Presidents, Prime Ministers, Monarchs & Dictators
Episodes
229. Sir Keir Starmer – Labour (2024-)
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator for The Times about the life and career of the UK’s current prime minister.
228. Napoleon III – France (1852-70)
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Sir Robert Buckland about the French Emperor who failed to live up to the reputation of his namesake predecessor.
227. Liz Truss – 2022-22
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Liz Truss’s biographer, James Heale, about Britain’s 56th and shortest serving prime minister.
226. Simon Harris – Ireland (2024-25)
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In order to complete the Irish Taoiseach podcast series, Iain Dale talks to Irish Times Political Editor Pat Leahy about the 16th Irish Tao...
225. Bashar Al-Assad – Syria (2000-24)
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to former Conservative MP Brooks Newmark about the rule of the Syrian dictator who eventually fled to exile in Moscow. Brooks met Assa...
224. Josef Stalin - Soviet Union (1924-53)
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Daie talks to Lewis Goodall about the life and brutal rule of the man who ruled the Soviet Union for close on three decades. Buy a signed co...
223. Hendrik Verwoerd - South Africa (1958-1966)
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Simon marks about the Father of apartheid in South Africa.
222. Napoleon Bonaparte – France (1799-1814, 1815)
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to political historian Alex Puffette about the French Emperor who is one of the most famous dictators in world history.Buy a signed co...
221. Isaias Afwerki – Eritrea (1991-)
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Justin King about the Eritrean dictator Isaias Afwerki, who is now 79, but has clung to power for more than 30 years.
220. Saddam Hussein – Iraq (1979-2003)
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Nadhim Zahawi about the brutal rule of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Nadhim spent the first 11 years of his life living under Saddam befo...
219. Genghis Khan – Mongolia (1206-1227)
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Dominic Selwood about the Khan of the Mongol EmpireThe Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in hard...
218. Lee Quan Yew – Singapore (1959-90)
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Jack Brown about Singapore’s first prime minister.The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published in har...
217. Mohammed bin Salman – Saudi Arabia (2017-)
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to documentary maker and author Jonathan Rugman about the Saudi ruler.The Dictators, edited by Iain Dale is published i...
216. Enver Hoxha – Albania (1941-85)
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Julia Langdon about the rise and rule of a man who ruled Albania for more than four decades.The Dictators, edited by Iain ...
215. Benito Mussolini – Italy (1922-43)
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Vanda Wilcox about the life and rule of the man who tried to properly unite Italy but ended up ruining it by his alliance...
214. Walter Ulbricht – East Germany (1950-71)
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Dr Robert Waller about the first leader of the German Democratic Republic, East Germany, whose iron rule lasted for 21 ye...
213. Alexander the Great – Macedonia (346BC-323BC)
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Matthew Binkowski about the man who conquered an empire stretching from Europe into South Asia.The Dictators, edited...
212. Hugo Chavez – Venezuela (1999-2013)
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to former Guardian Latin American correspondent Rory Carroll about the Venezuelan dictator who brought his country to its knees.The Di...
211. Mao Zedong – China (1943-76)
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to china expert Jonathan Clements about the dictator that saw 70 million people die during his long ruleThe Dictators, edited by Iain ...
210. Joseph-Désiré Mobutu – Congo (later Zaire) (1971-97)
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to political journalist Harry Lambert about the life and rule of one of Africa’s most brutal dictators.
209. Augusto Pinochet – Chile (1973-90)
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to former US diplomat and law professor Colleen Graffy about the life of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinchochet.
208. Alfredo Stroessner – Paraquay (1954-89)
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to political journalist Adam Boulton about the life and career of Paraquayan dictator, Alfredo Stroessner.
207. János Kádár – Hungary (1955-88)
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to János Kádár’s biographer Roger Gough about the life of the Hungarian dictator.
206. Tito – Yugoslavia (1945-80)
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to journalist and historian Connor Hand about the extraordinary life of rule of Yugoslavua’s post war ruler, Tito, who started out i...
205. Wu Zetian – China (690-705)
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian C J Corn about the only female in the book THE DICTATORS, who he describes as “the most powerful woman the world has ev...
204. Nicolae Ceaușescu – Romania (1965-89)
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Emma Burnell about the man who ruled Romania with an iron fist for a quarter of a century.
203. Slobodan Milošević – Yugoslavia, then Serbia (1989-97, 1997-2000)
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to US historian Alvin S, Felzenberg about the life and rule of a dictator who ended up in The Hague.
202. Adolf Hitler – Germany (1933-45)
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Britain’s pre-eminent expert on the Third Reich, Professor Richard J Evans about the life of German dictator, Adolf Hitler.
201. Hafez Al-Assad – Syria (1970-2000)
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Charles Pitt about the thirty year rule of Syrian dictator Hafez Al-Assad.Buy a signed copy of THE DICTATORS https://www.polit...
