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Matt Forde's Political Party

Show 374. Gavin Esler

Gavin Esler


What can Trump's opponents learn from him?


How should the BBC respond to Elon Musk?


What should Change UK have done differently?


All these questions and more are discussed with a true broadcasting titan. 


This is quality from start to finish. 



THE POLITICAL PARTY IS BACK ON STAGE!


10 February: Rachel Reeves

10 March: Alastair Campbell

31 March: Anthony Scaramucci

12 May: Wes Streeting


Plus more to be announced...


Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/


SEE Matt at on tour until April 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

29 January: Norwich, Playhouse

2 February: Salford, Lowry

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, Komedia

25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club

26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal

28 February: Chelmsford Theatre 

2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory

4 March: Colchester Arts Centre 

6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club

7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm

11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree

12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club

27 March: Oxford, Glee Club

28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre

4 April: London, Bloomsbury Theatre

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Show 406. Jeremy Hunt

    49:30|
    Prepare yourself for a big fat dose of political optimism. Jeremy Hunt is asking a big question: can we be rich again? His latest book seeks to answer this and before he gets into what needs to change, he also believes that there's plenty to be cheerful about. How can the government quickly deliver growth? What makes the UK uniquely placed to benefit from AI? What's his personal best London Marathon time? All this and more in a refreshingly positive take on politics.    DONATE to Sarcoma UK https://www.justgiving.com/page/jeremy-remembers-charlie  BUY Jeremy's book: https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/can-we-be-rich-again-the-extraordinary-potential-of-the-british-economy-by-jeremy-hunt-coming-5-june THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE 9 November: Liz Kendall Plus many more to be announced soon! https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE the final dates of Matt's stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows  June9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre10 Chipping Norton Theatre  12 Norwich Playhouse - EXTRA DATE14 York The Crescent - EXTRA DATE15 Leeds City Varieties - EXTRA DATE 16 Glasgow Glee Club - EXTRA DATE 18 Aberdeen Lemon Tree - EXTRA DATE 26 Bristol 1532 - EXTRA DATEJuly 3 Basingstoke The Haymarket - EXTRA DATE 8 Birmingham Glee Club - EXTRA DATE 10 Bedford Quarry Theatre - EXTRA DATE 16 Maidenhead Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE  DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde
  • Show 405. Lucy Powell - LIVE

    01:23:07|
    This is a cracking briefing from Labour's Deputy Leader. On Makerfield and what happens next for the party.  Lucy takes us inside the heart of the Labour Party... do Labour MPs and members actually want a leadership election? And what would happen if there was one? Are the issues that Labour faces actually to do with Keir Starmer at all? Lucy is also a massive football fan, but how does she behave at games... the answer may surprise you. PLUS... beauty tips on how to look 20 years younger.   THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE 9 November: Liz Kendall Plus many more to be announced soon! https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE the final dates of Matt's stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows  June3 Portsmouth New Theatre Royal - EXTRA DATE 4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre5 Cambridge Junction6 Sheffield Steamworks9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre10 Chipping Norton Theatre  12 Norwich Playhouse - EXTRA DATE14 York The Crescent - EXTRA DATE15 Leeds City Varieties - EXTRA DATE 16 Glasgow Glee Club - EXTRA DATE 18 Aberdeen Lemon Tree - EXTRA DATE 26 Bristol 1532 - EXTRA DATEJuly 3 Basingstoke The Haymarket - EXTRA DATE 8 Birmingham Glee Club - EXTRA DATE 10 Bedford Quarry Theatre - EXTRA DATE 16 Maidenhead Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE  DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde
  • Show 404. Kieran Andrews

