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How To Win An Election

How To Win An Election

By: Times Radio
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About this listen

The Times brings together some of the most experienced strategists in British politics to discuss what's really going on behind the big stories, and elections taking place here and around the world.


Daniel Finkelstein, Sally Morgan and Polly Mackenzie join Hugo Rifkind for an intelligent, adversarial and witty conversation every week.


Follow the podcast now to never miss an episode.


Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk


Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • How To Sell Starmer The Statesman
    Apr 9 2026

    The prime minister is trying to appeal to voters ahead of May's elections by talking about conflict overseas - can branding him as a global statesman rescue his premiership in the same way Gordon Brown tried to survive to after the financial crash?


    With Danny away, we turn to the next generation - Simon Finkelstein, former adviser to Jeremy Hunt and Dominic Raab (and Danny's nephew) joins Sally, Polly and Hugo.


    We also discuss whether MPs know enough about the real world - would we be better off with a House Of Commons full of Ed Milibands or Angela Rayners?


    And, we answer a listener who worries we're too flippant about the remarkable rise of Zack Polanski's Green Party.


    Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    43 mins
  • How The Energy Shock Helps Starmer Survive
    Apr 2 2026

    There's an arms race under way as the parties make competing offers to help with the rising cost of living. Is anyone cutting through to the voters?


    And as Keir Starmer's rivals consider whether to move against him after May's elections, Danny argues that the looming economic crisis makes it a bad time for them to act.


    We also find out why Sally introduced 'garish posters and loud music' to Downing Street, and Polly holds forth about barbecues.


    Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • How To Shut Down A Political Conspiracy
    Mar 26 2026

    Sally, Polly, Danny and Hugo discuss the conspiracies swirling around the theft of Morgan McSweeney's mobile phone. How did government work in the pre-smartphone era, when Tony Blair refused to use one?


    They also explore how political language is evolving (and whether it’s becoming dangerously loose), and imagine what’s more likely - a Lab-Lib coalition or a Tory-Reform alliance.


    Plus, the team settle a debate you didn't even know existed - chilled vs super-chilled.


    Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Love this podcast! Already informative, can't wait for the next episode!! Great cast with Matt at the helm. If you love the Red Box Podcast....this is a must.

Matt does it again!!!

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a really interesting panel who always have thoughtful things to say and draw on valuable experience of different political times.

fascinating insights

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