Politics Unpacked

After a report shows young people turning their backs on the Tory party, Matt Chorley asks if a change of leader will be enough to reverse the trend?In this episode James Kanagasooriam counts down the top ten ways the Tories are in trouble then leadership hopefuls Matt Hancock, Penny Mordaunt and Tom Tugendhat set out their stalls for how to fix things. Finally Katy Balls and Henry Zeffman outline the challenges ahead for any new leader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley presents from parliament to assess how bad things have become on a human level. MP's Chris Bryant, George Freeman, Philippa Whitford and Ruth Smeeth explain about poor mental health, tears behind closed doors and members unable to visit dying relatives due to Brexit uncertainty. Later, staffers Tara O'Reilly and Elliot Stratton recount dealings with death threats as common place before co-chairs of the parliamentary mindfulness group, Tim Loughton and Chris Ruane detail how long baths and appreciating the small things have helped over 200 MPs and Peers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley begins a week of daily Red Box podcasts with a special episode recorded at Podcast Live.   Sam Coates explains why every future PM will tinker with Brexit then Katie Perrior considers the lack of charm in our politicians.   PLUS David Aronovitch hopes for the death of two party politics and Esther Webber on why we've all turned into parliamentary wonks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley asks how a different prime minister might have negotiated the last three years more successfully.Chris Wilkins, Theresa May's former speechwriter, lifts the lid on the lack of strategy behind the scenes. Jill Rutter, from the Institute for Government, says experts were shut out from day one.Plus Oliver Wright, The Times policy editor, on the risks of setting red lines, and Times columnists Jenni Russell and Iain Martin disagree over what Michael Gove told them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final part of the Brexit Tamed specials, Matt Chorley invites Katie Perrior, Lucy Fisher, Sathnam Sanghera and Hugo Rifkind to speculate whether British politics can be saved, what we'd be talking about if remain won, and what comes after Brexit?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley introduces part two of a special episode recorded at the Emmanuel centre in London. Phillip Collins moderates a debate with Sarah Baxter, Daniel Finkelstein, Iain Martin and David Aaronovitch as they try to unpick the history of Europe and decide how it led us to Brexit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley introduces a special episode recorded at the Emmanuel centre in London. First Quentin Letts speaks to Chukka Umunna then in a reversal of the remain/leave dynamic Rachel Sylvester interviews Iain Duncan Smith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PLUS Free speech in the internet age and beating cancer.Matt Chorley is joined by Alice Thomson, Hugo Rifkind and Lindsay McIntosh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley gives up on asking politicians what might happen with Brexit and ventures into The Times office on the roof of parliament to ask the political team what has really happened this week, and what happens next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is in parliament with politicians and pundits, asking how Geoffrey Cox became so key to Theresa May's deal, and what the hell happens now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley hosts a special episode ahead of International Women's DayCampaigner Caroline Criado Perez has already secured victory in getting a woman, Jane Austen, on banknotes and then another, Millicent Fawcett, among the statues in Parliament Square. Now she’s taken on a bigger challenge: rewiring the whole of society, especially the data which drives it, which is shall we say, quite male-dominated. Anne Ashworth, The Times money and property editor, argues why women must learn to be riskier with their money to ensure they are not left short in retirement.And Rachel Sylvester, the Times columnist and interviewer that most of the cabinet are too scared to be interviewed by, warns Amber Rudd is being singled out for misogynistic abuse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by three London-based foreign reporters, including Dutch correspondent Tim de Wit, Cristina Marconi from Italy and Katrin Pribyl from Germany, to discuss how to make sense of Brexit for a foreign audience, who makes the news overseas and how Britain is now seen abroad. (It's not good.