Politics Unpacked

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.

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.