Hello and welcome to the Political Party podcast. This one features Ken Clark, one of the most dominant and prominent political figures of my life.

A man who's been an MP for 49 years is the father of the house, one of the longest serving cabinet ministers in history, Chancellor Health Secretary, Home Secretary, amongst so many others.

And now finds himself, I mean, he's a man who's permanently having renaissance, but he finds himself at the moment in a position where, once again,

people are talking about him potentially becoming Prime Minister. We get his view on that. It's probably what you would guess from someone with the sense of humor that he possesses.

But also, I spoke to him on the day, so it's the day after the Supreme Court ruling against Boris Johnson and the evening that Boris Johnson had just addressed the House of Commons to respond to it, a highly controversial session of Parliament.

So you are talking to someone who's been at the centre of things for so long at the moment that it's all happening, as well as obviously wanting to get his view of a broader view of history,

his experience serving in the Thatcher and Major government, particularly a bit of his experience with the Cameron government.

And of course, as two fans of Nottingham Forest, a brief chat about Brian Kluff, but I'm slightly indulge for myself there.

But he is, he is exactly as you would expect him to be, really funny, so wise, and just handles it all with such good nature that it was reassuring speaking to him.

I mean, also deeply worried because he's very honest about the problems he thinks we face, but he has a natural optimism and cheeriness that you think,

well, if he's still smiling, maybe we'll all be okay, but I don't want to ruin any of it. It was, oh man, I, obviously, I love every guest who comes on,

but there are certain guests, it was the same with Michael Hetzelstein, where, and it's not just that they've maybe been around a bit longer,

but the ones that have really been at the top end for so long, and maybe it's just about when you're growing up,

but obviously as a child, Ken Kluff's from the first politicians I remember, and he was always in a senior position.

He was, you know, stood for the conservative leadership three times, and that was when they were in opposition, when he was in government,

he was one of the most powerful people in the country, and even though I was never a conservative, I always liked him now,

maybe that's because he was a Nottingham MP, maybe that's because he's a forest fat.

I think it's more of that. It's just a really likable bloke, and it's really interesting to hear what his politics are and where they come from.

Anyway, anyway, I'm just waffling on. Don't forget you can email the show, political party podcast at gmail.com,

and also, yes, I'm doing two London shows of Brexit pursued by a bear, one of the sixth of October at the wonderful Southbank Centre,

and one of the 12th of October at the wonderful Kings Place, and you can find ticket links to both of those in the show notes.

And also, the Christmas party special is now on sale. It's on the 18th of December at the Bloomsbury Theatre this year,

...