Where Politics Meets History

Iain is joined by the one and only Carol Vorderman for some real For The Many fun. They discuss the state of the NHS, how Keir Starmer's getting on, Carol's views on the Tory leadership candidates, the Trump/Harris debate, the winter fuel payment cut, the Australian social media ban for young people and so very much more, including Carol's new book!

Iain is joined this time by political commentator Scarlett MccGwire. They discuss the row around cuts to the winter fuel allowance, media training politicians, the upcoming Harris vs Trump debate, counterfactuals and much more besides - plus of course an update on Iain's health!

Iain is joined this time by marvellous Labour MP Emily Thornberry. They discuss the Grenfell enquiry, the Tory leadership contest, Emily's bid to be chair of the foreign affairs select committee, Jeremy Corbyn, Iain's upcoming operation, the power of hope and much more besides.Due to a few technical issues, a portion of the discussion was lost.

Iain is joined by his ex-TV wife Yasmin Alibhai-Brown for some good fun. They discuss Tory candidates lost on the political moors, the winter fuel allowance, German elections, Jas Athwal, Nadine Dorries vs Angela Raver and much else besides!

Iain is joined by former Labour MP Caroline Flint for this one. They discuss whether the PM is Mr Gloomster, banning smoking outdoors, the Tory leadership contest, fuel poverty, Iain's Thatcher biography, carbonara sauce in a can - and we get a special appearance from Her Ladyship!

Iain returns to the podcast and co-hosts with LBC's political editor Natasha Clark. They discuss how Jacqui's getting on in her new job, Natasha's favourite LBC presenters, who's doing well in the Tory leadership contest, conspiracy theories and Mike Lynch, Gen Z lingo and loads more.

Grant Tucker and Amy Hart present this week with Iain still away (but returning next time!) Our duo discuss A-Level results, the Tory leadership race, Liz Truss getting pranked, fantasy holiday guests and the modern phenomenon of 'rawdogging' - and much more!

The podcast continues with Iain still away - this time hosted by Grant Tucker and LBC's own Aggie Chambre! They discuss the riots of the last week, politicians on holiday, Kamala Harris's running mate, how much sleep is the right amount of sleep and loads more besides... and we get a rip-roaring nun joke!

With Iain in hospital, For The Many continues with Grant Tucker and Carolyn Quinn! They talk about the unrest in Southport, Huw Edwards pleading guilty, Kamala vs Trump, Toby jugs, GPs taking industrial action, the Olympics and loads more.

Iain co-hosts this episode with fabulous Labour MP Dawn Butler. They talk GB Energy, Labour MPs getting suspended, Dawn's rap video, the Tory leadership race, men on planes and loads more besides! 

Iain's co-host this time is political commentator Jo Phillips, who first got Iain into radio. As well as discussing their friendship and how they met, they tackle the enormous news of Biden dropping out and whether Kamala Harris could win in November. Also, the Leeds riot, whether the government will spend big on public sector pay, universities pleading poverty, anti-tourist protests in Europe, what next for the Conservatives and loads more too!

Iain is reunited with Jacqui Smith for For the Many Live! from the Kent coastal town of Broadstairs, and joined by the one and only Gyles Brandreth.Get your tickets for future For the Many Live shows at this autumn's party conferences in Brighton, Liverpool and Birmingham at www.forthemany.live

Iain is joined by Harriet Harman, who retired from the Commons at the recent election after more than 30 years as an MP. They discuss the contents of this week's King's Speech and how the new Labour government is faring so far, the fall-out from the attempt to assassinate Donald Trump and his choice of J.D. Vance as his running mate, plus Taylor Swift's efforts to tackle poverty in Britain.

Iain and guest co-host Thangam Debbonaire discuss her defeat to the Green Party in the general election - and the need to accept that defeat gracefully - along with the job Wes Streeting has ahead of him in tackling the problems within the NHS, the toxic culture of politics and the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, plus Thangam's new tattoo and what she's learnt about football during Euro 2024.

Shelagh Fogarty joins Iain for the first PJ-era episode of 'For the Many'. They discuss all the fall-out from Labour's first week in power, whether Joe Biden should drop out of the US Presidential race, the NATO Summit in Washington... and whether it's coming home this week.The next episode will feature former Labour MP Thangam Debonnaire as Iain's guest co-host.

