

The Political Party
Avalon
Comedian, Broadcaster (and former political adviser) Matt Forde presents The Political Party, the show where renowned politicians and experts open up and give their most honest, revealing and often hilarious answers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 7, 2021 • 1h 14min
Show 194 - Tracey Crouch
Have you ever wondered what resigning from government actually involves? You're about to find out. Tracey Crouch resigned from Theresa May's government over a delay to a crucial change in gambling policy and she explains why and how she departed. It was a brief that Tracey loved and she shares her experience of being a female Conservative sports minister and how her love of Tottenham Hotspur led to a tense exchange with Arsenal fan Jeremy Corbyn. Tracey was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2020 and tells Matt about her experience of being a politician with cancer, receiving treatment during a pandemic and the challenges of taking part in Parliamentary proceedings. Oh and what happened when she was on a Zoom with Jose Mourinho... Follow Tracey on Twitter: @tracey_crouch Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 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.

Dec 17, 2020 • 1h 21min
Show 193 - Peter Mandelson
One of the most gifted politicians in British history reveals what life was like for him at the heart of new Labour - in good ways and bad. Blessed with a superhuman ability to be calm in any crisis, Peter Mandelson explains why he is the way he is. He also charts the changing fortunes of the Labour Party having helped transform Labour into a rampant political force at the height of new Labour. As much personal as it is political, this is a portrait of a unique talent. Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 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.

Dec 11, 2020 • 1h 3min
Show 192 - Deborah Mattinson Returns
Plug yourself into the mood of the nation and find out what the country is thinking as our favourite pollster shares her latest fascinating research. Every time Deborah is on the show it's a treat, but this episode is particularly brilliant. Can Labour win back the voters who deserted them in the election? How does the UK feel the government has handled the crisis? Which leaders have impressed the public and more importantly, if Boris Johnson was an animal, what animal would he be? Order 'Beyond The Red Wall' here: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Red-Wall-Labour-Conservatives/dp/1785906046/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_1285150262?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&ie=UTF8 Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Deborah on Twitter: @debmattinson Read the BritainThinks Leadership Report here: https://britainthinks.com/pdfs/Leadership-2020_Report_101120.pdf Read the BritainThinks Mood of the Nation Report here: https://britainthinks.com/pdfs/Mood-of-the-Nation-2020_Report.pdf Follow Britain Thinks on Twitter: @BritainThinks Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 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.

Dec 4, 2020 • 1h 11min
Show 191 - Tracy Brabin
Does being an actor prepare you for a life in politics? The answer is... not in the way you might think. Tracy shot to fame playing Tricia Armstrong in Coronation Street and went on to star in EastEnders, Holby City, The Bill, Silent Witness, Casualty and loads more. She's now the Labour MP for Batley and Spen and tells Matt about how she coped campaigning there after Jo Cox's murder and the pressure of being Jo Cox's successor. Tracy is running to be the West Yorkshire Mayor and explains why, after just a few years as an MP she's prepared to leave the Commons behind. This is an invigorating conversation about what politics is really about. Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Tracy on Twitter: @TracyBrabin Find out more about Tracy's Mayoral bid here: https://tracy4mayor.org.uk/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 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.

Nov 27, 2020 • 1h 23min
Show 190 - Laura Round
Since appearing on the show a couple of years ago, Laura has been a Special Adviser at both DFID and the MOD. She takes us inside the life of a 'Spad', including an account of the weekly Spad School meetings at Number 10. This is a fascinating account of the being a special adviser in the modern era. Laura also shares the secrets about what really goes on at Davos. Laura also gives her assessment about cutting the international aid budget and what it means for the UK's standing abroad. More importantly, Laura shares her experience of getting to ride in helicopters and tanks. Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Listen to Laura's podcast 'What Were You Thinking?' here: https://anchor.fm/whatwereyouthinking Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Laura on Twitter: @LauraRound Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 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.

Nov 20, 2020 • 1h 38min
Show 189 - Anas Sarwar
One of Scotland's brightest political stars shares both the optimism and the realism that comes with being a Scottish Labour politician. Endlessly positive, often in the face of political setbacks, Anas shows why he's so respected across the political divide. As well as some hilarious stories about his mum, Anas talks about the shocking abuse he's faced - including some from Labour members. Anas answers some of the most difficult questions in modern politics: how does a progressive politician promote membership of the UK when it's led by Boris Johnson? How do you convince young people, who overwhelmingly favour independence, of the benefits of remaining in the UK? And what should Matt do about his impacted wisdom tooth? Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Anas on Twitter: @AnasSarwar Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus For the latest Scottish Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 13, 2020 • 1h 26min
Show 188 - Chris Bryant
This edition really should be called 'A Series of Incredible Events', because Chris Bryant has found himself at the centre of a number of astonishing scenes and he recounts them on this rollercoaster episode. If you're not already sitting down, make sure you are because you're about to hear will blow your mind. Chris also talks about his brilliant new book 'The Glamour Boys', the secret story of the rebels who fought for Britain to defeat Hitler. Order 'The Glamour Boys' here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/the-glamour-boys-9781526601711/ Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Chris on Twitter: @RhonddaBryant Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 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.

Nov 6, 2020 • 1h 17min
Show 187 - USA Election Special: Anthony Scaramucci and Seth Harris
This is the only election briefing you will ever need. Two of the world's great talkers give their unique insights on the men they know well. Sharp-shooting Mooch delivers a devastating assessment of how Trump will be feeling and what he will do next. Seth Harris gives us a fantastic analysis of what Biden's reaction will be and what these results mean for America. This is blockbuster politics from start to finish. Grab a corn dog and a soda and enjoy! Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow The Mooch on Twitter: @Scaramucci Follow Seth on Twitter: @MrSethHarris Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Watch NBC Live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMyJ08gaCVE 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.

Nov 3, 2020 • 1h 23min
Show 186 - Margaret Hodge
Margaret Hodge tells the incredible story of being a Jewish MP in Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party. Margaret describes her experience of antisemitism as well as the details of two specific conversations she had with the now suspended former leader. This is an astonishing personal testimony from someone who experienced the Labour Party at its worst. Margaret also shares her tips for defeating the BNP. Read the EHRC Report in Antisemitism in the Labour Party: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/investigation-into-antisemitism-in-the-labour-party.pdf Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Order 'Called to Account' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Called-Account-Corporate-Behaviour-Government/dp/1408708078 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Margaret on Twitter: @margarethodge Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 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.

Oct 30, 2020 • 1h 16min
Show 185 - Jeffrey Archer
Put on your big coat and your favourite shoes because it's time for a stroll down memory lane. You should also pack a bottle of Chilean red and a nice lump of cheddar (it'll all make sense). As well as book chat - including a discussion about what part if any his politics play in them - Jeffrey Archer also reflects on his time as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party (and his relationships with Margaret Thatcher and John Major), his famous shepherd's pie and champagne parties and his time in prison. This is a winding tale with plenty of anecdotes along the way. Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Jeffrey on Twitter: @Jeffrey_Archer Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 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.