Party Games
Paul Osbourne
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Cutting through the nonsense of British politics, a concise run through events at Westminster and beyond. "Quite funny" as one reviewer put it..
Available episodes
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Apr 25, 2021
Easy Sleazy
It’s Boris vs Dom. The Prime Minister’s former advisor turns on him, having suddenly realised Johnson might not be the most honest politician to ever inhabit Downing Street.
Why is this soap opera dominating the headlines? Perhaps because it limits conversation about lobbying, favours for friends and questions about the refurbishment of the Prime Minister’s Downing Street flat...
Will the sleaze claims continue? Who else will be dragged into the rows? And will any of it make any difference to the Conservative Party’s performance in May’s elections?
Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod. There’s a full archive at partygamespodcast.com.
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Apr 14, 2021
When One Door Closes...
The questions around David Cameron, Greensill Capital and lobbying are all very complex and opaque. So does it matter? It depends on who you think MPs should be working for.
In this latest episode, why supply chain finance is a bit like a posh version of Wonga, how can a government find itself so short of cash it needs a middle-man to pay its bills, and has anyone even broken any rules?
Could this be the start of another 1990s revival? The return of our old favourite, Tory Sleaze?
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — and there’s a full archive of all past episodes at partygamespodcast.com
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Apr 5, 2021
Capital Pity
The UK falls headlong into a month of election campaigning frenzy. Unless you’re not in some way excited by the prospect of elections for the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments, English local councils and Police and Crime Commissioners.
This time we focus on London, which chooses its Mayor on May 6th. A ridiculous 20 candidates are standing, and we look at some of the more ridiculous among them, destined to lose their deposits.
Plus, why London’s bizarre electoral system means more than a-million votes will never be counted in the final result. You can find out more about that at https://youtu.be/JG3HLBtqtts
Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod. There’s a full archive at partygamespodcast.com
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Mar 22, 2021
Coronavirus - 12 months on lockdown
A year has passed since Boris Johnson first told us to stay at home, as coronavirus gripped the nation.
12 months on, we’re still in our third lockdown, more than 125-thousand lives have been lost. But the vaccine roll-out’s been a huge success.
Does that mean we can forget the failings and mis-steps of the past year? How much praise does the government deserve?
One year on, a look back at the key moments so far in the coronavirus pandemic.
More at partygamespodcast.com — and you can stay in touch on twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
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Mar 14, 2021
To Protect and Serve
Public fury greets the heavy-handed police response to a vigil for a murder victim, but the Met Police Commissioner insists she won’t resign, and implies people aren’t qualified to even hold an opinion.
If the weekend’s events in Clapham aren’t enough to force Cressida Dick to stand down, what on earth would have to happen?
Police say they hate having to enforce tough coronavirus restrictions on public gatherings, but a bill going through the Commons would give them tough new powers to restrict protests beyond the pandemic.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — plus there’s a full archive and links to subscribe at partygamespodcast.com
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Mar 4, 2021
Honest Rishi’s budget bag of tricks
For decades, the Conservatives have believed that cutting taxes brings in more tax revenue. Rishi Sunak, it turns out, does not believe in that.
To try to fill the huge hole created by the pandemic, he’s ramping up business taxes and putting up your tax bill too, all without raising income tax rates.
Does that honestly count as being honest? And why is the Government cutting health spending?
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - plus at partygamespodcast.com you can find the archive and links to subscribe.
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Feb 28, 2021
Gaslight
Think back a little under a year to the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. To the videos of doctors, nurses and care workers fashioning protective gowns out of bin bags, the desperate scramble to get PPE to intensive care units buckling under the pressure of a surge of dangerously ill patients.
Apparently, it never happened.
The Health Secretary, called out by the courts for keeping Covid contracts worth billions of pounds secret, says it doesn’t matter that he broke the law, because it meant he was able to get PPE where it was needed when it was needed.
In the latest podcast, we explore this latest example of political gaslighting, rewriting history and passing off falsehoods as truth.
Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - and at partygamespodcast.com you’ll find links to subscribe and listen back to past episodes.
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Feb 22, 2021
The irreversible reversal
Boris Johnson’s roadmap could see us back on the beaches this summer, our hair cut, and queuing up for a nightclub.
The Prime Minister set out his plans to ease coronavirus restrictions over 4 months — a list of dates that he insists aren’t set in stone.
But by just setting a date, hasn’t he set it in stone? And can the Prime Minister who’s over-promised and under-delivered for the last year finally get the balance right?
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — plus at partygamespodcast.com you can find an archive and links to subscribe.
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Feb 18, 2021
Friend Request
On the other side of the world, facebook has gone to war with Australia’s government, and who wins this battle matters for Britain.
The social media giant doesn’t want to pay for news that draws in its users, and it’s cutting off news 17-million Australian facebook users to stop demands to fork over some cash.
It’s a reminder of how much power this entirely unaccountable platform now has over our lives.
Still, don’t worry, we have a man on the inside, and I’m sure he’s going to swing into action eventually.
More on twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod — or you could look us up on facebook. But you shouldn’t.
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Feb 14, 2021
The Fakest News
Donald Trump is cleared at his second impeachment trial, even though everyone knows he’s guilty. Years of priming his supporters with lies passed off as fact turned out to be surprisingly powerful.
On the other side of the world, China bans the BBC for its annoying habit of reporting the truth about what China is up to.
And in the UK, the media watchdog could be getting a new boss, more in tune with Boris Johnson’s government.
Could we be heading the same way as China and the US, where the truth depends on who you listen to, and what they’re allowed to say.
Keep in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod. And there’s a full archive and links to subscribe at partygamespodcast.com
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Feb 11, 2021
A-ga-don’t
Matt Hancock is so desperate to go on holiday, he can’t stop telling people he’s booked a break in Cornwall, even as everyone else in the Cabinet is busy saying it’s far too soon to even think about summer.
Why is the government once again sending out mixed messages?
Meanwhile, anyone concealing their return from a Covid hotspot now risks a prison sentence double the one they’d get for selling firearms. Is that not perhaps just a tiny bit over the top?
Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne as well as facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
And at partygamespodcast.com you can find the whole archive, and links to subscribe.
Also, have you written a friendly review yet? If not, why not? Sorry, what I meant was, it would awfully kind if you could find the time...
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Feb 7, 2021
Why are you so angry?
Less than a year after taking over as Labour leader, anger is growing among some in the party at their apparent lack of progress.
Is Sir Keir Starmer the right man for the job, they ask. It depends on what the job is. But internal squabbling hasn’t done Labour much good in the past.
How should the opposition go about opposing a government in the middle of a global emergency? And what’s actually wrong with saying you quite like the country you aspire to govern?
Plus, why are people so angry about a television channel that hasn’t even started yet?
Keep in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — and you can find the archive, and links to subscribe, at partygamespodcast.com
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Jan 26, 2021
100,000 Questions
The UK passes the grim milestone it’s been surging towards — 100,000 coronavirus deaths. Boris Johnson says his government “truly did everything we could”. But is that true?
We locked down late, we opened up early, only to lock down again — three times so far.
Did the mistakes, the delays, the mis-steps, contribute to this dreadful death toll. And how much higher will it go?
And when the promised public inquiry finally happens, what good will it actually do?
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and facebook.com/partygamespod as well as instagram.com/partygamespod — and at partygamespodcast.com you can find a full archive of past episodes and links to subscribe.
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Jan 14, 2021
What do you reckon?
As the world (finally) unites in condemnation of Donald Trump and his seditious lunacy, is there a chance to change the way we do politics? Almost certainly not, but it’s nice to dream isn’t it.
In the latest podcast, a look at why so many in the UK were so keen to suck up to Trump, and the parallels between the twice-impeached president’s biggest fans, and some of the loudest voices in the Brexit debate.
Many have transferred directly to the discussions on coronavirus restrictions — is “reckoning” something as good as knowing it?
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and facebook.com/partygamespod - plus we’re at instagram.com/partygamespod.
The full archive, and links to subscribe, can be found at partygamespodcast.com, and the latest blogs and such at paulosbourne.net.
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Jan 11, 2021
Enthusiasm overload
As the latest lockdown enters its second week, officials warn people aren’t taking it seriously enough, case numbers surge and hospitals are at breaking point.
But Matt Hancock has has booked his summer holiday, such is his optimism for the year ahead. It is apparently this optimism that has put him in Boris Johnson’s bad books. It’s not as if the Prime Minister has a history of over-the-top predictions of glory that turn out to be gibberish.
As if that’s not enough, we still have more than a week of Donald Trump’s carnival of idiocy to survive. Will he be impeached after inspiring a mob to try to undermine democracy? Or removed from office because he’s a dangerous rabble-rousing racist lunatic? No, of course not.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne as well as facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — and at partygamespodcast.com you can find links to subscribe, if that’s your thing.
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Jan 4, 2021
Lockdown 3: the unwanted sequel
The day after insisting schools are safe, Boris Johnson closes the schools as part of a third England-wide coronavirus lockdown.
Are we really supposed to believe the data that pushed him into this only emerged on Monday morning? What does it do to trust in his government? And how long is this lockdown really going to last?
Plus, how long will it be before the professional controversialists resume their evidence-free ranting, and pile on the pressure to release the restrictions, perhaps too soon?
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne, facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — plus there’s a full archive and links to subscribe at partygamespodcast.com.
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Jan 3, 2021
School's Out?
Boris Johnson says it’s safe to send your children back to primary school. Except where it isn’t.
As the Prime Minister warns tighter coronavirus restrictions are almost inevitable, and Labour calls for an immediate lockdown, millions of parents are left wondering what to do.
How much has a year of mis-steps, late action and over-confidence dented public trust in the Government’s handling of this crisis.
Plus a brief detour to the US, for further proof that Donald Trump remains an unhinged lunatic hell bent on destroying democracy.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and facebook.com/partygamespod - plus we’re at instagram.com/partygamespod. And at partygamespodcast.com you can find the full archive, plus links to subscribe.
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Dec 29, 2020
I haven’t read your Brexit deal, but I’ll vote for it
Boris Johnson, whose government perpetually runs on a down-to-the-wire sense of chaos, gives MPs less time to debate and vote on the Brexit deal than most people take to complete a Christmas jigsaw.
Why is anyone surprised this most last-minute of Prime Ministers left the deal, and winning approval for it in Parliament, to the last possible moment?
But already some of its shortcomings are showing up — bad news if you’re a footballer or a musician, or a sausage exporter actually.
And bad news if you travel to the EU and contract Covid without taking out very good insurance.
Still, we’ve taken back control — except we haven’t quite, as you’ll discover in this brief Brexit update.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and facebook.com/partygamespod — plus we’re at instagram.com/partygamespod as well.
And there’s a full archive of all the past episodes at partygamespodcast.com.
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Dec 17, 2020
173: Last Christmas
A small Christmas is a safe Christmas, according to Boris Johnson. Surely not the same Boris Johnson who told us to gather in small herds for a festive holiday from coronavirus? We compare the rules with the advice, and wonder who’ll be to blame if Christmas triggers a third wave of infections.
Brexit talks go down to the wire, and the prospect of a deal may be fading — or maybe it’s all last-minute brinksmanship.
Plus we look back at year held up by “twin pillars of awfulness” — examine how we ended up with entirely the wrong leader for the time, and ponder the lessons from a year like no other.
There’s more at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod — and we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod.
The full archive is available at partygamespodcast.com
Oh, and Merry Socially Distanced Christmas.
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Nov 26, 2020
172: Christmas will break your heart
Boris Johnson turns Santa Claus — he’s had a chat with Covid and it’s agreed to hold off for the festive season. Either that, or he’s decided to risk another wave of infections so he can’t be accused of cancelling Christmas.
We unpick a busy week, with the government agreeing the holiday Covid plan, unveiling new tiers in England, and setting out exactly how deep a hole our economy is in.
The Chancellor’s warned this is just the beginning, so who should bear the burden of paying back unimaginable debts? And who should be spared?
Plus Jeremy Corbyn returns from the political dead to cause more trouble for Labour, and if there is a way out of lockdown, what part of it would you miss?
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod. Plus we’re at instagram.com/partygamespod and facebook.com/partygamespod. And at partygamespodcast.com you can find all our past episodes and links to subscribe.
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Nov 10, 2020
171: Loser
Donald Trump is a loser. A big, whiny, baby squatting in the Oval Office, like a toddler told he can’t have a new toy. As the world heaves a sigh of relief at his impending departure, we look at whether it means the radical populist movement that bears his name is over as well. And we look at how relations between the UK and a Biden White House are likely to go.
At home the second lockdown is underway in England — but will people follow the rules? And why did it take ministers so long to perform their latest inevitable u-turn on free school meals over the holidays?
Plus Premier League football clubs cry poverty — and no-one believes them — and look who’s back with plans for a new political party — once again.
There’s more at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - and at partygamespodcast.com you can find links to all our past episodes and an easy way to subscribe via Apple Po…
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Oct 21, 2020
170: Hit the North
Boris Johnson promised to “level up” the north of England. Instead he’s gone to war with it. We explore the reasons why talks between Westminster and Greater Manchester collapsed, and what it means for other northern cities with high coronavirus infection rates.
But it’s not just the north-west that’s in the firing line — we look at a fast-moving row in London that could see the city’s transport network grind to a halt.
As musicians stage protests demanding government action to save Britain’s creative industries, we speak to Jessie Murphy, who’s behind the Let Music Live campaign, calling on ministers to do more to help. Find out more at twitter.com/letmusicliveuk
Plus Brexit talks are on, then off, then on again, as the Prime Minister injects even more drama into the process.
