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How To Win An Election

The Times brings together some of the most experienced strategists in British politics to discuss what's really going on behind the big stories, and elections taking place here and around the world.Daniel Finkelstein and

Latest episode

  • How To Survive As A Political Adviser

    39:40|
    What's the role of an adviser at the top level of politics, and does it always involve swearing?John McTernan, who has worked for prime ministers in the UK and Australia, joins the political masterminds to discuss the highs and the lows of the job. And after Kemi Badenoch speaks at a gathering of right-of-centre thinkers in London, what have we learned about her brand of Conservatism?Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

More episodes

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  • How To Be A Disrupter

    38:41|
    Nigel Farage's former adviser Gawain Towler joins the political masterminds to discuss how to be an insurgent force in politics. They look back at how UKIP finally made a break-through at Westminster and forced David Cameron into offering the EU referendum.If you have a message for Hugo, Polly or Danny send it to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk.
  • How To Tell Who's Really In Charge

    38:22|
    This week the political masterminds (and Hugo) are joined by Theo Bertram, who worked in Downing Street for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.After a new book by Times journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund sheds light on the inner workings of Keir Starmer's government, is chief of staff Morgan McSweeney actually in charge? And should a new YouGov/Times poll showing Reform UK ahead of Labour for the first time cause everyone to panic?Send your questions, voicenotes or comments to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk.
  • How To Hang Out Your Political Washing

    41:11|
    How much time in Number 10 is devoted to getting on with the business of government, and how much to thinking about winning the next election?Sally Morgan, one of Tony Blair's closest advisers, joins Hugo, Polly and Danny to discuss running a campaign and delivering at the same time. She explains what a political washing line is, why Liz Truss was all line and no clothes, and they compare notes on ministers who would always go on the airwaves to defend their party.Send your questions, voicenotes or comments to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk.
  • How To Respond To Trump

    40:45|
    Keir Starmer is on a charm offensive with Donald Trump - does it give Labour's opponents an electoral advantage?The political masterminds (and Hugo) are joined by US pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to discuss Trump's inauguration, his honeymoon (or otherwise), and Polly and Kristen disagree over Republican women.You can still vote for us in the People's Choice category at this year's Political Podcast Awards. Please vote for us here.
  • How To Stop Your Missions Becoming Impossible

    41:53|
    With Reform closing in on Labour in the polls and questions being asked about the chancellor's political survival, how can the government get on with the day job of changing the country?The political masterminds are joined by guest Peter Hyman, former adviser to Tony Blair and Keir Starmer and architect of the government's five "missions for national renewal".And... the podcast has been shortlisted in the People's Choice category at this year's Political Podcast Awards. While we get ready to deploy the dark arts, please vote for us here.
  • How To Say Goodbye To Peter

    42:44|
    The political masterminds (and Hugo) say farewell to Peter before he heads to Washington as the UK's ambassador to the United States. Has he packed his wellies, and could there be another comeback around the corner?Danny, Polly and Hugo also discuss who should replace him, and with local elections in England on the way - who will win the battle for control of the right of politics?Send your messages to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'.