Iain Dale All Talk

Iain Dale interviews journalists Sarah Vine and Andrew Pierce about their books - Sarah's on being a political wife and Andrew's on finding his birth mother - live at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Iain Dale interviews a couple of peers, one a former Cabinet minister and one a former senior civil servant - Baroness Gillian Shephard and Lord Robin Butler - live from the Edinburgh Fringe.

Iain Dale interviews historian Ben Macintyre about his fascinating new book REDWOOD: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE COLD WAR'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY SPY.

Iain Dale interviews a trio of political obsessives - broadcaster Michael Crick, political scientist John Curtice and journalist Brian Taylor - live at the Edinburgh Fringe. This episode was recorded before the Clacton by-election.

Iain Dale interviews historian Simon Sebag Montefiore about his new book THE CAULDRON: THE MAKING OF THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST

Iain Dale interviews journalist and broadcaster Paul Mason about his new book REDS: A GLOBAL HISTORY OF COMMUNISM.

Iain Dale interviews the director of the Civil Exchange think tank, and former civil servant, Caroline Slocock about her new book BAD GOVERNMENT (AND HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER). They speak about the relationship between civil servants and ministers, how civil servants are held to account, and what Caroline thinks is going wrong in Whitehall!

Iain Dale interviews Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her husband Richard Ratcliffe, live at the Edinburgh Fringe. They speak about her imprisonment in Iran and eventual release, the impact the ordeal had on both of them - and how they got through it.

Iain Dale interviews Zack Polanski, live from the Edinburgh Fringe. They talk taxing the rich, how trans people are treated, THAT Instagram post featuring a guillotine, his path into politics and much more besides!

Iain Dale interviews Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch live at the Edinburgh Fringe. They talk about her kicking Robert Jenrick out of the Tory Party, whether Penny Mordaunt is being blocked from standing again as a Tory, whether she'll go soft on Andy Burnham, whether she feels sorry for Keir Starmer and more!

Iain Dale speaks with defence secretary Wes Streeting about deciding not to run against Andy Burnham and if he has any regrets about it, growing and learning in the job as defence secretary, the homophobia he's faced since his appointment and much more besides.

Iain Dale interviews lawyer and former SNP MP Joanna Cherry live at the Edinburgh Fringe. They discuss the reason she became so disillusioned with the SNP, her friendship with Alex Salmond, her political heroes and more.

Iain Dale interviews former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, live from the Edinburgh Fringe. They discuss whether Nicola will visit her estranged husband Peter Murrell in prison, whether she'd make a return to politics, how John Swinney is getting on as first minister, a potential political thriller Nicola might be penning - and more!

In an interview from 2019, columnist Rod Liddle discusses his background, entry into journalism, time as a Labour speechwriter, and later work at the BBC. He addresses accusations of racism, describing himself as an “equal opportunities offender,” and distinguishes criticism of Islam as an ideology from prejudice against Muslims. He also explains his political positioning: economically left-leaning, supportive of some Corbyn/McDonnell-style economics, and a member of the SDP rather than the then-Brexit Party. We remember Rod Liddle, who died at the age of 66.

Iain Dale interviews broadcaster Emily Maitlis back in 2019 about her book AIRHEAD. Emily Maitlis is now a co-host of the Global podcast The News Agents.

In an interview from 2018, Iain Dale interviews Kevin Keegan on his journey from non-league football to Liverpool, Hamburg, and international management, emphasizing the roles of luck, hard work, and influential mentors such as Bill Shankly. He also compares football past and present, discusses key moments in his career and personal life, and shares his enduring passion for Newcastle United alongside criticism of Mike Ashley's ownership. We remember Kevin Keegan, who died at the age of 75.

American entrepreneur and political commentator Daniel Forrester turns the 'All Talk' table to interview his best friend Iain. They discuss early life and family values, failures and triumphs in life, masculinity and sexuality - as well as some of the 300,000 interviews spanning Iain's career. Iain's new memoir, 'Have I Said Too Much?' is available now as an audiobook and in print. You can request a personalised inscription from https://www.politicos.co.uk/ if you mention you heard this 'All Talk' interview. If you are struggling with your mental health - and feel you need help, there are resources available to support you. Visit: Samaritans at https://www.samaritans.org/ - or call 116 123 free, 24 hours a day.

In this edition of All Talk, we look back to 2022 when Iain spoke with politician Ann Widdecombe. They discuss her life and political career, including her various forays into reality TV and pantomime, as well as her socially conservative views and why she left the Conservatives to stand for the Brexit Party. We remember Ann Widdecombe, who died today at the age of 78.

Iain Dale interviews LBC presenter and part-time DJ Ali Miraj about what it takes to connect with listeners, his brief foray into the world of politics - and the delights of house music!

Iain Dale interviews broadcast journalist and LBC News presenter Sandy Warr about her time reading the news across various radio stations, some of the personalities she's met across the years - and turning her hand to teaching the next generation of journalists.

Iain Dale interviews Tory peer and former chief executive of Vote Leave Lord Elliott. Ten years on from the Brexit vote, Lord Elliott has a book out - TEN YEARS ON: THE UNTOLD STORY OF BREXIT - REFLECTIONS ON A LIFE OF CAMPAIGNING.

Iain Dale interviews author and activist Catherine Mayer about founding the Women's Equality Party, losing her husband suddenly and how she's dealing with the grief, and her new book DIVIDE AND RULE: ROYAL WOMEN AND THEIR BATTLES.

Iain Dale interviews comedian and podcaster (and former teacher) Francis Foster about his new book (UN)EDUCATED: MY LIFE AS A TEACHER, AND WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER BECOME ONE.

