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Are You a Stupid Person? (with Natalie Haynes)

Natalie Haynes joins Armando. Do politicians think we're idiots? From blocked by-election candidates to defectors ducking their own by-elections, do we believe what they say?

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.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Thu 29 Jan 202621:45
BBC Radio 4

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  • Thu 29 Jan 202609:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Thu 29 Jan 202621:45
    BBC Radio 4

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  • Strong Message Here

    Armando Iannucci and guests decode the utterly baffling world of political language.