Politics Unpacked

Matt Chorley dives into this potentially historic Northern Ireland Assembly election including interviews with U105's News Editor Grainne McKinney, Bill White from the polling company LucidTalk, Dr Clare Rice and Lord Peter Hain who is a former Northern Ireland Secretary.PLUS FINKELVITCH: Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on all women shortlists, beergate and Roe vs Wade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a flurry of more accounts of sexual harassment and bullying within Parliament, Carole Walker speaks to those who've seen it first hand and people who have both tried and are continuing to try to improve political life for women.PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester consider a Liberal Democrat and Labour electoral pact and the dangers of privatisation. 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, Spencer Cavendish, Sir Stafford Northcote, Sir Michael Hicks Beach and the First Earl of Kimberley John Wodehouse.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.

25 years after New Labour's landslide, Matt Chorley lifts the lid on the fears, egos and infighting among the party's grandees. He dives into the Times Red Box podcast archive so you'll hear the voices of Tony Blair, Peter Mandelson, Anji Hunter, Margaret McDonagh, Phil Webster, Alistair Campbell and James Landale.PLUS James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on misogyny in Westminster and why we shouldn't mow our lawn to save the bees.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by James Johnson from Kekst CNC who has convened the latest Times Radio Focus Group to find out what they think about partygate, the cost of living and sexism in parliament.PLUS: India Knight and James Marriot discuss the revelation that an MP watched porn in parliament and ambitious children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Sunday Times' Chief Political Commentator Tim Shipman to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions.PLUS Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley sits down for an exclusive interview with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to discuss Planes, Trains and Automobiles.....and Ferries too.PLUS: Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on Elon Musk and the use of anonymous sources in political journalism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A victory for Macron who secured a second term as French President. Matt speaks to the Times’ Charles Bremner, and Sylvie Bermann, France’s ambassador to London. PLUS Times reporters in Europe on their reaction to the result. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt puts France under a microscope and heads to the different regions of France to find out what voters are thinking and what issues really matter to them. Interviews with local reporters, exclusive polling from YouGov’s Patrick English and David Runciman on the future of France and what that means to Europe.Columnists Rachel Cunliffe and James Forsyth talk about the possible end for Boris, our obsession with the Queen and keeping your name when you get married. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to one of Boris' former High Commissioners to the country and an Indian MP to find out what will be on the agenda for the PM's trip to India, PLUS: The Times' Carol Lewis and the Spectator's Katy Balls Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Patrick Maguire to analyse the exchanges between Sir Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson at Prime Minister's Questions.PLUS Robert Crampton and Janice Turner discuss the Prime Minister's 35 apologies and Anglophobia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As it's the first day back to Parliament after the Easter break, Matt Chorley speaks to Lucy Fisher, Times Radio's Chief Political Commentator and Professor Sir John Curtice from the University of Strathclyde to uncover what it all means for voters.PLUS David Aaronovitch and Daniel Finklestein discuss Boris Johnson's partygate fixed penalty notice and the French Elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How's the UK's refugee policy going? Luke speaks to 'Aziz' Afghan refugee who has been stuck in a hotel for six months, Presenter Dr. Bendor Grosvenor, Debbie Gaze and Jane Finlay Blackall about housing Ukrainian refugees in their homes in the UK.PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss Boris Johnson's leadership and going to university. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week, we heard about the rise of Andrew Marr and his decision to leave Sunday mornings. It’s the last episode of the documentary series. Matt speaks to the new kid on the Sunday politics block, Sophy Ridge on Sky News, and we hear from Trevor Phillips on confronting ministers over the death of his daughter. PLUS the future of Sunday Shows with Tony Blair, Jeremy Vine and John Humphrys and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week we heard about the 21st century boom of political shows, this week we hear about how the axing of Breakfast with Frost paved the way for a new face of Sunday politics, Andrew Marr. Featuring the man himself, Barney Jones, William Hague, Peter Mandelson and more.