Politics Unpacked

Matt Chorley is joined by three comedians taking political shows to the Edinburgh fringe.Nick Hall brings his show Spencer, the story of Spencer Percival, the only British prime minister to have been assassinated. He asks if, in this age of Brexit, Trump, Corbynista and Maybot, could we still learn something from the past?Jess Green’s show is pretty self-explanatory: A Self-Help Guide to Being in Love With Jeremy Corbyn. She’ll describe how it was impossible to resist the Labour leader’s raw communist sex appeal.And Pierre Novellie’s show See Novellie, Hear Novellie, Speak Novellie promises satire for people without a team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why a cross-party effort makes sense, but won't happen.PLUS Leaving Labour and replacing MayMatt Chorley is joined by Times columnist Philip Collins, Times deputy diary editor Grant Tucker and Red Box columnist Jane Merrick to discuss the week in politics.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Biographers of Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson help Matt Chorley write the first draft of political history.Sir Anthony Seldon argues Theresa May could still rescue Brexit and avoid bgeing remembered as the worst PM ever.Rosa Prince, biographer of Jeremy Corbyn, asks what the Labour leader needs to do to become PM himself.And Andrew Gimson, biographer of Boris Johnson, on what the ex-foreign secretary will do next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Resignations, reshuffles and May's survival.In this special recorded in Westminster, Matt Chorley is joined by The Times' Henry Zeffman, Sam Coates and Lucy Fisher to discuss why political crises are linked to the hole in Sam's trousers.Alastair Campbell describes helping Robin Cook write his resignation letter. Katie Perrior, Theresa May's former director of communications, and Rupert Harrison, George Osborne's former chief of staff, on the threat posed by Boris Johnson and the PM's chances of fighting the next election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Ben Rhodes, whose new book, The World As It Is, charts a decade at Barack Obama’s side, from the campaign in Chicago to flying with him to California on the day he left the White House for the final timeHe was at the table for the Iran nuclear deal, the opening up of relations with Cuba, the night US Navy seals killed Osama Bin Laden.And he was there when David Cameron asked Barack Obama for his help to stop Brexit.More than just a speechwriter, he sought to recast the American story, but it was a story that had an unhappy ending for Team Obama, with the election of Donald Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PLUS Tories bash business and handling Brexit badlyMatt Chorley is joined by James McGrory, from Open Britain, Rachel Shabi, a left-wing commentator, and Anthony Wells, from pollsters YouGov. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Paul Johnson, Times regular and director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, who insists there is no Brexit dividend for the NHS, or anything else.Times columnist Rachel Sylvester tackles the drugs debate in the Tory Party.And in a passionate debate on the moral fibre of The Government, Sam Coates, The Times deputy political editor, wonders why on Earth Britain is turning a blind eye to the US separating children from their parents in detention centres.Get in touch [email protected] to the Red Box get morning email at www.thetimes.co.uk/redbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by political correspondent Henry Zeffman and columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Jenni Russell. The panel discuss the first Brexit resignation, why child protection budgets are being misdirected and why the USA remains the world's police force. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mart Chorley is joined by Tom Swarbrick, former head of broadcast in Theresa May's No10, and Steve Howell, former deputy director of communications in Jeremy Corbyn's Labour, to recall the moment the exit poll dropped, and how their leaders have handled the last year.Tim Shipman, political editor of the Sunday Times, and Alice Thomson, Times columnist and interviewer, reflect on the highs and lows of the last year and what the next 12 months might hold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fiona Hamilton, The Times crime and security editor, on Sajid Javid trying to improve relations with the police after years of hostilities.Lucy Fisher, The Times chief political correspondent, warns Theresa May has nowhere to hide from the Northern Ireland abortion debate.And Matthew Moore, The Times media correspondent, on why Radio 2 listeners are revolting over efforts to end tackle its all-male daytime line-up.Subscribe to Matt Chorley's Red Box morning email thetimes.co.uk/redbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at a Times+ event for Times subscribers, Matt Chorley and a stellar panel grapple with the ethical questions of the tech takeover.He was joined by:Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and the first minister to set up an app about themselves.Timandra Harkness is presenter of the BBC Radio 4 series, FutureProofing, a science comedian and author of Big Data: Size Does Matter.Dame Wendy Hall is Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton, and last year carried out an independent review for the government on the