Strong Message Here cover art

Strong Message Here
Buy box is not available to display at this moment. Sorry for the inconvenience
To purchase this book, please visit this page later or call our 24/7 customer service

About this listen

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.

(C) BBC 2026
Episodes
  • Psychodrama (with Stewart Lee)

    Psychodrama (with Stewart Lee)
    Feb 12 2026

    Stewart Lee joins Armando to examine the language around political pyschodramas. We've discussed political language becoming maximalist, but it also gone into warp speed?

    Looking at whether 'stumbling' is in fact a good thing, we also manage to find new names for Wes Streeting, Peter Mandelson and Andrew (you know which one).

    We also find time to discuss the fake news that has been stinking up the White House, jellyfish anuses and slapstick.

    Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Recorded at The Sound Company

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • You've Let Your Country Down (with Emily Maitlis)

    You've Let Your Country Down (with Emily Maitlis)
    Feb 5 2026

    Has a man once described as 'teflon' finally run out of spin? Peter Mandelson suggests he needs to run an investigation into himself, but to do an investigation into his language, Armando is joined by host of the News Agents, Emily Maitlis.

    We discuss revelations in the Epstein files, and why it brings to mind Dickens. Are we wiser to the language of political scandal than we used to be? And is it impossible to spin a story in the modern media environment.

    We also look at why it's so frustrating, if politically wise, how often political figures suffer bouts of selective amnesia.

    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 Recorded at The Sound Company

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and Sasha Bobak. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Are You a Stupid Person? (with Natalie Haynes)

    Are You a Stupid Person? (with Natalie Haynes)
    Jan 29 2026

    Was Andy Burnham blocked from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election because Labour need to save resources for elections they ‘must have’? Was the Tory briefing that referenced the defecting Suella Braverman’s mental health really a ‘first draft?’

    Armando and Natalie examine this and more, to find out if politicians in the UK are echoing Donald Trump’s words as they ask us to take these at face value - “Are you a stupid person?”. Are we not expected to read this 'subtext in block caps'?

    We also discuss how Trump's speeches are held together, and why Carney quoting Thucydides warmed Natalie's heart.

    Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound editing: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman and Asha Osborne-Grinter Executive Producer: Richard Morris Recorded at The Sound Company

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
No reviews yet