Never Mind The Bar Charts

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts saw me team up with John Potter and the Lib Dem Pod team to discuss the local elections. How did they go for the Liberal Democrats and what lessons are there for the party? Show notes Some highlights from the local election resultsLib Dem PodHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

John Potter of the Lib Dem Pod quizzed me about my first experiences of the House of Lords for our latest joint podcast. Show notes Lib Dem PodRing BinderHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts is another in the occasional series looking back at previous party leaders with Duncan Brack. This time we pick over Jeremy Thorpe's career - securing Britain's place in Europe, leading the Liberal Party to national prominence and then mired in scandal. What to make of it all? Show notes www.markpack.org.uk/161656/jo-grimond-podcast/www.markpack.org.uk/1486/jeremy-thorpe-interview/www.mediastorehouse.co.uk/memory-lane-prints/mirror/0100to0199-00163/jeremy-thorpe-jimi-hendrix-concert-jimi-hendrix-21541729.htmlwww.gettyimages.co.uk/search/2/image?family=editorial&phrase=jeremy%20thorpe&sort=oldest&recency=daterange&begindate=1960-01-01&enddate=1980-01-01www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyos-M48B8Ubsky.app/profile/duncanbrack.bsky.socialliberalhistory.org.ukamzn.to/41QQUf5uk.bookshop.org/a/588/9780349142203tidd.ly/3DhN31ohugoleemusic.comwww.markpack.org.uk/161708/how-to-listen-to-a-podcastwww.markpack.org.uk/168491/most-popular-episodes-never-mind-the-bar-charts

Peter Kellner join sme to discuss a new report on what is going wrong with our politics, and the solutions. No surprise then that our conversation focused on populism, its causes and how liberals can defeat it. Show notes Disruptive Delivery: Meeting the Unmet Demand in PoliticsThe Challenge of Affluence: Self-Control and Well-Being in the United States and Britain since 1950An example from the 1990s of failing to predict the political futureincumbent governments did badly in elections in 2024The three humped graphLiberal Democrat achievements in governmentpolicymaking on AIPeter Kellner's polling newsletterThe Week in PollsHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts saw Paula Surridge return to the show, talking about the impact of political values and of perceived competence on recent general elections. We got into some surprising similarities between Tony Blair and Nigel Farage, as well as ways in which Boris Johnson and Gordon Brown were the same. Take a listen to find out how on earth we ended up there. Show notes Values in the Valence Election: Fragmentation and the 2024 General ElectionAlso in blog form herecease and desist lettersThe graph which we mentionedBlueskySubstackHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts takes a look at a book that has made me rethink several things I thought I knew about the history of the Liberal Democrats and Liberals before them. It also contains some wonderfully acerbic photo captions and some not terribly kind words about David Lloyd George. It is a book from another David - David Laws - and is a history of Labour - Liberal (Democrat) relations over the last century. Show notes AmazonWaterstonesBookshop.orgAmazonWaterstonesBookshop.orgHow Lib Dems love the 1920s despite the electoral disasters for the Liberal PartyHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes * Affiliate links that generate a commission for purchases made. Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts takes a look at recent research into the impact of electoral reform on the stability of governments. Does PR mean less stable government? Listen to my discussion with the research's author Dylan Difford to find out. Feedback very welcome, and do share this podcast with others who you think may enjoy it. Show notes Strong and Stable: the most politically stable democracies use PRelections in the 1920sDylan Difford on BlueskyHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

Election campaigns often put significant effort into persuading voters that their candidate(s) could win. But does such campaigning really change people's expectations of who might win? And even if it people's views do change, does being seen as a more likely winner really help you win the election? Or in other words, are all those "winning here" posters and bar charts worth it? The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts welcomes back to the show Justin Fisher to discuss just that, courtesy of new research from himself and two colleagues. Feedback very welcome, and do share this podcast with others who you think may enjoy it. Show notes "Innocent Bystanders or the Forgotten Actors? The Role of Parties and Candidates in Building Electoral Campaign Momentum"A Logic of Expressive Choice101 Ways To Win An ElectionThe accuracy of MRPsJustin Fisher on Twitter/XHugo LeeCC BY-ND 2.0tips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts sees a return to the show for Sam Freedman. This time he’s got a new book out, about how our government is broken – and what to do to fix it. Feedback very welcome, and do share this podcast with others who you think may enjoy it. Show notes AmazonWaterstonesUK BookshopProspect articlesThe MillSam Freedman’s newsletterThe myth of Budget poll bouncesHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show’s most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts discusses a great new book about the geography of British elections with its two authors, Jamie Furlong and Will Jennings. Why do the Conservatives underperform on Merseyside yet overperform in Lincolnshire, and how much of electoral geography is really about individual campaigners? Take a listen to find out... Show notes AmazonBookshopWaterstonesAmazonBookshopWaterstonesRob FordMaria SobolewskaJamie FurlongWill JenningsHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts takes a look back to the five criteria for success that Professor Tim Bale set out for opposition leaders and considers how they played out by the end of the 2024 general election. Feedback very welcome, and do share this podcast with others who you think may enjoy it. Show notes Our original discussion of five tests for opposition partiesDecember 2020March 2022December 2022Some of those Ed Davey stuntslosing support in Surrey and Londonsize of Lib Dem majoritiescampaign ratingsSurvey of Conservative membershipTim Bale on X/TwitterHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts is another special with John Potter and the Lib Dem Pod, looking at all the latest from the election campaign. Show notes The More in Common polling I mentionLib Dem PodHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts is another special with John Potter and the Lib Dem Pod, looking at all the latest from the election campaign with Lib Dem peer Liz Barker and Lib Dem candidate David Chadwick. Feedback very welcome, and do share this podcast with others who you think may enjoy it. Show notes The Lib Dem manifestoThe election timetableDavid Chadwick's campaignHow we decide where to ask people to campaignLib Dem PodHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts is another team-up with the Lib Dem podcast, taking a look at the general election, mulling over Nigel Farage's entrance and hearing about how a Dalek got canvassed. Appearing on the show is Victoria Collins. The constituency she is standing in includes the village of Aldbury, often used in TV and films, including for Doctor Who and The Avengers. Show notes Victoria CollinsAldburyDaleks nearly advertised Hamlet CigarsLib Dem PodHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts saw a return for the Professor of Political Leafleting, the Lady of the Leaflets, Professor Caitlin Milazzo. She's one of the top experts on what election candidates put in their leaflets and why. So just the person to talk with as even more leaflets are headed to people's letterboxes for the general election. Show notes Open Elections websiteHow are political leaflets changing (and do they work)?Negative campaigning in political leaflets: what the evidence saysPerceived Negativity in British General Election CommunicationsPersonal, policy and partisanship: Understanding voter reactions to campaign negativityHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts is another team-up with John Potter and the Lib Dem Pod team. This time we were joined by Bill Revans, leader of the largest elected Lib Dem group in the country, to talk about the start of the general election. Feedback very welcome, and do share this podcast with others who you think may enjoy it. Show notes Lib Dem PodHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show's most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts is another joint venture with The Lib Dem Pod, taking a look at the 2024 local elections. Feedback very welcome, and do share this podcast with others who you think may enjoy it. Show notes The Week in PollsThe Lib Dem PodTribute to Andrew StunellLocal election results in PrestonThe 2024 local election resultsHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show’s most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

Never Mind The Bar Charts took an unexpected turn when I was discussing the track record of polls closing in previous Parliaments with Professor Will Jennings. One of the most dramatic such examples was with Jeremy Corbyn in 2017... so perhaps he should be the role model for Rishi Sunak as he looks to rescue the Conservatives? Feedback very welcome, and do share this podcast with others who you think may enjoy it. Show notes Have the polls closed in previous Parliaments?What are MRPs and can we trust them?Voting intention by supermarketnewsletter from Will JenningsHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show’s most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

Something completely different to the usual fare this time: a little while back I picked my five favourite spy novels for the Spybrary podcast. For a variation from the usual Never Mind The Podcasts fare, take a listen to what I picked, and why those in politics so often like spy stories: Anthony Price features, of course. As does (ssssh! former spy) Paddy Ashdown and US President Lyndon B Johnson, subject of perhaps the best non-fiction book and one with a brilliant narrator too. In coincidental related news, I discovered recently that the author of the standard book on the history of the early years of campaigning for proportional representation was a Communist, and possibly a Russian spy. The author is Jennifer Hart and the book is Proportional Representation: Critics of the British Electoral System 1820-1945. Show notes The Spybrary PodcastThe Spybrary Facebook groupHugo LeePexels.comtips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show’s most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com

The latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts is another by-election special with the Lib Dem Pod team, talking about what to make of the latest set of Parliamentary by-elections. Feedback very welcome, and do share this podcast with others who you think may enjoy it. Show notes The by-election resultsThe Lib Dem pre-manifestoThe Lib Dem Pod team on YouTubeHugo Leetips on how to listen to podcastsCheck out some of this show’s most popular previous episodes Enjoy the show? Spread the word www.NeverMindTheBarCharts.com