For the Sake of Transparency (with Natalie Haynes and Michael Gove)

Stewart Lee joins Armando again this week. With a by-election on, we look away from the present day and think about how history will judge politicians.Some of the language in the recent Tony Blair documentary piques Armando's interest, and we also look at how Boris Johnson and Gordon Brown use language (or lack thereof) to cement their own post-premiership legacies.We also look at the politic-speak creeping into Royal statements, Gerry Adams on a trampoline, and the furore over language at the BAFTAsGot a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Armando is joined by Natalie Haynes and Michael Gove to discuss the true meaning of transparency.With his experience as both a politician and a journalist, Michael Gove gives his insight into how transparency can often mean the opposite. He also explains the perverse incentive for ministers to go out and defend tricky positions, and what it feels like to have your private communications laid bare in an inquiry.And with Natalie on the show, we look at historical examples of turbulent leadership, and find out who has the dubious honour of being 'the Liz Truss of ancient Rome'.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Stewart Lee joins Armando to examine the language around political pyschodramas. We've discussed political language becoming maximalist, but it also gone into warp speed?Looking at whether 'stumbling' is in fact a good thing, we also manage to find new names for Wes Streeting, Peter Mandelson and Andrew (you know which one).We also find time to discuss the fake news that has been stinking up the White House, jellyfish anuses and slapstick.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Has a man once described as 'teflon' finally run out of spin? Peter Mandelson suggests he needs to run an investigation into himself, but to do an investigation into his language, Armando is joined by host of the News Agents, Emily Maitlis.We discuss revelations in the Epstein files, and why it brings to mind Dickens. Are we wiser to the language of political scandal than we used to be? And is it impossible to spin a story in the modern media environment. We also look at why it's so frustrating, if politically wise, how often political figures suffer bouts of selective amnesia.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and Sasha Bobak. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Was Andy Burnham blocked from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election because Labour need to save resources for elections they ‘must have’? Was the Tory briefing that referenced the defecting Suella Braverman’s mental health really a ‘first draft?’Armando and Natalie examine this and more, to find out if politicians in the UK are echoing Donald Trump’s words as they ask us to take these at face value - “Are you a stupid person?”. Are we not expected to read this 'subtext in block caps'? We also discuss how Trump's speeches are held together, and why Carney quoting Thucydides warmed Natalie's heart. Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman and Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

With the backdrop of tariffs and territorial land grabs, Stewart and Armando look at the political language of U-turns and turncoats.With politicians having to advocate for a position they used to be in direct opposition to, we ask if political language exists in a quantum state inside Robert Jenrick's head, or, failing that are we really expected to believe defectors like him have had a damascene conversion?Stewart gives an update to an tired political joke, Armando finds a nifty Peace Prize related fix for the Greenland dispute, and they both give a run-down the shifty, shifting responses from Government officials on their numerous U-turns.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman and Caroline Barlow Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and Sasha Bobak. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Is Keir Starmer stuck in 2016? BBC's Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent Marianna Spring joins Phil Wang and Armando to look at the evolving language of social media.How do politicians navigate the new online world, both when trying to get their central message across, and in responding to crises? With the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, we examine how the normal playbook of a tragedy no longer applies.In the extended episode, we hear Phil take on the role of a lifetime, playing Nigel Farage, find out how Armando's nickname is causing him problems, and look at Grok's recent scandal.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Rich Evans Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman and Giulia Mazzu Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

New Year, and Venezuela is under new management. The fallout from the "extraction" of Maduro has thrown up some interesting political language. Why aren't the US calling it 'regime change'? Why is Starmer damned if he does or doesn't say anything? and is Trump the first politician to use the word 'literally' correctly?In the extended version, we also look at Natalie's pedometer, Armando as the Elder of Taskmaster, and why a 'mild zombie apocalypse' has been described as 'encouraging'.Sound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman and Giulia Mazzu Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

It's New Year's day, so Armando and Stewart are dipping into the very real, physical listeners' mailbag.In a loose and end-of-term episode, with some adult humour, we talk about the misuse of the phrase 'bad apples', Stewart thanks Armando for his leadership, and are treated to unexpected, slightly fruity, film reviews of 'Who Dares Wins' and 'Cats'. We also hear about Armando's ambassador for 'pace', Stewart's artistic skills, and some alternatives to the phrase 'fighting age males'.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman and Giulia Mazzu Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

As the year comes to a close, Natalie Haynes joins Armando to discuss and dissect the words of 2025.Looking at official lists, and conjuring up some of their own, they set about breaking down the language that defined another frenetic year. We find out what links all of the official words of the year, and why we can learn a lesson from Austria when choosing them. Armando also denies he writes Pete Hegseth's speeches, and Natalie denies she is in a parasocial relationship with Taylor SwiftGot a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman and Giulia Mazzu Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.