There’s a longer version of our conversation with Jessie Murphy at partygamespodcast.com — where you can also find links to subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google.
And we’re…
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Oct 9, 2020
169: Instant Karma
After downplaying the dangers of coronavirus for months, Donald Trump inevitably contracts it and ends up in hospital, where he’s experimented on and proceeds to claim victory over the virus. He is by no means the only covidiot in politics.
Once again Boris Johnson insists we’re to blame for the spike in cases, and definitely not his government’s disastrous track and trace operation, or his exhortations to enjoy the summer.
We look at the tug of war between Westminster and leaders of our big northern cities, as further restrictions appear inevitable.
We try to figure out what Trump’s covid diagnosis means for what’s left of the US election campaign, ponder the growing rift between Keir Starmer and cuddly Unite boss Uncle Len McCluskey, and identify Britain’s most experienced Cabinet minister — an answer that may leave you terrified.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod. We’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespo…
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Sep 23, 2020
168: The Blame Game
Just a few weeks after threatening workers with the sack if they didn’t go back to their offices, Boris Johnson pops up on TV to tell them to work from home again. As the Prime Minister imposes new coronavirus restrictions, we pick over his strategy, and his desperate desire to pin the blame on anyone other than himself.
What’s driving the government’s new Covid strategy? Public health? Economic worries? Or fear of the Tory backbenches?
Plus Sir Keir Starmer’s first Labour conference speech as leader is a break from the past, and not just because he was basically talking to himself.
We admire the linguistic cartwheels MPs are performing to justify government plans to break international law, and we ponder the frankly disturbing allegation that David Cameron “likes to talk about sex”.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod — we’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — and the full archive is at partygamespodcas…
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Sep 8, 2020
167: The clown that no-one laughs at
Boris Johnson built his career on developing a fake clown-like persona. Now, as coronavirus returns and the big Brexit deadline draws nearer, no-one’s laughing.
We look at how millions of people got the message that the threat from the virus had passed, and why it’s hard to tell people to stay safe while also inviting them to pop out for a pint and a half-price burger.
Meanwhile, Britain tells the EU to be “realistic” and accept that the UK is going to break international law, but Brussels should also trust London and sign a free trade deal.
And another one of our political predictions turns out to be solid gold.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod — plus we’re at instagram.com/partygamespod and facebook.com/partygamespod — and at partygamespodcast.com you can find the whole archive, and links to subscribe via Apple, Spotify and Google.
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Aug 17, 2020
166: You Can't Make The Grade
The Government backs down after the fiasco around A-level results, but it may be too late to save some students’ plans. But how did ministers blunder into such a catastrophe? We examine the series of Covid-related u-turns, and ask how something so obvious blindsided people at the top of Whitehall.
The row over people crossing the English Channel rumbles on — but how many of those yelling about it even know the difference between migrants and refugees?
Plus the government finds the time to declare war on virtue signalling ice cream. It’s not as if they have anything more important to get on with.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod. Plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — the full archive is at partygamespodcast.com.
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Jul 30, 2020
165: Chaos From The Top Down
As quickly as lockdown was eased, coronavirus restrictions could be stepped up to try to avoid a second wave of infections that wasn’t supposed to arrive until the autumn. Who’s to blame? The public, for ignoring social distancing rules, or politicians, for sending mixed messages?
Boris Johnson vows a war on our waistlines — but why is the obesity strategy ignoring many of the underlying causes?
Donald Trump surprises no-one by suggesting the US Presidential election be postponed — but what happens if he just refuses to leave the White House?
Plus the breathless excitement of the Liberal Democrat leadership election, and an exciting new career opportunity.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod — plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod.
And at partygamespodcast.com you can find all our past episodes, and links to subscribe via Apple Podcasts and others.
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Jul 16, 2020
164: To Face The Truth
Boris Johnson promises an independent inquiry into his handling of the coronavirus pandemic — almost certainly by accident, because why would he possibly want someone to assess his performance these past few months.
We look at the latest conflicting messages on the virus — when and where you should wear a face mask. Yes, if you’re buying ingredients for a sandwich in the supermarket, no, if you’re buying a sandwich (especially if you’re Michael Gove).
Plus the coup that stopped Failing Grayling getting another top job, and Downing Street’s slightly over the top response, and Keir Starmer’s school report is in — and it’s not bad. But does it move Labour any closer to actually getting back into power?
There’s always more at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod — plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod.
And at partygamespodcast.com you can find all our past episodes, and links to subscribe via Apple Podcasts, S…
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Jul 2, 2020
163: A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
The government wanted this week to be about its plan to bounce back from the economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic. Then Leicester was put into local lockdown, as tens of thousands of job losses were announced across the UK. And this might just be the beginning.
Britain’s promising a way out for close to 3-million people in Hong Kong, after China started to brutally enforce its new security law in the territory. But if China refuses to let them go, what then?
Dominic Cummings’ plan for world domination continues, as the head of the civil service is pushed out — who would ever want to replace Sir Mark Sedwill?
And we explore an exciting new earning opportunity during lockdown — personalised video insults.
Want one? Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod — plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — at partygamespodcast.com you can access the whole archive, and find links to subscribe via Apple P…
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Jun 17, 2020
162: He shoots, he scores
They’re spoiled, rich and entirely out of touch with ordinary people. But don’t worry. Here comes Premier League footballer Marcus Rashford to teach government ministers a few lessons in humility and social justice.
We look at how the Government blundered into another PR disaster, as they initially rejected the England star’s appeal to save 1.3-million children from hunger over the summer holidays.
Where have all the scientists gone? We ask why scientific and medical experts are suddenly no longer needed at the daily coronavirus news conference, and whether it has anything to do with the Mr Magoo of Barnard Castle.
Plus the PM talks up the prospects of a Brexit deal, and looks forward to a future when we’re all stuffing ourselves with Tim Tams, Australia’s inexplicably popular chocolate biscuit which is no more than a rip-off of a Penguin.
Get in touch at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod. We’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/p…
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Jun 3, 2020
161: What's Going On?
The United States is engulfed in protests, after the murder of a black man sparks a furious response. Donald Trump calls the protestors “domestic terrorists” and threatens to set the military on them. So how should Britain respond? We get an update from Simon Marks (twitter.com/simonmarksfsn) in Washington.
The UK faces its own questions about race, as a report confirms the higher risk of death from coronavirus for people in some minority ethnic groups. But why didn’t the report set any goals for improving the situation?
MPs are dragged back to Westminster, despite proving they can work from home, and the first thing they do is stand in a long, highly infectious, queue.
Plus we ask whether Boris Johnson’s refusal to sack Dominic Cummings could be his own Hurricane Katrina moment.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod - we’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod.
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May 24, 2020
160: Getting Away With It?
For months, tens of millions of us have followed the rules imposed by Boris Johnson’s government. Now, it seems we were being taken for mugs. The Prime Minister’s most senior adviser, infected with coronavirus, drove half-way across the country, and apparently that’s fine.
Why would Boris Johnson re-write the lockdown rules to save one man? How much credibility will it cost? What about the supine ministers who blindly followed behind, not knowing the whole story?
What will it do to the public’s willingness to follow instructions in future? We discuss the astonishing revelations of the last few days, and the incomprehensible reaction of those at the top of government.
Plus journalist Geraldine Cooper tells us how her family was hit by coronavirus, but she stuck to the rules. Read more from her at https://bit.ly/3c1e0lY
We’re at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod — plus there’s more at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - and…
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May 11, 2020
159: A Question of Trust
Stay at home, or stay alert? The Prime Minister steps back into the spotlight, and sows confusion all around. Within 24 hours, he’s back in the Commons and on TV again, trying to clear up the mess.
We look at the latest coronavirus rules, and at how the masters of messaging inside Downing Street ended up sending out such catastrophically confused signals.
Will it dent trust in government and the scientists who advise them, at a time when trust in our leaders is vital?
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod — we’re also at instagram.com/partygamespod and facebook.com/partygamespod
And at partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to past episodes and subscribe to future ones too.
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Apr 29, 2020
158: Please Release Me
Boris Johnson returns from convalescence, and after two days in Downing Street is back in hospital. But for a happier reason this time. The Prime Minister’s paternity leave is on hold, as he faces perhaps his toughest decision — when, and how, to ease the lockdown.
With businesses and some Tory MPs demanding action to get the economy moving again, we assess the competing pressures — will his tangle with the virus make Johnson even more determined to avoid a second wave?
His ministers are getting chippy again — angry at questions about PPE, testing and the horrifying death toll in care homes — we look through the unanswered questions.
And with Priti Patel seemingly in the clear, we ask what comes next for the permanently smirking Home Secretary.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - our website is partygamespodcast.com and we’re also at patreon.com/partygamespod
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Apr 16, 2020
157: Sorry, not sorry
How’s the lockdown going? Well, hopefully, as you’ve got at least another three weeks ahead of you. As the coronavirus restrictions are extended into May we ask if there’s even a vague plan for how we get out of them.
We ask how the crisis in care homes was ignored for so long, and why we’re apparently comfortable with ignoring the peril facing 400,000 of our elderly relatives.
Boris Johnson remains at Chequers, rightfully convalescing, but will his brush with the coronavirus change him?
Simon Marks joins us to tell us about Donald Trump’s singularly self-absorbed and awful handling of the pandemic.
And we plead for an end to the curse of the politicians’ non-apology.
More at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
At partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to past episodes and subscribe to hear new ones. And what with the lockdown and all, we’re also banging a begging bowl…
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Apr 7, 2020
156: Isolation
Boris Johnson’s health deteriorates, and the Prime Minister is admitted to intensive care with coronavirus. As we wait for better news, we look at some of the other questions surrounding the government’s response to the crisis.
Why haven’t ministers been able to get a grip on issues around testing and the provision of vital protective equipment. What will sway the big decision coming up on whether to extend the lockdown?
Plus, all change in Labour as Sir Keir Starmer takes over as leader. Jeremy Corbyn’s allies are out — but will this new team get a chance to introduce itself to voters only interested in one thing…
More on twitter, Facebook and instagram — search for partygamespod - and there’s always more at partygamespodcast.com and twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Mar 24, 2020
155: Lockdown
Britain, and the world, changes in ways we could never have imagined just a few weeks ago. The country is on lockdown, told to stay indoors in a desperate effort to defeat the coronavirus.
Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin discuss the handling of the crisis by Boris Johnson, and the ministers in his government.
Did the Prime Minister’s history of loose language make it harder to persuade people to take the necessary action? And how long will we wait until the next economic rescue package.
Keep in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - we’re also at instagram.com/partygamespod and facebook.com/partygamespod — and at partygamespodcast.com you can subscribe for future editions.
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Mar 11, 2020
154: Fever
An extraordinary week at Westminster. The coronavirus outbreak dominates, as Boris Johnson leads the UK’s effort to contain the disease, and its potentially huge impact.
The Chancellor unveils the biggest boost to public spending in decades — not just because of the virus. We assess the Government’s response, the questions it raises, and what might happen next.
Plus Amber Rudd becomes the latest victim of the growing craze for no-platforming — and Failing Grayling might be back. Just what we need at a time of national crisis.
More at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - we’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - and at partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to the archive and subscribe to get future editions.
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Feb 27, 2020
153: Masters of War
Relax everyone, we’ve found Boris Johnson. The Prime Minister had been missing for more than a week. And it’s not as if there was anything important for him to be worrying about — just floods, Brexit and the coronavirus.
We look at the perpetual state of war between Downing Street, the civil service and the media, and wonder what — if anything — could fix it.
Priti Patel is in the eye of that storm, but it’s hardly the first time she’s got on the wrong side of her officials.
Plus rumours of an unexpected return from the wilderness, and a reluctant show of solidarity for Yorkshire.
More at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - we’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - plus at partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to past episodes and subscribe to future ones.
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Feb 13, 2020
152: Shuffle Off
Boris Johnson’s second reshuffle doesn’t go quite as smoothly as planned, as Sajid Javid rejects a power grab by Number 10 and quits as Chancellor instead.
We unpick the post-Brexit changes to the Prime Minister’s top team, ask why a rather successful Northern Ireland Secretary has been fired, and yet Liz Truss remains in her job.
Plus the Labour leadership race turns nasty, and would you welcome a candidate for London mayor onto your sofa for the night?
More at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne — plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - and the full archive is at partygamespodcast.com
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Jan 30, 2020
151: Leaving
After 4 years, three prime ministers, two General Elections and quite a lot of shouting, Brexit Day has arrived. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin look back at the road that brought us here, and explain how what happens next could be even tougher to get through.
Plus Boris Johnson’s latest women problem — he’s running out of women to put in his Cabinet. Labour unveil a report that puts beyond question the idea that Jeremy Corbyn had anything at all to do with the party’s catastrophic election defeat, and John Bercow returns from a very brief period of silence to tell us what he really thinks.
More at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - we’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - while at partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to the archive and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google or Spotify.
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Jan 23, 2020
150: I don't want to spoil the party
And then there were four… another Labour leadership candidate drops out, as Jess Philips abandons her bid, and backs Lisa Nandy. But even the “change or die” candidate says you can’t be rude about Jeremy Corbyn. We ask if Labour can change when it won’t confront the failures of its recent past.
One week to go until Brexit day, and everyone’s stopped talking about it. But the first big test for “Global Britain” could be days away, and could trigger a trade war with the US, just as we’re trying to negotiate a deal with them.
