Where Politics Meets History

byGlobal

HistoryNewsPolitics

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

Episodes(40 episodes)

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.

Published: Sep 22, 2026Duration: 45m 46s

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.

Published: Sep 17, 2026Duration: 49m 53s

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.

Published: Sep 15, 2026Duration: 54m 20s

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.

Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 56m 51s

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.”

Published: Sep 8, 2026Duration: 52m 50s

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.

Published: Sep 4, 2026Duration: 43m 54s

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.

Published: Sep 1, 2026Duration: 54m 22s

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!

Published: Aug 28, 2026Duration: 49m 34s

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.

Published: Aug 25, 2026Duration: 43m 11s

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.

Published: Aug 21, 2026Duration: 53m 27s

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.

Published: Aug 18, 2026Duration: 53m 53s

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.

Published: Aug 14, 2026Duration: 39m 31s

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.

Published: Aug 11, 2026Duration: 1h 1m 10s

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.

Published: Aug 7, 2026Duration: 52m 31s

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.

Published: Aug 4, 2026Duration: 47m 25s

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.

Published: Jul 31, 2026Duration: 1h 9m 40s

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.

Published: Jul 28, 2026Duration: 49m 43s

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.

Published: Jul 24, 2026Duration: 51m 5s

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.

Published: Jul 21, 2026Duration: 58m 38s

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.

Published: Jul 17, 2026Duration: 50m 49s