How To Win An Election

How To Win An Election

As the parties prepare to do battle at the polls in 2024, we bring together three of the most experienced strategists of the past four decades who between them know a thing or two about winning (and losing) elections. Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join journalist and stand-up comedian Matt Chorley for an intelligent, adversarial and witty political conversation every week. Follow the podcast now to never miss an episode. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How To Take On The Flabby State (With Michael Gove)

How To Take On The Flabby State (With Michael Gove)

Danny's away, so Sally, Polly and Hugo are joined by former cabinet minister and politest man in politics, Michael Gove. What did he learn about Donald Trump's 'man cave' when he interviewed him the first time round? And, Keir Starmer wants to tackle what he calls the 'flabby state' - Is that the same as the 'blob', and can you reform Whitehall without going to war with it? Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 apr. 2025 - 40 min 23 sec

 
How To Run Number 10

How To Run Number 10

10 Downing Street is a rabbit warren of offices in a Georgian townhouse, and the centre of power in Britain. But how much control does it really exert over the rest of government, does it matter who has what job, and should we turn the whole thing into a museum? The political masterminds discuss how number 10 really works, and Polly explains why her husband thinks Canada is worse than North Korea. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 apr. 2025 - 41 min 07 sec

 
How To Sell Austerity 2.0

How To Sell Austerity 2.0

Rachel Reeves doesn't want to use the word 'austerity', but has she found a narrative to help explain her cuts to welfare and government spending? Why was 'fixing the roof when the sun is shining' such an effective message for David Cameron and George Osborne? And which of Danny's three types of strategy will Labour adopt at the next General Election? Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 mars 2025 - 39 min 50 sec

 
How To Lose A By-Election (And Sell Your Tesla)

How To Lose A By-Election (And Sell Your Tesla)

Which party has the most to lose in the Runcorn Helsby by-election? The political masterminds make their predictions, and discuss what's at stake for Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch. And as Sally reveals she's replaced her Tesla, do boycotts make any difference? Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 mars 2025 - 47 min 49 sec

 
How To Learn From Farage's Feud

How To Learn From Farage's Feud

As the row between Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe threatens the success of Reform UK, how do you stop the big beasts in a political party from falling out? Is it ever just about policy, or always more about personality? We also discuss giving geography lessons to politicians, and Polly gets cross about more empty words about the welfare state. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 mars 2025 - 40 min 41 sec

 
How To Be PM In A Global Crisis

How To Be PM In A Global Crisis

With Keir Starmer focused on diplomacy over Ukraine, the political masterminds ask if the domestic agenda always has to suffer during major world events. When does a foreign conflict turn into a 'Falklands moment', and when does a leader get criticised for spending too much time globe-trotting? Sally, Polly, Danny and Hugo also ask how to stop a minister resigning - or how to let them do it at an advantageous moment. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 mars 2025 - 41 min 49 sec

 
How To Tell Jokes, Deal With Trump, And Welcome Sally

How To Tell Jokes, Deal With Trump, And Welcome Sally

We're welcoming a new political mastermind to the podcast this week - Sally Morgan has been a Labour insider since the days of Neil Kinnock and went on to be Tony Blair's right-hand woman in Downing Street, at his side for some of the biggest moments in recent political history. She joins Polly, Danny and Hugo to discuss leaders who can tell jokes and those who can't, Liz Truss calling Britain a failed state, and whether anyone knows how to save the transatlantic relationship. Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 feb. 2025 - 42 min 12 sec

 
The Labour Peer Who Inspired JD Vance

The Labour Peer Who Inspired JD Vance

How To Win An Election is moving to every Thursday, starting this Thursday, February 27th - when we'll be announcing a new political mastermind. In the meantime, here's an episode from our colleagues at The Story. Lord Maurice Glasman was the only Labour politician to be invited to Trump’s inauguration after striking up a friendship with JD Vance. So who is he and why is his 'Blue Labour' movement seen by Starmer's inner circle as the medicine to tackle the rise of Reform? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Patrick Maguire, Political Columnist, The Times and author of Get In:The Inside Story of Labour Under Starmer . Host: Manveen Rana. Further reading: To take on the right, will Labour go blue? Clips: GB News, NBC, PBS, UnHerd, Together, ABC Australia, The Guardian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 feb. 2025 - 28 min 20 sec

 
How To Survive As A Political Adviser

How To Survive As A Political Adviser

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? Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 feb. 2025 - 39 min 40 sec

 
How To Be A Disrupter

How To Be A Disrupter

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 howtowin@thetimes.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 feb. 2025 - 39 min 13 sec