Politics Unpacked

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, as Sir Keir Starmer compares Rishi Sunak to a bottom of the league football manager and Sunak accuses Starmer of flip-flopping.Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton on whether union boss Mick Lynch is the Grinch, how to escape 'goblin mode', holidaying in Qatar and our addiction to fast fashion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has withdrawn the whip from Jeremy Corbyn, but has to decide whether he can stand for Labour at the next election. If he doesn't, could he end up running as an independent?Matt and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire talk to Corbyn's former spokesman James Schneider and Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, and look at exclusive polling suggesting the Conservatives should stop going on about him.Plus columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch talk about whether we need to hear from ministers every day, reports that Rishi Sunak is registered with a private GP and Meghan Markle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TV legend Lorraine Kelly tells Matt Chorley what she would do if she ruled the world, including appointing Captain Kirk as Prime Minister and locking up litter bugs. She also discusses why politicians underestimate "fluffy" daytime shows, and says she'll never follow Matt Hancock into the 'I'm a Celebrity' jungle.And after the Chancellor announces a review into an exodus from the workforce, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride and his Labour Shadow Jonathan Ashworth talk about how to get millions of people back into work.Plus columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on corruption at the World Cup, whether we need more male teachers, and was anything achieved at the climate conference in Egypt? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lobby is the group of journalists who have special access at Westminster and cover the daily twists and turns of British politics.Have they become hooked on political drama and bringing down ministers at the expense of covering issues of substance?Matt is joined by writer Andrew Gimson, former political editor of the Times Philip Webster, political reporter for the Sun Noa Hoffman and Sir Craig Oliver, former director of communications for David Cameron.Plus columnists James Forsyth and Melanie Reid discuss whether Conservative MPs will swallow Jeremy Hunt's tax rises, Labour's response to the Autumn Statement and when is the right time to put up your Christmas decorations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode for Red Box subscribers to mark the start of the new series of Past Imperfect, Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson talk to Sir Keir Starmer about his childhood and the experiences that helped shape him.The Labour leader talks candidly about growing up in a crowded home, where money was tight and the phone was cut off. He shares bittersweet memories of his early years overshadowed by his mother’s degenerative illness and frequent stays in hospital high dependency units. He went on to become director of public prosecutions, and could be the next prime minister of the UK.The Past Imperfect series sees hosts Rachel and Alice talk to outstanding people about how moments in their early lives informed their identities, their careers and their drive to succeed.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has set out his planned tax rises and spending cuts in the Autumn Statement. Matt Chorley unpacks the key announcements and discusses the winners and losers with Times Radio's Lucy Fisher and Dominic O'Connell.Also on the podcast, a special edition of Think Tank Thursday with policy experts Polly Mackenzie and Rachel Wolf explaining what happens when budgets go bad.Plus columnists India Knight and James Marriott talk about Matt going running with Jeremy Hunt and why James is a solitary genius. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Rishi Sunak is away, the deputies are out to play. Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, with Labour's Angela Rayner asking Dominic Raab about the state of the economy and allegations of bullying.Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton ask whether Trump can make a comeback, why the trains are terrible, and where have all the eggs gone? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former head of the Foreign Office Simon McDonald tells Matt civil servants were scared to go into Dominic Raab's office.As well as claims about the minister's behaviour, he also discusses his long diplomatic career working with six foreign secretaries and five prime ministers, answers the charge that the civil service opposed Brexit, and talks about his part in the downfall of Boris Johnson.Plus columnists Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss how ministers should treat officials, and the failure of Trump-supporting candidates to win in the US midterm elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As many Ukrainian refugees come to the end of their initial six-month stay in the UK, Matt looks at what lies in store for those who came here fleeing from war.He speaks to Ukrainians Svetlana and Olga, hosts Caroline and Sarah, and the former minister for refugees Lord Harrington.Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss a new deal with France to stop small boats crossing the channel, stealth taxes and whether children should sing in school.Plus the nation's best-loved fox, Basil Brush, explains what he would do if he ruled world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dick Taverne entered parliament in 1962, and rubbed shoulders with some of the political giants of the 20th century. He was a minister in Harold Wilson’s government, and worked with Roy Jenkins to legalise homosexuality and introduce decimalisation. He even campaigned for remain on a bus with Liz Truss.Plus columnists Melanie Reid and James Forsyth on Kwasi Kwarteng's non-apology over the mini-budget, the end of the age of secrecy in Westminster and the return of Big Ben's bongs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He was the 'Sultan of Swing' - the inventor of the swingometer and the father of modern election science.Matt reflects on the career of psephologist Sir David Butler with his biographer and friend Michael Crick, professor Jane Green and election night legends Jeremy Vine, Peter Snow and David Dimbleby.Plus columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether nurses should ever go on strike, why older people are the new radicals, and whether prime ministers should take an oath of office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action in the Commons, analysing the key exchanges as Sir Keir Starmer questions Rishi Sunak about the allegations of bullying against Gavin WilliamsonPLUS: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether they would take a peerage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock, who says ID cards should be "on the table" to help control our borders. Plus columnists Danny Finkelstein and Jane Merrick on Boris Johnson's peerages, claims of bullying by Gavin Williamson, and have plans for a new royal yacht finally been sunk? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt talks to Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross about facing Nicola Sturgeon in Holyrood, and accusations that he is guilty of "flip-flopping".Plus, Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on the UK as an immigrant melting pot, and whether Jeremy Hunt was right to spend £110 on a haircut. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Johnson from J.L. Partners joins Matt Chorley to discuss what a focus group of undecided voters in key electoral seats think of new prime minister Rishi Sunak.PLUS: James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on the government's ambitions, Trump and the joys of reading a newspaper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt is joined by Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer to react to a big rise in interest rates, before speaking to the 'Forrest Gump' of The Times - Michael Binyon reflects on 50 years as a foreign and diplomatic correspondent with a ringside seat at some of history's most significant moments.Plus James Marriott and Manveen Rana discuss the return of immigration to the centre of the national conversation, and ask whether social media echo chambers might not be so bad after all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire pause the action in the Commons, analysing the key exchanges as Sir Keir Starmer questions Rishi Sunak about the state of the immigration and asylum system. PLUS: Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton on Matt Hancock entering the 'I'm a Celebrity' jungle, the price of tea and tinned fish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Harry Cole and James Heale to discuss their new book about the former prime minister, Out Of The Blue.PLUS breaking news about Matt Hancock going into the jungle.And David Aaronovitch and Trevor Phillips on the migrant crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt look for spending cuts to help balance the books, Matt Chorley talks to key figures from the first round of austerity including former health secretary Lord Lansley and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. How do they think the government and Labour should approach it a second time around?Plus columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the migrant crisis, Suella Braverman's survival and hating Halloween. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Rishi Sunak becoming prime minister at 42, Patrick Maguire asks: Are MPs really getting younger? And does age matter in politics? He's joined by broadcaster Joan Bakewell, former Lib Dem leader Vince Cable, politics professor Tim Bale and Alexander Curtis, who was one of the youngest mayors in British history.Plus columnists Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss 'Rishinomics', a possible deal with France over channel migrants, and whether Twitter has been good or bad for our national conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire sitting in for Matt Chorley looks at Labour's strategy for tackling the new prime minister, and asks whether Rishi Sunak puts the Conservatives back in contention at the next general election.Plus columnists India Knight and James Marriott on the politics of the World Cup in Qatar and why the noughties was a boring decade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire sits in for Matt Chorley and is joined by Tim Shipman, The Sunday Times' Chief Political Commentator, to unpack Rishi Sunak's first PMQs. PLUS Robert Crampton and Dorothy Byrne discuss the art of lying, the national curriculum, and the new prime minister's fashion sense. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire gets the low-down on Rishi Sunak and the team he is bringing to Downing Street, and James Johnson from the Times Radio focus group explains how the public's opinion of the new Prime Minister has changed over time.PLUS: David Aaronovitch and Isabel Hardman discuss Liz Truss' farewell speech and what to expect from Sunak's first week in charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire asks whether the new Prime Minister can rescue the Tory party from electoral defeat and what can actually be achieved by a government just two years from a general election. PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on Boris' exit from the race and how the Labour party approach the new regime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Friday Night Live returns to our screens for a one off 40th anniversary special, Matt Chorley has a chat with compere Ben Elton about champagne socialism, Tory Prime Ministers, and why he's not on social media.PLUS Melanie Reid and James Forsyth on what follows Liz Truss' resignation.AND What we learned during the 45 days of Truss' premiership Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a dramatic day at Westminster, Matt Chorley and Times Radio's Lucy Fisher tell the inside story of the events that led up to the resignation of Liz Truss.He speaks to three Conservative MPs who wanted her out of Number 10, and columnists Iain Martin and Helen Lewis discuss the end game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Red Box Editor for The Times Patrick Maguire unpack the brutal exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, as Liz Truss struggles to save her leadership and claims she's a 'fighter not a quitter'.Conservative MP Steve Double tells Matt that it's time for Liz Truss to consider her position after dropping most of her campaign promises. Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether environmental protesters are 'tofu-eating wokerati', and why things go wrong in France too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley unlocks the secrets of the operation to monitor MPs' views, speaking to Siimon Burton, former whip special adviser under Theresa May and Boris Johnson and Nikki Da Costa, former No10 director of legislative affairs at Number, plus The Times' Lara Spirit on the latest in Westminster and data journalist Matilda Davies on how to excel at Excel. PLUS Finkelvitch (Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch) on what Tory MPs should do now.And Matt reports from parliament, grabbing chats with Conservative MP Charles Walker and party chairman Jake Berry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley presents live coverage and analysis of the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's statement, in which he put Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng's policies into the shredder one-by-one.PLUS: Matthew Parris and Libby Purves give their verdict on the Prime Minister. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the day Liz Truss performs another budget u-turn and sacks Kwasi Kwarteng, Times' Political Editor Steven Swinford speaks to Matt Chorley with news from Westminster.PLUS Andrew Neil on what it all means for the government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost everyone seems to agree we're not building enough house, so today Matt looks at how a house is built, from planning through to getting what politicians like to call shovels in the ground. He speaks to a builder, a planner and Martin Roberts from Homes Under the Hammer as well as a Conservative MP who criticises the government's planning reforms, Theresa Villiers. Plus Patrick Kidd and James Marriott discuss the last ten days of Liz Truss and mediocre politicians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Times Radio's Lucy Fisher and Patrick Maguire from The Times Red Box live on stage at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, pausing the action to analyse the exchanges between Liz Truss and Keir Starmer at PMQs.PLUS: Alice Thomson and India Knight discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Johnson from J.L. Partners joins Matt Chorley to discuss the latest findings from the Times Radio focus group.PLUS: Finkelvitch on Sam Tarry's deselection and planning reforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How likely is a second referendum in Scotland? Nicola Sturgeon has set out a timetable, giving the nation a year to decide whether they want independence. Matt Chorley speaks to two journalists in the thick of it, the Times' Kieran Andrews and Catriona Stewart, we also hear from the SNP's Stephen Flynn on why Sturgeon detests the tories and the polling legend Professor John Curtice crunching the numbers.Plus Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss Liz Truss in the tearoom and fixing childcare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Liz Truss got into trouble for playing Moving On Up at her Tory Party Conference speech, Matt Chorley explores the relationship between politics and pop.He hears from Al Mackenzie from the band D:Ream, Dave Rowntree, who was the drummer for Blur and then became a Labour councillor in Norfolk between 2017 and 2021, Matt Charlton, Music Journalist for the NME and Rolling Stone and Lisa Verrico, Music Journalist at The Sunday Times.PLUS James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on the heavy cost of Kwarteng’s spending squeeze and young people's support for Ukraine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK politics may be bonkers, but countries around the world have also lost the plot, changing Prime Minister every few years. Matt Chorley takes a trip around the world speaking to foreign correspondents about how quickly the leader get's the chop.PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott on Latin and Liz Truss' dress Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire take a forensic look at Liz Truss's first speech as party leader to the Conservative conference in Birmingham. PLUS Two former Times Political Editors Phil Webster and Francis Elliott delve into the audio archives to look back at the debut conference speeches of past leaders, from John Major and David Cameron, to Theresa May and Boris Johnson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the interview that caused Liz Truss's major headache on day 3 of Tory Party Conference. Matt Chorley