Strong Message Here

By: BBC Radio 4
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    (C) BBC 2025
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Episodes
  • Liberation Day (with Soumaya Keynes)

    Liberation Day (with Soumaya Keynes)
    Apr 17 2025

    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language.

    This week, Helen and Armando are joined by economist and journalist for the Financial Times, Soumaya Keynes. They take a look back on Liberation Day - what exactly was America being liberated from? What was the response in China to the tariffs? and Soumaya wades into the murky waters of Truth Social.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King Production Coordinator - Katie Baum Executive Producer - Richard Morris

    Produced by Pete Strauss. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4. An EcoAudio Certified Production.
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    37 mins
  • Three Word Slogans (with Cleo Watson)

    Three Word Slogans (with Cleo Watson)
    Apr 10 2025

    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language.

    This week, Helen and Armando are joined by author, broadcaster and former adviser to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, Cleo Watson. Taking a look back at the three word slogans that defined politics in recent years, especially those that relate to Cleo's time in number 10.

    Why are they so catchy?

    Hands Face Space... Take Back Control... Strong Message Here....

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King Production Coordinator - Katie Baum Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4. An EcoAudio Certified Production.
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • Fist Emoji, Flag Emoji, Fire Emoji (with Ava Santina Evans)

    Fist Emoji, Flag Emoji, Fire Emoji (with Ava Santina Evans)
    Apr 3 2025

    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language.

    Following the remarkable security breach dubbed 'Signalgate', Helen and Armando are joined by political editor of Politics Joe, Ava Santina Evans, to discuss how casualness has crept into political communication. Is it a threat? Is it just cringe? And why oh why do we still use the suffix 'gate' for a scandal, given its origins are over 50 years old?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King Production Coordinator - Katie Baum Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4. An EcoAudio Certified Production.
    Show more Show less
    34 mins
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