A look at some (but not all) of the most important big fancy sticks in British politics, and how they are entirely necessary for the purposes of democracy.

This episode is for Patrons only. If you would like to hear more about our Patreon you can do so via this link, or click on 'Support' above.

Ladies of Quality & Distinction is our series about powerful & influential women in British politics. This series will be exclusively for our Patrons.

Before Robert Walpole, there was Sarah Churchill. Escape artist extraordinaire, controversial figure, possible lover of Queen Anne... Sarah was up to her proverbial elbows in the mucky politics of the late 1700s. Listen in to find out just everyone who ever met her fell into deep love (or deep hatred) with her.

This episode is for Patrons only. If you would like to hear more about our Patreon you can do so via this link, or click on 'Support' above.

Answering all the questions you didn't know you had about the General Election

This series is about how General Elections work in the UK, from start to finish.

1. What are constituencies and where do they come from?
2. The competitive and secretive process of getting your party to select you as a candidate... often before an election is even called!
3. How the PM decides to call an election, how we are told about it, and the frantic rush in Parliament to get ready for it.
4. Parliament brings itself to a close with an ancient and intricate ceremony involving a lot of hats. No, really.
5. Finally getting to how the election actually gets started.
6. What the government is allowed to do during the election campaign.
   
7. What candidates get up to during a campaign, both locally and nationally.
   
8. Polling day!
   
9. A defeated government departs and a victorious new Prime Minister arrives in Downing Street.

A look at how laws are made in the UK

A look at how laws are made in the British Parliament - including wigs, Norman French, ribbons, and table tennis... or something like that...

The Bigger Brother, also known as Hubble-Bubble!

Two episodes for examining Thomas Pelham, Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Marquess of Clare, Earl of Clare, Viscount Haughton, Baron Pelham of Laughton, Baron Pelham of Stanmer, the brother of Henry Pelham; and for connected purposes.

Our first episode covers his early life, partnership with his brother, and first Premiership. The second covers his later life, second Premiership, and our review of him.

Sources
A Whig in Power - John W. Wilkes (1964)
Newcastle: A Duke Without Money - Ray A. Kelch (1974)
The Duke of Newcastle, 1693-1768, and Henry Pelham, 1694-1754 - Kulisheck, P. J. (1997)
The Prime Ministers - Iain Dale (2020)
Gimson's Prime Ministers - Andrew Gimson (2018)

An emergency podcast looking at the recent controversy with the Commons Speaker

​This emergency episode takes a closer look at the dramatic Parliamentary events of last week - controversy, politics, and the Speaker's job hanging in the balance.

A bonus episode explaining how we're scoring the Prime Ministers.

A detailed explanation of the scoring system we use on this podcast to assess Prime Ministers, and what's behind each of the categories of Prime & Premiership, Life & Legacy, Sin & Sincerity, Majority, Tenure, and all the individual Prestige Points.​

How voting works in the British Parliament

This episode is all about voting, but not how we vote; it's about how members of Parliament vote when it’s time to decide whether to approve a law. So get ready for the high-octane, seat-of-your-pants thrill ride that is voting procedures. It is actually a little more silly and interest than you think. ​

It's Bath time! But for how long?

​An episode for examining William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath, one of the two most insignificant fellows in England, and for connected purposes.

Sources
A Whig in Power John W. Wilkes (1964)

​Thanks
Totalus Rankium for the use of ‘Sweet and Honourable’

An explanation of Honours lists, following the recent double whammy of New Year Honours & Resignation Honours

​In this episode, we discuss honours lists - what they are for, when they are issued, and why (like busses), two of them have come along at once.