The Party Line (radio)

Infobox Radio Show
show_name = The Party Line


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format = Sitcom
runtime = 30 min
country = United Kingdom
language = English
home_station = BBC Radio 4
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starring = James Fleet
creator =
writer = Steve Punt
Hugh Dennis
producer = Adam Bromley
executive_producer =
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first_aired = 2005
last_aired = 2008
num_series = 3
num_episodes = 18
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podcast =

"The Party Line" is a British radio sitcom. It is co-written by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis, produced by Adam Bromley. The second series is currently broadcast on BBC Radio 4. The show stars James Fleet as Duncan Stonebridge, a Member of Parliament for the imaginary constituency of Rothershurst, which appears to be in the north of England. The British parties are not often mentioned by name in the show, but it can be assumed that Stonebridge is a Labour MP and that Rotherhurst is a marginal constituency, one which was traditionally Tory but turned Labour under Tony Blair. In line with the national trend, the elections of 2005 saw Stonebridge's majority reduced to 25. Stonebridge is a Londoner and, according to his constituency agent Roger (Geoffrey McGivern) was "parachuted in by RAF Millbank".

The show follows the everyday life of the MP. Each episode begins and concludes with Stonebridge traveling on the train from London, and a short, witty dialogue between Stonebridge and a railway attendant . Most episodes then revolve around Stonebridge's attempt to gain publicity in his constituency, ultimately being thwarted by an unlikely twist of fate or bad luck. Stonebridge finds it difficult to fill the shoes of his Conservative predecessor, Sir Digby, whose name still looms large in the shape of his widow, Lady Harriet (Geraldine McNulty). In the most recent series, Harriet becomes Duncan's constituency secretary. He also struggles to keep one step ahead of Angela, his image-conscious and media savvy Conservative rival. It is an ongoing joke that he is secretly attracted to Angela.

It is notable that the show is written and produced only 24 hours before it is broadcast, so it contains witty references to the current political events of the day.

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/thepartyline/ BBC programming]
* [http://epguides.com/PartyLine/ epguides.com]