anfield at the Hillsborough memorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z3mBIi084Q NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 11 Oct: Penny Mordaunt25 Oct: Caroline Flint8 Nov: Anas Sarwar22 Nov: Anthony Scaramucci6 Dec: Jeremy Hunt Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre including the next night with Penny Mordaunt on Monday 11 October 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.

This is pragmatism as its most inspirational. Anna Turley is here to sort stuff out and is passionate about solving problems. She was the Labour MP for Redcar until 2019 when the toxicity of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership turned a proud Labour seat into a Tory gain. Anna describes how she was simultaneously trying to mitigate the catastrophic loss of the steel industry in the area, while fighting a legal case against Unite the Union and a hard left website. On top of that, she had to deal with the far right and, incredibly, those on the left who were helping them. Ultimately this is a hopeful tale of using public office to change things for the better.  Follow Anna on Twitter: @annaturley NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 27 Sept: Andy Burnham11 Oct: Penny Mordaunt25 Oct: Caroline Flint8 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/ Read Keir Starmer's pamphlet, The Road Ahead, here: https://fabians.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-Road-Ahead-KEIR-STARMER_web.pdf Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get comfy on the sofa because you are in for a treat. Gabriel Milland is one of the country's finest opinion researchers. After working alongside Michael Gove and Dominic Cummings at Education, he was Special Adviser to the Prime Minister from March to July 2020. Gabriel takes us inside Number 10 during the first months of the pandemic and his role in tracking public opinion during that time. This is a treasure trove of political insights, many of which may contradict perceived wisdom. A fascinating insider account of being at the heart of government during a global crisis, this is also a cautionary tale for Labour. Gabriel is a former Labour activist and he explains how Labour has fundamentally misunderstood the character and appeal of Boris Johnson.   Follow Gabriel on Twitter: @gabrielmilland NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE: 27 Sept: Andy Burnham11 Oct: Penny Mordaunt25 Oct: Caroline Flint8 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  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.