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Strong Message Here

Author: BBC Radio 4

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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.

96 Episodes
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Saddam Hussein's Cheesecake Factory (with Nish Kumar)

Saddam Hussein's Cheesecake Factory (with Nish Kumar)

2026-11-0433:411

Armando is joined by comedian Nish Kumar to talk about petulance in politics.With Flavio Bolsonaro flouncing off, Trump accolytes baulking at Obama's joke, and Elon Musk creating his own 'historically accurate' Odyssey, are we seeing political language and action become infected by greivance?Elsewhere, there are Sean Connery impressions, Nish rails against paperclips, we discover Armando's role in creating a heartthrob.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC studios production for Radio 4
In a Surprise Announcement (with Beth Rigby)

In a Surprise Announcement (with Beth Rigby)

2026-10-2839:351

Armando is joined by Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby to pore over the language surrounding the budget.Can you pre-trail a 'surprise announcement'? What does good growth mean? And do people care about PuFins?Elsewhere, we look at politicians telling jokes, vibes politicians, and hear what happened when Beth shouted at Angela Merkel.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Jerry Peal 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
Don't Insult My Intelligence (with Chloe Petts and Marianna Spring)

Don't Insult My Intelligence (with Chloe Petts and Marianna Spring)

2026-10-2136:59

Armando is joined by comedian Chloe Petts to look at whether we're getting more stupid, and whether we get the politicians we deserve.To get into the weeds of that, they are also joined by BBC's Social Media Investigations Correspondent, Marianna Spring.With Trump telling an audience 'i could say the stupidest things and you'd clap', we look at how social media and AI are changing our interactions with politicians from both directions, and with Celebrity Traitors as an example, are we suspicious of anyone who displays intelligence?Elsewhere, we find out what's under Armando's kilt, hear a long goodbye from an AI agent, and invent a very British solution to rioting.AI interview clip from @grahamdotzip's video "I Sent an AI to My Job Interview. So Did the Company" on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0fECnj5sasGot a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected] editing: Chris Mac Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC studios production for Radio 4
Handcuffed to a Zombie (with Tom Peck)

Handcuffed to a Zombie (with Tom Peck)

2026-10-1439:49

Armando is joined by sketchwriter for the Times, Tom Peck, to look at the language of the schism on the British rightFollowing on from party conference season, we discuss the escalating war of words between Badenoch and Jenrick, as well as 'the worst speech of all time' from Andrew Griffith.We also look at the language of the Green Party's 'zionism is racism' motion, and the wider reaction to it.Elsewhere, Armando recalls the moment he died inside, Tom pitches a new BBC property show, and they speculate on the late Queen's final diary entry.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
Super Intelligence (with Stewart Lee and Carole Cadwalladr)

Super Intelligence (with Stewart Lee and Carole Cadwalladr)

2026-10-0734:052

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
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