The Presidents & Prime Ministers: Recent Episodes
LBC
Season One of ‘The Presidents & Prime Ministers brought to life all 55 of Britain's Prime Ministers through interviews with the authors of all 55 essays in Iain Dale’s book The Prime Ministers: Three Hundred Years of History. From the obscure 18th-century figures like the Earl of Shelburne and Henry Pelham to 20th-century titans like Churchill and Thatcher, these podcasts provide a much-needed reminder about their motivations, failures and achievements. Season Two, commencing in November 2021 gives the same treatment to the 45 US Presidents from George Washington through to Joe Biden, with each episode featuring an interview with the author of the essay about a President in Iain Dale’s book ‘The Presidents’. In September 2022 Season Three will feature Presidents, Prime Ministers and Chancellors from countries such as Russia, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, China, India and many other countries. Buy signed copies of ‘The Prime Ministers’ and ‘The Presidents’ at http://www.politicos.co.uk.
Iain Dale talks to Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator for The Times about the life and career of the UK’s current prime minister.
Iain Dale talks to Sir Robert Buckland about the French Emperor who failed to live up to the reputation of his namesake predecessor.
I talk to Liz Truss’s biographer, James Heale, about Britain’s 56th and shortest serving prime minister.
In order to complete the Irish Taoiseach podcast series, Iain Dale talks to Irish Times Political Editor Pat Leahy about the 16th Irish Taoiseach, Simon Harris.
Iain Dale talks to former Conservative MP Brooks Newmark about the rule of the Syrian dictator who eventually fled to exile in Moscow. Brooks met Assad on nine occasions.
Iain Daie talks to Lewis Goodall about the life and brutal rule of the man who ruled the Soviet Union for close on three decades.
Buy a signed copy of THE DICTATORS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Buy a signed copy of THE PRIME MINISTERS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-prime-ministers-edited-by-iain-dale-paperback-coming-on-august-26-2022-signed-copy
Buy a signed copy of THE PRESIDENTS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-presidents-signed-by-iain-dale
Buy a signed copy of KINGS & QUEENS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/kings-queens-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-in-novemer-2023
Buy a signed copy of THE TAOISEACH here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-irish-taoiseach-ed-iain-dale-coming-31-october-2026
Iain Dale talks to political historian Alex Puffette about the French Emperor who is one of the most famous dictators in world history.
Buy a signed copy of THE DICTATORS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Buy a signed copy of THE PRIME MINISTERS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-prime-ministers-edited-by-iain-dale-paperback-coming-on-august-26-2022-signed-copy
Buy a signed copy of THE PRESIDENTS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-presidents-signed-by-iain-dale
Buy a signed copy of KINGS & QUEENS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/kings-queens-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-in-novemer-2023
Buy a signed copy of THE TAOISEACH here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-irish-taoiseach-ed-iain-dale-coming-31-october-2026
Iain Dale talks to Justin King about the Eritrean dictator Isaias Afwerki, who is now 79, but has clung to power for more than 30 years.
Iain Dale talks to Nadhim Zahawi about the brutal rule of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Nadhim spent the first 11 years of his life living under Saddam before his family left Iraq for the UK
Buy a signed copy of THE DICTATORS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Buy a signed copy of THE PRIME MINISTERS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-prime-ministers-edited-by-iain-dale-paperback-coming-on-august-26-2022-signed-copy
Buy a signed copy of THE PRESIDENTS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-presidents-signed-by-iain-dale
Buy a signed copy of KINGS & QUEENS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/kings-queens-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-in-novemer-2023
Buy a signed copy of THE TAOISEACH here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-irish-taoiseach-ed-iain-dale-coming-31-october-2026
Iain Dale talks to historian Dominic Selwood about the Khan of the Mongol Empire
The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in hardback by Hoddr & Stoughton. Signed copies can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/margaret-thatcher-a-short-biography-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-5-june-2025
Iain Dale talks to historian Jack Brown about Singapore’s first prime minister.
The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in hardback by Hoddr & Stoughton. Signed copies can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/margaret-thatcher-a-short-biography-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-5-june-2025
Iain Dale talks to documentary maker and author Jonathan Rugman about the Saudi ruler.
The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in hardback by Hoddr & Stoughton. Signed copies can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/margaret-thatcher-a-short-biography-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-5-june-2025
Iain Dale talks to Julia Langdon about the rise and rule of a man who ruled Albania for more than four decades.
The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in hardback by Hoddr & Stoughton. Signed copies can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/margaret-thatcher-a-short-biography-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-5-june-2025
Iain Dale talks to Vanda Wilcox about the life and rule of the man who tried to properly unite Italy but ended up ruining it by his alliance with Hitler
The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in hardback by Hoddr & Stoughton. Signed copies can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/margaret-thatcher-a-short-biography-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-5-june-2025
Iain Dale talks to historian Dr Robert Waller about the first leader of the German Democratic Republic, East Germany, whose iron rule lasted for 21 years.
