With at least two by-elections on the way, what impact will they have on Rishi Sunak if he keeps losing? Do they tell us any more than an opinion poll? And how did an American intern saddle Peter with an apocryphal story about mushy peas?

Matt Chorley and election masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein also discuss how the return of Donald Trump will influence the UK General Election.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: [email protected]

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

With Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey in the headlines for his role in the Post Office scandal, will his opponents be able to turn his track record against him?

Matt Chorley is joined by Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein to discuss Davey's (possible) downfall, whether Rishi Sunak really will wait until the autumn to go to the polls, and why the prime minister decided to switch strategy.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: [email protected]

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

It's the start of a huge political year, and Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are planning big speeches to try and frame the coming general election.

Should the Conservatives 'let Sunak be Sunak', does Dominic Cummings have the answers, and is Labour's plan to borrow £28bn a gift to the Tories?

Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt to discuss the choices facing the leaders, and to look at some of the other big elections taking place around the world in 2024.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: [email protected]

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

In a special end of year episode we answer some of your biggest political questions, including: Who will be in Downing Street and the White House this time next year? Will Nigel Farage try to join the Tories? And do the closing days of an election campaign make any difference?

There are Christmas crackers in the studio as election masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein sit down and talk turkey with Matt Chorley.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: [email protected]

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

Can Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer tell a decent gag, and does it matter? Why did 'From Stalin to Mr Bean' do so much damage to Gordon Brown, and why did Nick Clegg once compare David Cameron to Toilet Duck?

Matt Chorley and election masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein remember when politicians being funny made a difference, and when their side-splitters fell flat.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: [email protected]

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

The next election is set to be the most expensive in history. But why are people giving so much to the Conservatives when the party is in chaos? Does the party with the deepest pockets win? And was the Ed Stone a cold hard waste of cash?

Matt Chorley asks election masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein about the role of money in politics, and whether they think the chances of an early election are rising.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: [email protected]

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

Is it time for Rishi Sunak to condemn Boris Johnson? Is Keir Starmer right to dream of Margaret Thatcher? And why is Danny being fair to Ed Miliband?

Matt Chorley and political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein discuss how to deal with the ghost of a former party leader.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: [email protected]

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

Rishi Sunak is behind in the polls and under pressure from his MPs over immigration. But should a leader try to compromise with party rebels, or confront them?

Matt Chorley is joined by Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein to discuss Sunak's troubles, the threat to Keir Starmer from the left, where Nick Clegg went wrong over tuition fees, and why a coup in British politics almost never succeeds.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: [email protected]

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

Yes We Can. Are you Thinking What We're Thinking? Labour Isn't Working. New Labour, New Britain. Take Back Control.

When it comes to campaign slogans, what separates the good from the bad? And how are they being used to sell Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer?

Matt Chorley is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, Polly Mackenzie and Peter Mandelson to pick their favourite campaign songs - and Peter sings along.

Music:

We'll Be the Change - Liberal Democrat Community Choir

Meet The Challenge, Make the Change - Eddie Bayliss

Heartlands - Mike Batt 

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

What's the secret to a successful cabinet reshuffle? What will Suella Braverman do next?

As David Cameron returns, three-time comeback kid Peter Mandelson remembers when Gordon Brown asked him for help a decade after they had fallen out.

Daniel Finkelstein explains how Rishi Sunak kept Cameron's appointment under wraps, and Polly Mackenzie reveals how the Number 10 whiteboard worked.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: [email protected]

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