Politics Unpacked

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.

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.