Iain Dale interviews broadcaster-turned-counselling psychologist Dr Sian Williams - live from Fowey!

Iain Dale interviews former head of the Foreign Office and former national security adviser Lord Ricketts - live from Fowey.

Iain Dale interviews Mail columnist Sarah Vine, live in Fowey.

Iain Dale interviews former Conservative foreign secretary and chancellor Sir Jeremy Hunt, live in Fowey.

Iain Dale interviews former Blair chief of staff Jonathan Powell back in 2011 about his book THE NEW MACHIAVELLI: HOW TO WIELD POWER IN THE MODERN WORLD. Jonathan Powell is now the PM's national security adviser.

Iain Dale interviews the wonderful Mary Beard about her new book TALKING CLASSICS: THE SHOCK OF THE OLD.

Iain Dale interviews the author James Macintyre about his new book GORDON BROWN: POWER WITH PURPOSE - going through Brown's political awakening, the battle for the Labour leadership, and then the huge challenges he faced in office.

Iain Dale interviews author Paul Bessel about his new book FINDING DAD, a memoir-investigation into the life of Paul’s father, Peter Bessel: a Liberal MP (1964-1970), close friend of Jeremy Thorpe, later a key prosecution witness in the 1979 Thorpe conspiracy-to-murder trial. Bessel explains why he delayed writing for decades, what triggered the book, and how fearful he was of uncovering painful truths in his parents’ archives. The conversation traces Peter Bessel’s rise as a respected Cornish MP, his later financial collapse, a dramatic disappearance in 1974 that left his family suddenly impoverished, and the complicated, sometimes clandestine life he led (including secret “work” Bessel suspects may have involved US national security).

Ian Dale interviews Carl Cashman, Lib Dem leader on Liverpool City Council, about his reputation as the 'UK's hottest politician', his upbringing in Prescot, being raised largely by his grandparents, later meeting his biological father at 22, and how class, accent, and confidence shaped him.

Iain Dale interviews Labour MP Naz Shah about being arrested with her mother for murder, how her background informs her work as an MP, what her faith means to her and more. Naz's new book is HONOURED: SURVIVAL, STRENGTH AND MY PATH TO POLITICS.

Iain Dale interviews former Conservative chancellor Sir Sajid Javid about his upbringing, his parents' arrival in the UK, his father's work on the buses, forgiving him later in life for hitting Sajid as a child, Sajid's relationship with his brother and heroic mother and more. Sir Sajid's new book is THE COLOUR OF HOME.

Iain Dale interviews Major-General Alastair Bruce about what makes a good Royal correspondent, his time in the military - and being the governor of Edinburgh Castle!

Iain Dale interviews West Ham legend Clyde Best about his upbringing and how he found a love for football, the racism he faced over his years in the sport, the influence he's had on the beautiful game - and the new documentary THE CLYDE BEST STORY.

Iain Dale interviews the BBC's Russia editor Steve Rosenberg about going from starting out in journalism to being face to face with Vladimir Putin, about Steve's love not only for the BBC... but for the Eurovision Song Contest - and lots more.

Iain Dale interviews host of the Heretics podcast Andrew Gold about the shifting sands on both the left and the right, times guests have had a go at him, his experiences with Tommy Robinson and more.

In an interview from Iain's LBC show in 2010, David Starkey talks monarchy, the Milibands, being a contrarian and more.

In an interview from Iain's LBC show in 2010, Gyles Brandreth talks his own time at LBC, moving from politics to entertainment, what he thinks of diarist Samuel Pepys, old teddy bears, Oscar Wilde - and David Davis being rebellious!

Iain Dale interviews barrister and broadcaster Hashi Mohamed about his childhood being brought to the UK as a refugee after his father's death in Kenya, making it as a lawyer, trying to make a difference... and what happens if his interns are late!

Iain Dale interviews LBC presenter Henry Riley about his climb from assistant producer to presenter at the station, what Nick Ferrari had him doing as a reporter, his time before LBC, losing weight - and more.

Iain Dale interviews lawyer and LBC presenter Daniel Barnett about his strict on-air style, his experience representing 'Britain's fattest man', cross-examining Wolf from Gladiators and his skills in wine tasting!

Iain Dale interviews LBC's political editor Natasha Clark about her start as a journalist, moving from print to broadcast, asking President Trump a question and more!

More best bits from Iain's All Talk interviews of 2025, featuring such names as Piers Morgan, Beth Rigby, Jeremy Hunt and Frank Gardner.

Some of the best bits from Iain's All Talk interviews of 2025, featuring some fascinating people from broadcasting, politics and the media, as well as some of Iain's friends. It's all here - just sit back and enjoy.

Iain Dale speaks on his LBC show to author and columnist Matthew Syed about the art of failing well, the state of the world, what the Tories should be doing better, what's going on with President Trump - and Matthew's book BLACK BOX THINKING: GROWTH MINDSET AND THE SECRETS OF HIGH PERFORMANCE. Matthew also speaks to a few LBC callers.

Iain Dale speaks on his LBC show to Lord Moore about the myths surrounding Margaret Thatcher, what she was really like, the consequences of the miners' strike - and Charles's new book combining his biographies of her. Charles takes LBC listeners' questions too.

Iain Dale interviews broadcaster James Max about getting into radio, his time on The Apprentice, the magic of LBC - and his work as president of the Royal Albert Hall.

Iain Dale interviews Conservative peer Lord William Waldegrave about his 'very posh' upbringing, getting into politics and then working for Ted Heath, then with Margaret Thatcher and John Major! Full of wonderful anecdotes from his many years in Westminster - do enjoy.