Strong Message Here
By BBC Radio 4
In this new series, Helen Lewis and Armando Iannucci investigate which political buzzwords are strong and stable and which are a crock of covfefe.
Each week Helen and Armando will crack open the political phrasebook and attempt to decode the doublespeak. Why does everything now have to be 'turbo-charged'? What's the difference between a 'pledge' and a 'mission'? Why has my local MP been 'weaponised' and should I be worried?
You'll be treated to a crash course in the dark arts of political language from two people both baffled and beguiled by it. They'll walk you through the various verbal fiascos of the modern political lexicon so that by the end you'll be oven-ready for an appearance on Newsnight.
Warning: this podcast features strong political language that some listeners may find nonsensical.
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.
Latest episode
-
Be Quiet, Small Man
Helen and Armando investigate how politicians convey strength through rhetoric. -
In the Public Interest?
What happens when private communications become public? Helen and Armando find out. -
Everybody's Miserable
Armando Iannucci and Helen Lewis find out why everyone in politics is so miserable. -
The Threat from Within
A tale of two speeches this week, as Helen and Armando look at Vance and Badenoch's lines. -
Build, Baby, Build!
Armando Iannucci and Helen Lewis examine why politicians copy each other's language. -
Flying a Kite and Rolling the Pitch (with Rob Hutton)
Armando Iannucci and Helen Lewis are joined by a guest, journalist Rob Hutton. -
Trump Derangement Syndrome
Armando Iannucci and Helen Lewis identify the symptoms of Trump Derangement Syndrome. -
Free Speech Is Back!
Helen and Armando use their free speech to decode Meta's new fact-checking rules. -
A Lawyer, Not a Leader
Helen and Armando are back, and they're looking at what makes a good political attack. -
Listeners' Strong Messages
Helen and Armando read some 'strong messages' from the listeners.