    54:19|
    This is an absolute scorcher with ITV Borders' Political Editor. Kieran gives an entertaining and comprehensive analysis of the Holyrood election results and what they mean for the future of Scottish and UK politics. From an MSP elected on a student visa to what impact Scotland's World Cup campaign will have, it's all in here. Enjoy!THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE 1 June: Andy Burnham https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE Matt's stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows May 26 Hay Festival27 Lowestoft Marina Theatre28 Steyning Festival29 Maidenhead Norden Farm31 Nottingham Theatre Royal June3 Portsmouth New Theatre Royal - EXTRA DATE4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre5 Cambridge Junction6 Sheffield Steamworks9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre10 Chipping Norton Theatre12 Norwich Playhouse - EXTRA DATE14 York The Crescent - EXTRA DATE15 Leeds City Varieties - EXTRA DATE16 Glasgow Glee Club - EXTRA DATE18 Aberdeen Lemon Tree - EXTRA DATE 26 Bristol 1532 - EXTRA DATEJuly3 Basingstoke The Haymarket - EXTRA DATE8 Birmingham Glee Club - EXTRA DATE10 Bedford Quarry Theatre - EXTRA DATE16 Maidenhead Norden Farm - EXTRA DATEDONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde
  • Show 403. Samantha Niblett

    47:59|
    Samantha was only elected in 2024 but she's already making waves, especially with her 'Yes, Sex Please, We're British' campaign. It's certainly ruffled feathers and we talk about what she wants to achieve with it, what the reaction has been and whether the Prime Minister supports it. Plus, of course, a bit of Labour leadership stuff... THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE 1 June: Andy Burnham https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows
  • Show 402. Lewis Goodall

    01:33:52|
    WOAH. Recorded the night Labour MPs began calling on Keir Starmer to resign, this is an adrenaline-fuelled up-to-the-minute analysis of what has gone wrong and what happens next. PLUS great stuff about Lewis's life growing up, his book, his mum and the dynamic between him, Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel. It's a corker.  THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE 1 June: Andy Burnham https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows
  • Show 401. Steve Baker

    01:03:12|
    Strap on in for an adrenaline-fuelled hour with former Conservative minister Steve Baker. This is packed full of honest reflections on the faith, life, mental health... and so much more.  Steve is a deep thinker and has continued to analyse politics since he left Parliament. This is cracking.  CHECK OUT Steve's project, 'Fighting for a Free Future' here: https://www.fightingforafreefuture.com/  THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE 11 May: Lewis Goodall 1 June: Andy Burnham https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows 
  • Show 400. Andrew Marr - Replay

    01:22:56|
    This is a classic from the back catalogue.  You are about to be thoroughly entertained by one of the best raconteurs in the history of the show. Andrew Marr is one of the most gifted broadcasters that Britain has ever produced and he shares hilarious stories from his wonderful career.  This is a show packed with powerful moments, including the mistakes Andrew thinks the media made in their coverage of Iraq, and his experiences of interviewing leading politicians like Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. Andrew Marr isn't just a gifted journalist, he's fantastic company. Enjoy!  THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE 11 May: Lewis Goodall 1 June: Andy Burnham https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows
  • Show 399. Shabana Mahmood - LIVE

    01:36:59|
    Shabana Mahmood doesn't hold back in this impassioned, thoughtful and hilarious interview. This is the Home Secretary as you've never heard her before. Nothing is off limits in this wide-ranging interview which includes reflections on her upbringing, her solution for dealing with immigration and a revelation about her hobby that you'd never see coming. Warning: includes protestors. And a very direct response from the Home Secretary.  THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE 11 May: Lewis Goodall 1 June: Andy Burnham https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows
  • Show 398. Ben Judah

    01:01:28|
    This is a top level briefing from one of the best minds in foreign policy. Ben was Special Adviser to David Lammy when he was Foreign Secretary. He's been in the room for some of the most important meetings of the last few years, including face-to-face meetings with JD Vance.  In this gripping episode he answers some of the biggest questions about global instability.  What should the UK do to mitigate the shift in American policy? How terrifying is the future? What do these changes mean for politics in the UK? How can the British state be changed to work better? How radical do we need to be when it comes to racial and religious integration at home? Big questions with big answers from one of the most compelling voices in modern politics.  THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE 20 April: Shabana Mahmood 11 May: Lewis Goodallhttps://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/SIGN UP to Matt's mailing list to get free audience tickets to his Radio 4 series:https://www.mattforde.com/mailing-list  SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows