Show 375. Harriet Cross

Harriet is a rare thing: a new Conservative MP who won her seat at the last election. In Scotland. She's already been made a whip.So how come she's rising so fast and what's it like entering the Commons when your party has suffered a historic defeat?And how has living in rural communities shaped her particular brand of conservatism? THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE8 December: Nick Clegg26 January: Special VIP Guest16 February: David Milibandhttps://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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a powerful lesson in campaigning, pragmatism and processing grief. Rosamund's daughter Ella died in 2013 at the age of nine. She is still the only person ever in the UK to have air pollution registered as a cause of death. Since then, Rosamund has been a relentless campaigner for improving air quality. She has helped change policy here in the UK and has a legion of international admirers that includes Arnold Schwarzenegger. You can see why. Rosamund is impassioned but also reasonable and empathetic towards those who disagree with her. She is a total inspiration. DONATE to the Ella Roberta Foundation here:https://www.ellaroberta.org/about-ella THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE8 December: Nick Clegg16 February: David Milibandhttps://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  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amy has led an extraordinary life and she's still only in her 30s.While the SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire she suffered a brain hemorrhage. As she recovered, she had to battle the arcane rules of the House of Commons in order to speak and vote on behalf of her constituents. Having narrowly beaten Jo Swinson in 2019, Amy then lost the seat in 2024. So what's life like outside of politics? And what does the future hold for her?This is a great chat about life and how fragile it is. And what that means for politics. THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE8 December: Nick Clegg16 February: David Milibandhttps://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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bridget is one of the biggest stars of the Labour government. As well as being Education Secretary, she is standing to be Labour's Deputy Leader.It's the first major test of members' opinion since Labour came into office. She's led a fascinating life. Growing up in poverty, but making it to Oxford via Byker Grove. So what drives her, what changes is she making to our schools and who does she prefer... Oasis or Blur?  THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE8 December: Nick Clegg16 February: David Milibandhttps://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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Star of GB News (and many other places), Tom outlines his libertarianism as well as giving an engaging analysis about the problems facing the Tories, Reform and the government. Tom is one of the most prominent broadcasters on the right and he's only 29. So why did he get involved so young and what's the secret of his success? This is a fascinating analysis of the problems we face as a country from a libertarian/right perspective.  THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE6 October: Bridget Philipson8 December: Nick Clegg16 February: David Milibandhttps://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     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Tugendhat Returns. Again!Friend of the show Tom Tugendhat returns to give us the perspective from the Tory backbenches.Why are so many Tories defecting to Reform?How worried is he about the Tommy Robinson march?Is he still addicted to Haribo?THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE6 October: Bridget Philipsonhttps://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  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lindsay Hoyle - REPLAYThe charismatic Speaker of the House was on cracking form back in 2022.He shows how you can make the Commons function more effectively without sacrificing its unique atmosphere. One episode with Lindsay really isn't enough, you'll be left wanting so many more stories from him. His tale about taking Nancy Pelosi to Coronation Street is one of the best you'll ever hear. Grab a crumpet and wash it down with a pint of Newton and Ridleys, we're going to Lancashire...THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE - Bridget PhilipsonSEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UKJanuary28 Birmingham Glee Club29 Dorking Halls30 Northampton Royal and Derngate TheatreFebruary5 Lancaster Grand Theatre6 Brighton Corn Exchange12 Tunbridge Wells Theatre14 London Bloomsbury Theatre18 Faversham The Alex19 Maidstone Hazlitt Theatre20 Milton Keynes The Stables26 Canterbury The Gulbenkian27 Bridport Electric PalaceMarch1 Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre3 Buxton Opera House4 Shrewsbury Theatre Severn5 Isle of Wight Shanklin Theatre6 Paignton Palace Theatre19 Leicester Y Theatre20 Durham Gala Theatre25 Sunderland Fire Station26 Alnwick Playhouse27 Barnard Castle The WithamApril9 Winchester Theatre Royal15 Worcester Huntingdon Hall16 Swansea Taliesin Arts Centre17 Monmouth Savoy Theatre18 London Bloomsbury Theatre22 Cheltenham Town Hall23 Bath Komedia24 Swindon Arts Centre26 Salford Lowry28 Leeds City Varieties29 Lincoln New Theatre Royal30 Chorley TheatreMay1 Chester Playhouse7 Norwich Playhouse8 Oxford Northwall Arts Centre13 Plymouth Quad Theatre14 Launceston Town Hall15 Exeter Northcott20 Stamford Corn Exchange21 Chelmsford Theatre22 Bury St Edmunds The Apex27 Lowestoft Marina Theatre29 Maidenhead Norden Farm31 Nottingham Theatre RoyalJune4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre5 Cambridge Junction6 Sheffield