Matt Forde's Political Party

If you heard about a single mum from Spingburn in Glasgow who had her political awakening during the 2014 independence referendum, you'd probably presume that she voted Yes. Well, not only did Annie Wells find herself voting No and discovering her inner Tory, she then joined the Conservatives and now sits on their front bench in Holyrood. One of Scottish politics' biggest characters explains why without that referendum she'd be working in M&S, how her Labour supporting family reacted to news that she was a Tory, how she dealt with shoplifters and why leeks are best left in the M&S Food Hall. Oh and what happened when she served Darius Danesh from Pop Idol... Follow Annie on Twitter: @AnnieWellsMSP Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote Order Matt's book 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde 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.

The former editor of the News of the World and former Director of Communications at 10 Downing Street talks in depth about both roles, the people he worked with and for, and the lessons he's learned from going through his own crisis. It's a gripping account of what life was really like as a tabloid editor, the things that drove the people who worked at The News of the World and his take on why the Conservatives didn't win the 2010 election outright. And, of course, so much more.  Listen to Andy's podcast 'Crisis, What Crisis' here: https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote Order Matt's book 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde 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.

The audio equivalent of a fine cigar, Paddy Tipping has one of the most soothing voices in politics. The Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire shares his love of the job and how it compares to his previous life as the MP for Sherwood. He also explains why Nottinghamshire Police received plaudits for their policing of a vigil in the city. Paddy was an anti-war MP and he recalls the pressure he and others felt under at the time of the Iraq vote, caught between his conscience and not wanting to bring down a Labour government. Paddy's warm exterior shouldn't fool you, he's a sharp political brain. Paddy gave Matt his first job in politics and explains why on earth he ever employed him in the first place.  Follow Paddy on Twitter: @PaddyTipping Visit Paddy's website: http://paddy4pcc.co.uk/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote Order Matt's book 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde 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.

Stop what you're doing, find a quiet space and immerse yourself in this impressively candid recollection of the new Labour government from one of its leading lights. This has it all - an insight into the principles behind controversial policies, what it was like behind-the-scenes during the fuel protests, the tensions between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown - as well as a frank assessment of the things that new Labour got wrong. Alan is remarkably open about his own upbringing and the effect that it may, or may not have had, on some of the decisions he took. Get comfy, this is a real classic. Follow Alan on Twitter: @alanmilburn1958 Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote Order Matt's book 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde 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.

Two different reports, two different headlines, lots of conclusions, even more confusion.  On the face of it, one report was bad for the First Minister and one report was good for the First Minister. But there's a lot more to it than that. Jackie Bailie sat on the Committee which concluded that the First Minister did mislead Parliament. She tells Matt how that conclusion was reached and the political and interpersonal challenges of being on the committee, as well as their frustration at not being able to get all the information they wanted. Can politics ever be fully taken out of proceedings like these? How were the political differences on the committee handled? And what will Jackie do with her dining table now she's got it back?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a brilliant analysis of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy from the chair of the Defence Select Committee. Covering everything from nuclear weapons to why China isn't mentioned as much as it should be, from the soft power of the Premier League to why Brexit isn't mentioned as much as it should be, from the weaponisation of space to the 'Indo-Pacific Tilt', it's all in here. Ultimately it's about what Britain's role in the world should be. This is a riveting breakdown of geopolitics from someone who has personal experience of both serving in the military and seeing the horror of terrorism first-hand.  Read the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy:  https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/969402/The_Integrated_Review_of_Security__Defence__Development_and_Foreign_Policy.pdf  Follow Tobias on Twitter: @Tobias_Ellwood  Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde 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.

Jamie Klingler is one of the Co-Organisers of Reclaim These Streets, a group formed to remember Sarah Everard and all women lost to violence. It has been an incredible few days - Jamie got involved on Wednesday and was in the High Court on Friday. In this personal account of the last five days, she explains how Reclaim These Streets was set up, how they were treated by The Metropolitan Police and how they can help change the world for the better. Donate to Reclaim The Streets here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/reclaimthesestreets Follow Reclaim The Streets on Twitter here: @ReclaimTS Follow Jamie on Twitter here: @jamieklingler Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote 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.

If you still think that Mayors are those councillors in funny hats and gold chains then prepare to have your mind blown. The Conservative Mayor of the West Midlands - and former boss of John Lewis - tells Matt about the significant powers he has and the potential that comes with them. This is a great explanation of the difference mayors can make but also why certain powers should lie in certain hands. Oh and some good news for Coventry City fans! Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote Follow Andy on Twitter here: @andy4wm Find out more about the West Midlands Combined Authority here: https://www.wmca.org.uk/ 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.

This is a detailed and accessible briefing on Rishi Sunak's 2021 Budget and a brilliant wider discussion about tax, the economy and financial regulation. It's way more exciting than it sounds and it's full of fascinating facts, including about the effect of tax on gingerbread men. You might even end this episode excited about economics. Follow Paul on Twitter: @PJTheEconomist Follow The IFS on Twitter: @TheIFS Watch/read the IFS' Budget analysis here: https://ifs.org.uk/budget-2021 Download The Budget 2021 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2021-documents Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote 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.

One of the true greats of British politics shares stories from one of the most distinguished political careers in modern history. From being Deputy Leader under John Smith to standing against Tony Blair for the Labour leadership in 1994, to introducing the minimum wage and then becoming the first ever female Foreign Secretary, this is a phenomenal selection of recollections from the top of Labour and British politics. Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote 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.