Politics Unpacked

Matt Chorley and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire have been hitting up their contacts books, speaking to some of the Labour leader's closest colleagues, who are getting increasingly jittery about whether he is the man for the job. PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on early years learning and dealing with criticism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode comes courtesy of our sister podcast: Wine Times.Dabbling in wines from across the globe with Suzi and Will is the journalist and broadcaster Matt Chorley - who has an astute love for sauvignon blanc. As well as tasting three great wines Matt discusses why he believes people should pay less attention to politics, Will talks about his love for savoury wine and Suzi reflects on some of the greatest highlights from the 80's.2020 Sauvignon Gris, Château Le Coin, Bordeaux, France2020 Albastrele Blanc de Cabernet, Moldova2016 Johnny Q Shiraz Viognier, AustraliaAll the wines in the series are available at www.sundaytimeswineclub.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the story of the senior Conservative MP, loyalist and rebel David Davis. Matt Chorley sat down with him to discuss losing out to David Cameron in a leadership race, bringing down Theresa May, and why he wants Boris Johnson to go.PLUS: Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss Boris Johnson's future, capitol riots and shipwrecks. 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 of people from Wakefield, who all voted Conservative for the first time in 2019. Find out what they think of Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer ahead of the constituency's by-election on the 23rd of June.PLUS: James Marriott and India Knight discuss whether second homes are immoral, and why James hates twee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by the Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions.PLUS Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss train strikes, the NHS and why we are an anxious nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley takes us behind the scenes in Westminster to see how yesterday's extraordinary day in politics unfolded.PLUS Patrick Kidd and Daniel Finkelstein discuss the future for Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the Deputy Leader and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab and now the former anti-corruption tzar John Penrose on whether or not Boris Johnson should be removed from No 10. We also take a look back through the archive when other Prime Ministers were removed from office, with memories from Michael Heseltine, John Whittingdale, Baroness Bertin and many more.Plus Carol Lewis and Rachel Sylvester discuss secret house sales and working a four day week. 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, Sir William Harcourt, John Spencer, George Robinson, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice and Joseph Chamberlain. 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.

Patrick Maguire explores what might've happened if Edward VIII had remained king. He hears from royal historian Andrew Lownie and political historian Sir Anthony Seldon.PLUS Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss Tory party woes and the future of the monarchy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carole Walker sits in for Matt Chorley and speaks to journalists from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to get the news from the four corners of the UK. Also columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss ethics, nostalgia and being a macho man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can Rishi Sunak learn from former chancellors? We speak to Sir Howard Davies, a British economist, the first chairman of the Financial Services Authority and now the chairman of the Natwest Group. Carole speaks to him about his book.PLUS Columnists Hugo Rifkind and Angela Epstein on apocalypse fatigue and dogs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carole Walker sits in for Matt Chorley. She discusses how can the West break the naval blockade of Ukrainian ports? With the Times' Defence Editor Larisa Brown, Chair of Ukraine's biggest grain producer Dr John Rich, Chris Southworth, the General Secretary for The International Chamber of Commerce and Professor of War and Strategy Dr Alessio Palatano.PLUS: Manveen Rana and Alex Massie discuss 70's blackouts, immigration and the SNP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Steve Brown who co-wrote 'Tony! The Tony Blair Rock Opera" with Comedian Harry Hill, as well as the actors playing Gordon Brown and Princess Diana.PLUS: James Forsyth and Melanie Reid discuss Rishi Sunak's latest economic support package. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immigration is on the rise. But is this a good or a bad thing? Matt speaks to Matt Dathan, Chief Exec of Ipsos Kelly Beaver, former Joint Downing Street Chief of Staff of Theresa May Nick Timothy and former journalist James Kirkup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from College Green, Matt Chorley unpacks the much-awaited Sue Gray report with Lucy Fisher and Patrick Maguire picking through the 39 pages and nine pictures of several events that happened at Downing Street. We also head to the Commons for PMQs Unpacked where Sir Keir Starmer focused on pressing Boris Johnson on the cost of living and a windfall tax.Plus Alice Thomson, Quentin Letts and Robert Crampton talk rule breaking and gun controls.If you want to watch PMQs Unpacked again, you can go to our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPiVSi2YJfE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley explores whether politicians are too obsessed with the red wall. He hears from Professor Jane Green from Nuffield College at Oxford University and part of the British Election Study, as well as Dr Rose de Geusfrom the University of Reading who released a report called Red Wall, Red Herring.PLUS Patrick Kidd and Daniel Finklestein discuss Boris Johnson misleading Parliament and the Chelsea Flower Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley hears from headteachers to see how the cost of living crisis is hitting our schools. He also speaks to  Anne Longfield, former Children's Commissioner and Robert Halfon, Conservative MP and Chair of the Education Select Committee.PLUS Carol Lewis and Rachel Sylvester discuss the politics of windfall tax and the care review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to hear about University fee refunds, how cost-of-living is affecting schools and whether we test too much.PLUS Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss the Tories losing in 2024 and Rishi Sunak joining the Sunday Times Rich List. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are hyperlocal newspapers on the rise? Matt speaks to Francesca Evans from Lyme Online, Joshi Hermann from the Manchester Mill and Phyllis Stephens from Edinburgh Reporter. Matt also speaks to the Independent Community News Network, News Media Association and the National Union of Journalists on the future of local journalism.PLUS James Marriott and Martha Gill on the cost of living and twitter rows. 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 sustainable farming and he-peating Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is this batch of politicians the worst ever? Matt Chorley speaks to journalists Isabel Hardman and Elinor Goodman, Dr Will Jennings and father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley on the calibre of current crop against MPs of the past. PLUS FINKELVITCH: Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss the government obesity strategy and Putin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley hears from a panel of experts to see how the NHS can be fixed after Jeremy Hunt's new book claimed that 150 preventable deaths were occurring every week.PLUS Libby Purves and Manveen Rana discuss A Level Exams and Guinness drinking in Nigeria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Jeremy Hunt about his new book 'Zero' where it explains how the NHS is causing 150 preventable deaths each week. They explore how culture within the organisation and leadership from the top can be changed to prevent the preventable deaths.PLUS Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss the housing crisis and the Bayeux Tapestry. 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 of 2019 Conservative voters in the constituency of Neil Parish, who recently resigned, triggering a by-election. Will they stick with the Tories? PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott on bad people, food banks and eating in the bath Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley gets reaction to the Queen's Speech as well as all the latest news from the four corners of the UK.PLUS: Patrick Kidd and Alice Thomson on Prince Charles, Keir Starmer and Eurovision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire unpack Queen Elizabeth's first ever state opening of parliament, 70 years ago in 1952 to explain what has and hasn't changed in British politics during the reign of the Queen. Featuring Deadringers impressionist Jan Ravens as the voice of the Queen.PLUS. David Aaronovitch and Danny Finkelstein on the point of the Queen's Speech and Beergate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following last week's election results, which saw success for the nationalists in Northern Ireland and Scotland, Matt Chorley speaks to a panel of politicians and commentators to ask whether the Conservative and Unionist Party has what it takes to keep the Union together.PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss what may and may not be in the Queen's Speech and making fun of millennials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After our special documentary series, the Sunday Shows at 50, charting the rise and fall of Sunday political shows, Matt Chorley interviews broadcast legend Andrew Neil ahead of the launch of a new political TV show this weekend, discussing his plans to reinvent the format and his view of today's politicians. PLUS COLUMNISTS: James Forsyth and Rachel Cunliffe break down the election results as they unfolded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After almost five years near total silence, Big Ben is ready to bong again. Matt Chorley got exclusive access to the Elizabeth Tower to see how the restoration is going. He speaks to Keith Scobie-Youngs, from the Cumbria Clock Company who have helped to fix the clock and Matthew Hamlyn, chair of the Elizabeth Tower project board.COLUMNISTS Knight at the Marriott, The Times' India Knight and James Marriott, on the life of a celebrity, shorthand and whether politicians and business should pay to be on social media.If you want to see Matt Chorley going up the Elizabeth Tower, check out the Times Red Box YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtrKDjMo42k Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley convenes the Disunited Kingdom panel to preview the local elections from the four corners of the UK.PLUS: Alice Thomson and Patrick Kidd discuss what voters in the South West really think, and French MP expenses.BONUS: MPs and Times Radio listeners tell tales from the doorstep, telling their experiences canvassing for elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.