Politics Unpacked

Patick Maguire is back looking after the podcast this week as Matt is away for half term. Today he looks at Keir Starmer's relationship with Joe Biden to ask whether it is wise for the leader of the opposition to put all of his eggs in a Democrat basket.Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss if Rishi Sunak should be worried about the crumbling rural wall, whether state schools are failing our brightest children, and how old is too old to run a country? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With constituents asking their MP to deal with everything from arguments about hedges to parking tickets, are politicians are struggling to focus on the other part of their job - passing better laws? Matt speaks to Charles Walker and a range of other MPs about the rising levels of casework.Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss President Biden's memory issues, Labour's climate U-turn, and Kemi Badenoch's 'star power'.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Throwback Thursdays Matt speaks to the politicians of the past to find out lessons for the present.Estelle Morris was Education Secretary under Tony Blair but resigned in 2002 because she felt she wasn't up to the job. The former teacher describes swapping the classroom for the Commons, why it was bittersweet being elected for the first time during Labour's general election defeat in 1992, and the moment she knew she had to go.Plus: Manveen Rana and Matthew Holehouse discuss Labour's u-turn on its £28 billion pledge and Rishi Sunak's defence of making a trans joke at PMQs.Columnist Panel: (03:30)Throwback Thursdays (25:05) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak attacks Keir Starmer for flip-flopping, but turns the proceedings sour with a scripted jibe about trans rights. Matt is joined by Caroline Wheeler, Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the angry exchanges from PMQs.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Hadley Freeman discuss Joe Biden's latest blunders, mindfulness in schools, and what Kemi Badenoch has in commons with Taylor Swift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New polling for Times Radio shows that voters aren't enthusiastic about either Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer. We hear from ordinary voters from across England to find out why. Matt is joined by Tom Lubbock from JL Partners to discuss the findings.Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Danny Finkelstein and Polly Mackenzie discuss the latest Tory faction; Liz Truss and the Popular Conservatives.How To Win An Election (03:30)Focus Group (10:23) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics. Former Conservative minister Steve Brine tells Matt that the threats and abuse MPs face is getting worse, what happened when Labour mocked the Tories with a bus after the 2001 election, and why he thinks Liz Truss should keep quiet. Plus: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester talk about The Times' Health Commission inquiry into the crisis facing the health and social care system, whether children should have access to social media, and a new documentary about Rishi Sunak.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can lipstick, packed lunches and pants tell us about the health of the economy? Matt is joined by The Times' Science Editor Tom Whipple to test the theories and judge whether the times we're living in are good or bad. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether the Tories latest attack ad comparing Keir Starmer to JFK is a success, whether private schools mean it when they go woke and which MPs could make it as a telly presenter.Columnist Panel: (02:50)Barmy Barometers (19:26) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A wave of upheaval is happening across Europe, with hard right or Eurosceptic parties gaining traction in countries from France, to Italy, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Matt climbs aboard Chorley Airways to find out how the political landscape is changing.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell discuss leadership lessons from Tony Blair, why being an MP is becoming increasingly dangerous, and what happens when politicians name-check members of the public.Columnist Panel (01:52)Europe's Turn To The Right (24:25) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has met a supermarket worker called Phil who is struggling with his mortgage. Rishi Sunak says Phil will pay more in taxes under Labour. But where is Phil?Matt is joined by Times Policy Editor Oliver Wright and Red Box Editor Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the exchanges at PMQs.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and James Kirkup discuss Nicola Sturgeon in front of the Covid inquiry, why the government should care about our teeth, and why wild weeing has to stop.Columnist Panel (04:32)PMQs Unpacked (24:20) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and countless others argue over what is and isn't real conservatism, we ask what the different tribes stand for, and is that the same as what voters want? Matt speaks to two former ministers from different Tory traditions, Sir John Hayes and Dominic Grieve, plus pollster Scarlett Maguire, and Reform leader Richard Tice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from their time in politics.Harriet Harman has been an MP for four decades and held key roles in the Labour Party and in government. A long-time campaigner for women, she tells Matt why she's embarrassed Labour is still yet to elect a female leader, why Starmer shouldn't make decisions in an all-male room, and why she once hid from Margaret Thatcher in a toilet.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Dominic Lawson discuss the government's plan to ban disposable vapes, whether Trump admires Putin and what Matt stands to gain from following Rishi Sunak's 36 hour-fast diet.Columnist Panel (04:13)The Exit Interviews: Harriet Harman (25:25) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In America the Democrats are attempting to reclaim the word 'Freedom' from Republicans in the debate over abortion rights. So how do you use language to seize the political narrative from your opponents? Matt speaks to US political scientist Rachel Bitecofer, Keir Starmer’s former Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Ward, and Craig Oliver, former head of communications for David Cameron.Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss the senselessness of the Nottingham attacks, why people aren't getting married anymore, and the 'groupthink' psychology of The Traitors.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is tactical voting about to go mainstream? Matt speaks to the organiser of an US-style primary who wants to give voters the chance to choose one candidate to stand against the Conservatives in their area.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss the details of the plot to oust Rishi Sunak led by his former adviser, whether it matters that rich people are getting stingier, and whether salty tea is as good as an American scientist will have you believe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After former cabinet minister Simon Clarke calls on Rishi Sunak to resign, Keir Starmer gets away with swearing about Tory in-fighting and Rishi Sunak calls him a "human weathervane".Matt pauses and unpacks the action from Prime Minister's Questions with Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit, and reads out some texts from Conservative MPs.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the backlash against Simon Clarke, Britain's disappearing public toilets, and why Robert really likes dressing up.Columnists (6:15)PMQs Unpacked (23:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From climate change to war to global poverty, the world seems like it's in a fragile state. Danish political scientist and climate contrarian Bjørn Lomborg argues things aren't as bad as they seem - he sits down with Matt to explain why. Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelsteon discuss the significance of local elections in England 100 days from now.How to Win an Election Taster (3:22) Reasons To Be Cheerful (7:56) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from their time in politics.Sir Robert Goodwill, an MP for two decades, reveals the uncomfortable conversations he's had as a party whip, which Prime Minister sacked him most graciously, and how a lasagna swung his choice in the Tory leadership contest in 2005.Plus: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss Keir Starmer's version of the "Big Society", whether the government is out of step with the public on tax and spend, and how we should remember Lenin, 100 years after his death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Census provides a snapshot of the state of the nation - should it survive? Matt visits the cupboard where Emily Wilding Davison hid in Parliament during the 1911 census, talks to a genealogist about his proud family history of criminals, and hears from someone who puts 'Jedi' down as their religion. Plus: Columnists James Marriott and Carol Lewis discuss why new build homes are so shoddy, whether actors should stop being critical of politicians, and how to give away 25 million euros. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 1944 Education Act introduced free secondary education for all pupils, but only came about thanks to a meeting with Winston Churchill leaning back in bed wearing a night cap.Matt looks at the impact of the reforms and how schools have changed since with Michael Barber, Joan Bakewell, Britain's oldest teacher and Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell react to Rishi Sunak's warning to the House of Lords not to block the Rwanda bill, and ITV's Anushka Asthana explains what it was like filming with Keir Starmer for three months. Columnist Panel (03:10)Happy Birthday, Schools! (22:10) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's PMQs Unpacked, and Matt and Tim Shipman are joined by comedian Al Murray to rate the jokes as Keir Starmer calls the government's Rwanda plan a "farce" and Rishi Sunak is told off for using props.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton compare notes on the resignation of Lee Anderson, and why does Robert think cyclists are smug? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump kicked off his bid for the White House with a record-breaking win in Iowa, making him the likely Republican nominee in November's US election. Matt asks what his return might mean for the special relationship, and how Sunak and Starmer should prepare.Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Danny Finkelstein and Polly Mackenzie discuss how to win a by-election, and whether it matters if you don't.How to Win an Election Taster (02:54)Is The UK Ready For Trump The Sequel? (06:53) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from their time in politics.Today, outspoken Conservative MP Charles Walker - who famously said of his party "I've had enough of talentless people" - joins Matt to discuss nearly two decades in politics. He looks back on the Brexit wars, why he staged protest with a carton of milk, and explains why he's leaving the Commons.Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss Keir Starmer watering down another pledge, whether being a backbencher is underrated and if Harold Macmillan should have a permanent statue.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Gladstone’s despatch box to a packet of crisps with Nick Clegg's face on it, what is your political memorabilia worth? Matt is joined by Antiques Roadshow's first host, Bruce Parker, Labour's Jess Philips, and an auctioneer with a gavel, to discuss the value of political mementos.Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether MPs should be recalled over the conflict in the Red Sea, why TV ads should stop using West Country accents, and is the UK being riddled with anxiety, doubt and negativity actually a good thing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first Times Radio Focus Group of 2024, we hear from 2019 Conservative voters who now say they've switched to Labour. Rishi Sunak is out of touch and makes them cringe, but Keir Starmer lacks the 'X factor' and reminds them of Marvin the Paranoid Android. James Johnson of J.L. Partners joins Matt to discuss the results.