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley takes another stroll, this time with the former Labour MP on why he quit, looking his dad in the eye, and his fears for his old party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Outrageous, outspoken and out of the Tory party, Anna Soubry speaks to Matt Chorley about why she quit, who tried to persuade her to stay and what happens next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to two MPs who quit the party, plus Ayesha Hazarika on the threat to Labour and Ash Sarkar on how Corbyn should respond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marking three years of the Red Box politics podcast from The Times, Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnist David Aaronovitch who reveals he is close to quitting Labour over antisemitism; Red Box reporter Esther Webber worries about how one man is blocking backbench laws in the Commons; and YouGov's Anthony Wells explains the firms latest modelling which predicts another hung parliament if we have a snap election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PLUS: Is a general election insane, and how much did Times reporters drink in the 1980s?Matt Chorley is joined by Sam Coates, The Times deputy political editor, who says the prime minister is the root of all our problems.Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein warns a planned election is mad, but it is worth planning for an accidental one.And as Frances Gibb prepares to retire after four decades covering the law for The Times, she describes what has got better (and worse) in justice and journalism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is really ahead in the polls? Is support building for a second referendum? Would Leave or Remain win? And is Labour really trailing the Tories? Matt Chorley is joined by polling guru Sir John Curtice and Deborah Mattinson, Gordon Brown's former pollster and founder of Britain Thinks. PLUS: Do you feel politically homeless? Jane Merrick describes quitting Labour and Nick Mazzei explains why he quit the Tories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nevermind Brexit, there are plenty of other crises to keep us awake at night.Matt Chorley is joined by a bumper panel of Times reporters and columnists to discuss the issues not being discussed enough.Columnist Rachel Sylvester is worried about poverty; Lucy Fisher, the defence correspondent, is worried about Nato; Graeme Paton, the transport correspondent, is worried about the railways; Chris Smyth, health editor, is worried about almost all of the NHS, and columnist Kenny Farquharson is worried about SNP infighting.Subscribe to the Red Box politics morning email at thetimes.co.uk/redbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by The Times' Daniel Finkelstein, Iain Martin, Esther Webber, Hugo Rifkind and Henry Zeffman in the corridors of power, and asks MPs including Boris Johnson, Mary Creagh and James Cleverly what happens now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by award-winning playwright James Graham, who explains how and why he created Channel 4’s Brexit: The Uncivil War, and why he hopes drama can be a catharsis.Kieran Hodgson is a comedian and actor but also a self-confessed political history nerd and his latest show, '75 indulges his fascination for the lively world of 1970s politics, in particular the dramatic story of how the UK joined Europe in the first place.And Nikki da Costa, who until November was Theresa May’s director of legislative affairs in No 10, explains how the Brexit plot will play out over the next few months. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley asks Tim Shipman, political editor of The Sunday Times, Esther Webber, the Red Box reporter, and Katie Perrior, Theresa May's former director of communications to gaze into their crystal balls and predict what this year might hold in store in British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by two of his favourite comedians who give their impressions of the last year. Look out for their Fawlty Towers sketch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley presides over more chaos in part two as the teams fight it out in the remaining rounds.On the MPs’ team, Conservative MP Anna Soubry and Labour’s Conor McGinn. On the columnists team Daniel Finkelstein and Hugo Rifkind. And finally on the reporter’s team, the undefeated champion for the last two years: sketchwriter and diary editor Patrick Kidd, who this year is joined by Red Box reporter Esther Webber. Can they make it three years in a row? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is ringmaster of the annual circus, testing who has paid the most attention this year: MPs, columnists or reporters.On the MPs’ team, Conservative MP Anna Soubry and Labour’s Conor McGinn. On the columnists team Daniel Finkelstein and Hugo Rifkind. And finally on the reporter’s team, the undefeated champion for the last two years: sketchwriter and diary editor Patrick Kidd, who this year is joined by Red Box reporter Esther Webber. Can they make it three years in a row? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On another day of drama, Matt Chorley presents from Westminster speaking to journalists and MPs about May's narrow victory, her promise to stand down before the next election, and whether all the theatrics help or hinder the path to a deal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnist Iain Martin who tries to explain what went wrong with the Brexit vote, Katie Perrior, May's former director of communications, says her old boss could be on the way, and Henry Zeffman, The Times political correspondent, examines what (might) happen next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, tells Matt Chorley about the risk of social unrest if Brexit is stopped, his fears over the decline of freedom around the world, and how he carries out diplomacy via WhatsApp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Henry Zeffman, Times political correspondent, who explains what could happen if and when Theresa May's Brexit deal is voted down by MPs.Rachel Sylvester, Times columnist, argues Theresa May’s fixation on immigration is her fatal flaw.And Kenny Farquharson on interviewing John McDonnell on Labour working with the SNP, splits with Jeremy Corbyn, and learning to play the trombone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who would become a politician? Who can afford to? And why is there is disconnect between the electorate and the elected?Matt Chorley is joined by Isabel Hardman, author of Why We Get the Wrong Politicians, Sam Alvis, a former parliamentary intern and researcher, and Rob Wilson, a former minister who lost his seat in 2017. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to bad leaders, trapped penguins or mental health, is there a right time to intervene?Matt Chorley is joined by Francis Elliott, The Times' political editor, who wonders how the Tory plotters got it so wrong.PLUS Alice Thomson, Times columnist, on police appeals for the public to step in and Matthew Parris asks do we get bang for our buck on mental health? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the most extraordinary day in Westminster since, well, yesterday Matt Chorley watches Jacob Rees-Mogg call for a leadership challenge with The Times' Sam Coates and Patrick Kidd; Kate Devlin explains why Dominic Raab quit; and Henry Zeffman, Esther Webber and Oliver Wright try to explain what is happening, before admitting nobody knows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Matt is joined by Times columnist Philip Collins, who wonders why more billionaires don’t do good, Nicola Woolcock, Times education correspondent, on the latest, expensive Tory plan to win back the youth vote, and columnist Daniel Finkelstein who deciphers Labours Brexit position so you don't have to.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley meets House of Cards creator Lord Michael Dobbs. In a wide ranging conversation Dobbs explains his brutal firing by Margret Thatcher, how he came to write House of Cards when he should have been in therapy and the impact of the #metoo movement in Westminster and Hollywood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Hugo Rifkind, who is worried about the vast power that vastly rich people today can have over our politics.In the week of the death of Jeremy Heywood, Rachel Sylvester wonders whether the civil service can withstand the huge pressure of Brexit.And Joe Jervis, co-author of Spirit of Britain, Purpose of Labour, says we are a nation divided between Communitarians and Cosmopolitans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philip Hammond heralded the beginning of the end of austerity, blowing a multi-billion pound windfall on tax cuts and extra spending. But what was hidden in the small print, does it make an election more likely, and who will actually have more money in their pocket?Matt Chorley is joined by Anne Ashworth, The Times money and property editor, Oliver Wright, The Times policy editor, and Richard Fletcher, The Times business editor, to answer these questions, and others sent in by Red Box newsletter readers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the leader of Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson about life beyond politics, including her upbringing, struggles with mental health, and impending motherhood. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Edinburgh's Signet library. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you solve a problem like Brexit, the Budget or Bercow?Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnist Rachel Sylvester, who warns Theresa May has no room to compromise.Carl Emmerson, from the Institute for Fisxal Studies, on why the chancellor can’t end austerity and the balance the books.And Henry Zeffman, Times political correspondent, on whether John Bercow can survive the latest calls to quit.Read more at thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Matt Chorley hosts a special episode as Iain Martin, Lucy Fisher, Jenni Russell and Bruno Waterfield, argue over the big (and not so big) political issues of the day. Including: the Brussels view of brexit, the USA's abdication as "world police", how should the west fight back against Russia? And what is a Kayne West? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley meets health minister Matt Hancock in the last of the party conference podcasts. They talk about his dyslexia, why he accepted a demotion to remain in a minister in 2016, what he plans to do with the billions allocated for the NHS and what Ronnie Wood handed him to get through the Brit awards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnists, Alice Thomson, Patrick Kidd and Hugo Rifkind and former number 10 adviser, Will Tanner.The panel debates if a party torn apart by Brexit, promising tax rises not cuts and buffeted by domestic crises can reinvent itself and who is the right person for the job?Recorded live at the electric cinema in Birmingham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded shortly before her speech to the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Matt Chorley sits down with shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry. In a wide ranging interview they discuss her childhood, brexit, anti-semitism and why she expects Labour's demands for a general election to succeed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, the panel debate whether Jeremy Corbyn can inspire an electorate and turn the last election's gains in to a majority or whether his peak will be remembered as a song on a Glastonbury hillside.To find an answer Matt Chorley is joined by former Corbyn spokesman Matt Zarb-Cousin, author of "Comrade Corbyn" Rosa Prince and Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Jenni Russell.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is at the Lib Dem conference in Brighton, where leader Sir Vince Cable had a nightmare delivering the key part of his speech.Polly Mackenzie, former Lib Dem No10 policy chief, Vanessa Pine, former adviser to Sir Vince, and Henry Zeffman, Times political correspondent, pick over a bad few days beside the sea.Matthew Parris, The Times columnist, discusses 30 years of attending Lib Dem conference.And Matt goes in search of anyone who want to be Lib Dem leader instead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, who argues only one person can lead a new Blairite party, and that’s Tony Blair. Sam Coates, The Times deputy political editor, tackles the most contentious issue in politics: trans rights. And Anne Ashworth, The Times money editor, wonders why ministers care so little about how much we are saving for old age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As MPs return to Westminster, Matt Chorley assembles a crack team of former political spin doctors to diagnose the problems in their parties, and their long-term chances of survival.Katie Perrior, who was Theresa May's No10 director of communications, insists the PM is dead set against a second Brexit referendum: "She thinks it's highly divisive, when you go back on democracy. But will she choose it over getting fired? I don't know, that's politics."Paul Ovenden, who was a Labour press spokesman until after last year's snap election, voices his despair at the party's failure to get a grip on the antisemitism row. He explains: "The problem is it is not just any political issue for Jeremy Corbyn or the people around him. The foundation of their politics is the idea that the West is a force for bad, a force for disruption of the Middle East and Israel is a big part of that."Vanessa Pine, a former special adviser to Sir Vince Cable in the coalition government, admits her party has not made the progress it should have done in the last year: "There have been self-inflicted wounds."  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to David Charter, The Times’ new US editor, about adjusting to life in Washington, the numerous threats to the Trump presidency and the challenge of being a foreign correspondent in a town where contacts can suddenly - and dramatically - lose their jobs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If sometimes you think politics seems to trivial this might not be the episode for you.Matt Chorley assembles three of the biggest brains filled with useful (and useless) facts about politics and only one can emerge victorious.Showing off their knowledge are Patrick Kidd, The Times sketchwriter and diarist, Esther Webber, Red Box reporter, and Mark Mason, author of Question Time: A Journey Round Britain's Quizzes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at a TimesPlus event, Lucy Fisher speaks to Stig Abell, editor of the Times Literary Supplement, about his new book, How Britain Really Works, an in-depth look at the challenges facing the UK.Getting to grips with Britain is harder than ever – a nation that chose Brexit, rejects immigration but is dependent on it, is getting older but less healthy, is more demanding of public services but less willing to pay for them, and is tired of intervention abroad but wants to remain a global authority. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of our special looking at political shows on the Edinburgh fringe, Matt Chorley is joined by Andrew Maxwell, who you’ll know from Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and Celebrity Mastermind. He is at the fringe with his show Shake a Leg.Lolly Jones, whose show Fifty Shades of May is a comedy/burlesque hybrid described as Downing Street on poppers, with a P45, suspenders, and a chunky metal necklace!And Fin Taylor tackles the politics of sex with his show When Harassy Met Sally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.