Where Politics Meets History

Some of the choicest morsels from the year that was 2023. Iain and Jacqui discuss a whole host of topics. There are laughs, tears and plenty of smut. Do enjoy!

Iain and Jacqui discuss the Christmas number one, Michelle Mone, junior doctors striking, Rishi Sunak at the Liaison Committee, Network North, predictions for 2024, a stingy nan and loads more besides. Smut Quota: Copious.

Iain and Jacqui talk the Rwanda Bill, Harry hacking, Mark Drakeford, a two-state solution, the heroism of David Davis and loads more besides! Smut quota: Fair to Middling.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Starmer's thoughts on Thatcher, cutting legal immigration, the Rwanda plan causing chaos in Westminster, toilet breaks, the rising licence fee, the COVID inquiry and loads more. Smut Quota: Lower this week, as the duo records from an ITV green room.Listeners, please submit your choices for our Best Of episode to [email protected], citing the episode number, title and timecode of your favourite bits!

Iain and Jacqui discuss COP28, the row over the Elgin Marbles, the death of Henry Kissinger, Alistair Darling, Shane MacGowan and Dean Sullivan, Royal troubles, Ursula von der Leyen's comments on Britain rejoining the EU, strife in the Lib Dems, Jonny Reynolds, Christmas Number Ones and their appearance in Northampton. Smut quota: Very low unless you find Iain's sniffles a turn-on.

Iain and Jacqui discuss the Autumn Statement, a hostage deal in Israel and Gaza, immigration figures rising, the Dutch election, Cliff Richard on Elvis Presley, the Home Secretary saying 'shit' and loads more. Smut quota: Middling.

Iain and Jacqui discuss the latest battle between Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman over Rwanda and stopping the boats. They chat more about the reshuffle, Labour’s problems over Gaza, the Autumn Statement, Nadine’s book, Cliff Richard and, er, Muffwash. Smut quota: Must do better.

Iain and Jacqui reconvene (during Iain's holiday!) for an emergency recording, breaking down the cabinet reshuffle which saw the return of David Cameron and the sacking of Suella Braverman! Smut Quota: Stop it! This is serious business!

Iain and Jacqui discuss Suella Braverman's response to the planned pro-Palestine marches, the King's Speech, Iain's visit to Number 10, Jacqui's visit to Paris, the COVID inquiry, the AI summit and loads more. Smut Quota: Normal Service Has Been Resumed

Zoe Williams sits in whilst Jacqui takes a well-earned birthday break in bedbug-ridden Paris. Iain and Zoe discuss the situation in Gaza, the COVID inquiry, Keir Starmer's leadership, kids going to school in nappies, the King's visit to Kenya, internships, AI images of Iain and much more. Disagreement quota: High!

Iain and Jacqui discuss Keir Starmer's position on Gaza, calls for a ceasefire, Jeremy Hunt's future, Rachel Reeves's book, British values and much more besides. Smut quota: High in parts!

Iain and Jacqui discuss the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, the results from the recent by-elections, Richard Madeley, culture wars, Peter Bone, the BBC and terrorists and much more.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at the Labour Conference with Labour MP and former Shadow Mental Health Minister Rosena Allin-Khan.

Iain and Jacqui discuss the horrific terror attack in Israel and the response since, the Labour Party Conference, Keir Starmer getting glitter thrown at him, Euro 28, The Reckoning, Lisa Cameron's defection from the SNP and much more.

Iain and Jacqui chat all things Tory Conference: Hurricane Suella, Farage, lies about meat taxes, Sunak's speech and decisions on HS2, A-levels and smoking. They also get into the Rutherglen by-election, Bailey on Brexit, Speaker McCarthy getting kicked out... and loads more. Smut quota: Middling.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at the Conservative Party Conference with Transport Secretary Mark Harper.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at the Liberal Democrat Conference with Lib Dem Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Rishi Sunak going soft on net zero, Starmer in Paris, Russell Brand, whether HS2 should be finished, train strikes and the party conferences and much more besides. Smut Quota: Low.

Iain and Jacqui discuss dangerous dogs, Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire never going to a football match, the rise of male-dominated podcasts, the death of Mike Yarwood, the pensions triple-lock, the fate of Tobias Ellwood, pollution vs house building and much more besides. Smut quota: Plentiful.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Gillian Keegan's f-bomb, crumbling concrete, the escaped prisoner, Labour's reshuffle, Britney Spears and loads more! Smut quota: Ample.

Iain and Jacqui discuss the new Defence Secretary, Nadine Dorries' resignation letter, cleaning up the police, competing with other podcasts, Jacqui's biceps and plenty more besides. Smut quota: Middling.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at the Pleasance at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre with SNP MSP and former party leadership contender Kate Forbes.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at the Pleasance at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre with human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at the Pleasance at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre with the SNP's former Westminster Leader Ian Blackford.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at the Pleasance at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre with Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at the Pleasance at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre with First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Lee Anderson's foul mouth, voters changing their minds, Labour and the Bibby Stockholm, the Edinburgh Fringe, women's football, information cockups and loads more! Smut quota: Middling. High in parts, as it were.

On this, the four-hundredth episode, expect an emotional rollercoaster. Iain and Jacqui talk Trump, botox, the Prime Minister's trousers, saying maaate to a mate, the Bibby Stockholm barge, sex shops, grief (expect tears), King Arthur (expect cackles), the Women's World Cup, and what Iain did on a pure white sofa after an M&S ready meal. Smut quota: Strap in!