artificial intelligence industry.And Tom Whipple, The Times science editor, whose job it is to try to separate fact from science fiction, and try not to scare us all every morning.To attend future events subscribe to The Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Times sketchwriters past and present Patrick Kidd, Ann Treneman and Matthew Parris on the good, the bad and the ugly exchanges across the despatch box.Sign up to the Red Box morning email thetimes.co.uk/redbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ayesha Hazarika and Tom Hamilton, former political advisers and authors of Punch & Judy Politics, give their top 10 tips to surviving prime minister's questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by a panel to discuss in-depth three big political themes of the week.Oliver Wright, The Times policy editor, tries to explain what Boris Johnson wants from Brexit, and why he probably won’t get it.Jenni Russell, Times columnist, says the resignation of New York’s attorney-general , Eric Schneiderman, after allegations of abuse by ex-girlfriends, is a chilling reminder of how deeply the currents of misogyny and violence against women still run. And Anne Ashworth, Times money and property editor, on the idea of the state giving 25-year-olds £10,000 to tackle inter generational unfairness.Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review which could be read out on a future episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded from Downing Street, Matt Chorley is joined by Jack Brown, the street researcher-in-residence, who reveals the rows about the PM moving out for the repairs in 1958 and why they were almost scuppered by a cup of tea.Additional clips: Sky News/ Reuters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part one of Red Box's Downing Street series, Matt Chorley welcomes Philip Collins, Times columnist and former Blair speechwriter, Gabby Bertin, former Cameron spokeswoman and adviser, and Caroline Slocock, former Thatcher private secretary.They speak about the power struggles, how the building shapes it inhabitants and the day their boss was forced to move out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PLUS Nasty parties and watching royal-watchersMatt Chorley is joined by Sam Coates, Times political editor, who suspects Michael Gove is again eyeing the Tory leadership, Hugo Rifkind, Times columnist, fears bigotry and bias is ingrained in both the Tory and Labour Party, while comedian Tiff Stevenson wonders if coverage of royal babies and weddings is designed to distract us from the bigger issues.Got a question for a future episode? Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley welcomes Times political editor Francis Elliot, Times reporter Grant Tucker and former No10 spin chief Katie Perrior.The panel discuss: is Theresa May's stint as home secretary coming back to haunt her, is the problem with polls, the data or those who report it, and after Wetherspoons ditched social media, is it time for brands and politicians to switch off twitter and get back to the day job? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bumper episode, Matt Chorley welcomes founder of Number Cruncher Politics, Matt Singh, senior political correspondent Lucy Fisher and columnist Iain Martin.The panel cover: why nothing has changed in the polls, why a new party won't work in Britain and what should fill the new Museum of Brexit? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnist Alice Thomson, Bruno Waterfield, Times Brussels Correspondent, and Oliver Wright and Henry Zeffman, who write the Times Brexit Briefing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who has been worst PM ever? And the best? And what does history tell us about today's politicians?Matt Chorley is joined by author Andrew Gimson, former No10 spin chief Katie Perrior and Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Patrick Kidd and Rachel Sylvester to pick over the politics of Philip Hammond's spring statement, in which he mocked the Eyeore's on the Labour benches.Plus Francis Elliott, Times political editor, and Lucy Fisher, senior political correspondent, on what to do about Russia and can John Bercow survive the bullying scandal? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley welcomes Times political correspondent, Henry Zeffman, Times columnist, Rachel Sylvester and comedian, Matt Forde.Discussed this week: why May's speech means there's finally a significant Brexit update, why the election for Labour general secretary shows fresh infighting on the left and why PMQs is now dreadful to watch.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley welcomes Times columnist, David Aaronovitch, Times assistant editor, Anne Ashworth and director of Social Market Foundation, James Kirkup.The panel discuss: why the government energy cap teaches us to be active consumers and hold businesses to account, why Britain’s under-taxing of housing wealth means a return for the dementia tax and why Marvel films mean absolutely nothing.There's a fair chance you might disagree with the second half of this podcast, if you do, leave a review on iTunes or tweet @timesredbox   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley welcomes Lucy Fisher, Daniel Finkelstein and Philip Collins to debate the chances of a new force emerging from the current two main parties.They discuss why it has to come from a Tory/Labour split, the events which could lead to