Politics Unpacked

Trump has breached the cloak of civility

18 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Hugo Rifkind, plus Times politics reporter Henry Zeffman. The panel discuss Philip Ham...

Does the presidential debate reveal depths of misogyny?

11 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by columnist Jenni Russell, Times policy editor Oliver Wright and Times Deputy Editor, Emma Tucker.Find out more: www.thetimes....

Conservative conference: it's all about May

04 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley hosts the Red Box podcast from the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham with Times columnist Matthew Parris, Political Editor of T...

Jess Phillips explains all at Red Box fringe debate

29 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Labour MP Jess Phillips used an appearance at The Times' Red Box fringe at Labour conference to explain why she has reneged on her threat to quit the ...

Labour conference: coming to terms with Corbyn

27 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley hosts the Red Box podcast from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool with author and journalist Rachel Shabi, former special advisor t...

What is the point of the Liberal Democrats?

20 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley relocates to the Liberal Democrats autumn conference in Brighton to talk about the Party's future. The air is full of optimism. Hosted on...

Nick Clegg and Ed Balls

13 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley joins Nick Clegg to reflect on his time as Deputy Prime Minister; plus, the Red Box editor also chats to Ed Balls as the former Member of...

Can the Labour Party be saved?

06 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Tory MP James Cleverly, Labour MP Emma Reynolds and SNP MP Stewart McDonald to debate the future of the Labour Party, Theres...

Live Red Box - Britain After Brexit Part 2

01 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Host Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnists Matthew Parris, Patrick Kidd and Alice Thomson to answer questions from the audience on life since the...

Live Red Box - Britain After Brexit

31 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at a Times+ members event in London.Host Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnists Matthew Parris, Patrick Kidd and Alice Thomson to di...

How will Theresa May run the country?

23 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Host Matt Chorley is joined by Times policy editor Oli Wright who thinks Labour are turning into Ukip, political reporter Henry Zeffman who has been k...

Witnessing the arc of disappointment

19 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by The Times' Deputy Political Editor Sam Coates, political adviser, strategist and commentator John McTernan and Times' Head o...

The dawn of May

12 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Three weeks ago the polls told us Britain would stay in the EU. David Cameron was the Prime Minister. Boris Johnson and George Osborne were frontrunne...

Leaving is the new black

05 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Host Matthew Chorley is joined by Times columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Jenni Russell plus Professor of Politics and Red Box regular Matthew Goodwin...

What a mess

28 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

To pick up the figurative pieces post-EU referendum, Matt Chorley chairs an emotional and heated discussion on what comes next after Britain voted to ...

Britain votes to leave

24 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Red Box Editor Matt Chorley discusses the fall out of the ‪#‎EUReferendum‬ results with the Sunday Times' Political Editor, Tim Shipman.Note - t...

The Finishing Line Approaches

21 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

With the respective EU Referendum campaigns nearing the finishing line, host Matt Chorley reflects on the highlights and lowlights of what has been a ...

Labour leadership rumblings

14 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Senior Political Correspondent at The Times, Lucy Fisher, who contemplates the future of Labour's leadership. Columnist Tim ...

"Frank discussions": Amber Rudd on Andrea Leadsom

10 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Amber Rudd, the pro-Remain energy secretary, on her relationship with junior energy minister Andrea Leadsom, who back Brexit.Recorded during the Red B...

Place Your Bets

06 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

As the EU referendum draws nearer, host Matt Chorley delves deeper into the analysis of the latest polls, betting odds and social media strategies. Pa...

Steve Hilton interview

31 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley talks to the former director of strategy for David Cameron, Steve Hilton, about his relationship with the Prime Minister, the practicalit...

EU Referendum - the debate heats up

24 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

EU Referendum special: In the blue corner, representing Vote Remain, host Matt Chorley is joined by Conservative MP and Energy Secretary Amber Rudd.An...

Natalie Bennett shows why strong leadership matters

17 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by The Times' Head of News Fay Schlesinger, Anthony Wells from YouGov and Chief Political Correspondent for The Times, Michael ...

Westminster Special: Ask The Experts

10 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In a Westminster special, Matt Chorley is joined by Stewart McDonald MP, former Labour Party advisor Ayesha Hazarika and political sketch-writer and d...

