Strong Message Here

This week, Armando is joined again by Stewart Lee to look at how political actors use language.
Wes Streeting says there is a 'deep disillusionment in this country', and says there is a “growing sense of despair about whether anyone is capable of turning this country round". Why is that? And does politicians speaking in that way confound our misery? We look at Sarah Pochin's comments about black and asian people in adverts, and the responses across parliament to that. We also look at how much news is just speculation, and how politicians use speculation to further their arguments.
We also look at how we get our news - is it exhausting to have to keep fact checking things ourselves? Is it preferable to the alternative?
Armando shares his confusion at Immersive experiences, and Stewart invents a new word, and we hear about Starmer's charm offensive.
Got a strong message for Armando? Email us on [email protected]
Listen to Strong Message Here at 0945 on Radio 4, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds.
CORRECTION: It is stated in this episode that James Price is a member of the Concerned Alumni of the Oxford Union. In fact, while he is a past President of the Oxford Union, he is not a member of that group.
Sound editing: Chris Maclean
Production Coodinator: Jodie Charman
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Recorded at The Sound Company
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Stewart Lee joins Armando at the Millennium Hall in Laugharne.
Is AI too sycophantic? Should we worry about how military-grade AI is being sold in start-up jargon? Let's ask the best AI there is, Armando Iannucci.
In another episode in front of an audience, Armando and Stewart treat us to a dramatic reading of a Chat GPT interaction. We also hear whether the Metaverse is an unwelcome template for AI companies, and why Stewart admires the boffins who make sex robots.
Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected]
Sound editing: Chris Maclean
Recorded by Searle Whittney and Dyfan Rose
Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Recorded at the Millennium Hall in Laugharne
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Armando is joined by Stewart Lee at the Millennium Hall in Laugharne.
Taking the audience's most loathed political soundbites, we discuss 'existential threats', 'let me be clear', and 'we're working very hard'.
We also hear about Armando's train driver getting caught in an infinity loop, treating Nicky Wire with the greatest of respect, and whether feeling in your bones or gut indicates your political persuasion.
Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected]
Sound editing: Chris Maclean
Recorded by Searle Whittney and Dyfan Rose
Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Recorded at the Millennium Hall in Laugharne
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Marina Hyde returns to join Armando for a positive look at some positive language.
Pete Hegseth tells us not to worry about the Strait of Hormuz, Trump tells us the 'war' is 'already won' - is this inspired by The Power of Positive Thinking? Or by Noel Edmonds?
Elsewhere we discuss guessing shoe sizes, tie-dye thinking, and whether we have the stomach for a culture war about badgers on bank notes.
Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected]
Sound editing: Chris Maclean
Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Recorded at The Sound Company
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Armando is joined by Ria Lina and host of Pod Save the UK, Coco Khan, to look at the political language around anxiety.
How do we engage with difficult headlines? Can we switch off an just read about the rugby? Is AI starting to feel as anxious as us? and are we more sympathetic because of the personal language it uses?
We also discuss the origins of international women's day, the death of the public intellectual, and a workplace acronym to watch out for.
Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at [email protected]
Sound editing: Chris Maclean
Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Recorded at The Sound Company
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.