Strong Message Here
BBC Radio 4
Armando Iannucci hosts the programme that gives you a cast-iron guarantee to be laser-focused on decoding the baffling world of political language.Each week he'll be joined by a guest to crack open the political phrasebook and attempt to demystify the doublespeak. Why does everything now have to be 'turbo-charged'? What's the difference between a 'pledge' and a 'mission'? Why has my local MP been 'weaponised' and should I be worried?You'll be treated to a crash course in the dark arts of political language from people on the inside who are both baffled and beguiled by it. They'll walk you through the various verbal fiascos of the modern political lexicon so that by the end you'll be oven-ready for an appearance on Newsnight.Armando's erstwhile partner in de-baffling political lexicon, Helen Lewis, is away working in the United States in the autumn and so her seat will be kept warm by a rotating cast of co-hosts.Listen to Strong Message Here on Thursdays on Radio 4 at 9.45am, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds.Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4.
Episodes
Mentioned books
28 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 31min
Elections Aren't Won on Twitter (with Phil Wang and Marianna Spring)
Marianna Spring, BBC's Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent, joins Phil Wang to delve into the shifting landscape of political discourse shaped by social media. They explore how platforms like X are losing influence in politics and the dangers of rushing to judgment in response to tragedies, highlighted by the Minneapolis shooting incident. The conversation also addresses how algorithms impact public trust in facts and the rising issues of misinformation and partisan narratives. Finally, they tackle the complexities of AI and social media regulation.
23 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 30min
Regime Change (with Natalie Haynes)
In this discussion, Natalie Haynes, a broadcaster and classicist, delves into the evolving vocabulary surrounding political upheaval, particularly in Venezuela. She and Armando Iannucci question why the U.S. avoids calling it 'regime change' and critique euphemisms like 'extraction.' They also explore the responsibilities that follow the removal of leaders and Trump's unique approach to foreign policy. Additionally, Natalie humorously addresses a 'mild zombie apocalypse' and its implications for the economy. Join them for a witty take on language and politics!
8 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 37min
Listeners' Strong Messages (with Stewart Lee)
Stewart Lee, a witty stand-up comedian and writer, joins Armando to dive deep into listener mail with a humorous twist. They critique the misuse of phrases like 'bad apples' and 'at pace', offering comedic replacements. Stewart shares a hilarious anecdote from Parliament involving a flipchart prank, while both dissect the empty rhetoric of terms like 'fighting-age males'. Their unexpected film reviews of 'Who Dares Wins' and the notorious 'Cats' provide a comedic highlight, blending sharp commentary with light-hearted fun.
21 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 28min
Words of the Year (with Natalie Haynes)
Join broadcaster and classical scholar Natalie Haynes as she explores the words that defined the year. She and Armando dissect the quirky choices made by lexicographers and question the absurdity of terms like 'aura farming' and 'biohacking.' Natalie hilariously discusses Austria's whimsical word of the year, an elk named Emil, and the frustrations of online 'rage bait.' They also delve into parasocial relationships, critiques of AI art, and the peculiarities of Trump's rhetorical style, proving that language never ceases to amaze.
Dec 11, 2025 • 29min
Civilisational Erasure (with Stewart Lee)
Is 'Civilisational Erasure' upon us?This week, Armando is joined again by Stewart Lee to look at this phrase, and others from the US' new National Security Strategy. Would this kind of language have been unthinkable even a few years ago?We also look at other elements of the strategy, and whether it's time to forget the idea that Trump is playing '3-dimensional chess' with his language. Outside civilisational erasure, we look at whether leaders need to communicate on social media, given Starmer's new TikTok account and Liz Truss' YouTube show both launched this week.If you want to know what Liz Truss has got against Gails, and why 70s sitcoms are back in the spotlight both sides of the Atlantic, then this programme is for you.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us on strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk to have your missive read out in our listener mailbag special.Sound editing: Chris Maclean
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
Dec 4, 2025 • 36min
AI Hallucinations (with Stewart Lee and Sarah Wynn-Williams)
Stewart Lee, a comedian known for his sharp wit, and Sarah Wynn-Williams, a public policy expert and author, dive into the murky waters of AI hallucinations. They explore the implications of AI's errors, particularly in weapons, and question whether politicians truly grasp the complexities of technology. With Stewart's satirical insights, they discuss the absurdities of AI sycophancy and the regulatory challenges ahead. Their mix of humor and serious critique makes this a thought-provoking conversation about the future of AI governance.
9 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 33min
Spooking the Markets (with Natalie Haynes and Stewart Lee)
Join Natalie Haynes, an insightful author and classicist with a comedic twist, alongside Stewart Lee, a sharp-witted comedian and writer. They dive into the quirks of budget leaks and the meaning of market reactions. Expect humor as they map different types of 'banter' in politics and critique Elon Musk's attempts at humorous AI. The duo hilariously proposes renaming the markets as 'histrionic children,' shedding light on their erratic nature, confidence measurements, and even some inventive tax ideas. Prepare for laughs while exploring serious themes!
9 snips
Nov 20, 2025 • 38min
Moral Failure and Deadly Negligence (with Sara Pascoe and Matt Winning)
Sara Pascoe, a comedian and writer known for her humorous take on culture, teams up with Dr. Matt Winning, a climate scientist and comedian, to explore the serious implications of climate language. They discuss whether alarmist headlines desensitize us and how framing climate issues in relatable terms can drive action. The duo highlights the blame-shifting in corporate language, and they share unique Swedish terms that could reshape climate discussions. Get ready for a blend of laughs and valuable insights on how to tackle climate challenges.
Nov 13, 2025 • 34min
The Buck Stops Here (with Ria Lina and Sophy Ridge)
Join comedian Ria Lina, known for her quick wit, and Sky News breakfast host Sophy Ridge as they dive into the intense world of journalism. They explore the pressures of live broadcasting and the art of editorial decision-making. Ria reveals how comedians can equip journalists to handle hecklers, while Sophy discusses the need for diverse voices in newsrooms. They also dissect the impact of falsehoods in media and how selective editing shapes narratives, all sprinkled with humor and insight.
11 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 30min
Be Vigilant (with Phil Wang)
Join Phil Wang, a comedian and Radio 4 host, as he delves into the fascinating world of political language. They dissect John Healy’s call to 'be vigilant' and its implications for public trust. The discussion takes a turn to the fixation on decline narratives in the media, from chocolate quality to politicians’ clever phrases aimed at the 'squeezed middle.' Phil also explores how social media alters public reactions to events, making genuine responses challenging. With humor and insight, Wang and his host navigate the weirdness of our current political discourse.
