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Where Politics Meets History

Global
Labour Party
Keir Starmer
Donald Trump
Brexit
Conservative Party
Ukraine
Politics
Israel
United Kingdom
Iran
Trump
Nigel Farage
Margaret Thatcher
Romania
United States
UK Politics
Climate Change
Scotland
Rishi Sunak
NHS

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. E... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes674Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsHistoryNews

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Artwork for Where Politics Meets History

Latest Episodes

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 ... more

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 wi... more

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!

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... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Wilfred Emmanuel Jones
Entrepreneur, founder of The Black Farmer brand
The Black Farmer
Episode: 155. Farmer Chameleon
Nazanin Zagari-Ratcliffe
Nazanin Zagari-Ratcliffe, central figure in the Nazanin case, discussed as a guest in the Edinburgh context
Nazanin Zagari-Ratcliffe Foundation / Former detainee in Iran
Episode: 150. Early Release Me
Joshua Bonehill-Payne
Former neo-Nazi who pivoted towards politics and stood as a Tory candidate in Somerset
Conservative Party (at time of discussion)
Episode: 149. Arday in the Life
Yasmin Alibi-Brown
Broadcasting figure, guest at Iain's book launch
Media / Broadcasting
Episode: 143. Tuchel Little, Tuchel Late
Nina Mishkoff
Guest at Iain's book launch
Episode: 143. Tuchel Little, Tuchel Late
Natasha Clark
LBC's political editor
LBC
Episode: 140. Making Gifts for Nigel
Natasha Clarke
Journalist invited as a guest for future hot seat
Episode: 139. Letter to America
Duncan Dunlop
MSP, guest on the show
Scottish Parliament
Episode: 124. Hey Brother
Perran Moon
Labour MP from Cornwall
Labour Party
Episode: 118. Perran Moon River

Hosts

Iain Dale
Host of the show; broadcaster with a long-running involvement in political commentary.
Tessa Dunlop
Co-host and historian; brings scholarly depth and narrative history to discussions.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.5k ratings
  • Underwhelming

    If you’re interested in Tessa finding any opportunity to mention the Romanian GCSE in every episode and aren’t irritated at the way she pronounces iss-siues combined with Iain’s pro Farage/anti-Zack rhetoric then this js one for you! It’s a frustrating podcast as Iain doesn’t take well to constructive criticism or a difference of opinion while Tessa tries to bring a different often opposing perspective to the conversation. Maybe both need to listen more to each other rather than be so defensive ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Southlondoner
    United Kingdom19 days ago
  • Far better then the original format

    Ian has always been the GOAT. Tessa is far far better than Jacqui and far more interesting individual.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RAMD2026
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Too much Tessa

    Find Tessa’s ranting and talking over Ian too much. She always think she knows best! Spoils it.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    nm20@
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Unbearable

    I used to love this podcast (and it’s previous version), but lately it’s becoming unbearable.

    Tessa Dunlop complains that politics and society have lost the plot over the last ten years, yet one of the main causes is the lack of nuanced debate: everything is framed as right or wrong, and anyone who dares to disagree is shut down.

    Dunlop is a prime example of this. If Iain disagrees, his opinion is dismissed because he’s an older white man living in an echo chamber. She fails to see that this ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Arh Gee
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Exhausting listening to Tessa

    I was looking forward to hearing the answer to who would you choose in a coalition government but oh no Tessa had to go off on a tangent about Christine Keeler. I am so fed up of her interruptions and loudness.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Radiono1fan
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive: audiences praise the chemistry and the blend of history with current events.
Positive/Engaging: listeners value the depth, humor, and insightful historical parallels.
Negative: some listeners dislike interruptions and perceived bias between hosts.
Mixed/Feedback: many want longer episodes and unedited discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#56
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#133
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#44
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#81
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#107
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#110
Norway/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

152. Don't Ask Me No Questions
Q: Does Zelensky still retain your confidence as the best war leader of modern times, given the year of cabinet changes and defense leadership reshuffles?
They express continued confidence in Zelensky, citing Ukrainians' continued resistance and Russia's limited gains, while acknowledging the political and military challenges Ukraine faces and praising Zelensky's communication skills and strategic leadership.
139. Letter to America
Q: What parallels do you draw between Trump's Independence Day branding and Britain's constitutional monarchy in terms of national symbolism?
The hosts suggest that Trump's branding attempts reveal a tension between political power and symbolic state imagery, contrasting it with Britain's monarchy which functions as a largely apolitical symbol that can unite a nation without direct political controversy.
139. Letter to America
Q: How significant was the War of 1812 in shaping American national identity according to your discussion?
The War of 1812 is framed as a formative moment that reinforced American resilience and helped crystallize a national identity, especially after notable defeats and the enduring mythos around events like the defense of Fort McHenry and the crafting of the national anthem.
138. Ed over Heels
Q: Given Ed Miliband's background, do you think he could realistically be Chancellor under Burnham and how would that affect climate and fiscal policy?
The hosts weigh Miliband's Treasury experience against the need for pragmatic fiscal constraints, suggesting he could satisfy left-leaning factions while needing to show market credibility; the discussion frames this as a potential shift but acknowledges uncertainty and the political risk of appointing a green-focused Chancellor.
134. Ban and Deliver
Q: Liam from Jersey asks whether Keir Starmer thinks the MOD's video of Royal Marines boarding the Russian shadow fleet demonstrates Britain's strength, despite recent defense resignations.
The hosts suggest the video is a promotional-looking piece and debate whether such eye-catching material shifts public judgment more than substantive policy discussions about defense leadership.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Where Politics Meets History

What is Where Politics Meets History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts fuse history with today's headlines, offering sharp political analysis through a historical lens. The dynamic pair mix rigorous context with lively banter, anecdotes, and occasional tensions, creating a conversational vibe that appeals to listeners who want current events grounded in longer patterns. Episodes skew toward UK politics, governance, and policy debates, but frequently reach broader historical parallels and cross-cutting themes, making it one of the more engaging options for audiences seeking thoughtful, debate-driven storytelling with personality. A standout aspect is the standout chemistry between hosts, which keeps complex topics approachable even when tensions rise, and the show's format often blends history, politi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Where Politics Meets History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Where Politics Meets History:

1. Iain Dale All Talk
2. Matt Forde's Political Party
3. Political Currency
4. Electoral Dysfunction
5. The News Agents

How many episodes of Where Politics Meets History are there?

Where Politics Meets History launched 9 years ago and published 674 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Where Politics Meets History?

Recent guests on Where Politics Meets History include:

1. Wilfred Emmanuel Jones
2. Nazanin Zagari-Ratcliffe
3. Joshua Bonehill-Payne
4. Yasmin Alibi-Brown
5. Nina Mishkoff
6. Natasha Clark
7. Natasha Clarke
8. Duncan Dunlop

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