For The Many With Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith

Hi For The Many fans LBC have a new podcast we think you’ll enjoy - Hosted by Lionel Barber, the former Editor of the Financial Times, What Next? focuses on life after COVID-19 and sees the multi-award-winning journalist and author discover how the world is adapting to the pandemic, what needs to change and, most importantly, what lessons we have learnt that will shape our lives for the future. Each week, Lionel will be speaking to some of the biggest leading influential figures in the health, politics, business, technology, arts and environment world, such as former Prime Minister Tony Blair; Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation; ITV’s Chief Executive Dame Carolyn McCall and many more. Follow Lionel on Twitter: @lionelbarber. Listen and subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss new Covid new restrictions, Allegra Stratton’s appointment as the PM’s spokeswoman, Nicola Sturgeon’s political troubles, the latest developments in the US election, the government’s careers app, Darren Grimes and MPs’ pay. Smut quota: Middling

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Donald Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis, his debate with Joe Biden, the idiocy of people who break Coronavirus rules (yes you Jeremy Corbyn, Stanley Johnson and Margaret Ferrier!), the latest from Strictly, Jenny Murray’s last Woman’s Hour, Priti Patel’s latest brainwave and National Poetry Day. Smut Quota: High at the start, low elsewhere.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss Rishi Sunak’s Winter Economic Plan, Student ‘incarceration’, office romances, Trump and the transferral of power, Ben Wallace’s comments on an ‘illegal war’, the disappearance of Priti Patel, Iain needing a passport to get into Kent, Harry & Meghan’s comments on the US election, Diane Abbott’s book and Jacqui gives us an update on her ‘Strictly’ activities. Smut Quota: Low. Ish.

In this welcome return of the Wednesday podcast Jacqui Smith and Iain Dale turn their beady eye on Boris Johnson’s address to the nation and ask whether the measures taken to limit the spread of Coronavirus really go far enough. They also discuss Sir Keir Starmer’s virtual Labour party conference speech, and they lighten the mood at the end with a conversation about ‘bushiness’. Graham should stop listening at approx. 30 mins. Smut Quota: High at the end.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the Internal Markets Bill, ask whether a second spike of coronavirus is about to happen, the death of Ruth Bader-Ginsburg, Jacqui’s wardrobe fitting for Strictly Come Dancing and much more besides. Smut Quota: Non existent. Graham will be pleased.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the latest round of Brexit shenanigans, the Rule of Six, UKIP’s new leader, Rugby, the Proms and the Japan trade deal. Smut Quota: Lowish

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith start of this week’s podcast by discussing the news that Lady Smut will be contestant in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing show. So that’s the first twenty minutes done and dusted. They then move on to their normal fayre of political analysis, gossip and intrigue. This week they discuss Tony Abbott’s appointment as a UK trade adviser, Tim Davie’s first major speech as BBC DG, the XR protests, the rising number of coronavirus cases, and they preview the new James Bond film. Smut quota: Iain: Low, Jacqui: Can’t help herself.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the week’s political news including possible tax rises, the new BBC Director General, developments in Belarus, the return of Parliament and the appointment of a new cabinet secretary. They also get a little emotional when answering a listener’s question. And they break some sad news… Smut Quota: Middling to high. Sorry Graham.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith dole out some well meant advice to the new LibDem leader Sir Ed Davey, scratch their heads about Chris Grayling’s resignation, talk local government reorganisation (don’t worry, not for long) and Jacqui wonders how on earth Iain’s partner John has put up with him for 25 years. Smut quota: Low.

Jacqui Smith returns from her holiday’s full of vim and vigour and tries desperately to convince Iain her services are worth retaining, following the popularity of her three stand-ins. They discuss Face masks, returning to school, Gavin Williamson’s continuing travails, Belarus, the BBC and the Proms and answer a lot of your questions. Smut Quota: Low to middling.

Jacqui Smith is still on her holidays (she’s back next week) so Iain is joined by former Labour MP Caroline Flint to discuss the week’s news events and much else besides. It turns out to be the longest edition of the For the Many podcast ever – two hours and ten minutes of pure, unadulterated joyful political commentary and entertainment! Do listen to the end as you won’t want to miss some very revealing anecdotes from both Caroline and Iain. In the first part of the podcast they discuss Joe Biden, Gavin Williamson’s week, the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, evictions, Floridian genetically modified mosquitos and the possibility of a new news channel to rival Sky. Smut quota: Low

With Jacqui Smith away, Iain Dale invited Labour MP and For the Many podcast Superfan Wes Streeting to sit in the hot seat. They discuss the A Level grading fiasco, Public Health England and the Democrats National Convention, as well as taking on a whole host of listener questions. Smut quota: Disappointingly low for a Wednesday.

Jacqui Smith is on holiday so Denise Headley joins Iain to chew over the week’s events. They discuss the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, the new Quarantine measures, the reaction to the A Level results and what the government should do next. They answer listener questions too. Smut Quota: Non existent (Graham will be pleased).

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the Channel migrants, Kamala Harris, bleak economic figures, Dawn Butler and Ben & Jerries. They also talk about Jacqui’s imminent summer holiday and who will be replacing her on the next three episodes. Stand by for some quality corpsing too. Smut quota: Medium

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith review the news of the last few days and talk about the latest Coronavirus developments, the weird interviews given this week by Trump and Biden, and the likelihood of a Japan-UK trade deal. They answers lots of your questions and reminisce over 1970s television. Smut Quota: Lowish

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the explosion in Beirut, the latest developments on Coronavirus, the death of John Hume, Peerages and whether the Tory MP being questioned over sexual assault should have the party whip withdrawn. Smut quota: Middling to low.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the latest emergency lockdown in the North West, Donald Trump’s election rigging tweet, Charlie Elphicke’s conviction and much else besides. Smut Quota: Low (with one transgression).

Iain Dale & Jacqui Smith turn their attention to Wiley’s antisemitic tweets, the LibDem leadership contest, the Spanish quarantine, the government’s new obesity strategy and BAME representation in the boardroom. And they answer your questions in their own inimitable manner. Smut quota: Middling.

Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith discuss the government’s new obesity strategy, face coverings, Aston Villa’s chances of avoiding relegation, Wiley’s Twitter shame and how worried the Tories should be about Scotland. And a lot of other nonsense too including the size of Jacqui’s new bed. Listen to the end… Smut quota: Lowish