speaks to Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt who says she hopes benefits will rise in line with inflation, a commitment the Prime Minister has not made.AND earlier this week Mordaunt joked about the bad communications strategy over the mini-budget, so Matt also convenes a crack team of government comms experts to advise on how the government can improve.PLUS: James Forsyth and David Aaronovitch on all the chaos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Gove has been a government minister for the majority of the last decade but now he's heading back to the backbenches. He tells Matt Chorley what he thinks of the government's decision to abandon its plans to abolish the top 45p rate of tax, and even plays the quiz.PLUS: Alice Thomson and Rachel Sylvester discuss another difficult morning for the government Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Venetia Menzies, Data Journalist at the Times and Sunday Times takes Matt Chorley through baby name statistics. Find out which names are the most popular and which have fallen out of favour, and what happens when your name is the same is a frontline politician.PLUS: James Forsyth and Melanie Reid discuss where the Tories go next after that extraordinary poll for The Times put Labour 33 points ahead.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Description: Matt Chorley and The Times' Political Editor Steve Swinford reveal what Conservative MPs really think about the Chancellor's budget and the economic crisis.PLUS: Highlight's from Liz Truss' difficult series of interviews on local BBC radio stations.AND: Carol Lewis and James Marriott on property and the middle classes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire go through the Labour leader’s speech to the conference in Liverpool and whether this was his best one yet. PLUS Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton on economic meltdown and memoirs.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley sits down with the Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner. They discuss everything from Labour leadership, why Keir Starmer is a morning person and she isn't and why she wants to have slippery nipple shots with Therese Coffey.PLUS Finkelvitch, Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on Labour values and the call of office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Labour leader prepares to take the stage at the conference in Liverpool, Matt Chorley and Henry Zeffman rack through their contacts to find out how shadow ministers and aides think of him now. Former spinner for Sadiq Khan, Paddy Hennessey and former advisor for Keir Starmer, Ben Nunn also join Matt to discuss what the Labour leader needs to do now to win at the next election.PLUS Rachel Sylvester and John Stevens discuss the pound falling and the Italy elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's get Fiscal. Matt Chorley dives into the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's fiscal statement and what it all means with the Times' Political Editor Steven Swinford and experts from the Institute of Economic Affairs, Institute of Directors, Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Resolution Foundation.Melanie Reid and James Forsyth also react and discuss the fiscal event. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Therese Coffey made her first big announcement as Deputy Prime Minister in the Commons today. With archive and new interviews, Matt Chorley hears from people who have held that role in both an official and unofficial sense, including Michael Heseltine, Nick Clegg, Peter Mandelson and David Lidington to find out how it works. PLUS: James Marriott and Patrick Kidd on anxiety, imposter syndrome and pot noodles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley heads to the four corners of the UK to speak to local reporters from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland about what is making the headlines there. The quest to find the UK's most fun country continues...PLUS:Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss two wars - nuclear and class.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Times Radio's Chief Political Commentator Lucy Fisher to discuss what's coming up in a frantic week of politics as Liz Truss' cabinet set out three key policy plans in the House of Commons. We also hear from Institute for Fiscal Studies Director Paul Johnson, Miriam Deakin from NHS Providers and Abby Jitendra from Citizens Advice.David Aaronovitch and Robert Colvile discuss economic growth and beige food. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirty years ago on 16th September 1992, a collapse in the pound sterling forced Britain to withdraw from the ERM. Matt Chorley speaks to the chancellor at the time, Lord Norman Lamont, about why he still thinks it was the right decision and if he still sings in the bath. We also hear from the two political editors of the Times and the Sun, Phil Webster and Trevor Kavanagh, on what it was like covering the story.Plus Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss the Britishness of queuing and what the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner needs to do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If a lot can happen in seven days, think how much happened over the 70 years of the Queen’s reign. Matt Chorley looks at how life in Britain has changed from baby names to life expectancy, pay to power. Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire and Venetia Menzies go through the data and why some of the Queen's first state opening of parliament speech is still relevant today.India Knight and James Marriott discuss having a mid-life crisis and being glued to the TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.