Iain Dale All Talk

Iain Dale interviews author Paul Bessel about his new book FINDING DAD, a memoir-investigation into the life of Paul’s father, Peter Bessel: a Liberal MP (1964-1970), close friend of Jeremy Thorpe, later a key prosecution witness in the 1979 Thorpe conspiracy-to-murder trial. Bessel explains why he delayed writing for decades, what triggered the book, and how fearful he was of uncovering painful truths in his parents’ archives. The conversation traces Peter Bessel’s rise as a respected Cornish MP, his later financial collapse, a dramatic disappearance in 1974 that left his family suddenly impoverished, and the complicated, sometimes clandestine life he led (including secret “work” Bessel suspects may have involved US national security).

Ian Dale interviews Carl Cashman, Lib Dem leader on Liverpool City Council, about his reputation as the 'UK's hottest politician', his upbringing in Prescot, being raised largely by his grandparents, later meeting his biological father at 22, and how class, accent, and confidence shaped him.

Iain Dale interviews Labour MP Naz Shah about being arrested with her mother for murder, how her background informs her work as an MP, what her faith means to her and more. Naz's new book is HONOURED: SURVIVAL, STRENGTH AND MY PATH TO POLITICS.

Iain Dale interviews former Conservative chancellor Sir Sajid Javid about his upbringing, his parents' arrival in the UK, his father's work on the buses, forgiving him later in life for hitting Sajid as a child, Sajid's relationship with his brother and heroic mother and more. Sir Sajid's new book is THE COLOUR OF HOME.

Iain Dale interviews Major-General Alastair Bruce about what makes a good Royal correspondent, his time in the military - and being the governor of Edinburgh Castle!