The Matt Forde Focus Group Returns!

The Matt Forde Focus Group (BBC RADIO 4) is returning!Sign up to my mailing list for exclusive access to free tickets for the Christmas Special recording of The Matt Forde Focus Group on Wednesday 17 December at 7:15pm.Tickets will be released on Wednesday 19 November.   https://www.mattforde.com/focus-group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marie is one of Labour's rising stars of the 2024 intake and was recently awarded 'Parliamentarian of the Year' by The Spectator. It's easy to see why. She is a formidable campaigner and has had to overcome various barriers in her life in order to succeed.An immense talent, Marie could easily have ended up in law or broadcasting, but politics was too strong a pull.Although there is one particular TV show she'd love to be on...THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE8 December: Nick Clegg26 January: Special VIP Guest16 February: David Miliband9 March: Zack Polanskihttps://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 PHENOMENAL.Jack was First Minister of Scotland 2001-2007. It was a tumultuous global time and he found himself at the centre of it at the Gleneagles summit.His stories about George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin are incredible.But there's loads more in this. Jack became the leader of a local authority at just 29. He'd joined the SNP at 16, but became a Labour member at 19. It would change the course of his life and he would have a huge impact on the future of Scotland and the UK.THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE8 December: Nick Clegg26 January: Special VIP Guest16 February: David Miliband9 March: Zack Polanskihttps://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.

Well this is about way more than politics...Bethany is one of the stars of the Politico Playbook morning email. It's the must-read morning briefing which mixes top-level political analysis with plenty of juicy gossip.We talk about gossip, why it's important and how to get it... but we also talk about health and the importance of patients really pushing for themselves.Bethany has had a number of health issues, including chronic pain in her teenage years. Told that she was making it up, she's had to be relentless to get the proper diagnosis and treatment.Prepare to be inspired!SUBSCRIBE to Politico London Playbook: https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE8 December: Nick Clegg26 January: Special VIP Guest16 February: David Miliband9 March: Zack Polanskihttps://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.

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.