Plus we imagine how politics would work with the House of Lords in York — pitying poor Black Rod, stuck on the M1 on the way to having a door slammed in their face.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne — we’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
Meanwhile the archive of past episodes is at partygamespodcast.com
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Jan 9, 2020
149: Everything Must Change
Rivals to lead Labour out of the hole they climbed into at the election set out their stalls — but some seem to think it’s the voters that need to change, not the party. In the first podcast of 2020, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin ask how Kier Starmer managed to grab the initiative, and whether Rebecca Long-Bailey can get her campaign back on track.
Plus we (foolishly) try to predict one potential outcome of a race so ludicrous Alan Johnson decided his time was better spent as a singing pharaoh on television.
The stand-off between Iran and the United States presents Boris Johnson with his first big foreign policy test as Prime Minister. But is he really willing to stand up to Donald Trump?
And Dominic Cummings puts out his appeal for weirdos and misfits to work with him. But will he find anyone weirder than himself?
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne — plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
And at part…
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Dec 18, 2019
148: A Winter's Tale
Who’s to blame for Labour’s electoral catastrophe? Certainly not Jeremy Corbyn, according to… well, Jeremy Corbyn for one, and his fan club. As Labour looks to a post-Corbyn future, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin wonder if the party will ever consider the views of the millions of voters who deserted them last week.
We look over the early names to emerge in the leadership race, and wonder if another North London MP is really the solution to the party’s problems.
Plus, why is Boris Johnson tying his own hands in post-Brexit trade negotiations? And we look back at a year when to be honest, there was far, far too much politics.
More on twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne — plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — at partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to the whole archive, dating back to early in 2015, if you’ve the stomach for it…
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Dec 14, 2019
147: Kind of Blue
A Tory landslide, a catastrophe for Jeremy Corbyn. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin work through the extraordinary results of the 2019 General Election.
Boris Johnson returns to Downing Street with the biggest Tory majority since Margaret Thatcher. The man who wanted to be world king is free to remould post-Brexit Britain in whatever way he chooses.
And, right now, there’s no-one to oppose him. Jeremy Corbyn intends to hang around for a while, despite leading his party to its worst defeat in more than 80 years. Does the party even want to win anymore?
Plus we ask how Jo Swinson got the Lib Dem election campaign so badly wrong, and whether the Tory win and the inevitability of Brexit creates a new constitutional crisis in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne. Plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - you can subscribe and listen to the archive at partygamespodcast.com - and we…
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Dec 10, 2019
146: Election Eve
The first December election in almost a century is nearly over. And while the polls are narrowing, the most likely outcome is the same as it was when the campaign started.
Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin look through the final days — Boris Johnson’s very, very weird response to that hospital photograph, and Jeremy Corbyn’s bizarrely lacklustre performance.
Can anything stop Johnson’s march towards a majority? Can Corbyn pull off another shock result? Will there be any Christmas trees left to buy when all this is over?
More on twitter.com/partygamespod as well as facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — plus at partygamespodcast.com you can relive the whole campaign — and who wouldn’t want to do that?
Paul tweets at twitter.com/paulosbourne — and will be analysing the results on Thursday from 2200 on BBC Radio London.
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Dec 3, 2019
145: Gove set trends dem man copy
With a little over a week left to the General Election, tragedy again intrudes on the campaign. And, just like 2017, politicians wade in to hurl accusations, despite the pleas of those most closely involved in the events at London Bridge. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin try to work out why Boris Johnson’s ignored criticism, and politicised the response to the attack.
The Tories retain a significant poll lead, but we highlight three things that could make a difference between now and polling day, and look at why the Labour campaign’s struggled to make an impact.
Plus what was the most ridiculous moment of the campaign — so far at least — not least Michael Gove’s rap battle with Stormy.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - we’re also on instagram.com/partygamespod and facebook.com/partygamespod — and at partygamespodcast.com you can catch up with the whole campaign — as if anyone would want to relive it.
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Nov 27, 2019
144: Question Time
Something different this time, as we try to answer some of your questions about this election. Some are about Brexit, but we also talk about homelessness, the impossibility of some political promises and why we’re being asked to choose between leaders it seems few of us can even stand.
Plus we hear from one former Green Party candidate and Lib Dem supporter, who’s pounding the streets of Beaconsfield in support of former Tory Dominic Grieve. What persuaded her to spend the weeks leading up to Christmas knocking on doors in the freezing cold.
A normal podcast next week — but your questions are always welcome at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - and at partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to the archive, and subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google or Spotify.
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Nov 21, 2019
143: Promises, promises
After a less than exciting start, now the election campaign gets serious. Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson go head to head in the first TV debate, as the party manifestos are published.
We look over the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green platforms for government, and ask who’s had the best week.
And we try to figure out who won the debate — Johnson, Corbyn, or that guy in the audience who told them both they were like children.
Plus how Larry the Cat was saved from enforced retirement.
More at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - we’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
And at partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to the entire archive, as well as subscribing to the podcast.
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Nov 14, 2019
142: Making Plans For Nigel
Nigel Farage has devoted his life to Brexit. Which is why, as we approach a General Election built around Brexit, he’s decided not to fight in half of the country’s constituencies. We try to figure out why, and what his long-term game plan may be.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson finds out how events can knock you off course — after his poor response to flooding in South Yorkshire became an election issue.
The polls suggest he’s still far ahead of Labour, but in a race so different from past elections, with so many different battles up and down the country, can anyone rely on those polls.
Plus we address the real issue of the week — the Prime Minister’s absolute inability to make a cup of tea.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or twitter.com/paulosbourne - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - at partygamespodcast.com you can subscribe, and listen back to the whole archive.
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Nov 6, 2019
141: The Wheels On The Bus
A frenetic start to the 2019 General Election campaign. Tom Watson stuns Labour by quitting, as deputy leader and an MP. What impact will that have on support for the party?
Meanwhile, the wheels fall off the Conservative campaign in spectacular fashion, with a series of blunders distracting attention from Boris Johnson’s big launch.
We examine Jacob Rees-Mogg’s extraordinary comments on Grenfell, the resignation of the Welsh Secretary, the astonishing lurch into fake news, and the reluctance to release a report into Russian interference in the UK’s democracy.
Meanwhile, why does Jo Swinson keep insisting she’s destined to be Prime Minister, and why did anyone think Theresa May deserved the label “inspiring public speaker.”
More as ever at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - and at partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to the entire archive.
Oh, we’re also at patreon…
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Nov 1, 2019
140: Here we go again
It’s been coming for months, now it’s official. Britain’s Christmas election lumbers towards us like a drunken Santa, determined to hand out unwanted presents.
Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin retreat once again to the election bunker to talk through the opening skirmishes.
Is this more of a gamble for Boris Johnson than many of his supporters believe? Can Jeremy Corbyn repeat his surprise star performance from 2017, and go one step further? What impact will the Lib Dems and Brexit Party have?
And why are so many people, who really ought to have years left in front-line politics, deciding instead to walk away?
More at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - and there’s a full archive, videos and more at partygamespodcast.com
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Oct 29, 2019
EXTRA: Ho Ho No
So, the Yuletide election is on. Thirteen days before Christmas, we will trudge to the polling stations, as Boris Johnson finally gets his wish.
A brief additional podcast the morning after MPs voted for a December 12th election. Is this really the Brexit election? Is it more of a gamble for the Conservatives than Boris Johnson’s fans believe?
More in a full-length podcast on Friday — and more too at twitter.com/partygamespod & twitter.com/paulosbourne — we’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
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Oct 20, 2019
139: Indecision Day
Boris Johnson, the man who promised he would never request a Brexit delay, bravely requests a Brexit delay with all the dignity and grace of a grumpy teenager. All because MPs thought it might be a good idea to scrutinise his “new” Brexit deal before committing to it.
In a podcast almost certain to be out of date as soon as it’s published, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin try to figure out what happened in Parliament’s historic weekend sitting, and what might happen next.
Why did the Prime Minister decide to sell out the DUP? Will he, despite the setback, still manage to pull off his plan and leave by the end of October? And what will that mean for the coming General Election.
Plus we suggest that, however unlikely, this fiasco represents Parliament working the way it’s supposed to.
More at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne as well as facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - we’re also at patreon.com/partygamespod
And at partygam…
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Oct 11, 2019
138: The Blame Game
A week of incredible statements, threats and insults ends with the vaguest glimmer of hope that perhaps a no-deal Brexit can be agreed. But will we even be on speaking terms with the EU by the end of this process?
We look back at a week that saw Downing Street hurl abuse at Berlin, Brussels and Dublin, all part of the strategy to spread the blame for a potential no-deal as wide as possible, and as far away from Number 10 as they can manage.
Can Team Boris pull it off? Can the rag-tag of parties opposing him work together? What happens if we run out of toilet paper, apparently a serious prospect... and why is dogging a peculiarly British pastime that might be about to get a boost.
More at partygamespodcast.com and at twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
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Oct 3, 2019
137: take it or leave it
Boris Johnson finally unveils his big Brexit plan, and hands it to the EU saying "take it or leave it". But what happens if Brussels decides to leave it? Is that, perhaps, the real plan?
Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin try to explain the new proposals without falling asleep, and assess the government's chances of success.
If it fails, what happens when we hit the deadline for the PM to demand an extension, something he still says he won't do.
But don't worry, it's not just a lengthy discussion of the complexities of trade along the Irish border. We talk pole dancing as well. Because, after all, this is Boris Johnson we're talking about...
More at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - we're also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
At partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to the whole archive as well as subscribing through Apple Podcasts, Google or Spotify.
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Sep 25, 2019
136: Be you ever so mighty...
Boris Johnson continues his extraordinary losing streak, going from the Commons to the courts. The Supreme Court rules the Prime Minister broke the law when he suspended Parliament.
Johnson is judged by the country’s highest court to have lied to the Queen, to Parliament and the public. But there is no apology, only more powerless bluster as the Prime Minister again begs his enemies to grant him the election he desperately craves.
We work our way through the week the constitutional crisis got even bigger, and try to find a way through the mess.
Plus how Labour’s conferences endorses its inexplicable Brexit stance, and focuses on the real enemy — Tom Watson.
There’s more at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - we’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - plus you can find us at patreon.com/partygamespod
A full archive awaits too at partygamespodcast.com where you can even watch videos of us if you’re that way inclined…
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Sep 19, 2019
135: Riding the Yellow Wave
Boris Johnson is busy hiding from booing crowds and angry voters, but his rivals dream of glory. The Liberal Democrats have a bold new policy on Brexit — pledging to scrap it without another referendum. But will it accidentally mean more pro-Brexit Tory MPs get elected.
Labour, meanwhile, sets out its latest policy on Brexit, still refusing to come off that fence.
Plus what Podiumgate reveals about Boris Johnson’s desperate desire to be loved, and how he’s knocked sideways when he bumps into angry voters.
And as David Cameron’s memoirs are published, we’re reeling from the astonishing revelations that Brexit turned out to be quite divisive. The Queen, meanwhile, is not amused.
More at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - and you can find the whole archive at partygamespodcast.com
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Sep 12, 2019
134: Boris Johnson: Extraordinary Achievements in Winning
Let’s pause in honour of Boris Johnson’s extraordinary achievements in winning. He’s winning the race to be the least successful Prime Minister in history — winning the battle to lose more Commons votes than any of his predecessors, winning the battle to reduce his party to previously unknown numbers in Parliament, and winning the battle to be hauled in front of as many different courts as possible.
Another torrid week for the Prime Minister ends with him having to deny lying to the Queen, his secret no-deal risk assessments made public, his hopes of a snap election in tatters.
But it’s not going well for Labour either — the party now appears to have three directly contradictory Brexit policies, which is definitely two more than any party needs.
Plus we say bye bye to short-tempered John Bercow, as the Speaker confirms he’ll step down.
And Theresa May hands out rewards for failure among her advisers, which is bound to take ages.
More at twitter.com/partygamespod face…
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Sep 5, 2019
133: The Week That Broke Britain
What a difference a week makes. Boris Johnson seemed invincible, Parliament tamed, a no-deal Brexit looking more and more likely. Then the Commons took back control.
In just one day the Prime Minister saw MPs block a no-deal Brexit at the end of October, and an election within weeks.
It’s far from over, but it’s not been a good week for Boris Johnson.
Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin talk through the hectic events of the past few days, and try to figure out what might happen next.
Can Jeremy Corbyn avoid falling into the Marty McFly trap? Can Boris Johnson avoid becoming Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister?
More at twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - Paul tweets at twitter.com/paulosbourne and Robert at twitter.com/rmeakin
At partygamespodcast.com you can catch up with all our past episodes. We’re also at patreon.com/partygamespod
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Sep 4, 2019
EXTRA: The Brexit Showdown - Day 2
MPs rule out a no-deal Brexit, and rule out an early election — for now at least. Another brief, emergency podcast, to get you up to speed on Wednesday’s events at Westminster.
Boris Johnson chances his arm, and the Commons takes back control. But the Prime Minister hasn’t given up yet in his hopes of triggering a snap election.
And, on a day of high drama and emotion, there were some signs of optimism to counter those who say our MPs are a waste of time.
More in a full episode, online Friday. And there’s always more at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - plus we’re on facebook and instagram at partygamespod
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Sep 3, 2019
EXTRA: The brexit showdown - day 1
Boris Johnson has been Prime Minister for 43 days.
