DiscoverStrong Message Here
Strong Message Here
Claim Ownership

Strong Message Here

Author: BBC Radio 4

Subscribed: 2,835Played: 94,067
Share
© (C) BBC 2026

Description

Armando Iannucci hosts the programme that gives you a cast-iron guarantee to be laser-focused on decoding the baffling world of political language.

Each week he'll be joined by a guest to crack open the political phrasebook and attempt to demystify the doublespeak. Why does everything now have to be 'turbo-charged'? What's the difference between a 'pledge' and a 'mission'? Why has my local MP been 'weaponised' and should I be worried?

You'll be treated to a crash course in the dark arts of political language from people on the inside who are both baffled and beguiled by it. They'll walk you through the various verbal fiascos of the modern political lexicon so that by the end you'll be oven-ready for an appearance on Newsnight.

Armando's erstwhile partner in de-baffling political lexicon, Helen Lewis, is away working in the United States in the autumn and so her seat will be kept warm by a rotating cast of co-hosts.

Listen to Strong Message Here on Thursdays on Radio 4 at 9.45am, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds.

Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4.

92 Episodes
Reverse
Super Intelligence (with Stewart Lee and Carole Cadwalladr)

Super Intelligence (with Stewart Lee and Carole Cadwalladr)

2026-10-0734:051

Armando is joined by Stewart Lee to look at the newly rebranded 'Super Intelligence'.To get into the linguistic weeds, they are also joined by founding member of The Nerve, Carole Cadwalladr.The tech bros are coming up with new terminology all over the shop, so we take a whistle stop tour through phrases that grind our gears. Rogue agents, warfighters and bootloaders all come under scrutiny.Elsewhere, we discuss Armando's visit to Jeffrey Archer's house, Burnham's short honeymoon and why Superman is a rubbish superhero.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC studios production for Radio 4
Political Capital (with Pierre Novellie)

Political Capital (with Pierre Novellie)

2026-09-3034:394

Armando is joined by comedian Pierre Novellie this week, and they’re going to have an honest conversation about political capital. Looking at some of the phrases and language being used around Burnham’s decision to spend his political capital, we look at some of the announcements trailed in the speech, and whether the politics of ‘saying’ now trumps the politics of ‘doing’.Elsewhere, Armando and Pierre work out the difference between a ‘legitimate concern’ and an ‘understandable concern’, examine Peter Thiel’s defense of evil, and find the most unfortunately named politician in the world.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Rich EvansProduction Coordinator: Asha Osborne-GrinterExecutive Producer: Pete StraussRecorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC studios production for Radio 4
We Care, We Fight! (with Stewart Lee)

We Care, We Fight! (with Stewart Lee)

2026-09-2338:091

Stewart Lee returns to the show after a summer judging dog shows with Charlotte Church.He and Armando look at the Lib Dem conference, and why the 'word cloud' is not Ed Davey's friend. They also have some helpful and serious suggestions for how Ed can improve his messaging, which I'm sure he'll take on board.Elsewhere, we look at how Trump's media ban might play out, and if the Democrats in the US have finally landed on a decent attack line on 'The Trump Crime Family'.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Rich Evans Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at the Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
I Wasn't Even Listening (with Natalie Haynes)

I Wasn't Even Listening (with Natalie Haynes)

2026-09-1634:311

Armando is back from a summer break to look at the use and abuse of political language.Joined by friend of the show, Natalie Haynes, they mournfully fell the Keir Starmer Metaphor tree, and find a suitable replacement for the Andy Burnham era.Elsewhere, they discuss the undercover operation on Reform, and the language of the fallout, 'perv glasses' and a corbyn-eqsue 'Strong Message Here' for the modern era.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at the Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
Doing Politics Differently (with Phil Wang and Pierre Novellie)

Doing Politics Differently (with Phil Wang and Pierre Novellie)

2026-07-0138:361

This week, Phil Wang steps in for Armando, and is joined by comedian Pierre Novellie to discuss 'doing politics differently'.Digging into the language of Burnham's speech, we examine what he means by 'place', and whether we will see an end to 'punch and judy politics'.Elsewhere, we look at Badenoch's attack mode, America's 250th celebrations and why politicians struggle to p-p-p-pick a favourite biscuit.Stay tuned to the end to hear from Armando, and find out what they 'Putin' the chicken over in Georgia.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James RobinsonProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
loading
Comments 
Google Play
Download from Google Play
Castbox
Download from App Store
usUnited States