Amy has led an extraordinary life and she's still only in her 30s.

While the SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire she suffered a brain hemorrhage. As she recovered, she had to battle the arcane rules of the House of Commons in order to speak and vote on behalf of her constituents. 

Having narrowly beaten Jo Swinson in 2019, Amy then lost the seat in 2024. So what's life like outside of politics? And what does the future hold for her?

This is a great chat about life and how fragile it is. And what that means for politics. 

THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

8 December: Nick Clegg

16 February: David Miliband

https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

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

Bridget is one of the biggest stars of the Labour government. As well as being Education Secretary, she is standing to be Labour's Deputy Leader.

It's the first major test of members' opinion since Labour came into office. 

She's led a fascinating life. Growing up in poverty, but making it to Oxford via Byker Grove. 

So what drives her, what changes is she making to our schools and who does she prefer... Oasis or Blur?

 THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

8 December: Nick Clegg

16 February: David Miliband

https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

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

Star of GB News (and many other places), Tom outlines his libertarianism as well as giving an engaging analysis about the problems facing the Tories, Reform and the government.

Tom is one of the most prominent broadcasters on the right and he's only 29. So why did he get involved so young and what's the secret of his success?

This is a fascinating analysis of the problems we face as a country from a libertarian/right perspective. 

THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

6 October: Bridget Philipson

8 December: Nick Clegg

16 February: David Miliband

https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

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

Tom Tugendhat Returns. Again!

Friend of the show Tom Tugendhat returns to give us the perspective from the Tory backbenches.

Why are so many Tories defecting to Reform?

How worried is he about the Tommy Robinson march?

Is he still addicted to Haribo?

THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

6 October: Bridget Philipson

https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

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

Lindsay Hoyle - REPLAY

The charismatic Speaker of the House was on cracking form back in 2022.

He shows how you can make the Commons function more effectively without sacrificing its unique atmosphere. One episode with Lindsay really isn't enough, you'll be left wanting so many more stories from him. His tale about taking Nancy Pelosi to Coronation Street is one of the best you'll ever hear. Grab a crumpet and wash it down with a pint of Newton and Ridleys, we're going to Lancashire...

THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE - Bridget Philipson

SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK

January

28 Birmingham Glee Club

29 Dorking Halls

30 Northampton Royal and Derngate Theatre

February

5 Lancaster Grand Theatre

6 Brighton Corn Exchange

12 Tunbridge Wells Theatre

14 London Bloomsbury Theatre

18 Faversham The Alex

19 Maidstone Hazlitt Theatre

20 Milton Keynes The Stables

26 Canterbury The Gulbenkian

27 Bridport Electric Palace

March

1 Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

3 Buxton Opera House

4 Shrewsbury Theatre Severn

5 Isle of Wight Shanklin Theatre

6 Paignton Palace Theatre

19 Leicester Y Theatre

20 Durham Gala Theatre

25 Sunderland Fire Station

26 Alnwick Playhouse

27 Barnard Castle The Witham

April

9 Winchester Theatre Royal

15 Worcester Huntingdon Hall

16 Swansea Taliesin Arts Centre

17 Monmouth Savoy Theatre

18 London Bloomsbury Theatre

22 Cheltenham Town Hall

23 Bath Komedia

24 Swindon Arts Centre

26 Salford Lowry

28 Leeds City Varieties

29 Lincoln New Theatre Royal

30 Chorley Theatre

May

1 Chester Playhouse

7 Norwich Playhouse

8 Oxford Northwall Arts Centre

13 Plymouth Quad Theatre

14 Launceston Town Hall

15 Exeter Northcott

20 Stamford Corn Exchange

21 Chelmsford Theatre

22 Bury St Edmunds The Apex

27 Lowestoft Marina Theatre

29 Maidenhead Norden Farm

31 Nottingham Theatre Royal

June

4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre

5 Cambridge Junction

6 Sheffield Steamworks

9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre

10 Chipping Norton Theatre

DONATE

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

Mark Pougatch

One of our most gifted sports broadcasters is also a massive politics nerd. Mark's usually seen anchoring ITV's coverage of England games. 

But should we keep politics out of sport? Is that even possible? In this hugely entertaining and insightful interview Mark indulges his twin passions: politics and sport and explains what they can learn from each other. This is great fun. SUBSCRIBE to Mark's brilliant podcast 'How It All Played Out'

THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE - 6 October: Bridget Philipson

SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK

January

28 Birmingham Glee Club

29 Dorking Halls

30 Northampton Royal/Derngate Theatre

February

5 Lancaster Grand Theatre

6 Brighton Corn Exchange

12 Tunbridge Wells Theatre

14 London Bloomsbury Theatre

18 Faversham The Alex

19 Maidstone Hazlitt Theatre

20 Milton Keynes The Stables

26 Canterbury The Gulbenkian

27 Bridport Electric Palace

March

1 Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

3 Buxton Opera House

4 Shrewsbury Theatre Severn

5 Isle of Wight Shanklin Theatre

6 Paignton Palace Theatre

19 Leicester Y Theatre

20 Durham Gala Theatre

25 Sunderland Fire Station

26 Alnwick Playhouse

27 Barnard Castle The Witham

April

9 Winchester Theatre Royal

15 Worcester Huntingdon Hall

16 Swansea Taliesin Arts Centre

17 Monmouth Savoy Theatre

18 London Bloomsbury Theatre

22 Cheltenham Town Hall

23 Bath Komedia

24 Swindon Arts Centre

26 Salford Lowry

28 Leeds City Varieties

29 Lincoln New Theatre Royal

30 Chorley Theatre

May

1 Chester Playhouse

7 Norwich Playhouse

8 Oxford Northwall Arts Centre

13 Plymouth Quad Theatre

14 Launceston Town Hall

15 Exeter Northcott

20 Stamford Corn Exchange

21 Chelmsford Theatre

22 Bury St Edmunds The Apex

27 Lowestoft Marina Theatre

29 Maidenhead Norden Farm

31 Nottingham Theatre Royal

June

4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre

5 Cambridge Junction

6 Sheffield Steamworks

9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre

10 Chipping Norton Theatre

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

Kirsty Wark - LIVE

Newsnight star. Late Show legend. Celebrity Masterchef contestant...

