Show 358. Sonia Kumar

Sonia KumarSonia has been an MP for almost a year and has used her platform to lead the first ever Parliamentary debate on incontinence. It's a subject very close to Matt's bladder and Sonia tells him how her career as a physiotherapist led her to raising it as an issue and standing for Parliament in the first place.Plus Sonia explains her position on assisted dying and gives the most compelling reason for visiting Dudley you are ever going to hear. Book your train tickets now!COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 6 July: Andy Burnham (in Sheffield)https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/crossed-wires-presents-the-political-party-with-guest-andy-burnham14 July: Michael Govehttps://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattfordeSEE Matt's new stand-up show 'Defying Calamity' at the Edinburgh Festival:https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/matt-forde-defying-calamitywww.mattforde.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mims DaviesPrepare to be blown away.Mims has had to deal with so many astonishing life events. Not only that, she's handled them with remarkable humour.What made her a Conservative? Why didn't she think party membership was for people like her?How do the Tories stave off the threat from Reform and assert their dominance as the party of the right?Mims shares her incredible life story, with a bit of politics mixed in . COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 6 July: Andy Burnham (in Sheffield)https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/crossed-wires-presents-the-political-party-with-guest-andy-burnham14 July: Michael Govehttps://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ GET FREE tickets to Radio 4's The Matt Forde Focus Group here: https://www.sroaudiences.com/application.asp?show_id=579DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattfordeSEE Matt's new stand-up show 'Defying Calamity' at the Edinburgh Festival:https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/matt-forde-defying-calamitywww.mattforde.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Thomas-SymondsNick has just negotiated the UK/EU Trade Deal.So what's in the deal and what impact will it have?And did he have to drink Slovakian red wine to get the deal done?This is a superb behind-the-scenes account of high-level negotiations. COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 6 July: Andy Burnham (in Sheffield)https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/crossed-wires-presents-the-political-party-with-guest-andy-burnham14 July: Michael Govehttps://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ GET FREE tickets to Radio 4's The Matt Forde Focus Group here: https://www.sroaudiences.com/application.asp?show_id=579DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattfordeSEE Matt's new stand-up show 'Defying Calamity' at the Edinburgh Festival:https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/matt-forde-defying-calamitywww.mattforde.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi BadenochThe Conservative leader is on top form in this personal and funny interview. Kemi outlines the challenges her party faces in opposing Labour as well as trying to stave off Reform and the resurgent Lib Dems. It's a fascinating hour assessing how the Conservatives move on from their record in government. We tackle all the big questions. How do the Tories defeat Reform? Why does the timing of policy announcements matter? What's her favourite McDonalds order?It flies by.  COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 6 July: Andy Burnham (in Sheffield)https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/crossed-wires-presents-the-political-party-with-guest-andy-burnham14 July: Michael Govehttps://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/GET FREE tickets to Radio 4's The Matt Forde Focus Group here: https://www.sroaudiences.com/application.asp?show_id=579DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattfordeSEE Matt's final 'End of an Era Tour' shows:12 June: York, The Crescent 13 June: Chelmsford Theatre 14 June: Faversham, The Alex www.mattforde.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guto HarriGuto has done it all.From covering domestic and international politics for the BBC, to working for Boris Johnson in Number 10.He's got some great stories from his varied career, including the storm surrounding him taking the knee live on GB News. An optimist, he's drawn to positive characters and despairs at the state of all the major parties. So what does he think will happen? And would he ever go into elected politics? COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 9 June: Kemi Badenoch14 July: Michael GovePlus more to be announced...Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ GET FREE tickets to Radio 4's The Matt Forde Focus Group here: https://www.sroaudiences.com/application.asp?show_id=579DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattfordeSEE Matt at on tour until June 2025, including his extra date at The Nottingham Playhouse: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows4 June: Leeds City Varieties 5 June: Nottingham Playhouse 6 June: Cambridge Junction 12 June: York, The Crescent 13 June: Chelmsford Theatre 14 June: Faversham, The Alex  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Delivery. It's a popular word in politics, but how to Prime Ministers ensure it happens?Michelle is Researcher in Residence at 10 Downing Street and Lecturer in Government Studies at The Strand Group, King's College.She has written a new book 'The Art of Delivery: The Inside Story of How the Blair Government Transformed Britain’s Public Services'. This is a wonderful insight into the inner workings of 10 Downing Street and how Tony Blair changed his approach to the civil service during his premiership.Michelle brings the internal machinations to life in this fascinating and entertaining interview.  BUY Michelle's book here: https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/the-art-of-delivery COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 9 June: Kemi Badenoch14 July: Michael GoveGet tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ GET FREE tickets to Radio 4's The Matt Forde Focus Group here: https://www.sroaudiences.com/application.asp?show_id=579 DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde SEE Matt at on tour until June 2025, including his extra date at The Nottingham Playhouse: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows29 May: Chipping Norton Theatre30 May: Swindon Arts Centre 4 June: Leeds City Varieties 5 June: Nottingham Playhouse 6 June: Cambridge Junction 12 June: York, The Crescent 13 June: Chelmsford Theatre 14 June: Faversham, The Alex  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan RhodesA few weeks ago Reform took control of Nottinghamshire County Council on a landslide. How did this happen and why didn't Nottinghamshire vote Labour instead?Alan Rhodes has been a Labour councillor in Nottinghamshire for nearly 40 years.He understands the shifting politics of the county and the country. This is a fantastic analysis of what's happening at a local and national level.It's also a brilliant insight into local government with a dedicated public servant. Enjoy! COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 9 June: Kemi Badenoch14 July: Michael GovePlus more to be announced...Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ GET FREE tickets to Radio 4's The Matt Forde Focus Group here: https://www.sroaudiences.com/application.asp?show_id=579DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattfordeSEE Matt at on tour until June 2025, including his extra date at The Nottingham Playhouse: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows29 May: Chipping Norton Theatre30 May: Swindon Arts Centre 4 June: Leeds City Varieties 5 June: Nottingham Playhouse 6 June: Cambridge Junction 12 June: York, The Crescent 13 June: Chelmsford Theatre 14 June: Faversham, The Alex  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wes Streeting - LIVEThe Health Secretary is on cracking form as he defends Labour's progress so far but demonstrates a clear impatience to deliver change as quickly as possible.We discuss all the big questions:What is Labour getting right?Are the government scared of Reform?What is that cucumber for?It'll all make sense... COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 9 June: Kemi Badenoch14 July: Michael GovePlus more to be announced...Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ GET FREE tickets to Radio 4's The Matt Forde Focus Group here: https://www.sroaudiences.com/application.asp?show_id=579DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattfordeSEE Matt at on tour until June 2025, including his extra date at The Nottingham Playhouse: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows29 May: Chipping Norton Theatre30 May: Swindon Arts Centre 4 June: Leeds City Varieties 5 June: Nottingham Playhouse 6 June: Cambridge Junction 12 June: York, The Crescent 13 June: Chelmsford Theatre 14 June: Faversham, The Alex Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Local Elections Analysis with John McTernanWhy were the local elections so bad for Labour and how do they reverse their fortunes?Is there a ceiling on Nigel Farage's popularity?Does Labour lack confidence?This is a dose of mega political strategy with Tony Blair's former Political Secretary.It's electric.  COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 12 May: Wes Streeting9 June: Kemi Badenoch14 July: Michael GovePlus more to be announced...Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ GET FREE tickets to Radio 4's The Matt Forde Focus Group here: https://www.sroaudiences.com/application.asp?show_id=579DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattfordeSEE Matt at on tour until June 2025, including his extra date at The Nottingham Playhouse: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows29 May: Chipping Norton Theatre30 May: Swindon Arts Centre 4 June: Leeds City Varieties 5 June: Nottingham Playhouse 6 June: Cambridge Junction 12 June: York, The Crescent 13 June: Chelmsford Theatre 14 June: Faversham, The Alex  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Matt Forde Focus Group is my new comedy series for Radio 4 and tickets are now available! We are recording a run though on May 7th at The Bush Hall is London. For tickets visit sroaudiences.com or click on this link The Matt Forde Focus Group See you there! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.