Where Politics Meets History
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: GlobalStudiosSales@global.com
169. Paperback Fighter
Iain and Tessa speak about Sally Rooney's books being withdrawn from the UK over her Palestine Action support, whether the SNP will be able to secure a second independence referendum, President Trump's online posting and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
168. Oil Be Back
Iain and Tessa talk Andy Burnham rethinking our relationship with the EU, what President Trump is up to with Russian diesel, Russian interference in our politics and more!
167. Rage de France
Iain and Tessa talk Kemi Badenoch's speech, Iain's experiences in Birmingham, protests in France and more!
166. Kemistry
Iain and Tessa talk Tory conference and Kemi's 'right way', the Greens voting that Zionism is racism, French protests and more.
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
165. Once, Twice, Three Times a Lock
Iain and Tessa dive into Andy Burnham's speech, (Tessa makes a comparison with Winston Churchill!), the death penalty and Christa Pike - and they get a little introspective. Do they argue too much?
164. When the Orange Order Goes Marching In
Iain and Tessa have a special guest in the first section of the podcast: Tessa's long suffering Mum! They discuss the marching crisis in Portadown, the Republic of Ireland's football match with Israel, the Labour Party conference and a likely election. Plus a spectacular row breaks out over GDP figures!
163. I'm All Piers
Iain and Tessa discuss Piers Morgan suing Earl Spencer, Trump vs the media, anti-migration protests... and what Tessa found in her boxes of champagne!
162. Don't Lose Your Ed (Sheeran)
Iain and Tessa talk Ed Sheeran being dragged into politics, King Charles vs Earl Spencer, who's followed Tessa on Twitter and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
161. Let's Spence the night together
It's Spencer vs Windsor in this week's episode of the pod! With the palace alleging Earl Spencer has been BLINDED by grief, Tess has a different assessment...
Also on the menu: Could Canada join the EU? Is Ed Sheeran in a fuss over nothing? Meghan Markle's whatsapp chats?
Plus Iain and Tessa even manage to make it a whole segment without bickering, isn't that nice. Not to mention the 104 year old woman who spent the night with Tessa, and of course Iain banging on about another speaking engagement or something.
160. Gordon Brown, never a frown
Tessa and Iain discuss Gordon Brown's ideas around civic duty, Reform UK's record-breaking £72 million donations - and whether childcare really should be funded by the state.
And - Iain will discover what is really in Tessa's surprise box.
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
159. The Chatanooga Gee Pee Tee
ChatGPT is coming for our jobs, Ed Milliband causes uproar in Israel and Iain has been in bed with Vanessa Feltz! See if you can count how many times Tessa threatens to replace Iain with AI...
WARNING: Iain has also been given his driving license back, do stay safe out there listeners.
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
158. Girls Just Wanna Have Party Funding
While Tessa was brushing up on David Lloyd George, Iain spent his weekend watching the Reform party conference livestream. I wonder if there was any drama? The incorrigible pair also chat all things AfD and Healey.
“Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.”
157. Nothing Compares 2 Bayeux
Iain and Tessa discuss the Bayeux Tapestry, Zia Yusuf's controversial post, Harriet Harman calling Kemi Badenoch woke, Zack Polanski's chances in Holborn and St Pancras and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
156. Me and My Shadow Cabinet
Iain and Tessa discuss Kemi Badenoch's reshuffle, whether James Cleverly has a chance at the London mayoralty, Germany’s AfD and why former East German states are fertile ground for populist/right-wing gains, Dolly Parton and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
155. Farmer Chameleon
While Iain's away, Tessa is joined by businessman and founder of The Black Farmer food company Wilfred Emmanuel Jones. They talk NEETs, salmonella, the Russian threat and more!
154. A Question of Time
In another Q&A special episode, Iain and Tessa get quizzed on defectors, U-turns, culture wars, grades and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
153. Welcome Home (Harry and Meghan)
Iain and Tessa are back for this special live episode on the return of Harry and Meghan. The two also discuss the tragic death of Jason Arday and the reflections it's brought about, as well as Reform UK dropping Tim Montgomerie.
