The Political Party

This is so much fun, you won't want it to end.

Gloria De Piero brings politics to life in a way very few people are able to. 

Totally honest about why she'd never want to be an MP again, what working at GB News is really like and why she's dedicated to Labour even when the party hasn't valued her. 

It's got everything: Lee Anderson, pina coladas and P&O cruises. 

You'll want to listen back to it all o...

As David Cameron strides the international stage, his former Deputy Chief of Staff reflects on his renaissance and the contrast between him and Rishi Sunak. 

Well, not just Rishi Sunak, but all of Cameron's successor's as Prime Minister. 

Kate has experienced politics at the highest level and now sits in the Lords. She's a member of the Joint Committee on National Security and she takes us inside the work of the...

Jonny Owen is the great storyteller of our age. 

His superb new series 'Strike' for BBC Sounds examines the impact of the 1984 Miner's Strike on South Wales and Britain more widely.

In the making of it Jonny sat with the politicians who'd made the decisions, the people impacted by them and uncovered truths he was previously unaware of.

He also has a fantastic voice. 

Listen to Strike: https://www.bbc.co.uk/p...

The author of 'Things Can Only Get Better' gives his take on modern politics, the state of the Labour Party and what it's like making comedy now compared to when he started. 

John is a successful author, west end playwright and satirist, working on shows like Spitting Image and Have I Got News For You. He also stood for Parliament twice.

This is a great chat about politics and comedy from someone who's been on both sides...

This is a ray of sunshine for the ears. Siobhain isn't just positive, she is inspiringly pragmatic. 

A Labour MP since 1 May 1997 and a passionate Blairite, she stayed in the party during its darkest period and is now hopeful of a Labour victory at the next election. 

This is about more than politics. It's about life and what it's about. 

Siobhain's sister, Margaret, was the General Secretary of t...

The leader of the SNP in Westminster has been an MP less than 5 years and is barely 35 years old. He's not just risen fast, he's done it despite overcoming physical disability from a young age. 

Passionate and driven, this is a timely chat with a politician at the centre of things in the Commons.

After you've listened to the show, this YouTube link will make a lot more sense..

Watch Ray McKinnon's hat-trick of fr...

Tom has been at the centre of many projects, most notably The People's Vote campaign and Ed Miliband's leadership.

But it's his solo work which is creating the most headlines. 

He's just written a biography of Keir Starmer, but what more is there to know about a politician in the public eye?

Well, it turns out... quite a lot

Buy Keir Starmer: The Biography here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keir-Starmer-Biogra...

That's right, it's another brand new shiny episode! And what an episode it is. 

Bridget Phillipson is one of Labour's brightest stars and is increasingly in the limelight. Despite having been an extra in Byker Grove (if you're under 40, Google it), the spotlight isn't what she's about. This is a fascinating hour with a highly driven politician who may be shyer than some of her peers, but is no less animated about changing t...

It's a brand new episode! Woohoo! And what a way to come back...

Lee Anderson's rise has been meteoric. Just a few years ago he was a local Labour councillor and now he's one of the most recognisable stars of the Tory Party with his own TV show. 

He's led a fascinating life. A coal miner for 10 years, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 36. Both had a profound effect on him.  

This is an in-depth inte...

Four years ago Nicola Sturgeon was the indomitable leader of Scotland. So much has changed since.

This interview was recorded at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival. The former First Minister reveals what really happened behind closed doors with Boris Johnson and discusses the economic case for independence. Plus a lot more!

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.co...

In early 2019 an exciting new political force was taking shape... The Independent Group. Centre ground MPs from Labour and the Conservatives were fed up with the state of their parties and set up their own.

A Political Party recording was hastily convened and Chukka Ummuna, Heidi Allen, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey joined Matt to explain what on earth was going on. 

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news 

&nbs...

Ken Clarke is a national political treasure and this interview from 2019 shows why. Wise, pragmatic and superb company, it’s the best way to enjoy his warm tones. 

Plus… a bit of personal news 

Buy tickets to Matt's tour Inside No. 10: 

https://www.mattforde.com/live 

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news 

Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com&n...

Johnny Mercer has a way of telling stories that just makes them hilarious. Recorded in 2019 before his elevation to government, he speaks passionately about his time in the army and of his love of the armed forces. It’s a passion that burns as brightly today.

Buy tickets to Matt's tour Inside No. 10:

https://www.mattforde.com/live

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Email the show: politi...

The funniest guest in the history of the show is as brilliant a guest as you’d hope. Recorded in 2017, William was on sparkling form. His insights into Tory leadership woes remain as relevant today as they did in the 90s, or indeed 2017.  

Buy tickets to Matt's tour Inside No. 10:

https://www.mattforde.com/live

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@...

Michael Heseltine is a politician from a different time who’s still completely relevant now. Recorded in 2017, this is an hour in the company of an era-spanning heavyweight.  

Buy tickets to Matt's tour Inside No. 10:

https://www.mattforde.com/live

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com

Hos...

What better way to celebrate Christmas than to reunite the warring factions of new Labour? Recorded in December 2016, this ends with Alastair playing the bagpipes while Strictly’s Ed dances on stage. It’s an electric and raucous night.

Buy tickets to Matt's tour Inside No. 10:

https://www.mattforde.com/live

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Email the show: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.co...

Anna became the closest thing to a regular for a while and this first appearance on the show in 2017 is why. At the time she was a Conservative MP but you totally understand why she didn’t remain as one for long after this interview. A passionate and funny communicator, she was clearly horrified about what was happening in British politics. She was totally inspirational every time she came on the show.

Buy tickets to Matt's t...

Another titan of British politics, another guest who’s sadly passed away since they were on the show. Paddy Ashdown was a dominant figure in 80s and 90s politics. In this 2016 interview he was on top form, regaling us all with great memories, searing insight and his massive laugh.

Buy tickets to Matt's tour Inside No. 10:

https://www.mattforde.com/live

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the latest news

Email...

OK, this wasn’t that long ago but I couldn’t pick my favourites and not include this. There’s no-one in politics like Angela Rayner, she’s got the charisma of a rock ‘n’ roll star. A different part of this interview went viral every week for about 6 months. It’s a riot from start to finish. Enjoy! 

Buy tickets to Matt's tour Inside No. 10:

https://www.mattforde.com/live

Follow @mattforde on Twitter for the ...