How much longer he remains is anyone’s guess.
An extra mini-podcast to get you up to speed on Tuesday’s events, and prepared for an equally chaotic Wednesday.
Will MPs succeed in blocking a no-deal Brexit at the end of October? Will Boris Johnson get the General Election he’s clearly desperate for?
More through the day at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - plus we’re on facebook and instagram - search for partygamespod
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Aug 28, 2019
132: A Very British Coup
It sounded too ridiculous even for Boris Johnson and his gang of Brexit extremists. But it turns out he really is going to suspend Parliament for a month. The Prime Minister’s taking a huge gamble, which may well pay off unless his political opponents finally get their act together.
We try to make sense of these frantic events, why Johnson is doing it, and why he thinks he can pull this off.
Plus we explore the options for opponents of a no-deal Brexit, now that time really is running out.
More of course at twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - plus we’re at partygamespodcast.com and patreon.com/partygamespod
Paul tweets at twitter.com/paulosbourne and Robert at twitter.com/rmeakin
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Aug 22, 2019
131: The Gaslighting Government
Boris Johnson finally talks to some of Europe’s key power-brokers, and is given a surprising deadline to come up with an alternative to the backstop.
We assess how likely he is to meet Angela Merkel’s 30 day target, and run through the reasons why he’s almost certain to fail.
Plus the terrifying vision of post-Brexit Britain in the Yellowhammer documents, and the inevitable march towards a General Election.
We also look at the way Johnson’s government is trying to rewrite history, blaming everyone but themselves for the potential chaos to come, and effectively gaslighting the whole country.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod or instagram.com/partygamespod
Plus we’re at partygamespodcast.com and pateron.com/partygamespod
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Aug 7, 2019
130: I am the law
Two weeks in, and we’re already talking about how Boris Johnson could be forced from office by the Queen. It’s fair to say this is a government unlike any we’ve had before.
As the Prime Minister’s closest adviser insists they’d just ignore a no confidence vote and plough on towards a no-deal Brexit, we ask whether they’re serious about creating a full-on constitutional crisis.
Is there really no way for Parliament to stop no-deal? And if they can get rid of Boris Johnson, who’s being lined up as a potential interim PM?
Plus we enter the scary world inside Dominic Raab’s head.
Keep in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - plus we’re at patreon.com/partygamespod - and at partygamespodcast.com there’s a full archive of past episodes.
Paul tweets at twitter.com/paulosbourne while Robert is at twitter.com/rmeakin
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Jul 24, 2019
129: That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
Boris Johnson arrives in Downing Street, his clown car overloaded with impossible-to-keep promises, and a cast of oddballs waiting in the wings.
Britain’s new Prime Minister is here to fix Brexit in less than one-hundred days, and first he has a few scores to settle.
More than a dozen ministers are either fired or mysteriously decide to spend time on the backbenches. The new arrivals have a few things in common - they profess undying love for Boris Johnson, they’re hardcore Brexiteers, and in many cases their previous Cabinet careers ended in resignation.
We look at the opening act of the Boris Johnson premiership, and wonder if he’ll ever get round to setting out an actual plan.
Stay in touch at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - you can also find us at patreon.com/partygamespod
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Jul 18, 2019
128: The tragic tale of theresa may
As we wait for the terrifying arrival of Boris Johnson, a special podcast looks back at Theresa May’s three terrible years in Downing Street.
Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin are joined by Evening Standard columnist Joy Lo Dico (https://twitter.com/joy_lo_dico) and Simon Marks, from Feature Story News in the US (https://twitter.com/simonmarksFSN) to explore the key events that scuppered Theresa May’s Brexit plan, and her whole premiership.
Could anyone else have done a better job? Was there ever a better Brexit deal on offer? And how will history remember her?
There’s more at https://twitter.com/partygamespod and facebook.com/partygamespod - we’re also at instagram.com/partygamespod and patreon.com/partygamespod
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Jul 11, 2019
127: Boris Bangers leave a bad taste
Boris Johnson blunders into a major diplomatic row between the UK and US — and sides with Donald Trump. He’s not even Prime Minister yet, but he’s already demonstrated exactly where his loyalties lie.
It’s the kind of thing that would derail any normal candidacy — but Johnson remains Teflon-coated. We explore the week that saw the only debate of the entire campaign, and highlighted the many shortcomings of the man almost certain to be in Downing Street by the end of the month.
We hear from Washington reporter Simon Marks (twitter.com/simonmarksfsn) on the worrying implications for all the diplomats Donald Trump hasn’t thrown a tantrum at. Yet.
Meanwhile, Labour faces public condemnation over its failure to tackle anti-semitism inside the party — and instead of doing anything about hate speech, it goes on the attack against whistleblowers and journalists.
Plus, how a sausage-themed PR stunt didn’t go quite according to plan.
Stay in touch via twitter.com/partygamesp…
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Jul 2, 2019
126: Looking for Leadership
At our moment of greatest political crisis, a leadership vacuum opens up. Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt trade undeliverable promises, on Brexit and bribes for voters. But how many of the people choosing between them are really Conservatives?
Labour again fails to confront anti-semitism in the party — suspending, re-admitting and then suspending Chris Williamson. So what does someone actually have to do to be thrown out of the Labour Party? And are the civil service really plotting to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of Downing Street.
We look too at the Liberal Democrats’ leadership campaign, which could be a lot more significant than you might think.
And the Brexit Party turn up in Strasbourg, and make idiots of themselves. Obviously.
More at twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - we’re also at patreon.com/partygamespod - and at partygamespodcast.com you can listen to the archive and sign up via Apple Podcasts, Google or Spotify.
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Jun 20, 2019
125: Blue on Blue
So, 3 years on from the EU referendum, and it’s come to this. Boris Johnson vs Jeremy Hunt to preside over Britain’s season finale.
As Tory MPs choose the final two leadership candidates, we assess the breathless events of the past few days, and look at how the debates to come in the next few weeks are likely to pan out.
And what about those who fell by the wayside? Will Rory Stewart come back for the next leadership election (say, next year?) Will anyone ever remember Esther McVey once thought she had what it takes to be Prime Minister?
Plus we look at the Labour Party’s struggles with Brexit, as Jeremy Corbyn edges closer to backing a second referendum.
There’s more at twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - plus at partygamespodcast.com you can sign up via Apple Podcasts, Google or Spotify.
We’re also at patreon.com/partygamespod
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Jun 13, 2019
124: It's a Knockout
The first round of the Tory Leadership contest eliminates three also-rans, but seven potential Prime Ministers remain. Boris Johnson, and six other people likely to lose to Boris Johnson. Unless, that is, anyone can defeat the overwhelming favourite.
We compare the fortunes of the charisma-free Jeremy Hunt, the seemingly anti-democratic Dominic Raab and the near-silent Sajid Javid. Plus we question the lines Michael Gove has been taking.
Plus we ask how far Rory Stewart can take his insurgent campaign.
Plus, what could be the last attempt to stop a no-deal Brexit in Parliament — and the potential for a full-on constitutional crisis as the Brexit deadline draws nearer.
Stay in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - we’re also at patreon.com/partygamespod
You can subscribe to the podcast and listen to past editions at partygamespodcast.com
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Jun 7, 2019
123: The Rubbish Apprentice
Theresa May resigns as Conservative leader, after hosting tiny-handed orange nightmare Donald Trump. Already she is yesterday’s woman, as the Tory leadership contest steps up.
Yet it appears to resemble a particularly poor episode of The Apprentice, as people you’ve never heard of keep telling you how brilliant they are.
We look at the rule changes designed to speed up the contest, and ask whether they might not be that good an idea.
Plus the politics of the Trump visit. Who was right? The critics who arguably risked relations with the US, or the supporters who bent their knee for a demagogue?
And we explore the seeming collapse of Change UK, as more than half their MPs defect.
Stay in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne — we’re also at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod as well as patreon.com/partygamespod
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May 27, 2019
122: A Howl of Outrage
Just days after news of Theresa May’s resignation comes the biggest electoral kicking the Conservatives have ever faced. The utter humiliation of coming fifth in the European Elections, with fewer than 1-in-10 votes.
Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party grinds the government into the ground — but what happens next? Can his movement move on? Or will the Tories just embrace a no-deal Brexit under a new leader?
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats punish Labour for its ambiguity on Brexit, but there’s little immediate sign Jeremy Corbyn will pay any attention.
We work through the results of the EU vote, as well as making an early assessment of the rival candidates going for the Tory leadership.
As ever, there’s more at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne as well as facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — plus we’re now on Patreon, at patreon.com/partygamespod
At partygamespodcast.com you can subscribe, listen to our past editions, and get in t…
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May 24, 2019
121: The End of May
An emergency podcast on the day Theresa May finally admits defeat, tearfully confirming she’ll resign in just two weeks. We explain why it’s hard to have sympathy for a politician who’s very much the architect of her own downfall.
Now it’s for the 100-thousand or so grassroots Tories to decide who the next Prime Minister will be. From the archive, Professor Tim Bale explains what his research has told him about the people who’ll make that choice.
But what chance does that next PM really have? Given Parliament remains deadlocked and the clock is ticking?
More in the coming days at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod and patreon.com/partygamespod
At partygamespodcast.com you can listen to past episodes and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google or Spotify.
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May 15, 2019
120: The Ultimate Protest Vote
Staring into the abyss, the Prime Minister decides to have another go at getting Brexit through the Commons. At the same time as leading the Conservatives to what's likely to be their worst-ever election performance. Might this, finally, be the thing that ends Theresa May's time in Downing Street?
We assess the latest attempts to resolve the Brexit impasse, and look ahead to the European Election that are likely to be the angriest vote in years. Is this a temporary blip? Or has Brexit permanently broken Britain's political system?
Plus, 25 years after his premature death, we imagine what the world might have looked like had John Smith not died in 1994, and instead led Labour into government.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne -- we're also at instagram.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and patreon.com/partygamespod
Shameless plug: Paul will be trying to make sense of the European Election results on BBC Radio London on Sunday 26th May…
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May 6, 2019
119: Shut up and go Huawei
Usually, the sacking of a Cabinet minister on suspicion of leaking from a top secret meeting would be the biggest crisis for a government in any given week. But this is Theresa May’s government, so she follows it up with a catastrophic kicking in the local elections, and the certainty of it getting even worse in the EU elections later this month.
Labour had a poor night too — but other sides say it means voters want them to get a deal done on Brexit. Are they right? We work through the results.
Gavin Williamson, meanwhile, leaves the MoD to spend more time with his instagram feed. But is he the victim of a miscarriage of justice? And what will he do next?
All this, and the first ever case of an MP being sacked by their own voters, triggering a very interesting by-election.
Don’t forget there’s more at twitter.com/partygamespod - facebook.com/partygamespod and instagraph.com/partygamespod - and at partygamespodcast.com you can listen to past episodes and subscribe via Apple…
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Apr 25, 2019
118: Leaking like a sieve
Britain’s zombie government continues to fall apart. Not content with leaking almost every word of Cabinet meetings, now someone’s handing over the contents of top-secret security talks to the newspapers. But if the culprit is identified, will Theresa May even have the strength to sack them?
Meanwhile the Tories march towards the European Elections with all the dread it merits, as Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party marches forward with glee. We look at why the anti-Brexit forces haven’t been able to come together the same way.
Plus we reflect on the climate change protests that have brought parts of London to a standstill, and why politicians still probably won’t do anything, and rejoice — plans for yet another referendum, because they always go so well.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or twitter.com/paulosbourne — you can also search for partygamespod on facebook and instagram. And at partygamespodcast.com you can sign up via Apple Podcasts, Google or Spotify.
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Apr 11, 2019
117: The Nightmare Before Brexit
Brexit is delayed. Again. This time, for up to six months. And yet the Prime Minister who said she wouldn’t consider pushing Brexit beyond the end of June remains in office.
We work through another crazed week as Parliament tumbles further into the abyss, wondering how we ended up with a delay that manages to be both too long and too short.
How long will Theresa May last? In fact, how long can the Tories last? A report this week warns of a series of problems threatening the party’s future support.
Plus we look at Brexit in human form - the very angry Tory MP Mark Francois.
There’s more at twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - Paul tweets at twitter.com/paulosbourne
And at partygamespodcast.com you can subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google or Spotify.
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Apr 4, 2019
116: Love is in the air
Two years late, and days before the latest Brexit deadline, Theresa May finally reaches out across the divide to try to find a way out of the crisis. But is there any realistic chance the Prime Minister can agree a Brexit deal with Jeremy Corbyn? And what will he demand in return?
We assess the latest twists in this increasingly ridiculous saga, why the Prime Minister opted to tear her own party apart, and the dangers for Labour as well.
And we look at the infiltration of grassroots Tory parties by former UKIP activists, determined to force out anyone deemed not to be a true Brexit believer.
There’s more at twitter.com/paulosbourne and twitter.com/partygamespod - plus we’re at facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
And at partygamespodcast.com you can hear our past episodes and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google or Spotify.
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Mar 27, 2019
115: Endgame?
Sound the Emergency Podcast Klaxon. A late-night update after a ludicrous 24 hours. MPs take back control of Brexit, but just as they do that Theresa May tries to seize the initiative by volunteering to throw herself under her own bus.
Back my deal and I’ll quit, says the Prime Minister. And just as her Tory MPs are slowly falling into line, the DUP turn her down again, and we’re back to square one.
Which makes those indicative votes in the Commons even more important. Luckily, Joy Lo Dico, columnist from the Evening Standard, is on standby to explain what it meant.