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50.Last week we heard about the rise of the BBC's 'On the Record', this week we hear how an explosion of new shows competed for dominance after the turn of the century. Featuring Jeremy Vine, Jonathan Dimbelby, Adam Boulton, Tony Blair, William Hague and more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week we heard how David Frost came to dominate Sunday breakfast time, now the tale of how Jonathan Dimbleby, John Humphrys and a crocodile had politicians for lunch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of the Sunday political TV shows with Sunday Shows at 50. Last week, we looked at the birth of Weekend World and this week, we look at how David Frost dominated the Sunday shows for over a decade. Interviewees including his son Wilfred Frost, his editor Barney Jones, Trevor Phillips, Peter Mandelson, Chris Evans, politicians including Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, and William Hague, and prominent journalists Jeremy Vine and John Humphrys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of the Sunday political TV show, starting by going behind-the-scenes of the heavyweight, sometimes heavy-going, Weekend World which launched in 1972. The brainchild of John Birt, it was fronted first by Peter Jay, then later the formidable former Labour MP Brian Walden, and then finally former Conservative MP Matthew Parris. From Walden’s complex interviewing format, to a relaunch which cost Parris his wonky teeth, this is the story of a show which made political and journalistic careers. Interviewees including Peter Jay, former Times economics editor and first Weekend World presenter; Matthew Parris, Weekend World's last presenter; producers David Aaronovitch, Trevor Phillips and Peter Mandelson, politicians including Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, and William Hague, and prominent journalists Jeremy Vine and John Humphrys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones hears from Daniel Roher, the director of new film 'Navalny', as well as Vladimir Ashukov, former Executive Director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation which was founded by Alexei Navalny. He also speaks to Andrei Soldatov, Senior Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis and Author of 'The Compatriots' after it emerged that Putin has removed over 100 agents from their posts.PLUS Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss Johnson's survival and ambulance waiting times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones sits in for Matt Chorley. How does a country join NATO? He speaks to Mary Elise Sarotte is a Professor of Post-Cold War history at John Hopkins University and the author of Not One Inch, Tytti Tuppurainen, the Finnish Minister for European Affairs and Torbjorn Sjostrom from the Swedish polling company Novus. PLUS minister Andrew Griffith and columnists James Marriott and Manveen Rana on the news that the government's plans to send migrants to Rwanda for processing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones speaks to journalists from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to get the news from the four corners of the UK. Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss partygate and Amber Heard's latest court battle with Johnny Depp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones speaks to Robin Niblett who is standing down after 15 years as Director of the International Affairs Think Tank Chatham House.PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones speaks to Times France Correspondent Charles Bremner, Mireille Clapot, an MP for Macron's En Marche in Drome in the South-East of France and Lord Peter Ricketts to find out the latest from the French Elections.PLUS Carol Lewis and Libby Purves discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire sits in for Matt Chorley and talks about the 1992 General Election and what an explosive election it was. Interviews with Neil Kinnock, Chris Patten and Phil Webster. Columnists Melanie Reid and Josh Glancy go through the news on Rishi Sunak, Germany’s response to Ukraine and best places to live. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Pack, author of the new book 'Polling Unpacked', tells Matt Chorley about the history of opinion polls, and the five great polling disasters in UK and American history. PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott discuss creative thinking Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to political podcast enthusiast David Runciman to dissect the last six years of Talking Politics and why more Prime Ministers are from Oxford rather than Cambridge.PLUS Dorothy Byrne and Abigail Rabbett discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Holly Watt, Sir Alistair Graham and Stephen Hammond to see what the rules are for employing spouses.PLUS Manveen Rana and David Aaronovitch discuss the Russian misinformation and Channel 4 privatisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Times Radio's Chief Political Commentator Lucy Fisher, former Director of Downing Street Communications Sir Craig Oliver and David Herzsenhorn, Chief Brussels Correspondent at Politico and former Washington Correspondent at the New York Times. They explore the frequency of anonymous sources being referred to in the press and whether they can be useful or problematic.PLUS Carol Lewis and Libby Purves on employing your spouse and trigger warnings. 