The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in hardback by Hoddr & Stoughton. Signed copies can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/margaret-thatcher-a-short-biography-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-5-june-2025
Iain Dale talks to historian Matthew Binkowski about the man who conquered an empire stretching from Europe into South Asia.
The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in hardback by Hoddr & Stoughton. Signed copies can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/margaret-thatcher-a-short-biography-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-5-june-2025
Iain Dale talks to former Guardian Latin American correspondent Rory Carroll about the Venezuelan dictator who brought his country to its knees.
The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in hardback by Hoddr & Stoughton. Signed copies can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/margaret-thatcher-a-short-biography-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-5-june-2025
Iain Dale talks to china expert Jonathan Clements about the dictator that saw 70 million people die during his long rule
The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in hardback by Hoddr & Stoughton. Signed copies can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/margaret-thatcher-a-short-biography-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-5-june-2025
Iain Dale talks to political journalist Harry Lambert about the life and rule of one of Africa’s most brutal dictators.
Iain Dale talks to former US diplomat and law professor Colleen Graffy about the life of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinchochet.
Iain Dale talks to political journalist Adam Boulton about the life and career of Paraquayan dictator, Alfredo Stroessner.
Iain Dale talks to János Kádár’s biographer Roger Gough about the life of the Hungarian dictator.
Iain Dale talks to journalist and historian Connor Hand about the extraordinary life of rule of Yugoslavua’s post war ruler, Tito, who started out in life as Josip Broz.
Iain Dale talks to historian C J Corn about the only female in the book THE DICTATORS, who he describes as “the most powerful woman the world has ever seen”.
Iain Dale talks to Emma Burnell about the man who ruled Romania with an iron fist for a quarter of a century.
I talk to US historian Alvin S, Felzenberg about the life and rule of a dictator who ended up in The Hague.
Iain Dale talks to Britain’s pre-eminent expert on the Third Reich, Professor Richard J Evans about the life of German dictator, Adolf Hitler.
Iain Dale talks to Charles Pitt about the thirty year rule of Syrian dictator Hafez Al-Assad.
Buy a signed copy of THE DICTATORS https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Iain Dale talks to long time Moscow Correspondent Owen Matthews about the life and career of Vladimir Putin. Owen’s book is called ‘Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin’s War Against Ukraine”.
Buy a signed copy of THE DICTATORS https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Iain Dale talks to Sam Marks about the life and rule of the Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega
Iain Dale talks to former Conservative MP Daniel Kawzcynski about the life of the notorious Libran dictator, Colonel Gaddafi
Buy a signed copy of the book THE DICTATOR
https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Iain Dale talks to historian Gareth Russell about the life of the two time Argentinian dictator, Juan Peron
Buy a signed copy of the book THE DICTATORS
https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Iain Dale talks to Mark Fox about the life of possibly the most famous man in ancient history apart from Jesus Christ!
Buy a signed copy of the book THE DICTATORS
https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Iain Dale talks to American journalist Lewis M Simons about the extraordinary life of the Marcos family
Buy a signed copy of the book THE DICTATORS
https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Iain Dale talks to David Walsh about the life and times of one of the few dictators to give his name to an actual country
Iain Dale talks to Rene Levanchy about the life of the Athenian tyrant Pisistratus
Signed copies of THE DICTATORS can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Iain Dale talks to Cindy Yu, the host of the Chinese Whispers podcast about the life and rule of President Xi Jinping of China.
Signed copies of THE DICTATORS can be ordered here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024
Iain Dale talks to Salazar’s biographer, Thomas Gallagher about the man who ruled Portugal for 36 years
Iain Dale talks to historian Simon Heffer about the Spanish dictator, General Franco, who, after prevailing in the Spanish civil war, ruled Spain for the best part of 40 years.
Iain Dale talks to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown about the man who ruled her homeland, Uganda, and whom she also met.
In the final episode in the Kings & Queens series, Iain talks to journalist Julia Langdon about the life and reign of Britain’s longest serving monarch.
Buy a signed copy of KINGS & QUEENS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/kings-queens-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-in-novemer-2023
Iain Dale talks to the Royal Editor of The Times, Kate Mansey, about the life and reign of the last of the Stuart monarchs, Queen Anne.
Iain Dale talks to Professor Elaine Chalus from the University of Liverpool about the comparatively brief reign of the last of the Hannoverian monarchs, William IV
Iain Dale talks to Telegraph journalist Tim Stanley about the life of Queen Mary, who failed to provide an heir
Iain Dale talks to historian Gabby Storey about the life and disputed reign of the Empress Matilda.
Iain Dale talks to lawyer and historian Theo Barclay about the highly significant reign of the King who was determined to rid himself of a turbulent priest.