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
152. Don't Ask Me No Questions
In this special questions edition of the podcast, the listeners quiz Iain and Tessa on whether Carer's Allowance should be increased to take pressure off the social care sector, whether Zelensky is still in a strong position, whether camera glasses should be banned - and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
151. A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Clacton Please
Iain and Tessa talk Farage's win in Clacton (and him not turning up to the declaration!), a row about melons and the Japanese PM, whether Reform UK voters care about climate change - and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
150. Early Release Me
Iain and Tessa digest Iain's various Edinburgh Fringe interviews (Sturgeon, Streeting and more), as well as the history of Edinburgh, how Andy Burnham should tackle the prisons problem and much else besides.
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
149. Arday in the Life
Iain and Tessa discuss the controversy around Jason Arday and whether Cambridge should be blamed, the controversy around the withdrawn Tory Crewkerne candidate and whether Kemi Badenoch should be blamed, the Welsh language and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
148. In the (Farage) Navy
Iain and Tessa talk Jacqui Smith's wedding, the political crisis over migrants arriving in Ceuta, the Danube river drying out (and its history) and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
147. Drought and About
Iain and Tessa talk wildfires, climate anxiety, reservoirs, Kemi Badenoch's views on net zero and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
146. Social Careless Whisper
Tessa's on holiday - Natasha Clark's back! Iain and Natasha mull over how Andy Burnham might change the social care system, attempts from recent history to change that system, how sacked Cabinet ministers are feeling about the new government, whether the new PM can cut welfare - and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
145. Who Wants to Tax a Millionaire?
Iain and Tessa discuss the millionaires wanting to pay more tax, ministers moving up north, reusing your shower water... and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
144. Here We Go Again
Iain and Tessa speak about Andy Burnham's rise to power, the history of Downing Street, Tessa's new words and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
143. Tuchel Little, Tuchel Late
Iain and Tessa talk the Falklands, Keir Starmer's last week, Thomas Tuchel, a frisson between Tessa and Alastair Campbell and more.
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
142. Remembering Ann Widdecombe
Iain and Tessa discuss the reaction to the murder investigation into former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe's death, friendship across political borders and more.
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
141. A Binface in the Crowd
Iain and Tessa discuss Farage facing off against Count Binface, Prince Harry losing his case against the Mail publisher, the posthumous pardon given to the last woman hanged in the UK, Tessa's travels and more.
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
140. Making Gifts for Nigel
Tessa is still sailing the seven seas so LBC's Natasha Clark steps in for this one. Iain and Natasha talk Nigel Farage coming under further scrutiny, England's win against Mexico, whether Andy Burnham will call an election and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @NatashaC
139. Letter to America
Iain and Tessa discuss America at 250, whether Nigel Farage actually wants to be prime minister - and Tessa giving history lectures on a cruise ship!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
138. Ed over Heels
Iain and Tessa discuss who Andy Burnham might pick for his chancellor, the King's tax returns, Iain's barbecue and more!
Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.
137. Feel the Heat
Iain and Tessa bring you discussion on climate change, Kemi Badenoch vs Bridget Phillipson, whether the shine is coming off Nigel Farage and more!
136. There Keir Goes
Iain and Tessa dissect Keir Starmer's resignation - what went wrong, prime ministerial resignations throughout history, who might be in a Burnham cabinet if he takes over - and more!
135. Burnham to Run
Iain and Tessa react as Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield seat convincingly! But what are his core principles (does he have any?) and could the PM be ousted before the end of the summer? Plus, how do our divided times compare to politics in Tudor England? All that and more!
134. Ban and Deliver
Iain and Tessa talk the history of bans for children (in light of the social media ban), stereotypes against the English, the upcoming by-election and predictions thereupon - and Iain's views about hydration breaks at the World Cup.
133. Rory Days
Iain and Tessa are back for more. Tessa's been interviewing Rory Stewart, so she gives her review of that rival podcaster. There's also discussion about the unrest in Northern Ireland, what it means to be English, the future of the BBC and more.
132. This Malthus Be The Place
Iain and Tessa add a bit more history and discuss Reverend Thomas Malthus, If Bill Clinton is the best President since Reagan, and the BBC.
131. It Musk Be Love
Iain and Tessa discuss if Nigel Farage is fuelling social division (and whether Elon Musk is pouring petrol on the fire), why Canada may have more in common with Britain than America, and France's latest swipe at the UK — spoiler: it involves potholes.
130. Tranche Like Nobody's Watching
Iain and Tessa discuss what drones have done to warfare (and how the Ukraine war compares to wars through history) the latest tranche of Mandelson files and what their impact might be, why trade unionists are shifting to Reform UK - and more!
