

Where Politics Meets History
Global
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
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
Mentioned books

Apr 28, 2019 • 1h 35min
Cut, or Uncut?
Iain and Jacqui turn their attention to events in Sri Lanka, Donald Trump’s state visit, Ann Widdecombe joining Nigel Farage’s new party, leaks from the National Security Council, developments in Northern Ireland, Great Thunberg and Joe Biden’s presidential candidacy. Iain reveals why he has been circumcised (no, really), Jacqui imagines being married to Nigel Farage and Iain reveals a secret admiration for someone he’s banned from his programme. And they reveal their political Spice Girls, but have trouble finding a political Ginger Spice. All in the name of topical, incisive political commentary of course. You have been warned. Smut quota: Very high, verging on outrageous. Especially towards the end.

Apr 21, 2019 • 1h 8min
David Starkey’s Potty Mouth
Iain and Jacqui kindly interrupt their Easter weekend to talk about terrorism in Sri Lanka, the Notre Dame fire, Nigel Farage’s poll ratings, the Edinburgh Fringe, Diane Abbott’s train tipple, the Mueller Report and David Starkey’s pottymouth. And all in just over an hour!

Apr 14, 2019 • 1h 1min
Squeezing Zits
Iain and Jacqui look at Theresa May’s week, look forward to the European elections, ask if Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party can succeed and both express their wish to see the back of Julian Assange. Iain teaches Jacqui about the Amritsar massacre and Jacqui offers to squeeze Iain’s zits… except he has perfect skin. Smut quota: Low to middling.

Apr 7, 2019 • 1h 1min
Live at PodcastLive
Iain and Jacqui do a special live podcast in front of an audience at PodcastLive at The Light, opposite Euston Station. Around 250 people listened to them discussing the latest Brexit development, the Sultan of Brunei as well as answering lots of questions. And the audience contained a special guest, whose presence ensured a limited smut quota. And, no it wasn’t HM The Queen.

Mar 31, 2019 • 1h 28min
Boulton’s ‘Bollocks’
It’s another Brexit-tastic edition of the podcast in which Jacqui and Iain look back at the week’s momentous events in which the PM announced she would quit and parliament remained gridlocked. They discuss the possible deselection of Dominic Grieve and Iain’s encounter with Adam Boulton’s ‘bollocks’ on Sky News, the coming Tory leadership contest, while Iain reveals he is tempted to return to the political fray. Jacqui, less so. And they have some brilliant questions from listeners to answer including: “If you ate yourself would you disappear or double in size?”. Smut quotient: Medium

Mar 23, 2019 • 1h 11min
Rocking the Caravan
Iain and Jacqui take you through the astonishing developments on Brexit this week, discuss Jacqui’s love for caravanning, and whether caravan sites are centres for debauchery and swinging. Iain reveals a secret love for the Dutch language and they debate whether Birmingham schools are right to ban teaching about gay relationships. Smut Quotient: Low to medium

Mar 17, 2019 • 1h 21min
Jacqui’s Runny Yolk
Iain and Jacqui discuss the terror attack in New Zealand and what we should learn from it in Britain. They look back on the last week of Brexit shenanigans and speculate what this week has in store, as well as predict who the next leader of the Liberal Democrats might be. Jacqui’s excited about her new car and tells a story from her time as Chief Whip when she told Diane Abbott to, well, go forth. Jacqui explains why she thinks Iain played a blinder on ‘Any Questions’. Iain is naturally too modest to comment. Not. And they reveal what they like to spread of their soldiers. Arf arf. Smut quotient: High to variable.

Mar 14, 2019 • 40min
Bonus: Jacqui’s Brexit Vibrations
Given that so much has happened this week on the Brexit front, Iain and Jacqui give you their view on where things might be heading, but as susual they stray off into the world of Bloody Sunday and the Inquiry into Historic Child Sexual Abuse. Normal service will be resumed on Sunday.

Mar 10, 2019 • 1h 26min
Blairites for Tom Watson!
Iain and Jacqui look into their crystal balls and try (and fail) to work out how Theresa May will get her Brexit deal through Parliament. They ponder on solutions to the knife crime epidemic and look at the continuing rows over antisemitism and Islamophobia in the two main political parties. They discuss the Michael Jackson documentary and whether Sajid Javid is any way to blame for the death of Shamima Begun’s baby. The Will Self/Mark Francis stare-out gets a mention and Iain puts Jacqui on the spot about her new job in political lobbying. Smut Quotient: It takes a while, but they get there in the end…

Mar 3, 2019 • 1h 21min
Come And Have A Go
In a packed new episode Jacqui and Iain look at all the latest Brexit controversies, a bad week for Donald Trump and Jeremy Corbyn. They mull over how Liam Fox’s department could spend £100k on a podcast and ask if MPs should be paid more than £79k. They answer lots of listener questions and you can have the benefit of finding what is their favourite cheese. Smut quotient: Low, apart from one appalling aberration from Jacqui.


