The Political Party

Kate Forbes' leadership campaign caused a stir earlier in the year, when she provided a different vision of what the SNP could be. In this candid and entertaining hour, Kate reflects on that campaign and what it all means. She talks openly about her faith and how to engage with people you disagree with. Why hasn't the SNP been able to convince a majority in favour of independence? Are the Scottish Greens good coalition partners? How will Labour do in Scotland next time? As well as discussing the weight of religious opinion and whether it should take precedence over other views, Kate also discusses far bigger issues such as what her favourite chocolate bar is, what her favourite cheese is and what her favourite wine is. Pour yourself a glass of red and enjoy. Buy tickets to Matt's show Inside No. 10 at the Leicester Square Theatre on 15 September:https://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/matt-forde-inside-no-10/Come and see The Political Party at the Duchess Theatre in the autumn:18 September: Dan Jarvis2 October: Jason WilliamsonTickets to all shows: https://www.mattforde.com/live  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

Arguably Britain's most charismatic politician returns to the show in a whirlwind of entertainment, passion and drive. As well as defence of Labour's pragmatism and policies, Angela regales the Edinburgh crowd with stories about clubbing until 5am and her favourite cocktail which always derails her BBQs. She also reflects on how she's grown as a politician and how Labour is approaching the next election. A mix of the deeply political mixed in with the massive, outrageous laughs that only Angela Rayner can provide. Crack open the cocktail cabinet and enjoy on a Spanish beach at 6am. Buy tickets to Matt's new Edinburgh show Inside No. 10: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-inside-no-10Or at the Leicester Square Theatre on 15 September:https://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/matt-forde-inside-no-10/xCome and see the last Political Party live at the Edinburgh Festival:21 August: Kate ForbesThen back at the Duchess Theatre in the autumn:18 September: Dan Jarvis2 October: Jason WilliamsonTickets to all shows: https://www.mattforde.com/live Buy tickets to Spitting Image The Musical: https://www.spittingimagethemusical.com/ Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

It's been an incredible start to Humza Yousaf's time as First Minister and he reflects on the unique situation he's had to deal with in this candid and light-hearted interview. From the news of Nicola Sturgeon's arrest, to his first awkward chat with Rishi Sunak, he shares the privileges and pressures of being First Minister. Humza talks openly about his mental health, but also his physical health where he's enlisted the help of Joe Wicks to shed his 'dad bod'. It's a real mix, with deep conversations about race, class and toxic masculinity, alongside a very honest assessment of his own footballing ability and love of Celtic. Warning: includes a wasp. Buy tickets to Matt's new Edinburgh show Inside No. 10: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-inside-no-10Or at the Leicester Square Theatre on 15 September:https://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/matt-forde-inside-no-10/xCome and see The Political Party live at the Edinburgh Festival with the following guests:18 August: Angela Rayner21 August: Kate ForbesThen back at the Duchess Theatre in the autumn:18 September: Dan Jarvis2 October: Jason WilliamsonTickets to all shows: https://www.mattforde.com/live Buy tickets to Spitting Image The Musical: https://www.spittingimagethemusical.com/ Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

Mhairi Black took British politics by storm with her election and maiden speech in 2015. 8 years on and she's now Deputy Leader of the SNP in Westminster... but not for much longer. A few weeks ago Mhairi announced that she won't be standing at the next election. Why has such an impassioned politician, especially one who's now in a leadership role, deciding to stand down at just age 28? This is the story of a tumultuous period in our politics, where rapid change has become the norm. Scottish politics is arguably even more volatile, so what is the future of the country, the SNP and the independence movement? This is a riveting, urgent listen... especially if you love video games.   Buy tickets to Matt's new Edinburgh show Inside No. 10: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-inside-no-10 Come and see The Political Party live at the Edinburgh Festival with the following guests: 8 August: Humza Yousaf18 August: Angela Rayner21 August: Kate Forbes Then back at the Duchess Theatre in the autumn: 18 September: Dan Jarvis2 October: Jason Williamson Tickets to all shows: https://www.mattforde.com/live Buy tickets to Spitting Image The Musical: https://www.spittingimagethemusical.com/ Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 

No-one uses their platform like Joe Lycett. A gifted comedian, he's used his position to raise various injustices and delightfully poke fun at those he disagrees with. He tells the hilarious inside stories of his money-shredding stunt, his challenge to David Beckham and his infamous appearance on Laura Kuenssberg's BBC show (including the after party with Rishi Sunak). Joe is a very funny man and this is a great laugh but it's also an insightful discussion about LGBT issues, social injustice and the effect his parents and the city of Birmingham had on his politics. This flies by faster than any episode in the history of the show. 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 July: Mhairi Black18 September: Dan Jarvis2 October: Jason Williamson Buy tickets to Matt's new Edinburgh show Inside No. 10: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-inside-no-10 Buy tickets to Spitting Image The Musical: https://www.spittingimagethemusical.com/ Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

There are very few, if any, politicians like Margaret Beckett. Uniquely composed, completely dignified and with a depth of experience unmatched in the House of Commons. This is a transfixing evening in the company of a national treasure. Thoughtful, hilarious and at times emotional, Margaret reflects on the changes she's seen since first becoming an MP in 1974. Is politics less sexist than it was then? Is the Labour Party? Margaret has played a prominent role in modern Labour history for nearly 50 years and her stories about Tony Benn, John Smith, Tony Blair and others illuminate the story of the Labour Party like never before. Plus some great stories about caravanning with Special Branch... 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 July: Joe Lycett17 July: Mhairi Black18 September: Dan Jarvis2 October: Jason Williamson Buy tickets to Matt's new Edinburgh show Inside No. 10: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-inside-no-10 Buy tickets to Spitting Image The Musical: https://www.spittingimagethemusical.com/ Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

This is Philip Hammond as you've never heard him before. The former Chancellor and Foreign Secretary tells us exactly what he thinks of Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Theresa May. He also shares his own approach to politics and what his ambitions were, based on his own assessment of his own skills. This is the inside story of what it was like to be Chancellor during one of the most tumultuous times in modern politics and what it was like seeing what unfolded afterwards...  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:19 June: Margaret Beckett3 July: Joe Lycett17 July: Mhairi Black18 September: Dan Jarvis2 October: Jason Williamson Buy tickets to Matt's new Edinburgh show Inside No. 10: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-inside-no-10 Buy tickets to Spitting Image The Musical: https://www.spittingimagethemusical.com/ Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 19 June: Margaret Beckett3 July: Joe Lycett17 July: Mhairi Black18 September: Dan Jarvis2 October: Jason Williamson Buy tickets to Matt's new Edinburgh show Inside No. 10: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/matt-forde-inside-no-10 Buy tickets to Spitting Image The Musical: https://www.spittingimagethemusical.com/ Plus more to be announced!  Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com 

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