Order! Order! with Simon Walters and Amanda Platell

After a rather tumultuous 365 days in Number 10, head boy Boris Johnson faces the date every schoolboy dreads - his school report. Simon Walters enlists the help of school Matron Amanda Platell to work out how many As the former Eton star scholar deserves. Plus, Simon asks veteran diplomat Sir Christopher Meyer whether the ‘special relationship’ between America and Britain is becoming a two-edged sword.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

The Chancellor sounded more like Sunak the socialist than Rishi the rich banker as he splurged billions to get Britain’s economy moving again - but which is the real Rishi, ask Simon Walters and Amanda Platell. Plus, Simon talks to former deputy Prime Minister Damian Green on Britain’s new Cold War - with Beijing, not Moscow. Plus, in-depth insight on the most important political issue of the week… not coronavirus, but cheese.

Is Boris Johnson stealing Labour's clothes - or is he just the Tory emperor with no clothes at all? Simon Walters and Amanda Platell hear two very different views of Boris Johnson's spending splurge this week, from his biographer Andrew Gimson (who is a fan) and former advisor Tim Montgomerie (who isn’t). Plus, is Amanda’s fridge becoming more musical than Amanda herself?

Simon Walters and Amanda Platell are finally seeing light at the end of the long lockdown tunnel - and Amanda has big plans to go to the pub and marry the first man that asks. Simon talks to business secretary Alok Sharma about the Government's plans to get Britain moving again (and whether it's putting the nation's health at risk). Plus, Simon and Amanda reveal what they'll miss about lockdown... including Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty.

Should Marcus Rashford move from his No 10 position into No 10 Downing Street? Simon Walters and Amanda Platell contemplate the wreckage of another Government U-turn (and a very confused Matt Hancock). Plus, Simon speaks to Tory MP Andrew Mitchell who says that Boris Johnson looked him squarely in the eye and said he wouldn’t scrap the international aid department… and then did exactly that. Plus, Amanda takes on The Boss.

The big question for Simon Walters and Amanda Platell is, has ‘Priti Patel’ replaced Boris Johnson as the strongest voice of the Government, after what can only be described as a packed week in British politics. Simon Walters asks Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi whether safari parks are really an adequate substitute for schools opening before September, and speaks to Tory MP Alec Shelbrook who suggests Karl Marx's statue could be torn down along with statues of slave traders. Plus, Amanda takes on John Lennon... but does anyone win? 

Could Dominic Cummings lockdown travels prove as damaging to the Government as MPs claiming expenses to clean their moats? Top pollster James Johnson believes so, as Simon Walters and Amanda Platell steer a steady course through a VERY turbulent week in politics. Simon talks to Tory MP Andrew Bridgen about why he's one of the very few still defending Cummings. Meanwhile Amanda signs up for online singing lessons... but have they worked?

The former Home Secretary has some choice words about Boris’s bloke-packed Cabinet in a new episode of our brilliant politics podcast with Simon Walters and Amanda Platell. So, wonders Amber Rudd, would countries with women in charge handle the coronavirus crisis better? Well guess what New Zealand and Taiwan have in common! Plus, Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland on the big question of the week: how many schools will really be open by June 1? Oh, and Amanda bursts into song AGAIN…

Simon Walters and Amanda Platell return! Simon reveals he's been battling coronavirus for a month (while Amanda has battled boredom alone in her flat with her cat and Captain Birdseye). Simon talks to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on why Boris won't use the 'A' word for austerity, and speaks to Labour's Wes Streeting about whether a wealth tax is what's needed to pull Britain back from the financial brink. Plus, we’re treated to Amanda’s rendition of Roy Orbison's Only the Lonely.

With a guest appearance from Amanda Platell's cat, this week's podcast sees Amanda and Simon Walters taking stock of the shock news about Boris Johnson. Simon speaks to former Boris advisor Will Walden about the Prime Minister's early struggle with deafness and win at all costs approach to cricket and rounders. Plus, as Keir Starmer takes the reins, can he get rid of the anti-Semitism that stained Labour in the Corbyn years?

