Show 374. Gavin Esler

Gavin EslerWhat can Trump's opponents learn from him?How should the BBC respond to Elon Musk?What should Change UK have done differently?All these questions and more are discussed with a true broadcasting titan. This is quality from start to finish. THE POLITICAL PARTY IS BACK ON STAGE!10 February: Rachel Reeves10 March: Alastair Campbell31 March: Anthony Scaramucci12 May: Wes StreetingPlus more to be announced...Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/SEE Matt at on tour until April 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows29 January: Norwich, Playhouse2 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 2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre 6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre4 April: London, Bloomsbury Theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam CarlingSam is one of the brightest and most prominent members of the 2024 intake... and he's only 22. How has Sam become an MP so early in his life, what politicised him and what does the future hold?Remember where you were when you first heard from Sam, he's a man going places. THE POLITICAL PARTY IS BACK ON STAGE!10 February: Rachel Reeves10 March: Alastair Campbell31 March: Anthony Scaramucci12 May: Wes StreetingPlus more to be announced...Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/SEE Matt at on tour until April 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows29 January: Norwich, Playhouse2 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 2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre 6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre4 April: London, Bloomsbury Theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonia Antoniazzi England are due to play Afghanistan at cricket next month.  The decision to honour the fixture has caused uproar. Under the Taliban, women are banned from playing sport.  Tonia is leading the campaign to get England to pull out of the fixture.  If you want to help, find her on social media: @ToniaAntoniazzi Plus we discuss other vital issues, including her role on the All Party Beer Group... THE POLITICAL PARTY IS BACK ON STAGE! 10 February: Rachel Reeves10 March: Alastair Campbell31 March: Anthony Scaramucci12 May: Wes Streeting Plus more to be announced... Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE Matt at on tour until April 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows29 January: Norwich, Playhouse2 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 2 March: Bristol, Tobacco Factory4 March: Colchester Arts Centre 6 March: Birmingham, Glee Club7 March: Maidenhead, Norden Farm11 March: Aberdeen, Lemon Tree12 March: Glasgow, Glee Club27 March: Oxford, Glee Club28 March: Nottingham, Lakeside Arts Centre4 April: London, Bloomsbury Theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Replay: Christmas Special with Jess Phillips and Sarah Wollaston Keep the dream alive with this classic from 2018. Jess Phillips and Sarah Wollaston are on phenomenal festive form in this Christmas cracker of an episode. THE POLITICAL PARTY IS BACK ON STAGE!Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows29 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.

Replay: Christmas Special with Ed Balls and Alastair Campbell. The year is 2016.Ed Balls has just done Strictly. Alastair Campbell is yet to launch his podcast. This is the barmy Christmas Special we all need.THE POLITICAL PARTY IS BACK ON STAGE!Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows29 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.

Alex BurghartPolitics. History. Food.What more do you want for Christmas?Alex Burghart is the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and fills in for Kemi Badenoch at PMQs.More importantly, he has a deep fat fryer and he's keen to experiment.This is the indulgent Christmas special we all needed. FOLLOW Alex on X: @alexburghartTHE POLITICAL PARTY IS BACK ON STAGE!Get tickets for all shows here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/SEE Matt at on tour until March 2025, including his extra date at The Bloomsbury Theatre: https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows29 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.

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.