How To Win An Election

It's the start of a huge political year, and Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are planning big speeches to try and frame the coming general election.Should the Conservatives 'let Sunak be Sunak', does Dominic Cummings have the answers, and is Labour's plan to borrow £28bn a gift to the Tories?Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt to discuss the choices facing the leaders, and to look at some of the other big elections taking place around the world in 2024.Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this end-of-year episode, the podcast answers political questions about Downing Street and the White House, Nigel Farage's plans, and the impact of election campaign closing days. The hosts discuss holiday celebrations, campaign spending, importance of political principles, critiquing Rishishudnek's campaign, lack of women leaders in Labour Party, and predictions and concerns about upcoming elections.

Discussion on the power and purpose of political jokes, including examples from Prime Minister's Questions. The use of jokes in campaigns and conferences. The role of political jokes in diffusing tension and showing resilience. The significance of having a strong partner in politics.

Explore the motivations behind political donations and the impact of spending limits on political parties. Learn about election fundraising, scandalous donations, and effective campaign strategies. Discover a political figure's curiosity sparked by a stone object.

Political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie, and Daniel Finkelstein discuss strategies for dealing with former party leaders, the importance of clarity and direction in politics, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of a digital identity system for elections.

In this podcast, the hosts discuss the challenges faced by political leaders in handling dissent within their party and the significance of strength and unity in leadership. They also delve into the broken promise made by the Liberal Democrats regarding tuition fees and the impact of austerity on universities and the economy. Additionally, the debate on the effectiveness of leaflets in a digital era is explored, along with the advantages and disadvantages of using digital techniques in election campaigning.

The podcast discusses the significance of campaign slogans in political elections and their impact on voters. It analyzes successful and unsuccessful slogans from past campaigns and delves into the emotional appeal and relatability of effective slogans. The hosts also touch on the decision-making process within the Labour party and tease upcoming topics of discussion.

Surprising comeback of David Cameron. Reflections on toxic nature of politics. Impact of speculation on reshuffles. Analysis of recent cabinet reshuffle. Challenges faced by Liberal Democrats. Handling of crises and fashion choices. Timing of elections.

The podcast discusses the role of policies in winning or losing elections. They reflect on past political experiences, including regrets about backing certain policies. The expensive HS2 project and the challenges of reversing policy guarantees are explored. They also highlight the importance of door-to-door campaigning in influencing election outcomes.

In this episode of the podcast, electoral masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie, and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to discuss the upcoming political year. They debate when Rishi Sunak should call a General Election and whether he can generate hope and change. They also explore the significance of party conferences, the challenges faced by third parties, and the impact of party management on political effectiveness.