Iain Dale talks to LBC Presenter Shelagh Fogarty about the life of the reigning monarch King Charles III
Iain Dale talks to Professor Christopher Given-Wilson from the University of St Andrews about the rather turbulent reign of Henry IV.
Iain Dale talks to award winning historian Dan Jones about the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Dan’s new biography of Henry V is out now!
Iain Dale talks to historian Emma Mason about the life of William Rufus, son of William the Conqueror.
Iain Dale talks to top historian Andrew Roberts about the life of one of our longest serving monarchs.
Iain Dale talks to historian Michael Wood about the life and reign of one of England’s greatest and most significant monarchs, who was instrumental in founding what we now call England.
Iain Dale talks to historian Anna Whitelock about the life of one of our greatest and longest serving monarchs, Elizabeth I.
Iain Dale reads his chapter on the ‘nearly king’ Edgar II who is never included in the list of British monarchs. But he should be. And Iain explains why.
Iain Dale talks to Justin Hill about the reign of the monarch who became known as Edgar the Peaceable.
Iain Dale talks to Adam Lake about the life of King Richard II, who ascended the throne at the age of 10, and was forced to abdicate at the age of 32.
Iain Dale talks to Alexander Stafford about the King who was killed by an arrow to the eye. Or was he?
Iain Dale talks to Carolyn Day about the life of George IV, known as a controversial character, in modern terms 'a bit of a lad'!
Iain Dale talks to historian Paula Lofting about the 221 day long reign of Edmund Ironside
I discuss the rather unsuccessful reign(s) of the king who had an unfortunate epithet added to his name with the New Statesman’s Harry Lambert.
Iain Dale talks to historian Kirsteen Mackenzie about the life of the largely forgotten son of Oliver Cromwell, who succeeded his father as Lord Protector, but ruled for only nine months.
Iain Dale talks to Catherine Hanley about the life and disputed reign of King Louis in 1216.
Iain Dale speaks to historian & author Gareth Russell about the life of King James II who ruled from just 1685 until being deposed in the glorious revolution of 1688.
Iain Dale talks to historical author Steven Veerapen, whose book 'The Wisest Fool' charts the lavish life of the King who went from James VI of Scotland to becoming James I after the union of the English & Scottish crowns.
Iain Dale talks to historian and biographer John Barnes about the 35 year long reign of King Edward I
Iain Dale talks to Matthew Stadlen about the two week reign of one of England’s first monarchs.
Iain Dale talks to George Trefgarne about the short lived reign of one of the early Anglo Saxon monarchs
Iain Dale talks to historian Lauren Mackay about the life and reign of the King who defeated the French at Agincourt.
Iain Dale talks to historian Justin Hill about the life and five week reign of the gloriously named Sweyn Forkbeard.
Iain Dale talks to historian Elizabeth Norton about the life and reign of King Edward VI, a king who few know anything about.
Iain Dale talks to historian Gareth Russell about the important reign of Edward the Elder.
Iain Dale talks to the Telegraph’s Assistant Editor Camilla Tominey about the life and relatively brief reign of Queen Victoria’s son, Bertie, who reigned for 9 years as King Edward VII.
Iain Dale talks to royal biographer and historian, Jane Ridley, about the man who saved the monarchy following the abdication crisis.
Iain Dale talks to historian Nicola Tallis about the 9 day long reign of Lady Jane Grey.
Iain Dale talks to historian Annie Whitehead about the Anglo Saxon monarch, King Eadred, who ruled for 9 years in the mid tenth century.
Iain Dale discusses the long reign of King Henry III with the historian Sharon Bennett Connolly.
Iain Dale talks to Mark Fox about the life and reign of one of England’s most long serving monarchs, King Edward III.
Iain Dale talks to former cabinet minister Sir Robert Buckland about the life and reign of King George II.
Iain Dale talks to Leanda de Lisle about the life and reign of one of Britain’s most famous kings, Charles, not least because of the civil war and the fact he had his head chopped off.
Iain Dale talks to political historian Robert Waller about the life and reign of King Stephen
Iain Dale and David Walsh discuss the life and brief reign of Harthacnut, who ruled for only two years in the middle of the eleventh century
Iain Dale talks to journalist and broadcaster Sue Cameron about the life and reign of the King who tried to hold back the tide. Or did he? Listen and find out!
Iain Dale talks to historian Charlotte White about the restoration of the monarchy after the resignation of Richard Cromwell, and the reign of King Charles II.
Iain Dale discusses the controversial reign of King Edward II with political historian Nigel Fletcher and they try to work out if some of the stories about Edward are real or based on myth, including the fact he allegedly died from having a red hot poker shoved up where the sun doesn’t shine!
Iain Dale talks to Tudor historian Nathen Amin about a monarch who is largely forgotten but undeservedly so. Henry VII’s memory is eclipsed by his son – he of the six wives, but he deserves to be better remembered than he is, as Nathem explains.