its creation and why an electoral shift is required to make it viable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a record number of new parties are set up, Matt Chorley and Lucy Fisher speak to Daniel Oxley, a founder member of the Democrats and Veterans Party, Chris Coughlan a founder of centrist party Renew, and Sally Cogley, founder of The Rubbish Party.Tomorrow: Daniel Finkelstein and Philip Collins debate the chances of a new force emerging from the current two main parties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley meets Nish Kumar, comedian and host of the 'Mash Report’ to try and understand why a British 'Daily Show’ has never worked, how losing elections is the best way to avoid satire, how he dealt with being told to "go home" the day after the Brexit vote, and how he feels about that Piers Morgan cartoon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley meets David Baddiel to discuss his appearance on a government panel hoping to tackle antisemitism, how social media forces comedians to take political positions and why Tony Blair is like Bob Monkhouse.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve worked hard to become an MP, you’ve worked even harder to become a minister, so what happens when it all comes crashing down and you’re faced with a resignation calibre problem? Matt Chorley sits down with Mark Harper MP to discuss why his response to events in 2014 is regarded as the textbook political resignation.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Politicians resign for all sorts of reasons, in this special the panel examine the art and the fall out of the political resignation.Matt Chorley is joined by Theo Barclay, author of “Fighters and Quitters” which chronicles some of the great resignations, Sir Craig Oliver, David Cameron’s director of communications, and Jane Merrick, Red Box columnist.They discuss: what are grounds for quitting, how do you do it with grace and some dignity intact, and is there ever a way back? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Fay Schlesinger, Alice Thomson and Iain Martin to discuss fears of society becoming overly prudish, how to fix the housing crisis, and why the Tories need to find the courage to change leader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Matt Chorley talks comedy, social media and why we need a party of nutters.On the panel: Matthew Moore, The Times media correspondent, who asks why all the jokes are on the left. Polly Mackenzie, head of Demos think tank, on regulating the future and Times columnist Matthew Parris on the slow death of a political party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Chris Smyth, Times health editor, to see whether Jeremy Hunt can solve social care, Graeme Paton, transport correspondent, on Chris Grayling hitting the buffers, and Rosemary Bennett, education editor, on whether Damian Hinds can win over whingeing teachers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnists David Aaronovitch and Rachel Sylvester and former Director of Strategy & Chief Speechwriter at May's No10, Chris Wilkins.The panel debate: a government afflicted by caution as seen in the reshuffle, how the hard left is further seizing control of the Labour party and its institutions and whether President Hilary Clinton could have survived the mainstream media onslaught if facing Trump like revelations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley welcomes Lucy Fisher, Times Senior Political Reporter, Tim Shipman the author of 'Fall Out' and Tom McTague co-author of 'Betting the House' to cast one final look at the political events of 2017.The panel pick their highlights from the last twelve months and dare to make wild guesses about the chaos which might await us in the coming year.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode recorded in front of an audience, Matt Chorley sits down with former No10 speechwriter and Times columnist, Philip Collins to discuss the art of writing the perfect political speech. Using examples from famous speeches Philip explains how Churchill showed timing is everything, why you must have something of importance to say and why it's best try to include a joke, unless the person telling it is John Prescott.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Red Box christmas quiz returns to review another bizarre political year. In part two Matt Chorley introduces rounds such as "play your Farages right" as three teams go head to head. The reporters Patrick Kidd and Lucy Fisher attempt to defend their crown against Ruth Smeeth and Johnny Mercer, the MPs, while the columnists Danny Finkelstein and Matthew Parris attempt to find Matthew's glasses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Red Box christmas quiz returns to review another bizarre political year. Matt Chorley attempts to keep order as three teams of varying ability go head to head. The reporters Patrick Kidd and Lucy Fisher attempt to defend their crown against  Ruth Smeeth and Johnny Mercer, the MPs, while the columnists Danny Finkelstein and Matthew Parris mainly plead for bonus points for decent guesses. Part two airs on Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Times Columnist Rachel Sylvester, Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, and Grant Tucker from the Times Diary. This week: Will anyone stand up for the benefits of Immigration? What are the conclusions we can draw from David Davis’ media appearances? What might 2018 look like?