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20150411

What's in a name - for the political parties? Did you know that people with particular names are more likely to vote in particular ways? And even the spelling can make a noticeable difference. So who's winning the Charlottes, the Nigels and the Annes?

Plus, how the numbers game in a future hung parliament might unfold - a mathematician takes us through the equations of power,

And after Ed Miliband's debate notes reveal he's drawing on Wordsworth's poem, Character of the Happy Warrior, poet and performer, Ian McMillan, composes an election ode and ponders the relationship between poetry and politics.

Hugo Rifkind ringmasters a quirky, irreverent take on the election campaign - with a campaign ditty from Capital Chorus.

And this is Ian McMillan's special election poem:

THE HAPPY WARRIORS: A CAUTIONARY TALE

Who are these Happy Warriors, who are they?
Who spout poetic soundbites every day;
They all campaign in poetry we're told,
'Cos governing in prose makes them feel old.

So: verse your way through this endless campaign
Twist old Red Shelley in the pouring rain:
Pretend you're Keats as you address the throng:
Supply-side economics done in song
As memorable as a nightingale's
Can put the wind of victory in your sails.
The voters will be friendly to your plan
If you can make your ideas rhyme and scan!

Remember, though, some poets can die young
Feet falter on the very bottom rung;
Shall I compare you when on polling day
All your fine bardic language falls away
And all the mark I need to make is this
Upon the ballot paper Ae Fond Kiss
(As Burns said).

Poet and performer Ian McMillan ponders the relationship between poetry and politics.

Hugo Rifkind presents a quirky take on the twists and turns of the election campaign

20150418

David Cameron wants the voters to enjoy a "good life" but what is it? On Campaign Sidebar, Hugo Rifkind explores the history of that concept, from the philosopher Aristotle to the self-sufficient residents of 70s Surbiton. Plus an alleluia chorus in an echo chamber, how an internet "filter bubble" is reshaping our politics, and if your party was a fruit which one would it be? Edgy zeitgeist-smart advice from Perfect Curve, the communications gurus of W1A, on how the parties can brand refresh in the unfolding electoral narrative. Hugo Rifkind casts an irreverent eye over the twists and turns of the election campaign.

Credits: The writers of the Good life were Bob Larbey and John Esmonde. The writers of the Young Ones were Ben Elton, Rik Mayall and Lise Mayer.

A quirky, irreverent take on the twists and turns of the election, with Hugo Rifkind.

Hugo Rifkind presents a quirky take on the twists and turns of the election campaign

20150502

It's the home straight, the final countdown - and as they enter the last week of campaigning the party leaders are exhausted, but they still have to keep moving. On Campaign Sidebar Hugo Rifkind looks at the tripwires and hazards of the final days before the election, from red eyes to the Royal Baby, from literal stumbles to metaphorical ones, with ex MP Chris Mullin, and former Tory press supremo Amanda Platell.

Plus, when Ireland held the balance. The truly spooky parallels between the 21st century SNP and the Irish MPs of the Victorian and Edwardian era, when they were the pivotal force in the House of Commons.

And when Russell met Ed - a comedian dissects the meeting of minds and mockney accents, when the Labour Leader met the anti-politics guru.

A quirky, irreverent take on the twists and turns of the election, with Hugo Rifkind.

Hugo Rifkind presents a quirky take on the twists and turns of the election campaign

20150425

The fog of politics, the meaning of Austerity, and the secret language of politicians. Plus how do those apps which advise people which party is closest to their views work? And how to spend a last minute donation of a million pounds in a way which actually attracts votes.... a quirky, irreverent take on the twists and turns of the election campaign, presented by Hugo Rifkind.

And a selection of some voting advice sites:

http://www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com/

http://bitetheballot.co.uk/verto/

http://www.votematch.org/

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk/

https://uk.isidewith.com/political-quiz

http://www.whogetsmyvoteuk.com/

http://www.positiondial.com/welcome

http://www.whoshallivotefor.com/.

A quirky, irreverent take on the twists and turns of the election, with Hugo Rifkind.