Iain Dale talks to Newsagents podcast presenter Lewis Goodall about the life and reign of the first Hanoverian king, George I.
Shadow cabinet minister and political biographer Nick Thomas-Symonds talks to Iain Dale about the life and failures of the reign of King John
Iain Dale talks to Conservative MP and historian Alex Burghart MP about the reign of the man who many claim to be the first King of England, Alfred the Great.
Iain Dale discusses the life and very brief reign of King Edward V with historian and former MP, Chis Skidmore.
Iain Dale talks to military historian Peter Caddick-Adams about the Norman invasion of 1066 and the reign of the first Norman king, William I
Iain Dale talks to historian Miranda Malins about the life of Oliver Cromwell who became Lord Protector of England during the Protectorate.
Iain Dale talks to Tudor expert Dr David David Starkey about the life and reign of one of Britain’s greatest, and most notorious monarchs, Henry VIII.
Iain Dale talks to The ‘I’ Newspaper’s Hugo Gye about the life and brief reign of King Eadwig, who is best known for allegedly having a threesome on his wedding night with his new wife and his new mother in law.
Iain Dale talks to historian Charlotte Gauthier about the life and two reigns of King Edward IV.
Iain Dale talks to co-presenter of the History Hack podcast Alex Churchill about the life and reign of Queen Victoria
Iain Dale talks to Conservative MP Bim Afolami about the reign of William of Orange and Queen Mary.
Iain talks to historian Matthew Lewis about the life and reign of one of Britain’s most controversial monarchs, King Richard III.
Iain Dale talks to historian and Conservative MP Damian Collins about the life and very short reign of King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne before being crowned in December 1936.
Kings & Queens, edited by Iain Dale is available in hardback at £25.00. Signed copies available at https://www.politicos.co.uk
Iain Dale talks to historian Dominic Selwood about the life and reign of one our lesser remembered monarchs, King Henry I.
Kings & Queens, edited by Iain Dale is available in hardback at £25.00. Signed copies available at https://www.politicos.co.uk
Iain Dale talks to Lord Stephen Parkinson about the life and reign of one of the new Anglo-Saxon kings we have heard of, but whose reign was rather unmemorable.
In this first episode of a new series on Kings & Queens, Iain Dale talks to historian and Telegraph columnist Professor Simon Heffer about the reign of King George V.
Good news!
64 new podcasts will be coming to this feed, featuring UK Kings and Queens since Alfred the Great.
Featuring Simon Heffer, Jane Ridley, Lewis Goodall and many more.
Coming mid-October!
Iain Dale talks to Gavan Reilly, political correspondent for Virgin Media News and a presenter on Newstalk about the life and career of Ireland’s 15th Taoiseach, Micheal Martin who for two and a half years from June 2020 until December 2022, and is now Tanaiste, deputy to Leo Varadkar. He remains leader of Fianna Fáil.
Iain Dale discusses the life and career of Ireland’s 14th, and youngest, Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, with the Group Political Editor of Independent Newspapers in Dublin, and Varadkar’s biographer, Philip Ryan. MLeo Varadkar served as Taoiseach from 2017 to 2020 and is currently serving a second ter, which began on 17 December 2022.
Iain Dale talks to John Downing columnist for the Irish Independent about the life and career of Enda Kenny, Ireland’s 13th Taoiseach, who served from 2011-2017. John Downing’s biography of him is titled Enda Kenny: The Unlikely Taoiseach.
Iain Dale talks about the life and career of Ireland’s twelfth Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, with Theresa Reidy, lecturer in politics at University College Cork.
Bertie Ahern served as Taoiseach between 1997 and 2008, and was the second longest serving Taoiseach in the history of the Republic of Ireland. Iain Dale discusses his life and career with journalist and author Mick Clifford, who, in 2009 co-wrote a book titled BERTIE AHERN AND THE DRUMCONDRA MAFIA
Iain Dale talks to the Irish Independent’s Ireland Editor Fionnan Sheahan about the life and career of Ireland’s tenth Taoiseach, John Bruton, who served in the office from 1994-1997.
Iain Dale discusses the life and political career of Ireland’s ninth Taoiseach, Albert Renolds, with former civil servant. Government adviser, minister and member of the Dail and Senate, Martin Mansergh.
Iain Dale speaks to Associate Professor of Political Science at Dublin City University, Eoin O’Malley, about the life and career of Ireland’s eighth Taoiseach, Dr Garret Fitzgerald, who served for two terms, 1981-82 and 1982-87.
Catch the Irish Taoiseach Podcast releases a month earlier over on the Irish Taoiseach Podcast channel.
Iain Dale talks to Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, about the life and career of Ireland’s most colourful and controversial Taoiseach, Charles J Haughey, who served as Taoiseach three times, from 1979-1981, 1982 and 1987-92. Gary Murphy’s recent biography of Ireland’s seventh Taoiseach is called HAUGHEY and is published by Gill Books.
