Politics Unpacked

Luke Jones sits in for Matt Chorley and speaks to Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Kent Dominic Abrams and Former Chief Constable for Manchester Police Sir Peter Fahy to find out how the pandemic has changed our relationship with authority. Plus an interview with the first of our 'Pre-Pandemic Professors', Professor of Public Health at Edinburgh University Linda Bauld, to discuss the life behind the expert. Also Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on sitcoms and the impact of school admission rules on children born in the summer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tokyo Olympics is to go ahead in July, Matt Chorley speaks to current and former Olympic and paralympic athletes Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tom Bosworth and Gail Emms about whether it should go ahead. Plus he speaks to Alex Massie and Rachel Cunliffe on the art of lying. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the Green Party having a resurgence? Matt Chorley speaks to pollster Chris Curtis and Times Radio Political Correspondent Charlotte Ivers about how the Greens are doing across the country and Green co-leader Jonathan Bartley explains how the party can capitalise on the gains made in the local elections. PLUSTimes Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss the fallout from Dominic Cummings' mammoth evidence session to the Science and Technology Select Committee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Times columnist Robert Crampton and John Stevens from the Daily Mail pick over the day's news. Then Matt Chorley and Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire 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.

On the first anniversary of George Floyd's death, Matt Chorley speaks to his school friend Jonathan Veal about his memories of Floyd and reflections on the year since his friend's death, and Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy on systemic injustice in the UK today. PLUSDaniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of Dominic Cummings' appearance at the Science and Technology Select Committee on Wednesday, Matt Chorley speaks finds out what select committees do, and why they're so important, with author of How To Survive A Select Committee Scott Colvin, Times Diary Editor Patrick Kidd and Labour MP Sioban McDonagh.PLUSRachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the BBC, Martin Bashir and education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his first interview since taking over the domestic spy agency, MI5's Director General Ken McCallum speaks to Matt Chorley, along with the head of counter-terror policing Neil Basu, about how being an agent handler works, what social media firms can do to prevent terror spreading online, and how spies have managed to do their job during the pandemic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley finds out what Red Wall voters really think with YouGov pollster Patrick English and the re-elected Conservative Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen. Plus our columnists James Marriott and Katy Ball on nostalgia. 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.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does home ownership mean about your politics? As parliament debate the housing element of the Queen's Speech, Matt Chorley speaks to property royalty Kevin McCloud, former Labour Housing Minister Margaret Beckett and the Resolution Foundation's Lindsay Judge about the politics of home ownership. PLUSTimes Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch talk about the easing of restrictions and Keir Starmer's documentary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As parliament debates the bills related to crime in the Queen's Speech, Matt Chorley speaks to Shadow Domestic Violence Minister Jess Philips, Former Durham Chief Constable Mike Barton and the Times' Crime Correspondent John Simpson about Labour and the government's plans to tackle crime, and where the real threats to society lie. PLUSLibby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss moral superiority.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Labour's reshuffle earlier this week, Matt Chorley speaks to the people who've conducted them and the people who've been on the receiving end of a botched shake-up, for a special documentary. PLUS The Sunday Times Alex Massie and journalist Angela Epstein discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Scottish parliament is sworn in, Matt Chorley looks at the history of Holyrood and speaks to one of the new MSPs, Liberal Democrat's Alex Cole Hamilton.PLUSTimes columnists, India Knight and James Marriott, on inquiries and being dull to be successful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by journalists from the four corners of the UK Parliamentary Correspondent at Yorkshire Live Alexandra Rogers Chief Reporter at the Glasgow Times Catriona Stewart, Welsh Affairs Editor at Wales Online Will Hayward and Crime Correspondent at the Belfast Telegraph Allison Morris to analyse the state of the union in the wake of the elections and to find out how each country is coming out of lockdown. PLUSTimes Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss exams and David Cameron's texts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Times Radio's Chief Political Commentator Tom Newton Dunn analyse the announcements made in the Queen's Speech, and Matt speaks to the head of Care England Martin Green to see what he makes of the announcements about social care reform. PLUSTimes columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of Labour’s reshuffle, Matt Chorley is joined by Pollster John Curtice, Professor of Politics Roger Awan Scully and Labour List’s Sienna Rodgers to look at what the election results mean for the Labour Party.PLUS Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the day’s news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley straps in to a centrifuge to experience the G-force of going into space, and speak to two real life astronauts Clayton Andrew and Chris Hadfield. Plus our columnists James Marriott and Angela Epstein on zoom fatigue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of local