Politics Unpacked

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Alice Thomson, Laura Pitel and Libby Purves. Generational difference on the Paris massacres, 'weaponising' the NHS and televised political debates.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Matthew Parris and Rachel Sylvester. The panel discusses the forthcoming general election:All of the politicians say that this election matters more than any for a generation but they always do. But are they right this time?In terms of the minor parties, who has the potential to most affect the outcome of the next parliament: Ukip or the SNP?Who will be prime minister at the end of the year?Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by cartoonist Peter Brookes to review the biggest talking points of 2014 with his favourite drawings of the year with Anne Ashworth and Hugo Rifkind.Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-readSubscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special 2015 edition: Tim Montgomerie is joined by Roland Watson, Fay Schlesinger and Francis Elliott to discuss some potential big talking points in the year ahead. Tim also roams the newsroom to chat to various Times editors to see what is on their 'ones to watch' list. Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-readSubscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Fay Schlesinger and Robert Crampton. David AaronovitchYesterday the Russian rouble dropped to an all-time low rate of 63 against the dollar, and interest rates were raised by 6.5% to 17%. Part of this economic collapse is due to the oil price drop and part to sanctions following the annexation of the Crimea. Meanwhile, for the last few weeks reports have been multiplying of aggressive Russian air activity, which could itself endanger more civilian life. The consequences of Putinism, not the general election, will arguably be the great story of 2015. We need to wake up to it now. Fay SchlesingerFaces pressed against glass and framed by an Islamic flag, millions watched the victims of the Sydney siege go through their 16-hour ordeal. All that terror seems to have been the doing of one man. The fact is that almost anyone can be a terrorist these days, and heightened security can't be expected to protect against lone wolf attacks. The only solution is... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster, Melanie Phillips and Robbie Millen. Philip Webster:The Lib Dems are flailing around trying to show they are different from the Tories they have kept in office. It won't work. They have just signed off the autumn statement whose accompanying documents contain all the cuts they now so despise. They should pull out of the coalition. That will prove they are different. It won't mean an early election.Melanie Phillips:The appeal of Islamic State lies in the real power it has gained through territory and wealth. The only way to stop it recruiting is therefore to destroy it on the ground. The west's real problem, though, is the absence of a strategy to combat holy war.Robbie Millen:Should the Elgin Marbles be returned to Athens? The Greek Prime Minister said that their loan to the Hermitage was an “affront to the Greek people”. Such bombastic, bone-headed nationalism should be ignored. The marbles belong as much to Britain --- and all the civilised world... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Giles Whittell and Libby Purves. Francis Elliott:All four political parties are promising to cut taxes after the next election despite a deficit which is stubbornly refusing to fall. Worse they pretend they are doing so to make work pay for lower-income households but that's just not true. Vote for no tax cuts!Giles Whittell:China has been watching Vladimir Putin's brinkmanship in eastern Europe. It sees what can be accomplished through bullying indecisive western democracies, and has decided to have a go itself. Banning British MPs from visiting Hong Kong is a case in point. It's time to get angry with Beijing.Libby Purves:We need to think more intelligently about the distressing subject of paedophilia. Some men - and indeed a few women - are unnaturally and dangerously attracted to children. Not all of them abuse - or view the terrible online films. But for those still innocent who struggle, and hate themselves for this desire, there should be... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philip Webster is joined by Suzy Jagger, Hugo Rifkind and Roger Alton. The panel discuss the progress against Isis, the launch of The National - a brand new newspaper in Scotland - and Labour's popularity following the Thornberry affair.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philip Webster is joined by Patrick Kidd, Anne Ashworth and Daniel Finkelstein. Recognising the church's role in society, the housing dilemma and Lord Owen's proposal.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Roger Boyes and Alice Thomson.Labour leadership, Obama foreign policy and tackling dementia. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Ann Treneman and Rachel Sylvester. David Aaronovitch:The Age of Uncertainty. Not only do we not know the likely result of the next election, but it would be a fool who even attempted a prediction. In May we could see everyone losing and by June all three major party leaders standing down. Eek. Ann Treneman:George Osborne is on a one man mission to revitalise the north although the phrase 'northern powerhouse' may be the most patronising thing a politician has come up with for some time. But will London - or Westminster - ever allow such a thing really? In a nation that cannot even find one person to head an inquiry who isn't a member of the great and the good, is the very idea of the dispersal of power simply an anathema ?Rachel Sylvester:The internet is about to transform the way we deal with the state. The geeks in hoodies at the Government Digital Service have devised a way of verifying your identity securely that will open up the number of... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Philip Webster and Libby Purves.Jenni Russell This week the Defence Secretary apologised after saying that some communities in Britain felt swamped by immigrants. He used a word that he must have known had a toxic resonance in the debate. The Archbishop of Canterbury, appalled, has pleaded with politicians not to portray individual immigrants as a 'deep menace'. He is right. Politicians are behaving scandalously. The answer to the problems created by rapid immigration is to change the rules of admission, not to abuse the people who follow them. Philip WebsterIt is in Labour's interest that UKIP wins the Rochester by-election. Such an outcome would leave the Tories in utter disarray, fearing further defections with a question mark over the future of David Cameron. But they cannot afford to say that, which is why they are campaigning hard there. Why? Because otherwise Cameron's message Vote UKIP, Get Labour has added salience. And UKIP might come for... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Laura Pitel and Richard Fletcher. Hugo Rifkind:"Mansion taxes, higher council taxes and rises in stamp duty are all opposed by many affluent homeowners, and often with good reason. They should realise that property in Britain is a time bomb they cannot escape. If measures are not taken soon to make more housing available to more people, then, twenty years from now, there will be such an appetite for savage taxes on homeowners as to make them inevitable."Laura Pitel:"Nigel Farage likes to say that UKIP is no longer a one-man band. But he is still the party’s biggest draw and its key decision-maker. If he quit tomorrow it would descend into chaos. UKIP is on a roll right now, but it is hard to see it surviving in the long term."Richard Fletcher:"The hostile rhetoric surrounding immigration has spooked big business. Capping EU immigration is not the answer, warns the CBI. But will big business be heard in a post crisis environment where politicians will... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Philip Aldrick and Giles Whittell.The panel debate the effect of Andrew Lansley's health reforms, France and Germany's role in the stability of the Eurozone, plus Obama's foreign policy is put under the microscope. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster and Daniel Finkelstein to discuss UKIP politician, Douglas Carswell's victory in the Clacton by-election. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie hosts this special edition of Did You Read? from the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.Featuring Philip Collins, Ann Treneman and Tory MP Owen Paterson, plus Phil Webster talks about the most influential people on the right today.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie hosts this special edition of Did You Read? from the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.Featuring Jenni Russell, Matthew Parris, Phil Webster, plus Matthew Elliott from Taxpayers Alliance and Marcus Roberts from the Fabian Society on the fallout from the Scottish Referendum. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philip Collins, Richard Fletcher and Melanie Reid of The Times join Tim Montgomerie for this special edition of Did You Read?, where they discuss the Scottish Referendum result, the consequences for the entire UK as well as ask which party leader has come off worst?Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The panel discuss the latest news ahead of the independence referendum in Scotland and debate the potential political ramifications. Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Jenni Russell and political commentator and pollster Peter Kellner. Plus, the paper's Scottish Political Editor, Lindsay McIntosh, joins the debate direct from Scotland. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Matthew Parris and Deborah Haynes. Francis Elliott David Cameron in Portugal, Ed Miliband in France and Nick Clegg in Spain - which of them will be most enjoying their break? Mr Cameron is famously good at "chillaxing" but with the polls not so far following the economic growth figures he - arguably - has more to worry about than Mr Miliband. It is Mr Clegg, however, who most needs a break.Matthew ParrisAs the situation deteriorates in LIbya, the voices keenest for the 2011 intervention (including perhaps The Times) will re-set their advice, arguing now that the problem is that we haven't intervened enough. They will advocate further intervention. But these are the voices that originally advised that intervention-lite, all done from the air with no "boots on the ground" would do the trick. We must remind ourselves that they were wrong then, that we have no reason to trust their advice now, and that a period of silence from the neocons would be... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Suzy Jagger, Roger Boyes and Patrick Kidd.Suzy JaggerLibya is at risk of fracturing into three fiefdoms - tripoli in the west, Benghazi in the east, and Sabbha in the south. Libya has enjoyed no stability since the overthrow of Gaddafi and points to a sobering third chapter of the Arab spring - uprising and coup; nascent democracy; and terrifying chaos. As the Middle East burns, literally, we have a foreign secretary with no foreign policy experience and a government with no foreign policy.Roger BoyesIt's a hot summer. Wars in Syria, Iraq, Gaza, Ukraine, Afghanistan, trouble brewing in the South China Sea, Libya in flames. It hasn't been that bad for a century. All these flare-ups seem insoluble so it's tempting to look away, do the Harold Macmillan thing and shoot some grouse on the moors. But is all this killing really so difficult to stop?Patrick KiddCameron's packing the latest Ben Macintyre book (sensible fellow), Miliband's sucking up to a Labour donor... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Matt Ridley and Anne Ashworth. David AaronovitchSometimes it is hard to grasp the meaning of an event. In the wake of the shooting down of the Malaysian airliner - almost certainly by pro-Russian separatists, it turns out that Vladimir Putin has been, in effect, waging war on his neighbour. The US claims that over 100 armoured vehicles have been given by Russia to the rebels in recent weeks begs the question of why we have done so little about it. Anne AshworthAin’t nothing going on but the rent, so long as millions of twentysomethings are concerned. However, politicians do not seem to be aware of the explosive growth in the private rented sector - now bigger than social housing - and the need for imaginative policy in this area which would provide more affordable homes to let. No wonder younger voters are so disaffected. Matt RidleyWe’ve spent years encouraging faith schools, and when a group of Birmingham schools come along and show us what real... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special addition: Tim Montgomerie is joined by Phil Collins, Jill Sherman and Phillip Webster after an extraordinary day which has seen an extensive cabinet reshuffle.The panel attempt to answer the following:1. Is this still a reforming govt?2. Has the reshuffle met expectations for women?3. Is the Eurosceptic movement for an election or to last?Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Fay Schlesinger and Matthew Syed.Rachel SylvesterDavid Cameron is carrying out a reshuffle for women. How patronising. The truth is the Tories are struggling to get local associations to choose female candidates, and have failed to tackle the off-putting culture of the House of Commons. All the parties need more than tokenism to woo women voters.Fay SchlesingerIn 1961, a new law challenged the so-called sanctity of life and raised fears of a 'slippery slope' and the untimely death of thousands. That law legalised suicide. This week Lords will debate assisted dying, which crosses another line by giving doctors a proactive hand in death. With the right controls, it makes compassionate and practical sense. In an ageing society, governments cannot shirk responsibility for helping people to die well.Matthew SyedThere is a proposal to make “honesty lessons” for new MP’s compulsory. I think this is silly. The problem with trust in politics is much... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, Ann Treneman and Patrick Kidd. Daniel Finkelstein: “The recent death of Gerry Conlon and the compensation paid to the wrongly convicted youths accused of raping the Central Park jogger, should remind us of the danger of hysteria and panic to the operation of the justice system. This week as I review the child abuse debate I wonder if we have forgotten this.” Ann Treneman: “Are we seeing the return of Parliament as a power in the land? On Monday, the Home Secretary repeatedly acknowledged the "relentless" campaigns by backbench MPs on the issue of alleged child abuse. But there is also the power of the Europhobes, who have got the government on the run. I would also say that Mr Speaker himself, by simply re-discovering something called the Urgent Questions, has made the Commons much more relevant. People say Parliament isn't what it used to be. Actually, I think it's growing in importance every year.”Patrick Kidd: “The warning is stark: to meet a £30bn... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Matthew Parris and Jenni Russell. DYR? Francis ElliottIf David Cameron really wants the European Commission to be an agent for change and a place where dynamic politicians go to complete a glittering career two of his arguments from the Juncker J'accuse speech last week - then why on earth is he poised to send Andrew Lansley to Brussels?Matthew ParrisNeither my time nor my capacity for enquiry and deliberation are unlimited. So I have decided to have no opinion at all on what those involved should do about the ISIS crisis. We British are not involved. I have no opinion on the future of the US Space Program, either. Jenni RussellThere's been outrage over the revelation that Facebook spent a week manipulating the news its users read to discover whether giving them sad or happy stories affected what they then posted online. The anger is justified. But we are all being manipulated all the time by what we read, see and choose to follow... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philip Collins steps in for Tim Montgomerie and is joined by Suzy Jagger, Phil Webster and Patrick Kidd.Suzy JaggerThis month's surprise - and to date, devastatingly successful - assault by Isis on Northern Iraq has led to a new cat's cradle of shifting internAtional alliances. The West has found itself to be a new uncomfortable bedfellow with Tehran. How do we manage these new allegiances? And are we right to blame much of the crisis deepening in the region to President Obama's complete absence of real foreign policy? Philip WebsterCameron has played the Juncker appointment badly, unnecessarily losing Merkel on the way. He can salvage something from the wreckage by facing other leaders down on Thursday and staging an immediate press conference at midnight to tell the world who voted for whom.Patrick KiddShocking in Sao Paulo, humbled in Hamilton and now stumped by Sri Lanka in Leeds, it's been a grim few days for England sports fans. Whatever happened to that glorious summer of 2012 when we... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Melanie Phillips, Alice Thomson and Roger Alton.Melanie PhillipsPeople say the Iraq debacle has happened because we went in and got rid of strong man Saddam. On the contrary, it's because the US and UK got out of Iraq, allowing Maliki to alienate the Sunnis. Leaving a strong man in place hasn't worked in Syria, and Saddam would have run his own jihadi gangs. This chaos directly threatens the West, as did Saddam, but the main focus should be on the head of the snake, Iran.Alice ThomsonThe real battle in education is not between Dominic Cummings and David Cameron whom he tells Rachel Sylvester and me is like "a sphinx without a riddle" but between Michael Gove and The Blob . The Education Secretary is determined to face down the trendy modernists who want all children making paper mâché puppets and set schools free while promoting academic rigour, he's right. Roger AltonMany people, not always women - are quite happy to say "I don't know anything about football" as if... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Libby Purves, Daniel Finkelstein and newcomer, Giles Whittell.Libby PurvesAnn Widdecombe complains that it is ‘very difficult” to be an active Christian in Britain today. She says that Militant secularism stops people in workplaces from wearing crosses, saying God bless, or offering to pray for people - and that - quotes “stances of conscience” are prevented by political correctness and equality law. I say - render unto Caesar: and show don’t tell...and that applies to other religions too.Daniel FinkelsteinWhat is the point in Britain having influence if it doesn't use it? And what better cause could there be than trying to prevent Jean Claude Juncker from being President of the European Commission? For both procedural and substantive reasons, Mr Juncker is the wrong President for the Commission and this matters even if you believe that the EU must be only a single market. Giles WhittellI’d like to talk about what Putin does next. Little mentioned in our... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Ann Treneman and David Aaronovitch. Matthew ParrisSpain's King Juan Carlos was respected in the 1980s for his brave refusal to support a coup against democracy. That respect has been squandered: hence (in part) the abdication, but are we smug in pointing this out? The fading of British republicanism in recent decades has been enormously dependent on the growing personal popularity of our Queen. Our real monarchists are probably a minority. The majority are, firstly, Elizabethists. Woe betide our monarchy if we ever got a real stinker on the throne.David AaronovitchThe Newark by-election on Thursday is a genuinely interesting contest. My contention - and polls seem to back it up - is that the Euro elections were a Ukip high point. As Ukip has grown, so the proportion of people alarmed by them has grown too. But the media appreciation of this fact has been slow in developing. If the Tories hold on to Newark with any degree of comfort then the understanding... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Philip Webster and Hugo Rifkind.Jenni gives advice to David Cameron:Cameron needs to become a radical dynamic insurgent, not the calm patrician chairman he is now. He must fight internationally to get companies like Amazon and Google to pay proper tax, change the rules on benefit and housing so recent arrivals can't claim, raise the minimum wage and enforce it, and restrict the right of people from the EU's poorest countries to work here.Phil gives advice to Nigel Farage:Nigel. Having achieved your much vaunted tremor you now need to level with your party and voters. Otherwise a year from now there will be a lot of disillusioned people.Hugo gives advice to Nick Clegg:Nick, your only hope is absolute honesty. Start explaining what you've done in government, why you did it, and what else you'd have liked to do but couldn't. Most of all, start talking about future coalitions. Don't fall into the trap of merely sitting around, wistfully dreaming of what... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Philip Webster and Stephan Shakespeare to discuss the following:Is UKIP here to stay as Britain's fourth party?Can Clegg do anything to revive the Lib Dems or is he finished as a political force?How big is Labour's Ed Miliband problem? Tory HQ is unconvinced that Labour's vote drops whenever he appears on TV.How big is the gap now between London and the rest of England?Which of the three big Parties has most reason to panic over the next few days?Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Follow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Alice Thomson, Richard Fletcher and Daniel Finkelstein.Alice Thomson discusses the moral implications of singer Gary Barlow's tax footing. Is it difficult to sympathise with the Take That star?Richard Fletcher puts forward the argument that the decision of a corporate acquisition should be left to shareholders and executives rather than MPs. And Daniel Finkelstein argues that England's expectations in World Cup competitions are far too high considering the size of the country. Has the national team over-achieved in the past?Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Follow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phillip Collins is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Fay Schlesinger and Patrick Kidd.Hugo RIfkind, "For three decades, Max Clifford was the guru of the dirty secret. Looking back today, though, very few of the revelations he brought to tabloids - 'man sleeps with woman' - seem all that interesting. I think we're becoming a less censorious society and, in the process, leaving the people with real dirt, such as Clifford himself, fewer places to hide."Fay Schlesinger, "Across the rich world crime is falling. 70% fewer murders in Estonia over the past 20 years, violent crime down by a third in the US...just 86,000 cars stolen in England last year against 400,000 in 1997. There are myriad explanations, from education to targeting policing and more prison places, but no real satisfactory answer. So are we, as criminologists are starting to conclude, simply a nicer and less macho society."Patrick Kidd, "One of the plum jobs in journalism is up for grabs as the BBC seeks a new presenter of Newsnight to replace that... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Rachel Sylvester and Melanie Phillips. Matthew Parris, "I don't believe David Cameron should resign if Scotland is lost this September. But I think he's in great danger. It will be said that he was too cavalier and too soft a touch in conceding this referendum on these terms, and that he "lost the Union" in a fit of inattention. We will be in stormy and uncharted waters if the answer is Yes. I believe an early or a postponed general election would be one of the results."Rachel Sylvester, "Ed Miliband wants to remake capitalism. He says “inequality is the new centre ground” and plans to follow Barack Obama in championing hard working families against a wealthy elite. He mustn’t let this deteriorate into bash the rich class war, but he is onto something and David Cameron will suffer if he becomes the defender of the super-rich."Melanie Phillips, "It's doubtful that David Cameron anticipated the storm he would provoke by saying he was a Christian. Indeed the... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Juliet Samuel and Robbie Millen.David Aaronovitch, "Lucky Scotland! Defence Secretary Philip Hammond is there this week, amid what seem like a co-ordinated series of warnings about the impact of a 'Yes' vote on the UK's defence capabilities. Are these scare tactics, or are these warnings essentially true? And even if they are, might they not be counter-productive? It is very hard to judge."Juliet Samuel, "With Greece reentering international bond markets for the first time in four years last week, the eurozone has clearly turned a corner but Europe now faces the danger that it could let up on reform needed to provide long term prosperity. Do Europeans have the stomach for it?Robbie Millen, "Sajid Javid hadn’t even a chance to peek in his red box before he was attacked for not being sufficiently cultured...the new Culture Secretary could help the creative sector by de-nationalising it.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Peter Brookes and Phil Collins.Jenni Russell, "Maria Miller isn't being fairly judged because she has three powerful constituencies prepared to think the worst of her."Peter Brookes, "I feel instinctively against an across the board amnesty for murder in Northern Ireland as proposed on our front page this week by Peter Hain."Phil Collins, "The Royal Tour brings out the worst in the press."Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Follow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Alice Thomson and David Aaronovitch. Hugo Rifkind: "Teenagers and young people have never been so close to their parents in outlook, interest and core morality as they are today. Yet, the same time, they must look forward to a future in which they will lack many of the opportunities and privileges that an earlier generation enjoyed. Why aren't they more angry and rebellious? And, if the rebellion ever comes, how will it look?"Alice Thomson: "The Cinderella law sounds like a therapy driven whinger's charter. Step parents could now not only be stigmatised but criminalised for not hugging their step children. Smaller presents and fewer treats could be evidence for the prosecution. But actually this is desperately needed protection for the most vulnerable arriving at schools unable to talk, still in nappies, ignored from birth."David Aaronovitch: "Nigel Farage lays claim to be the heir to Thatcher. His remarks about Putin show he is no such thing. He represents... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ann Treneman is joined by Matthew Parris, Libby Purves and Fay Schlesinger.Matthew Parris: "Ukraine: the Western powers should have decided in advance what their sticking point was, and privately communicated this to Moscow. Obviously it should have been that Russia could have Ukraine without a fuss if it was done in an orderly way. Instead they've squawked their protests at every inch taken, usually after it's been taken. The impression is simply of impotent and uncoordinated posturing."Libby Purves: "45 % of university graduates probably won’t ever earn enough to repay their tuition fees and loans That a government calculation, and means that the whole policy will have cost more than the old grants - like PFI, its another example of current governments shoving debt on future generations. And the real scandal is that a lot of those students are not actually getting 27k worth of teaching....And meanwhile, we overvalue even the most dubious degrees and undervalue vocational courses."Fay... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, Jenni Russell and Roger Boyes.Daniel Finkelstein: "It's time to scrap the Budget. We now have two major fiscal events a year - the Budget and the Autumn statement. This encourages gimmicks, reduces strategic thinking and makes it harder to plan. We should move from one event to two and then to Budgets every two years."Jenni Russell: "There's a violent subculture inside our police forces that's out of control. Three recent cases caught on CCTV have shown the police behaving brutally, lying and assuming they'll get away with it. We need cameras, codes of conduct, and tough punishments for officers who offend."Roger Boyes: "The West is threatening Russia with sanctions. They are pretty wimpish and are unlikely to make Putin get out of Crimea any time soon. What we have to do is offer Ukraine NATO membership to show Russia its limits. Will that get us into a shooting war? No. It's the only sure way of setting Russia's limits in Europe."Subscribe via... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Philip Webster and Alice Thomson. Rachel Sylvester: “Ukip has been dismissed as “fruitcakes and loonies”, “gadflies and cranks”. Nigel Farage’s “barmy army” is cynical and hypocritical, with a streak of nastiness running through it. But the other parties ignore it at their peril. Ukip is a symptom of deep social and economic divides.”Philip Webster: “Nick Clegg was forced by a briefing that went wrong into suggesting that, like Margaret Thatcher, he would go on and on. The truth is he will only go on - and will only want to go on - if the Lib Dems are part of the next government. Because if they are not, Mr Clegg almost certainly will have presided over the loss of an awful lot of seats. His party will look elsewhere.”Alice Thomson: “University vice chancellors have been awarding themselves stratospheric pay rises – in the elite Russell Group they earn on average £318,500 a year in salary and pension. Yet the value of a degree in the jobs market is... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Roger Boyes, Ann Treneman and Matt Ridley. Ukraine gave away its nuclear arsenal 20 years ago. Roger Boyes asks if the country would have fared better in its showdown with Russia if it had kept the bomb. 'Why don't the media take Nigel Farage seriously?' Asks Ann Treneman, after attending UKIP's national spring conference in Torquay. Is he really the most interesting politician out there at the moment?Matt Ridley draws focus on E-cigarettes and their potential health benefits in helping smokers quit their habit. Is unnecessary bureaucracy really getting in the way? Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Follow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Alice Thomson and Libby Purves.Hugo Rifkind says it's not the fault of the NHS or the Government that a pioneering programme to create a shared database of patient information has been suspended. It's ours. Are we too shrill when it comes to personal data?Alice Thomson suggests that we need to teach girls to be more robust and to realise that A* grades don't necessarily define them. Mary Beard, Angela Merkel, Clare Balding - are these the role models we should be encouraging?Libby Purves tackles London's rising, and often unaffordable property prices, head on. Should the Government do more to discourage foreign investors using the capital as their own private 'piggy bank'? "There are sharper things they could do, but they're all flirt!" Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Follow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Juliet Samuel and Fay Schlesinger. David Aaronovitch looks at the forthcoming Scottish referendum for independence and says 'up until now, the 'Yes' people have been able to fantasise about how easily an independent Scotland will be able to dictate its own separation terms.' But has this fantasy been given a reality check?Juliet Samuel asks if the Bank of England is being overly optimistic after it revised its GDP growth forecast for this year to 3.4% when the average prediction from some City economists and academics stands at 2.4% and even lower from the OBR. Even if this figure is true, is such economic growth sustainable?Fay Schlesinger analyses the grim reality of female genital mutilation in the UK and looks at an alternative way to tackle the issue. Should we be more sensitive to the practitioners' traditional perspectives or risk driving the practice further underground? Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Oliver Kamm and Roger Boyes.Jenni Russell agrees in the principles of banning smoking in cars where children are present, after MPs voted in the law this week, however, will it end up - in practice - as yet another pointless and unenforceable law?Oliver Kamm states that 'The Swiss vote to curb EU immigration is a depressing indication of the potency of populist politics in European debate.' Are the current control of immigration within Europe far too tight? Are populist political Parties taking advantage of the untenable immigration fears?Roger Boyes argues that the 'grim' politics of Russian president Vladimir Putin is in danger of being overlooked during this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, 'The Kremlin leader is an authoritarian menace and his bullying tactics in Ukraine and beyond are making a nonsense out of the so-called Olympic spirit.'Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Collins, Matthew Parris and Rachel Sylvester. Subscribers to The Times will be familiar with the passionate divide of opinion between Philip Collins and Matthew Parris regarding the qualities of David Cameron's leadership. Philip Collins argues that David Cameron has yet to answer the question of what kind of country he wants to lead - "what would a second-term Cameron government actually want to do?"Matthew Parris draws focus towards Cameron's Conservatives principles and argues that the Prime Minister is preventing socialism and "resisting the creep of a Labour government into every corner of our lives and pockets." Rachel Sylvester suggests that "voters want more passion from the Prime Minister, but fear [the] Labour leader's zeal."Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.ukFollow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Ian King, David Aaronovitch and Libby Purves.Ian King argues that Labour, led by Ed Miliband, has abandoned any pretence that they will form a constructive working relationship with business or wealth-creators with his pledge to reintroduce the 50p additional rate of income tax.David Aaronovitch says that parties strive to emphasise their differences where there is little - to create "blue water" for the sake of it.Libby Purves states - in no uncertain terms - that we should do away with the 'role' of First Ladies. Is the term relevant in the modern age? Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.ukFollow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, Alice Thomson and Matthew Parris.Daniel Finkelstein argues the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats must spend much political energy on a divorce agreement, a protocol for the last year of office and the conduct of a General Election. Alice Thomson discusses the role of institutional care from a personal perspective. Matthew Parris sympathises with the younger generation when it comes to the lack of feedback they receive in the job market and the cruelty of the 'don't call us, we'll call you' culture. Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.ukFollow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Collins is once again in the hot seat and joined by Peter Brookes, Matthew Parris and Ann Treneman.Peter Brookes talks about forming opinions on a variety of issues using his heart over his head. Is it dangerous to form strong opinions without expert knowledge? Matthew Parris wants a crackdown on the 'anti-Europe' ring-leaders in the Conservative Party. Does there need to be more honesty from the backbenchers regarding their stance on Europe? Ann Treneman looks at the funding debate between the Labour Party and the Unions. Should there be reforms in the way political parties are funded? Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.ukFollow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Collins is in the hot seat this week and is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Daniel Finkelstein and Hugo Rifkind. Rachel Sylvester assess David Cameron reverting to type on his current stance on welfare, immigration, crime, Europe and pensioners. Nigel Farage recently suggested that Enoch Powell's "basic principle" - that immigration causes tension - is still relevant today. Hugo Rifkind argues this is not the case.Daniel Finkelstein argues for a hypothecated NHS tax to ease the pressure of increasing demand on the ageing health service.Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.