Over the weekend, For the Many's own Jacqui Smith was granted a peerage and appointed as Universities Minister in Sir Keir Starmer's government. Hours after beginning her new role at the Department for Education, Jacqui popped by to see Iain and record her farewell epsidoe of the podcast.

Iain and Jacqui delve into the election results - Labour get a landslide, the Tory Party's decimated, but what does it all mean? Why did it turn out this way? What happens next? Our duo provides the best analysis, as ever.

In the last episode before polling day, Iain and Jacqui discuss the 'part-time PM' attack on Starmer, The Sun giving their support to Labour, wheeling out Boris Johnson, how polling day works, how the candidates will be feeling and much more too... including a few awards!

Iain and Jacqui discuss the Guardian reporting Jacqui might be the next NHS boss, warnings about a Labour supermajority, Iain stirring up trouble about Peter Mandelson, the French elections, Biden's debate performance and much else besides!

Iain and Jacqui discuss the final leaders' debate, further betting developments and whether the Tories are being further damaged, Trump set to face Biden on CNN, Starmer in hot water for 'singling out' Bangladeshi asylum seekers, Ed Davey wanting to ban smoking but legalise cannabis, video doorbells, non-doms/condoms, David Tennant and much much more!

Iain and Jacqui discuss the latest in betting scandals, Iain's hour with Neil Kinnock, Farage's comments about the Ukraine war, Julian Assange leaving the UK, banning conversion therapy, the England team's performance and loads more besides.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Starmer's position on Jeremy Corbyn, the youth hustings on Iain's LBC show, campaign donations, betting, poster wars, Walter Mittys, the Titanic and much more besides!

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! in Cambridge with fantastic historian and author Mary Beard.

Iain and Jacqui discuss a controversial poster, Sunak's performance with Nick Ferrari, John Caudwell, the meaning of 'working people', Ian McKellen's fall, the SNP manifesto and more.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Reform UK's 'contract' launch, the licence fee, net zero, Jacqui losing her phone, Rosie Duffield and Lord Cashman, and the police ramming a cow - and more!

Iain and Jacqui discuss Labour's manifesto, Sunak vs Starmer on Sky, politicians pretending to be poor, Andrea Jenkyns stepping out of line, Jacqui's trousers and loads more besides.

Iain and Jacqui discuss the Conservative manifesto, more drama in Tunbridge Wells, Farage attacked again, Jacqui's experiences on the #LabourDoorstep, Hunter Biden and energy drinks!

Iain and Jacqui discuss the release of the Liberal Democrat manifesto, Rishi Sunak’s return from two days away from the campaign trail, the problem of prison places, Labour’s new childcare policy and the resignation of Douglas Ross as Conservative leader in Scotland.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Iain's complicated couple of weeks, Rishi Sunak's D-Day blunder, TV debates, Conservatives giving child benefit to richer people, whether Labour will recognise a Palestinian state, who's winning so far on policy and loads more.

Jacqui and Grant discuss Nigel Farage being 'milkshaked', the TV debates, a defence triple lock, Trump convicted, a migration cap and what the polls are saying - plus loads more.

Jacqui and Grant discuss the Labour Party and Diane Abbott, taxes, votes at 16, the differences and similarities between the main parties, the influence of the smaller parties and much more!

Iain and Jacqui talk Starmer the 'socialist', Ed Davey falling into a lake, Diane Abbott's relationship with the Labour Party and much more. Plus, Iain makes a big announcement...

In this election update, Iain and Jacqui discuss the first few days of the campaign, national service, Rishi Sunak taking a day off, Starmer's speech re-introducing himself, the PM on TikTok, MPs announcing they're stepping down, Nigel Farage's comments and plenty more.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at the Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature with Conservative Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer.This was recorded on Saturday the 18th of May, before Rishi Sunak called the general election.

Iain and Jacqui discuss all things general election. What happens now? What will be the deciding themes, the biggest policies, the key moments to look out for? Why did Sunak call it now? Will there be TV debates and do they matter? Everything you need to know and more! Smut quota: Largely sensible, I promise.From next week, For The Many will bring you an election update on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays - and you'll get your full weekly episode as normal!

