Show 361. Alex Massie

Natalie FleetNatalie has only been an MP since July but has already established herself as one of the most impressive members of the new intake.She has had to overcome a lot to become an MP and talks passionately about how hard it is to succeed if you're working class in modern Britain.This is gripping from start to finish. FOLLOW Natalie on X: @NatalieFleetMPSEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows202529 January: Norwich, Playhouse - EXTRA DATE2 February: Salford, Lowry4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedia25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal28 February: Chelmsford Theatre - EXTRA DATE2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE4 April: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David YellandThis is a gripping inside account of editing The Sun when tabloids were still dominant.David tried to take the paper in a different direction. But did Rupert Murdoch approve?Plus, does Elon Musk's use of X have its roots in tabloid culture and influence?FOLLOW David on X: @davidyellandSEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows202414 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE202529 January: Norwich, Playhouse - EXTRA DATE2 February: Salford, Lowry4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedia25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal28 February: Chelmsford Theatre - EXTRA DATE2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Policy! Football! Pies!It's the interview with everything.After years in opposition, Alison is now an Employment Minister and is keen to get on and change things. She explains the changes she's making to Jobcentres and the difference they'll make.Plus... will Alison become the latest politician to start a podcast?FOLLOW Alison on X: @Alison_McGovernORDER a Homebaked pie: https://www.homebakedbakery.com/SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows20246 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE14 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE202529 January: Norwich, Playhouse - EXTRA DATE2 February: Salford, Lowry4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedia25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal28 February: Chelmsford Theatre - EXTRA DATE2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is inspirational.  David was the Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan for 7 years. Then he suffered a spinal stroke. Incredibly he wasn't allowed to defend his seat in the general election.  This is the remarkable story of how he recovered, why he was blocked and how he's remained so positive.   FOLLOW David on X: @david_duguid SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows2024 27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre6 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE14 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE 2025 29 January: Norwich, Playhouse - EXTRA DATE2 February: Salford, Lowry4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal28 February: Chelmsford Theatre - EXTRA DATE2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Salma Shah is back! The Tory strategist gives her entertaining assessment of Kemi Badenoch and how the Tories are doing. This is such a great chat in which I have my centre-left prejudices thoroughly checked.  Talking about the Opposition has never been more fun.  FOLLOW Salma on X: @Ommasalma SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows2024 20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre6 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE14 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE 2025 29 January: Norwich, Playhouse - EXTRA DATE2 February: Salford, Lowry4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal28 February: Chelmsford Theatre - EXTRA DATE2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seth Harris - US Election SpecialWell, it happened. This is a comprehensive and entertaining analysis of why and how Trump won the election with friend of the show, Seth Harris.Seth served in Obama's Cabinet and worked closely with both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. If you're looking for answers, you'll find them here. FOLLOW Seth on X: @MrSethHarrisSEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows202414 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre6 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE14 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE202529 January: Norwich, Playhouse - EXTRA DATE2 February: Salford, Lowry4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal28 February: Chelmsford Theatre - EXTRA DATE2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Darren Jones - Budget SpecialThis is a cracker.A full Budget briefing from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury which includes some excellent breakfast chat.SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows20246 November: Exeter, Phoenix8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre6 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE14 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE202529 January: Norwich, Playhouse - EXTRA DATE2 February: Salford, Lowry4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal28 February: Chelmsford Theatre - EXTRA DATE2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of our most gifted political writers reflects on the death of Alex Salmond and the current state of Scottish politics. This is engrossing from the very first second.  SUBSCRIBE to the Ponsonby and Massie podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ponsonby-and-massie-podcast/id1749779794 SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows2024 6 November: Exeter, Phoenix8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre6 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE14 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE 2025 29 January: Norwich, Playhouse - EXTRA DATE2 February: Salford, Lowry4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal28 February: Chelmsford Theatre - EXTRA DATE2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Graham BradyWhat's it like telling a Prime Minister their time is up?Sir Graham chaired the 1922 Committee throughout the tenure of five Conservative Prime Ministers. In this entertaining interview he tells us what those private moments with them were like and how each of them used their power differently.This is the thrilling inside account of the most tumultuous political time in living memory. BUY Sir Graham's book 'Kingmaker' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingmaker-Secrets-Truth-about-Ministers/dp/1804188263SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows202424 October: Hull, Truck Theatre6 November: Exeter, Phoenix8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre22 November: Salford, The Lowry27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre6 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE14 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE202529 January: Norwich, Playhouse - EXTRA DATE4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal28 February: Chelmsford Theatre - EXTRA DATE2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thangam DebbonaireThangam is one of the brightest stars of the Labour movement. As Shadow Culture Secretary she was all set to command the brief in government. But things didn't go to plan. On 4 July, Thangam lost Bristol Central to the Green Party. A classically trained cellist. Thangam has a range of life experience. She's one of the most charismatic and engaging politicians in the country and her reflections on her career so far are thoughtful and hopeful. SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra dates at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows202424 October: Hull, Truck Theatre6 November: Exeter, Phoenix8 November: Tunbridge Wells, Trinity Theatre14 November: Basingstoke, The Haymarket15 November: Colchester Arts Centre20 November: York, The Crescent21 November: Chorley, Little Theatre22 November: Salford, The Lowry27 November: Chipping Norton Theatre28 November: Leicester, Y Theatre29 November: Eastleigh, The Berry31 November: Faversham, The Alexander Centre6 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE14 December: London, Bloomsbury Theatre - EXTRA DATE202529 January: Norwich, Playhouse - EXTRA DATE4 February: Leeds, City Varieties5 February: Sheffield, The Leadmill6 February: Chelmsford Theatre7 February: Bedford, The Quarry Theatre12 February: Bath, Komedia13 February: Southend, Palace Theatre16 February: Cambridge, The Junction20 February: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts23 February: Brighton, Komedoa25 February: Cardiff, Glee Club26 February: Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal28 February: Chelmsford Theatre - EXTRA DATE2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club - EXTRA DATE28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre - EXTRA DATE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.