Politics Unpacked

Who Is Listening To Liz Truss?

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How is Liz Truss's fight to save western civilisation going? Why is Jonathan Gullis finding it hard to get back into teaching? And is Boris Johnson ri...

Who Is Winning The Tory Leadership Contest

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How badly have Kemi Badenoch’s maternity pay comments damaged her campaign? And does Keir Starmer have a woman problem?Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the...

Will Boris Overshadow Tory Conference?

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Vaizey is unpacking the politics of the day with Miranda Green and Carolyn Quinn.If the government can swallow being nice to Trump, why not Elon Mu...

Why Can't Starmer Shake The Donors Story?

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After another day of stories about Keir Starmer taking big donations - all within the rules - why is the prime minister struggling to move on?Hugo Rif...

Is Streeting Talking Down The NHS?

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wes Streeting says the NHS is letting people down, but should he be spending so much time talking the health service down?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the pol...

Is Angela Rayner Being Frozen Out?

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the Labour Party conference with James Marriott and Libby Purves.Is being deputy prime minister a proper job...

Focus Group: Has The Gifts Row Cut Through?

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Hugo steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters. This month, we find ou...

Is English Identity Under Threat?

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Vaizey is unpacking the politics of the day with Timandra Harkness and Matthew Bell. Is Robert Jenrick right about English identity, could Nig...

Perks, Or Part Of The Job?

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are Keir Starmer's freebies a legitimate part of his job? With Hugo away, Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana join Lara Spirit to unpack the politics...

Is Working From Home Working?

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton join Hugo Rifkind to discuss the divisive Scottish independence referendum, 10 years on.  Plus:...

Has Britain Lost Its Regional Identity?

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Rifkind is back to unpack the politics of the day, and all the other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times.Today he'...

Should The Starmers Buy Their Own Clothes?

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Columnists Hadley Freeman and Patrick Maguire join Hugo Rifkind to discuss Keir Starmer's breach of parliamentary rules in failing to declare that clo...

PFI 2.0, Salmond vs Sturgeon, and Gove's Return?

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's Friday, so Ed Vaizey is back to unpack the politics of the day with Trevor Phillips and Miranda Green.Could Labour plug the financial black hole ...

Does Starmer Have It In For Pensioners?

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Rifkind is here to unpack the politics of the day, and plenty of other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times.Today h...

PMQs: Starmer Sticks To The Script

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the action from Prime Minister's Questions, joined by Sunday Times chief political commentator Tim Shipman and comedian Ria ...

Is Britain In A Sickness Crisis?

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Rifkind is back to unpack the politics of the day, and all the other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times.Today he'...

Is Labour Really Risking A Brain Drain?

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Rifkind is here to unpack the politics of the day, and plenty of other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times.Today h...

What Makes A Maiden Speech

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the 335 new MPs elected at the last election continue to deliver their first speeches to Parliament, Ed Vaizey asks what is the secret to...

Philby, Fleming and Putin: A History of Spies

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Vaizey interrogates the past, present and future of espionage, from moments that could have come from fiction to the reality of spying in the moder...

PMQs: No, I'M Prime Minister

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

PMQs is back from summer recess, with Rishi Sunak quizzing Keir Starmer - although the prime minister is still having a hard time getting used to his ...

Go For Degrowth?

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer says it's all about growth, growth, growth - but why do some economists and politicians say we're looking at it the wrong way? Ed Vaizey ...

Starmer's Back-To-School Plans

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

MPs are back in Westminster after the summer recess, and the government has big plans for the new term - but where will it be plain sailing, and where...

Conference Clangers

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the SNP gathering in Edinburgh, party conference season is well and truly upon us. Ed Vaizey is joined by a panel of political advisers to discus...

Does Starmer Have A Union Problem?

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Labour Party was born from the trade union movement, but is Keir Starmer's government on a collision course with the unions over public sector pay...

The Fall of Kabul 3 Years On

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's been three years since the last British troops and diplomats left Afghanistan in the chaotic withdrawal of Western forces. Ed Vaizey finds out wh...

Starmer's Woes Garden

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer uses his speech in the Downing Street rose garden to warn of a turbulent time ahead, with a 'painful budget' on the way. Ed Vaizey unpack...

The Making Of A Political Documentary

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Cockerell is one of the UK’s most experienced political film-makers, and has interviewed prime ministers from Macmillan to Johnson. He joins...

When Sport Gets Political

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is it ever possible to keep politics out of sport? Ed Vaizey looks at times when the two have collided, as well as how AI could change the world of at...

Politics On The Stage

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's culture week here on the podcast, and today we're looking at the theatre - does politics still have a place on the stage?Ed Vaizey hears from pla...

The Obama Effect

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Was Barack Obama's speech to the Democratic Convention a reminder that great orators don't come along very often? Columnists Robert Crampton and Jane ...

Politicians vs Social Media

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Clinton once said that regulating the internet would be like ‘nailing jello to a wall’, but in the UK new rules are on the way. Ed Vaizey loo...

