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 political strategists of the past four decades.

Legendary architect of New Labour Peter Mandelson can draw on his vast experience as a spin doctor, election supremo, cabinet minister and adviser to Labour leaders on how to win elections, and what might stand in their way.

Nobody knows the highs and lows of the Conservative party better than Daniel Finkelstein, who has worked alongside Tory leaders and prime ministers from John Major onwards as they fought to modernise the party.

And Polly Mackenzie is one of the smartest thinkers in Westminster, a policy expert who helped negotiate the Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition and spent five years working alongside deputy prime minister Nick Clegg in Downing Street.

They will join award-winning podcaster, journalist and stand-up comedian Matt Chorley for an intelligent, adversarial and witty political conversation every week.

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How To Make A Shock Comeback

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What's the secret to a successful cabinet reshuffle? What will Suella Braverman do next?As David Cameron returns, three-time comeback kid Peter Mandelson remembers when Gordon Brown asked him...

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Nov 7, 2023

How To Win At Policy

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As the government sets out its plans in the King's Speech, we ask whether policies can win or lose an election.Peter Mandelson regrets backing HS2 to upstage the Tories, Polly Mackenzie thinks the pension triple lock was a terrible idea,...

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Oct 31, 2023

How To Decide When To Call An Election

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With Rishi Sunak still behind in the polls, will he wait a full year before calling a General Election? And at a time when many voters feel pessimistic about the future, can either Sunak or Keir Starmer generate a sense of hope and...

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Oct 20, 2023

Introducing: How To Win An Election

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Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley for How To Win An Election - your weekly guide through the twists and turns of a tumultuous campaign.Follow the podcast now to never miss an episode.Send...

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