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Where Politics Meets History
Where Politics Meets History
Author: Global
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Join broadcaster Iain Dale and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop as they take a fresh look at the biggest news of the week - through the lens of history. Because nothing is ever truly new, and history has a habit of repeating itself.
With wit, insight, and the occasional good-natured row, Iain and Tessa explore how today’s headlines echo the past, unearthing fascinating stories and unexpected parallels. Expect sharp analysis, engaging debate, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.
For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com
With wit, insight, and the occasional good-natured row, Iain and Tessa explore how today’s headlines echo the past, unearthing fascinating stories and unexpected parallels. Expect sharp analysis, engaging debate, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.
For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com
619 Episodes
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Iain and Tessa talk about the shifts in the political system demonstrated in the run-up to the Gorton and Denton by-election, the latest Tony Blair documentary, the history of youths being out of work and more!
Iain and Tessa talk Boris Johnson's comments on sending troops to Ukraine, the arrest of Peter Mandelson, how to fix the student loan system and what should be done about special educational needs provision!
Iain and Tessa discuss Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest and what it could mean for the wider Royal Family - as well as the history of Royals and the law. They also talk about Iain's speeding, what to do with the Houses of Parliament, suggestions for new right-wing party names and more!This episode was recorded yesterday afternoon, before Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's release on bail.Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, not sexual offences which he also denies.
Iain and Tessa connect remotely, Iain in London and Tessa in Bucharest! They do battle over the government U-turning on local elections, Palestine Action, defence spending and Iain's speeding...
Iain and Tessa discuss whether Lord Doyle is being treated fairly, the history of the age of consent, whether enough attention is being paid to Ukraine, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's remarks about immigration and whether Tessa is heightist.
Iain and Tessa talk Keir Starmer's future (and the history of PMs facing issues mid-term), whether the Royals are getting their response to Andrew right, the new Japanese PM and more!
Iain and Tessa talk Keir Starmer's apology for ever making Mandelson US ambassador, they delve into the Profumo affair and what it tells us about political scandals, whether the UK punches its weight on the world stage - and more!
Iain and Tessa talk Lord Mandelson and whether he should give up his peerage or be forced out of the Lords, whether Andrew Mountbatten will testify in the US, whether Matt Goodwin will win for Reform UK in Gorton and Denton - and more!
Iain and Tessa talk Starmer in China, what Trump could do in Iran, Melania's new film and more!
Iain and Tessa talk Suella Braverman defecting to Reform UK, Labour blocking Andy Burnham, ICE killing someone else in Minnesota, a little Polish history, police reform and more.
Iain and Tessa talk Trump's U-turn on Greenland, his mistakes about Chinese wind, whether Brooklyn Beckham did the right thing, whether Tessa is too mean to Iain - and more!
With Iain in London and Tessa in Madeira, our pair talk Trump vs Europe, Jenrick vs Badenoch and Harry vs the Mail, among other things!
Iain and Tessa debate whether the Iranian regime will fall, and what involvement Trump could have in that - as well as a bit of Iranian history to put it all in context! They also discuss the proposed new Chinese embassy in London, whether Labour MPs should stop worrying about their leader... and one of Iain's exes!
Tessa has the lurgy so Iain is joined by Aggie for this one! They discuss whether the West will get involved in Iran, ex Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi defecting to Reform UK, whether we should listen to Peter Mandelson... and a mistake involving ABBA Voyage!
Iain and Tessa are back to talk Trump's further threats to take Greenland (and the history behind it!), ICE shooting a woman in Minneapolis, Moldova's Maia Sandu and whether Labour is losing the young...
Iain and Tessa discuss President Trump capturing Venezuela's Maduro, whether he might invade Greenland, Brigitte Macron winning a cyberbullying case and which former newsreader's boots Tessa is wearing.
Iain and Tessa review the party leaders' new year messages, the government vs the ECHR on Shamima Begum, the fireworks and more!
In this interesting limbo period between Christmas and the New Year, Iain and Tessa discuss their predictions for 2026, Trump's hopes for peace in Ukraine, Iain's views on newsreaders with regional accents and Tessa's Christmas reading (Central Europe: The Death of a Civilization and the Life of an Idea, by Luka Ivan Jukic).
In this special festive episode we recorded earlier, Iain and Tessa give out some fabulous festive awards! There's also discussion about the history of the humble Christmas cracker... and the A11 (stick with it)!
Iain and Tessa are back together the day after Tessa's Christmas party at her (very tall) house! They discuss the big political and news events from history which have fallen around Christmas, comparisons between Trump and Nixon - and what happened to the bottle of champagne Iain bought Tessa for Christmas...Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.





I'm a tory boy you both make me laugh and you have a great business relationship keep doing good 👍🏼
The utter hypocrisy of this woman
Was so disappointed to hear Jacqui's lame and disingenuous excuses for the delay and obfuscation into the outcome of Diane Abbotts' 'investigation'.Grow some balls and tell it like it is otherwise Labour isn't bringing us change its bringing us same old same old. The public isn't interested in the internal squabbles of the Labour Party and mutual arse covering . It wants truth, honesty and integrity.
Ageee with Nick ,dreadful episode
switched off after 30 mins, this person speaks so condescendingly to Ian
Comedians liked question. Several named straight away and them oh 'some of the women'...Good to hear Rachel still needs her gender identified. Equality not quite here yet😄
you've been missed! as lovely as it's been to have new opinions...brilliant job...but I've missed Auntie Jacqui and Uncle Iain ..thanks for all you do...obviously x
please guys! I've been lucky enough To go away on holiday, what with being a lady of a certain age hadn't downloaded or listened to your recent podcasts! until I returned home!, saw your header and worried our Jacqui had finally had enough and done one literally! It was with huge relief that you are still with us! I give you the oblicatory "thanks for all that you do" look forward to more of your chit and chat, Dale your OK too, keep it up both of you!
Brilliant, you’re right, the idea of Rory Stewart talking about w*nking is not good! (Especially as he was at Eton)
Not always factually correct but worth a listen.
Anyone else bored with the ad for this podcast on James O'Brien's podcast? I'm talking about the ad about Angela Rayner? I see there are 300+ episodes but this specific excerpt about her is repeated to no end...makes me wonder if this podcast is really "For the Many" or more for the mythical 52%
is it just me or is Iain talking really really fast on this episode?!!!
could only listen to half the Pod, the chewing whilst talking and lip smacking was so off putting and annoying it actually made me angry. impossible to listen to theses days with thus going on. used to be better quality, am uninstalling from my subscriptions now. just no regard as to how they sound, terribly bad.
love you both! keep up the naughtiness..makes me smile, politics, current affairs, you've got it! thank you, I speak from my bed with a sleepy husband that's still to discover podcasts...said the wife that has to watch 24/7 news that drives me mad (because he loves it ) please carry on!
great show
excellent podcasts I look forward to hearing them every week.
my favourite political podcast, who'd have thought two people on the opposite side of the political spectrum could make a fun filled. occasionally smutty podcast
was quite upset listening to this. not only did it not pay respect or reference to the Police Officer that was shot but there was reference to Iain carrying live ammunition. I understand if the podcast was recorded in advance of Friday's terrible tragedy but think this should have been rectified before broadcast. Disappointing also usually enjoy the podcast
Is it just me or does Jacquie Smith sound like Muttley when she laughs, does that make Iain Dick Dastardly ?
Brilliant as usual 👏👏🤣