Matt Forde's Political Party

Former special adviser Anita Boateng explains the different pressures facing the Conservatives in this campaign compared to Labour and the differences in perception of the parties and leaders. She also takes us behind-the-scenes of Jeremy Hunt's leadership campaign and tells us what it's really like to work on Question Time. Oh and why food is the enemy of the statesman! Follow Anita on Twitter: @anitabeebee Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The leader of the SDLP talks to Matt about the changing nature of Northern Ireland's politics, the impact Brexit may have at this election, the SDLP's distinct identity in Northern Ireland the importance of pragmatism in politics. Follow Colum on Twitter: @columeastwood Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ever-cheerful Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats joins Matt to discuss the opportunities for the party across the UK and in Scotland, this relationship with Jo Swinson and making the progressive case for the Union. Plus Willie explains why he was papped dressed as Harry Potter in an alleyway. Follow Willie on Twitter: @Willie_Rennie Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live BREXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR tour dates: 14 January - Salford Lowry 20 February - Crewe 21 February - Leicester 5 March - Darlington 6 March - Hexham 7 March - Bedford 10 March - London Southbank 18 March - Leeds 19 March - York 20 March - Alnwick 22 March - Southend 23 March - Cambridge 27 March - London Southbank 29 March - Brighton 7 April - Newcastle 8 April - Glasgow 9 April - Aberdeen 10 April - Chorley 12 April - Camberley 17 April - Corby 28 April - Exeter 30 April - Bristol 1 May - Gloucester 2 May - London Bloomsbury 7 May - Maidstone 13 May - Nottingham 20 May - Sheffield 21 May - Stafford 22 May - London Southbank 30 May - Edinburgh 31 May - Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan Duncan has been one of the leading voices in the Conservative Party since his election in 1992 and was described as 'The Conservatives' Peter Mandelson'. In this raucous interview, Alan showcases his brilliant impressions of other politicians, reflects on his political career and the future direction of the country and shares an outrageous story about David Cameron. Follow Alan on Twitter: @AlanJCDuncan Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email your funny stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Get tickets to Matt's 'Brexit Pursued by a Bear' which starts at the Salford Lowry on Tuesday 14 January here: www.mattforde.com/live Sign up to Matt's mailing list for as yet unspecified goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Disaster Special* WARNING: You are about to hear stories that will blow your mind. Find out what it's like when everything goes wrong on the campaign trail from two people who've seen disaster unfolding before their eyes. Martin Angus was Head of the Deputy Prime Minister's Tour and was in the melee when John Prescott punched a voter. Salma Shah was Special Adviser to Sajid Javid and was powerless to intervene when an event turned into a catastrophe. This doesn't do justice to what you're about to hear. Brace yourself... Follow Martin on Twitter: @martinangus Follow Salma on Twitter: @Ommasalma See Martin in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UhME8dcOqc&t=21s Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt visits Perth to meet with former rock star Pete Wishart, who's been an SNP MP since 2001. The seat is one of the most marginal in the UK and a top target for the Tories. Pete tells us what it's like to fight in a close campaign, the transition from rock star to politician, his changing use of social media and, of course, Scottish independence. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteWishart Follow MP4 on Twitter: @MP4rockband Watch Runrig perform 'Loch Lomond' live at Loch Lomond (and spot Pete on keys) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nZ2zaW0bPg Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde To occasionally receive an email you'll probably delete before reading about The Political Party and other such stuff that Matt's up to, sign up to his mailing list here: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stop what you're doing! You're about to become an expert on this election because everyone's favourite political genius is here to share his infinite wisdom with us. This is a thrilling dose of political insight. Follow John on Twitter: @WhatScotsThink Follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde To receive occasional and tedious updates about The Political Party and other such stuff that Matt's up to, sign up to his mailing list here: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Shadow Foreign Secretary joins Matt to discuss Labour's manifesto, whether it's possible to be neutral on Brexit, whether Emily would press the nuclear button and most important of all: foot fetishes. Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmilyThornberry Download Labour's manifesto here: https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Real-Change-Labour-Manifesto-2019.pdf Follow Matt on Twitter here: @mattforde To receive sporadic and partially useful updates about The Political Party and other such stuff that Matt's up to, sign up to his mailing list here: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special double bill, Matt is joined by the former and current leader of the Scottish Conservatives. Ruth Davidson led the party for 8 years and reflects on her time in charge, their prospects for this election campaign and why her next move might involve PaddyPower. Jackson Carlaw leads the Scottish Tories into this election and Matt asks if, after a strong result in 2017, hey exceed that result and make gains... Follow Ruth on Twitter: @RuthDavidsonMSP Follow Jackson on Twitter: @Jackson_Carlaw Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Send in your funny election and campaigning stories to: politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to the mailing list for advance news on Political Party guests, tour dates and assorted other bumpf: www.mattforde.com/mailing-list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Murray has held Edinburgh South for Labour since 2010. In 2015 he was the only Labour MP left in Scotland. He tells Matt about the changing nature of Scottish politics, the difficulties Labour face in this election, his personal battle to remain as Labour’s candidate and why the red jackets he wears out campaigning have confused some constituents... Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanMurrayMP Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattforde Email your funny campaign stories to politicalpartypodcast@gmail.com Sign up to Matt's mailing list for free treats and goodies: http://mattforde.com/mailing-list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.