“Matt Forde’s podcast is like Top of the Pops for Westminster…phenomenally popular fortnightly show…refreshingly positive”
The Sunday Times
“Forde’s Political Party podcasts have become essential listening for both comedy fans and Westminster wonks”
The Evening Standard
“Forde is a brilliant interrogator, being just friendly enough to coax out some surprising admissions and insights. It successfully makes politics funny, which is no mean feat in the current climate.”
ShortList’s No. 1 Political Podcast
“Forde is a master at the long- form interview and turns sometimes robotic politicians into human beings. This is without doubt the most entertaining and insightful political interview podcast of them all”
Iain Dale’s Top 50 Political Podcasts, Mace Magazine
It was announced today, 9th January, that leading political comedian and satirist Matt Forde (Spitting Image, HIGNFY, British Scandal) continues his West End Political Party residency, featuring a heavyweight guest line-up including a special VIP guest, Zack Polanksi and Lisa Nandy, alongside the previously announced David Miliband.
On 26th January, Matt will be joined by a special VIP guest, whose identity will remain guarded until the show begins.
On 16th February, David Miliband, former Foreign Secretary and current President of the International Rescue Committee, sits down with Matt for a wide-ranging conversation on diplomacy, humanitarian challenges, and the future role of Britain on the world stage. Arguably the best leader Labour never had, what does he make of the current government?
On 9th March, Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party, joins Matt. One of the most talked-about political figures of the moment, Polanski has rapidly emerged as a compelling new force in British politics, driving a bold, eco-populist vision and shaking up the traditional political landscape. With the Greens seeking to expand their influence nationally, this promises to be a timely and electrifying appearance.
On 30th March, Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, meets with Matt to explore culture wars, media power and who really controls Britain’s cultural narrative – from the future of the BBC and public service broadcasting to AI, copyright and free speech in the digital age. As a previous leadership candidate herself, would she ever consider standing again?
Following a month-long sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he debuted a critically acclaimed brand-new hour, Matt is set to embark on his biggest tour yet. From 28th January to 10th June 2026, Matt will tour theatres nationwide – including London’s Bloomsbury Theatre on 14th February and 18th April – with Defying Calamity, a show about finding positivity in life despite all the evidence to the contrary in politics and his own health.
Political Party and Defying Calamity tickets are available to buy now at mattforde.com
Since launching in 2013, Matt’s Political Party podcast has brought Parliament to life through stand-up and lively debate with some of politics’ most powerful and charismatic figures, including Keir Starmer, Tony Blair, Kemi Badenoch, Gordon Brown, Angela Rayner, Michael Heseltine, Anthony Scaramucci, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Alastair Campbell, Nicola Sturgeon, and Gary Neville. Following an 18-month hiatus due to his bone cancer diagnosis, Matt has resumed his four-time extended West End residency. The podcast has amassed over 11 million downloads, earned multiple nominations from award bodies including the British Podcast Awards and Chortle Awards, and is regularly featured as a top podcast pick in the press.
Elsewhere in the world of audio, Matt most recently completed his six-part political comedy series, followed by a Boxing Day special, on BBC Radio 4, The Matt Forde Focus Group, featuring Forde in conversation with politicians, comedians and subject experts, discussing current issues and the ideas behind them.
Matt hosted four series of Unspun with Matt Forde on Dave, receiving several nominations at the Broadcast Digital Awards, and has numerous other broadcast credits including: Spitting Image (ITV/BritBox), Have I Got News For You (BBC One), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Mock The Week (BBC Two), 8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Hypothetical (Dave) Rory Bremner’s Coalition Report and Rory Bremner’s Election Report (BBC Two), Question Time (BBC One), This Week (BBC One), Newsnight (BBC Two) and Daily Politics (BBC Two).
What The Press Said About Matt’s Stand-Up:
“a sensational start to the Festival…the most topically incisive impersonator on the block…exemplary in its vocal accuracy and political acumen. It’s laugh-a-minute stuff, underpinned by the kind of wisdom and natural resilience our leaders could learn from. He was always impressive, but he deserves his inevitable standing-ovation as never before.”
Dominic Cavendish, The Daily Telegraph ★★★★★
“flying the flag for satire…succeeds in seamlessly weaving together the personal and the political in a meaty hour of impressions, gags and reflections. Forde is brilliant…so much to admire here. But you come away admiring the man as much as the performer”
Mark Wareham, Mail On Sunday ★★★★★
“An outstanding hour…nobody else serving up party-political humour at this level…the greatest set piece of the evening, perhaps the best routine in town. Stunning.”
Dominic Maxwell, The Times ★★★★
“our foremost satirical stand-up…Whatever your politics, you’ll find excellence here”
★★★★ Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times
“tremendous performance, encapsulating the politics of modern day Britain”
★★★★★ Lewis McKenzie, The Herald
“the excellent Matt Forde…even more accurate than Starmer’s needling voice”
Lloyd Evans, The Spectator
“Is there a better political comic than Matt Forde currently working in the UK? I can’t think of another to touch him”
★★★★½ Jay Richardson, Chortle
“Matt Forde never fails with his state-of-the-nation address, a mix of bang-on-the-money political takedowns and spot-on impressions”
★★★★ Mark Wareham, Mail On Sunday
“Matt Forde is the consummate political comedian”
★★★★ Tim Cornwell, The Scotsman