200. Vladimir Putin – Russia (2000-)
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to long time Moscow Correspondent Owen Matthews about the life and career of Vladimir Putin. Owen’s book is called ‘Overreach: The...
199. Manuel Noriega – Panama (1983-89)
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Sam Marks about the life and rule of the Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega
198. Muammar Gaddafi – Libya (1969-2011)
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to former Conservative MP Daniel Kawzcynski about the life of the notorious Libran dictator, Colonel Gaddafi Buy a signed copy of...
197. Juan Peron – Argentina (1946-55, 1973-74)
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Gareth Russell about the life of the two time Argentinian dictator, Juan Peron Buy a signed copy of the book THE DIC...
196. Julius Caesar – Rome (64-44BC)
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Mark Fox about the life of possibly the most famous man in ancient history apart from Jesus Christ!Buy a signed copy of the book TH...
195. Ferdinand Marcos – The Philippines, (1965-86)
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to American journalist Lewis M Simons about the extraordinary life of the Marcos familyBuy a signed copy of the book THE DICTATORShttp...
194. Simón Bolívar– Greater Columbia (1819-30)
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to David Walsh about the life and times of one of the few dictators to give his name to an actual country
193. Pisistratus – Athens (561 BC, 559–556 BC, 546–527 BC)
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Rene Levanchy about the life of the Athenian tyrant PisistratusSigned copies of THE DICTATORS can be ordered here https://www....
192. Xi Jinping – China, (2012-)
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Cindy Yu, the host of the Chinese Whispers podcast about the life and rule of President Xi Jinping of China. Signed copies of ...
191. Antonio de Oliveira Salazar – Portugal, (1932-68)
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Salazar’s biographer, Thomas Gallagher about the man who ruled Portugal for 36 years
190. Francisco Franco – Spain (1936-75)
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Simon Heffer about the Spanish dictator, General Franco, who, after prevailing in the Spanish civil war, ruled Spain for ...
189. Idi Amin – Uganda, 1971-79
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown about the man who ruled her homeland, Uganda, and whom she also met.
188. Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode in the Kings & Queens series, Iain talks to journalist Julia Langdon about the life and reign of Britain’s longest serving ...
187. Anne (1702-14)
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to the Royal Editor of The Times, Kate Mansey, about the life and reign of the last of the Stuart monarchs, Queen Anne.
186. William IV (1830-37)
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Professor Elaine Chalus from the University of Liverpool about the comparatively brief reign of the last of the Hannoveri...
185. Mary I (1553-58)
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Telegraph journalist Tim Stanley about the life of Queen Mary, who failed to provide an heir
184. Matilda (1141-1141)
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Gabby Storey about the life and disputed reign of the Empress Matilda.
183. Henry II (1154-89)
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to lawyer and historian Theo Barclay about the highly significant reign of the King who was determined to rid himself of a t...
182. Charles III (2022 - )
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to LBC Presenter Shelagh Fogarty about the life of the reigning monarch King Charles III
181. Henry IV (1399-1413)
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Professor Christopher Given-Wilson from the University of St Andrews about the rather turbulent reign of Henry IV.
180. Richard I (1187-1199)
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to award winning historian Dan Jones about the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Dan’s new biography of Henry V is out ...
179. William II (1087-1100)
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Emma Mason about the life of William Rufus, son of William the Conqueror.
178. George III (1760-1820)
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to top historian Andrew Roberts about the life of one of our longest serving monarchs.
177. Aethelstan (924-939)
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Michael Wood about the life and reign of one of England’s greatest and most significant monarchs, w...
176. Elizabeth I (1558-1603)
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Anna Whitelock about the life of one of our greatest and longest serving monarchs, Elizabeth I.
175. Edgar II (1066-1066)
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale reads his chapter on the ‘nearly king’ Edgar II who is never included in the list of British monarchs. But he should be. And Iain explai...
174. Edgar I (959-975)
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Justin Hill about the reign of the monarch who became known as Edgar the Peaceable.
173. Richard II (1377-99)
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Adam Lake about the life of King Richard II, who ascended the throne at the age of 10, and was forced to abdicate at the age of 32.
172. King Harold (1066-1066)
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Alexander Stafford about the King who was killed by an arrow to the eye. Or was he?
171. George IV (1820 - 1830)
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Carolyn Day about the life of George IV, known as a controversial character, in modern terms 'a bit of a lad'!
170. Edmund Ironside (1016-1016)
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Paula Lofting about the 221 day long reign of Edmund Ironside
169. Harold Harefoot (1035-40)
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Emily Fox about the brief reign of Harold Harefoot.
168. Aethelred the Unready (978-1013, 1014-16)
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I discuss the rather unsuccessful reign(s) of the king who had an unfortunate epithet added to his name with the New Statesman’s Harry Lambert.
167. Richard Cromwell (1658-59)
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Kirsteen Mackenzie about the life of the largely forgotten son of Oliver Cromwell, who succeeded his father as Lord ...