Vlad to Be Here

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

25 years ago Vladimir Putin began his Russian reign in continuous positions as president or prime minister. How did the man in Moscow build his powerb...

The Beginning Of The End For Putin?

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do people like Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin really hold onto power? The Pulitzer-prize winning historian and author of 'Autocracy Inc', Anne App...

The Politics Of Your Plate

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Where does the food on your plate come from? As farmers call on ministers to bolster national food security, Adam weighs up the pros and cons of buyin...

Rebuilding After The Riots

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of the riots that followed the Southport attacks, Adam Boulton asks what Keir Starmer can learn from other politicians who tried to rebuil...

Stories From The Frontline

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As fighting in the Russian-Ukraine war intensifies, and Israel warns of an imminent Iranian strike, what does it take to report on these deadly c...

How Scandal Brought Down A President

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Fifty Years ago Richard Nixon became the first, and so far only, sitting US President to resign. Ed looks back at how Watergate caused his demise, and...

The Deepfake Election That Wasn't

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Fears that AI generated 'deepfakes' could threaten British democracy in the run up to the general election turned out to be largely unfounded. Ed Vaiz...

The Worst Vice President Of All Time

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Kamala Harris confirms she's chosen Tim Walz as her running mate, Ed Vaizey looks back on some of the best and worst vice presidential picks throug...

The Free Speech Debate

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After the government announced it may ditch the Conservatives' law to fight cancel culture on campuses, Ed Vaizey asks whether freedom of speech at Un...

Can Starmer Stop The Riots?

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As rioters rampage through towns and cities across the country, Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves join Ed Vaizey to discuss what Keir...

Mission Impossible: Save The NHS

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer says he's running a 'mission-led government', and this week Adam Boulton is looking at all five of his missions. Today it's his plan...

Mission Impossible: Smashing The Class Ceiling

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer says he's running a 'mission-led government', and this week Adam Boulton is looking at all five of his missions. Today it's his plan...

Mission Impossible: Keir, Crime Fighter?

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Boulton continues his analysis of Keir Starmer's five missions for the Labour government, today it's his plan to 'take back our streets'. Pl...

Mission Impossible: Energy Superpower

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Boulton continues his analysis of Keir Starmer's five missions for the Labour government.Today it's his plan to turn Britain into a “clean ener...

Mission Impossible: Go For Growth

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Rachel Reeves addresses the nation with a warning about a £20 billion black hole in the public coffers, Adam Boulton is checking on the progress o...

The Impressionists Are Back

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's Matt's last appearance on the podcast, and he's assembled comedians Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod and Nerine Skinner to give us their best political...

The Tory Olympics

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The starting gun has been fired and Conservative MPs have begun entering the race to become next leader of the party. Who will make it to the fin...

PMQs: Keir's First One

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

PMQs is back, and this time it's Rishi Sunak putting questions to new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.Matt unpacks the action from the new-look Common...

SpAd School

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Special advisers, known as 'SpAds', are being appointed left and right and centre by the new government. But what do they actually do? Matt is joined ...

10 Years Of Red Box

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the Times Red Box newsletter celebrates its 10th birthday, Matt rounds up all the previous editors to look back over a remarkable decade in po...

Has Keir Starmer Killed Comedy?

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As thousands of performers descend upon Edinburgh for the Fringe, those promising topical comedy are buried in hasty rewrites after the snap election....

Quad Goals

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt takes a look at the government's new gang of four - Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves and Pat McFadden. Will they make all the big decis...

1945 All Over Again

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

King Charles III has set out the government's plans for the year ahead, but what happened the last time a King was on the throne unveiling the program...

Stand And Deliver

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has promised to "deliver from the get-go”, but what does a focus on delivery really mean? Matt is joined by US political theorist Matt ...

Biden's Brain & Starmer’s Face

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Joe Biden gaffes his way through his latest press conference, columnists James Marriott and India Knight ask if he should stand down. They also dis...

What Dog Should Keir Starmer Get?

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After Keir Starmer told us his children are campaigning to get a German Shepherd, we find out whether there's room for one in the flat above Downing S...

Starmer Goes Global

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer is in America for his first Nato summit as prime minister, but what kind of leader will he be on the world stage? Matt is joined by corre...

How To Keep Order! In The Commons

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the Commons meets to elect the Speaker, who has made a success of the job - and who hasn't? Matt speaks to two former deputy speakers to find out h...

The Exit Interviews: Our Survival Guide For New MPs

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Now, as a record number of new faces arrive in Westminster, Matt pulls together a helpful guide on how to survive life as an MP - from asking for dire...

Sunak Out, Starmer In

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley guides you through an extraordinary moment in British politics, as Rishi Sunak leaves Downing Street for the last time and Keir Starmer b...

The Political Editors: The Election

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Former and Current Political Editors Fred Emery, Roland Watson and Steven Swinford tell Matt about reporting on half a century of elections for The Ti...

Keir Starmer's Umbrella

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tells Matt about tax, protecting his family, his favourite Elton John record, and his plan for a Downing Street downpou...