London mayoral race is a soup of consensus

03 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Times Deputy Editor Emma Tucker, Chief Leader writer Giles Whittell and columnist Phil Collins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

Junior doctors' strike - a more balanced approach is needed

26 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by columnist David Aaronovitch, Business reporter Callum Jones and Red Box writer Hannah McGrath.David Aaronovitch:The BMA say ...

The EU Referendum debate needs to appeal to the public

18 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Host Matt Chorley is joined by ex-Blair spin doctor John McTernan, former Home Office advisor Fiona Hill and Red Box columnist Matt Smith. Hosted on A...

Have we missed the point on the Panama Papers?

12 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnist Jenni Russell who thinks we've missed the point on the Panama Papers, deputy political editor Sam Coates who...

Special: a denial of Spin Doctors

29 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by a "denial" of Spin Doctors. Ayesha Hazarika - who had the unenviable task of trying to make Ed Miliband and Harriet Harman s...

Does George Osborne lack emotional intelligence?

22 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by columnist Rachel Sylvester on the fall out from Iain Duncan Smith's resignation, politics professor Matthew Goodwin on the E...

Can Donald Trump be blocked?

15 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Senior Political Correspondent Lucy Fisher, European Football Writer (and fellow Times podcast presenter) Gabriele Marcotti,...

Migrant Crisis: does Turkey hold all the cards?

08 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Deputy Editor of The Times, Emma Tucker, who examines the latest attempt to deal with the migrant crisis, columnist Daniel F...

Do playground antics demean politics?

01 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Political sketch-writer and diarist Patrick Kidd, columnist Jenni Russell and Assistant Editor of The Spectator, Isabel Hard...

EU Special: to leave or remain?

23 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Debating the UK's position in the EU: Matt Chorley is joined by Brussels Correspondent Bruno Waterfield, Columnist Melanie Phillips and the Times' Chi...

Can George Osborne count himself lucky?

16 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Aldrick:Global markets have been in meltdown but one man who may be smiling is the chancellor. Government borrowing costs have fallen to an all...

Will the Trident debate dictate Jeremy Corbyn's future?

09 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Opinion podcast is now the Red Box Podcast from The Times. Columnist Robert Crampton, Media Editor Elizabeth Rigby and Deputy Political Editor Sam...

Is Marco Rubio the only Republican hope?

02 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Host Matt Chorley is joined by Chief Leader writer Giles Whittell and columnists Jenni Russell and Phil Collins. Giles Whittell:Hillary Clinton is goi...

Are pension relief cuts another Treasury tax grab?

26 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley is joined by Assistant Editor Anne Ashworth and columnists Giles Coren and David Aaronovitch. Anne Ashworth:Pension tax reliefs for the h...

Is instinct leading Labour on Russia?

19 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's panel we have columnist Rachel Sylvester on the rise of Russia (in Labour), political reporter Callum Jones on Labour’s obsession wit...

Are the Tories sleepwalking into disaster?

12 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Opinion podcast is back with a brand new host. Red Box editor Matt Chorley is joined by panelists Hugo Rifkind, Oliver Kamm and Lucy Fisher. Hugo ...

Special: 2016 Preview

29 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Host Philip Webster is joined by Robbie Millen, Philip Aldrick and Patrick Kidd in this 2016 preview special.Robbie Millen:In or Out? Leave or Remain?...

Special: 2015 Review

22 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Host Philip Webster is joined by Ann Treneman, Stewart Wood and Daniel Finkelstein in this end-of-year special as each panelists picks a topic to deba...

Will David Cameron fail his greatest test?

15 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Host Philip Webster is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Libby Purves and Hugo Rifkind. Rachel Sylvester:David Cameron once said his Party had to stop bangi...

Is the UK doing the minimum in Syria?

08 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Opinion podcast with David Aaronovitch, Lucy Fisher and Phil Collins. --Phil Collins:The anonymous man who said, to the attacker at Leytonstone tube s...

Is Jeremy Corbyn finally facing reality?

01 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Webster is joined by Fay Schlesinger, Giles Whittell and Anne Ashworth. Fay Schlesinger:After Jeremy Corbyn was elected, he promised a “kinde...

Should the EU referendum be postponed?

24 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Webster is joined by Stewart Wood and Daniel Finkelstein.Stewart Wood:The Syrian crisis looks set to dominate British politics for the foreseea...

How will the 'Facebook generation' respond?

17 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Webster is joined by Alice Thomson, Roger Boyes and John McTernan. Alice Thomson:Looking at the rows of victims in Paris, they all have glossy ...

Did Sir Nicholas Houghton overstep the mark?