166. Louis (1216)
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Catherine Hanley about the life and disputed reign of King Louis in 1216.
165. James II (1685-1688)
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale speaks to historian & author Gareth Russell about the life of King James II who ruled from just 1685 until being deposed in the glorious...
164. James I (1603 - 1625)
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historical author Steven Veerapen, whose book 'The Wisest Fool' charts the lavish life of the King who went from James VI of Scotla...
163. King Edward I (1272-1307)
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian and biographer John Barnes about the 35 year long reign of King Edward I
162. Aelfweard (924-924)
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Matthew Stadlen about the two week reign of one of England’s first monarchs.
161. Edmund (939-940)
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to George Trefgarne about the short lived reign of one of the early Anglo Saxon monarchs
160. Henry V (1413-1422)
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Lauren Mackay about the life and reign of the King who defeated the French at Agincourt.
159. Sweyn Forkbeard (1013-1013)
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Justin Hill about the life and five week reign of the gloriously named Sweyn Forkbeard.
158. Edward VI (1547-53)
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Elizabeth Norton about the life and reign of King Edward VI, a king who few know anything about.
157. Edward the Elder (899-924)
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Gareth Streeter about the important reign of Edward the Elder.
156. Edward VII (1901-10)
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to the Telegraph’s Assistant Editor Camilla Tominey about the life and relatively brief reign of Queen Victoria’s son, Bertie, who...
155. George VI (1936-52)
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to royal biographer and historian, Jane Ridley, about the man who saved the monarchy following the abdication crisis.
154. Lady Jane Grey (1553)
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Nicola Tallis about the 9 day long reign of Lady Jane Grey.
153. Eadred (946-55)
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Annie Whitehead about the Anglo Saxon monarch, King Eadred, who ruled for 9 years in the mid tenth century.
152. Henry III (1216-72)
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale discusses the long reign of King Henry III with the historian Sharon Bennett Connolly.
151. Edward III (1327-77)
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Mark Fox about the life and reign of one of England’s most long serving monarchs, King Edward III.
150. George II (1727-60)
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to former cabinet minister Sir Robert Buckland about the life and reign of King George II.
149. King Charles I (1625-49)
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Leanda de Lisle about the life and reign of one of Britain’s most famous kings, Charles, not least because of the civil war and t...
148. King Stephen (1135-54)
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to political historian Robert Waller about the life and reign of King Stephen
147. Harthacnut (1040-42)
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale and David Walsh discuss the life and brief reign of Harthacnut, who ruled for only two years in the middle of the eleventh century
146. Canute (1016-1035)
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to journalist and broadcaster Sue Cameron about the life and reign of the King who tried to hold back the tide. Or did he? Listen and ...
145. Charles II (1660-85)
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Charlotte White about the restoration of the monarchy after the resignation of Richard Cromwell, and the reign of King Ch...
144. Edward II (1307-1327)
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale discusses the controversial reign of King Edward II with political historian Nigel Fletcher and they try to work out if some of the stories ...
143. Henry VII (1457-1509)
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Tudor historian Nathen Amin about a monarch who is largely forgotten but undeservedly so. Henry VII’s memory is eclipsed by his s...
142. George I (1714-27)
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Newsagents podcast presenter Lewis Goodall about the life and reign of the first Hanoverian king, George I.
141. John (1199-1216)
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shadow cabinet minister and political biographer Nick Thomas-Symonds talks to Iain Dale about the life and failures of the reign of King John
140. Alfred the Great (871-899)
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Conservative MP and historian Alex Burghart MP about the reign of the man who many claim to be the first King of England, Alfred th...
139. Edward V (1483)
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale discusses the life and very brief reign of King Edward V with historian and former MP, Chis Skidmore.
138. William the Conqueror (1066-1087)
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to military historian Peter Caddick-Adams about the Norman invasion of 1066 and the reign of the first Norman king, William I
137. Oliver Cromwell (1653-58)
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Miranda Malins about the life of Oliver Cromwell who became Lord Protector of England during the Protectorate.
136. Henry VI (1421-1471)
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale speaks to historian Josh Provan about the 50 year reign of King Henry VI
135. Henry VIII (1509-47)
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Tudor expert Dr David David Starkey about the life and reign of one of Britain’s greatest, and most notorious monarchs, Henry VII...
134. Eadwig (955-959)
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to The ‘I’ Newspaper’s Hugo Gye about the life and brief reign of King Eadwig, who is best known for allegedly having a threesom...
133. Edward IV (1461-70, 1470-83)
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to historian Charlotte Gauthier about the life and two reigns of King Edward IV.
132. Victoria (1837-1901)
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to co-presenter of the History Hack podcast Alex Churchill about the life and reign of Queen Victoria
131. William III & Mary II (1689 - 1702)
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Conservative MP Bim Afolami about the reign of William of Orange and Queen Mary.
130. Edward the Martyr (975-978)
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Dale talks to Charles Pitt about the short reign of King Edward the Martyr.