What's the role of an adviser at the top level of politics, and does it always involve swearing?

John McTernan, who has worked for prime ministers in the UK and Australia, joins the political masterminds to discuss the highs and the lows of the job. And after Kemi Badenoch speaks at a gathering of right-of-centre thinkers in London, what have we learned about her brand of Conservatism?

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Nigel Farage's former adviser Gawain Towler joins the political masterminds to discuss how to be an insurgent force in politics. They look back at how UKIP finally made a break-through at Westminster and forced David Cameron into offering the EU referendum.

If you have a message for Hugo, Polly or Danny send it to [email protected].

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This week the political masterminds (and Hugo) are joined by Theo Bertram, who worked in Downing Street for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

After a new book by Times journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund sheds light on the inner workings of Keir Starmer's government, is chief of staff Morgan McSweeney actually in charge? And should a new YouGov/Times poll showing Reform UK ahead of Labour for the first time cause everyone to panic?

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How much time in Number 10 is devoted to getting on with the business of government, and how much to thinking about winning the next election?

Sally Morgan, one of Tony Blair's closest advisers, joins Hugo, Polly and Danny to discuss running a campaign and delivering at the same time. She explains what a political washing line is, why Liz Truss was all line and no clothes, and they compare notes on ministers who would always go on the airwaves to defend their party.

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Keir Starmer is on a charm offensive with Donald Trump - does it give Labour's opponents an electoral advantage?

The political masterminds (and Hugo) are joined by US pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to discuss Trump's inauguration, his honeymoon (or otherwise), and Polly and Kristen disagree over Republican women.

You can still vote for us in the People's Choice category at this year's Political Podcast Awards. Please vote for us here.

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With Reform closing in on Labour in the polls and questions being asked about the chancellor's political survival, how can the government get on with the day job of changing the country?

The political masterminds are joined by guest Peter Hyman, former adviser to Tony Blair and Keir Starmer and architect of the government's five "missions for national renewal".

And... the podcast has been shortlisted in the People's Choice category at this year's Political Podcast Awards. While we get ready to deploy the dark arts, please vote for us here.

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The political masterminds (and Hugo) say farewell to Peter before he heads to Washington as the UK's ambassador to the United States. Has he packed his wellies, and could there be another comeback around the corner?

Danny, Polly and Hugo also discuss who should replace him, and with local elections in England on the way - who will win the battle for control of the right of politics?

Send your messages to [email protected], or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'.

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Peter, Polly and Danny are answering your questions this week. When has politics ruined their Christmas - or in Polly's case, a hen do? Will there be a realignment on the left to threaten Keir Starmer? Why did Jo Swinson help Boris Johnson into Downing Street? And should politicians risk a holiday?

Send your messages to the political masterminds (and Hugo) at at [email protected], or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'.

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Nigel Farage's Reform UK is on a roll, but can the political masterminds see a time when he breaks the traditional two-party system? How would they advise Labour and the Tories to deal with the threat - and how would they advise Farage?

They also look back to Ed Miliband's decision not to back air strikes against Syria in 2013, and Peter remembers a three-hour meeting with the country's dictator Bashar al-Assad soon after he took power.

Send your messages to Hugo, Peter, Polly and Danny at at [email protected], or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'.

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The prime minister wants to blame the last government for leaving the economy in a mess, just like David Cameron did in 2010 - but is the strategy working, and for how long?

The political masterminds - and Hugo - discuss the whether voters will reward Starmer for being sensible, whether he should be more like Harold Wilson, and whether any Western government can get to grips with migration.

Send your messages to Hugo, Peter, Polly and Danny at at [email protected], or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'.

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