How To Win An Election
Times Radio
The Times brings together some of the most experienced strategists in British politics to discuss what's really going on behind the big stories, and elections taking place here and around the world.Daniel Finkelstein, Sally Morgan and Polly Mackenzie join Hugo Rifkind for an intelligent, adversarial and witty conversation every week.Follow the podcast now to never miss an episode.Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.ukExecutive Producer: Andrew Alexander Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
6 snips
May 12, 2026 • 23min
Emergency Episode: How Long Can Starmer Cling On?
Daniel Finkelstein, political commentator and strategist, offers electoral and polling analysis. Polly Mackenzie, policy commentator, critiques government strategy. Sally Morgan, former Downing Street adviser, explains party and cabinet dynamics. They unpack the crisis around Keir Starmer, why ministers stayed silent, timing pressures for challengers, and whether leadership change could reset policy and polls.
May 8, 2026 • 41min
How Labour Suffered An Historic Defeat
Daniel Finkelstein, Conservative peer and Times columnist, offers electoral analysis. Polly Mackenzie, public policy expert, explains multi-party dynamics. Sally Morgan, former Labour strategist, unpacks regional shifts. They discuss Reform UK's rise, which voters moved where, why Wales mattered, and what strategic pivots Labour might consider next.
8 snips
Apr 30, 2026 • 40min
How The Elections Could Be Existential for Labour
Daniel Finkelstein, centre-right Times columnist, offers electoral strategy perspective. Polly Mackenzie, policy expert, focuses on civil service reform and campaign repair. Sally Morgan, former Labour strategist, analyses party organisation and local losses. They debate electoral fallout from recent attacks, how big council defeats could reshape Labour, leadership dilemmas and tactics to regroup.
5 snips
Apr 23, 2026 • 40min
How To Decide When (And If) The PM Will Be Challenged
Luke Tryll, pollster and More in Common director, explains focus groups and polling nuances. Sally Morgan, former Labour insider, offers inside-party perspective on loyalties and strategy. Daniel Finkelstein, political commentator, gives historical take on leadership challenges. They debate Starmer's public standing, the impact of U-turns, timing risks for challengers and how focus groups shape campaign thinking.
7 snips
Apr 16, 2026 • 41min
How To Defeat The Populists
Daniel Finkelstein, Conservative peer and Times columnist offering sharp political analysis. He discusses whether Viktor Orbán’s loss signals limits to populism. Short takes on centre-right strategy against populist movements. Conversations also cover how governments prepare for disasters and practical plans to revive empty high-street buildings.
12 snips
Apr 9, 2026 • 43min
How To Sell Starmer The Statesman
Simon Finkelstein, former adviser to senior Conservative ministers, shares sharp takes on foreign policy, defence spending and political messaging. He debates whether recasting a leader as a global statesman can sway voters. Conversation jumps to defence as industrial strategy, the rise of the Greens, and whether Parliament needs more real-world experience.
Apr 2, 2026 • 40min
How The Energy Shock Helps Starmer Survive
Polly Mackenzie, policy expert on energy and resilience. Sally Morgan, former Labour chief of staff with Downing Street stories. Daniel Finkelstein, Times columnist on electoral strategy. They discuss whether governments are ready for an energy shock. They debate energy efficiency, competing cost-of-living offers, political timing around May votes, and how messaging and momentum shape recruiting and support.
9 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 39min
How To Shut Down A Political Conspiracy
Polly Mackenzie, policy and communications expert, Sally Morgan, former Labour insider, and Daniel Finkelstein, Times columnist and ex-Conservative adviser, unpack the stolen phone story and whether it smells like conspiracy. They debate how smartphones reshaped political power and messaging. They also argue over vibes versus technical detail and size up possible coalition math.
Mar 19, 2026 • 41min
How To Run A Shadow Leadership Campaign
A lively unpacking of stealth political manoeuvres, from covert campaign tactics to keeping ambitions hidden. Heated debate over immigration stance and party strategy. Discussions about who might be quietly positioning themselves to step up after poor local results. Quick-fire book recommendations for shaping leadership thinking.
Mar 14, 2026 • 19min
How Starmer Became The Passive Prime Minister
Gabriel Pogrund, investigative journalist and co-author of Get In, and Patrick Maguire, reporter and co-author, dig into Morgan McSweeney’s rise and fall and its impact on Keir Starmer. They talk about how McSweeney propelled Labour to power. They explore the idea of a 'passive premiership', the Scunthorpe decision, preparation failures, Mandelson ties, and whether crises could reshape leadership.