Iain and Jacqui discuss all things NatWest, 'Green crap', the consultation on ticket office closures, Labour's position on gender identity, Israel, dodgy lawyers, Sunak's tweets and Oppenheimer. Smut quota: Middling!

Iain and Jacqui talk Farage's account, by-elections, ten years of gay marriage, Tobias Ellwood in Afghanistan, rip-off degrees, Starmer and the child benefit cap and so much more. Smut quota: Outrageous from the very beginning.

Iain and Jacqui discuss the BBC and its reaction to The Sun's story on Huw Edwards, Joe Biden’s visit, the NATO summit, the public sector pay offer and much else. With added Woody! Smut quota: Low.

Iain and Jacqui discuss whether Keir Starmer is right to want more arts, music, drama and oracy on the school curriculum, the NHS at 75, cars, trains, ticket offices, Rishi’s attendance at PMQs, becoming emotional over cars, HS2, Wes Streeting, MPs’ salaries and the New Conservatives. Smut quota: Low

Iain and Jacqui discuss Putin and Wagner, Hancock at the Covid Inquiry, the death of Margaret McDonagh, the Tory London mayoral race, Ben Bradshaw’s yoga advice, saving, flights to Rwanda, Thames Water, a possible Labour reshuffle, the Privileges Committee second report, Glastonbury and Iain’s first haircut in ten years. Smut quota: much lower than last week, thank God.

Iain Dale answers listener questions and doles out some well meaning advice, including to someone who’s having a gay affair with a married man, someone who wants him to rank the Irish Taoisigh, another who wonders if it’s still possible the Red Wall will remain Conservative and another listener who worries about moving in with his girlfriend.

Iain and Jacqui discuss the Commons Privileges Committee vote, the Jingle and Mingle party, the Covid Inquiry, inflation and interest rates, Windrush, Ben Wallace, the refugee boat in the Med, the Titan submersible, four by-elections and much else besides. Smut quota: Far too high right from the beginning and right at the end.

Iain answers your questions on whether politicians get to see their family, how to keep a happy marriage, whether hardbacks are a rip-off and how to stop a dog being jealous.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the Privileges Committee report into Boris Johnson, the tragic events in Nottingham, reforming the laws on abortion, mortgage costs, the arrest of Nicola Sturgeon and the deaths of Silvio Berlusconi and Glenda Jackson. Smut quota: Middling

Iain Dale takes your questions on all sorts of issues ranging from relationship advice, politics, sex addiction and much more besides. Smut level High.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith react to the news that Boris Johnson is to quit Parliament with immediate effect, following on from Nadine Dorries announcing the self same thing. They start the recording just as Tory MP Nigel Adams became the third Tory MP to cause a by-election. They also discuss Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list and the criminal indictment of Donald Trump.

Iain and Jacqui discuss West Ham's victory, the nightmare of NHS admin, small boats, Caroline Lucas stepping down at the next election, Rishi in Washington, Harry in the High Court, Jamie Driscoll blocked and a new addition to the Dale family!

Iain answers your questions on whether the Conservatives can catch up, how to reduce inequality, how much class can impact a relationship, whether Labour are right to block left-wing Jamie Driscoll from running to be North East Mayor and what's happening to Washington D.C.

Iain and Jacqui discuss the mystery behind the Government’s legal challenge about the release of WhatsApp messages to the Covid Inquiry, Iain announces the temporary return of the Wednesday bonus podcast (but sans Jacqui), they talk about Joe Biden’s latest fall (makes a change from Iain), the future of inheritance tax, spooky dreams, Phillip Schofield, EVs and Labour’s tax plans.

Iain and Jacqui discuss Iain's fall (it gets a bit teary!), the important work done by carers, Suella's speeding, Phillip Schofield's apology, Boris back in the headlines and plenty more besides! Smut quota: Middling.

Iain and Jacqui discuss effluent in the rivers, National Conservatism, car chases through the streets of New York, building on the green belt, RAJAR figures, who should be able to vote and much else besides! Smut quota: Low to Middling... until the very end!

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith cast a furrowed brow over the week's news, as they reflect on the Coronation, the fallout from the local elections, Imran Khan's arrest, Liz Truss's trip to Taiwan and much else besides. Smut quota: Middling, with too much swearing.Buy tickets for Iain and Jacqui's Edinburgh Fringe show at http://www.forthemany.live.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith read the runes of the local election results, discuss Keir Starmer’s pledges, the state of Iain’s eyes, the drone attack on Putin, Kevin Costner’s divorce and Jacqui’s busman’s holiday to Gothenburg. Smut quota: Low to middling.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the crisis in Sudan, Diane Abbott’s expulsion from the PLP, Andrew Bridgen’s expulsion from the Conservatives, police numbers, Jacqui’s burgeoning love-in with Jonathan Gullis, Prince Harry in the High Court, the local elections, Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill attending the Coronation, Iain’s eye troubles and much more besides. Smut quota: Middling.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at The Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff with Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith talk about the resignation of Dominic Raab, legalising drugs, maths teaching, inflation, blue ticks and Iain's Instagram impersonator. Smut quota: Middling.

Iain and Jacqui host For the Many Live! at The Hippodrome in London with former Justice Secretary Brandon Lewis.