Catch all episode of the Taoiseach Podcast a month earlier over on the Taoiseach Podcast channel
Iain Dale talks to Deirdre Foley, Irish Research Council Fellow at University College Cork, about the lefe and career of Liam Cosgrave, who served as Taoiseach from 1973-77.
Iain Dale talks to Irish Times columnist Stephen Collins about the life and career of Ireland’s fifth Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, who served two terms in office - 1966-73 and 1977-79.
Iain Dale talks to Bryce Evans, professor of modern history at Liverpool Hope University, about the life and career of Ireland’s fourth Taoiseach, Sean Lemass. Bryce has written a biography of Sean Lemass called ‘Democratic Dictator’.
Catch the latest episode of the Irish Taoiseach podcast over on the Irish Taoiseach Podcast Channel
Iain Dale talks to Sheffield University’s Caoimhe Nic Dhaibheid about the life and career of Ireland’s third Taoiseach, John Costello. Costelloserved as Taoiseach for two terms, 1948-51 and 1954-57.
Hear episodes of the Irish Taoiseach Podcast a month earlier on the Irish Taoiseach Podcast channel.
Iain Dale talks to Eamon de Valera’s biographer David McCullagh about the life and times of Ireland’s most long serving Taoiseach.
Iain Dale talks to Irish political historian Ciara Meehan about the life and politics of W T Cosgrave, the man who became President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State in 1922 and served in the office for ten years until losing the 1932 general election to Eamon De Valera and Fianna Fail. Although the office of Taoiseach wasn’t formally inaugurated until 1937, Cosgrave is widely considered to be the first holder of the post. Over the coming 13 weeks, Iain will be interviewing experts on the lives of the other 13 Taoisigh (which, for the uninitiated, is the plural of Taoiseach).
All these podcasts are available a month earlier on their own podcast channel 'The Irish Taoiseach Podcast'
Iain Dale trails ahead to the next series of the Presidents & Prime Ministers podcast, which will revolve around the 14 men who have served as Irish Taoiseach over the last century. The series will start in early January.
in the final Presidents podcast Iain Dale talks to Labour peer and political biographer Andrew Adonis about the life and presidency of Joseph P. Biden.
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Iain Dale talks to US diplomat Mitchell Reiss about the life and presidency of America’s first president, George Washington.
Iain Dale talks to Alvin S Felzenberg about the life and presidency of Harry S. Truman who served as president from 1945-1953.
Iain Dale talks to Alvin S. Felzenberg about the life and presidency of America’s 17th president, Andrew Johnson (1865-69).
Iain Dale talks to military historian Peter Cadddick-Adams about the life and presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961).
Iain Dale talks to Mark Fox about the life and presidency of America’s 6th president, John Quincy Adams.
Iain Dale talks to BBC presenter and former North America editor Justin Webb about the life and presidency of Donald J Trump (2017-2021)
Iain Dale talks to former Conservative MP Sir Simon Burns about the life and presidency of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1961-1963).
Presidential historian Alvin S. Felzenberg, talks to Iain about the Queen's connections with the 13 Presidents who served during her reign.
Iain Dale talks to historian Robert Waller about the life and presidency of Rutherford B.Hayes, America’s 19th president who served for one term from 1877-1891.
Iain Dale talks to presidential historian Alvin S. Felzenberg about the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln who was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.
Iain Dale talks to writer and author Toby Harnden about the presidency of Barack Obama, who was president from 2009-2017.
Iain Dale talks to presidential historian Alvin S. Felzenberg about the life and presidencies of Grover Cleveland, America’s 22nd and 24th president. He remains the only president to serve two separate terms of office, from 1885-1889 and 1893-1897.
Iain Dale talks to historian Leo McKinstry about the life and presidency of Calvin Coolidge, who served from 1923-1929
Iain Dale talks to Alvin D. Felzenberg about the life and career of Woodrow Wilson, who served as president from 1913-1921. Apologies for the notification alert at Alvin’s end during the first half of this podcast.
Iain Dale talks to Conservative MP and former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland about the life and Presidency of Herbert Hoover, who served as President from 1929 to 1933.
Iain Dale interviews military historian and former Conservative MP Keith Simpson about the life and presidency of the man who is considered by most to be America’s worst president, James Buchanan, who served as president from 1857-1861.
Iain Dale talks to Alvin S. Felzenberg about the life and presidency of President Benjamin Harrison, who served between 1889 and 1893.
Iain Dale talks to Neil Stockley about the life of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who served as president from 1932-1945.
Iain Dale talks to Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran about the life and presidency of America’s 13th president Millard Fillmore, who served from July 1850 to March 1853.
Iain Dale talks to broadcaster Anne Alexander about President James A. Garfield who served for only six months as president in 1881. He was the second of four presidents to be assassinated.
Iain Dale talks to Freddy Gray, deputy editor of The Spectator about the life and presidency of Richard Nixon who served from 1969-74.
Iain Dale talks to journalist Andy Silvester about the life and presidency of Gerald Ford, who served as president from August 1974 to January 1977.
Iain Dale talks to broadcaster and journalist Michael Crick about the life and very short presidency of Zachary Taylor, who served as president from March 1849 to July 1850.
Iain Dale talks to Matthew Binkowski about the life and presidency of America’s fourth president, James Madison, who served from 1809-1817.
Iain Dale talks to broadcaster Adam Boulton about the life and career of the 29th President of the United States Warren G. Harding, who was president for only thirty months from 1921 to 1923.
Iain Dale talks to former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and LBJ obsessive about the life and career of Lyndon Baines Johnson, who served as US president from 1963-1969.
Iain Dale talks to American author and strategist Daniel Forrester about the life and presidency of one of the Founding Fathers, John Adams, who served as America’s second president from 1797-1801
Iain Dale talks to former Treasury adviser and broadcaster Poppy Trowbridge about the life and presidency of William Jefferson (Bill) Clinton, who was president from 1993-2001.
Iain Dale interviews broadcaster and journalist Sue Cameron about the life and presidency of Chester A. Arthur who served as America’s 21st president from 1881-1885.
Iain Dale talks to former Obama strategist Karin Robinson about the life of Franklin Pierce, America’s fourteenth president, who served from 1853-1857
Iain Dale talks to former Conservative MP Brooks Newmark about the life and presidency of James Monroe, who was America’s 5th president. He served for two terms from 1817-25.
Iain Dale talks to former British Ambassador to Washington Sir Christopher Meyer about the life and presidency of President George W Bush, who was president from 2001-2009
Iain Dale talks to playwright and author Bonnie Greer about the life of the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S Grant (1869-1877)
Iain Dale talks to American political historian Alvin S. Felzenberg about the life and presidency of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson served from 1801-1809 as America’s third president.
Iain Dale talks to Professor Brian Klaas about the life and presidency of President James K. Polk, who served for one term from 1845-1849.
Iain Dale talks to Damian Collins MP about Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the USA who was in office from September 1901 through to March 1909.
Iain Dale talks to Colleen Graffy about the presidency of the 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush, who was President from 1989-1993.
Iain Dale talks the political historian Lord Philip Norton about the life of William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States, 1909-1913.
Iain Dale interviews biographer and historian David Torrance about the life and Presidency of William McKinley who served as President from 1897-1901.
Iain Dale talks to veteran political journalist Peter Riddell about the life and Presidency of John Tyler, who served as President from 1841-1845.
Iain Dale talks to Emma Burnell about William Henry Harrison, America’s ninth President, who only served as President for one month, between March and April 1841.
Iain Dale interviews broadcaster and podcaster Roifield Brown about the life and Presidency of Martin Van Buren who served as President from 1837-1841.
Iain Dale talks to LBC US Correspondent Simon Marks about the life of Andrew Jackson. 7th President of the United States, 1829-1837.
iain Dale talks to Professor Simon Heffer about the life and presidency of Ronald Reagan, America’s 40th President. He served two terms, from 1981-1989
Iain Dale talks to former British Foreign Secretary David Owen, now Lord Owen about the life and career of America’s 39th President, who served for one term from 1977 to 1981.
As the Prime Ministers conclude, the podcast moves into season 2 with The US Presidents.
The introduction includes audio from every US President since the very first recording of Grover Cleveland (1885–1889, 1893–1897) Benjamin Harrison (1889–1893) William McKinley (1897–1901) Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909) William Howard Taft (1909–1913) Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921) Warren G. Harding (1921–1923) Calvin Coolidge (1923–1929) Herbert Hoover (1929–1933) Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945) Harry S. Truman (1945–1953) Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961) John F. Kennedy (1961–1963) Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969) Richard Nixon (1969–1974) Gerald Ford (1974–1977) Jimmy Carter (1977–1981) Ronald Reagan (1981–1989) George H. W. Bush (1989–1993) Bill Clinton (1993–2001)George W. Bush (2001–2009) Barack Obama (2009–2017) Donald Trump (2017–2021) Joe Biden (2021–)
Nigel Fletcher talks to Iain Dale about the political career and premiership (so far!) of Boris Johnson.
Iain Dale talks to historian David Brown about the life of Henry Temple, Viscount Palmerston, who served as Prime Minister from 1855-1858 and 1859-1865.
Iain Dale talks to political historian and biographer John Barnes about the life and premierships of Stanley Baldwin who served as Prime Minister from 1923-24, 1924-29 and 1936-37
Iain Dale talks to political historian David Dutton about the life and short Premiership of Sir Alec Douglas-Home, who served for just under a year as Prime Minister from October 1963
Iain Dale talks to political historian Professor Gerry Hassan about the life and premiership of Earl Grey, Charles Grey, who was Prime Minister from 1830-34, and oversaw the introduction of the 1832 Reform Act and the 1833 Abolition of Slavery Act.
Iain Dale talks to political journalist and biographer Julia Langdon about the life and career of Margaret Thatcher. She was, of course Britain’s first woman prime minister, and she served as Britain’s prime minister for 11 years, from May 1979 to November 1990.
Iain Dale talks to Theo Barclay about the life and career of George Canning, who is our shortest serving Prime Minister, having chalked up a premiership lasting only 3 months in 1827.
Iain Dale talks to social commentator, biographer and historian Leo McKinstry about the life and premiership of Archibald Primrose, better known as the fifth Earl of Rosebery, who served for only fifteen months as Prime Minister from March 1894 to June 1895.
Iain Dale talks to Steve Richards about his book THE PRIME MINISTERS WE NEVER HAD: SUCCESS & FAILURE FROM BITLER TO CORBYN which features chapters on 11 politicians who didn’t quite make it to Number 10 – Rab Butler, Roy Jenkins, Barbara Castle, Denis Healey, Neil Kinnock, Michael Heseltine, Michael Portillo, Ken Clarke, David & Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn.
Iain talks to biographer, journalist and historian Julian Glover about the life and career of John Major, who served for six and a half years as Prime Minister from November 1990 to May 1997.
Iain Dale talks to Elaine Chalus, Professor British History at the University of Liverpool about the life and premiership of William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire who was Britain’s fifth Prime Minister but whose period in office was one of the shortest - only seven months from November 1756 to June 1757.
Iain Dale talks to Labour politician Nick Thomas-Symonds about the life and career of Harold Wilson who served as Prime Minister from 1964-70 and 1974-76.
Iain Dale talks to Lord (Andrew) Adonis about the life and Premiership of Tony Blair, who served as Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007.
Iain Dale talks to historian Dr Nigel Aston about the life and rather short premiership of William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne. He was Britain’s 12th prime minister, who served for eight months from 1782 to 1783.
Iain Dale talks to historian Stuart Handley about the life and premiership of Henry Pelham, who was Britain’s second Prime Minister and served from 1743 to 1754.
Iain Dale talks to historian Robin Eagles about the short-lived premiership of the Earl of Wilmington, who served as Prime Minister from February 1742 to July 1743.
Iain Dale talks to public affairs consultant Wilf Weeks about the life and premiership of Edward Heath, who served as Prime Minister from June 1970 to February 1974.
Iain Dale talks to author and historian Robert Waller and the life and Premierships of Labour’s first Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald. He served as Prime Minister for 9 months in 1924, then from 1929 to 1931 as leader of a minority Labour government, and then from 1931 to 1935 as Prime Minister of a National government.
Iain Dale talks to historian and Conservative MP Jesse Norman about the life and premierships of Charles Watson-Wentworth who served twice as prime minister, from 1765-66 and for three months in 1782.
Iain Dale talks to Sky News presenter Adam Boulton about the premiership of David Cameron, who served as prime minister from 2010-16.
Iain Dale talks to Jon Parry, Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge, about the life and political career of George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen who served as Prime Minister from December 1852 to January 1855.
Iain Dale talks to Professor Gordon Pentland about the life and career of Viscount Goderich who served as Prime Minister for nearly five months from August 1827 to January 1828.
Iain Dale talks to historian Andrew Thompson about the life and political career of Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton who served as Prime Minister for 16 months from 1768 to 1770.
Iain Dale talks to David Laws about the life and political career of Herbert Henry Asquith, who served as Prime Minister from 1908 to 1916.
This week Iain Dale speaks to Professor Jeremy Black, Emeritus Professor of history at the University of Exeter about the life and Premiership of Thomas Pelham-Holles, better known as the first Duke of Newcastle, who served as Prime Minister for more than 7 years in two separate terms from 1754-56 and from 1757 to 1762. He was our fourth Prime Minister.
Iain talks to Lord Norton of Louth and the left and career of Sir Anthony Eden, who served as Prime Minister for 22 months between April 1955 and January 1957.
Iain Dale talks to historian Arthur Burns about the life of William Wyndham Grenville, Lord Grenville, who served as Prime Minister for thirteen months from 1806 to 1807.
Iain Dale talks to historian Jack Brown about the life and career of Arthur Balfour who served as Prime Minister for three years from 1902-05, but whose whole career spanned 56 years.
Iain Dale talks to historian Tony Little about the Marquess of Salisbury, who served as Prime Minister on three occasions in the latter years of the 19th century. At thirteen years in total he is one of our longest serving Prime Ministers.
Iain Dale talks to historian and former Conservative MP Keith Simpson about the life and Premiership of Harold Macmillan, who served as Conservative prime minister from 1957-63.
Iain Dale in conversation with journalist Sue Cameron, author Steve Richards, and academic Sir Anthony Seldon on his LBC show about the 300th anniversary of the office of Prime Minister.
