Politics Unpacked

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...

Does Labour lack leadership?

11 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Roger Boyes and Alice Thomson.Labour leadership, Obama foreign policy and tackling dementia. Subscribe vi...

Could we all lose out come May?

04 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Ann Treneman and Rachel Sylvester. David Aaronovitch:The Age of Uncertainty. Not only do we not know t...

Has the immigration debate become toxic?

28 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Philip Webster and Libby Purves.Jenni Russell This week the Defence Secretary apologised after saying that...

Is property a ticking time bomb in Britain?

21 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Laura Pitel and Richard Fletcher. Hugo Rifkind:"Mansion taxes, higher council taxes and rises in stamp duty...

Will rising waiting lists spell disaster for the Tories?

14 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Philip Aldrick and Giles Whittell.The panel debate the effect of Andrew Lansley's health reforms, Franc...

Special: UKIP gain first elected MP

10 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster and Daniel Finkelstein to discuss UKIP politician, Douglas Carswell's victory in the Clacton by-election. ...

Conservative Conference special

30 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie hosts this special edition of Did You Read? from the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.Featuring Philip Collins, Ann Trenema...

Labour Conference special

23 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie hosts this special edition of Did You Read? from the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.Featuring Jenni Russell, Matthew Parris, Ph...

Referendum Review: We Are Staying Together, But How?

19 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Referendum Special: Scotland decides

16 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The panel discuss the latest news ahead of the independence referendum in Scotland and debate the potential political ramifications. Tim Montgomerie ...

Does Nick Clegg need a slice of luck?

05 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Matthew Parris and Deborah Haynes. Francis Elliott David Cameron in Portugal, Ed Miliband in France and ...

Is UK foreign policy adequate?

29 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Why is the West blowing hot and cold in East Ukraine?

22 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Matt Ridley and Anne Ashworth. David AaronovitchSometimes it is hard to grasp the meaning of an event....

Reshuffle Special: Is this still a reforming Government?

15 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Special addition: Tim Montgomerie is joined by Phil Collins, Jill Sherman and Phillip Webster after an extraordinary day which has seen an extensive c...

Is the Cabinet reshuffle patronising?

15 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Fay Schlesinger and Matthew Syed.Rachel SylvesterDavid Cameron is carrying out a reshuffle for women. H...

Is the justice system blighted by hysteria?

08 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, Ann Treneman and Patrick Kidd. Daniel Finkelstein: “The recent death of Gerry Conlon and the compen...

Is Andrew Lansley a compromised candidate?

01 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Matthew Parris and Jenni Russell. DYR? Francis ElliottIf David Cameron really wants the Europ...

Caught between Iraq and a hard place

24 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Should the West rely on Iran in Iraq?

17 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Melanie Phillips, Alice Thomson and Roger Alton.Melanie PhillipsPeople say the Iraq debacle has happened because we went ...

Should we be worried about faith schools?

10 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Libby Purves, Daniel Finkelstein and newcomer, Giles Whittell.Libby PurvesAnn Widdecombe complains that it is ‘very dif...

Are real monarchists in the minority?

03 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Ann Treneman and David Aaronovitch. Matthew ParrisSpain's King Juan Carlos was respected in the 1980s for...

Advice for Political Leaders

27 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Philip Webster and Hugo Rifkind.Jenni gives advice to David Cameron:Cameron needs to become a radical dyna...

Local Election Special

23 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Philip Webster and Stephan Shakespeare to discuss the following:Is UKIP here to stay as Britain's fourt...

Can we Take That and Party?

13 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Alice Thomson, Richard Fletcher and Daniel Finkelstein.Alice Thomson discusses the moral implications of singer Gary Barl...

Are we becoming a less censorious society?

06 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Should David Cameron resign if Scotland is lost?

29 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Rachel Sylvester and Melanie Phillips. Matthew Parris, "I don't believe David Cameron should resign if Sc...

Would Scottish independence lead to UK vulnerability?

15 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Juliet Samuel and Robbie Millen.David Aaronovitch, "Lucky Scotland! Defence Secretary Philip Hammond i...

Has Maria Miller been misrepresented?

08 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Peter Brookes and Phil Collins.Jenni Russell, "Maria Miller isn't being fairly judged because she has thre...

Why aren't the young more rebellious?

01 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Alice Thomson and David Aaronovitch. Hugo Rifkind: "Teenagers and young people have never been so close to ...

Is i-Culture getting out of hand?

25 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ann Treneman is joined by Matthew Parris, Libby Purves and Fay Schlesinger.Matthew Parris: "Ukraine: the Western powers should have decided in advance...

It's time to scrap the Budget

18 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 maj...

Ignore Ukip at your peril

11 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Philip Webster and Alice Thomson. Rachel Sylvester: “Ukip has been dismissed as “fruitcakes and loo...

What if Ukraine still had a nuclear arsenal?

04 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 co...

Are we too egotistical about our data?

25 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 pio...

The Scottish referendum campaign has heated up

18 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Juliet Samuel and Fay Schlesinger. David Aaronovitch looks at the forthcoming Scottish referendum for ...

How enforceable is a contentious law?

11 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Oliver Kamm and Roger Boyes.Jenni Russell agrees in the principles of banning smoking in cars where childr...