Podcast

In 2013 I launched the Political Party, a monthly live show and podcast that mixed topical comedy and an interview with a prominent politician. 

The show has grown in relevance over that time because it is an antidote to the often divisive and fractious nature of modern political debate. I interview guests from across the political spectrum - left and right, Leave and Remain, Yes and No - with equal respect because I'm genuinely fascinated in how people develop their own political ideas and, for those politicians lucky enough to hold major office, why they took the decisions they did. 

Since 2018 I've been recording weekly episodes in a studio without a live audience because there were so many other fascinating political voices I wanted to interview and there weren't enough shows in the year. This has widened the breadth of guests to include advisers, diplomats, lobbyists, academics, pollsters, journalists and even comedians. 

It's an archive of UK politics that gets added to every week and features informal hour-long interviews with some of the most dominant figures in recent history including: Tony Blair, Nicola Sturgeon, Michael Heseltine, David Davis, Tessa Jowell, Ken Clarke, Nick Clegg, Ruth Davidson, George Osborne, Emily Thornberry, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Jess Phillips, John Bercow, Nicky Morgan, William Hague, Ed Miliband, Stella Creasy and Nigel Farage. 

Following 70 sold out shows over 7 years at The Other Palace Theatre, the fortnightly live show now takes place at The Duchess Theatre in the West End every other Monday night. Tickets are available here. Shows tend to sell out months in advance so plan ahead! Follow me on Twitter for guest announcements at @mattforde.

The show is a podcast which you can listen to on Soundcloud via the links below, Spotify or subscribe via iTunes.