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Lucy Fisher, senior political correspondent, who tells us about Labour's "purge", Matthew O'Toole, a former No10 Brexit spokesman, explains why it all comes back to Irish first principles, and Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos Mori, reveals the five political tribes crossing party and Brexit lines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnist Hugo Rifkind, who worries that the Tories are kitten-killers, Anne Ashworth, Times Money editor, who warns that we are all still losing interest from the major banks, and Patrick Maguire, political reporter, tries to explain the political fall out in Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has chancellor Philip Hammond solved a housing problem? Will £2.8 billion really help the NHS? Or was it a "record of failure with a forecast of more to come". Matt Chorley welcomes Nicky Morgan, Alison McGovern, Sam Coates, Patrick Kidd and Alice Thomson to discuss the budget. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley welcomes Times columnist David Aaronovitch, Times religious affairs correspondent Kaya Burgess and Red Box columnist Jane Merrick to discuss the crisis in Germany, religion’s place in politics, and politics place in the celebrity jungle.Philip Hammond’s attempt to save the economy and his own job will be covered in a podcast special later this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley assembles a team of experts to answer your Brexit questions in an attempt to figure out what is actually going on and whether it's all very boring?On the panel: Times Brexit briefing pair, policy editor Oliver Wright and political reporter Henry Zeffman, and Jill Rutter, former No10 and Treasury policy guru who is now programme director of the Institute for Government.They answer among other questions: will we actually leave, how much will the divorce bill be, do we need urgent cross party talks, what is Labour's position and will the cost of your weekly shop suddenly sky rocket? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With nothing of interest happening in Westminster at the moment - Matt Chorley casts a critical eye over the first year of the Trump presidency. Joining him on the panel: Times columnist Jenni Russell, who argues Trump is not interested in helping anyone but himself, Sir Christopher Meyer, former British ambassador to the US, who says we should finally now stop talking about the special relationship, and impressionist Rory Bremner on whether it is possible to satirise the most extraordinary character to inhabit the Oval Office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As parliament is gripped by a sexual harassment storm, Matt Chorley is in Westminster to find out what the so-called “dirty dossier” of Tory MPs means and asks how the culture in politics can be changed so people feel safe going to work. Times reporters Henry Zeffman and Hannah McGrath describe the challenge of corroborating the swirling litany of anonymous allegations.Jess Phillips, a Labour MP, warns that listing people in consenting relationships alongside those accused of serious offences risks discrediting victims.Jane Merrick, a Red Box columnist, describes her own experience of being humiliated by a Tory MP and Times columnist Rachel Sylvester warns of a rising tide of misogyny on the hard left. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Matt assembles a panel of people who do politics differently. Forget politicians, or think tanks or even journalists. This episodes focuses on those who bring about change outside the party system.On the panel: David Babbs from the online petition website 38 Degrees, campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez, who’s successes include getting Jane Austen on the £10 note, and Matteo Bergamini from the youth politics website Shout Out UK.They'll be answering: what role can technology play, and what response there should be to the rise in youth engagement in the political process? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley returns to the studio after the party conference season and due to popular demand this episode is a Brexit free zone.This week: Lucy Fisher, senior political correspondent for The Times, on cutting cronyism in the Lords, Katie Perrior, Theresa May’s former director of communications now Times columnist on the perils of reshuffles, and columnist Daniel Finkelstein on Corbyn's proposed assault towards traditional foreign policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley braves his fourth and final conference of the season this time with the SNP in Glasgow.He asks, have we reached, 'peak Nat', is Brexit making the case for independence harder, and with leaving the union not mentioned throughout conference, how do the SNP continue to motivate party members?The questions are put to Hamish Macdonell, Times Scottish political editor, Times columnist Alex Massie, and SNP MPs including Kirsty Blackman, Stewart McDonald and Stephen Gethins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final conference special Matt Chorley welcomes a panel of Times political columnists and journalists including Matthew Parris, Hugo Rifkind and Rachel Sylvester, who dangerously try to predict the future of British politics once more and answer, who will lead the Conservatives next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.