• 1 hour 17 minutes
    Show 409 - Andy Burnham - Replay

    Let's go back in time five years and see what, if anything, has really changed...

    In 2021 Andy was Mayor of Manchester but was clearly developing his thinking on where power in the UK lies. 

    This is a great mix of thoughtful political analysis and riveting behind-the-scenes detail as Andy tells the incredible inside story behind his showdowns with the UK and Scottish governments. He also tells the heartbreaking story of the Hlllsborough families' long campaign for justice and his role in changing the Labour government's position, including the moment he stands in front of a packed Anfield at the memorial service.

     

    See the Political Party Live on Stage:

    9 August: Anas Sarwar (Edinburgh)

    15 August: Stephen Flynn (Edinburgh)

    18 August: Rachel Reeves (Edinburgh)

    20 August: Malcolm Offord (Edinburgh)

    9 November: Liz Kendall (London)

    21 December: Wes Streeting (London)

     

    Get tickets for Matt's brand new stand-up show Project Holy Moly at the Edinburgh Festival:

    https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/matt-forde-project-holy-moly

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 June 2026, 10:06 am
  • 1 hour 12 minutes
    Show 408. Johann Lamont

    This. Is. Superb.

     

    The former leader of Scottish Labour gives an impassioned and engrossing analysis of everything happening in Scottish and UK politics:

     

    ·                    SNP corruption

    ·                    Triple by-election reaction

    ·                    Scottish media pig pen

    ·                    PLUS! Tartan Army action

     

    It's everything you'd want and more. 

     

     THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

     9 November: Liz Kendall

     21 December: Wes Streeting

     

    https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

     

    SEE the final dates of Matt's stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

    https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

     

     

    June

    26 Bristol 1532 - EXTRA DATE

    July

     

    3 Basingstoke The Haymarket - EXTRA DATE

    8 Birmingham Glee Club - EXTRA DATE

    10 Bedford Quarry Theatre - EXTRA DATE

    16 Maidenhead Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE

     

     

    DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:

    https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 June 2026, 10:50 am
  • 54 minutes 2 seconds
    Show 407. Beeban Kidron

    From Hollywood film director to campaigner against the evils of Big Tech, via the House of Lords.

     

    Beeban Kidron is a force of nature and her new book 'Users' charts the rise of Big Tech and crucially tells us how we can fight back.

     

    This is a fascinating and hilarious interview with a national asset who has dedicated her life to fighting injustice online.

     

    Oh, and there's a cracking story about Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes. 

     

    BUY Beeban's book: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/480182/users-by-kidron-beeban/9780753562468


    THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

     

    9 November: Liz Kendall

     

    Plus many more to be announced soon!

     

    https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

     

    SEE the final dates of Matt's stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

    https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

     

     

    June

     

    15 Leeds City Varieties - EXTRA DATE


    16 Glasgow Glee Club - EXTRA DATE


    18 Aberdeen Lemon Tree - EXTRA DATE


    26 Bristol 1532 - EXTRA DATE

    July

     

    3 Basingstoke The Haymarket - EXTRA DATE


    8 Birmingham Glee Club - EXTRA DATE


    10 Bedford Quarry Theatre - EXTRA DATE


    16 Maidenhead Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE

     

     

    DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:

    https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde

     

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 June 2026, 2:03 am
  • 49 minutes 30 seconds
    Show 406. Jeremy Hunt

    Prepare yourself for a big fat dose of political optimism.

     

    Jeremy Hunt is asking a big question: can we be rich again?

     

    His latest book seeks to answer this and before he gets into what needs to change, he also believes that there's plenty to be cheerful about.

     

    How can the government quickly deliver growth?

     

    What makes the UK uniquely placed to benefit from AI?

     

    What's his personal best London Marathon time?

     

    All this and more in a refreshingly positive take on politics.  

     

     

    DONATE to Sarcoma UK https://www.justgiving.com/page/jeremy-remembers-charlie 

     

    BUY Jeremy's book: https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/can-we-be-rich-again-the-extraordinary-potential-of-the-british-economy-by-jeremy-hunt-coming-5-june

     

    THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

     

    9 November: Liz Kendall

     

    Plus many more to be announced soon!

     

    https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

     

    SEE the final dates of Matt's stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

    https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

     

     

    June

    9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre

    10 Chipping Norton Theatre

     

    12 Norwich Playhouse - EXTRA DATE

    14 York The Crescent - EXTRA DATE

    15 Leeds City Varieties - EXTRA DATE

    16 Glasgow Glee Club - EXTRA DATE

    18 Aberdeen Lemon Tree - EXTRA DATE

    26 Bristol 1532 - EXTRA DATE

    July

     

    3 Basingstoke The Haymarket - EXTRA DATE

    8 Birmingham Glee Club - EXTRA DATE

    10 Bedford Quarry Theatre - EXTRA DATE

    16 Maidenhead Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE

     

     

    DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:

    https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 June 2026, 3:00 am
  • 1 hour 23 minutes
    Show 405. Lucy Powell - LIVE

    This is a cracking briefing from Labour's Deputy Leader. On Makerfield and what happens next for the party. 

     

    Lucy takes us inside the heart of the Labour Party... do Labour MPs and members actually want a leadership election? And what would happen if there was one?

     

    Are the issues that Labour faces actually to do with Keir Starmer at all?

     

    Lucy is also a massive football fan, but how does she behave at games... the answer may surprise you.

     

    PLUS... beauty tips on how to look 20 years younger. 