Kirsty Wark is a gifted broadcaster and is at her charismatic and hilarious best in front of a live Edinburgh audience. 

She shares stories from her phenomenal career and gives her take on the state of British and Scottish politics, as well as her experience with Gregg Wallace. This is a corker. 

THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE

6 October: Bridget Philipson

SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

January

28 Birmingham Glee Club

29 Dorking Halls

30 Northampton Royal and Derngate Theatre

February

5 Lancaster Grand Theatre

6 Brighton Corn Exchange

12 Tunbridge Wells Theatre

14 London Bloomsbury Theatre

18 Faversham The Alex

19 Maidstone Hazlitt Theatre

20 Milton Keynes The Stables

26 Canterbury The Gulbenkian

27 Bridport Electric Palace

March

1 Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

3 Buxton Opera House

4 Shrewsbury Theatre Severn

5 Isle of Wight Shanklin Theatre

6 Paignton Palace Theatre

19 Leicester Y Theatre

20 Durham Gala Theatre

25 Sunderland Fire Station

26 Alnwick Playhouse

27 Barnard Castle The Witham

April

9 Winchester Theatre Royal

15 Worcester Huntingdon Hall

16 Swansea Taliesin Arts Centre

17 Monmouth Savoy Theatre

18 London Bloomsbury Theatre

22 Cheltenham Town Hall

23 Bath Komedia

24 Swindon Arts Centre

26 Salford Lowry

28 Leeds City Varieties

29 Lincoln New Theatre Royal

30 Chorley Theatre

May

1 Chester Playhouse

7 Norwich Playhouse

8 Oxford Northwall Arts Centre

13 Plymouth Quad Theatre

14 Launceston Town Hall

15 Exeter Northcott

20 Stamford Corn Exchange

21 Chelmsford Theatre

22 Bury St Edmunds The Apex

27 Lowestoft Marina Theatre

29 Maidenhead Norden Farm

31 Nottingham Theatre Royal

June

4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre

5 Cambridge Junction

6 Sheffield Steamworks

9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre

10 Chipping Norton Theatre

DONATE to the RNOH Charity here

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

Sadiq Khan - LIVE

The Mayor of London is on top form in this special episode recorded at the Edinburgh Festival. 

What's his analysis of Labour's first year in power?

Will Sadiq and Trump meet during the State Visit?

If so, where in London will Sadiq take him..?

SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

January

28 Birmingham Glee Club

29 Dorking Halls

30 Northampton Royal and Derngate Theatre

February

5 Lancaster Grand Theatre

6 Brighton Corn Exchange

12 Tunbridge Wells Theatre

14 London Bloomsbury Theatre

18 Faversham The Alex

19 Maidstone Hazlitt Theatre

20 Milton Keynes The Stables

26 Canterbury The Gulbenkian

27 Bridport Electric Palace

March

1 Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

3 Buxton Opera House

4 Shrewsbury Theatre Severn

5 Isle of Wight Shanklin Theatre

6 Paignton Palace Theatre

19 Leicester Y Theatre

20 Durham Gala Theatre

25 Sunderland Fire Station

26 Alnwick Playhouse

27 Barnard Castle The Witham

April

9 Winchester Theatre Royal

15 Worcester Huntingdon Hall

16 Swansea Taliesin Arts Centre

17 Monmouth Savoy Theatre

18 London Bloomsbury Theatre

22 Cheltenham Town Hall

23 Bath Komedia

24 Swindon Arts Centre

26 Salford Lowry

28 Leeds City Varieties

29 Lincoln New Theatre Royal

30 Chorley Theatre

May

1 Chester Playhouse

7 Norwich Playhouse

8 Oxford Northwall Arts Centre

13 Plymouth Quad Theatre

14 Launceston Town Hall

15 Exeter Northcott

20 Stamford Corn Exchange

21 Chelmsford Theatre

22 Bury St Edmunds The Apex

27 Lowestoft Marina Theatre

29 Maidenhead Norden Farm

31 Nottingham Theatre Royal

June

4 Coventry Warwick Arts Centre

5 Cambridge Junction

6 Sheffield Steamworks

9 Liverpool Everyman Theatre

10 Chipping Norton Theatre

DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde

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

Joanna Cherry - LIVE

This is a corker. 

Joanna Cherry doesn't hold back on what it was like to be inside the SNP, but outside the Sturgeon clique. 

Following the publication of the former First Minister's memoir, Joanna gives a comprehensive analysis of the failings of the last few years. 

This is absolutely compelling from the very first second.

Oh, and it also includes some quality music chat. 

COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE:

21 August: Kirsty Wark

www.mattforde.com

SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:

https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows

DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde

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

Ian Murray - LIVE

This is an absolute hoot.

For years Ian Murray was the only Labour MP in Scotland. Now he's in the Cabinet as Secretary of State. 

He takes us inside Labour's first year and tells some cracking stories along the way including meeting Donald Trump off his plane when he recently visited Turnberry.

It's a classic. 

COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE:

13 August: Joanna Cherry

17 August: Sadiq Khan

21 August: Kirsty Wark

www.mattforde.com

SEE Matt's new stand-up show 'Defying Calamity' at the Edinburgh Festival:

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/matt-forde-defying-calamity

DONATE to the RNOH Charity here:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattforde

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