Strong Message Here

BBC Radio 4
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  • Comedy
  • Updated weekly

Armando Iannucci hosts the programme that gives you a cast-iron guarantee to be laser-focused on decoding the baffling world of political language. Each week he'll be joined by a guest to crack open the political phrasebook and attempt to demystify 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 people on the inside who are 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. Armando's erstwhile partner in de-baffling political lexicon, Helen Lewis, is away working in the United States in the autumn and so her seat will be kept warm by a rotating cast of co-hosts. Listen to Strong Message Here on Thursdays on Radio 4 at 9.45am, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds. Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4.

  1. 22 hr ago

    Your Next Listen: Top Comment

    While Armando takes a well-earned break, former Strong Message Here guest and BBC social media investigations correspondent Marianna Spring introduces her podcast, Top Comment. From chasing pickpockets to unmasking predators, vigilantism has become one of the biggest trends on social media. On this episode Matt and Marianna discuss how the age of streaming has added a new layer of risk to content like this, with the potential for devastating consequences including reputational damage and even legal repercussions. Also this week, as national media fangirls over Andy Burnham's TikTok persona, we ask what the new prime minister is doing right online. Is social media now the ultimate test of a politician's authenticity, and could cosying up to influencers set a dangerous precedent in terms of transparency and accountability for those in positions of power. Plus - Clavicular can't run in those little high heels, and the foxes have their say! If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen and subscribe to Top Comment on BBC Sounds, with new episodes released every Thursday. Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The social producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is topcomment@bbc.co.uk or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

    Your Next Listen: Top Comment

  2. 1 Jul

    Doing Politics Differently (with Phil Wang and Pierre Novellie)

    This week, Phil Wang steps in for Armando, and is joined by comedian Pierre Novellie to discuss 'doing politics differently'. Digging into the language of Burnham's speech, we examine what he means by 'place', and whether we will see an end to 'punch and judy politics'. Elsewhere, we look at Badenoch's attack mode, America's 250th celebrations and why politicians struggle to p-p-p-pick a favourite biscuit. Stay tuned to the end to hear from Armando, and find out what they 'Putin' the chicken over in Georgia. Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk Sound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James Robinson Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

  3. 24 Jun

    A Swift Transition (with Matt Forde and Ria Lina)

    Armando is under the weather this week, so in true World Cup style, we have called up a super sub. Matt Forde steps in to host, and Ria Lina joins him to discuss the big news of the week. Is it a bit rich of the Labour Party to claim they don't want to 'exaggerate small differences'? How does Starmer sell his achievements, and is there anything we can learn about how Burnham uses language? In the longer version, we also look back at some of Starmer's best bits, and whether Manchesterism is an ideology, or just good branding Armando will be back next week, but in the meantime, if you have got a strong message for the show, email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk Sound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Katie Baum & Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound Company Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

  4. 17 Jun

    It's All Signed (with Stewart Lee)

    Stewart Lee joins Armando to look at the detail, or lack thereof in the US and Iran deal. What is a memorandum of understanding? Does the language of UFC apply to this deal? And are Shoreditch hipsters running Iran's social media campaign? It's by-election day, and while broadcast rules prevent us from discussing the events in Makerfield, there's no rule to stop us discussing the broadcasting rules themselves. Outgoing Ofcom chair Michael Grade has been vocal about the state of broadcast journalism in the UK, so we take a close look at his recent language. Elsewhere, we talk Ghibli Grandads, soiled underpants, and 'the Islington of the Mind'. Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk Sound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at The Sound Company Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

  5. 10 Jun

    Fanning the Flames (with Hugo Rifkind)

    Hugo Rifkind joins Armando, fresh from interviewing a highland cow, to discuss the phrase 'fanning the flames'. Can a politician ever avoid politicising an issue? How is that different from weaponising? And does journalism have a role in fanning the flames, and prolonging political arguments? Elsewhere, Armando explains the power of the power nap, Pete Hegseth conflates D-Day with immigration, and we ask if Keir's curse is having an eminently rhyme-able name? Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk Sound editing: Rich Evans Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at the Sound Company Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

  6. 3 Jun

    There's Been An Under-Discussion (with Natalie Haynes)

    Natalie Haynes joins Armando to look at the differing language used when discussing the benefits and risks of the AI revolution. Is it just 'a thing' which is beyond debate? What does non-zero actually mean? And we examine the language of Tony Blair's argument, by taking it to its logical conclusion. In the longer version, you will also hear the ramification of shouting at Harold Pinter, Peter Thiel's unimpeachable jury, and whether we're all living in Armando's diving helmet. Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk Sound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Giulia Mazzu Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound Company Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

  7. 28 May

    That's Not for Me to Say (with Munya Chawawa)

    Fresh from a trip to America, Munya Chawawa joins Armando to discuss the political art of saying nothing. Munya recently looked at the parallels between Trump and Wrestling, and talks about how the language and theatre of WWE has inspired Trump's political style. They then turn to Andy Burnham's tightrope walk, and his desire to be clear and direct, whilst also avoiding the elephant in the room - what effect does that have on his language? Danny Kruger's defence of Reform's candidate also reveals some tricks of the political language trade, and we ask - can politicians engage on social media without being cringe? Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk A full list of candidates running in the Makerfield by-election is as follows Jake Austin - Liberal Democrats Count Binface - Count Binface Party Andy Burnham - The Labour Party Dan Clarke - The Libertarian Party John Dyer - Independent Ed Gemmell - Climate Party Paul Gould - Independent Alan 'Howlin' Laud Hope - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party Robert Kenyon - Reform UK Robert Pownall - Independent Rebecca Shepherd - Restore Britain Sarah Wakefield - Green Party Peter Ward - Rejoin EU Michael Winstanley - The Conservative Party Sound editing: Rich Evans Production Coordinator: Giulia Mazzu Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at the Sound Company Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

  8. 21 May

    A Febrile Atmosphere (with Tom Peck)

    How do you capture the atmosphere of the commons? Parliamentary sketch writer for The Times, Tom Peck, joins Armando to discuss his most detested political buzzwords. We look at why people get so bloodthirsty in politics when 'the herd moves', who 'an anonymous source' might be, and whether Keir Starmer can draw a pig. In other news, we look at the demise of PearTree Productions, Ed Davey's wetsuit strategy, and a short-lived Reform councillor who may have taken to political language quickly in his political tenure, but was undone by some shocking language he used elsewhere. Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk Sound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at the Sound Company Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and Sasha Bobak. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

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About

Armando Iannucci hosts the programme that gives you a cast-iron guarantee to be laser-focused on decoding the baffling world of political language. Each week he'll be joined by a guest to crack open the political phrasebook and attempt to demystify 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 people on the inside who are 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. Armando's erstwhile partner in de-baffling political lexicon, Helen Lewis, is away working in the United States in the autumn and so her seat will be kept warm by a rotating cast of co-hosts. Listen to Strong Message Here on Thursdays on Radio 4 at 9.45am, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds. Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    Strong Message Here

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