We start the long process of assessing the likely rivals for the soon-to-be vacant (maybe) Tory leadership too.
If you’re not already following twitter.com/partygamespod you really should be. We’re also on facebook and instagram at partygamespod. Paul tweets feverishly at twitter.com/paulosbourne
And at partygamespodcast.com you can trace this whole sorry story through our archive.
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Mar 21, 2019
114: It wasn't me
It’s the week that Brexit finally, perhaps irrevocably, broke politics. Theresa May, architect of this catastrophe, insists she’s the only person at Westminster who isn’t to blame. And in doing so, alienates the very MPs whose support she needs to keep her battered Brexit deal alive.
As the EU agrees a Brexit delay, we weigh up another inexplicable week on our rollercoaster ride out of the European Union, asking if there’s ever been a Prime Minister less willing to compromise or face up to scrutiny.
Labour’s leader throws a toddler’s tantrum at a time of national crisis, and the Speaker removes the last shreds of doubt that he’s very much on one side of the debate.
Plus we hear from some of the passionate supporters and opponents of Brexit, who stand outside Parliament every day with their banners and flags. What compels them to do it.
More Brexit updates at twitter.com/partygamespod — we’re also on facebook and instagram at partygamespod — Paul tweets basically…
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Mar 15, 2019
113: She's lost control, again
A chaotic, crazed week at Westminster sees the last tattered shreds of Theresa May’s authority disappear. Her Brexit deal is defeated, again; Parliament rules out leaving without a deal, and she comes within a whisker of losing any control of the process.
Now the Prime Minister plans one last attempt to force her deal through, before heading to Brussels to beg the EU for more time.
Her Cabinet ministers now routinely ignore her instructions, her government is on the verge of collapse. So far, Brexit’s going really, really well.
This week, we try to sum up these extraordinary events in less than 25 minutes. And insult fans of Lord of the Rings, just for the hell of it.
More updates at twitter.com/partygamespod as well as facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
Plus Paul is at twitter.com/paulosbourne while Robert tweets at twitter.com/rmeakin
Don’t forget you can relive these awful moments at partygamespodcast.com — where you can also subscribe via Apple…
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Feb 28, 2019
112: Simples
Another big week for Brexit. The Prime Minister finally admits she may not be able to take us out of the EU at the end of March. But if the last two years have got her nowhere, what would an extra three months do?
Labour, meanwhile, shifts position and backs a second referendum — but it doesn’t mean a vote is any more likely.
As if the party’s not in enough trouble, loyal Corbyn lieutenant Chris Williamson manages to cause yet another anti-semitism crisis.
Shameless plug: Paul will be part of a panel discussing how Brexit will impact young people in London on March 5th. Details at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brexit-have-we-shrunk-your-world-tickets-55704802564
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Feb 18, 2019
111: The Gang of Seven
The biggest party split in nearly 40 years. Seven Labour MPs have walked, but it’s clear dozens more have had enough. Even the deputy leader, Tom Watson, calls for change. It’s a huge challenge for Jeremy Corbyn, explored in this bonus podcast.
Why have the gang of seven gone now? Will anyone follow them? And what becomes of the Independent Group? Will it become a new party of the centre? Or will it fizzle out?
And how will Labour react? Has it in fact further strengthened Jeremy Corbyn’s hold on the party?
More at partygamespodcast.com and at twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
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Feb 13, 2019
110: Aren't we in hell already?
Once again, Theresa May kicks the can down the road, pleading with MPs to give her just a little more time. But time is running out. Maybe that’s the point. We round up the latest Brexit madness in the latest podcast.
Despite all that, Labour still find time to indulge in another internal party war. We look at how Luciana Berger became the latest target, and how leaders again failed to respond properly.
Plus the Conservative MP who can’t stop blocking moves to protect women and young girls, and we pause to consider the achievements of Chris Grayling, perhaps the least talented man to ever hold Cabinet office.
Don’t forget you can get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod and facebook.com/partygamespod - plus we’re at instagram.com/partygamespod
At partygamespodcast.com you can find all our past episodes, with handy links to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Android or Spotify.
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Jan 31, 2019
109: Six Impossible Things Before Brexit
It seems that, in order to honour the 2016 referendum result, we must echo Alice in Wonderland, and try to believe Six Impossible Things Before Brexit.
Theresa May has now made ideas previously dismissed as “delusional” central parts of her government’s Brexit policy. Now all she has to do is persuade the EU to go along with it — and she has less than two weeks to do it.
What does she want? We don’t really know. How will she get it? We don’t know that either.
So it makes perfect sense for us to try to figure out what’s likely to happen next as we blunder along this catastrophic road, kicking that battered can even further in the hope something magical might appear to make all this go away.
There’s even more at twitter.com/partygamespod as well as facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod
And at partygamespodcast.com you can catch up with all our past editions, and subscribe to the podcast too.
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Jan 17, 2019
108: The Rollercoaster of Hell
At a time when every week feels like a momentous one, this week really was. We’ll be talking about this week’s events years from now, so Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin try to make sense of it all.
Theresa May suffers the worst defeat any government’s endured in more than a century, and of course does not resign, or even seem to think there’s anything particularly wrong.
Instead she invites rivals to talks, while insisting she won’t budge on her red lines, which isn’t strictly speaking a negotiation.
Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn refuses to even talk. Just another calm, peaceful week in Brexit Britain.
We look at whether our rival tribes will ever be able to put the national interest first (spoiler: almost certainly not), and try to figure out what might happen next.
Stay in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod - we’re also at instagram.com/partygamespod - and you can catch up with the whole archive at partygamespodcast.com
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Jan 15, 2019
107: What fresh hell is this?
Theresa May suffers the heaviest defeat any Prime Minister has endured in at least a century. Her Brexit plans lie in tatters. And yet she limps on. A brief emergency update after the extraordinary events of the last 24 hours in the House of Commons. Jeremy Corbyn calls a confidence vote, which he will lose - but it won’t bring Labour any closer to backing a referendum. Will we even leave the EU in March? Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin pick through the wreckage of the latest Brexit catastrophe..
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Jan 9, 2019
106: Nothing has changed
It’s a new year, with all the exciting new possibilities it brings. Not really. We’re condemned to go round and round the same hellish circle until the end of time. Or Brexit Day. Whichever comes sooner.
In the first podcast of 2019, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin assess Theresa May’s second attempt to get her Brexit plan through the Commons, even though she doesn’t appear to have actually changed it in any meaningful way.
Plus the increasingly desperate efforts by MPs to frustrate Brexit, even though many don’t actually seem to understand what No Deal means.
Meanwhile, we lift the rock to see the kind of halfwits scuttling around outside Westminster, screaming abuse at people who have the audacity to hold different opinions to them.
Plus, as Kate Bush makes it clear she’s not a Tory, we look at the party’s long-running trouble attracting celebrity endorsements.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod or instagram.com/partygamespod - an…
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Dec 18, 2018
105: Merry Christmas, we’re doomed
2018 ends as it began, with a government incapable of governing, and an opposition unwilling to oppose. Only we’re in a much, much bigger mess than we were 12 months ago.
As the year draws to a close, we catch up with the latest Brexit madness, as Theresa May grimly kicks the can down the road once again, only to find Jeremy Corbyn doing exactly the same thing. It turns out they’re a lot more similar than either would want to admit.
Plus we write our end-of-year report, working out who’s up and who’s down after one of the most chaotic years anyone can remember.
Keep in touch over the holidays via twitter.com/partygamespod twitter.com/paulosbourne and facebook.com/partygamespod - we’re also at instagram.com/partygamespod
And at partygamespodcast.com you can catch up with our past episodes, and our special 100th episode video.
Oh, and Merry Christmas.
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Dec 12, 2018
EXTRA: What Just Happened?
In the midst of never-ending Brexit chaos, a bubble of insanity. The Tory leadership coup that’s been brewing for months boils over, and fizzles out in just one day.
In a brief 4am emergency podcast, we reflect on what the result means, for Theresa May’s own future, her chances of success in talks with EU leaders, and whether she’s really safe for the next year.
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Dec 10, 2018
104: Chaos delayed (for now)
It’s a Christmas miracle. The implosion of Government is cancelled. Well, delayed. For a bit. But probably not long.
Theresa May confronts inevitable defeat in the Commons by cancelling a vote she promised would not be cancelling, and scurrying off to Brussels to renegotiate a deal she promised would not be renegotiated. Strong and stable.
We work through the madness of the last 24 hours, the increasingly loud questions facing Jeremy Corbyn, and the frankly unanswerable poser of what happens next.
More (far, far more) at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne — plus you can get in touch via facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod - plus at partygamespodcast.com you can subscribe to the podcast, and catch up with our past episodes, videos and all sorts of other treats…
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Nov 29, 2018
103: Who'll back the doomed deal?
Another chaotic week in pre-Brexit Britain — the Prime Minister returns, not-especially triumphant, from getting her deal signed off in Brussels, and returns to Parliament, where the deal will almost certainly be rejected.
We look at the desperate efforts to persuade dozens of Tory MPs to change tack, as well as Theresa May’s sudden fondness for televised debates.
Plus we map out a strategy where the deal might — just — be approved before Christmas.
Also UKIP take on an actual fascist — it’s too much, even for Nigel Farage.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod — we’re also at instagram.com/partygamespod.
At partygamespodcast.com you can catch up with all our past episodes, subscribe to the podcast, and watch our video highlights.
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Nov 15, 2018
102: You've broken the country
The ink is barely dry on the Brexit deal, and it’s already dead in the water. As ministers flee Theresa May’s doomed government, the Prime Minister refuses to back down. But the Maybot is running out of time, and it’s clear her time in Downing Street is running out.
We look at the reasons why so many MPs on so many different sides are so unhappy with her deal, why her own MPs are moving against her, and what’s likely to happen next.
Stay up to date at twitter.com/partygamespod and twitter.com/paulosbourne - we’re also on facebook and instagram - search for partygamespod
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Oct 31, 2018
101: The Sticking Plaster Budget
Philip Hammond unveils what’s almost certainly his last Budget, and manages to find that tattered old tax cut rabbit in his hat. We look at how he’s accidentally managed to get Labour to endorse a tax cut for the richest, and covered up the fact he’s got almost nothing to announce.
In fact, the Budget highlighted just how much Labour is now setting the agenda, despite being in opposition. We search for the big Tory vision of post-Brexit Britain, and frankly we can’t find it.
Plus, as the Vegan Twitter Mob rise in up fury against the now former editor of the Waitrose Food magazine, we look at the bizarre culture in which people assume they have the right to never, ever be offended or come across any opinion that challenges theirs.
Stay in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — and at partygamespodcast.com you can see a special "behind-the-scenes" video. It's incredibly exciting..
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Oct 18, 2018
100: The Long(er) Goodbye
In the week the UK and EU were meant to agree a Brexit deal, we reach our own milestone. Even if Europe’s finest minds failed, we at least hit the deadline for our 100th episode.
This week, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin discuss another ridiculous week on the Brexit express, as we hurtle ever faster towards the buffers.
Plus, as it appears ever more likely the Saudis murdered and dismembered a journalist, will that be enough for the UK to actually stand up to them?
A report throws the spotlight back on bullying and harassment at Westminster — and the Speaker’s solution is to resign… in a year or so.
Plus we look back at some of the spectacularly accurate predictions we’ve made over our 100 episodes.
Stay in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod and instagram.com/partygamespod — keep an eye on them for a special video marking our milestone…
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Oct 4, 2018
99: Road to Nowhere
If Theresa May's time in Downing Street is coming to an end, she could always sign up for Strictly. We analyse what could be the Dancing Queen's best speech since becoming Prime Minister, and explain why it won't save her.
The Tories finally had some new policies to announce -- mostly stolen from Labour -- but the conference was dominated by Brexit and leadership rumours.
And that's where Boris Johnson comes in -- we explain how the former Foreign Secretary is like an arsonist who sets your house on fire then expects praise for bringing a bucket of water.
Labour's purge of its own MPs continues -- but could a rule change have unintended consequences for the Corbynistas?
And after Theresa May turned to Abba and ELO for musical inspiration, we try to find more appropriate songs.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod or instagram.com/partygamespod -- and don't forget you can catch up with all our past episodes at partygamespodcast.com
We're also now o…
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Sep 27, 2018
98: Brexit’s going awfully well, isn’t it?
Jeremy Corbyn gets the rapturous reception you’d expect from a hall filled with Labour Party activists, but this year’s conference was dominated by Brexit — and Labour’s position seems no clearer now than it was a week ago.
This week Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin explore how the Labour leaders who promised to listen to ordinary members decided that didn’t apply if the members were saying something they didn’t like.
Which is a similar strategy to the one Theresa May took with EU leaders. We look at how the meeting in Salzburg went so very, very badly wrong.
Plus we hear from Dr Pippa Malmgram, author of a new book on how political leaders around the world just don’t know how to connect with the people they’re meant to lead.
All this and Vince Cable’s erotic spasm, in a fun-packed 25 minutes.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod or instagram.com/partygamespod — and at partygamespodcast.com you can hear past editions and find lin…
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Sep 13, 2018
97: Rolling Thunder
The Brexiteers promised a month of mounting pressure on Theresa May to abandon her Chequers plan -- then within days started talking about a leadership coup. So how do you ramp up the pressure after that?
We look at how likely a challenge really is, and whether anybody's actually come up with an alternative plan for Brexit.
