The Political Party

Siobhan Baillie What's it like to lose your seat after one term, when your political career was really starting to flourish? Siobhan was the MP for Stroud and had worked hard to do the job properly. But that experience was cut short in July.  As well as opening up about the emotional impact of losing the seat, Siobhan has clear ideas about what improvements she'd make to politics and the role of different politicians.  Despite the heartache of defeat, this is engrossing hour with a positive, optimistic and upbeat politician who still has lots more to achieve.   SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance2 October: Norwich Playhouse3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt10 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre6 November: Exeter, Phoenix8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre22 November: Salford, The Lowry27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre6 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre 2025 4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club

Emma Revell What does a Thatcherite think tank do when the Tories are out of office?Emma Revell from the Centre for Policy Studies briefs us on what's next for one of Britain's most influential organisations. Plus... why being a Lib Dem first is becoming a right of passage...SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows202431 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance2 October: Norwich Playhouse3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt10 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre6 November: Exeter, Phoenix8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre22 November: Salford, The Lowry27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre20254 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club

Murdo Fraser - Scottish Conservative Leadership Special What's next for the Conservatives in the UK and in Scotland? Murdo Fraser wants to lead the party into the Holyrood election in 2026. But what's a realistic ambition for them and how do they make a case for conservative values and policies at such a challenging time? PLUS... a brilliant story about the time Donald Trump gave evidence to Murdo's committee in person at Holyrood.  SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance2 October: Norwich Playhouse3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt10 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre6 November: Exeter, Phoenix8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre22 November: Salford, The Lowry27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre 20254 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club

Sarah lived in Downing Street for the entirety of the last Labour government.  What is the role of a political spouse? Why doesn't the UK formalise the role? More importantly, what was Sarah and Gordon's first date like? This is the hilarious inside story of what it was like living on Britian's most famous street for 13 years.   WATCH the goal that Gordon hurried home for: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGQplbF_akc SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance2 October: Norwich Playhouse3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt10 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre6 November: Exeter, Phoenix8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre22 November: Salford, The Lowry27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre 2025 4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club

Jacob Rees-Mogg: LIVE at the Edinburgh Festival After an earthquake of an election for Jacob and the Conservatives, what does the future hold? Jacob Rees-Mogg opens up on why the Tories lost, how they can win again and whether he'll stand next time. Plus... how does he stay so trim? His diet tips may surprise you... SEE Matt on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance2 October: Norwich Playhouse3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt10 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre6 November: Exeter, Phoenix8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre22 November: Salford, The Lowry27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre 2025 4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club

After Labour's stunning general election victory. Anas Sarwar is on the brink of becoming First Minister.  But what would Labour do if they won in Scotland?  And more importantly, will Anas be getting a makeover?  SEE Matt at the Edinburgh Festival in August and on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance2 October: Norwich Playhouse3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt10 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre6 November: Exeter, Phoenix8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre22 November: Salford, The Lowry27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre 2025 4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club

James Frith  JUST ANNOUNCED:  Come and see The Political Party LIVE at the Edinburgh Festival with the following guests:  13 August: Anas Sarwar 18 August: Jacob Rees-Mogg 19 August: Sarah Brown  Tickets: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows  James won the Bury North seat for Labour in 2017. He lost it in 2019 by just 105 votes.  A few weeks ago James won the seat for a second time with a majority of nearly 7000.  So what is going on in Bury and how much of a role, if any, did Reform play in the result?  Why hasn't Bury seen rioting by the hard right when other places have?  And more importantly, will James ever go to Glastonbury again?   SEE Matt on tour at the Edinburgh Festival and nationwide 2024 31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhouse 3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm 9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt 10 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre 24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre 6 November: Exeter, Phoenix 8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre 14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket 15 November: Colchester Arts Centre 20 November: York, The Crescent 21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre 22 November: Salford, The Lowry 27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre 28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre 29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry 31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre  2025  4 February: Leeds, City Varieties 5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill 6 February: Chelmsford Theatre 7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre 12 February: Bath, Komedia 13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre 16 February: Cambridge, The Junction 20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts 23 February: Brighton, Komedoa 25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club 26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal 2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory 11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree 12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club 

Toby Perkins  Toby won his Chesterfield seat for the fifth time at the recent general election. But how did he retain his seat throughout Labour's darkest years when colleagues around him were losing theirs?  One of the most likeable MPs in the Commons was a Shadow Minister but didn't get appointed to the frontbench after the election.  He talks openly and honestly about the mixed feelings he has about Labour finally forming a government, but not being a minister in it.   A massive football fan, Toby also reveals which football manager he thinks he'd most be like if he chairs the Environmental Audit Committee.   SEE Matt at the Edinburgh Festival in August and on tour until March 2025: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows2024  31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhouse 3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm 9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt 10 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre 24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre 6 November: Exeter, Phoenix 8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre 14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket 15 November: Colchester Arts Centre 20 November: York, The Crescent 21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre 22 November: Salford, The Lowry 27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre 28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre 29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry 31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre  2025  4 February: Leeds, City Varieties 5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill 6 February: Chelmsford Theatre 7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre 12 February: Bath, Komedia 13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre 16 February: Cambridge, The Junction 20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts 23 February: Brighton, Komedoa 25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club 26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal 2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory 11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree 12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club 

Jovan Owusu-Nepaul  Jovan is already a political star and he's only in his 20s.  A former Labour staffer, he tells the inside story of what it was like standing against Nigel Farage in Clacton.  This is about so much more than what happened in one seat. This is about what sort of country we want to be and how we get there.  You are listening to someone who has a huge part to play in shaping our country in the coming decades.   FOLLOW Jovan on X: @jovanforclacton   SEE Matt at the Edinburgh Festival in August and on tour until March 2025: Matt Forde The End of an Era Tour  2024  31 July - 25 August: Edinburgh, The Pleasance 2 October: Norwich Playhouse 3 October: Maidenhead, Norden Farm 9 October: Middlesbrough, The Crypt 10 October: London, Leicester Square Theatre 24 October: Hull, Truck Theatre 6 November: Exeter, Phoenix 8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre 14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket 15 November: Colchester Arts Centre 20 November: York, The Crescent 21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre 22 November: Salford, The Lowry 27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre 28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre 29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry 31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre  2025  4 February: Leeds, City Varieties 5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill 6 February: Chelmsford Theatre 7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre 12 February: Bath, Komedia 13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre 16 February: Cambridge, The Junction 20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts 23 February: Brighton, Komedoa 25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club 26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal 2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory 11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree 12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club