Kings Of Swing: Dimbleby, Vine, Snow & Kanagasooriam

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For decades the holy grail of election night has been swing - the method of comparing support for the parties between general elections invented back ...

Are You Ready To Be PM?

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Being prime minister doesn't come with a job description - in our political system after a gruelling six-week assault course of an election campa...

Focus Group: Hate Labour, But Voting Labour

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest Times Radio Focus Group, 2019 Conservative voters explain why they have switched to Labour, but have very low expectations of Keir Starm...

Tracking The Leaders On Tour

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The party leaders have been on the campaign trail day in, day out - but what seats have they been visiting, and what does it tell us about the kind of...

What's Next For The Tories?

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Conservative party is facing one of its biggest ever challenges, but how did they get into this mess? And what does the future of the party look l...

The Exit Interviews: Craig Mackinlay

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt sits down with the MPs leaving Parliament to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from pol...

The Pictures That Define The Election

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From Rishi Sunak calling the election in the rain to Ed Davey falling off his paddleboard, what are the images that define a general election campaign...

Focus Group: Why I'm Still Voting Tory

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Matt steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters.This week it's a group ...

Is It Time To Ban Opinion Polls?

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today Matt asks the question on everyone's mind - have we got too many polls, and do they dominate too much of our political coverage? He hears from e...

The Exit Interviews: Dame Andrea Leadsom

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt sits down with the MPs leaving Parliament to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from pol...

There's Someone In Reception

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every local journalist has had a member of the public pitch them a news story by turning up to the newsroom reception. Sometimes these can lead to nat...

Focus Group: Weak Tea

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Matt steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters.This week it's a group who a...

Why Politics Is Broken

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Public trust and confidence in government and the people who govern us is at a record low. Polling expert Sir John Curtice tells Matt what's behind th...

The Secret Life Of A Minister

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As dozens of politicians prepare to enter high office for the first time, Matt speaks to former top civil servants Sir Alex Allan and Alun Evans, alon...

The Exit Interviews: Brandon Lewis

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've...

Dominic Sandbrook's Favourite Elections

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Times Columnist and The Rest Is History co-host Dominic Sandbrook joins Matt to talk about how this election campaign compares to others throughout th...

Focus Group: Donald Trump Of The UK

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Matt steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters.This month it's a group who ...

The Debate Unpacked: Absolute Garbage

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is joined by Tim Shipman to unpack the action from Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer's first head-to-head debate of the campaign. Starmer talks up his...

The Rest Is Rory Stewart

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Would former Tory minister Rory Stewart make another foray into politics? The podcaster, author and ex-diplomat tells Matt how he'd fix Westminster, w...

The Exit Interviews: Robert Halfon

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've...

Election First Impressions

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the election campaign kicks off in earnest, comedians Lewis Macleod, Nerine Skinner and Rory Bremner join Matt for their best political impressions...

The Farage-Free Election

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nigel Farage's decision not to stand for Reform UK is the first major story of the election campaign. Manveen Rana and Trevor Philips from The Times d...

PMQs: Second Half of the Year?

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The last PMQs before the Whitsun recess is overshadowed by the speculation of a snap general election being called. Matt is joined by political j...

Inside Keir Starmer's Brain

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Who is Morgan McSweeney and why is he so important to the Starmer team? Matt is joined by Patrick Maguire and Tom McTague discussing the role of the L...

The Exit Interviews: Sir Bob Neil

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've...

Secrets Of The Whips Office

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you maintain discipline in a government that's on the ropes after a long period in office, with a prime minister behind in the polls and beset ...

How To Hold The Line

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Heading into an election campaign, politicians can be asked to explain their party's position on absolutely anything - but it's not always easy to rem...

PMQs: Goodnight Sweetheart

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Never mind prisons running out of space or rainbow lanyards - PMQs gets derailed by Nicholas Lyndhurst. Matt is joined by Patrick Maguire and Lar...

Why Is Food Still So Expensive?

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Rishi Sunak hosts farmers at Number 10 to offer his support to British agriculture, the sector is struggling with ever higher costs and extreme wea...

The Exit Interviews: Edward Timpson

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've...

The Prime Minister That Never Was

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's been 30 years since the sudden death of Labour leader John Smith, a man many expected would go on to be prime minister. Matt hears from some of t...

Focus Group: It's Like He's Evil

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Matt steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters. This month it's a grou...

PMQs: Dover And Out

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire pause and unpack the action from the Commons chamber, as Tory MP for Dover Natalie Elphicke defects to Labour moments...

Did Liz Truss Really Screw Your Mortgage?

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mortgage costs went up after Liz Truss' mini-budget in 2022, and are yet to come down. As new analysis of the local election results suggests that sup...

The Exit Interview: Craig Whittaker

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons t...

Losing Is Becoming A Habit

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After a difficult set of election results for the Conservatives, including a by-election defeat in Blackpool South, Matt looks at what they mean for t...

Hello From The Other Side: Thatcher's Rise To Power

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In half a century just three opposition leaders have become prime minister. 45 years after Margaret Thatcher arrived in Downing Street, Matt hears fro...