Strong Message Here

Doing Politics Differently (with Phil Wang and Pierre Novellie) 01.07.2026 38min

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.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James RobinsonProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

A Swift Transition (with Matt Forde and Ria Lina) 24.06.2026 33min

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 brandingArmando 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.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Katie Baum & Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

It's All Signed (with Stewart Lee) 17.06.2026 31min

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.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Fanning the Flames (with Hugo Rifkind) 10.06.2026 34min

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.ukSound editing: Rich Evans Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at the Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

There's Been An Under-Discussion (with Natalie Haynes) 03.06.2026 36min

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.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Giulia Mazzu Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

That's Not for Me to Say (with Munya Chawawa) 28.05.2026 34min

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.ukA full list of candidates running in the Makerfield by-election is as followsJake 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 PartySound editing: Rich EvansProduction Coordinator: Giulia MazzuExecutive Producer: Richard MorrisRecorded at the Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

A Febrile Atmosphere (with Tom Peck) 21.05.2026 39min

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.ukSound editing: Chris MacleanProduction Coordinator: Giulia Lopes MazzuExecutive Producer: James RobinsonRecorded at the Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and Sasha Bobak. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

We Can't Go On Like This (with Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Ayesha Hazarika) 14.05.2026 34min

This week, we look at the language of embattled leaders, and some triumphant ones.Joined by Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Ayesha Hazarika, we pore over the speech of Starmer's life - the third such event we have covered on this programme. Is rhetoric the right tool in his father's hand-me-down toolbelt for him to deploy in times of crisis?He says he gets it, but do we believe him? We look at the paralysing effect of message discipline on political figures, and why it's so refreshing to hear a more genuine message.We also examine Rhun ap Iorwerth's oratory skills (borrowed from the skinny kid with a funny name), screaming penguins and ask: who is the modern "Mondeo man"?Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris MacleanProduction Coordinator: Giulia MazzuExecutive Producer: Pete StraussRecorded at the Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Technological Republic (with Stewart Lee and Carole Cadwalladr) 07.05.2026 34min

What is the Technological Republic?Armando, Stewart and founder of The Nerve, Carole Cadwalladr, discuss the language and posture of the manifesto released by Palantir's Alex Karp last year.We look at how Tech bros frame those who block their progress, their effusive language about their products, why they might reflect on linguistic parallels with George Orwell's works.Armando also describes William Shatner's prose, in which he finds, having read his book, Tech War, that his sentences seem to run on, perhaps one or two clauses longer than a sentence should, which interested him, but also made for a challenging read, which in turn made it worthy of discussion on this week's programme.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris MacleanProduction Coordinator: Giulia MazzuExecutive Producer: Richard MorrisRecorded at the Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Game On (with Natalie Haynes) 30.04.2026 28min

Ready Player One?Natalie Haynes joins Armando once again to talk about the rise of prediction markets, and how they might affect political language. We also look at the respective war memes from the US and Iran, and how they are taking their cues from video games.Elsewhere, we discuss the Arc de Trump, Armando's bag of filth, and whether a Sphinx might look good on the White House lawn.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Giulia Mazzu Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at the Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

The Process Was Followed (with Tim Shipman) 23.04.2026 23min

Tim Shipman steps out of a busy week in Westminster to talk Armando through the language of political crises.Whether "time will tell", or "the matter has been dealt with", we decode what these phrases you will hear from politicians this week really mean. Looking at recent examples, from Brexit to Partygate and beyond, what causes these crises, and how does the communication - and indeed the messenger - make it better or worse?Armando imagines an inquiry into the sinking of the Titanic, Tim clears things up by making things more complicated, and we also hear his sweary sliding scale of scandal, which will make you yearn for a good old-fashioned omnishambles.We also look at the local elections, and why every party turns these multi-faceted choices into a 'referendum' on a particular subject.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at the Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Only the Fake News Would Come Up with This (with Amol Rajan) 16.04.2026 34min

Politicians have their own podcasts, the Government has launched a YouTube channel. It seems our political class want to bypass traditional media to get their message out. Why is that? How does it affect political language?As he prepares to take his own steps into a new media landscape, Amol Rajan joins Armando to discuss this and more. We also hear about misleading news headlines, Trump's 'doctored' image, and find out if elves are really poisoning our water?Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Caroline Barlow Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at the Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Righteous Targets for Violence (with Hugo Rifkind) 09.04.2026 37min