10 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Webster is joined by Oliver Kamm, Lucy Fisher and Michael Savage. Oliver Kamm:Jeremy Corbyn has accused the chief of defence staff, Sir Nichola...

Does George Osborne lack emotional intelligence?

03 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Webster is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Emma Tucker and Philip Collins.Rachel Sylvester:George Osborne is the most intriguing politician of our ...

Where did George Osborne go wrong?

27 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Webster is joined by Sam Coates, Hugo Rifkind and Patrick Kidd.Sam Coates:George Osborne got the strategy wrong, the tactics wrong, the politic...

To leave or remain

13 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

In his final Opinion podcast, host Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Mathew Parris and Ann Treneman. Matthew Parris:Now that we're having...

Special: Conservative conference

06 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie presents the Opinion podcast direct from Manchester at The Conservative Party conference:- Daniel Finkelstein and Jenni Russell: The T...

Special: Labour conference

29 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie presents the Opinion podcast direct from Brighton at The Labour Party conference:- Andy Burnham: Shadow Home Secretary - Matthew Parri...

Special: Liberal Democrat conference

22 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie presents the Opinion podcast direct from Bournemouth:Norman Lamb - Liberal Democrats Patrick Kidd and Michael Savage from The TimesJul...

Jeremy Corbyn special

15 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Collins, Oliver Kamm and Libby Purves.Philip CollinsLet's skip the bit where commentators ingeniously invent reaso...

Is sentiment for the refugee crisis thin in Britain?

08 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Matthew Parris and Roger Boyes:Rachel SylvesterPoliticians ought to like the country they want to lead ...

Is reform needed in the House of Lords?

01 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Michael Savage, Patrick Kidd and Melanie Philips:Michael SavageIt's not been a good summer for our increasingly cramped s...

Is there a lack of economic leadership in China?

25 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Webster, who sits in for Tim Montgomerie, is joined by Anne Ashworth, Giles Whittell and Ann Treneman. Anne Ashworth:So that's all right, then....

Are politicians responsible for their own unsavoury supporters?

18 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Francis Elliott and Jenni Russell. Hugo Rifkind:Are politicians responsible for their own unsavory supporte...

Should the Labour Party press the panic button?

11 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, Lucy Fisher and Ed Conway. Daniel Finkelstein:The prospect of Jeremy Corbyn as leader is not a proble...

Calais is the question

04 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Isabel Harman, Matthew Parris and David Aaronovitch. Isabel HardmanPoliticians are obeying perfectly the rules of a Summe...

What happens if Jeremy Corbyn wins?

28 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Sam Coates, Laura Pitel and Philip Webster: What happens to British politics if Jeremy Corbyn wins?A living wage. Prisons...

Greece special

06 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Richard Fletcher and Roger Boyes to discuss Greece and its future in the European Union. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.app...

Should politicians try to deal with the symptoms of terrorism?

30 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined Rachel Sylvester, Philip Aldrick and Matthew Parris. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted o...

Can we ever trust a poll again? Was Jon Stewart correct? How hard is it to move out of parliament?

23 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

David Aaronovitch sits in for Tim Montgomerie as the panel debate a wide range of topics. Fay SchlesingerJon Stewart, the American comedian, played it...

Is the dream turning sour in Scotland?

15 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Alice Thomson, Ed Conway and Hilary Rose.Alice Thomson:The Scottish Nationalists lost the referendum but they were left w...

Who should lead the Eurosceptics?

09 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Lucy Fisher, Rachel Sylvester and Helen Rumbelow.Lucy Fisher:As the referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU looms ...

Is it enough to be friends because you are united as enemies?

02 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Webster steps in for Tim Montgomerie and is joined on the panel by Suzy Jagger, David Aaronovitch and Lech Mintowt-Czyz.Subscribe via iTunes: i...

Are politicians terrified of the NIMBY protest?

27 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster, Anne Ashworth and Robbie Millen. Anne Ashworth:The Queen's Speech will focus on the extension of Right to...

Is the Labour Party in denial?

19 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Patrick Kidd, Giles Whittell and Libby Purves.Patrick Kidd:When it comes to recovering from a disastrous election it is b...

Questions from the audience

14 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Part two of an election special recorded in front of a live studio audience.Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Daniel Finkelstein and Jen...

Making sense of the election

12 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie and a panel of Times columnists, including David Aaronovitch, Daniel Finkelstein and Jenni Russell, discuss the results of the general...

