Where Politics Meets History

Where Politics Meets History

Join broadcaster Iain Dale and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop as they take a fresh look at the biggest news of the week - through the lens of history. Because nothing is ever truly new, and history has a habit of repeating itself. With wit, insight, and the occasional good-natured row, Iain and Tessa explore how today’s headlines echo the past, unearthing fascinating stories and unexpected parallels. Expect sharp analysis, engaging debate, and plenty of laughs along the way. Subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com

Episodes

September 8, 2025 48 mins

Iain and Tessa are back with analysis of the government reshuffle, the Reform UK conference, Prince Harry back in the UK, great French figures from history and more!

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

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Iain and Tessa are back in the studio to digest the week in politics through the lens of history. On the menu today: Nigel Farage in Washington, whether Angela Rayner is safe (and the history of stamp duty), the wonderful Melvyn Bragg and more!

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September 1, 2025 62 mins

Iain and Tessa discuss Yvette Cooper making it harder for refugees to bring their families to Britain, Starmer's mini-reshuffle, the history and future of the ECHR and Tessa being invited on Romanian Hell's Kitchen!

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August 28, 2025 55 mins

In this episode of Where Politics Meets History, Tessa Dunlop and Iain Dale discuss fertility rates, Tony Blair and ex-Prime Ministers.

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August 25, 2025 65 mins

Iain and Tessa return for more - this time it's mainly questions! Questions on Iain being 'soft' on Sturgeon, dating people with different politics, whether Iain and Tessa are friends and more!

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

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August 21, 2025 63 mins

Iain and Tessa discuss Iain's Nicola Sturgeon interview preparation, the continued protests outside asylums in Epping, what happened with Brexit and Iain's experience with Mounjaro on the NHS.

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August 18, 2025 56 mins

Iain is back and joins Tessa to talk Trump's meeting with European leaders in Washington - the historical parallels thereof - what the Green Party is up to and Nicola Sturgeon's book!

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

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August 14, 2025 57 mins

Tessa is joined by the wonderful Albie Amankona for this one! They talk about upcoming Trump-Putin summit, the history of Alaska (which President Trump said is in Russia!), declining numbers on porn websites and more!

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @AlbieAmankona and...

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With Iain on holiday, Tessa is joined by the tremendous Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones (a.k.a. The Black Farmer) - they talk the upcoming Trump meeting with Putin and peace summits throughout history, Wilfred's interest in Reform UK, eye tests for older drivers and more!

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

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August 7, 2025 42 mins

Iain Dale and Tessa Dunlop catch up in two Scottish cities, Dunbar and Glasgow. They discuss their favourite interviews from the Edinburgh Fringe, Corey's engagement, the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb and answer some questions from listeners.

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Iain is reunited with Jacqui Smith, and Tessa is back from sunny Spain, for a special episode of Where Politics Meets History live from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! They talk about Japanese toilets, Bonnie Blue, and who is the better Prime Minister - Starmer or Blair?

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July 31, 2025 62 mins

Iain is joined by historian Miranda Malins - they discuss who could be the Cromwell out of our contemporary politicians, reform of the Lords and the UK gets its first female Astronomer Royal in 350 years.

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July 28, 2025 62 mins

Iain is joined by historian Charlotte White, while Tessa is away sunning herself - they talk all things online safety as Iain discovers porn sites failing to verify age, Charles II and the history of the state education system.

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July 24, 2025 59 mins

Iain and Tessa talk Trump and the Epstein files (after reports Trump was told he was named in them), Modi's visit to the UK, where moderate Tories should go, the history of Chequers and more!

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

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July 21, 2025 47 mins

Iain and Tessa go hell for leather on the state of our water industry, the pension age, Betty Boothroyd and whether people talk about WW2 too much.

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

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July 17, 2025 59 mins

Iain and Tessa spar over the Labour Party kicking out some left wing MPs, votes at 16 and the history of swearing - and Iain receives a special invitation!

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

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Iain and Tessa discuss the BBC admitting mistakes over the Gaza documentary, what's wrong with Live Aid (40 years on), what you didn't know about Ethiopia and a potential Royal reconciliation - plus they read out texts slagging each other off!

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also...

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July 10, 2025 46 mins

Iain and Tessa reunite to talk resident doctor strikes, Starmer and Macron's migration deal, the Bayeux Tapestry coming to the British Museum (and what should happen to those Elgin Marbles!).

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

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July 7, 2025 57 mins

Iain and Tessa reconvene to talk Macron's state visit (and historical relations between Britain and France), the anniversary of the 7/7 bombings, why Kaliningrad exists as an enclave and age gaps in relationships.

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessa...

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July 3, 2025 51 mins

Iain and Tessa talk about leaders crying throughout history after Rachel Reeves broke down in the Commons. They also discuss the Royal train being well and truly cancelled, whether we're acting fast enough on climate change and Michael Gove's facial hair.

Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.

Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. ...

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