Politics Unpacked

Leader of the Opposition: Episode 2

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, to mark 300 years since Robert Walpole became Prime Minister, Matt Chorley learnt about every PM through history each week. This year, Nige...

Leader of the Opposition: Episode 1

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, to mark 300 years since Robert Walpole became Prime Minister, Matt Chorley learnt about every PM through history each week. This year, Nige...

Politics Without the Boring Quiz 2022

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by a live audience for Politics Without the Boring Quiz, a test of how much the teams can remember from the most exciting, exha...

Chorls Dickens Presents: A Christmas Carol

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is Chorls Dickens, telling the story of Eber-Rishi Scrooge as he is visited by the spirit of his former business partner Jacob Rees-Marley, and t...

What is the Funnest Part of the UK?

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the final Disunited Kingdom of 2022, Matt Chorley puts some of our favourite journalists from around the UK to the test with a quiz of the fun loca...

Baroness Prue Leith?

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Prue Leith is already a successful chef, author, dame and queen of the Bake Off tent, but she has her sights on another title: a peerage. She speaks t...

Political Thrillers

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Plenty of former MPs, advisers and political journalists have tried their hand at writing fiction, and they often turn to the drama and skuldugge...

PMQs Unpacked: The 1972 Edition

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire analyse the dramatic scenes at Westminster 50 years ago, when a protest by MPs against rising unemployment caused upr...

Focus Group: The Last One of 2022

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Times Radio focus group meets for the last time this year. Matt Chorley is joined by James Johnson from J.L. Partners to see what floating voters ...

PMQs Unpacked: Nightmare before Christmas?

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at the last Prime Minister's Questions of 2022, with Keir Starmer accusing Ris...

Ed Balls All at Sea

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Finding themselves on a week-long Times cruise from New York to Southampton, Matt Chorley talks to former cabinet minister Ed Balls about the chances ...

Joe Lycett MP?

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After giving evidence to the House of Lords, taking on David Beckham over human rights and becoming an unlikely cheerleader for Liz Truss, Joe Ly...

Dear Diary

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As Matt Hancock releases his 'Pandemic Diaries', Patrick Maguire asks what makes a great political diary? He speaks to Sir Alan Duncan, who published ...

Afghanistan: The Forgotten Crisis

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In Summer 2021 the eyes of the world were on Afghanistan as the West's 20-year mission came to an end. This winter the situation for ordinary Afghans ...

PMQs Unpacked: Strikes and Blancmange

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Maguire and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister’s Questions, as Rishi Sunak promises action to stop "un...

Lessons from the Winter of Discontent

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Maguire travels back to the late 1970s and the Winter of Discontent with author Phil Tinline. What caused this prolonged period of industrial ...

Sport, Schmoozing and Geopolitics

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How much politics is taking place on the sidelines of the World Cup? Patrick Maguire looks at the wheeling and dealing in Qatar with Sunday Times spec...

How to be an Ex-Prime Minister

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The UK has seven living ex-prime ministers for the first time in modern history. But how should a former leader behave when they've left the top job? ...

Rayner and Rees-Mogg on Cartoons

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley visits the Political Cartoon of the Year Awards and speaks to cartoon superfans Jacob Rees-Mogg and Angela Rayner. He discusses the role ...

PMQs Unpacked: Trickle-down Education

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, as Sir Keir Starmer calls for an end to charita...

Has Britain Got Too Many Dogs?

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

They say that if you want a friend in politics, get a dog. But with an estimated 10.3 million dogs in the UK, have we now got too many?Matt Chorley ta...

Is the Right Alright?

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With immigration at a record high and claims of backsliding on Brexit, are we about to see the resurgance of a party to the right of British politics?...

The Politics of Gogglebox

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Forget focus groups, watching Channel 4's Gogglebox can be a great insight into what the nation thinks about its politicians. The show's creator Steph...

Nothing as Ex as an Ex-MP

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After more Conservative MPs announce they will stand down at the next election, Matt Chorley asks Lucy Fisher and Matthew Parris if it could turn into...

