How To Win An Election cover art

How To Win An Election

How To Win An Election

By: Times Radio
Listen for free

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 The Elections Could Be Existential for Labour
    Apr 30 2026

    Ahead of the local elections in England and parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales, the political masterminds ask: just how bad can it get for the Labour Party?


    If predictions of huge losses come to pass, how will the cabinet, MPs and councillors react, and can Downing Street come up with a plan to circle the wagons around Keir Starmer?


    We also discuss what impact the terror attacks in Golders Green, north London, will have on political campaigning.


    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 Decide When (And If) The PM Will Be Challenged
    Apr 23 2026

    As regular listeners know, Danny likes to say there is a market failure in political coups - but does Keir Starmer's handling of the Peter Mandelson vetting crisis mean we're entering a period of maximum danger for the PM?


    How will Labour MPs react if their party does as badly in May as the polls predict, and what do they think about Starmer's potential replacements?


    Sally, Danny and Hugo are joined by pollster Luke Tryl to discuss focus groups - how much the parties rely on them, and how Phillip Gould used them to help Tony Blair change the Labour Party.


    Send your messages, questions 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 Defeat The Populists
    Apr 16 2026

    In the wake of Viktor Orbán's election defeat in Hungary, can we draw conclusions about the limits of populism - and the chances of a recovery by the centre here in the UK?


    Sally, Polly, Danny and Hugo also discuss how government prepares for disaster - from foot-and-mouth disease to fuel protests to looming shortages caused by the war in Iran.


    And, Polly has a plan to rescue sad, empty historic buildings on our high streets.


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

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

    Show More Show Less
    41 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!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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

fascinating insights

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.