Politics Unpacked

In this special podcast Matt Chorley interviews Ruth Davidson MSP in front of a packed fringe event at the Conservative party conference in Manchester. Davidson speaks on a variety of issues including, firing Boris Johnson, not wanting a second Brexit referendum, parking her tanks on Alex Salmond's lawn, how the party should fight Corbyn and whether she will ever stand for the Tory leadership.In the second part of the podcast the leader of the Scottish Conservatives takes questions from the floor, explaining why she's a "Majorite", answering whether she's the female Boris Johnson and outlining why the party has to speak people 18-25 "not as if they're a separate species". **NB due to circumstances beyond our control the sound quality varies in this podcast** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second special from Brighton, Matt Chorley is joined by shadow education secretary Angela Rayner MP, to reflect on the changed mood of the Labour party conference.They also discuss why she took the job in the first place, why she's comfortable saying Labour lost, how teenage pregnancy turned her life around and how her upbringing informs her politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first Red Box debate of conference season comes from Brighton, Matt Chorley welcomes Times senior political correspondent Lucy Fisher, Times columnist Philip Collins, and journalist Rachel Shabi, to try and answer whether Corbyn can become prime minister?In an extended podcast, the panel grapple with the key issues surrounding the topic before taking questions from the audience. **NB: the start of this episode sounds a bit "wedding disco" don't worry it's only for the first thirty seconds** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Matt Chorley takes a trip to the seaside to cover the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth. He encounters former special advisors, James McGrory and Vannesa Pine, who share the tribulations of preparing a leader for a major speech.Matthew Parris and Henry Zeffman, try to work out if the Lib Dems have a message for the general public whilst on a cliff top. And Times sketch writer Patrick Kidd tells us the mood of conference and how a change in membership has upended traditional drinking habits. There's also mini golf at the end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Still armed with his "Brexit Buzzer" Matt Chorley welcomes a panel to debate anything but the B-word. Times columnist, Rachel Sylvester asks if the Tories will ever be forgiven for taking a hardline on the big issue of the day by a generation that overwhelmingly supports Remain. (01:03)Roland Watson, foreign editor of The Times, ponders solving a problem like Korea. With the United Nations divided, where does that leave the balance of power in president Trump's first test of brinkmanship? (10:48)And Grant Tucker, Times diarist, questions why politicians think it's a good idea to make big decisions in the middle of the night? (22:47) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley returns from Brussels and immediately bans any talk of Brexit until some progress is made, the podcast focuses instead on other issues facing the country. Chris Smyth, the Times health editor, explains why the NHS winter warning gets earlier every year (01:00) Jenni Russell, Times columnist on upcoming benefit cuts that are starting to bite (10:43) And fellow columnist Iain Martin asks why we're losing our religion (20:41) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Red Box returns from the summer break with an episode from Brussels. Matt Chorley and Henry Zeffman emerge from a windowless room in the Berlaymont Building to try to work out why the Brexit talks have stalled. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final Red Box of the political year, Matt Chorley welcomes back Jan Ravens, from Spitting Image and Dead Ringers. Patrick Kidd, The Times sketchwriter and diarist. And Peter Brookes, The Times cartoonist who mocks the mighty in beautiful watercolours.The panel attempt a quiz and remember their highlights of 2017 so far before recalling the political characters from the past they enjoyed parodying. Red Box will return in September Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley casts a critical eye back over the most dramatic year in British politics since last year.On the panel, Jan Ravens, the impressionist who has given voice to leaders on Spitting Image and Dead Ringers. Patrick Kidd, The Times sketchwriter and diarist who gives them a kicking in print. And Peter Brookes, The Times cartoonist who mocks the mighty in beautiful watercolours.They review the last political year and reveal their creative processes.Part 2 airs on Friday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Fay Schlesinger, The Times head of news, who wonders how to reverse the collapse of trust in the state, Red Box commentator Rachel Shabi sets out what Labour will be doing while the Tories are on their summer break, and Lucy Fisher, senior political correspondent for The Times, discusses the little local difficulty in the Tory party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week Theresa May marks a year as Prime Minister, Matt Chorley asks, what path should May now take? Two people who know her best offer their insight. Katie Perrior, May's director of communications in No10 until the election was called, explains why the PM needs to cheer up and offer some hope. And in his first interview since leaving Downing Street, Chris Brannigan, who was head of government relations, details the challenge in balancing the access given to major industrial and economic players whilst also keeping an eye on the needs of small and medium enterprises.Plus Sam Coates, deputy political editor of The Times, asks how a May government can last if it's so internally vulnerable? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second special in the run up to Pride, Matt Chorley sits down to chat with Justine Greening, Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, to discuss coming out by tweet, her view of the DUP and why her personal slogan is "keep on trucking".They also cover her attempt to extract money for schools from the treasury, whether she has any ambitions for future leadership and what battles still need to be fought for the LGBT community? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a two-part special to mark Pride week Red Box examineswhere the battles now lie for the LGBTQ community.Matt Chorley is joined by James Holt from Pride, Times columnist Matthew Parris, Labour MP Angela Eagle and SNP MP Stewart McDonald. Up for debate: is it no longer a big deal to be a gay politician, how important are labels and was there surprise at the reaction to the DUP deal?Also, Angela Eagle recalls becoming first female MP to come out in office and Matthew Parris remembers inadvertently outing Peter Mandelson on TV in 1998.In the next episode Matt speaks to Justine Greening, the education secretary and equalities minister, about what the government needs to do to tackle homophobia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by three new MP's to discuss the quirks of adjusting to life in parliament. On the panel: Douglas Ross (Conversative), Luke Pollard (Labour) and Wera Hobhouse (Lib Dem) They discuss the pain of sorting your office, getting lost in the giant building, what they hope to achieve in their terms and what's been the strangest part about the job so far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley welcomes Jenni Russell who says Brexit is already a mess, Iain Martin who thinks he knows who should be the next prime minister and Anne Ashworth, Times property editor, who suggests the lessons that must be learnt from the Grenfell Tower fire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley welcomes columnists Rachel Sylvester and Phillip Collins as well as political reporter Henry Zeffman.The panel discuss, why the Tories need to listen to Ruth Davidson, why Jeremy Corbyn should resist calls to move rightwards and how shelving Brexit could be the PM's least worst option in 2019. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Britain wakes up to another shock result, a sleep deprived Matt Chorley welcomes The Times Deputy Editor, Emma Tucker, Times columnist, Alice Thomson, Times diary and sketch writer Patrick Kidd, and Sunday Times Political Editor, Tim Shipman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Britain prepares to go to the polls, Matt Chorley chairs a Red Box debate. On the panel: Katie Perrior, former director of communications at Number 10, Anthony Wells, director of YouGov's political polling and Times columnists Hugo Rifkind and David Aaronovitch.Up for discussion: are people still backing Theresa May, is Jeremy Corbyn a turn-off on the doorstep or surging, is the only way down for the Nicola Sturgeon's SNP, and did the Lib Dems and UKIP make it all about Brexit? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley heads to Edinburgh for a Scottish Red Box special.On a whirlwind tour of the capital he gauges public opinion on the major parties and seeks to understand issues on the minds of voters, there's also host of interviews including: Times columnist Alex Massie, on why the political map could become very divided, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who explains why she's 'in charge' north of the border.There's also contributions from University of Strathclyde's John Curtis who reviews the polls and details why victory could still mean peril for Theresa May, and Times' Scottish political correspondent, Hamish Macdonell outlines what to look for on election night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Katie Perrior, former May director of communications, Matt Zarb-Cousin, former Corbyn spokesmanand James McGrory, former Nick Clegg spinner, to lift the lid on the realities of running a campaign, who's currently doing well, and their worst moments whilst out on the road with the candidates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As general election campaigning restarts following the terror attack in Manchester, Matt Chorley is joined by Tim Shipman and Sam Coates. They reflect on the political response to terror, what the intelligence leaks mean for transatlantic relations and how the final stages of the election campaign will look. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the terror attack in Manchester, Matt Chorley delivers a short monologue in place of the the regular podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley welcomes Lucy Fisher, Alice Thomson and Matthew Shaddick from Ladbrokes as the manifestos break cover. On the agenda: why politicians aren't talking about the rise of the robots, how the social care crisis has finally become a major election issue, and how bookies set political odds, plus the big money bets placed to far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley escapes the Westminster bubble to visit Yeovil to discover if the Lib Dem fightback is realistic. Listen in as he travels around the local area to chat with Conservative candidate, Marcus Fysh, Lib Dem candidate, Jo Roundell Greene and a whole host of local voters. There's also expert analysis from Professor Charles Lees from the University of Bath and Times columnist Hugo Rifkind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by former Number 10 director of communications, Katie Perrior, Ipsos Mori research director, Kully Kaur-Ballagan and columnists, David Aaronovitch in the studio and Robert Crampton on the road. On the agenda: The Mays and their political relationship, why there is little evidence meeting immigration targets would please the public, and are there lessons to be learned in Britain from the En Marche experience? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Lucy Fisher, Danny Finkelstein and Oliver Kamm. On the agenda: Why campaigns should be disciplined and hide candidates away if required. Why Oliver is wrestling with voting for a local Labour candidate despite his problems with Corbyn's leadership and why switched UKIP votes could cause swathes of Labour-held seats in the north to turn blue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley escapes the Westminster bubble to present a special debate between the leading candidates to become West Midlands mayor. Andy Street (Conservative) and Sion Simon (Labour) go head to head and are joined on the panel by Jenni Russell and Matthew Parris. Conversation covers not only local issues but the general election as well. Recorded live on the 26th April 2017 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lessons in a landslide: 20 years after New LabourA Red Box podcast series of interviews with all of the key players in the 1997 campaign, and their fears for the future of the party.Tony Blair reflects on his paranoia that he might blow it in 1997, his unsolvable conflict with Gordon Brown and his sadness at Blairite now being a dirty word in the party in led to three election victories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lessons in a landslide: 20 years after New LabourA Red Box podcast series of interviews with all of the key players in the 1997 campaign, and their fears for the future of the party.In this episode Alastair Campbell, the spin doctor, describes how he waged a war against complacency even after the polls closed, insists that being "cuddlier" with journalists wouldn't have delivered the same result and describes why Jeremy Corbyn is not even as impressive as Michael Foot.Additional clips: Sky News, BBC News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lessons in a landslide: 20 years after New LabourA Red Box podcast series of interviews with all of the key players in the 1997 campaign, and their fears for the future of the party.In this episode: Peter Mandelson, the election svengali, on coining New Labour, why John Prescott was always feeling left out and how some Blairites have still not forgiven him for going back to save Gordon Brown's premiership.Additional clips: Sky News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lessons in a landslide: 20 years after New LabourA Red Box podcast series of interviews with all of the key players in the 1997 campaign, and their fears for the future of the party.Margaret McDonagh, the campaign co-ordinator, on the birth of the pledge card, rowing with John Prescott in a cinema and the panic of MPs who had been unexpectedly elected. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lessons in a landslide: 20 years after New LabourA Red Box podcast series of interviews with all of the key players in the 1997 campaign, and their fears for the future of the party.The Times' 1997 lobby journalists Philip Webster, Jill Sherman and James Landale on the battlebuses, spin doctors, chickens, bulldogs and gay lions they found reporting on the campaign train for The Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lessons in a landslide: 20 years after New LabourA Red Box podcast series of interviews with all of the key players in the 1997 campaign, and their fears for the future of the party.In this episode: Anji Hunter, Blair's gatekeeper, on watching New Labour being born, surviving in a team of "pushy" blokes, and relations with "tetchy" Cherie.Additional clips: Sky News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley previews an exclusive series detailing Labour's historic landslide victory in 1997. The series features interviews with all the key players, including Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell, Anji Hunter, Margaret McDonagh and Peter Mandelson for insights on the campaign, early government days and reflections on the current Labour party. The Times political team from 1997 reassemble to tell you the stories they couldn't report at the time. All six episodes are available from Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Matt Chorley is joined by Jenni Russell, Anthony Wells and Hamish Macdonell.On the agenda: hear how pollsters have changed their methodology after poor accuracy in recent years, why the Scottish political map should shift yet again with the Tories benefitting, and why Jenni is feeling depressed by an election for the first time in her life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Theresa May stuns Westminster by calling a snap election Lucy Fisher sits in for Matt Chorley and is joined by Sam Coates and Henry Zeffman to discuss the repercussions.The panel consider May's hit to her trustworthy image, her motivations for calling the election now and how large her majority must be for this to be