PMQs Unpacked: League of Their Own

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, as Sir Keir Starmer compares Rishi Sunak to a b...

Who Cares About Corbyn

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has withdrawn the whip from Jeremy Corbyn, but has to decide whether he can stand for Labour at the next election. If he doesn't, could h...

Lorraine Kelly Rules the World

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TV legend Lorraine Kelly tells Matt Chorley what she would do if she ruled the world, including appointing Captain Kirk as Prime Minister and locking ...

Has The Lobby Lost It?

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Lobby is the group of journalists who have special access at Westminster and cover the daily twists and turns of British politics.Have they become...

Sir Keir Starmer

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode for Red Box subscribers to mark the start of the new series of Past Imperfect, Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson talk to Sir Ke...

Hunt's Tax-and-Axe Plan

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has set out his planned tax rises and spending cuts in the Autumn Statement. Matt Chorley unpacks the key announcements and dis...

PMQs Unpacked: Duel of the Deputies

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While Rishi Sunak is away, the deputies are out to play. Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister's Q...

A Reckoning for Raab

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Former head of the Foreign Office Simon McDonald tells Matt civil servants were scared to go into Dominic Raab's office.As well as claims about the mi...

What Next for Ukrainian Refugees in the UK?

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As many Ukrainian refugees come to the end of their initial six-month stay in the UK, Matt looks at what lies in store for those who came here fleeing...

Dick’s Six Decades in Politics

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dick Taverne entered parliament in 1962, and rubbed shoulders with some of the political giants of the 20th century. He was a minister in Harold Wilso...

The Sultan of Swing

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

He was the 'Sultan of Swing' - the inventor of the swingometer and the father of modern election science.Matt reflects on the career of psephologist S...

PMQs Unpacked: Bully For You

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action in the Commons, analysing the key exchanges as Sir Keir Starmer questions Rishi Sunak about the allegati...

Can I See Your Papers Please?

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley speaks to shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock, who says ID cards should be "on the table" to help control our borders. Plus ...

How do you take on Nicola Sturgeon?

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt talks to Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross about facing Nicola Sturgeon in Holyrood, and accusations that he is guilty of "flip-flopping"...

Focus Group: Rishi's First

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

James Johnson from J.L. Partners joins Matt Chorley to discuss what a focus group of undecided voters in key electoral seats think of new prime minist...

Starmer Speaks, and the Forrest Gump of The Times

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is joined by Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer to react to a big rise in interest rates, before speaking to the 'Forrest Gump' of The Times - Michae...

PMQs Unpacked : Who Broke It?

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire pause the action in the Commons, analysing the key exchanges as Sir Keir Starmer questions Rishi Sunak about the stat...

The Five Disgraces of Liz Truss

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Harry Cole and James Heale to discuss their new book about the former prime minister, Out Of The Blue.PLUS breaking news abo...

Austerity 2.0

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt look for spending cuts to help balance the books, Matt Chorley talks to key figures from the first round of austerity i...

Too Much Too Young

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With Rishi Sunak becoming prime minister at 42, Patrick Maguire asks: Are MPs really getting younger? And does age matter in politics? He's ...

Has Starmer got Sunak's Measure?

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Maguire sitting in for Matt Chorley looks at Labour's strategy for tackling the new prime minister, and asks whether Rishi Sunak puts the Cons...

PMQs Unpacked 26-10-2022

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Maguire sits in for Matt Chorley and is joined by Tim Shipman, The Sunday Times' Chief Political Commentator, to unpack Rishi Sunak's first PM...

Rishi Sunak: The New PM in Town

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Maguire gets the low-down on Rishi Sunak and the team he is bringing to Downing Street, and James Johnson from the Times Radio focus group exp...

Can Sunak Save the Tories?

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Maguire asks whether the new Prime Minister can rescue the Tory party from electoral defeat and what can actually be achieved by a government ...

Ben Elton

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As Friday Night Live returns to our screens for a one off 40th anniversary special, Matt Chorley has a chat with compere Ben Elton about champagne soc...

