Best Chris Darroch Podcasts (2025)

Iain Dale interviews former chancellor, foreign secretary and health secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt live at the Edinburgh Fringe. They talk about the differing challenges of the various jobs, what it's like living in Number 11 Downing Street, meeting Henry Kissinger and more!

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332. Sir John Curtice, Brian Taylor and Michael Crick 1:13:12

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21d ago1:13:12

1:13:12

Iain Dale catches up with three top analysts, pollster Sir John Curtice, Scottish political journalist Brian Taylor and seasoned Westminster-watcher Michael Crick - they read the current political runes and judge who's up and who's down.

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331. Jess Phillips 1:13:13

28d ago1:13:13

1:13:13

Iain Dale interviews safeguarding minister Jess Phillips live at the Edinburgh Fringe. They talk about Jess's life as a minister, being under attack from Elon Musk, being heckled at her election count and who's her favourite Tory.

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330. Sir Chris Bryant 50:16

1M ago50:16

50:16

Iain Dale speaks on his LBC show to culture minister Sir Chris Bryant about his new book A LIFE AND A HALF: THE UNEXPECTED MAKING OF A POLITICIAN.

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329. Nicola Sturgeon 51:19

1M ago51:19

51:19

Iain Dale speaks on his LBC show with former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon about her divorce, her friendship with Alex Salmond, what she thinks about JK Rowling and more.

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328. Lord Kim Darroch 1:05:29

2M ago1:05:29

1:05:29

Iain is joined by former national security adviser and UK ambassador to the US Lord Darroch live from the Edinburgh Fringe festival. They speak about whether a peace deal in Ukraine is likely, what could happen next in Gaza, how well Keir Starmer is handling foreign policy and more!

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327. Lord Michael Heseltine 1:07:04

2M ago1:07:04

1:07:04

Iain is joined by Lord Heseltine live from the Edinburgh Fringe festival. It's a truly special conversation about his long time in Westminster, working with Margaret Thatcher, his anti-Brexit campaigning and more - take a listen!By Global

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326. Rachel Reeves 1:12:18

2M ago1:12:18

1:12:18

Iain Dale is joined by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, live from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - they discuss women in politics, the challenges of being a Chancellor, and bad hair days!By Global

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325. AP McCoy 24:23

2M ago24:23

24:23

Iain Dale dips into the LBC archives, where he speaks with champion jockey, AP McCoy - they discuss how to get past setbacks and the debate on horse whipping in the sport.By Global

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324. From the archive: Pam Ayres 44:43

3M ago44:43

44:43

Iain Dale spoke back in 2011 to the wonderful poet Pam Ayres - dive in for some warm fun!By Global

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323. Wendy Morton 1:04:57

3M ago1:04:57

1:04:57

Iain Dale interviews Conservative MP Wendy Morton about growing up in a farming family and getting into politics, as well as her time as chief whip when Liz Truss was PM - and all the chaos that came with that role!By Global

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Remembering Norman Tebbit 23:40

3M ago23:40

23:40

In this edition of All Talk, we look back to 2014 when former cabinet minister Norman Tebbit joined Iain for a recording. They discuss Norman's experience surviving the Brighton bombing in 1984, his views on the potential for an EU referendum and how he compares modern politics to his era, as well as his children's novel. We remember Lord Tebbit, w…

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322. From the archive: Miranda Hart 22:43

3M ago22:43

22:43

Iain spoke back in 2012 to comedian Miranda Hart - here it is for your what I call listening pleasure!By Global

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321. Krishnan Guru-Murthy 52:24

4M ago52:24

52:24

Iain Dale interviews broadcaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy about his wonderful career and the state of the media. They discuss what it takes to carry out a good interview, Krishnan's love of foreign reporting, his most memorable moments in front of the camera and the future of the 'legacy media' - and more!…

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320. Sarah Vine 55:44

4M ago55:44

55:44

Iain Dale interviews author and commentator Sarah Vine about being a political wife (formerly to Michael Gove), how to split up well, how her friendship with the Camerons ended, dealing with criticism and loads more - much of which is included in Sarah's new book HOW NOT TO BE A POLITICAL WIFE.By Global

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319. Sir Jeremy Hunt 49:48

4M ago49:48

49:48

Iain Dale interviews former chancellor Sir Jeremy Hunt on his LBC show about his time taking over after that mini-budget, whether Keir Starmer is getting it right with Donald Trump, what might happen next in Gaza - as well as his new book CAN WE BE GREAT AGAIN?. Sir Jeremy speaks to callers too.By Global

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318. Tim Bouverie 48:36

4M ago48:36

48:36

Iain speaks on his LBC show to the historian and former political journalist Tim Bouverie about his new book ALLIES AT WAR: THE POLITICS OF DEFEATING HITLER, and what today's politicians could learn from history. Tim also takes listener calls.By Global