elections Matt Chorley is joined by Hannah Al-Othman who is News Reporter for the Sunday Times based in Manchester,Scottish Political Editor at The Times Kieran Andrews, Sam Cook who is a Presenter at Cardiff TVand Grainne Mckinney Senior Broadcast Journalist at u105 Belfast to get the news form the 4 corners of the UKPLUSTimes columnist Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton pick over the day's news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two days out from the local elections, Matt Chorley is joined by former Number 10 pollster James Johnson to convene the Times Radio focus group, this month with SNP voters. PLUSTimes columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As campaigning for the local elections hots up, Matt Chorley looks at some of the most iconic political stunts, from the the Mirror Chicken to Dave the Chameleon and speaks to the brains behind the photos. PLUSTimes columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss the day's news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the US mission to capture al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, which resulted in his death. Matt Chorley speaks to Times War Correspondent Antony Loyd, former Foreign Secretary William Hague, former British Army Colonel Simon Diggins, and US foreign policy expert Julie Norman about the impact his death had on the region. PLUSSunday Times columnist India Knight and The Atlantic's Tom McTague discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Times columnists Alice Thomson and Rosamund Urwin pick over the day's news, then Matt Chorley and Redbox Editor Patrick Maguire 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 Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales for the 20th anniversary of the site, and asks him why he isn't a tech billionaire. PLUSTimes columnists David Aaronovitch and Daniel Finkelstein discuss the chatty rat and No.10's refurb woes.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do protests make a difference? Luke Jones is joined by General Secretary of CND Kate Hudson, organiser of the Women's March Dr Sholu Moss-Shogbamimu, Anna Birley from Reclaim These Streets and climate activist Noga Levy Rapaport to talk about whether protesting actually makes any political difference. PLUS Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the ongoing Number 10 leak saga. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 10 years of the Office for National Statistics measuring the nation's life satisfaction, Matt Chorley asks the happiness tsar Lord Layard what the government should do to make us happier.PLUS: Knight at the Marriott: India Knight and James Marriott on why we are so judgy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Times columnist Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton pick over the day's news, then Matt Chorley and Redbox Editor Patrick Maguire 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.

As two films focus on the 1960s political group, Matt Chorley speaks to the Black Panthers' photographer Stephen Shames about how the organisation was born, and how many racial injustices still exist today.PLUS: Finkelvitch - Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on the politics of sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 years since Robin Cook's "chicken tikka masala" speech, Matt Chorley is joined by food historians Dr Rachel Rich from Leeds Beckett University and Dr Lisa Smith from University of Essex for a trip down memory lane, from John Gummer’s burger and David Cameron’s pasty, to Liz Truss’s cheese and Ed Miliband’s bacon sandwich.PLUS: Libberachi - Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester give their take on the news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is standing down later this year, and her party, the Christian Democratic Union, are choosing her successor. Matt Chorley speaks to CDU MEP David McAllister, former Conservative Europe Minister David Lidigton and journalist Katrin Pribyl about the candidates and what it will mean for Germany's relationship with Britain. PLUSColumnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss lobbying and contrarianism.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Sunday Times Political Editor Tim Shipman pause the action to explain what's going on at Prime Minister's Questions.PLUSColumnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss lobbying and supporting women in the workplace.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An inquiry into the government's handling of Coronavirus seems inevitable; Matt Chorley is joined by the chair of the inquiry into Bloody Sunday Lord Saville and expert inquiry lawyer Peter Jones to discuss in the ins and outs of holding an inquiry, and how long the one into Covid might take. PLUSTimes Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch remember Shirley Williams.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The pubs are back open in England and Matt Chorley is live from the Ship Tavern in London, where he speaks to landlords from across the country including Tim Martin from Wetherspoons, Jack Stein and [insert names of other landlords here from script].PLUSTimes columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the day’s news.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones speaks to Sir Alan Duncan on his new memoir In The Thick Of It about life as an MP and foreign minister. Plus our columnists India Knight and James Marriott on Astrazeneca vaccine confidence and their favourite diary entries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones sits in for Matt Chorley and he speaks to the UK's National Statistician Professor Sir Ian Diamond on why data is key. Plus Robert Crampton and Rosamund Urwin on vaccine passports and female billionaires. And the incredible life of Dr Ike McKinnon, the former Detroit Police chief on the Chauvin trial. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones speaks t Lord Heseltine and Akash Paun from the Institute Government on the power of mayors and devolution.Plus Danny Finklestein and David Aaronovitch on Boris Johnsons roadmap Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jones speaks to; Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Prison Reform, former prisoner Andrew Morris and the national chairman of the Prison Officers' Association Mark Fairhurst on how prisons have been during the pandemic.PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester give their take on the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final instalment of Prime Ministers Week, Matt Chorley looks to the future, and convenes the Times Radio focus group to find out swing voters in Red Wall seats think of Keir Starmer's chances of becoming PM. PLUS:Times columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss the day's news, and the war on human nature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Parliament in recess, Matt Chorley looks at what it takes to win PMQs with former Ed Miliband advisor Ayesha Hazarika, Theresa May's former press secretary Paul Harrison, and which leaders were the best to caricature with sketch-writers Quentin Letts and Ann Treneman.PLUS:Times Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the government's Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Jonathan Lynn, co-creator Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, to talk about the legacy of the hit comedy series, and how he thinks it may not have been beneficial to the way Whitehall works now.PLUS:Times' Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week marks 300 years since Britain got its first Prime Minister. In the first instalment of a special Prime Ministers' week, Matt Chorley is joined by Times Columnist Danny Finkelstein, Historian and political biographer Anthony Seldon, author and journalist Andrew Gimson and former civil servant Jill Rutter to discuss what qualities are needed to build the perfect Prime Minister. PLUS Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves pick over the days' news.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley tackles the philosophical questions behind pub passports and longer lockdowns, with AC Grayling, Baroness Deech and Alberto Giubilini.PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott on editing friends out and the curse of London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Times columnist Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton pick over the day's news, then Matt Chorley and Sunday Times Political Editor 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.

To mark a year of lockdown, Matt Chorley and former Number 10 pollster James Johnson convene the Times Radio focus group to see how people's attitudes to politics and politicians have changed over the past year. PLUS Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein and Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire talk protests, Scotland and flags.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the Times' veteran war reporter Anthony Lloyd about Syria, Shamima Begum and what essential packing for life in a war-zone. PLUS Times Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss Nicola Sturgeon and the droves of people leaving cities for villages.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus edition we are bringing you an episode from another Times podcast - Past Imperfect.Ed Balls is a broadcaster, former Labour Politician and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and the winner of Celebrity Best Home Cook 2021. He talks openly to Rachel and Alice about his time in government, how he overcame the bullying he faced as a child and why he kept his lifelong stammer a secret.Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/pastimperfectBullies Out: www.bulliesout.comYoung Minds: www.youngminds.org.ukThe Brittish Stammering Associtation: www.stamma.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley hosts the Parliamentary Book Awards, revealing the winners of the best books by, and about, politicians. Stephen Lotinga, from the Publishers Association, dishes out the prizes, and Chris Bryant, Nicky Morgan and Dan Jarvis discuss their work. PLUS: Rosamund Irwin and James Marriott on self-esteem, and one man who doesn't lack it, Dominic Cummings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How will nightclubs survive the pandemic? Matt Chorley speaks to CEO of Night Time Industries Association Michael Kill, Chief executive of late night bar and club operator REKOM Peter Marks and Graeme Park who is one of the original founders of the UK rave/club scene about how the nightlife industry will bounce back after the pandemic.PLUS Times columnists Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson pick over the day’s news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a bumper crop of elections across Britain on May 6, Matt Chorley speaks to Robert Hayward, the polling analyst, Ailsa Irvine from the Electoral Commission, and Jackie Weaver on parish councils.PLUS: Daniel Finkelstein and Patrick Maguire on what is annoying them this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Jihyun Park who was tortured and persecuted in North Korea before coming to Britain, where she is now standing in the local elections.PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on the weird obsession with violence against women in books and films. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus edition we are bringing you an episode from another Times podcast - Stories of our times.Last year, a Sunday Times investigation exposed failures at the top of government which may have cost thousands of lives. Now the team behind those revelations has written the first major book telling the inside story of Britain's battle with coronavirus.In the first of three episodes this week, we examine what went wrong between January and March 2020.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guests: - Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.- George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Links:- Failures of State: The Inside Story of Britain’s Battle with Coronavirus by Jonathan Calvert and George Arbuthnott.- Audiobook of Failures of State.- '38 days when Britain sleepwalked into disaster', The Sunday Times, April 19 2020.Clips used: BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky News, CNA, The Sun, Daily Mail, Met Office, ABC News, DW News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.