What A Fracking Mess

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On a dramatic day at Westminster, Matt Chorley and Times Radio's Lucy Fisher tell the inside story of the events that led up to the resignation of Liz...

PMQs Unpacked 19-10-2022

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Red Box Editor for The Times Patrick Maguire unpack the brutal exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, as Liz Truss struggles to sav...

Spreadsheet Politics

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley unlocks the secrets of the operation to monitor MPs' views, speaking to Siimon Burton, former whip special adviser under Theresa May and...

Shredding the Mini-Budget

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley presents live coverage and analysis of the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's statement, in which he put Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng's policies in...

Kwasi Out

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On the day Liz Truss performs another budget u-turn and sacks Kwasi Kwarteng, Times' Political Editor Steven Swinford speaks to Matt Chorley with news...

How To Build A House

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Almost everyone seems to agree we're not building enough house, so today Matt looks at how a house is built, from planning through to getting what pol...

PMQs Unpacked Live 12-10-22

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Times Radio's Lucy Fisher and Patrick Maguire from The Times Red Box live on stage at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, pa...

Focus Group 11-10-22

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

James Johnson from J.L. Partners joins Matt Chorley to discuss the latest findings from the Times Radio focus group.PLUS: Finkelvitch on Sam Tarry's d...

Sturgeon's Schedule

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How likely is a second referendum in Scotland? Nicola Sturgeon has set out a timetable, giving the nation a year to decide whether they want independe...

The Politics of Pop

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After Liz Truss got into trouble for playing Moving On Up at her Tory Party Conference speech, Matt Chorley explores the relationship between politics...

It's Not Just Us

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

UK politics may be bonkers, but countries around the world have also lost the plot, changing Prime Minister every few years. Matt Chorley takes a trip...

Truss Unpacked

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire take a forensic look at Liz Truss's first speech as party leader to the Conservative conference ...

Penny Mordaunt and the Conservative Comms Crisis

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the interview that caused Liz Truss's major headache on day 3 of Tory Party Conference. Matt Chorley speaks to Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt...

Michael Gove

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Gove has been a government minister for the majority of the last decade but now he's heading back to the backbenches. He tells Matt Chorley wh...

Say My Name

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Venetia Menzies, Data Journalist at the Times and Sunday Times takes Matt Chorley through baby name statistics. Find out which names are the most popu...

Truss' Tough Thursday

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Description: Matt Chorley and The Times' Political Editor Steve Swinford reveal what Conservative MPs really think about the Chancellor's budget and t...

Starmer Unpacked

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire go through the Labour leader’s speech to the conference in Liverpool and whether this was his ...

Angela Rayner

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley sits down with the Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner. They discuss everything from Labour leadership, why Keir Starmer is a morning pers...

Keir Starmer 3.0

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the Labour leader prepares to take the stage at the conference in Liverpool, Matt Chorley and Henry Zeffman rack through their contacts to find out...

Two Minute Takeaways

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Let's get Fiscal. Matt Chorley dives into the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's fiscal statement and what it all means with the Times' Political E...

How to be a Deputy Prime Minister

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Therese Coffey made her first big announcement as Deputy Prime Minister in the Commons today. With archive and new interviews, Matt Chorley hears from...

Disunited Kingdom 21-09-22

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley heads to the four corners of the UK to speak to local reporters from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland about what is mak...

Politics Is Back!

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Times Radio's Chief Political Commentator Lucy Fisher to discuss what's coming up in a frantic week of politics as Liz ...

Black Wednesday

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Thirty years ago on 16th September 1992, a collapse in the pound sterling forced Britain to withdraw from the ERM. Matt Chorley speaks to the cha...

1952 vs 2022

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If a lot can happen in seven days, think how much happened over the 70 years of the Queen’s reign. Matt Chorley looks at how life in Britain has cha...

Disunited Kingdom 14-09-2022

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley heads to the four corners of the UK to speak to local reporters from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland about what is mak...

The Royal Mile

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the late Queen's coffin moves from Edinburgh to London, Matt Chorley takes a tour through Westminster taking in the history that surrounded her lif...