Steamworks9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre10 Chipping Norton TheatreDONATE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark PougatchOne of our most gifted sports broadcasters is also a massive politics nerd. Mark's usually seen anchoring ITV's coverage of England games. But should we keep politics out of sport? Is that even possible? In this hugely entertaining and insightful interview Mark indulges his twin passions: politics and sport and explains what they can learn from each other. This is great fun. SUBSCRIBE to Mark's brilliant podcast 'How It All Played Out'THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE - 6 October: Bridget PhilipsonSEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UKJanuary28 Birmingham Glee Club29 Dorking Halls30 Northampton Royal/Derngate TheatreFebruary5 Lancaster Grand Theatre6 Brighton Corn Exchange12 Tunbridge Wells Theatre14 London Bloomsbury Theatre18 Faversham The Alex19 Maidstone Hazlitt Theatre20 Milton Keynes The Stables26 Canterbury The Gulbenkian27 Bridport Electric PalaceMarch1 Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre3 Buxton Opera House4 Shrewsbury Theatre Severn5 Isle of Wight Shanklin Theatre6 Paignton Palace Theatre19 Leicester Y Theatre20 Durham Gala Theatre25 Sunderland Fire Station26 Alnwick Playhouse27 Barnard Castle The WithamApril9 Winchester Theatre Royal15 Worcester Huntingdon Hall16 Swansea Taliesin Arts Centre17 Monmouth Savoy Theatre18 London Bloomsbury Theatre22 Cheltenham Town Hall23 Bath Komedia24 Swindon Arts Centre26 Salford Lowry28 Leeds City Varieties29 Lincoln New Theatre Royal30 Chorley TheatreMay1 Chester Playhouse7 Norwich Playhouse8 Oxford Northwall Arts Centre13 Plymouth Quad Theatre14 Launceston Town Hall15 Exeter Northcott20 Stamford Corn Exchange21 Chelmsford Theatre22 Bury St Edmunds The Apex27 Lowestoft Marina Theatre29 Maidenhead Norden Farm31 Nottingham Theatre RoyalJune4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre5 Cambridge Junction6 Sheffield Steamworks9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre10 Chipping Norton Theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirsty Wark - LIVENewsnight star. Late Show legend. Celebrity Masterchef contestant...Kirsty Wark is a gifted broadcaster and is at her charismatic and hilarious best in front of a live Edinburgh audience. She shares stories from her phenomenal career and gives her take on the state of British and Scottish politics, as well as her experience with Gregg Wallace. This is a corker. THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE6 October: Bridget PhilipsonSEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:January28 Birmingham Glee Club29 Dorking Halls30 Northampton Royal and Derngate TheatreFebruary5 Lancaster Grand Theatre6 Brighton Corn Exchange12 Tunbridge Wells Theatre14 London Bloomsbury Theatre18 Faversham The Alex19 Maidstone Hazlitt Theatre20 Milton Keynes The Stables26 Canterbury The Gulbenkian27 Bridport Electric PalaceMarch1 Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre3 Buxton Opera House4 Shrewsbury Theatre Severn5 Isle of Wight Shanklin Theatre6 Paignton Palace Theatre19 Leicester Y Theatre20 Durham Gala Theatre25 Sunderland Fire Station26 Alnwick Playhouse27 Barnard Castle The WithamApril9 Winchester Theatre Royal15 Worcester Huntingdon Hall16 Swansea Taliesin Arts Centre17 Monmouth Savoy Theatre18 London Bloomsbury Theatre22 Cheltenham Town Hall23 Bath Komedia24 Swindon Arts Centre26 Salford Lowry28 Leeds City Varieties29 Lincoln New Theatre Royal30 Chorley TheatreMay1 Chester Playhouse7 Norwich Playhouse8 Oxford Northwall Arts Centre13 Plymouth Quad Theatre14 Launceston Town Hall15 Exeter Northcott20 Stamford Corn Exchange21 Chelmsford Theatre22 Bury St Edmunds The Apex27 Lowestoft Marina Theatre29 Maidenhead Norden Farm31 Nottingham Theatre RoyalJune4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre5 Cambridge Junction6 Sheffield Steamworks9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre10 Chipping Norton TheatreDONATE to the RNOH Charity here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sadiq Khan - LIVEThe Mayor of London is on top form in this special episode recorded at the Edinburgh Festival. What's his analysis of Labour's first year in power?Will Sadiq and Trump meet during the State Visit?If so, where in London will Sadiq take him..?SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-showsJanuary28 Birmingham Glee Club29 Dorking Halls30 Northampton Royal and Derngate TheatreFebruary5 Lancaster Grand Theatre6 Brighton Corn Exchange12 Tunbridge Wells Theatre14 London Bloomsbury Theatre18 Faversham The Alex19 Maidstone Hazlitt Theatre20 Milton Keynes The Stables26 Canterbury The Gulbenkian27 Bridport Electric PalaceMarch1 Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre3 Buxton Opera House4 Shrewsbury Theatre Severn5 Isle of Wight Shanklin Theatre6 Paignton Palace Theatre19 Leicester Y Theatre20 Durham Gala Theatre25 Sunderland Fire Station26 Alnwick Playhouse27 Barnard Castle The WithamApril9 Winchester Theatre Royal15 Worcester Huntingdon Hall16 Swansea Taliesin Arts Centre17 Monmouth Savoy Theatre18 London Bloomsbury Theatre22 Cheltenham Town Hall23 Bath Komedia24 Swindon Arts Centre26 Salford Lowry28 Leeds City Varieties29 Lincoln New Theatre Royal30 Chorley TheatreMay1 Chester Playhouse7 Norwich Playhouse8 Oxford Northwall Arts Centre13 Plymouth Quad Theatre14 Launceston Town Hall15 Exeter Northcott20 Stamford Corn Exchange21 Chelmsford Theatre22 Bury St Edmunds The Apex27 Lowestoft Marina Theatre29 Maidenhead Norden Farm31 Nottingham Theatre RoyalJune4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre5 Cambridge Junction6 Sheffield Steamworks9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre10 Chipping Norton TheatreDONATE to the RNOH Charity here:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.