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)

142. Remembering Ann Widdecombe

Iain and Tessa discuss the reaction to the murder investigation into former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe's death, friendship across political borders and more.Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Published: Jul 14, 2026Duration: 50m 1s

141. A Binface in the Crowd

Iain and Tessa discuss Farage facing off against Count Binface, Prince Harry losing his case against the Mail publisher, the posthumous pardon given to the last woman hanged in the UK, Tessa's travels and more.Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Published: Jul 10, 2026Duration: 53m 24s

140. Making Gifts for Nigel

Tessa is still sailing the seven seas so LBC's Natasha Clark steps in for this one. Iain and Natasha talk Nigel Farage coming under further scrutiny, England's win against Mexico, whether Andy Burnham will call an election and more!Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @NatashaC

Published: Jul 7, 2026Duration: 42m 47s

139. Letter to America

Iain and Tessa discuss America at 250, whether Nigel Farage actually wants to be prime minister - and Tessa giving history lectures on a cruise ship!Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Published: Jul 3, 2026Duration: 1h 1m 40s

138. Ed over Heels

Iain and Tessa discuss who Andy Burnham might pick for his chancellor, the King's tax returns, Iain's barbecue and more!Stay connected with us on Instagram @WherePoliticsMeetsHistory and on X @WherePolitics. You can also follow @IainDale and @DrTessaDunlop.

Published: Jun 30, 2026Duration: 59m 11s

137. Feel the Heat

Iain and Tessa bring you discussion on climate change, Kemi Badenoch vs Bridget Phillipson, whether the shine is coming off Nigel Farage and more!

Published: Jun 26, 2026Duration: 59m 35s

136. There Keir Goes

Iain and Tessa dissect Keir Starmer's resignation - what went wrong, prime ministerial resignations throughout history, who might be in a Burnham cabinet if he takes over - and more!

Published: Jun 23, 2026Duration: 1h 1m 29s

135. Burnham to Run

Iain and Tessa react as Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield seat convincingly! But what are his core principles (does he have any?) and could the PM be ousted before the end of the summer? Plus, how do our divided times compare to politics in Tudor England? All that and more!

Published: Jun 19, 2026Duration: 55m 55s

134. Ban and Deliver

Iain and Tessa talk the history of bans for children (in light of the social media ban), stereotypes against the English, the upcoming by-election and predictions thereupon - and Iain's views about hydration breaks at the World Cup.

Published: Jun 16, 2026Duration: 1h 1m 45s

Iain and Tessa are back for more. Tessa's been interviewing Rory Stewart, so she gives her review of that rival podcaster. There's also discussion about the unrest in Northern Ireland, what it means to be English, the future of the BBC and more.

Published: Jun 11, 2026Duration: 59m 42s

132. This Malthus Be The Place

Iain and Tessa add a bit more history and discuss Reverend Thomas Malthus, If Bill Clinton is the best President since Reagan, and the BBC.

Published: Jun 9, 2026Duration: 55m 37s

131. It Musk Be Love

Iain and Tessa discuss if Nigel Farage is fuelling social division (and whether Elon Musk is pouring petrol on the fire), why Canada may have more in common with Britain than America, and France's latest swipe at the UK — spoiler: it involves potholes.

Published: Jun 5, 2026Duration: 56m 48s

130. Tranche Like Nobody's Watching

Iain and Tessa discuss what drones have done to warfare (and how the Ukraine war compares to wars through history) the latest tranche of Mandelson files and what their impact might be, why trade unionists are shifting to Reform UK - and more!

Published: Jun 2, 2026Duration: 57m 53s

129. NEET and Tidy

Iain and Tessa discuss the crisis of youth joblessness, Tony Blair's return to the political conversation, the price of food in Europe - and more!

Published: May 29, 2026Duration: 46m 36s

128. Murrell of the Story

Iain and Tessa talk the SNP Peter Murrell embezzlement scandal and similar scandals throughout history - as well as whether Wes Streeting would make a better PM than Andy Burnham, Iain's viral cake moment... and someone very special makes an appearance!

Published: May 26, 2026Duration: 1h 0m 38s

127. Movin' On Out

Iain and Tessa discuss net migration (and the history of people arriving in, and leaving, the UK) - and more!

Published: May 22, 2026Duration: 59m 48s

126. Can't Get EU Out of My Head

Iain and Tessa talk about Wes Streeting reviving the Brexit debate, whether Andy Burnham stands a chance, whether Keir Starmer shares anything with Ted Heath - and more!

Published: May 19, 2026Duration: 58m 7s

125. Burnham Baby Burnham

Iain is joined by LBC political editor Natasha Clark for this one while Tessa is ill! They talk Streeting, Burnham, Starmer, Farage and more!

Published: May 15, 2026Duration: 48m 21s

124. Hey Brother

Iain and Tessa speak about Keir Starmer on the ropes, fallout from the local elections, a hundred years since the 1926 general strike - and Tessa's brother Duncan Dunlop speaks to our pair about his election win in Scotland.

Published: May 12, 2026Duration: 56m 15s

123. Everybody Wants to Rule the Ward

Iain and Tessa digest the election results so far! Does it mean Nigel Farage will be the next PM? Does it mean people hate Keir Starmer? Does it mean Britain is ungovernable? Answers to those questions and more!

Published: May 8, 2026Duration: 31m 32s