Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: 15 Minute Musical - s05eSP - Christmas Special - A Christmas Gordon
Date: November 28, 2025
Main Theme:
A sharply satirical, musical retelling of Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," set in the world of British politics. The episode features "Ebenezer Brown"—a thinly-veiled Gordon Brown—being visited by the ghosts of Prime Ministers past, present, and future, as twisted through the realities of late 2000s UK government and the 2008 recession. The show blends holiday cheer with biting political commentary and musical parodies, skewering politicians' foibles, economic woes, and the endless showmanship of public life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: A Political Christmas Carol

• [00:39] Opens with carolers at "Ebenezer Brown’s" door (Gordon Brown, as Scrooge).

  • David Cameron as the young caroler/beggar, poking fun at privilege and economic disaster.

• Economic Satire:

  • Brown’s lectures about bad mortgages and recession:
    • “You should have thought of that before borrowing such a high loan to value percentage mortgage in a clearly overinflated market whilst continuing to overspend on high interest credit which has now inevitably led to a worldwide recession which is of course all America's fault.” [01:25]

• Musical Number: Various choruses riff on bleak British Christmases under economic strain—references to repossession, depreciating cars, and a “tasty Christmas feast of bread and water.”

  • Notable line: “If it ain’t hurting, it ain’t working and you aren’t sorry.” [03:08]

The Ghosts Visit Ebenezer Brown

Ghost of Prime Minister’s Past

• [03:45] Manifestation as a “magi” (wise man)—lampooning both political ghosts and Christmas tradition.

  • Offers dubious “gifts” of advice: “Never do a U-turn. Always act strong. Never change your mind even when you’re wrong... Oh, then when no one’s looking, sign up to the euro.” [04:31]
  • Satire of iron-willed leadership and policy flip-flopping.

• Musical Mockery:

  • Brown dreams of “a new front bench...If I could replace Darling with Dame Judi Dench I could have a merry Christmas.” [04:46]
  • “There is no Santa Claus.” [05:30]—cold truth for political wish lists.

Ghost of Prime Minister’s Presence (Tony Blair)

• [05:54] Blair appears with a “gift”—empty but attractively wrapped, symbolizing political promises.

  • “But there’s nothing inside. You said it was a gift. I trusted you. You lied.” [06:55]
  • Advice for success: “If you want to stay and leave, the three main talents that you need are presentation, presentation, and...presentation.” [07:01–07:20]

• War and Spin:

  • “If you want their affection, maybe start up a war…” [08:00]
  • “It ain't what you do, it’s the way that you say it...” [07:27]

Ghost of Prime Minister’s Future (David Cameron)

• [08:47] David Cameron as the overconfident future PM (“Santa Dave”), forecasting Tory victory via musical parody.

  • “Santa Dave is coming to town...” [09:04]
  • Promises of “public private, tax free share owned pension scheme. Four by fours for everyone...” [10:14]

• Class satire:

  • “You can’t be in my gang unless you went to Eton.” [10:18]

• Gordon’s Realization:

  • “Hang on, that’s in the future. It hasn’t happened yet. I can stop it all. All I’ve got to do is change.” [11:04]

Atonement and Anti-Climax

• Ebenezer Brown’s feeble redemption:

  • Attempts to offer a “generous Christmas gift” to children—a 10 pence piece, which he’d previously taken from them. [12:06]
  • Children instantly recognize the empty gesture:
    • “Yeah, but that’s just the 10p you took off us earlier on.” [12:41]

• Musical Parody Wrap-Up:

  • “Frumpy the Brown man was the worst PM on earth… They got taxes to the bankers over 10 times what they’re worth. … You can take that 10 pence, please, Gordon, and stick it up your Merry…” [12:53]

Notable Quotes & Moments

Humor and Satire

• “Which multinational banking conglomerate did you used to be chief executive of, eh?” — Gordon Brown [01:09]
• “If it ain’t hurting, it ain’t working and you aren’t sorry.” — Gordon Brown [03:08]
• “There is no Santa Claus.” — Ghost of Prime Minister’s Past [05:30]
• “It ain't what you do, it’s the way that you say it...” — Chorus/Ensemble [07:27]
• “You can’t be in my gang unless you went to Eton.” — David Cameron [10:18]

Political Commentary

• “Just like you, Ebenezer, and the geezer before. Better face facts. Looks like you’re beaten.” — David Cameron [10:23]
• “Because I’m an ecosar aura.” — David Cameron, mocking greenwashing [10:33]

Structure and Flow

Act 1 (00:39–05:40):

• Introduction of Gordon Brown as Ebenezer Scrooge; carolers rebuffed.
• Musical lampooning of Britain’s economic woes and government austerity.

Act 2 (05:40–11:04):

• Visits from ghosts (Past: hints at policy mistakes; Present: focuses on political presentation; Future: Tory rule and performative populism).
• Parodies of leadership styles—“strong,” “iron will,” and pure “presentation.”

Act 3 (11:04–13:40):

• Gordon’s shallow attempt at redemption with an underwhelming “gift.”
• Musical send-off lambasting Brown’s legacy and failed generosity.
• Final line: “Christmas, one and all.” [13:30]

Overall Tone

The episode is a brisk, irreverent, and musically rich send-up of both political leadership and Christmas morality tales, suffused with dry British humor, sing-song insults, and sharp class commentary. Despite the farcical approach, the underlying critique of political spin, economic disillusionment, and public cynicism is pointed and timely.

Cast Credits:
Dave Lamb, Mel Hudson, Richie Webb. Written by Dave Cohen, David Quantick, and Richie Webb. Music by Richie Webb; produced by Katie Tyrrell. [13:40]