The Political Party

Craig Oliver is uniquely placed to answer some of the biggest questions posed by this election campaign. He was Director of Communications at Number 10 the last time the Conservatives won a majority and before that he was editor of the BBC News at Ten and BBC News at Six. Is the BBC biased? Does it matter if the Tory campaign has crossed the line of decency? What's the best way to deal with stories that are completely untrue? Follow Craig on Twitter here: @CraigOliver100 Follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Buy Craig's book 'Unleashing Demons' here: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Unleashing-Demons-Inside-Story-Brexit/dp/1473652480/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paddy Ashdown's former Press Secretary gives Matt a frank analysis of the Lib Dem campaign so far and gives her assessment of the political realities facing the party and the country. If you're in despair about modern politics, you are not alone. WARNING: Also contains Pussy Galore... Follow Miranda on Twitter here: @greenmiranda Follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the start of the final week of the campaign, Tony Blair shares his insights not just on this election but on the three he won. Would he do TV debates now? Is Boris Johnson right to hide from Andrew Neil? What does this election mean for Brexit? Plus the big question: what did he really say to Noel Gallagher when he saw him recently? Follow Tony on Twitter here: @InstituteGC Follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The co-leader of the Green Party joins Matt for a brilliant chat about the opportunities and risks for the Greens at this election as well as a great conversation about how they influence the powerful and the public in general. Are they being squeezed by Jeremy Corbyn? How do they differ in their approach to Extinction Rebellion? How can you find out about what information the police have on you? Is Matt in trouble for drinking from a single use plastic bottle? There's only one way to find out... Follow Sian on Twitter: @SianBerry Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde To make a subject access request visit the ICO: https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/your-right-to-get-copies-of-your-data/ Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Len McCluskey is the General Secretary of Unite and one of the most influential figures in the Labour movement. This interview is a fascinating insight into every major issue facing the Labour Party in this election. Yes it's longer than usual but it's worth it. Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former special adviser Anita Boateng explains the different pressures facing the Conservatives in this campaign compared to Labour and the differences in perception of the parties and leaders. She also takes us behind-the-scenes of Jeremy Hunt's leadership campaign and tells us what it's really like to work on Question Time. Oh and why food is the enemy of the statesman! Follow Anita on Twitter: @anitabeebee Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The leader of the SDLP talks to Matt about the changing nature of Northern Ireland's politics, the impact Brexit may have at this election, the SDLP's distinct identity in Northern Ireland the importance of pragmatism in politics. Follow Colum on Twitter: @columeastwood Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ever-cheerful Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats joins Matt to discuss the opportunities for the party across the UK and in Scotland, this relationship with Jo Swinson and making the progressive case for the Union. Plus Willie explains why he was papped dressed as Harry Potter in an alleyway. Follow Willie on Twitter: @Willie_Rennie Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan Duncan has been one of the leading voices in the Conservative Party since his election in 1992 and was described as 'The Conservatives' Peter Mandelson'. In this raucous interview, Alan showcases his brilliant impressions of other politicians, reflects on his political career and the future direction of the country and shares an outrageous story about David Cameron. Follow Alan on Twitter: @AlanJCDuncan Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email your funny stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live Sign up to Matt's mailing list for as yet unspecified goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Disaster Special* WARNING: You are about to hear stories that will blow your mind. Find out what it's like when everything goes wrong on the campaign trail from two people who've seen disaster unfolding before their eyes. Martin Angus was Head of the Deputy Prime Minister's Tour and was in the melee when John Prescott punched a voter. Salma Shah was Special Adviser to Sajid Javid and was powerless to intervene when an event turned into a catastrophe. This doesn't do justice to what you're about to hear. Brace yourself... Follow Martin on Twitter: @martinangus Follow Salma on Twitter: @Ommasalma See Martin in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UhME8dcOqc&t=21s Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.