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 week, Granville Leveson-Gower, James Harris,  Lord Cairns and Charles Gordon-Lennox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week, we heard about the rise of Andrew Marr and his decision to leave Sunday mornings. It’s the last episode of the documentary series. Matt speaks to the new kid on the Sunday politics block, Sophy Ridge on Sky News, and we hear from Trevor Phillips on confronting ministers over the death of his daughter. PLUS the future of Sunday Shows with Tony Blair, Jeremy Vine and John Humphrys and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Labour grandee Margaret Beckett who has announced she is retiring after half a century in politics, going through her career decade by decade.PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott discuss the days news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and the Sunday Times Chief Political Commentator Tim Shipman pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: Manveen Rana and Robert Crampton discuss problems with the NHS and fast food job adverts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Tom Lubbock from Kekst CNC who has convened the latest Times Radio Focus Group to assess the situation in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis and Partygate.PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and Oliver Kamm on Partygate fines and politicians discussing Will Smith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley reflects on nearly five years since the Manchester Arena bombing with the Northern Editor of the Sunday Times David Collins and Pete Weatherby QC, who represents seven of the families. Also, Times Radio's Phil Williams and Manchester Evening News' Helena Vesty on Manchester hospital admissions and the backlog plus what happened at the Oscars between Will Smith and Chris Rock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week we heard about the 21st century boom of political shows, this week we hear about how the axing of Breakfast with Frost paved the way for a new face of Sunday politics, Andrew Marr. Featuring the man himself, Barney Jones, William Hague, Peter Mandelson and more.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is in Leeds to find out how the Spring Statement will affect the local area. James Smith from the Resolution Foundation, Henri Murison, Leeds City Council Leader James Lewis and Kayleigh Hignell. PLUS Rob Parsons & Victoria Finan 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 Robert Crampton discuss the vicious backlash against Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and hoarding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley explores why the number of fluent Russian speakers in the Foreign Office fell by a quarter in the years before the invasion of Ukraine.PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and Oliver Kamm discuss President Putin getting "an easy off-ramp" and Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Times Radio's new Chief Political Commentator Lucy Fisher about her top 5 things: an event, a trend, a person, a place and an issue - that could explain how the rest of the political year might play out.PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss P&O Ferries and the Government's Covid Inquiry. 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 it's John Spencer, Lord George Bentinck, Charles Manners, Marquess of Granby and John Charles Herries.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50.Last week we heard about the rise of the BBC's 'On the Record', this week we hear how an explosion of new shows competed for dominance after the turn of the century. Featuring Jeremy Vine, Jonathan Dimbelby, Adam Boulton, Tony Blair, William Hague and more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine is known as the breadbasket of Europe but what happens when war with Russia means everyone is scrambling for the crumbs? Matt Chorley speaks to George Eustice, Dr John Rich and Abi Reader from the NFU. Plus: India Knight and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and the Sunday Times Chief Political Commentator Tim Shipman pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Dominic Raab and Angela Rayner at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: Alice Thomson and Tom McTague Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorleys asks what is the the point of the UN ; former US ambassador to the UN under George W Bush, John Bolton, Peter Lee, Sarah Hunter and former Deputy Secretary-General at the UN Lord Malloch Brown. PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaaronovitch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another year passes and the home office is still a mess, this time over Ukranian refugees. Matt speaks to people who've worked as officials, ministers and advisors to ask what is going wrong with the department. PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week we heard how David Frost came to dominate Sunday breakfast time, now the tale of how Jonathan Dimbleby, John Humphrys and a crocodile had politicians for lunch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in an interview with the Red Box Podcast in 2018 that he feared the march of democracy around the world was in retreat. Matt speaks to Jeremy again. PLUS Hugo Rifkind and Rosamund Urwin 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 Robert Crampton discuss the role of women in the conflict and future jobs for John Bercow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the Times Diplomatic Correspondent Catherine Philp, who touched down in Ukraine when the war kicked off. She explains what it's like to report on a war and describes her experiences in Ukraine.PLUS: David Aaronovitch and Daniel Finkelstein on the UK's humanitarian response. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.