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss whether the latest Tory MPs to quit politics did so out of principle or to land a lucrative new job, whether they regret not writing about the post office scandal, and whether it's acceptable to email jokes to your colleagues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the first PMQs of the new year, with Rishi Sunak announcing a plan to overturn wrongful convictions in the Post Office scandal and Keir Starmer accusing him of flip-flopping over the Rwanda policy. Matt is joined by Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the exchanges from the Commons chamber. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether age matters in politics, why no one is talking about Covid being back, and why you should keep eating bread. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's nearly a year since Nicola Sturgeon resigned, and Humza Yousaf has set out his stall for the general election - with independence looking an increasingly distant prospect. Matt asks if the SNP dream is dead (for now) with polling guru Sir John Curtice and the Minister for Independence at Holyrood.Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Danny Finkelstein and Polly Mackenzie discuss Rishi Sunak's latest election strategy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from their time in politics.Chloe Smith was just 27 when she was elected at a by-election triggered at the height of the expenses scandal. She looks back on a dramatic decade in politics as one of the longest-serving ministers in government, and explains why she's leaving the Commons to do something completely different.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the political power of drama including Mr Bates vs the Post Office and Cathy Come Home, whether the government or Labour know how to cut school absences, and does online activism work? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has said 'bring it on' to TV election debates, firing the starting gun on months of arguments between parties and broadcasters. Matt goes behind the scenes with a panel of experts who have worked on debates, both behind and in front of the cameras.Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether the Labour leader is playing with fire by saying the public are "right to be anti-Westminster", whether anti-woke comedy is funny and why independent bookshops are having a resurgence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prime minister has left Westminster to meet 'real people' and give the voters a sense of the authentic Rishi Sunak. Will it be a success like John Major's soap-box, or a failure like 'Not Flash, Just Gordon'? Matt is joined by a panel of former advisers to discuss the perils of meeting the public.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed discuss Keir Starmer's election optimism, nostalgia at the World Darts Championship, and the UK’s most widespread miscarriage of justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There may be no date set for the general election, but campaigning has already begun on our social media feeds. Matt hears what kind of adverts the parties are buying, what it says about their election strategies, and how digital campaigning has changed since 2019.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether any of the parties can afford to promise tax cuts, whether Reform UK's threat to the Tories is being overhyped, and whether King Charles should take up smoking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics.Mhairi Black was elected as an SNP MP at the age of 20 and is quitting before reaching 30; she talks about the weird world of Westminster, the prospects of independence and how she feels about Nicola Sturgeon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year.Heading into an election year in 2024, which election in history will it most closely resemble? Will it be a 1997-style landslide? Could the Tories pull off a surprise win like John Major in 1992? Or could it be such a tight result we have to go back to the polls, like in 1974?Live at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in October, Matt was joined by polling guru Professor John Curtice, Times Radio's Ayesha Hazarika, Red Box Editor Lara Spirit, and Times Radio's senior political correspondent Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year.Matt spoke to Gary Lineker about exclusive polling for Times Radio showing which job the public thinks is harder - being prime minister, or being a professional footballer. He also explains why he thinks politicians should be paid more, before Emmerdale actor turned farmer Kelvin Fletcher and TV chef Clodagh McKenna make the case for their professions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year.Party political broadcasts have been around for nearly 100 years, featuring everything from men sitting woodenly behind desks to yogic flying.How are they made, do they change anyone’s vote and why are some of them so odd? Matt was joined by Tory advertising guru Maurice Saatchi, Labour filmmaker Mark Lucas, cross-party producer Nick Frost and Times TV critic Carol Midgley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year.Welcome to the grand opening of The Museum of Political Fiascos, where artefacts old and new are on display showcasing the most embarrassing moments in British politics. Matt and Patrick Maguire tour the exhibits, taking in objects like Liz Truss' jenga lectern, Boris Johnson's Brexit bus and the 'Ed Stone'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year.Very few people in Westminster have had as many lunches as The Sunday Times chief political commentator Tim Shipman.Tim sat down with Matt for three courses (and drinks) to explain how he gets the scoop over the soup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt is joined by Mariella Frostrup for a special Christmas day edition of the coffee break. They crack open a drink, exchange gifts and look back at their highlights of the year - including when they both took a DNA test which revealed Matt is more Irish than Mariella. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times.Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series.The final episode features The Times' current Political Editor Steven Swinford, who has been in the job for a turbulent three years, straddling three prime ministers and at least 42 ministerial resignations. He tells Matt about covering partygate, Tories squaring up to each other, a serene Liz Truss as her premiership exploded, and sacking the chancellor via tweet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times.Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series.In episode six, Francis Elliott, who became The Times' Political Editor in 2013 and covered an extraordinary period that saw the end of the coalition, the slow downfall of Theresa May, and how Boris Johnson tried to get first Brexit and then Covid done. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times.Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series.After covering the US for the Times in the aftermath of 9/11 - and interviewing President Bush in the White House - Roland Watson returned to the "goldfish bowl" of Westminster, becoming the paper's political editor in time for the 2010 election. In the fifth episode, he tells Matt about Gordon Brown's prickly relationship with the press, making contacts in the coalition, and how David Cameron sowed the seeds of Brexit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times.Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series.The fourth episode features, Philip Webster, political editor of the Times for 18 years and a colossus of the Blair and Brown eras who survived nine editors at the paper. He tells Matt about writing the story that killed Tony Blair's dreams of joining the Euro, getting stuck on Margaret Thatcher's battle bus, and what happened when he was locked up in Africa with Neil Kinnock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times.Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series.In the third episode, Westminster veteran Sir Peter Riddell tells Matt about his time charting the dramatic end to the Thatcher era, underestimating John Major, Labour coming back from the wilderness, and how the job of covering politics has changed over the years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times.Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series.Julian Haviland became political editor of the Times in 1981, but his career in journalism began in the 1950s and covered every prime minister from Alec Douglas-Home to Margaret Thatcher. He tells Matt about his recollections of a smug Jim Callaghan, the decent but flawed Harold Wilson, and Thatcher having a stiff drink before her weekly audience with Queen Elizabeth.He also reveals that the Queen was horrified by police conduct at the Battle of Orgreave during the miners' strike, a story he confirmed but was unable to run at the time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times.Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series.First up is Fred Emery, who became political editor in 1977 after a series of foreign postings including covering the Vietnam War and Watergate. He tells Matt about getting the scoop that President Nixon was about to resign, the fall of the Callaghan government and what it was like to interview Margaret Thatcher.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Tis the season and Matt has a new pantomime. This is the story of Keirnocchio, a wooden MP who desperately wants to become a real boy politician. When you wish upon a Starmer your dreams come true, and even if it means changing your mind, your poll lead will grow faster than your nose. Plus: Some of our favourite Times columnists join a festive focus group and debate the best Christmas song, and tell us their Christmas day traditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the 8th annual Politics Without The Boring Quiz, a test of who has been paying closest attention to the most extraordinary year in Westminster...since the last one.Politicians Nickie Aiken and Wes Streeting go up against Times Radio presenters Hugo Rifkind and Ed Vaizey and The Times journalists Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit in front of a live audience in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gardener, broadcaster and presenter of ITV’s Love Your Garden, Alan Titchmarsh, tells Matt why he dislikes fake grass, is "appalled by the very existence of cancel culture", and why he was "heartened" interviewing Keir Starmer.Plus: Some of our favourite Times columnists join a festive focus group - today they reveal what they thought of Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer's year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every month former Number 10 pollster James Johnson joins Matt for the Times Radio Focus Group. They look at why the parties find focus groups so useful, and how the views of crucial swing voters have changed as we head into an election year.Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein discuss how to write jokes for politicians and how to avoid becoming the punchline.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From inaccurate polls to soundbites, from going early to biscuits being thrown on the campaign trail - what lessons can Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer learn from electoral history? Matt is joined by Lara Spirit and Jack Kessler to delve into the archives. Plus: Some of our favourite Times columnists join a festive focus group - today they reveal their winners and losers of 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British Film Institute has compiled a collection of political broadcasts spanning more than 100 years, from polling day with the Clangers to a Conservative film warning that votes for Labour are stepping stones to a communist state. Patrick Russell from the BFI national archive joins Matt to pick out his highlights.Plus: Columnists Gaby Hinsliff and James Marriott discuss the significance of Rishi Sunak meeting right-wing leaders in Europe this weekend, whether Martin Lewis is right to call for an end to Christmas presents for teachers and what happens when politicians mix with children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt is joined by Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana to discuss claims that Rishi Sunak is a bit thin-skinned, whether a Labour councillor has been blacklisted because of his sexy satanic novels, and what happened when Matthew jumped into the Thames to rescue a dog.Plus: Matt speaks to David Halpern, Founding Director of the Behavioural Insights Team - better known as the 'Nudge Unit' - about the role of behavioural science during the Covid pandemic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.