Politics Unpacked

After exclusive polling revealed that one in six people are regularly skipping meals, Matt Chorley looks at the demands on food banks. He hears from Josie Barlow, Manager at Bradford Central Foodbank, Brenda Fogg, who founded the Hope Restored foodbank in Llandudno, and Megan Kelly, a volunteer at Skegoneill Community Foodbank in Belfast.PLUS Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss harvesting and sewage. AND a special appearance from Stig Abell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley asks how food fraud is affecting what we eat. He hears from Professor Chris Elliott from the Queen’s Institute for Global Food Security in Belfast, Ron McNaughton, head of the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit at Food Standards Scotland and Dr Terry McGrath the Chief Technical Operator of Bia Analytical, a company who test spices.PLUS Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss Starmer's plan and Civil Service groupthink. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley goes on a tour of Weston’s Farm in Horsham in West Sussex. He speaks to David Exwood, Vice President of the NFU and owner of the farm and an extra special guest.PLUS Libby Purves and Andrew Meredith on challenges farmers face and solar panels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley interviews the Tory leadership candidate and former Chancellor Rishi Sunak on the cost of living, GDP figures, the Northern Ireland Protocol and much more. He also speaks to comedian, playwright and author Harry Hill to talk Art of London and how he'd settle the question of the next Tory leader.Plus columnists Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss the day's news on Boris Johnson's legal action and Nicola Sturgeon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley discusses the future of British space travel with Joshua Western, CEO and Co-founder of Space Forge; Melissa Thorpe, Head of Space Port Cornwall; David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects at Space Hub Sutherland; and Matthew Archer, Director of Commercial Spaceflight at the UK Space Agency.PLUS: James Marriott and India Knight discuss why charming people always come a cropper in the end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley explores all four corners of the UK in Disunited Kingdom. He speaks to Ciaran Jones, Head of News at Wales Online, Caroline Wilson, Senior Reporter at The Herald, John Manley, Political Correspondent for Irish News, and Nicola Adam, Editor of the Lancashire Post and Blackpool Gazette.PLUS Alice Thomson and Trevor Kavanagh discuss the cost of living crisis and troubled teens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the former Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull on why British politics is similar to down under, Boris Johnson, the monarchy and his tribute to Olivia Newton-John.Also columnists Oliver Kamm and David Aaronovitch on not having a government, amnesty international and fine wines.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Sunday Times Chief Foreign Correspondent Christina Lamb who has travelled back to Kabul, Afghanistan to find out how the country has changed a year since the Taliban began its march into the capital.PLUS: Rachel Cunliffe and Rachel Sylvester discuss the day’s news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire celebrates 100 years since Philip Larkin's birth. He speaks to former Poet Laureate and biographer Sir Andrew Motion who worked with Larkin at the University of Hull, James Marriott, Times' Deputy Books Editor and Daljit Nagra, Chair of the Royal Society of Literature. PLUS James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on Truss's tax proposals and the hosepipe ban. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Both Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss plan to usher in the return of grammar schools, but do they actually help provide opportunities to working class families? Patrick Maguire traces the history of the debate with Margaret Thatcher's Education Secretary Lord Baker, and asks Tory MP Jonathan Gullis why he thinks now is the right time to bring them back.PLUS: James Marriott and Martha Gill on youthful optimism and friendship in politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire explores all four corners of the UK in Disunited Kingdom. He speaks to Liam Thorp Political Editor at the Liverpool Echo, Liz Perkins Senior Reporter at the South Wales Evening Post, Hannah Brown, Political Reporter at The Scotsman and Caoimhe Quinn broadcast journalist at U105 in Belfast.PLUS Robert Crampton and James Kirkup discuss politicians' fears of nannying and swimming pools. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire questions whether the levelling up agenda is dead under a new Prime Minister. He hears from Ben Houchen, the Conservative mayor of the Tees Valley, Tory MP for Rother Valley Alex Stafford and Adam Hawksbee, the head of levelling up at Onward.PLUS Hugo Rifkind and David Aaronovitch discuss Penny Mordaunt's leadership endorsement and smartphones not rotting your brain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire speaks to former Treasury Minister John Glen, Poppy Trowbridge, who was Special Adviser to the former Chancellor Philip Hammond, Jeevun Sandher a former economist at HM Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions and Stian Westlake, the CEO of the Royal Statistical Society to talk all things Treasury.PLUS Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd discuss England's jubilant victory and being an influencer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last year, to mark 300 years since Robert Walpole became Prime Minister, Matt Chorley learnt about every PM through history each week. This year, he's learning about each Leader of the Opposition with Nigel Fletcher from the Centre for Opposition Studies.Each month you'll find a collection of episodes on the podcast. This month George Lansbury, James Maxton, Hastings Lees-Smith and Frederick Pethick-Lawrence.This episode is hosted by the Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire sits in for Matt Chorley. Ahead of the Women's Euros final this Sunday, we dive into the history of women's football, the politics at play, and how far the game has come with the Times' Molly Hudson, the grandson of the women football legend Lizzy Ashcroft Steve Bolton, former England player Lucy Ward and Yvonne Harrison from Women in Football.PLUS James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on the five big arguments the Conservatives need to have and colostomy bags. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire sits in for Matt Chorley and today's episode is all about Scotland. Can Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak save the Tories in Scotland and with it the Union? Patrick speaks to Times' Scottish Political Editor Kieran Andrews, Professor Sir John Curtice plus a few Scottish MPs and MSPs on how they feel the leadership race is going.Plus columnists Patrick Kidd and James Marriott on labour at the pickets line and favourite middlebrows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire explores who Labour might want as the new Prime Minister and how they might oppose them. With exclusive polling from Patrick English from YouGov, Labour spinners, Peter Mandelson, Ayesha Hazarika and John McTernan and Red Wall Tory MP Richard Holden.PLUS Robert Crampton and Martha Gill discuss Thatchermania, Lionesses and hot hot holidays. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire sits in for Matt Chorley. Boris Johnson is plotting a comeback, so we take you back in time to when former prime ministers tried to get back in power for the second time with Tim Montgomerie, Professor Richard Toye, Nick Thomas- Symonds and across the waters, Bernard Lagan. Plus columnists David Aaronovitch and Rachel Cunliffe on the leadership TV debate and Keir Starmer going back on his leadership pledges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire sits in for Matt Chorley and finds out about the 160,000 Tory members who will be deciding who is the next Prime Minister will be and why do they have so much power with Professor Tim Bale, Henry Hill from Conservative Home and Charlotte Pole from Women2Win.PLUS COLUMNISTS: Libby Purves and Carol Lewis discuss the nitty gritty policies from the two conservative leadership candidates, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, and whether they are too soft. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the Pub Landlord, Comedian and friend of the show Al Murray about politics, comedy and missing Boris JohnsonPlUS: Melanie Reid and James Forsyth on Margaret Thatcher and sleeper trains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley gets to know the two Tory leadership finalists in more detail. Hear the life and times of Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, and why their supporters are backing them to win.PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott on Liz Truss, Jane Austen and Business lunches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and the Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action to analyse the exchanges at Boris Johnson's last ever Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: CCHQ - Armchair Generals Phil Webster and Elinor Goodman with the latest lowdown on the Tory Leadership race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Gabriel Milland from Portland Communications who has convened the latest Times Radio Focus Group of swing-voters from Newcastle-under-Lyme who give their verdict on the Tory leadership election candidates.PLUS: Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch with their take on the ins-and-outs of the contest, and whether S-Club 7 are underrated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley hears from The Times' Policy Editor Oliver Wright, former Chancellor Lord Lamont and Gemma Tetlow the Chief Economist at the Institute for Government to delve into the Tory Leadership hopeful's economic plans.PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss TV debates and museums. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley hears from a former spinner from the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems about how they prepared their respective leaders for political TV debates, and they offer their advice to the current tory leadership contenders. Krishnan Guru-Murthy who is hosting Channel 4's debate tells Matt what he is looking out for.PLUS: Melanie Reid and David Collins on the contest and the heatwave Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who better to divulge the strengths and weaknesses of the Leadership candidates than the people who know them best. Peter Cardwell worked with Rishi Sunak when he was a junior minister, Kirsty Buchanan was an advisor to Liz Truss and Katie Perrior worked at Tory HQ with Penny Mordaunt. They rate the chances of all three of becoming the next Prime Minister.PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott discuss Penny Mordaunt and narcissism in the office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and the Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: Alice Thomson and Carol Lewis discuss why Penny Mordaunt is popular and why politicians need to target the young. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley hears from Phil Webster, former political editor for The Times, and Elinor Goodman, the former political editor at Channel 4 news on Chorley's Campaign Headquarters for the latest from the Conservative leadership race.He also speaks to Andrea Leadsom former leader of the house about her book Snakes and Ladders.PLUS: Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss the Tory Leadership Contest and the Voting System. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley introduces the Chorley Campaign Headquarters as the race to become Conservative Party Leader begins. He speaks to Phil Webster, Former Political Editor for The Times, Elinor Goodman, The former political editor at Channel 4 news, Henry Hill, Assistant Editor at Conservative Home and Patrick English, Political Research Manager at YouGov.PLUS Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd discuss tax policy and campaign videos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last year, to mark 300 years since Robert Walpole became Prime Minister, Matt Chorley learnt about every PM through history each week. This year, he's learning about each Leader of the Opposition with Nigel Fletcher from the Centre for Opposition Studies. Each month you'll find a collection of episodes on the podcast.This month its Sir Edward Carson, William Adamson, Sir Donald Maclean and  Arthur Henderson.Listen live to the next Leader of the Opposition every Monday morning from 10am on Times Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Past Imperfect is a podcast from The Times hosted by Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson. Hear stories from outstanding people about how moments in their early lives informed their identities, their careers and their drive to succeed.Wes Streeting is a Labour politician who is already being tipped as a potential future leader of his party. He is a former president of the National Union of Students, who worked for the Blairite campaign group Progress before winning his Ilford North parliamentary seat from the Conservatives in 2015. He then served as shadow Secretary of State for child poverty before becoming shadow health secretary.Wes Streeting is a centrist who supporters say could win back the party’s traditional working-class voters without alienating middle England. He is a gay Christian Cambridge graduate who is also tough on crime and patriotic.But this rising star of the Labour Party hasn’t had an easy time climbing the ladder. Rachel and Alice sit down with Wes to talk about his childhood experiences growing up in poverty on a council estate in East London and how grandparents, who spent time in prison, impacted his life.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Boris Johnson resigned as the Conservative Party leader, Matt Chorley takes a look at the key runners and riders for the Tory leadership, who is backing who, and some advice from history on how not to muck it up. Including interviews with the Times' Henry Zeffman, Baroness Catherine Fall and Iain Anderson who both ran leadership campaigns.COLUMNISTS: Melanie Reid and James Forsyth on Boris, who will replace him and the costly Downing Street flat.Don't forget to listen to tomorrow's episode for another round up of the leaders of the opposition with Nigel Fletcher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley presents highlights from the rolling coverage of Boris Johnson's resignation on Times Radio, hosted alongside Patrick Maguire. INCLUDING: A political obituary for Boris Johnson & thoughts from India Knight and James Marriott. PLUS: Boris' Biographer Andrew Gimson, his former advisor Katie Perrior and his former Employer Max Hastings reflect on Boris' legacy as Prime MinisterAND: Boris Johnson's statement of resignation in full. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley, the Sunday Times Political Editor Tim Shipman and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pick through those explosive exchanges between Sir Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson in the House of Commons.COLUMNISTS: For a special edition, Matt Chorley speaks to the former political editors Phil Webster and Elinor Goodman on the resignations in the cabinet and how it's different from the 90's toppling of Margaret Thatcher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amid rising inflation, Matt Chorley asks what would make a good pay-rise for workers this summer. With expert economic and political analysis and an interview with the TUC's General Secretary Frances O'Grady. PLUS: Danny Finkelstein and Manveen Rana assess the government's complicated response to the Chris Pincher scandal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the Sunday Times Whitehall Editor Gabriel Pogrund on his investigations into Prince Charles and where his charity money comes from. Matt also speaks to Norman Baker who wrote to Scotland Yard to open up an investigation into the Prince of Wales and the Sunday Times' Royal Editor Roya Nikkah on the future of the monarchy.PLUS COLUMNISTS: Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd on the tory rebel plot 2.0 and ageing Britain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to tourism bosses about how the industry coping with rising costs, staff shortages and surging demand including Visit Britain, UK Hospitality, Tower of London and Stonehenge.PLUS COLUMNISTS: Melanie Reid and James Forsyth on MPs behaviour and offensive views. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With this week marking the 50th anniversary of the first pride rally in the UK, Matt Chorley speaks to LGBTQ+ Rights Advocate and Campaigner Peter Tatchell, who was there half a century ago and still goes every year, on his memories of how it all happened. PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott discuss nerd fashion and winking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley analyses the exchanges between Deputy Leader Dominic Raab and Angela Rayner at Prime Minister's Questions. Pausing the action alongside the Sunday Times' Chief Political Commentator Tim Shipman.PLUS: Robert Crampton and Carol Lewis discuss Boris Johnson abroad and shirt buttons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley asks whether the capital should be moved out of London, and exclusive polling for Times Radio what the public thinks. Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Lisa Nandy explains why she'd rather restore hometown nightclubs than move the House of Lords to the North.PLUS: David Aaronovitch and Matthew Parris on Liz Truss, Putin and Prince Charles Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley reveals what's really happening inside the Tory party as he plays out off-the-record texts from Conservative MPs, voiced by actors. He and The Times' Political Editor Steven Swinford analyse and The Times' former Political Editor Phil Webster puts them into historical context.PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss the plot to oust Boris Johnson and the value of an English Literature degree. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley looks back on the by-elections results of Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton. Matt crunches the numbers with Times Radio's Chief Political Commentator Lucy Fisher, pollsters Sir John Curtice, Lord Hayward and Professor Paula Surridge.COLUMNISTS: Melanie Reid and James Forsyth with their analysis of the by-elections and the politics of Glastonbury. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the former prime minister of New Zealand, former head of the United Nations Development Programme and now President of Chatham House, about a new commission looking at how to prepare every country for the health threats of the future.COLUMNISTS: Patrick Kidd and Laura Freeman on the commonwealth, GCSE poetry and top gun. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley analyses the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. Pausing the action alongside the Sunday Times' Chief Political Commentator Tim ShipmanPLUS: Robert Crampton and Carol Lewis discuss whether strikes were better in the 1970s, property and cushions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Jersey goes to the polls, Matt Chorley explores its significance alongside Guernsey and Sark.PLUS Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss strikes and the fall of Macron. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley explores the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, taking place in Rwanda. He hears from Valentine Low, who writes on the Royals for The Times, Sue Onslow, Director at the Institute for Commonwealth Studies, Sir Simon McDonald, who was Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service at the Foreign Office between 2015 and 2020 and Henry Zeffman, The Times Associate political editor.PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss strike action and gymnastics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former MP turned national treasure Gyles Brandreth talks about keeping busy, why he would have voted for Boris Johnson in the recent confidence vote and his new podcast with the Duchess of Cornwall PLUS: James Forsyth and Melanie Reid discuss Islamism and why Peers don't want to move to Stoke-On-Trent Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley hears stories from the frontlines of the cost-of-living crisis, speaking to regional representatives for Citizens Advice to get a clear understanding of the hardships people in England and Wales are going through.PLUS: India Knight and Rachel Cunliffe discuss how to dress in a heatwave and the state of the economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley analyses the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions alongside Sunday Times' Chief Political Commentator Tim Shipman.PLUS Patrick Kidd and Alice Thomson discuss the Rwanda flight court order and obesity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a Times Radio investigation showed that nearly a million people are considering or have confirmed strike action this summer, Matt Chorley explores what this means for the industries affected. He hears from Paul Nowak, Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, Gary Smith, the general secretary of the GMB union and Steven Fielding, Professor of political history at the University of Nottingham.PLUS Danny Finkelstein and Oliver Kamm discuss the Government's Rwanda flights and accentism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.