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Where Politics Meets History
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Where Politics Meets History

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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
594 Episodes
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77. OBR U Mine?

77. OBR U Mine?

2025-12-0258:13

Iain and Tessa chat about whether the government lied before the Budget, whether the BBC is censoring Rutger Bregman, what constitutes life's moral purpose... and Iain's trip to see Cliff Richard.Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
76. If Books Could Kill

76. If Books Could Kill

2025-11-2801:02:35

Iain and Tessa talk the Budget (SPOILER: neither is impressed!), French military service, how our reading habits have changed and more!Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
75. Let's Get Fiscal

75. Let's Get Fiscal

2025-11-2501:04:16

Iain and Tessa talk the upcoming Budget (and Budgets throughout history!), whether Trump's peace plan for Ukraine will be a success... and an odd gift Iain received in Frinton-on-Sea.Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com
74. One Way Streeting

74. One Way Streeting

2025-11-2101:03:57

Iain and Tessa reconvene to talk about the UK's changing immigration policy (and Tessa's idea involving military service), potential challengers to Keir Starmer's leadership, how much of a threat we face from Russia - and the politics and history of chocolate!Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com
73. Denmark My Words

73. Denmark My Words

2025-11-1858:06

Iain and Tessa talk Shabana Mahmood's asylum shakeup, Trump suing the BBC and a very ill-conceived moustache.Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com
Iain and Tessa return as more revelations come out regarding the BBC and Trump. Meanwhile, further information is released about the US Presidents relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com
71. BBC You Later Alligator

71. BBC You Later Alligator

2025-11-1101:01:46

Davie is gone and Trump is gunning for Auntie Beeb! Iain and Tessa discuss if the BBC can survive this latest controversy... or if it even should? Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com
70. COPs and Robbers

70. COPs and Robbers

2025-11-0757:34

Iain and Tessa link up to talk COP30, mistaken prisoner releases, potential taxes on electric cars (which gets Iain's dander up immensely) - and poppy pressure.Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
Iain and Tessa connect remotely to talk Farage's plans for the economy, Zohran Mamdani's success in New York, the Huntingdon stabbing and the heroism of the passengers and guard, and more.Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
68. Xi's the One

68. Xi's the One

2025-10-3150:39

Iain and Tessa are back to discuss the relationship between China and the US after Trump meets Xi, whether Rachel Reeves is in serious trouble or not, what it means to receive the 'Freedom of the City of London'... and Rachel Johnson makes a surprise appearance!Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
67. My Wage

67. My Wage

2025-10-2853:43

Iain and Tessa lock horns on representation in media after Reform MP Sarah Pochin's comments on race, they discuss the new Japanese PM, the minimum wage, the use of exclamation marks and more!!!!Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
66. Woke This Way

66. Woke This Way

2025-10-2454:36

Iain and Tessa debate whether Piers Morgan is right that 'woke is dead', whether Jess Phillips will resign, Trump demolishing part of the White House and Tessa going on a Romanian cooking show!Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
65. Win Some Louvre Some

65. Win Some Louvre Some

2025-10-2101:02:18

Iain and Tessa connect remotely to talk about whether Prince Andrew deserves to keep his titles, the heist at the Louvre, Trump vs Venezuela and more!Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
64. Daddy (My Daddy) Cool

64. Daddy (My Daddy) Cool

2025-10-1701:01:19

Iain and Tessa joust over the collapse of the China spy case, the history of the Official Secrets Act, the Greens rising in the polls and more! Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
63. Piece by Peace

63. Piece by Peace

2025-10-1458:23

Iain and Tessa are together again - this time to talk peace in the Middle East, the history of Benjamin Netanyahu, Venezuela, Prince Andrew, and who could be the next prime minister!Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
62. Boom Shack-A-Lak

62. Boom Shack-A-Lak

2025-10-1001:08:31

Iain and Tessa talk the beginnings of peace in Gaza, Kemi Badenoch's speech, the new Archbishop of Canterbury and whether Nick Clegg's book is selling well.Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
61. Never Ending Tory

61. Never Ending Tory

2025-10-0701:06:57

Iain and Tessa talk Tory conference, whether the Conservatives are copying Reform UK and memorable conference moments throughout history. They also talk about political chaos in France and the aftermath of the election in Czechia.Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
Iain and Tessa reunite in the studio to speak about the terror attack in Manchester and how to prevent this happening again. They also discuss Pete Hegseth's remarks on women in the military - and Iain makes an apology!This was recorded on Thursday afternoon.Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
Iain Dale and Tessa Dunlop discuss memorable moments from Labour conferences past and how the subject of patriotism is being used by Labour to take on Reform UK. Will it work though? They also discuss the implications of the results of the Moldovan election and take some questions, before Iain's Wifi rudely cuts them off!Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
58. Swaneater

58. Swaneater

2025-09-2601:04:181

Iain and Tessa joust and jostle over whether 'King of the North' Andy Burnham poses a threat to Keir Starmer, whether the world can trust the new Syrian leader, Nigel Farage's comments on LBC this week... and if Bristol used to have its own time zone!Send your questions and voice notes to 07557 187929 or wherepoliticsmeetshistory@global.com.
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Comments (43)

Samuel Jukes

I'm a tory boy you both make me laugh and you have a great business relationship keep doing good 👍🏼

Sep 19th
Reply

steve pollock

The utter hypocrisy of this woman

Jul 26th
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Ellie

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.

May 29th
Reply

Steve Pollock

Ageee with Nick ,dreadful episode

Nov 7th
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Nick Flavell

switched off after 30 mins, this person speaks so condescendingly to Ian

Nov 5th
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Rhod Armstrong

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😄

Nov 13th
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Mandy Bentley Howard

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

Sep 3rd
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Mandy Bentley Howard

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!

May 8th
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Jason Lamont

Brilliant, you’re right, the idea of Rory Stewart talking about w*nking is not good! (Especially as he was at Eton)

Apr 26th
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michael moore

Not always factually correct but worth a listen.

Mar 27th
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Michael Klas

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%

Jan 26th
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Ellie

is it just me or is Iain talking really really fast on this episode?!!!

Sep 3rd
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lee brookfield

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.

Jul 31st
Reply (1)

Mandy Bentley Howard

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!

Feb 21st
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Alan Gaunt

great show

Jan 10th
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Gary R

excellent podcasts I look forward to hearing them every week.

Dec 5th
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Kirsten Farr

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

Nov 16th
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Ellie

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

Sep 26th
Reply

lee brookfield

Is it just me or does Jacquie Smith sound like Muttley when she laughs, does that make Iain Dick Dastardly ?

Jul 16th
Reply

Gary R

Brilliant as usual 👏👏🤣

May 9th
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