considered a success? Whether a heavy election loss for Labour would really signal the end for Jeremy Corbyn, and why the Lib Dems will be delighted to fight a 'Brexit Election' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final Red Box Politics and Comedy Special Matt Chorley is joined by a Ayesha Hazarika, James McGrory and Daniel Finkelstein to discuss what it's like writing jokes for politicians. They discuss their best and worst efforts before debating what's required to make famous political names appear funny and the potential problems when it goes wrong.Also covered, how Nick Clegg can strangle any joke, why Ed Milliband shudders at Hush Puppies and why William Hague might have been better suited to comedy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded in a busy Portcullis House, Matt Chorley sits down with comedian Al Murray to discuss how he invented the pub landlord character, what it was like standing against Nigel Farage in the 2015 general election and what he learned about the life of a politician. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Andy Zaltzman, Tiff Stevenson and Hugo Rifkind to debate whether the current times are too serious for comedy. Also discussed are the fundamentals of the art, if certain subjects are taboo, whether acts needs a message behind the punchlines and whether Donald Trump can truly be parodied? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first of a four-part series focusing on politics and comedy, Matt Chorley sits down with Rory Bremner to discuss his thirty year career, the lack of political satire on British television, how he formulates his impressions and why deep down he has a core respect for politicians. Check back tomorrow when Matt speaks to Andy Zaltzman and Tiff Stevenson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the agenda: how Trump's survival will hinge on tax cuts, deficit spending and domestic deregulation, how the new liberal backlash against the populist surge will see the Lib Dems benefit, and what Theresa May's Vogue interview tells us about her. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the podcast Matt Chorley is joined by Catherine Philp, Sam Coates and Oliver Kamm. This week, the panel tries to make sense of Michael Howard's Gibraltar comments and the resulting firestorm, there's debate over the prime minister's 'counterproductive' tour of the Middle East to drum up interest in trade deals and Sam can't understand ministers sheepishly pretending they're not really announcing anything. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Oliver Wright and Henry Zeffman, plus Jill Rutter from the Institute for Government to answer your questions and tell you how to impress your friends talking about tariffs, timetables and triggering Article 50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Iain Martin and Emma Tucker in London, Lindsay McIntosh in Edinburgh and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels. They discuss Nicola Sturgeon calling for a second referendum and the commons passing the article 50 bill, in a week of more political drama. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded from parliament Matt Chorley welcomes Senior Political Correspondent, Lucy Fisher, Labour MP Wes Streeting, Times columnist and Tory peer Matt Ridley and former Chancellor Alistair Darling, to run the rule over Phillip Hammond's first Spring Budget. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Sam Coates, Anne Ashworth and Jenni Russell to discuss the maelstrom of upcoming events for May's government, the need to teach practical money management in schools and how Trump is posing new questions for the media with every outlandish statement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a live special, Matt Chorley is joined by Phillip Collins of The Times, Sarah Baxter from The Sunday Times and Sohrab Ahmari from the Wall Street Journal to discuss how important is the special relationship? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Lucy Fisher and Henry Zeffman to reflect on the by-election results in Copeland and Stoke on Trent.They discuss: How big an achievement this is for Theresa May, what it means for beaten UKIP leader Paul Nuttall? And did Labour lose by winning in Stoke? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by former advisor to Tony Blair turned stand up, Matt Forde, Times columnist Rachel Sylvester and former minister David Willetts, who now heads the Resolution Foundation. They debate if the weak Labour opposition is distorting everything Theresa May does? Why in the age of Google, some politicians make claims which can so easily be disproved? And how the goal of each generation doing considerably better than the one before it can be revived. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second part of this spin doctor special, we hear how to deal with leadership crisis of all shapes and sizes.Matt Chorley is joined by:Jo Tanner who worked on two Boris Johnson mayoral campaigns, Lord Wood of Anfield spent a decade advising Gordon Brown before running Ed Miliband's leadership campaign, and James Holt spent seven years spinning for the Lib Dems, including as head of government communications for Nick Clegg in the coalition.Also 'When photo-ops go wrong' the panel reveal their disastrous moments featuring: Boris Johnson and lingerie, Ed Milliband's bacon sandwich nightmare and why Nick Clegg was forced to star in a shot for shot remake of 'I really like you' by Carly Rae Jepsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.