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 鈥榤ust have鈥�? Was the Tory briefing that referenced the defecting Suella Braverman鈥檚 mental health really a 鈥榝irst draft?鈥�
Armando and Natalie examine this and more, to find out if politicians in the UK are echoing Donald Trump鈥檚 words as they ask us to take these at face value - 鈥淎re you a stupid person?鈥�. 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 麻豆社 Studios production for Radio 4.
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- Thu 29 Jan 2026 09:45麻豆社 Radio 4
- Thu 29 Jan 2026 21:45麻豆社 Radio 4
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Strong Message Here
Armando Iannucci and guests decode the utterly baffling world of political language.
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