The Political Party

Greg Cook was Labour's Head of Political Strategy and the party's polling guru. Known to Labour Party staff as 'Mystic Greg', his insights and expertise have helped shape numerous Labour election campaigns. In this fascinating interview he analyses this campaign. How is each party trying to plot a course to victory? Can either of the two major parties win an outright majority? Are the rules of politics changing? Are there any? Follow Greg on Twitter: @GregCook10 Follow Matt: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to the mailing list: www.mattforde.com/mailing-list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson's former adviser and Chief Exec of iNHouse Communications, Jo Tanner, shares her assessment of the Prime Minister. Jo worked closely with Johnson on his 2008 Mayoral campaign with her colleague Katie Perrior. Johnson said of them “They are the Fortnum and Mason of Communications. They deliver, and they deliver quality. Without them, I simply would not have been made Mayor.” As well as insights into his personality, working style and character, Jo also tells us what advice she'd give to other political leaders... Follow Jo on Twitter: @StraightTie Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Sign up to the mailing list for advance information about guests, tour shows and other partially cool stuff: https://www.mattforde.com/mailing-list Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brandon Lewis is the Minister of State for Security and the Conservative MP for Great Yarmouth since 2010. He joins Matt for the very first daily edition of the show and discusses the Conservative themes for the campaign, as well as the report on the threats to UK democracy, the Conservative claims about Labour spending and Brandon's personal tips for electoral success. Oh and the time he was accused of murder. Follow Brandon on Twitter: @BrandonLewis Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Sign up to the mailing list for advance information about guests, tour shows and other partially cool stuff: https://www.mattforde.com/mailing-list Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo Swinson is the Leader of the Liberal Democrats and is hoping to become the UK's next Prime Minister. She talks to Matt at the start of the 2019 General Election campaign and explains why the Lib Dems policy of revoking Article 50, why the party wouldn't enter into a coalition with Jeremy Corbyn or Boris Johnson and gives the inside story on how she was almost a lad's mag pin-up. REGISTER TO VOTE (but only if you promise to use your vote sensibly): https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Follow Jo on Twitter: @joswinson Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Get tickets to the Brexit, Pursued by a Bear and The Political Party here: www.mattforde.com/live *** EXTRA LONDON DATES AHEAD OF NATIONAL TOUR *** 9 November - Southbank Centre 18 December - Political Party Christmas Special with Sadiq Khan Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate Andrews is Associate Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs and at just 29 is already an experienced and assured pundit on TV and radio, regularly advocating the power of free markets. In a fascinating discussion about what openness and freedom mean, Kate speaks passionately in favour of immigration as well as public sector reform. It's a timely reminder than politics is exciting when it's about ideas and more enjoyable when discussed respectfully. You can follow Kate on Twitter here: @KateAndrs You can follow the IEA on Twitter here: @iealondon Find out about the work of the IEA, including recent research projects here: https://iea.org.uk/ Follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For tickets to The Political Party and all of Matt's gigs go to www.mattforde.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The star of Newsround, Channel 4 News and Shaun of the Dead gives his fascinating insights into holding politicians to account. From his first presenting job before he was at university, to hosting 'Britain's Next Prime Minister', Krishnan takes us inside the life of a modern news presenter: the challenges, the culture and the tactics that some politicians use to evade scrutiny. It's a riveting listen and a timely reminder of the importance of rigorous and impartial news reporting. The big question is, will he tell us what his favourite biscuit is? You can follow Krishnan on Twitter here: @krishnangm You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Get tickets to 'Brexit, Pursued by a Bear' and The Political Party here: www.mattforde.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken Clarke is the Father of the House and one of the longest serving Cabinet ministers in British history. A prominent Chancellor, Health Secretary and Home Secretary among many other positions, he is one of the most popular politicians in Parliament. He now finds himself in an unusual position, having the Conservative Whip removed for blocking a 'No Deal' Brexit. He joins Matt on the evening that Boris Johnson addressed the Commons following the Supreme Court ruling that found he'd acted unlawfully in proroguing Parliament (and explains why he wasn't there to witness it). As well as giving us his hilarious and frank assessment of the state we're in, Ken gives us the inside story on some of the biggest moments in recent history including The Poll Tax and The Miner's Strike. By the time you listen to this, who knows what role Ken may have..? You can email the show here: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com You can buy tickets to see 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' at The Southbank Centre on 6 October: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/138649-matt-forde-brexit-pursued-bear-2019 You can buy tickets to see 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' at Kings Place on 12 October: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/matt-forde-brexit-pursued-by-a-bear/ You can buy tickets to The Political Party Christmas Special here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/whats-on/matt-fordes-political-party-podcast-christmas-special Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Darren Grimes is a Eurosceptic campaigner who tells Matt the harrowing inside story of how he came to be fined £20,000 by the Electoral Commission and how he had the verdict overturned on appeal. In one of the most fascinating episodes of The Political Party, Darren explains his journey from the Lib Dems to the Conservatives and the story of his rise to prominence so early in his 20s. Follow Darren on Twitter here: @darrengrimes_ Follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Get tickets for the London performances of 'Brexit, Pursued by a Bear' here: www.mattforde.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Carr is Senior Lecturer in History and Politics at Anglia Ruskin University. He joins Matt to discuss his new book 'March of the Moderates', which studies The Third Way - a political creed championed by Bill Clinton's Democrats and Tony Blair's new Labour. As well as analysing the rise and fall of both, Matt picks Richard's brains about whether The Third Way could have a resurgence today. Get tickets for The Political Party and the London dates of 'Brexit, Pursued by a Bear': www.mattforde.com/live Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Richard on Twitter: @Richard_Carr Buy 'March of the Moderates' here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/march-of-the-moderates-9781788317344/ Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicola Sturgeon joins Matt at the Edinburgh Festival for a wide-ranging and often hilarious interview. The First Minister reveals what really happened behind closed doors with Boris Johnson and her plan for dealing with him. They discuss the economic case for independence, the challenges and lessons of leadership and a love of books which leads to a question Nicola did not see coming... You can follow Nicola here: @NicolaSturgeon You can follow Matt here: @mattforde For tickets to the Political Party and other live dates go to: www.mattforde.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.