The Political Party

What better time to interview a moderate former Tory MP who spent 7 years in the Treasury? David Gauke does not disappoint and is fully uncorked in this entertaining analysis of the Tories' current economic policy and the people driving it. David's story is fascinating. He went from leading Cabinet minister to ex MP within just a few months and now considers himself politically homeless. How did this happen to one of the Tories' most prominent and capable performers? It's probably not that hard to figure out but David tells his story with typical wit and warmth. He also reminisces about the coalition years, including the political legacy of austerity.  Follow David on Twitter: @DavidGauke See Matt's completely rewritten stand-up show Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers to the Right on the following dates: Tues 18 Oct - Leicester Square TheatreFri 21 Oct - Bloomsbury TheatreFri 28 Oct - Bloomsbury Theatre Tickets: https://www.mattforde.com/2022tour Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Forthcoming guests include: 3 Oct: Mick Lynch17 Oct: Grant Shapps7 Nov: David Dimbleby14 Nov: Matt Hancock5 Dec: Rachel Reeves Read David's New Statesman piece: https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2022/09/conservatives-lost-fantasy-world-danger-country Read David's ConservativeHome piece on Kwarsi Kwarteng's Budget: https://conservativehome.com/2022/09/26/david-gauke-after-last-weeks-budget-in-all-but-name-its-clear-how-brave-the-government-is-or-in-other-words-foolhardy/ 

Patriotic. Principled. Hilarious. Tom Blenkinsop is all three of those things and so much more. This is full of brilliant stories of trade union fist fights, his father's involvement in D Day and searing political sense. Tom was the Labour MP for his hometown from 2010 to 2017. He stood down at the 2017 election in protest against Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. That was just one of many principled decisions Tom has taken in his life. He's a member of the Army Reserve and explains his support for monarchy and what it means to members of the armed forces. This is an absolute corker.  Follow Tom on Twitter: @TomBlenkinsop See Matt's completely rewritten stand-up show Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers to the Right on the following dates: Tues 18 Oct - Leicester Square TheatreFri 21 Oct - Bloomsbury TheatreFru 28 Oct - Bloomsbury Theatre Buy tickets here: https://www.mattforde.com/2022tour  Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde 

One of UK politics' most formidable talents shares her unique experience of modern politics. Whether it's leading the legal battles against Parliament's unlawful prorogation, or speaking up for the rights of women, Joanna is someone speaks from the heart and the head. Her views on sex-based rights have proven controversial in her own party and she talks movingly about the reaction of some of her colleagues and the lack of support she's received in the face of abuse. This is a thoughtful, considered and candid hour.   Buy tickets to Matt's completely rewritten stand-up show Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers to the Right at The Edinburgh Festival here and his new London dates here: https://www.mattforde.com/2022tour Tuesday 18 October: Leicester Square TheatreFriday 21 October: Bloomsbury TheatreFriday 28 October: Bloomsbury Theatre Forthcoming guests at The Political Party include: 19 Sept: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel3 Oct: Mick Lynch17 Oct: Matt Hancock7 Nov: David Dimbleby5 Dec: Rachel Reeves Tickets: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde 

The charismatic (and cheeky) leader of Scottish Labour returns to the Political Party to boss Matt about again. Anas continues to be hilarious and profound in equal measur and speaks movingly about Scotland's role in the Empire, Labour politicians on picket lines and what becomes the major topic of discussion: Comic Con and the awful things he saw there. Best enjoyed with a big bag of jelly peaches. (It'll make sense). Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-clowns-left-me-jokers-right/performances Buy tickets to Matt's completely rewritten stand-up show Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers to the Right at The Edinburgh Festival here: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-clowns-left-me-jokers-right/performances Forthcoming guests at The Political Party include: 22 Aug: Joanna Cherry19 Sept: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel3 Oct: Mick Lynch17 Oct: Matt Hancock7 Nov: David Dimbleby5 Dec: Rachel Reeves Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde

Chancellor for ten years and Prime Minister for three, Gordon Brown is one of the most important and impactful politicians in British history. He's also a phenomenal raconteur and his anecdotes about Scottish football and Nelson Mandela will have you howling with laughter. With tales spanning his time in office and since, Gordon demonstrates why he's such a unique politician and character, just as animated today about inequality as he ever was. This is a glorious mix of high-level political insight, stirring emotion and massive laughs, making it one of the most special episodes of the podcast ever recorded. Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-clowns-left-me-jokers-right/performances Buy tickets to Matt's completely rewritten stand-up show Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers to the Right at The Edinburgh Festival here:  https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-clowns-left-me-jokers-right/performances Forthcoming guests at The Political Party include: 22 Aug: Joanna Cherry19 Sept: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel3 Oct: Mick Lynch17 Oct: Matt Hancock7 Nov: David Dimbleby5 Dec: Rachel Reeves Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde

One of the most popular, formidable and purely likeable politicians in the country returns for a cracking analysis of the Conservative Leadership race and the state of the Labour Party. To many, Alan is the greatest Prime Minister we never had and in this hilarious and honest chat, he shows why he's still so highly rated. Alan is a rare find in politics: an exceptional Cabinet-level talent who really didn't want to be Prime Minister. As well as all his other assets what he really has is warmth and this is ultimately an hour in the company of a very special and rare man. Buy tickets to The Political Party, live at The Duchess Theatre here: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-clowns-left-me-jokers-right/performances Buy tickets to Matt's brand new stand-up show Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers to the Right at The Edinburgh Festival here: https://www.mattforde.com/2022tour Forthcoming guests at The Political Party include: 7 Aug: Gordon Brown15 Aug: Anas Sarwar22 Aug: Joanna Cherry3 Oct: Mick Lynch17 Oct: Matt Hancock5 Dec: Rachel Reeves Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde