The Political Party

Jamie Klingler is one of the Co-Organisers of Reclaim These Streets, a group formed to remember Sarah Everard and all women lost to violence. It has been an incredible few days - Jamie got involved on Wednesday and was in the High Court on Friday. In this personal account of the last five days, she explains how Reclaim These Streets was set up, how they were treated by The Metropolitan Police and how they can help change the world for the better. Donate to Reclaim The Streets here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/reclaimthesestreets Follow Reclaim The Streets on Twitter here: @ReclaimTS Follow Jamie on Twitter here: @jamieklingler Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

If you still think that Mayors are those councillors in funny hats and gold chains then prepare to have your mind blown. The Conservative Mayor of the West Midlands - and former boss of John Lewis - tells Matt about the significant powers he has and the potential that comes with them. This is a great explanation of the difference mayors can make but also why certain powers should lie in certain hands. Oh and some good news for Coventry City fans! Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote Follow Andy on Twitter here: @andy4wm Find out more about the West Midlands Combined Authority here: https://www.wmca.org.uk/ Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

This is a detailed and accessible briefing on Rishi Sunak's 2021 Budget and a brilliant wider discussion about tax, the economy and financial regulation. It's way more exciting than it sounds and it's full of fascinating facts, including about the effect of tax on gingerbread men. You might even end this episode excited about economics. Follow Paul on Twitter: @PJTheEconomist Follow The IFS on Twitter: @TheIFS Watch/read the IFS' Budget analysis here: https://ifs.org.uk/budget-2021 Download The Budget 2021 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2021-documents Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

One of the true greats of British politics shares stories from one of the most distinguished political careers in modern history. From being Deputy Leader under John Smith to standing against Tony Blair for the Labour leadership in 1994, to introducing the minimum wage and then becoming the first ever female Foreign Secretary, this is a phenomenal selection of recollections from the top of Labour and British politics. Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

If you've found yourself confused by the twists, turns and competing narratives around the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints then firstly, you are not alone and secondly, this is the briefing you've been after. Mandy Rhodes is the Managing Editor of the brilliant Holyrood Magazine, the fortnightly trade paper for Scottish politics. Mandy takes through the details step-by-step and explains all the different elements: the remit of the committee, the issues the committee has faced, the context of The Crown Office intervention and the dynamic between the current First Minister and her predecessor. It's also an honest account on the pressures journalists face in getting to the truth, especially in an environment where power and friendships overlap. Follow Mandy on Twitter: @holyroodmandy Subscribe to Holyrood Magazine here: https://www.dodsshop.co.uk/store/products,holyrood_16.htm Visit the Holyrood website: https://www.holyrood.com/ Subscribe to the Holyrood podcast 'Politically Speaking': https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/politically-speaking/id1515636736 Apply to vote by post here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Depending on what you're into, Dave Rowntree is either one of the most famous drummers in modern rock 'n' roll history or the Councillor for the University Ward on Norfolk County Council. The Blur drummer talks about his own political journey, from young radical via headline Glastonbury slots and number 1 singles to solving leaks. There is of course some Cool Britannia chat, about how Dave felt about it at the time, the conversations within the band about new Labour and his view of it in retrospect. Dave also explains why the happiest day of his life wasn't beating Oasis to number 1, but meeting Gordon Brown in Downing Street. Follow Dave on Twitter: @DaveRowntree Find out about up-and-coming band 'Blur' here: https://www.blur.co.uk/ Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

The first and only female Prime Minister of Australia reflects on her time in office and gives her unique perspective on leadership and the role gender played in her experience. In a wide-ranging interview, Julia describes the challenge of education reform, the importance of purpose in politics and her personal approach to life as a former Prime Minister. Julia's work after elected office includes chairing The Global Institute for Women's Leadership at King's College London and she tells Matt why the Institute was set up, what it hopes to achieve and how she'll handle the commute... Follow Julia on Twitter: @JuliaGillard Read 'Essays on Equality' here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/giwl/assets/essays-on-equality-2020.pdf Order Julia and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's new book 'Women in Leadership': https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Women-Leadership-Real-Lives-Lessons/dp/1787634388/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=julia+gillard&qid=1613044324&sr=8-1 Order Julia's autobiography 'My Story' here: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/My-Story-Julia-Gillard/dp/0857983997/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=julia+gillard&qid=1613044439&sr=8-2 Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

"Some people stand in the darkness, afraid to step into the light..." Former lifeguard Charlotte Leslie was the MP for Bristol North West for 7 years and shares a series of brilliant insights about life and politics, including how the laws of the beach apply to handling the coronavirus pandemic. Charlotte went from increasing her majority in 2015 to losing the seat two years later. This is a great, personal and honest account of what it's like to be removed from office in your prime, the brutality of democracy and how you can still have a political impact outside of Parliament. Oh and a very important lesson about the best way to film inside a fetish club... Follow Charlotte on Twitter: @CharlotteLeslie Subscribe to the Conservative Middle East Council podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/cmec-podcast/id1538520478 (and for non-Apple users here: https://soundcloud.com/user-64338953) Find out more about the Conservative Middle East Council's work here: https://cmec.org.uk/ Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Monica Lennon shot to international political fame just a few months ago thanks to her Period Poverty Bill. Thanks to that legislation, Scotland is the first country in the world to provide free and universal access to period products. Monica tells Matt how she built a political coalition across the party and constitutional divides in Scotland and how she changed the Scottish Government's mind and got them to support her. It's an inspirational tale and shows the difference that individuals can make - even if their party isn't in power. Talking of which, Monica and Matt also discuss the Scottish Labour Leadership election in which Monica is standing and what it means for the future of Labour in Scotland and the UK. Will Scottish Labour break with tradition and conduct a leadership election in a civil and friendly way..? Follow Monica on Twitter: @MonicaLennon7 Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus For the latest Scottish Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

Welcome to one of the most gripping episodes of any podcast ever recorded. Investigative journalist John Sweeney shares his incredible experiences coming face-to-face with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, The Church of Scientology, the far right and so many more. At times terrifying, at times absolutely hilarious, all of John's amazing stories come from his ruthless pursuit of the truth. This will blow your mind. What will also blow your mind is that it could easily have been ten hours longer. Get yourself a bottle of wine and a block of cheese, you're in for a wild ride. Follow John on Twitter: @johnsweeneyroar Buy 'The Useful Idiot' and John's other books here: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/John-Sweeney/e/B00MDETXI6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1611769207&sr=1-1 See John's 'roar' on Panorama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjlo4u_8g60 Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

One of Labour's most gifted politicians tells Matt about growing up as the son of another huge Labour talent, Tony Benn, and about the moment where their politics started to diverge. This is a great mixture of the personal and the political: Hilary talks about his central role in holding the government to account over Brexit - and the principles that should underpin the UK's role in the world. Plus there's a bit of football chat. Like previous guest Tracey Crouch, Hilary was also on that Zoom call with Jose Mourinho. Follow Hilary on Twitter: @hilarybennmp Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

This is a masterclass on the art of the interview from one the best political interviewers alive. Nick Robinson explains his approach, not just to interviewing, but to politics, broadcasting and people. Mixing sharp insights about populism and the role of the media with great anecdotes about how to control a 'Leaders Debate' and the tricks that both politicians and journalists use to gain an upper hand. Oh and why Wayne Rooney might be the scariest person he's ever interviewed... Follow Nick on Twitter: @bbcnickrobinson Order Nick Robinson's Election Notebook here: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Election-Notebook-Britains-Personal-2015-06-11/dp/B01MU69P2F/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1610557594&sr=1-3 Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Listen to Political Thinking here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04z203l/episodes/player Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Have you ever wondered what resigning from government actually involves? You're about to find out. Tracey Crouch resigned from Theresa May's government over a delay to a crucial change in gambling policy and she explains why and how she departed. It was a brief that Tracey loved and she shares her experience of being a female Conservative sports minister and how her love of Tottenham Hotspur led to a tense exchange with Arsenal fan Jeremy Corbyn. Tracey was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2020 and tells Matt about her experience of being a politician with cancer, receiving treatment during a pandemic and the challenges of taking part in Parliamentary proceedings. Oh and what happened when she was on a Zoom with Jose Mourinho... Follow Tracey on Twitter: @tracey_crouch Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

One of the most gifted politicians in British history reveals what life was like for him at the heart of new Labour - in good ways and bad. Blessed with a superhuman ability to be calm in any crisis, Peter Mandelson explains why he is the way he is. He also charts the changing fortunes of the Labour Party having helped transform Labour into a rampant political force at the height of new Labour. As much personal as it is political, this is a portrait of a unique talent. Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Plug yourself into the mood of the nation and find out what the country is thinking as our favourite pollster shares her latest fascinating research. Every time Deborah is on the show it's a treat, but this episode is particularly brilliant. Can Labour win back the voters who deserted them in the election? How does the UK feel the government has handled the crisis? Which leaders have impressed the public and more importantly, if Boris Johnson was an animal, what animal would he be? Order 'Beyond The Red Wall' here: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Red-Wall-Labour-Conservatives/dp/1785906046/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_1285150262?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&ie=UTF8 Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Deborah on Twitter: @debmattinson Read the BritainThinks Leadership Report here: https://britainthinks.com/pdfs/Leadership-2020_Report_101120.pdf Read the BritainThinks Mood of the Nation Report here: https://britainthinks.com/pdfs/Mood-of-the-Nation-2020_Report.pdf Follow Britain Thinks on Twitter: @BritainThinks Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Does being an actor prepare you for a life in politics? The answer is... not in the way you might think. Tracy shot to fame playing Tricia Armstrong in Coronation Street and went on to star in EastEnders, Holby City, The Bill, Silent Witness, Casualty and loads more. She's now the Labour MP for Batley and Spen and tells Matt about how she coped campaigning there after Jo Cox's murder and the pressure of being Jo Cox's successor. Tracy is running to be the West Yorkshire Mayor and explains why, after just a few years as an MP she's prepared to leave the Commons behind. This is an invigorating conversation about what politics is really about. Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Tracy on Twitter: @TracyBrabin Find out more about Tracy's Mayoral bid here: https://tracy4mayor.org.uk/ Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Since appearing on the show a couple of years ago, Laura has been a Special Adviser at both DFID and the MOD. She takes us inside the life of a 'Spad', including an account of the weekly Spad School meetings at Number 10. This is a fascinating account of the being a special adviser in the modern era. Laura also shares the secrets about what really goes on at Davos. Laura also gives her assessment about cutting the international aid budget and what it means for the UK's standing abroad. More importantly, Laura shares her experience of getting to ride in helicopters and tanks. Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Listen to Laura's podcast 'What Were You Thinking?' here: https://anchor.fm/whatwereyouthinking Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Laura on Twitter: @LauraRound Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

One of Scotland's brightest political stars shares both the optimism and the realism that comes with being a Scottish Labour politician. Endlessly positive, often in the face of political setbacks, Anas shows why he's so respected across the political divide. As well as some hilarious stories about his mum, Anas talks about the shocking abuse he's faced - including some from Labour members. Anas answers some of the most difficult questions in modern politics: how does a progressive politician promote membership of the UK when it's led by Boris Johnson? How do you convince young people, who overwhelmingly favour independence, of the benefits of remaining in the UK? And what should Matt do about his impacted wisdom tooth? Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Anas on Twitter: @AnasSarwar Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus For the latest Scottish Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

This edition really should be called 'A Series of Incredible Events', because Chris Bryant has found himself at the centre of a number of astonishing scenes and he recounts them on this rollercoaster episode. If you're not already sitting down, make sure you are because you're about to hear will blow your mind. Chris also talks about his brilliant new book 'The Glamour Boys', the secret story of the rebels who fought for Britain to defeat Hitler. Order 'The Glamour Boys' here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/the-glamour-boys-9781526601711/ Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow Chris on Twitter: @RhonddaBryant Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

This is the only election briefing you will ever need. Two of the world's great talkers give their unique insights on the men they know well. Sharp-shooting Mooch delivers a devastating assessment of how Trump will be feeling and what he will do next. Seth Harris gives us a fantastic analysis of what Biden's reaction will be and what these results mean for America. This is blockbuster politics from start to finish. Grab a corn dog and a soda and enjoy! Order 'Politically Homeless' here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/2100000262618 Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Follow The Mooch on Twitter: @Scaramucci Follow Seth on Twitter: @MrSethHarris Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Watch NBC Live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMyJ08gaCVE For the latest UK Government advice on coronavirus go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus