MATT FORDE: impersonating & interviewing politicians

07/25/23 • 48 min

1 Listener

The Nottingham-born comedian Matt Forde has been fascinated by politics ever since he was 9 years old. Raised by his mum, without much money, Matt experienced life: “at the sharp end of every political decision taken by the government.”

He studied politics at university and, after working for a few MPs, he became a regional organiser for the Labour Party. But by 2010, Matt had left party politics behind and, when he moved to London, he began to pursue a career in stand-up. A job at TalkSPORT followed and he also wrote for shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats and The Last Leg.

In 2013, Matt launched The Political Party Podcast, which combines topical comedy and a light-hearted interview - with a big political name. He also hosts the award-winning British Scandal podcast, with Alice Levine. And, in 2020, he revived Spitting Image, which is currently enjoying a run in London’s West End.

This interview was recorded on Monday 24th July, hot on the heels of three by-elections, and just before Matt headed off to Edinburgh - with a brand new stand-up show, titled Inside No. 10, and three Political Party specials.

Related links:

Matt's website

Matt's interview with Tessa Jowell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Related links:

Matt's website

Matt's interview with Tessa Jowell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

MICK LYNCH: strikes, workers' rights & rail nationalisation

Mick Lynch is the General Secretary of Britain's largest specialist transport trade union, the RMT.

In May 2022, the RMT announced that its members had voted overwhelmingly in favour of strikes, in a dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

At the time, they said it was the biggest endorsement of industrial action, by railway workers, since privatisation. But the dispute remains unresolved. And 20,000 railway workers will now walk out over three more days, on the 20th, 22nd and the 29th of July.

All this is set against a cost of living crisis, and a wave of industrial action that has included teachers, nurses, junior doctors, and university staff. And while the government has just made a pay offer to millions of public sector workers, they are also looking to curb strike disruption with a new bill.

In this interview, recorded on Monday 17th July, Mick reflects on a year of industrial action, the campaign to save ticket offices, the Strikes Bill, Labour policy, rail nationalisation and Brexit.

Related links:

The Rail Delivery Group's response to the latest RMT strike dates

The Department for Transport's dispute handling guide for train operating companies (& rail passenger contracts)

Have your say on proposals to change the way ticket offices are staffed

The Strikes Bill and the impact assessment

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Next Episode

JESS MCDONALD: the reality of being a detective in The Met

Jess McDonald was one of the first recruits on The Metropolitan Police’s Direct Entry Detective Scheme. Launched in 2017, to address a shortage of detectives, this scheme was not without its critics. Successful applicants had a direct route into a career as a detective, without first undertaking a role in uniform policing.

When Jess first pitched an idea for a book, she wanted to bridge the gap between people’s fascination with true crime and the reality of what it is to be a detective. But she ended up leaving the job she loved and writing about the challenges she found - both in The Met and the justice system.

Jess believes that transparency can only be bracingly positive. A sentiment that was shared by Baroness Casey, when she conducted a year-long review of The Met, following the murder of Sarah Everard, by a serving officer.

Given that Jess worked on cases of domestic abuse, this interview may include content that some may find triggering. But it’s a fascinating insight into the life, and work, of a Met detective.

Baroness Casey's Report

Domestic abuse - how to get help

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