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317. Baroness Deborah Mattinson 52:57

4M ago52:57

52:57

Iain Dale interviews Labour peer and political consultant Deborah Mattinson. They discuss the challenge of telling party leaders bad news, her work advising Keir Starmer as leader of the opposition and the drama around Gordon Brown not calling an election - and much more!By Global

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316. Simon Hart 49:08

5M ago49:08

49:08

Iain Dale speaks on his LBC show to former chief whip Simon Hart about his book UNGOVERNABLE which lifts the lid on the sordid underbelly of Westminster. Simon also takes listener calls.By Global

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315. Ash Sarkar 49:53

5M ago49:53

49:53

Iain Dale speaks on his LBC show to the journalist and activist Ash Sarkar. They discuss how her political viewpoint has changed over the years, what social media is doing to our political discourse and how the Labour Party's doing - as well as Ash's new book MINORITY RULE: ADVENTURES IN THE CULTURE WAR. Ash also takes calls from LBC listeners.…

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314. Baroness Beeban Kidron 54:19

5M ago54:19

54:19

Iain Dale interviews campaigner and crossbench peer Baroness Kidron about her work on keeping children safe online, her time as a filmmaker and Hollywood director... and the biggest diva she's ever worked with!By Global

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313. Richard Park 1:18:57

5M ago1:18:57

1:18:57

Iain Dale interviews broadcaster and radio guru Richard Park about his fascinating career. They discuss how he started out in pirate radio, his time as boss of Capital Radio and being one of the first TV judges on Fame Academy - and much more.By Global

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312. Frank Gardner 1:01:58

6M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

Iain Dale interviews BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner about his new thriller INVASION about potential war between China and Taiwan - they also discuss Frank's pluckiness as a self-starter when he set out in the media - and his frustrating experiences travelling by plane with a wheelchair.By Global

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311. Jesse Norman 57:33

6M ago57:33

57:33

Iain Dale interviews shadow leader of the House of Commons Jesse Norman. They compare Jesse's various previous ministerial positions, which ones were fun and which ones were less so, they discuss what it's like being interviewed by Andrew Neil, they chat about Jesse's experience working on the COVID furlough scheme - and lots more besides. And they…

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310. Mark Field 47:42

6M ago47:42

47:42

Iain Dale interviews former Tory MP and minister Mark Field about his new book THE END OF AN ERA: THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE TORY PARTY. They speak about why rifts have appeared among Conservatives, how much of a role chance has to play in doing well in politics, Mark's beef with Rory Stewart and affair with Liz Truss!…

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309. Darren Henley 50:06

6M ago50:06

50:06

Iain Dale interviews chief executive of Arts Council England Darren Henley - they talk about his time running Classic FM, his reviews for the government on culture and music education, and what the Arts Council is for - and lots more, including the book he's edited titled THE ARTS DIVIDEND.By Global

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308. Matt Frei 1:28:31

7M ago1:28:31

1:28:31

Iain Dale interviews broadcaster Matt Frei - an the anecdotes are next-level! Matt talks about growing up in Germany, his run-in with Donald Trump, having a gun held to his head... and so much more. Don't miss this one!By Global

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307. Lord Michael Heseltine 1:09:23

7M ago1:09:23

1:09:23

Iain Dale interviews Conservative peer and former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine about his remarkable and long career, his memories and regrets from his years in government, working with Margaret Thatcher, how the current government is getting on and much more. The second volume of Lord Heseltine's memoirs FROM ACORNS TO OAKS: AN URGENT AGEND…

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306. Tessa Dunlop 57:41

7M ago57:41

57:41

Iain Dale interviews historian and broadcaster Dr Tessa Dunlop. They've just launched a new podcast Where Politics Meets History - they talk about that of course, plus Tessa's Scottish roots, her love for Romania, and never getting attached to money!By Global

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305. Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund 59:08

7M ago59:08

59:08

Iain Dale interviews journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund about their great new book Get In - they talk about Keir Starmer's rise to power, the man behind much of his success Morgan McSweeney and how well the PM gets on with the deputy PM Angela Rayner - and much more!By Global

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304. Baroness Thérèse Coffey 1:03:07

7M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Iain interviews former deputy prime minister Baroness Thérèse Coffey about her many roles in government and which were her favourite (and least favourite!), as well as what she wants to do next in life as she's joined the Lords and her relationship with former prime minister Liz Truss... and much more!…

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303. Alistair Carmichael 1:02:02

8M ago1:02:02

1:02:02

Iain Dale interviews Lib Dem MP and former cabinet minister Alistair Carmichael. They discuss the much larger number of Lib Dem MPs after the last election, how Alistair got into politics and what he learned from former careers - plus, the anniversary of his party's former leader Jo Grimond first being elected to Parliament.…