     

     

    THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

     

    9 November: Liz Kendall

     

    Plus many more to be announced soon!

     

    https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

     

    SEE the final dates of Matt's stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

    https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

     

     

    June

    3 Portsmouth New Theatre Royal - EXTRA DATE

    4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre

    5 Cambridge Junction

    6 Sheffield Steamworks

    9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre

    10 Chipping Norton Theatre

     

    12 Norwich Playhouse - EXTRA DATE

    14 York The Crescent - EXTRA DATE

    15 Leeds City Varieties - EXTRA DATE

    16 Glasgow Glee Club - EXTRA DATE

    18 Aberdeen Lemon Tree - EXTRA DATE

    26 Bristol 1532 - EXTRA DATE

    July

     

    3 Basingstoke The Haymarket - EXTRA DATE

    8 Birmingham Glee Club - EXTRA DATE

    10 Bedford Quarry Theatre - EXTRA DATE

    16 Maidenhead Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE

     

     

    DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:

    https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    3 June 2026, 11:17 am
  • 54 minutes 19 seconds
    Show 404. Kieran Andrews

    This is an absolute scorcher with ITV Borders' Political Editor.

     

    Kieran gives an entertaining and comprehensive analysis of the Holyrood election results and what they mean for the future of Scottish and UK politics.

     

    From an MSP elected on a student visa to what impact Scotland's World Cup campaign will have, it's all in here.

     

    Enjoy!

    THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

     

    1 June: Andy Burnham

     

    https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

     

    SEE Matt's stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

    https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

     

    May 

    26 Hay Festival

    27 Lowestoft Marina Theatre

    28 Steyning Festival

    29 Maidenhead Norden Farm

    31 Nottingham Theatre Royal

     

    June

    3 Portsmouth New Theatre Royal - EXTRA DATE

    4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre

    5 Cambridge Junction

    6 Sheffield Steamworks

    9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre

    10 Chipping Norton Theatre

    12 Norwich Playhouse - EXTRA DATE

    14 York The Crescent - EXTRA DATE

    15 Leeds City Varieties - EXTRA DATE

    16 Glasgow Glee Club - EXTRA DATE

    18 Aberdeen Lemon Tree - EXTRA DATE

    26 Bristol 1532 - EXTRA DATE

    July

    3 Basingstoke The Haymarket - EXTRA DATE

    8 Birmingham Glee Club - EXTRA DATE

    10 Bedford Quarry Theatre - EXTRA DATE

    16 Maidenhead Norden Farm - EXTRA DATE

    DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:

    https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 May 2026, 9:49 am
  • 47 minutes 59 seconds
    Show 403. Samantha Niblett

    Samantha was only elected in 2024 but she's already making waves, especially with her 'Yes, Sex Please, We're British' campaign.

     

    It's certainly ruffled feathers and we talk about what she wants to achieve with it, what the reaction has been and whether the Prime Minister supports it.

     

    Plus, of course, a bit of Labour leadership stuff...

     

    THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

     

    1 June: Andy Burnham

     

    https://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.

    19 May 2026, 12:46 pm
  • 1 hour 33 minutes
    Show 402. Lewis Goodall

    WOAH.

     

    Recorded the night Labour MPs began calling on Keir Starmer to resign, this is an adrenaline-fuelled up-to-the-minute analysis of what has gone wrong and what happens next.

     

    PLUS great stuff about Lewis's life growing up, his book, his mum and the dynamic between him, Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel.

     

    It's a corker. 

     

    THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

     

    1 June: Andy Burnham

     

    https://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.

    13 May 2026, 3:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Show 401. Steve Baker

    Strap on in for an adrenaline-fuelled hour with former Conservative minister Steve Baker.

     

    This is packed full of honest reflections on the faith, life, mental health... and so much more. 

     

    Steve is a deep thinker and has continued to analyse politics since he left Parliament.

     

    This is cracking. 

     

    CHECK OUT Steve's project, 'Fighting for a Free Future' here:

     

    https://www.fightingforafreefuture.com/

     

     

    THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

     

    11 May: Lewis Goodall

     

    1 June: Andy Burnham

     

    https://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.

    4 May 2026, 3:00 am
  • 1 hour 22 minutes
    Show 400. Andrew Marr - Replay

    This is a classic from the back catalogue. 

     

    You are about to be thoroughly entertained by one of the best raconteurs in the history of the show. Andrew Marr is one of the most gifted broadcasters that Britain has ever produced and he shares hilarious stories from his wonderful career. 

     

    This is a show packed with powerful moments, including the mistakes Andrew thinks the media made in their coverage of Iraq, and his experiences of interviewing leading politicians like Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. Andrew Marr isn't just a gifted journalist, he's fantastic company. Enjoy!

     

     THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

     

    11 May: Lewis Goodall

     

    1 June: Andy Burnham

     

    https://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.

    27 April 2026, 3:16 pm
  • 1 hour 36 minutes
    Show 399. Shabana Mahmood - LIVE

    Shabana Mahmood doesn't hold back in this impassioned, thoughtful and hilarious interview.

     

    This is the Home Secretary as you've never heard her before.

     

    Nothing is off limits in this wide-ranging interview which includes reflections on her upbringing, her solution for dealing with immigration and a revelation about her hobby that you'd never see coming.

     

    Warning: includes protestors. And a very direct response from the Home Secretary. 

     

    THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

     

    11 May: Lewis Goodall

     

    1 June: Andy Burnham

     

    https://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.

    22 April 2026, 5:46 am
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