Iain Dale talks to Robert Saunders, reader in British history at Queen Mary University of London about the life and career of Sir Robert Peel, who served as Prime Minister twice, from 1834-5 and 1841-6. He is most remembered for creating the modern police force and for the repeal of the Corn Laws. He is also seen by many as the founder of the modern Conservative Party.
Iain Dale talks to Richard Gaunt, Associate Professor in History at the University of Nottingham, about the life of William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, who served twice as Prime Minister, from April-December 1783 and 1807 to 1809.
Iain Dale talks to former Education Secretary Baroness Nicky Morgan about the life and career of Lord North, the Prime Minister who “lost the colonies”. He served as PM from 1770-1782, but was he the complete failure that we imagine?
Iain Dale talks to Sir Anthony Seldon and Mark Garnett on the 300th anniversary of the office of Prime Minister. Sir Anthony’s new book is called THE IMPOSSIBLE OFFICE and Mark Garnett’s book is THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER IN AN AGE OF UPHEAVAL.
Iain Dale talks to Stephen Conway, professor of history at UCL, about the life and career of George Grenville, who served as prime minister from 1763-1765.
Iain Dale talks to Charles Pitt (no relation) about William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham, who served as Prime Minister from July 1766 to October 1768.
Iain Dale talks to historian and Conservative MP Damian Collins about the life of David Lloyd George who served as Prime Minister from 1916 to 1922.
Iain Dale talks to Edward Young about Benjamin Disraeli who served as Prime Minister for nine months in 1868 and then from 1874 to 1880.
Iain Dale talks to Labour peer Lord Wood of Anfield, Stewart Wood, about Gordon Brown, who served as Prime Minister from June 2007 until May 2010.
Iain Dale talks to historian David Torrance about John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute who served as Prime Minister from May 1762 to April 1763
Iain Dale talks to Lord Bellingham, Henry Bellingham, about the life and premiership of Spencer Perceval who served as Prime Minister from 1809 until his assassination by Henry Bellingham’s kinsman, John Bellingham, in 1812.
Iain Dale talks to Secretary of State Robert Buckland about the life and times of Viscount Melbourne who served as Prime Minister in 1834 for a few months, and then from 1834-1841.
Iain Dale talks to historian Sir Anthony Seldon about the life and premiership of Clement Attlee, who held the office of Prime Minister from 1945 to 1951.
Iain Dale talks to Professor John Charmley about Neville Chamberlain, who served as Prime Minister from 1937-1940.
Iain Dale talks to political academic Mark Garnett about the life and premiership(s) of William Pitt the Younger who became Prime Minister at the age of 24 in 1783. He resigned in 1801 and served briefly again as Prime Minister between 1804 and his death in late 1805.
Iain Dale talks to Theresa May’s former speechwriter Keelan Carr about the so-called “Unknown Prime Minister” Andrew Bonar Law, who served as Prime Minister for only seven months 1922-23.
Iain Dale talks to veteran political journalist Peter Riddell about the Tory Prime Minister Lord Liverpool from 1812-1827, and was the longest serving Prime Minister of the 19th century.
Iain Dale talks to Liberal historian Duncan Brack about Whig/Liberal Prime Minister Lord John Russell, who serves as Prime Minister from 1846 to 1852 and 1865-66.
Iain Dale talks to military historian Peter Caddick-Adams about the life and premiership of Winston Churchill, who served as Prime Minister from 1940-45 and 1951-55.
Iain Dale talks to Stephen Parkinson, Lord Parkinson, about Henry Addington who was Prime Minister from 1801-04.
Iain Dale talks to David Campbell Bannerman about the Liberal Prime Minister who was Prime Minister from 1905-1908.
Iain Dale discusses the premiership of Theresa May (2016-2019) with Times columnist Rachel Sylvester.
Iain Dale talks to political academic Nigel Fletcher about the Earl of Derby who served three times as Prime Minister from 23 February to 17 December 1852, 20 February 1858 to 1 June 1859, and 28 June 1866 to 25 February 1868.
Iain Dale talks to Mark Fox about Britain’s first Prime Minister who served in the office from 1721-1742. You can order the book, THE PRIME MINISTERS, which accompanies this podcast series from all good bookshops.
Iain talks to the 18th century political historian Jacqueline Reiter about the reluctant Prime Minister, the Duke of Wellington.
Baron Callaghan of Cardiff, KG, PC, often known as Jim Callaghan, was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1976 to 1980. Iain discusses his impact with political analyst Lewis Baston.
In the first of this series of 55 podcasts on British prime ministers, LBC’s Iain Dale talks to historian and Telegraph columnist Simon Heffer about the life of one of Britain’s greatest prime ministers, the Liberal William Ewart Gladstone. He served as prime minister for a total of 12 years in four separate terms between 1868 and 1894.