Hugo Rifkind presents a quirky take on the twists and turns of the election campaign

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
	20150411	What's in a name - for the political parties? Did you know that people with particular names are more likely to vote in particular ways? And even the spelling can make a noticeable difference. So who's winning the Charlottes, the Nigels and the Annes? Plus, how the numbers game in a future hung parliament might unfold - a mathematician takes us through the equations of power, And after Ed Miliband's debate notes reveal he's drawing on Wordsworth's poem, Character of the Happy Warrior, poet and performer, Ian McMillan, composes an election ode and ponders the relationship between poetry and politics. Hugo Rifkind ringmasters a quirky, irreverent take on the election campaign - with a campaign ditty from Capital Chorus. And this is Ian McMillan's special election poem: THE HAPPY WARRIORS: A CAUTIONARY TALE Who are these Happy Warriors, who are they? Who spout poetic soundbites every day; They all campaign in poetry we're told, 'Cos governing in prose makes them feel old. So: verse your way through this endless campaign Twist old Red Shelley in the pouring rain: Pretend you're Keats as you address the throng: Supply-side economics done in song As memorable as a nightingale's Can put the wind of victory in your sails. The voters will be friendly to your plan If you can make your ideas rhyme and scan! Remember, though, some poets can die young Feet falter on the very bottom rung; Shall I compare you when on polling day All your fine bardic language falls away And all the mark I need to make is this Upon the ballot paper Ae Fond Kiss (As Burns said). Poet and performer Ian McMillan ponders the relationship between poetry and politics. Hugo Rifkind presents a quirky take on the twists and turns of the election campaign
	20150418	David Cameron wants the voters to enjoy a "good life" but what is it? On Campaign Sidebar, Hugo Rifkind explores the history of that concept, from the philosopher Aristotle to the self-sufficient residents of 70s Surbiton. Plus an alleluia chorus in an echo chamber, how an internet "filter bubble" is reshaping our politics, and if your party was a fruit which one would it be? Edgy zeitgeist-smart advice from Perfect Curve, the communications gurus of W1A, on how the parties can brand refresh in the unfolding electoral narrative. Hugo Rifkind casts an irreverent eye over the twists and turns of the election campaign. Credits: The writers of the Good life were Bob Larbey and John Esmonde. The writers of the Young Ones were Ben Elton, Rik Mayall and Lise Mayer. A quirky, irreverent take on the twists and turns of the election, with Hugo Rifkind. Hugo Rifkind presents a quirky take on the twists and turns of the election campaign
	20150502	It's the home straight, the final countdown - and as they enter the last week of campaigning the party leaders are exhausted, but they still have to keep moving. On Campaign Sidebar Hugo Rifkind looks at the tripwires and hazards of the final days before the election, from red eyes to the Royal Baby, from literal stumbles to metaphorical ones, with ex MP Chris Mullin, and former Tory press supremo Amanda Platell. Plus, when Ireland held the balance. The truly spooky parallels between the 21st century SNP and the Irish MPs of the Victorian and Edwardian era, when they were the pivotal force in the House of Commons. And when Russell met Ed - a comedian dissects the meeting of minds and mockney accents, when the Labour Leader met the anti-politics guru. A quirky, irreverent take on the twists and turns of the election, with Hugo Rifkind. Hugo Rifkind presents a quirky take on the twists and turns of the election campaign
03	20150425	The fog of politics, the meaning of Austerity, and the secret language of politicians. Plus how do those apps which advise people which party is closest to their views work? And how to spend a last minute donation of a million pounds in a way which actually attracts votes.... a quirky, irreverent take on the twists and turns of the election campaign, presented by Hugo Rifkind. And a selection of some voting advice sites: http://www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com/ http://bitetheballot.co.uk/verto/ http://www.votematch.org/ https://voteforpolicies.org.uk/ https://uk.isidewith.com/political-quiz http://www.whogetsmyvoteuk.com/ http://www.positiondial.com/welcome http://www.whoshallivotefor.com/. A quirky, irreverent take on the twists and turns of the election, with Hugo Rifkind. Hugo Rifkind presents a quirky take on the twists and turns of the election campaign