Election Special: crunch time

05 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Essential listening in the election campaign brought to you by The Times Opinion podcast.Tim Montgomerie is joined by Melanie Phillips, Jenni Russell ...

Election Special: Who will be Prime Minister?

01 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Essential listening in the election campaign brought to you by The Times Opinion podcast.Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster, Fay Schlesinger ...

Will it be Fear v Fear until May 7th?

28 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Rachel Sylvester and Hugo Rifkind.Opinion podcast 28 April:Rachel SylvesterIt's going to be Fear versus F...

Election Special: Who had a good week?

24 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Essential listening in the election campaign brought to you by The Times Opinion podcast.Tim Montgomerie is joined by Laura Pitel, Daniel Finkelstein ...

Are voters being left out?

21 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Collins, Marcus Roberts and Jenni Russell. The panel discuss the latest trends in the run up to the 2015 General E...

Election Special: What do the polls really tell us?

17 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Essential listening in the election campaign brought to you by The Times Opinion podcast.Tim Montgomerie is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, Rachel Sylve...

Election Special: Are the main parties playing to their weaknesses?

14 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Jenni Russell and Hugo Rifkind. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on ...

Election Special: Is Fallon mistaken over Miliband comments?

10 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Essential listening in the election campaign brought to you by The Times Opinion podcast.Tim Montgomerie is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, Michael Sava...

Is Tony Blair an asset or a liability to Labour?

07 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Election special: Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster, Laura Pitel and Oliver Moody. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you...

Did the Coalition confound the critics?

31 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Danny Finkelstein, Peter Kellner and Libby Purves.Danny Finkelstein:The most lasting and impressive thing about the Coali...

Why did Cameron reveal exit date?

24 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Patrick Kidd, Ann Treneman and Matt Ridley to discuss David Cameron's potential gaffe, Alex Salmond scaring Westminster,...

Budget special

17 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Richard Fletcher, Philip Aldrick and Janice Turner for a Budget special, plus a look at George Osborne the Chancellor and...

Is the political ice cap starting to break?

10 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Matthew Parris and Hugo Rifkind. Jenni Russell:Is the icecap starting to break? For months the polls have...

Immigration special

03 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Alice Thomson, Rachel Sylvester and Philip Webster. The panel discuss how the major parties are confronting the issue of ...

Should there be restrictions on MPs' second jobs?

24 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Lucy Fisher, Isabel Hardman and David Aaronovitch. Lucy Fisher:Yesterday a new “cash for access” scandal exploded, af...

Politics special: key weaknesses

17 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Suzy Jagger, Lech Mintowt-Czyz and Philip Webster. The panel discuss:1. Focus on the Conservative Party's key weakness - ...

Should Ukraine be armed?

10 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Roger Boyes, Roland Watson and Anne Applebaum - the panel discuss the deteriorating situation in Eastern Ukraine. Should ...

Davos and the state of UK politics

27 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Richard Fletcher, business editor, and Philip Aldrick, economics editor, as they discuss recent events in Davos and Greec...

Are political promises worth it?

20 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Sam Coates, Daniel Finkelstein and Anne Ashworth.The panel discuss David Cameron's employment manifesto pledge, the respo...

Is there a generational difference over the Paris massacres?

13 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Alice Thomson, Laura Pitel and Libby Purves. Generational difference on the Paris massacres, 'weaponising' the NHS and te...

Is this an election to lose?

06 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Matthew Parris and Rachel Sylvester. The panel discusses the forthcoming general election:All of the polit...

Review of 2014

25 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 A...

Looking forward to 2015

22 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Special 2015 edition: Tim Montgomerie is joined by Roland Watson, Fay Schlesinger and Francis Elliott to discuss some potential big talking points in ...

What will Russia do next?

16 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Fay Schlesinger and Robert Crampton. David AaronovitchYesterday the Russian rouble dropped to an all-t...

How do you kill an idea?

09 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster, Melanie Phillips and Robbie Millen. Philip Webster:The Lib Dems are flailing around trying to show they a...

Are proposed tax cuts an empty promise?

02 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Giles Whittell and Libby Purves. Francis Elliott:All four political parties are promising to cut taxes a...

Are we winning the war against Isis?

25 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 bra...

Recognising the church in society

18 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Webster is joined by Patrick Kidd, Anne Ashworth and Daniel Finkelstein. Recognising the church's role in society, the housing dilemma and Lord...