The Political Party

Rob has produced the biggest political shows on TV, Question Time, The Daily Politics, PoliticsLive, The Andrew Marr Show and many more. He is obsessed with long form political interviews and is deeply annoyed by a lack of them on television. This is a great account from someone on the inside about how political interviews are planned for television, how they play out and how and when a producer should intervene. It's also a defence of high-quality political broadcasting and features a superb in-depth account of Andrew Neil v Boris Johnson in 2019.  Buy Rob's book 'Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying To Me?' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-This-Lying-Bastard-Searching/dp/0008542481 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:5 June: Philip Hammond19 June: Margaret Beckett3 July: Joe Lycett2 October: Jason Williamson Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 

David Blunkett is an exceptional individual. A titan of modern politics and a rare gift of a communicator, combining warmth and compassion with an impressive directness. A former Home Secretary, he doesn't hold back in his assessment of Suella Braverman and his analysis of the small boats policy is devastating. He'd led a phenomenal life and he shares hilarious stories from his time in Cabinet and the challenges he faced. He's also a mad on Sheffield Wednesday and he beautifully describes the experience of being a blind football fan. As you can hear, the audience hung on his every word... one member in particular which led to an emotional moment near the end of the show.  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:5 June: Philip Hammond19 June: Margaret Beckett3 July: Joe Lycett2 October: Jason Williamson Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 

Just a couple of weeks ago Andrea hosted the 25 year anniversary commemoration of the Good Friday Agreement with Hillary Clinton and George Mitchell. The event was in her native Belfast, so how did it feel to celebrate such a hopeful moment in the place she'd grown up during The Troubles? This is a phenomenal first-hand of account of the reality of living in Belfast during those years, what it felt like to leave and how it's shaped Andrea's approach to life and career. A career that took her all over the world as a foreign correspondent, reporting from places like Iraq and Afghanistan.   You will be completely engrossed from the first second.  Follow Andrea on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/acatherwoodnews 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:22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond19 June: Margaret Beckett3 July: Joe Lycett2 October: Jason Williamson Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

One of the most exciting writers in the country delivers a fascinating mix of political observations and personal career reflections. From his time at The Guardian during the Iraq War, his documentary series about Tony Blair and his take on where Labour is now, this is quality time in the company of a gifted thinker and communicator.  Subscribe to David's Substack here: https://davidaaronovitch.substack.com/ 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:22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond19 June: Margaret Beckett3 July: Joe Lycett2 October: Jason Williamson Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 

This is gripping and hilarious from start to finish. Jess Phillips continues to be one of the most compelling communicators in British politics, as well as a powerful advocate for women's rights. She is also very funny and in this episode reveals her love of steamy fiction and her husband's detailed plan for a zombie apocalypse. Jess robustly defends the recent attack ads on Rishi Sunak and gives her take on 'that' Spitting Image sketch. You may not hear an interview as impassioned than this ever again.  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:22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond19 June: Margaret Beckett3 July: Joe Lycett Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

The editor of the greatest morning email on earth explains why we all find it so addictive. Politico's London Playbook is the email you need in your life, an entertaining and punchy briefing first thing in the morning. What started the phenomenon and what are its objectives? Does Rosa have to get up at 3am to get it all done? Rosa has an infectious passion for politics and political reporting and is the author of various excellent books, including biographies of Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May. So what led her to this new, online genre? And how does it differ from other political journalism? The answers are within... Subscribe to the London Playbook Morning Email here: https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/ Follow Rosa on Twitter: @RosaFPrince 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:17 April: Jess Phillips22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond19 June: Margaret Beckett3 July: Joe Lycett Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

The former leader of the Scottish Conservatives is on phenomenal form as she gives her heartfelt, considered and hilarious take on the state of Scottish and British politics. This is gripping from start to finish. Ruth is just as passionate taking on her own side's failings as she is those of her opponents, making this a thrilling listen. It's also emotional as Ruth talks about her son and parents. With Ruth, you're never far away from a crazy story and she some tales that no-one else in politics will have. It's a riot. Enjoy!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:17 April: Jess Phillips22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond3 July: Joe LycettPlus more to be announced! Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest newsEmail the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

Johanna is the Chair of Labour's NEC and this is the most exciting chat about internal party machinery that you will ever hear. In fact, it's going to make you want to join a political party and get involved. It's a great inside account of what some of Labour's most infamous NEC meetings have been like, including the recent one that voted to bar Jeremy Corbyn from standing for the party. Johanna has so many great stories about helping the party function as a volunteer, what it's like having to chair party conference in an arena and how seating plans can defeat factionalism. It's a positive, optimistic and funny defence of political activism.  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 April: Ruth Davidson17 April: Jess Phillips22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip HammondPlus more to be announced! Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest newsEmail the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

Krishnan Guru-Murthy is one of the true greats of broadcasting and he delivers an exceptional analysis of the state of British news. Not just of the BBC and Channel 4, but the whole thing. At times hilarious, this is a first-hand account of what it's like holding the powerful to account, live on TV. Clearly gifted from a young age, his TV career began at just 15. He recalls the surreal situation he found himself in: his own TV show before he'd even gone to university. As well as brilliant stories about his experiences with politicians (like Steve Baker), he also shares fascinating encounters with Robert Downey Jr, Quentin Tarantino and Jimmy Savile. This is an hour in the company of an exceptional broadcasting talent, blessed with remarkable clarity of thought.   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 April: Ruth Davidson17 April: Jess Phillips22 May: David Blunkett5 June: Philip Hammond Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com