How to win an election
| How to win an election | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Politics |
| Format | Talk |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Cast and voices | |
| Hosted by | |
| Starring |
|
| Production | |
| Length | 45 minutes |
| Publication | |
| Original release | October 2023 |
| Provider | The Times |
| Updates | Thursdays |
| Related | |
| Website | How To Win An Election homepage on The Times website at the Wayback Machine (archived 2025-01-16) |
How To Win An Election is a weekly political analysis podcast from The Times, published since October 2023.[1] It is hosted by The Times columnist Hugo Rifkind alongside Daniel Finkelstein who was an advisor to various leaders of the Conservative Party, Sally Morgan of the Labour Party who advised prime minister Tony Blair and the treasury[2] and Polly Mackenzie formerly of the Liberal Democrats and the Women's Equality parties who was an advisor to Nick Clegg as leader of the Liberal Democrats in government with David Cameron of the Conservatives from 2010 to 2015.[3] It is released on Thursdays, and partially broadcast on Times Radio, within Hugo Rifkind's daily show on Times Radio.[4]
It was initially hosted by Matt Chorley, until he left The Times in 2024. Peter Mandelson was part of the team until January 2025 when he was appointed British Ambassador to the United States.
It was listed by The Week as one of the best political podcasts,[5] and later one of the best podcasts overall of 2023.[6]
Comments from Peter Mandelson
In December 2023, when discussing political donations on the podcast, Mandelson said that Tony Blair's government had taken £1 million in donations from an animal rights group and later banned fox hunting.[7]
In March 2024, when discussing how appearance mattered in politics, Mandelson said on the show that Keir Starmer "needs to shed a few pounds". Mandelson was subsequently criticised for these comments by Wes Streeting.[8]
References
- ^ Boulton, Lewis (23 October 2023). "The Times launches 'How To Win An Election' podcast". Newsworks. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Youles, Holly (27 February 2025). "Sally Morgan joins How To Win An Election podcast". News UK. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ^ Marriott, James (2 November 2023). "How to Win an Election review — it's fresh and fantastic". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "The Times launches new podcast, How To Win An Election" (Press release). News UK. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "The best politics podcasts". The Week UK. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "The best podcasts of 2023". The Week UK. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Martin, Daniel (14 December 2023). "Tony Blair banned fox hunting after taking £1m donation, claims Lord Mandelson". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 April 2024 – via Yahoo News.
- ^ Adu, Aletha (6 March 2024). "Peter Mandelson gets ticking off for 'fat shaming' Keir Starmer". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 April 2024.