Politics Unpacked

Matt Chorley hears from Red Box listeners about the difficulty in getting a face-to-face appointment with a GP. He hears from GP Sarah Jarvis and people within Health and the NHS to find out what's going wrong.PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester ask who will pay for net-zero and whether more school students should apply for apprenticeships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley reflects on the riots of 2011 with Shadow Justice Secretary and MP for Tottenham David Lammy, Stephen Reicher and Frances Crook.PLUS columnists Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss whether life really changes after Covid-19. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Julia Stonehouse, the daughter of the former Labour MP John Stonehouse who faked his own death in the 1970s, and found out how she still sees him as a hero.PLUS He speaks to James Marriott and Rachel Cunliffe on staycations and snobbery.Clips: BBC  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley gets the news from the four corners of the UK with guests Rob Parsons, Editor of the Northern Agenda for Reach, Caroline Wilson, Senior Reporter at The Herald, John Manley, Political Correspondent at the Irish News, and Ruth Mosalski, Political Editor at Wales Online.PLUSRobert Crampton and Emma Woolf discuss jabs for kids. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Chair of the Defence Select Committee, Tobias Ellwood MP, and experts in the field of space defence to find out what threats countries pose to each other in outer space. PLUSThe Times' David Aaronovitch and the Spectator's Katy Balls discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the Prime Minister's COP26 spokesperson, Allegra Stratton, ahead of the COP26 conference in Glasgow. PLUS Times columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester go through the day's news and whether Rishi Sunak could become the next Conservative leader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if Ed Miliband had won? What if we'd voted for proportional representation? Luke Jones, sitting in for Matt Chorley, speaks to Duncan Brack about his new book exploring political counterfactuals, and the man who created the Miliverse Twitter account. PLUSTimes Columnist Melanie Reid and Emma Woolf pick over the news.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones, sitting in for Matt Chorley, speaks to Adam Peaty's mum Caroline, Jessica Ennis-Hill's coach Steve Ingham and Chair of the British Olympic Association Sir Hugh Robertson about how families, coaching and political will can create champions. PLUSIndia Knight and James Marriott talk about why it might be good to be sad sometimes.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones, sitting in for Matt Chorley, gets the news from the four corners of the UK. PLUSTimes Columnist Robert Crampton and the Daily Mail's John Stevens discuss opening the borders and Olympians' mental health.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones, sitting in for Matt Chorley, speaks to Suzanne Heywood and the winners of the Heywood Prize, which asked for members of the public to send in their big policy ideas. PLUSTimes Columnist David Aaronovitch and City AM's Andy Silvester discuss the Prime Minister's plans to tackle crime.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Luke Jones, sits in for Matt Chorley and speaks to three eighteen year old councillors about why they wanted to get into politics, and what they want to achieve. PLUSTimes Columnist Libby Purves and the New Statesman's Rachel Cunliffe discuss covid cases and Amy Winehouse.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley talks to legendary broadcaster Andrew Marr about 40 years in the industry, holding politicians to account, and which Britons he thinks will define the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.PLUSThe Times' Melanie Ried and the Daily Mail's John Stevens discuss the Olympics and unlocking.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by legendary comedian Harry Enfield to talk about his new West End Show Windsors: Endgame, creating infamous political comedy characters and that Question Time sketch. PLUS India Knight and James Marriott pick over MPs summer reading lists.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions.PLUS: Crampon: Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss the billionaire's flying to space and the importance of human touch.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by former Number 10 Pollster James Johnson to see what the Times Radio focus group make of freedom day, the pingdemic and Boris Johnson's isolation u-turn.PLUSDaniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley goes through some of the positive things to come out of the pandemic and covid breakthroughs with Sunday Times Science Editor Ben Spencer, Dr Angela George and Professor Paul Moss.PLUS columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester talk about what Freedom Day means to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's 60 years this week since Prime Minister's Questions started properly in the Commons. Matt Chorley goes back to that first PMQs in 1961, and recreating what it would have been like with the Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire.He pauses the action as Harold Macmillan faces questions from backbenchers and the leader of the opposition. Plus legendary Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd joined Matt to tell him what she makes of PMQs today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley talks to Michael Wolff, who has spent the last four years chronicling Donald Trump's presidency. His third book Landslide covers the final days in the run up to the election and the Capitol riots. India Knight and James Marriot chat through the days news and ask why are we so lonely. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions.PLUS Angela Epstein and Andy Silvester discuss how much personal responsibility should we have, and at what point do we stop needing rules? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is subject to an inquiry into the way it's handing Freedom of Information Requests; Matt Chorley speaks to veteran FOI journalists Martin Rosenbaum, George Greenwood and Susie Boniface about how they work and why they're so important. PLUSDaniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss the day's news.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by the Times' Scottish Political Editor Kieran Andrews for a lowdown on the most important things to know about Scottish politics. PLUS Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves talk football and patriotism.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley talks about universities and what it will be like for students when they go back next term with the Office for Students's chief executive Nicola Dandridge, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute Nick Hillman and Jo Johnson is the former universities minister.PLUS Melanie Reid and John Stevens talk through the day's news and whether we should get a bank holiday if England wins the Euros final. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by former leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson on the union, indyrefs and why she's ruling herself out as Boris Johnson's next Scottish secretary. PLUScolumnists India Knight and James Marriott on the day's news and discussing why are we so patriotic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions.PLUS Times columnist Alice Thomson and City AM acting editor Andy Silvester discuss why we all love England football manager Gareth Southgate so much. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Petrol prices are at an 8 year high - Matt speaks to the RAC to find out why and asks whether it's actually a good thing. And on Tuesday's its Finkelvitch! Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch talk through today's news including the face-mask culture war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Matt Speaks to two union general secretaries, historian Tim Bale and Times Red Box's Patrick Maguire to ask how the relationship between Labour and the Unions had changed.Times Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester look forward to the end of covid restrictions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley looks at the Batley and Spen by-election results with analysis from the Times' Eleni Courea, pollster Chris Curtis, former Labour minister Lord Mandelson and Labour MP Diane Abbott. PLUS columnists Melanie Reid and Matthew Syed to go through the day's news including how politicians should pass the 'pub test' to see if they're fit to be leader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Sky News Deputy Political Editor Sam Coates to relive the drama of five years ago this week, when Boris Johnson pulled out of the Conservative leadership contest following the Brexit vote, and asks how his old frenemy Michael Gove has managed to get himself back in power.PLUS Sunday Times columnist India Knight and the Daily Mail's John Stevens discuss furlough and Britney Spears." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions.PLUS Times Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss what Sajid Javid needs to tackle as Health Secretary.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and former Number 10 Pollster James Johnson review the year in politics through the eyes of the Times Radio focus group to mark the station’s first anniversary.PLUSDavid Aaronovitch and Daniel Finkelstein pick over the day’s news.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley asks what's next for Hancock, Sajid Javid and the Department of Health. He speaks to The Times' Political Editor Steven Swinford, former Political Advisor at the Department of Health, Paul Harrison and Salma Shah, former advisor to Sajid Javid. And, he talks to two health think-tanks, Nigel Edwards, the Chief Executive at the Nuffield Trust and Helen Mckenna, a senior fellow at the King's Fund, to find out what would be on their policy wish-list.PLUS Matt Chorley dives into Monday's news with Political Columnist Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves on the camera that caught Matt Hancock in action and a new Tips Bill that will force hospitality businesses to hand over all tips to their staff. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Tanni Grey Thompson, Clair Fisher and Nancy Hey about how end of life care can be made better.PLUSThe Sunday Times Josh Glancy and the New Statesman’s Rachel Cunliffe discuss Matt Hancock’s affair and George Osborne’s new job.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt speaks to pollster and analyst James Kanagasooriam who coined the term Red-Wall in 2019 to describe areas in the North whose constituents tended to vote for Labour due to historical and cultural factors. PLUSHe dives into Thursday's news with Times Red Box reporter Mhari Aurora and Acting Editor at City A.M, Andy Silvester on junk food adverts being subject to a near total online ban by the end of next year and the changes for the green travel lists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Sunday Times Political Editor Tim Shipman pause the action at Prime Minister's Questions to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer. PLUSTimes Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the challenges that the new head of the NHS has ahead of them and the problems of the Liberal Democrats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

