James Marriott is an exceptional writer. His debut book 'The New Dark Ages' charts our shocking decline in reading and what the political impact of that already is.

This is a warning about the profound impact on smart phones on us as human beings and how they are directly linked to the rise of charismatic, populist leaders.

Reading less and scrolling more is ruining our politics.

It's not massively optimistic, but it is absolutely compelling.

Buy James's book 'The New Dark Ages' here:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/482835/the-new-dark-ages-by-marriott-james/9781847929518

See the Political Party Live on Stage:

9 November: Liz Kendall and Mishal Husain

21 December: Wes Streeting

https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/

GET TICKETS for Matt's brand new stand-up show Project Holy Moly at the Edinburgh Festival and touring nationwide in 2027:

www.mattforde.com

MARCH

19 FAVERSHAM The Alex

20 DORKING Halls

APRIL

7 STOURBRIDGE Town Hall

8 GLOUCESTER Guildhall

9 LEICESTER Y Theatre

12 SALFORD Lowry

16 NORTHAMPTON Royal & Derngate

21 EXETER Northcott Theatre

24 LONDON Bloomsbury Theatre

28 ALNWICK Playhouse

29 BARNARD CASTLE Witham

30 HULL Asylum

MAY

6 BIRMINGHAM The Glee Club

12 COVENTRY Warwick Arts Centre

13 WORCESTER Huntingdon Hall

14 CHORLEY Theatre

18 STAMFORD Corn Exchange

19 SHEFFIELD Steamworks

20 SHREWSBURY Theatre Severn

21 NOTTINGHAM Theatre Royal

23 LEEDS City Varieties Music Hall

26 NORWICH Playhouse

27 NORWICH Playhouse

JUNE

2 SCUNTHORPE Plowright

4 CANTERBURY Gulbenkian Theatre

5 READING Concert Hall

8 CARDIFF The Glee Club

9 BATH Komedia

10 MONMOUTH Savoy Theatre

11 CHIPPING NORTON The Theatre

15 BURY ST EDMUNDS Theatre Royal

16 MILTON KEYNES The Stables

18 TUNBRIDGE WELLS Trinity Theatre

30 LIVERPOOL Everyman Playhouse

JULY

1 CARLISLE Old Fire Station

2 GLASGOW The Glee Club

4 EDINBURGH Lyceum Theatre

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