Jeremy Corbyn decides to sit quietly as Labour party activists work through a list of "disloyal" MPs, threatening deselection. Guess what issue they have in common...
Meanwhile, with Mr Corbyn's constituency set to vanish in a boundary shake-up, which of his chums is likely to step aside to keep him in the Commons?
Plus the crackdown on voter ID fraud that ended up depriving hundreds of seemingly legitimate voters of their democratic rights.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod - we're also at instagram.com/partygamespod - and at partygamespodcast.com you can listen back to close to 100 past episodes, if you're that way incli…
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Sep 2, 2018
96: Back to School
MPs return to Westminster after a summer of intrigue and infighting, and we return to look ahead to what could be an explosive couple of months.
Brexiteer Conservatives again ponder forcing out Theresa May in pursuit of the hardest possible exit from the EU — but might she beat them to it, and announce a plan to step down?
Will Frank Field’s decision to quit the Labour whip tempt other critics of Jeremy Corbyn to join him? And will the party change its position on Brexit to back a second referendum?
And we ask the big questions about the Liberal Democrats too: Are they still going? Have they booked a big enough table at the Harvester where they’ll be holding this year’s conference?
All this, plus we ponder life in London under Mayor Nigel Farage, a nightmare prospect that might (maybe, perhaps) happen one day.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod or instagram.com/partygamespod - plus at partygamespodcast.com you can hear all our past episod…
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Aug 12, 2018
95: The Extremism Edition
With Jeremy Corbyn still failing to act on Labour’s anti-semitism crisis, now Boris Johnson creates his own chaos for the Conservatives. But did the former Foreign Secretary know what he was doing when he made his incendiary remarks about women who wear the burka?
We assess how Britain’s two main parties have ended up struggling to contain extremist rhetoric, and ask what it suggests about our national debate.
How did we end up in a world where British politicians are defending American conspiracy nut Alex Jones, and people like Steve Bannon are invited onto breakfast TV.
Plus we lighten the mood by learning about the space nation of Asgardia, whose political leader will be familiar to anyone who remembers long-lost Liberal Democrat MPs from mid-Wales with an asteroid fixation.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod - we’re also at instagram.com/partygamespod
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Jul 19, 2018
94: Hanging by a thread
At the end of a dreadful week for Theresa May, the Prime Minister tries — and fails — to start her summer holiday early, just to stop her own MPs plotting against her.
Meanwhile, she stumbles through a series of knife-edge votes on Brexit, triggers all-out war in her party, and endures the humiliation of a Donald Trump visit.
We assess the implications of another dramatic week at Westminster, as well as asking why the leader of the anti-Brexit Lib Dems couldn’t make it to key Brexit votes, and why the Labour Party just can’t get away from rows over anti-Semitism.
Elsewhere, we look through some of the delightfully sarcastic placards in use at the anti-Trump demos in London and Edinburgh.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod - we’re also at instagram.com/partygamespod - and at partygamespodcast.com you can find a full archive, as well as links to subscribe.
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Jul 12, 2018
93: It's the Trump-pocalypse
Donald Trump arrives in Britain after a decidedly tumultuous week, just to give Theresa May another headache.
We catch up on the latest Brexit madness as the White Paper is published, and ask if Boris Johnson was the worst ever Foreign Secretary.
And as the tiny-handed orange terror arrives in Britain, journalist Malcolm Brown tells us what America wants from the trip, while Mohammed Ateek from the Stop Trump Coalition tells us why he’s so keen to protest against the President’s visit.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod. We’re also at instagram.com/partygamespod - and there’s a full archive of past episodes at partygamespodcast.com
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Jul 9, 2018
EXTRA: Yes, it's chaos (again)
A special extra podcast after a somewhat dramatic day at Westminster. David Davis resigns, followed 15 hours later by Boris Johnson, as the Cabinet consensus over the Chequers Brexit plan collapses.
So what happens next? How many more resignations can Theresa May withstand? And what will the Brexiteers do, given no amount of changes at the top will alter the parliamentary arithmetic?
More to come in our next full podcast, with you by the end of the week.
You can hear the full archive at partygamespodcast.com — and get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod facebook.com/partygamespod or instagram.com/partygamespod
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Jun 28, 2018
92 Brave Boris Ran Away
The Foreign Secretary, who promised to lie down in front of the bulldozers to stop a third runway being built at Heathrow, instead runs away to the comfort of war-torn Afghanistan, rather than be in Parliament for the crucial vote.
But Boris Johnson still managed to offend the business community, and half his Cabinet colleagues through his interventions on Brexit, as well as admitting to a growing admiration for “child catcher” Donald Trump.
We explore the continuing collapse of discipline inside Theresa May’s warring cabinet, as Gavin “Who He?” Williamson pushes once again for the top job.
Plus, how should the UK handle the impending Trump visit? Given the Prime Minister’s past contact with demagogues and dictators, it probably won’t go well.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod — and at partygamespodcast.com you can find a full archive of all our past editions.
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Jun 18, 2018
91: A Spoonful of sugar
The NHS is getting a present for its 70th birthday. It’s the money it’s been starved of for years. Apparently this is a “Brexit bonus.” Except ministers have already accepted there’s no such thing, so how is it going to be paid for? Prepare for a tax hike.
Theresa May’s hoping for positive news to end a dreadful week, where she’s been trying to keep every side of her party happy on Brexit — admittedly a close to impossible task. We explore the double-dealing that’s landed her in even more trouble.
Why has Sir Christopher Chope become the poster boy for upskirting? We try to understand what’s inside the head of the MP who managed to unite the warring Tories in disgust.
And with some kind of football tournament underway, we explore the sorry tales of politicians who’ve pretended to be fans of the beautiful game.
There’s a full archive of past editions at partygamespodcast.com — and you can get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod - we’re also on facebook…
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Jun 8, 2018
EXTRA: Theresa May's nightmare election - one year on
A dig into the podcast archives, as we look back at last year’s snap election, exactly a year after the somewhat surprising result.
While we can’t claim to have predicted the result (let’s be honest, we can’t claim to have predicted the result of any significant vote in the last three years), we did talk during the campaign about Theresa May’s stilted, robot-like performance, and Jeremy Corbyn’s seeming liberation on the campaign trail.
So, a year on from the election nobody expected and few people wanted, here’s a brief look back at how we covered the campaign in April and May 2017.
If you want to relive even more of the excitement, all the episodes are archived at partygamespodcast.com - and you can always get in touch via instagram.com/partygamespod or twitter.com/partygamespod
Our most recent regular episode should be under this one in your podcast feed.
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May 30, 2018
90: Snap out of it
Remember Brenda from Bristol? The woman who reacted to the 2017 snap election by crying “I can’t stand this.” We channel her in the latest podcast, as speculation mounts of yet another snap poll before the end of this year. It’s all tied into rumours of a coup against Theresa May.
But who would take over? Some Tories are pinning their hopes on Ruth Davidson — but does she even want the job?
As if that’s not enough the Republic of Ireland’s abortion referendum’s given Theresa May another headache, this time over the very restrictive abortion rules in Northern Ireland, and her friends in the DUP.
Plus, we (finally) say goodbye to Ken Livingstone, Caroline Lucas stands down as Green leader, again, and we’ve an update on the ludicrous attempts of politicians to engage with young people.
You’ll also find out which one of Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin is “only doing this podcast because I’m not the third Pet Shop Boy”
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespo…
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May 17, 2018
89: You're (not) fired
Has any senior minister ever been so openly defiant of their boss, and not been sacked? We ask how Boris Johnson’s managed to cling on as Foreign Secretary, and wonder when Theresa May will bow to the inevitable and fire him.
Meanwhile, the Tories try to engage with the young folk on instagram, with varying levels of success. We assess their tech-savvy, and wonder who on earth ever talks about a “doggo”.
Plus another Labour MP departs the Commons, as the party’s big outdoor festival heads towards apparent failure.
And could Nigel Farage really be about to join the DUP?
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod — where you can now listen to whole episodes. Or you can subscribe at partygamespodcast.com - where there’s also a full archive of past editions.
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May 4, 2018
88: Dead Heat
The breathless excitement of the local elections. Millions of votes, thousands of candidates, almost no changes.
Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin analyse the results, and ask if Labour’s showing any signs of being close to winning power.
Will the Lib Dems build from this year’s gains? And why did a leading UKIP figure compare the party to the plague?
Plus the continuing fall-out from Amber Rudd’s resignation — we ask if voters are partly to blame for politicians’ struggle with immigration.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod — we’re also on instagram @partygamespod
The archive of past episodes is at partygamespodcast.com — where you can subscribe to the podcast.
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Apr 26, 2018
87: I want to be elected
A special podcast looking ahead to next week’s local elections. London is the focus, with Labour hoping to make big gains there. We report from one Labour target — the Tory flagship of Wandsworth.
Journalist Martin Hoscik explains why he thinks the Conservatives are struggling so much in London, and Robert Meakin joins Paul Osbourne to discuss the races to keep an eye on.
Plus we head to Cheltenham to find out why anyone would even want to be a local councillor. Victoria Atherstone has bit the bullet, and is running for the first time. She explains why, what it’s like to spend your evenings knocking on doors, and how far she wants to go.
On election night, Paul will be on BBC Radio London looking over the results in the capital - and we’ll assess the results in the next podcast. You can subscribe at partygamespodcast.com and get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod
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Apr 12, 2018
86: Westminster's Useless Idiot
With a military response to the apparent chemical attack in Syria looking increasingly inevitable, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin consider the role of Britain’s chief diplomat — Boris Johnson. Having blundered over Salisbury, how will he cope with this international crisis?
Jeremy Corbyn’s bad month continues, as Tony Blair returns to Belfast with Bill Clinton, 20 years after sealing the Good Friday Agreement.
We look at the prospects for a new centrist party (spoiler: not great), and find out which party’s chosen a candidate for the local elections who’s on the record as rather passionately disliking the community he now seeks to represent.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or instagram.com/partygamespod - you can learn more and subscribe at partygamespodcast.com
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Mar 29, 2018
85: Wilfully Blind
Jeremy Corbyn manages to blunder into yet another anti-Semitism row. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin explore why the Labour leader seems incapable of confronting this toxic issue.
He found it far easier to deal with Owen Smith, but with three-quarters of Labour members apparently backing a second EU referendum, was sacking him the right move?
With a year left until Brexit, is it finally time for its most fervent opponents to admit the referendum result can't be undone?
And we find out about the political party that wants to end crime by making children write out 100 lines.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod - don't forget you can hear all the past editions at partygamespodcast.com
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Mar 14, 2018
84: Spies, lies and copper coins
Britain talks tough with Russia after the nerve agent attack in Salisbury. In the latest podcast, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin assess Theresa May’s response, and Jeremy Corbyn’s curious reluctance to “poke the Russian bear”.
Is John Bercow a bully? As the Commons Speaker faces new allegations, we look at what needs to happen to make Parliament a better place to work.
Plus we hear from one of the founders of new political party Renew, set up on a promise to stop Brexit at all costs — but is it a bit over-the-top to call Britain the next global conflict zone?
Plus Downing Street slaps down the penny-pinching Chancellor over his suggestion of scrapping the 1 and 2-pence coins — we wonder if wasn’t perhaps a rather good idea.
All that, plus we have a new theme tune — let us know what you think at twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod
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Mar 1, 2018
83: Big speeches, big questions
It’s the week of the Big Brexit Speeches. But as Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn set out rival visions of life outside the EU, neither appears to have any answer to the question of the Irish border.
Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin pick holes in both plans, and try to identify the single most stupid thing anyone’s said about Brexit this week.
Plus a new poll suggests a Labour landslide in London’s local elections later this year, as Mr Corbyn luxuriates in the warm glow of a grovelling apology from a Conservative MP.
And we pause to admire the comedy stylings of Theresa “Chuckles” May, Britain’s newest, and worst, stand-up comedian.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod
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Feb 15, 2018
82: Lost on the Road to Brexit
We’re firmly on the Road to Brexit. You thought we already were? Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin certainly did — but this week apparently marked the start of the Government’s “big vision” on post-Brexit Britain.
We might be on the Brexit bus — but it’s not at all clear which direction we’re going in.
Could that spell the end for Theresa May’s leadership? If it did, it would trigger another leadership contest, and make rank-and-file Conservative Party members enormously important.
This week, Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary, University of London, tells us about his research into Tory party members, what they think, and what they want.
Plus the stunning revelation that Jeremy Corbyn wasn’t a big fan of Margaret Thatcher, the perils of one-handed tweeting, and your chance to buy our time as we pimp our podcast.
Get in touch at twitter.com/partygamespod and facebook.com/partygamespod - there’s a full archive of past editions at partygamespodcast.co…
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Feb 2, 2018
81: Should I stay or should I go?
Theresa May stumbles into another leadership crisis, with MPs on all sides wondering if they might be better off without her. Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin look at the Conservative forces lining up against the Prime Minister.
One minister on the move is Gavin Williamson, but is the Defence Secretary’s ambition going to prove his undoing?
More trauma in north London Labour, as the controversial leader of Haringey Council gives up and announces she’ll quit. What does it mean for Labour councils up and down the country?
Plus, UKIP’s spin doctor has finally had enough — what proved the tipping point?
And, 100 years after women first won the vote, how much progress have they made at Westminster.
You can get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod - and all our past episodes are at partygamespodcast.com
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Jan 18, 2018
80: Racists, headbangers, and Donald Trump
The week’s been dominated by the fall-out from the collapse of Carillion. But is Britain’s addiction to private finance really going to change as a result? We look at how much ministers can be blamed, and why the private sector’s likely to stay in control of many public services.
Momentum tightens its grip on Labour’s ruling committee — will that help or hinder the party’s hopes of winning power?
Is another UKIP leader heading for the (Br)exit? We chat about Henry Bolton’s racist ex-girlfriend.
Plus, a year after Donald Trump’s inauguration, his doctor confirms the President of the United States is not insane. Because he can tell the time. But could you pass the test?
More at twitter.com/partygamespod and facebook.com/partygamespod - subscribe and listen to past editions at partygamespodcast.com
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Jan 9, 2018
79: Night of the Blunt Knives
heresa May starts 2018 with a Cabinet reshuffle. Except she can’t move any of her senior ministers. And some of the more junior ones just refuse to go. Another roaring success.
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin work through the implications of the very minimal government shake-up, and what it might mean for the Prime Minister’s prospects.
Plus we try to establish just how big an oaf Toby Young is (hint: really quite an oaf), and we bask in the reflected glory of a, like, really smart world leader who’s a very stable genius and in no way a terrifying toddler-like lunatic.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod
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Dec 21, 2017
78: 2017: Year of chaos
It’s time for our bumper festive look back at 2017. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin re-live the election nobody wanted, and wonder just how miserable Theresa May actually is.
We ask how much longer Corbyn-mania can last, and whether Labour’s had too much of a free ride this year.
There’s a brief detour through Brexit-land, and we pause in terror at the continued looming presence of Donald Trump, with insight from Washington correspondent Simon Marks.
We’ll be back in January – in the meantime, get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod – our website is partygamespodcast.com
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Dec 8, 2017
77: Brexit Omnishambles
As the last remaining wheel falls off the Government’s Brexit strategy, Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin try to make sense of the idiotic events of the last few weeks. How did Theresa May forget to speak to the DUP? Is David Davis equally forgetful, or just incompetent? And how many positions on Brexit can Labour maintain at once?
Plus the Electoral Commission investigates Momentum’s election spending, as the movement steps up its takeover of London local government.
And we worry whether Donald Trump might have Santa in his sights — the wrong “Little Rocket Man”.
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Nov 23, 2017
76: Budgeting for Brexit
Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin take a look at the Budget, including the promise of help for first time buyers, and the awful state of the economy. The deficit may never be paid off, but one guest tells us that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Plus what Europe really thinks of our Brexit negotiators, and how Labour’s former leader in Scotland is going to squeeze a little bit of politics into I’m a Celebrity. Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod
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Nov 10, 2017
75: The Zombie Government
In this week's podcast, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin explore the latest resignation from Theresa May's government. Why did Priti Patel make a series of catastrophic decisions? And how many more ministers will fall out of this chaotic cabinet?
Plus we explore the fallout of Carl Sargeant's death -- how should we treat people accused of harassment?
Also, is Rupert Murdoch really about to shut down Sky News in a strop? Or is he just bluffing. Again.
Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod
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Nov 1, 2017
74: Lifting the rock
The revelations of the past week at Westminster have lifted a rock, to expose behaviour that’s been ignored, or tolerated, for decades. Michael Fallon’s already resigned — will others follow? And will anything significant change? Meanwhile, the Government faces yet another Brexit setback. Get in touch via twitter.com/partygamespod or facebook.com/partygamespod - and we’re at partygamespodcast.com
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Oct 20, 2017
73: Deal or No Deal
No deal is a bad deal. Or a good deal. Or something. With the Cabinet split on Brexit, how are we to know? We pick through another "really successful" week in negotiations, as well as looking at the row over Universal Credit, the MPs boundary changes that won't happen, plus we pause for a little mindfulness. You can find us at partygamespodcast.com or at twitter.com/partygamespod and facebook.com/partygamespod
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Oct 6, 2017
72: It's not the cough that carries you off...
Theresa May's never-ending nightmare culminates in a parade of miseries at her party conference. Is the Prime Minister really about to be pushed out because she got a cold? We ask whether Boris Johnson is copying the Duke of Edinburgh or Donald Trump as burns every bridge he sees. Meanwhile, was everything really as rosy in Brighton as Labour's supporters think it was? And who on earth is the new leader of UKIP? Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Sep 20, 2017
71: It's always about Boris
What is Boris Johnson up to? Does he want to be sacked? Does he still think he's in with a chance of the top job? Or does he just want to highlight how weak Theresa May is? We ask why he's undermined the Prime Minister, just as she's about to set out her strategy for Brexit. Meanwhile, Sir Vince Cable genuinely thinks he could be the next PM, as UKIP consider a leadership candidate who's too extreme for most of UKIP. More at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Sep 7, 2017
70: Shut up and do as you're told
Brexit is back in the Commons, and it turns out "take back control" didn't really apply to MPs. Plus, who leaked that top secret immigration plan? How on earth did Theresa May convince herself she could stay in office for five more years, and how did her scripted soundbite end up sounding a bit like "let them eat cake". Meanwhile, Labour won't stare directly at The Sun, and we learn Stormzy's word of the week. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Aug 25, 2017
69: So, the President's a racist then...
How should Theresa May treat Donald Trump, now he's confirmed his racism and bigotry? We look at a depressing, horrifying couple of weeks in the US. Back home, we're on a slow train north -- because all trains in the north are slow, and that won't be changing anytime soon. Plus the curious personality cult around Jacob Rees-Mogg, and the ridiculous displays of mourning as Big Ben is silenced. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Aug 13, 2017
68: Nothing about this is normal
In a summer special, we catch up with Simon Marks, 20-year-plus veteran of Washington DC reporting, who spends his time covering the Trump White House. We discuss the sleepless terror of watching the President, and how this whole fiasco could come to an end. Plus we try to answer the question - what on earth does Trump actually do all day? More at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jul 21, 2017
67: Cabinet at war
The Cabinet explodes into full-on civil war, but Theresa May is powerless to stop it. In an End of Term podcast, we assess the state of the government going into the summer break. Plus Vince Cable returns as Lib Dem leader, and we're all going to have to work forever. Get in touch at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jul 7, 2017
66: Money's Too Tight to Mention
Britain deserves a pay rise, say half the Cabinet. Not on my watch, say the other half. We explore the Cabinet battle over the public sector pay cap. Meanwhile, Labour's harmonious post-election mood disappears as internal hostilities resume. Also, after the disaster at the Grenfell Tower, isn't it time to pay more attention to what's going on in Britain's Town Halls. And, facing the threat of a lightning Donald Trump visit, we're rude about the leader of the free world. Once again. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 23, 2017
65: Busy Doing Nothing
Exactly a year after the referendum that launched us into unending chaos, a caretaker Prime Minister unveils a painfully thin Queen's Speech. Meanwhile the Brexit talks finally get underway, but the DUP deal remains deadlocked. Along the way, we squeeze in references to Terry and June, The Simpsons and The Wizard of Oz. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 18, 2017
64: The Politics of Tragedy
As another awful week comes to an end, we look at why politics really does matter at a time of tragedy, and how the Prime Minister stumbled so badly in response to the disaster at Grenfell Tower. Plus the latest on the search for that strong and stable government, the delayed Queen's Speech, and Tim Farron's sudden departure. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 11, 2017
63: Mayhem
As Theresa May clings to power, having driven her party off the edge of an avoidable cliff, we ask how long she'll last, what the DUP will demand for propping her up, and exactly when we'll need to sharpen those ballot pencils again. Plus we reflect on Jeremy Corbyn's amazing night, a bad result for Nicola Sturgeon, and an awful one for UKIP. More at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 9, 2017
62: Bloody Hell
A hung parliament, Theresa May's dreams in tatters, Jeremy Corbyn's supporters overjoyed. Not absolutely the result we were expecting. A brief 7am podcast update -- full analysis in the next normal episode over the weekend. Updates in the meantime at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 7, 2017
61: It's nearly over
The final days of the 2017 election campaign are again overshadowed by terrorism. But on the eve of polling day, we're here with our guide to results night -- the seats to watch out for, and the prospects for the main parties. Don't hold us to any predictions though, obviously. Updates on election night at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 2, 2017
60: The Final Countdown
Just a few days to go now, and the election's been turned on its head. Now it's Jeremy Corbyn who looks confident, and Theresa May who's nervous and rattled. We talk through the debates, the polls, and the prospects for another surprise result next week. Daily updates at paulosbourne.net/blog and twitter.com/paulosbourne
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May 26, 2017
59: Don't Look Back in Anger
After the horror of the Manchester bombing, the General Election campaign resumes after a 3-day pause. We talk about the political response to events in Manchester, and the likely next months on the campaign trail. Plus the UKIP candidate who's reaching for the stars. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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May 19, 2017
58: Trust me, I'm a politician
The manifestos are out, and we're here to save you the trouble of reading them. The Tories promise to solve the social care crisis, by grabbing your home, Labour promise to spend spend spend, and the Lib Dems think taxing cannabis is the way forward. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Donald Trump edges ever closer to impeachment. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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May 12, 2017
57: May Manifesto Madness
Labour's manifesto is out, admittedly sooner than the party might have liked. We look at whether the party's left-wing agenda for government is an implicit admission of defeat. Plus Theresa May's turn on the One Show sofa, and her surprising obsession with fox hunting, how UKIP's collapse could help her win dozens more seats, and why the Prime Minister could be to blame for another disastrous showing at Eurovision. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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May 6, 2017
56: Bloody Difficult Woman
This week, we work through the local election results, to see what impact they'll have on June 8th (spoiler alert: the Tories are probably going to win big). Plus, why is Theresa May embracing the title of Bloody Difficult Woman, and why is she declaring war on Brussels just before Brexit talks. And we ponder the sorry tale of Diane Abbott, who can't remember her own policy. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Apr 27, 2017
55: Stuck on Repeat
Week 1 of the election campaign, and Theresa May breaks the world record for saying "strong and stable leadership" over and over again. We analyse the opening shots of the election nobody wanted, assess the last Prime Minister's Questions before the vote, and look at the prospects for the Liberal Democrats. Plus, we join the last-minute search for candidates, and limber up for a game of Pimp My Poll. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Apr 18, 2017
54: The Brexit Election
You know what’s been wrong these last few years? Not enough voting. Rejoice. The never-ending parade of elections and referendums goes on. Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin weigh up the likely course of the campaign. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne — and if you’ve time for a rating or review on iTunes we’d be hugely grateful…
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Apr 13, 2017
53: Grumpy Old Men
In our Easter podcast, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin ponder why politicians can’t act like normal people. Could Jeremy Corbyn learn something from Ed Miliband’s all-new comedy persona? Plus we look ahead to the likely winners and losers from May’s local elections, and Paul realises he may never be able to go to the United States again. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Mar 31, 2017
52: Brexit Explained. Kind of.
The 9-month phony war is over, and Theresa May's break-up letter has finally been sent. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin try to work on what's going to happen next, while looking forward to a world of over-powered toasters and old-fashioned lightbulbs. Plus, how many more jobs could George Osborne hold down at once. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne -- and don't forget there's still time to vote for us at britishpodcastawards.com/vote
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Mar 16, 2017
51: Theresa May's Terrible Week
This was the week Theresa May was supposed to activate Article 50. Instead, she announced a record-breaking u-turn on the Budget, got into a scrap with Nicola Sturgeon over Scottish independence, and saw the election expenses scandal suddenly become very serious. Don’t forget you’ve still got time to vote for us at britishpodcastawards.com/vote - and we’ll love you forever if you do. Maybe not forever. But for a while, anyway. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Mar 10, 2017
50: Promises, promises
When is a promise not a promise? When it's in a Tory manifesto, apparently. Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin look at this year's Budget blunder. Plus Theresa May's vindictive streak returns, and a surprisingly large number of references to Chorley. Plus, how you can vote for us at britishpodcastawards.com/vote (please do vote for us, by the way). As ever, get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Feb 24, 2017
49: Crisis? What Crisis?
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin talk through the implications of the by-elections in Copeland and Stoke Central -- and ask what it means for Jeremy Corbyn and the UKIP leader Paul Nuttall -- who've both been left with a lot to think about. Plus, why did the Prime Minister silently eyeball members of the House of Lords -- and is Donald Trump actually smarter than the rest of us? Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Feb 12, 2017
48: We're all Brexiteers now...
Jeremy Corbyn is finally on the winning side in the Commons. Admittedly he had to vote with the Conservatives to experience victory, but still... the fight starts here, apparently. We weigh up the Labour leader's Brexit tactics, and ask why John Bercow appears to have forgotten what his job as Speaker actually involves. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jan 28, 2017
47: Theresa & Donald 4 EVA
Just as Donald Trump earns the world's disdain (again) for shutting America's doors to refugees, Theresa May arrives to tell him he's swell. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin try to work out why, as well as discussing the Brexit court ruling, and Jeremy Corbyn's double by-election headache. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne.
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Jan 12, 2017
46: What have we done to deserve this?
We're just a few days from the terror of the Trump presidency, and our day-glo overlord is furious about fake news -- odd, as he more or less invented it. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin struggle with the irony, as well as explaining why the NHS crisis is so politically toxic for Theresa May. Plus, how did the Jeremy Corbyn relaunch go? Not terribly well, surprisingly. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Dec 17, 2016
45: Christmas in the House of Lies
It's been the year of the lie -- a seemingly endless series of huge, Pinnochio-style whoppers, many of which were rewarded with electoral success. For our bumper Christmas special, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin look back at Brexit, Donald Trump and more, and try to work out what might happen next. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne - and Merry Christmas, obviously...