Jacqui and Grant (Iain still on holiday) explain how party conferences work, who benefits from them and what the point of them is.Plus questions on nationalising public services, ignoring Welsh issues and car crashes.

Jacqui and Grant reunite as Iain holidays in Aberdeen with Fiona Bruce. They discuss Keir Starmer's 'first steps', Rishi Sunak's warning of a dangerous world, suspension from the Commons at arrest rather than charge, the fallout from Natalie Elphicke's defection, Baroness Hazarika getting a cheeky message from Gordon Brown and loads more besides. Smut quota: Middling in the main!

Iain and Jacqui explain their involvement in, and the importance of, student politics - as well as a few of the current controversies.Plus questions on memories of the death of John Smith, campaign financing, initiation ceremonies and much more!

Iain and Jacqui discuss the fallout of the Mayoral elections, John Swinney becoming SNP leader, the Garrick Club opening up, Natalie Elphicke's defection, Monty Panesar's long week, Labour's small boats policy and Eurovision controversy - plus loads more! Smut quota: Fair to Middling.

Iain and Jacqui explains what happens when the government and the media hear about a terror attack.Plus questions on whether the Tories should fear Reform UK, why council elections are split up and the secret to long-lasting relationships.

Iain and Jacqui discuss the local election results (so far!), what they might mean for a general election, whether Susan Hall is in with a chance, Jacqui getting teary over Redditch and loads more - dive in! Smut quota: Low-to-Middling

Iain and Jacqui explain the wide range of local elections coming up on Thursday.Also, questions on self-sabotage, whether the east of England is being ignored and whether party political broadcasts work.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Humza Yousaf’s problems, the Rwanda Bill becoming an Act, defence spending, rail renationalization, the US Ukraine vote, the departure of Huw Edwards from the BBC, the death of Frank Field and calls for the Met Commissioner’s resignation. Smut quota: Low... with the odd exception.

Iain and Jacqui explain the benefits and challenges of having friends from a different political party!Also, questions on how to find out your MP's views, why there are so many ministers, proscribing the IRGC, whether five year parliaments are too long and loads else.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Iain's interview with Liz Truss, the Iranian attack on Israel, Angela Rayner, freedom of movement, the smoking ban policy, Mark Menzies and loads more! Smut quota: Graham needn't worry too much.

Iain and Jacqui explain the process of calling an election - and what happens next!Also, questions on new parliamentary candidates, banning smartphones for children, Owen Jones leaving the Labour Party and more.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Labour going after tax dodgers, William Wragg, Cameron paying Trump a visit, protesters outside Starmer's house, whether Angela Rayner's in danger, Harold Wilson's affair and loads more. Smut quota: Middling.

Iain and Jacqui discuss aid workers killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza, calls for arms sales to cease, a new MRP poll looking bad for the Tories, Iain's new job, a change to the format, 25 years of the minimum wage, ID cards, a naughty Cross Question moment, the Michael Jackson musical and lots more besides. Smut quota: Largely decent.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith rejoice in the afterglow of their Dublin show as they discuss the week’s news, including the possibility of Johnny Mercer being jailed, the failures of Michael Gove as Housing Secretary, the pensions triple lock. The England football shirt and the NHS British Social Attitudes Survey. Smut quota: Zero

Iain and Jacqui enjoyed a lovely weekend in Ireland’s capital, which culminated in a near sellout ‘For the Many Live! At the Laughter Lounge comedy club. The resignation of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach provided the ideal background to the show and they were delighted that the Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe, and mentioned as a possible successor to Varadkar, joined them as their special guest. Iain tested Jacqui on her knowledge about Ireland, its history and politics and they talked woth Paschal about the latest trends in Irish politics, the EU and his interest in UK politics. All in all, a fabulous evening in front of a brilliantly engaged audience. Jacqui and Iain are already planning another event in Dublin in 2026! Smut quota: Zero.Get your tickets for future For the Many Live shows in Fowey, Cambridge and Brighton at www.forthemany.live