Simon and Amanda are both isolated in their homes (and coping in very different ways). This week, Simon interviews Labour MP Jon Ashworth about Britain's handling of the crisis (and why there are still not enough virus tests to go round). Plus, some very unexpected revelations about Keir Starmer... including the fact he moisturises each night before going to sleep. 

Simon Walters and Amanda Platell are still apart, but offer a weekly dose of politics insight and analysis from their homes regardless. This week, cabinet minister Robert Jenrick answers Simon's questions on jobs, travel and working with Labour in the age of coronavirus. Plus, could Alex Salmond become leader of the SNP for an incredible third time? 

Simon Walters and Amanda Platell record this week's podcast from their two homes for the first time, offering insights into the unfolding coronavirus crisis. Plus, Brexit minister Steve Barclay talks about the Government's £350 billion bailout, who's going to pay for it - and how he's coping without the rugby. 

Simon Walters and Amanda Platell take a side-ways look at the Budget – could Rishi Sunak be the next Prime Minister? Plus, rebel Tory leader Bob Seely warns Boris Johnson to back down over Huawei plans, and Simon and Amanda launch a campaign to save the PMs pet pooch!

Simon Walters and Amanda Platell reveal their unique strategies for avoiding coronavirus (and Simon bravely shakes hands with a health minister), while Simon chats to the legendary 'Beast of Bolsover', former miner Dennis Skinner, on why he won't blame Jeremy Corbyn for Labour's election drubbing. Plus, the strange case of sports coaches and sex. 

Simon Walters and Amanda Platell get two very different perspectives on the 'super recogniser' who stepped down this week over controversial posts, with Toby Young convinced he has been thrown to the wolves, and former speechwriter Ian Birrell believing it's right he was shown the door at No. 10. Plus, is the government's new immigration policy dog-whistle racism - or a way to (finally) deliver on the promises of Brexit?

In a brilliant new episode of our politics podcast, Simon Walters and Amanda Platell ask: why ARE the unelected Carrie Symonds and policy svengali Dominic Cummings arguing over the PM’s imminent Cabinet reshuffle… and why should they have any influence at all? Plus interviews with Justice Minister Robert Buckland on proposed tough new sentences for unrepentant paedophiles and terrorists and David Davis on the Boris backlash – via HS2, the mooted mansion tax and THAT bridge linking Scotland to Ireland. Oh, and Simon Walters SINGS!

Simon Walters and Amanda Platell and guests Tory spin doctor Nick Wood on Dominic Cummings and this week's lobby row, and Conservative MP Sir Mike Penning about families forced to pay £2,000 a month to treat their children's epilepsy with cannabis oil. Plus, Amanda's bad experience with Boris Johnson's zipper

With Simon Walters and Amanda Platell and guests Mark Francois on his plans to stay up and see the glorious new dawn on Brexit day, and arch-remainer Anna Soubry’s very different plans for this Friday. Plus Army veteran Tom Tugendhat about why Boris’s Huawei deal puts us inside the dragon’s nest…

With Simon Walters and Amanda Platell and two Conservative MPs with very different views on the HS2 rail link: Michael Fabricant, who thinks it should be scrapped, and Andrew Mitchell, who believes Boris will be a laughing stock if he does so, plus former Labour minister Peter Hain on why Boris Johnson should be worried if Lisa Nandy becomes Labour leader

With Simon Walters and Amanda Platell and guests Tobias Ellwood on why Boris must keep Huawei’s hands off Britain’s 5G network, MP James Gray tells Boris not to betray Troubles veterans and MP and psychiatrist Dr Dan Poulter talks about his work with football gambling addicts

With Simon Walters and Amanda Platell and guests Maurice Glasman on how it might take a generation for Labour to come back to power, former Thatcherite minister Connor Burns on whether Boris really is the new Thatcher, and Andrew Bridgen on why Boris's battle in the north has only just begun

November 20, 2019

November 13, 2019

November 6, 2019. With music by Soweto Gospel Choir

October 30, 2019