Rachel Reeves doesn't want to use the word 'austerity', but has she found a narrative to help explain her cuts to welfare and government spending? Why was 'fixing the roof when the sun is shining' such an effective message for David Cameron and George Osborne? And which of Danny's three types of strategy will Labour adopt at the next General Election?

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk.

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

Which party has the most to lose in the Runcorn & Helsby by-election? The political masterminds make their predictions, and discuss what's at stake for Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch.

And as Sally reveals she's replaced her Tesla, do boycotts make any difference?

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'.

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

As the row between Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe threatens the success of Reform UK, how do you stop the big beasts in a political party from falling out? Is it ever just about policy, or always more about personality?

We also discuss giving geography lessons to politicians, and Polly gets cross about more empty words about the welfare state.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'.

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

With Keir Starmer focused on diplomacy over Ukraine, the political masterminds ask if the domestic agenda always has to suffer during major world events. When does a foreign conflict turn into a 'Falklands moment', and when does a leader get criticised for spending too much time globe-trotting?

Sally, Polly, Danny and Hugo also ask how to stop a minister resigning - or how to let them do it at an advantageous moment.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

We're welcoming a new political mastermind to the podcast this week - Sally Morgan has been a Labour insider since the days of Neil Kinnock and went on to be Tony Blair's right-hand woman in Downing Street, at his side for some of the biggest moments in recent political history.

She joins Polly, Danny and Hugo to discuss leaders who can tell jokes and those who can't, Liz Truss calling Britain a failed state, and whether anyone knows how to save the transatlantic relationship.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

How To Win An Election is moving to every Thursday, starting this Thursday, February 27th - when we'll be announcing a new political mastermind.

In the meantime, here's an episode from our colleagues at The Story.

Lord Maurice Glasman was the only Labour politician to be invited to Trump’s inauguration after striking up a friendship with JD Vance. So who is he and why is his 'Blue Labour' movement seen by Starmer's inner circle as the medicine to tackle the rise of Reform?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Patrick Maguire, Political Columnist, The Times and author of Get In:The Inside Story of Labour Under Starmer.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Further reading: To take on the right, will Labour go blue?

Clips: GB News, NBC, PBS, UnHerd, Together, ABC Australia, The Guardian.

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

What's the role of an adviser at the top level of politics, and does it always involve swearing?

John McTernan, who has worked for prime ministers in the UK and Australia, joins the political masterminds to discuss the highs and the lows of the job. And after Kemi Badenoch speaks at a gathering of right-of-centre thinkers in London, what have we learned about her brand of Conservatism?

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

Nigel Farage's former adviser Gawain Towler joins the political masterminds to discuss how to be an insurgent force in politics. They look back at how UKIP finally made a break-through at Westminster and forced David Cameron into offering the EU referendum.

If you have a message for Hugo, Polly or Danny send it to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk.

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

This week the political masterminds (and Hugo) are joined by Theo Bertram, who worked in Downing Street for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

After a new book by Times journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund sheds light on the inner workings of Keir Starmer's government, is chief of staff Morgan McSweeney actually in charge? And should a new YouGov/Times poll showing Reform UK ahead of Labour for the first time cause everyone to panic?

Send your questions, voicenotes or comments to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk.

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

How much time in Number 10 is devoted to getting on with the business of government, and how much to thinking about winning the next election?

Sally Morgan, one of Tony Blair's closest advisers, joins Hugo, Polly and Danny to discuss running a campaign and delivering at the same time. She explains what a political washing line is, why Liz Truss was all line and no clothes, and they compare notes on ministers who would always go on the airwaves to defend their party.

Send your questions, voicenotes or comments to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk.

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

Keir Starmer is on a charm offensive with Donald Trump - does it give Labour's opponents an electoral advantage?

The political masterminds (and Hugo) are joined by US pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to discuss Trump's inauguration, his honeymoon (or otherwise), and Polly and Kristen disagree over Republican women.

You can still vote for us in the People's Choice category at this year's Political Podcast Awards. Please vote for us here.

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