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302. Harry Mount 50:50

8M ago50:50

50:50

Iain Dale interviews journalist and editor of The Oldie magazine Harry Mount about the art of writing a good column, the pressures of being an editor, having a famous father and what kind of impact that had on his childhood - and more!By Global

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301. Beth Rigby 1:06:45

8M ago1:06:45

1:06:45

Iain interviews journalist and broadcaster Beth Rigby about the highlights and challenges of being Sky's political editor, how to get the most out of a political interview, the fun of podcasting over broadcasting and loads more.By Global

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300. Nicholas Watt 1:26:42

8M ago1:26:42

1:26:42

Iain Dale interviews journalist and broadcaster Nicholas Watt about how he got started in journalism, his time working in Northern Ireland and Brussels, and the changes at Newsnight - plus much more!By Global

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299. Hannah Lewis 40:32

8M ago40:32

40:32

On Holocaust Memorial Day, and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Iain Dale interviews Holocaust survivor Hannah Lewis, who was forcibly marched to a labour camp in a village called Adampol as a child, where she witnessed her mother being shot dead by Nazi a death squad. Of her extended family, only Hannah and her father …

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298. Jo Coburn 55:31

9M ago55:31

55:31

Iain Dale interviews broadcaster Jo Coburn about the challenges of chairing a debate programme, how much production goes into her interviews - and the differences between being a correspondent and being a presenter.By Global

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297. Lord Daniel Finkelstein 1:03:59

9M ago1:03:59

1:03:59

Iain Dale interviews Times columnist and Conservative peer Lord Finkelstein. They discuss the life of an opinion writer - what works and what doesn't, the extraordinary story of his parents living through the Holocaust - and his work in politics including prepping John Major for PMQs! NOTE: This is a re-upload to fix a technical issue for some list…

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296. Katie Perrior 1:10:30

9M ago1:10:30

1:10:30

Iain Dale interviews communications expert and Number 10 adviser Katie Perrior. Katie tells some fantastic stories about the various politicians she's worked with, explains how crucial comms is in politics - and the importance of having great colleagues!By Global

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295. Paul Staines 49:18

9M ago49:18

49:18

Iain Dale interviews blogger and journalist Paul Staines, who until recently ran the Guido Fawkes website. Never one to dodge a controversial story, Paul is a fascinating character. They talk all things politics, gossip and journalism!By Global

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294. The Best of 2024 2:26:54

10M ago2:26:54

2:26:54

Some of the best bits from Iain's All Talk interviews of 2024- featuring some of the finest broadcasters, politicians and journalists, as well as some of Iain's friends. It's all here - just sit back and enjoy.By Global

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293. Glen Oglaza 57:43

10M ago57:43

57:43

Iain Dale interviews political journalist Glen Oglaza about his career in TV covering Hillsborough, Dunblane and the fall of the Berlin Wall among much else - it's all contained in his memoirs WHEN I STORIES and MORE WHEN I STORIES.By Global

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292. Jonathan Ashworth 48:19

10M ago48:19

48:19

Iain Dale interviews former Labour MP and shadow cabinet figure Jonathan Ashworth, who's now the boss of the influential Labour Together think tank. They talk about life after losing an election, how the government is getting on, whether he'd like to return to the political front line and more!By Global

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291. Nadine Dorries 57:06

10M ago57:06

57:06

Iain Dale interviews former culture secretary Nadine Dorries about her latest book DOWNFALL: THE SELF-DESTRUCTION OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. They discuss what's going wrong for the Tories - and the toxic culture Nadine thinks is rife in Westminster.By Global

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290. Sir Richard Evans 50:28

11M ago50:28

50:28

Iain Dale speaks on his LBC show to historian and author Sir Richard Evans - who used to teach Iain at uni! They discuss his book HITLER'S PEOPLE, all about those men and women who created and served the Third Reich - and why so many Germans took part in the crimes of Nazi Germany. Sir Richard also takes calls from LBC listeners.…

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289. Katja Hoyer 53:13

11M ago53:13

53:13

Iain Dale interviews historian and journalist Katja Hoyer about what life was like in East Germany, where she was born, as well as the fall of the Berlin Wall, getting used to British culture (including Doctor Who) and plenty more besides.By Global

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288. Robert Hardman 54:22

11M ago54:22

54:22

Iain Dale interviews Royal journalist and filmmaker Robert Hardman about how King Charles III has settled into the role, whether Donald Trump got along with Queen Elisabeth II and which prime ministers got on best with the late Queen - as well as Robert's book CHARLES III: NEW KING. NEW COURT. THE INSIDE STORY.…

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287. Sir Peter Bottomley 54:18

11M ago54:18

54:18

Iain Dale interviews former Conservative MP and Father of the House of Commons Sir Peter Bottomley. They discuss his many years of service as an MP, doing battle with journalists and how politics has changed - and much more.By Global