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Nov 30, 2016
44: The Brexit Cake
Pro-having cake, and pro-eating it as well. Britain's Brexit strategy is finally revealed. Except it isn't. Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin try to fill the information vacuum. Plus we learn more about UKIP's new leader, who definitely isn't Bungle from Rainbow. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Nov 18, 2016
43: No, it wasn't a bad dream
A week on from Donald Trump's victory and at least we're all still here. Paul Osbourne gets reaction from Steve Mort in the US. Plus composer Thomas Hewitt Jones, whose musical response to the Trump victory didn't go down so well with the President-elect's fans. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Nov 10, 2016
42: Trump-mageddon
Continuing a golden history of accurate political prediction, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin return the week after saying Hillary Clinton would "stagger over" the winning line to weigh up the implications of Donald Trump's election as the 45th President of the United States. It's the end of the world as we know it, and frankly we don't feel fine. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Nov 4, 2016
41: Let Chaos Reign
A week of chaos -- in the UK, the High Court intervenes in Brexit, making it slightly more complicated than it already was. In the US, Donald Trump catches up with Hillary Clinton in the polls, and the world holds its breath. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin retreat to the Constitutional Crisis bunker. Again. Steve Mort offers insight from the US. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Oct 20, 2016
40: The Trump Card
As the Trump campaign continues to implode, we analyse the latest insanity from the US. Plus, we ask who on earth would want to lead UKIP after the showdown in Strasbourg, and wonder why disagreeing with a local councillor would be treason. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Sep 24, 2016
39: Some things change, some stay the same
Jeremy Corbyn is back -- not that he ever really went away. As he's re-elected to the Labour leadership, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin try to work out what's next. Meanwhile, one supporter -- writer David Stubbs -- tells us why he's still backing him, and why this project goes far beyond 2020. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Sep 9, 2016
38: Now That's What I Call a Scandal
Keith Vaz steps down as head of the Home Affairs Committee, and for no reason at all we play a game based on past political scandals. Plus we ask if anyone has any idea what Brexit means, and as if Labour's splits aren't bad enough, now UB40 are fighting. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Aug 31, 2016
37: Moments of madness
It's the week politics went mad. Nigel Farage cosies up to Donald Trump, Jeremy Corbyn can't get a seat on a train (or can he?) and Boris Johnson's brief time in charge comes to an end. Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin assess our summer of madness, and Steve Mort chips in from the US. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Aug 13, 2016
36: The Summer of Discontent
Labour's leadership contest continues, in the courts and on the hustings. Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin pick through the wreckage, and look at the battles to lead UKIP and the Greens. Plus we ask the faintly ridiculous question: What's the most stupid thing Donald Trump has said this week? Get in touch on twitter @paulosbourne
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Jul 14, 2016
35: May Day
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin wrap up yet another busy week at Westminster, try to work out what’s behind Theresa May’s large-scale reshuffle, wonder if Labour will ever resolve its leadership crisis, and chat to the man who turned David Cameron’s “do doo” humming into a classical lament. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jul 8, 2016
34: Leaders lead, occasionally
Britain will have its second woman prime minister, but will it be Theresa May or the mysterious Andrea Leadsom? While the Tories take steps towards choosing a new leader, Labour's crisis shows no signs of ending. But as the Chilcot report puts Tony Blair back in the spotlight, who would even want to be Prime Minister? Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 30, 2016
33: The party's over
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin retreat to the crisis bunker as the implications of the Brexit vote intensify. Boris Johnson's ambitions are dashed, Michael Gove turns silent assassin, Jeremy Corbyn displays the hide of a rhino. Recorded Thursday 30 June. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 25, 2016
32: It's Brexit. Now what?
Trying to make sense of Britain's vote to leave the EU. It's already triggered David Cameron's resignation and a mini-financial meltdown, and that's just day one in Brexit Britain. Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin wonder what's next... Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 18, 2016
31: The murder of Jo Cox
The EU referendum campaign is brought to a sudden halt by the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. Paul Osbourne reports from a vigil in Westminster, and joins Robert Meakin to discuss how Britain's politics turned so toxic. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 9, 2016
30: Lies, Damned Lies, and referendums
The EU referendum may be hugely important, but is it also the most depressing political campaign we've ever seen? As our leaders trade lies and half-truths, Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin try to make sense of it all. Plus your 30-second guide to floating voters, and we discover the true Northern Powerhouse is purple, and comes in a plastic bottle. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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May 27, 2016
29: EU Cannot be Serious
With four weeks to go to the EU referendum, Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin try to sift through the nonsense spoken by the leave and remain campaigns. Plus an update from Steve Mort in the US as Donald Trump formally seals the Republican nomination. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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May 12, 2016
28: EU must be joking
Six weeks to the referendum, and it's time to get serious. We address the important impact Eurovision could have, as well as talking about Brexit: The Movie without actually watching it. Plus, why are politicians so obsessed about tinkering with the BBC. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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May 7, 2016
27: Election 2016: Everyone wins (kind of)
As the dust settles after Thursday's elections, Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin talk through the results - Jeremy Corbyn's stay of execution, the Tories' return to Scotland, and Sadiq Khan's election as London Mayor. Plus the views of political commentator Jo-Anne Nadler. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Apr 28, 2016
26: Pre-election meltdown
Just what Labour didn't need - a full-on crisis days before Jeremy Corbyn's first proper electoral test. Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin discuss the anti-semitism row. Plus Emma Gordon reports from Scotland's election, and what on earth was Boris vs Barack all about. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Apr 14, 2016
25: A Taxing Time
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin wonder why everyone’s suddenly publishing their tax returns. Plus the minister and the alleged dominatrix, and what may be the best Party Election Broadcast ever. Get in touch on twitter @paulosbourne
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Mar 31, 2016
24: The Loyalty League Table
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin get the lowdown on London's Mayoral election, now just a month away, from journalist Martin Hoscik. Plus the fallout from Iain Duncan Smith's resignation, Jeremy Corbyn's loyalty list and Boris Johnson's critics gang up on him. Get in touch on twitter @paulosbourne.
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Mar 17, 2016
23: Super-sweet Budget
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin talk about the sugar tax, and all the other things The Chancellor would prefer we didn't notice, with expert analysis from Jasmine Birtles. Plus the unending march of Donald Trump, the first Corbyn coup may have quietly started, and is one really for Brexit? Plus we have a new logo... Get in touch on at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Mar 3, 2016
22: The terror of Trump
Donald Trump’s march to the White House continues -- we get an update from the US, and ask if anything at all could stop him now. Plus the Conservative Party’s war over the EU referendum. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne.
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Feb 21, 2016
21: Here EU Go. Or stay, obviously
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin assess the start of the EU referendum campaign, now a date's been set. It's Boris v Dave, again. The rollercoaster ride of fun starts here. Plus Donald Trump marches towards the White House and The Indpendent fades away. Get in touch on at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Feb 4, 2016
20: Making Europe Sexy
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin try to sex up the EU referendum without nodding off, ask why 800,000 voters have disappeared and can’t avoid Donald Trump any longer. Get in touch on twitter @paulosbourne. Sexy-time music courtesy of http://www.freesfx.co.uk
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Jan 21, 2016
19: Jeremy Corbyn's Late Night Love Songs
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin wade through a series of reports into last year’s election, find an alternative career for the Labour leader, and discuss how much you should be paying these days for a chicken suit. Get in touch on twitter @paulosbourne
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Jan 7, 2016
18: New Year Reshuffle Madness
It's New Year madness. Everyone must go in Jeremy Corbyn's January Clear-out. Well, maybe just a couple of people. Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin try to make sense of the revenge reshuffle, plus David Cameron's huge EU climbdown, and what it says about our leaders' ability to lead. Get in touch on at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Dec 28, 2015
17: An expert view on 2015
As the year draws to a close, Paul Osbourne talks to Prof Tony Travers, from the London School of Economics, about the political surprises of 2015, from David Cameron's election victory to Jeremy Corbyn's arrival as Labour leader, and looks forward to 2016. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Dec 21, 2015
16: 2015's Greatest Hits
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin look back at the year that saw David Cameron win an unwinnable election, and Jeremy Corbyn end 32 years intense preparation for the Labour leadership. A seasonal special with a handful of special guests, including Ed Balls and Eddie Izzard. Get in touch on twitter @paulosbourne
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Dec 4, 2015
15: Don't Feed the Trolls
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin on the political legacy of the Syria vote, Hilary Benn’s remarkable speech, and try to diminish the power of trolls by setting their insults to jolly Christmas music. Get in touch at twitter.com/paulosbourne — polite tweets only, please.
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Nov 17, 2015
14: After Paris
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin discuss the political questions that follow the attacks in Paris. Should the “Snooper’s Charter” be speeded up? And is now the time to ask MPs to back strikes on militants in Syria. Plus, how has Jeremy Corbyn coped with his first big test as Labour leader. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Oct 28, 2015
13: Constitutional Crisis Bunker Special
We’re live (ish) from twin bunkers deep below London and “the north” as the Lords v Commons battle gets nasty. We line up some celebrity Tory peers to restore order, each more surprising than the last. Plus we briefly bend the knee to democracy-avoiding scamp Xi Jinping. Get in touch at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Oct 14, 2015
12: Harriet Harman's Vow of Silence
Labour’s former acting leader tells us whether Jeremy Corbyn asked her for any advice — and we speculate on how long she’ll wait before telling us what she really thinks. Plus Labour’s inexplicable U-turn on the economy, and Nick Clegg’s biggest regret. And the good news is we only talk about the EU referendum for 36 seconds. Get in touch at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Oct 9, 2015
11: Compassionate Cameron
Paul Osbourne has a cold, but battles bravely on to discuss the Conservative leader’s conversion to the fight against poverty with Robert Meakin. Plus, Jeremy Corbyn’s ongoing internal battle with his republican heart. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne — especially if you have a packet of Tunes going spare. theme music: "Rhythm Thinking" by Jared C. Balogh (http://www.alteredstateofmine.net) — use of the music does not imply endorsement of any political views expressed during the programme.
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Sep 17, 2015
10: Jez we can
Offering top-quality advice to Jeremy Corbyn — everything the new Labour leader needs to know in just 20 minutes. Kind of. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin return after an ill-advised summer break to ask “what the hell is going on?” Get in touch at twitter.com/paulosbourne - theme music: "Rhythm Thinking" by Jared C. Balogh (http://www.alteredstateofmine.net) — use of the music does not imply endorsement of any political views expressed during the programme.
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Jul 9, 2015
9: The Austerity Abacus
Paul Osbourne gets out the austerity abacus to weigh up the impact of George Osborne's budget, and fears for Robert Meakin's future employment. Salvation may lie in his successful playing of "Budget Bingo". Plus we talk about the Lib Dems, but not for too long so don't worry. Get in touch at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Jun 10, 2015
8: Anybody want to buy a giant stone?
The post-election landscape is littered with bits of Ed Miliband's pledge stone. Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin pick their way through the Labour leadership rivals, talk about the life of Charles Kennedy, and hear from London Mayoral hopeful Christian Wolmar.
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May 14, 2015
7: Situations Vacant
Miliband: gone; Clegg: gone; Farage: gone, then back, then maybe gone again. Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin discuss the Tory win, and the chaos in Labour and the Lib Dems. Plus Boris Johnson's "non-job", and could Ed Balls get a job as an in-store Santa? Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne or partygamespodcast@gmail.com
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May 8, 2015
6: 5am election update
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin emerge blinking into the early morning light, with a quickfire analysis of the results so far. An extraordinary night for the Conservatives and SNP, a dreadful night for Labour and the Lib Dems. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne or partygamespodcast@gmail.com
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May 5, 2015
5: Ed Balls is down with the kids
Paul Osbourne and Robert Meakin have the cut-out-and-keep guide to election night -- that you can't cut-out-and-keep. Never before have places like Bristol West and Nuneaton seemed so exciting. Plus Ed Balls on Russell Brand's apparently vital endorsement. Get in touch via twitter.com/paulosbourne CAUTION: Contains Neil Kinnock screaming "we're all right".
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Apr 27, 2015
4: Countdown to Indecision Day
As Indecision Day draws nearer, Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin discuss the SNP's pivotal role in the campaign, and why David Cameron's turning the passion up to 11. Plus the leader of anti-austerity party TUSC and the Wheel of Coalition returns. Get in touch at twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Apr 15, 2015
3: Eddie Izzard MP?
This week, Eddie Izzard on his support for Labour, and his hopes of standing for election in 5 years time. Plus, as the parties publish their formal plans, does a manifesto even matter anymore. All this, and the Wheel of Coalition is taken out for another spin. Get in touch on twitter: twitter.com/paulosbourne
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Apr 3, 2015
2: Let's have a heated debate
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin dissect the only full-on debate of the election campaign. Who won? Did anyone? Did it make any difference to the outcome? Also, big business backs the Tories, Labour demand action on food banks, and for the first time we spin the Wheel of Coalition.
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Mar 30, 2015
1: Hello
Paul Osbourne & Robert Meakin discuss the first big TV clash of the election campaign between David Cameron and Ed Miliband, meet the UKIP campaigners who think they could win power in 2020, and ask just what is it about John Bercow that so annoys the Conservatives? Comments/questions -- head to twitter.com/paulosbourne Theme music: "Rhythm Thinking" by Jared C. Balogh (www.alteredstateofmine.net)-- who certainly doesn't endorse any political views you may encounter...
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