The Political Party

In the first of two specials recorded at the Edinburgh Festival, Matt is joined by Kezia Dugdale. Kezia is only 37 but has already been Deputy Leader and Leader of Scottish Labour. She led the party through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history, guiding it through the aftermath of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. In this fascinating and frank interview, Kezia reveals the challenges she faced as leader and the work she now does in combating populism at the John Smith Centre. Follow Kezia here: @kezdugdale Read about the work of the John Smith Centre here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/johnsmith/ 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.

Deborah Mattinson is a founding partner of research company BritainThinks and advised the Labour Party from 1987 before becoming chief pollster to Gordon Brown. Deborah gives not just a fascinating snapshot of British public opinion now, but the benefit of years of analysis and research to tell us the changes in public opinion and our relationship with politicians. Deborah is the oracle of public opinion and shares her extensive experience and expertise, which makes for a thrilling listen. You can follow Deborah on Twitter here: @debmattinson You can follow BritainThinks here: @BritainThinks You can buy Deborah's book 'Talking to a Brick Wall' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Talking-Brick-Wall-listening-politics/dp/184954056X You can email the show here: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde You can buy tickets to Matt's Edinburgh show 'Brexit, Pursued by a Bear here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/matt-forde-brexit-pursued-by-a-bear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer is the Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and to many people, the real Leader of the Opposition. In this honest and sometimes hilarious interview, Keir takes us behind the scenes of the cross party Brexit talks, shadow cabinet meetings and his own discussions with Michel Barnier. He also reveals his frustrations with Brexit, his own party and British politics in general. Follow Keir on Twitter: @Keir_Starmer Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Get tickets to Matt’s brand new Edinburgh show ‘Brexit Pursued by a Bear’ here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/matt-forde-brexit-pursued-by-a-bear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Harris was a Labour MP in Glasgow for 14 years. In that time saw rapid change in the politics of Scotland, the Labour Party and the UK. Never one to pussyfoot around a subject, Tom delivers his unvarnished assessment of it all. Gloriously unpredictable, he doesn't always stand where you'd expect him to and in this straight-talking and hilarious interview, he calls it as he sees it. Buy Tom's book 'Ten Years in the Death of the Labour Party' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ten-Years-Death-Labour-Party/dp/1785902237 Follow Tom on Twitter: @MrTCHarris Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Buy tickets to Matt's brand-new, still-being-bloody-written-because-it's-always-kicking-off Edinburgh show 'Brexit, Pursued by a Bear' here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/matt-forde-brexit-pursued-by-a-bear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Conservative Party leadership special, Matt is joined by David Cameron's former PPS, Sam Gyimah and the man who's made all the running in the Conservative leadership election so far, Rory Stewart. Two compelling interviews, for very different reasons, make this a Political Party like no other. Plus, does Matt have a major scoop on his hands? You can follow Sam on Twitter here: @SamGyimah You can follow Rory on Twitter here: @RoryStewartUK You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Matt's Edinburgh show 'Brexit, Pursued By A Bear' is now on sale here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/matt-forde-brexit-pursued-by-a-bear Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John McTernan is a highly respected political strategist and has advised leaders around the world including Tony Blair and Julia Gillard. For the first time ever, he talks in detail about his experience of the Cash for Honours inquiry, during which he was interviewed twice under caution. You can follow John on Twitter here: @johnmcternan You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com See the final performances of Matt's 'Brexit Through The Gift Shop' show here: 18 May: Chorley Little Theatre 24 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** Camberley Theatre 25 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** London Bloomsbury Theatre Tickets available at www.mattforde.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Walker was the founding leader of the Women's Equality Party and led the party for 4 years. In this powerful interview she reveals the lessons of leadership, the impact that the party has already had, the reason she stood down and what the future holds. Sophie also discusses the challenges facing women in politics and those that have personally effected herself as an individual. Oh and there's a discussion about Phillip Davies MP which might surprise you. You can follow Sophie on Twitter here: @SophieRunning You can get involved in Activate here: https://www.timetoactivate.org/ You can follow the Women's Equality Party here: @WEP_UK You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com See Matt's ever-extending 'Brexit Through The Gift Shop' tour on the following dates: 9 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED*** Salford Lowry 10 May: Aberystwyth Arts Centre 12 May: Edinburgh Stand 13 May: Glasgow Stand 14 May: Newcastle Stand 18 May: Chorley Little Theatre 24 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** Camberley Theatre 25 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** London Bloomsbury Theatre Tickets available at www.mattforde.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suella Braverman has become one of the most prominent Brexiteers in Parliament. She is a leading member and former Chair of the European Research Group and dispels some of the myths surrounding it. As well as her frustrations with the government's handling of Brexit, Suella explains her journey towards voting Leave, why she believes Brexit is an opportunity for the UK and some top tips on how to make a great spaghetti bolognese. You can follow Suella on Twitter here: @SuellaBraverman You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com See Matt's ever-extending 'Brexit Through The Gift Shop' tour on the following dates: 9 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED*** Salford Lowry 10 May: Aberystwyth Arts Centre 12 May: Edinburgh Stand 13 May: Glasgow Stand 14 May: Newcastle Stand 18 May: Chorley Little Theatre 24 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** Camberley Theatre 25 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** London Bloomsbury Theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arthur Snell served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Zimbabwe as a diplomat and worked on the UK's anti-terrorism strategy 'Prevent'. In this revealing interview, Arthur gives a fascinating insight into the effects of Empire, Britain's role in the world and the dangers of working in some of the most volatile parts of the world. You can follow Christopher Hope on Twitter here: @SnellArthur You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com See Matt's ever-extending 'Brexit Through The Gift Shop' tour on the following dates: 22 April: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** London Udderbelly Southbank 9 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED*** Salford Lowry 10 May: Aberystwyth Arts Centre 12 May: Edinburgh Stand 13 May: Glasgow Stand 14 May: Newcastle Stand 18 May: Chorley Little Theatre 24 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** Camberley Theatre 25 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** London Bloomsbury Theatre Tickets available at www.mattforde.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten years ago the Expenses Scandal exposed the financial claims of our MPs and was an earthquake in UK politics. Christopher Hope helped break the story at the time and gives an insiders account of how The Daily Telegraph ran with it, his own unique role in the team and how it's changed our politics. He is also Chair of the Lobby and gives a peek into the world of political journalism including some potential help for Matt... You can follow Christopher Hope on Twitter here: @ChristopherHope You can subscribe to Chopper's Brexit Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/choppers-brexit-podcast/id1213415786 You can follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com See Matt's ever-extending 'Brexit Through The Gift Shop' tour on the following dates: 22 April: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** London Udderbelly Southbank 9 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED*** Salford Lowry 10 May: Aberystwyth Arts Centre 12 May: Edinburgh Stand 13 May: Glasgow Stand 14 May: Newcastle Stand 18 May: Chorley Little Theatre 24 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** Camberley Theatre 25 May: *** EXTRA DATE ADDED *** London Bloomsbury Theatre Tickets available at www.mattforde.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.