E-scooters, they're being trialled in over 30 areas in the UK, some say they're the future of green urban travel, whilst others say they're a disruptive fad. Matt Chorley speaks to the Head of Roads Policy at the RAC, Nick Lyes and Lindsay Coyle, the local campaigns manager at the Royal National Institute for Blind People, as well as Nick Freeman, aka Mr. Loophole, a traffic lawyer petitioning the government to require e-scooter riders to display a visible ID. And last but not least, he asks Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP for Bristol East about the success of e-scooters in Bristol.PLUS he dives into Tuesday's news with Times Columnists Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on Keir Starmer being uncharismatic and a report from the Pentagon detailing evidence on UFO's. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Times Radio's own Carole Walker about her new book 'Lobby Life' and speaks to Theresa May's Press Secretary Paul Harrison as well as former political editor of the Times Phil Webster and the current Political Editor Steve Swinford revealing how the lobby works.PLUS he dives into Monday's news with Political Columnist Rachel Sylvester and Martha Gill of the Evening Standard on Boris Johnson's row with his Chancellor Rishi Sunak. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks about the symbolic and surprising result of the Chesham and Amersham by-election where the Liberal Democrats took it from the Conservatives. He spoke to the leader of the party Sir Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Grender, pollster Chris Curtis and the Times' Henry Zeffman.PLUS he dives into the day's news with the Sunday Times' Josh Glancy and Rachel Cunliffe of the News Statesman on the EU sausage row and the Euros.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

History teaches us a lot. It allows us to understand how people and societies behave, understand how wars erupted and how pivotal moments in history have changed the world. Historian Dan Snow talks us through everything we should know about the subject.PLUSIndia Knight and James Marriott discuss how a double vaccination could soon allow travel freedom and 'hopeless' Matt Hancock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Sunday Times Political Editor Tim Shipman pause the action at Prime Minister's Questions to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer. PLUSTimes Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Tory lockdown rebels and compulsory vaccinations.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the G7 pledged 1 billion jabs for the developing world, Matt Chorley speaks to a panel of experts including Jane Halton, Lily Caprani, Mary Stephen, Achal Parabhala to find out what it takes to vaccinate the world from Covid. PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and City AM Acting Editor Andy Silvester discuss Lindsay Hoyle and taking the knee.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month the Times Radio focus group is chaired by legendary US pollster Frank Luntz, who speaks to swing voters about lockdown, taking the knee, Joe Biden's age and how Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer are faring. PLUSRachel Sylvester and Martha Gill discuss the day's news.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is in Cornwall for the G7.He speaks to Esther Webber from Politico and Tom McTague from the Atlantic.And with remembrances of G7s past, former foreign secretary Lord Hague, former ambassador to Washington Sir Nigel Sheinwald, former UK permanent representative to the EU Sir Ivan Rogers and former Tony Blair aide Kate Garvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Patrick Maguire, the Red Box Editor, who broke the story that US diplomats had issued an extraordinary rebuke to Boris Johnson's government over the impact of Brexit in Northern Ireland. We also hear from Sir Peter Westmacott, a former British ambassador to Washington, and Lewis Lukens, a former US diplomat in London.PLUS India Knight and James Marriott on how the culture wars might be fizzling out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Times columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton pick over the day's news, then Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action at Prime Minister's Questions to explain the Commons exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Barack Obama's Ambassador to the UK Matthew Barzun about his book, The Power of Giving Power Away, his time in London and what happened when he hosted a tennis match between David Cameron and Boris Johnson.PLUSThe Atlantic's Tom McTague and the Observer's Andrew Rawnsley discuss the day's news.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One year since the toppling of the Colston statue, Matt Chorley tours the city with a long history of protests, and speaks to the mayor Marvin Rees.PLUSColumnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester give their take on the news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones is sitting in for Matt Chorley and talks about long-covid after the ONS reveals around one million people in the UK have reported experiencing "long covid" in April. And another one of our pre-pandemic professors, British statistician Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter. Plus, Rachel Cunliffe and Josh Glancy give us their take on the news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones is sitting in for Matt Chorley and hears about how the pandemic has made the courtroom virtual and what lies in store for the future of the legal system.PLUSColumnists India Knight and Jaems Marriott give us their take on the news and we hear the life and times Epidemiologist and government advisor Mike Tildesley and hear about the pressure on the government scientists when they speak to the media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones is once again sitting in for Matt Chorley and as the race to the 21st June is hotting up, hears about the situation in intensive care to find out is the rise in cases leading to higher hospitalisations? Times Columnists Robert Crampton and Angela Epstein give us their take on the news and standing by in the four nations of the UK, four top hacks to tell us not just about the pandemic but what's really agitating their patch for Disunited Kingdom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones is in for Matt Chorley again and hears about the life and times of another 'Pre-Pandemic Professor', this time it's Professor of Immunology, Danny Altmann. And talking trade with expert Sam Lowe as well as Angus MacNeil MP, Chair of the International Trade Committee and Alexander Downer, Former Australian foreign minister and High Commissioner to the UK.PLUSHelen Lewis, Staff Writer at the Atlantic and Rosamund Urwin from the Sunday Times on Naomi Osaka and Carrie Johnston's wedding dress decoy plan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.