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Episode details

Radio 4,30 Oct 2026,28 mins

The Politics of Trick-or-Treat (Halloween Special)

The Matt Forde Focus Group

Available for 33 days

Give us what we want, or else! It’s how small children approach Halloween, and increasingly how everyone else approaches politics - with menace, ultimatums and threats. Comedian Matt Forde convenes a special Halloween Focus Group in front of a live theatre audience and asks if politics is now just one long game of Trick-or-Treat. Joining him to make idle threats and scare the locals are The Spectator’s Isabel Hardman, Malawian-born stand-up Daliso Chaponda and MP Jess Phillips. Together they work out who’s knocking, what they’re after, and whether it’s ever wise to hide behind the sofa and pretend you’re not in. Written and performed by Matt Forde Additional writing from Karl Minns, Katie Storey and Richard Garvin Producer: Richard Garvin Co Producer: Daisy Knight Broadcast Assistant: Eunice Oshiguwa Sound Design and Editing: David Thomas An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4

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