A Week Is A Long Time In Politics

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A week, they say, is a long time in politics. First uttered of course by Harold Wilson, number five in Queen Elizabeth’s 15.Matt Chorley looks back ...

Queen Elizabeth II: A 70 Year Reign

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Queen Elizabeth II appointed 15 Prime Ministers and witnessed 18 general elections, 13 government referendums, three minority governments, and one coa...

Times Radio Focus Group: Liz Truss

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by James Johnson from J.L. Partners who has convened the latest Times Radio Focus Group to find out what they think about ...

PMQs Unpacked 07-09-22

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the new term in Parliament begins, Matt Chorley is joined by Tim Shipman, the Sunday Times' Chief Political Commentator to analyse Liz Truss's firs...

The Queen and Her Prime Ministers

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liz Truss has been appointed the new Prime Minister and as she made her way to Balmoral to be invited by the Queen to form a new government, Matt Chor...

Behind The Scenes Of Becoming PM

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you enter Downing Street? Matt Chorley speaks to the people who really know, including former prime ministers Tony Blair and David C...

Three Acts of a Premiership

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brexit, Covid and Partygate came to define Boris Johnson's time in Number 10, with the latter conspiring to bring about his downfall. As Johnson takes...

What’s The Best Job?

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A new prime minister means a new cabinet. From great offices of state to great offices to change things, Alan Johnson, Justine Greening, David Gauke, ...

Disunited Kingdom 31-08-22

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley gets news from all four corners of the UK. He speaks to Sarah Booker-Lewis the Local Democracy reporter for Brighton and Hove News, Ciara...

Harold Wilson: The Winner

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Nick Thomas-Symonds to talk about his new book 'Harold Wilson: The Winner' exploring the life and times of the four-time ele...

Losers in British Politics

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the Conservative Party Leadership Election reaches its final days, Patrick Maguire asks what the future might hold for the losing candidate. He is ...

Energy Price Cap Q&A

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley speaks to Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis about the energy price cap announcement then assembles an expert panel, Emma Munbodh from...

The newsreader silenced by the Taliban

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley speaks to Shabnam Khan Dawran, an Afghan TV presenter who fled after the fall of Kabul last year. After the Taliban threatened to kill he...

Pienaar Unpacked

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire reflect on the Times Radio leadership hustings hosted by John Pienaar.PLUS Robert Crampton and Laura Freeman discuss ...

Inflation Around The World

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley explores how inflation is crippling the world. He hears from Times Correspondents Charles Bremner, Jane Flanagan, Bernard Lagan, Oliver M...

It Must Be Gove, Gove, Gove

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As Michael Gove announces he's stepping back from frontline politics, Matt Chorley looks back on his life and career. He hears from former Prime Minis...

Tom Kerridge

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michelin starred chef extraordinaire Tom Kerridge joins Matt Chorley to talk about the pressures the hospitality industry is facing due to the cost of...

Supermarket Sweep

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley grabs a basket and heads into Iceland to speak to their Managing Director Richard Walker, on how the cost of living crisis has changed th...

Disunited Kingdom: Food banks

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After exclusive polling revealed that one in six people are regularly skipping meals, Matt Chorley looks at the demands on food banks. He hears from J...

Food Fraud

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley asks how food fraud is affecting what we eat. He hears from Professor Chris Elliott from the Queen’s Institute for Global Food Security...

Old Matt Chorley On The Farm

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley goes on a tour of Weston’s Farm in Horsham in West Sussex. He speaks to David Exwood, Vice President of the NFU and owner of the farm a...

Rishi Sunak and Harry Hill

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley interviews the Tory leadership candidate and former Chancellor Rishi Sunak on the cost of living, GDP figures, the Northern Ireland Proto...

Britain goes into space

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley discusses the future of British space travel with Joshua Western, CEO and Co-founder of Space Forge; Melissa Thorpe, Head of Space Port C...

Disunited Kingdom 10-08-22

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley explores all four corners of the UK in Disunited Kingdom. He speaks to Ciaran Jones, Head of News at Wales Online, Caroline Wilson,&...