Hugo Rifkind joins Armando for a chat about the religious language in politics.After a quick detour round the far side of the moon, we find out Trump's favourite bible passage (sort of), why the Pope has rebuked Pete Hegseth, and if invoking a higher power can be used to dodge accountability.In the extended version, we also look at how parties in the UK trade in religious language, why how AI is getting hiring humans, and answer the age-old question - which Easter has been best, militarily?Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter & Caroline Barlow Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Deep Disillusionment in This Country (with Stewart Lee) 08.04.2026 28min

This week, Armando is joined again by Stewart Lee to look at how political actors use language.Wes Streeting says there is a 'deep disillusionment in this country', and says there is a “growing sense of despair about whether anyone is capable of turning this country round". Why is that? And does politicians speaking in that way confound our misery? We look at Sarah Pochin's comments about black and asian people in adverts, and the responses across parliament to that. We also look at how much news is just speculation, and how politicians use speculation to further their arguments.We also look at how we get our news - is it exhausting to have to keep fact checking things ourselves? Is it preferable to the alternative?Armando shares his confusion at Immersive experiences, and Stewart invents a new word, and we hear about Starmer's charm offensive.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us on strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukListen to Strong Message Here at 0945 on Radio 4, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds.This programme has been edited since first publication, following an adjudication by the BBC Executive Complaints Unit (available here: www.bbc.co.uk/contact/ecu/strong-message-here-bbc-sounds-30-october-2025).Sound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coodinator: Jodie Charman Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

That's a Great Question (with Stewart Lee in Laugharne) 02.04.2026 27min

Stewart Lee joins Armando at the Millennium Hall in Laugharne.Is AI too sycophantic? Should we worry about how military-grade AI is being sold in start-up jargon? Let's ask the best AI there is, Armando Iannucci.In another episode in front of an audience, Armando and Stewart treat us to a dramatic reading of a Chat GPT interaction. We also hear whether the Metaverse is an unwelcome template for AI companies, and why Stewart admires the boffins who make sex robots.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Recorded by Searle Whittney and Dyfan Rose Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at the Millennium Hall in LaugharneProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

We're Here to Listen (with Stewart Lee in Laugharne) 26.03.2026 21min

Armando is joined by Stewart Lee at the Millennium Hall in Laugharne.Taking the audience's most loathed political soundbites, we discuss 'existential threats', 'let me be clear', and 'we're working very hard'.We also hear about Armando's train driver getting caught in an infinity loop, treating Nicky Wire with the greatest of respect, and whether feeling in your bones or gut indicates your political persuasion.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Recorded by Searle Whittney and Dyfan Rose Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at the Millennium Hall in LaugharneProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

You Don't Have to Worry (with Marina Hyde) 19.03.2026 33min

Marina Hyde returns to join Armando for a positive look at some positive language.Pete Hegseth tells us not to worry about the Strait of Hormuz, Trump tells us the 'war' is 'already won' - is this inspired by The Power of Positive Thinking? Or by Noel Edmonds?Elsewhere we discuss guessing shoe sizes, tie-dye thinking, and whether we have the stomach for a culture war about badgers on bank notes.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

I Understand the Anxiety (with Ria Lina and Coco Khan) 12.03.2026 28min

Armando is joined by Ria Lina and host of Pod Save the UK, Coco Khan, to look at the political language around anxiety.How do we engage with difficult headlines? Can we switch off an just read about the rugby? Is AI starting to feel as anxious as us? and are we more sympathetic because of the personal language it uses?We also discuss the origins of international women's day, the death of the public intellectual, and a workplace acronym to watch out for.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Get Real (with Hugo Rifkind) 05.03.2026 32min

Journalist and Times Radio presenter Hugo Rifkind joins Armando this week.In another breakneck week, we look at the language of reality in politics. Are plumbers more 'real' than economists? Can Trump really 'manipulate reality'? And has he been watching Shrek?We also look at the parallels between Marco Rubio and the general in Dr Strangelove, Tony Blair powering down when talking to Alan Partridge, and whether 'Epic Fury' really means what Pete Hegseth thinks it does.Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

History Will Judge You (with Stewart Lee) 26.02.2026 25min

Stewart Lee joins Armando again this week. With a by-election on, we look away from the present day and think about how history will judge politicians.Some of the language in the recent Tony Blair documentary piques Armando's interest, and we also look at how Boris Johnson and Gordon Brown use language (or lack thereof) to cement their own post-premiership legacies.We also look at the politic-speak creeping into Royal statements, Gerry Adams on a trampoline, and the furore over language at the BAFTAsGot a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.ukSound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: James Robinson Recorded at The Sound CompanyProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.