Politics Unpacked
Episodes
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...
PMQs: Stop Banging The Furniture
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tim Shipman and Kait Borsay join Matt Chorley to pause and unpack the action from the Commons chamber as Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak clash over ...
Inside The Plot To Bring Down Sunak
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For months a group of Tory plotters have been saying that the local elections will be pivotal to their efforts to remove Rishi Sunak from office. So a...
The Exit Interviews: Caroline Lucas
29 Apr 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...
Three-Way Trump-Off
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The impressionists are back - Jon Culshaw, Rory Bremner and Nerine Skinner join Matt to talk about their favourite political impressions, before engag...
Could The Tories Disappear?
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Exclusive polling for the podcast shows two in 10 voters - including one in 10 of those who voted Tory in 2019 - would like the Conservative party to ...
Deputy PMQs: Pint-Sized Loser
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's Deputy PMQs wile Rishi Sunak is in Germany, with Oliver Dowden facing questions from Angela Rayner. Tim Shipman and Calum Macdonald join Mat...
Keir Starmer's Flagging
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer has urged his Labour party colleagues to fly the flag with enthusiasm on St George's Day. But does everyone in Labour agree with him, and...
The Exit Interviews: Mike Freer
22 Apr 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...
The Brexit Interview: Tim Shipman
20 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brexit was the greatest conundrum visited on the British political class in the last 80 years, according to Sunday Times Chief Political Commentator T...
Why Tories Prefer Dark Chocolate
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to chocolate, why are Tories pro-dark and Labour supporters pro-milk? Matt looks at exclusive YouGov polling and dives into the politics...
The Tory MP, The 3am Call And The Drunk Dog
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Menzies MP is being investigated by the Conservative party following claims he misused campaign funds, making a late-night call to a 78-year-old ...
PMQs: Lettuce vs Lawyers
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time in a month, Tim Shipman joins Matt Chorley to pause and unpack the action from the Commons chamber as Keir Starmer and Rishi S...
10 Minutes To Save Liz Truss
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Liz Truss is back with her new book '10 Years To Save The West', where she recounts her brief time in Number 10. Matt brings you the best bits co...
The Exit Interviews: Henry Smith
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the 100th MP announces they are leaving the Commons at the election, Matt continues his series of interviews finding out what they've learned and w...
How Parties Waste Money In Elections
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How much do parties spend on "big data", and how much do they still rely on old-fashioned leaflets through the door?Matt finds out how they're plannin...
When Were The Good Old Days?
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Politicians always tell us the future looks bright, but a new YouGov survey shows that most people are wistful for the good old days. Exactly whe...
Classic PMQs Unpacked: He Was The Future Once
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Chorley, Patrick Maguire and Andrew Gimson give the "Unpacked" treatment to a classic PMQs, with Tony Blair and David Cameron going head-to-...
Why Politics Isn't A Family Affair
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is it possible to have a happy family life and be a Member of Parliament? Matt speaks to MPs and their family members to find out about the pressures ...
The Exit Interviews: Paul Scully
08 Apr 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...
Border Politics
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Patrick Maguire is joined by John Elledge to discuss the borders that explain world politics - from London's Ulez to the edge of space. PLUS: Col...
The Handover of Power
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If polls are to be believed, the UK could be governed by a new political party before the end of the year - one that hasn't been in power for&nbs...
Classic PMQs Unpacked: Just Another Relaunch
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Patrick Maguire and Tim Shipman give the "Unpacked" treatment to a classic PMQs, with Tony Blair and William Hague going head-to-head in July 2000 ove...
Should The Left Leave Labour?
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As prominent Jeremy Corbyn allies and hundreds of councillors quit the Labour, Patrick Maguire asks how Keir Starmer pushed them to the fringes and wh...
Focus Group: Caretaker Of The Untruths
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the monthly Times Radio Focus Group, and this time we head to the blue wall to find out why former Conservative voters have switched their suppor...
Classic PMQs Unpacked: Weak, Weak, Weak
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire give the "Unpacked" treatment to a classic PMQs, with John Major and Tony Blair going head-to-head in January 1997, c...
Tim Martin: Brexit, Boris and Sticky Carpets
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt's off to the pub... to meet Wetherspoons boss Sir Tim Martin and talk about Brexit, Boris Johnson and whether the lunchtime pint is alive and wel...
The Exit Interviews: Robin Walker
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Chorley 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 l...
The MPs Who Don't Exist
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our new exclusive polling shows that both Labour and the Tories have some well-known frontbench spokespeople; the bad news is that some of them don't ...
It's Not Just The Economy, Stupid
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt sits down with US political scientist Lynn Vavreck, author of 'The Message Matters', to find out whether the Clinton-era cliche - 'It's the econo...
PMQs Unpacked: Geoff Norcott Rates The Jokes
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the last PMQs before MPs head off for an Easter break, and comedian Geoff Norcott joins Matt Chorley, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and un...
What's The One Thing Sunak Could Do?
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With his party behind in the polls and some asking whether he'll survive until the autumn, what options does Rishi Sunak have to turn things around? M...
The Exit Interviews: William Wragg
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Chorley 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 l...
Does The Feelgood Factor Matter?
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What makes the nation feel good about itself - is it the weather, sporting success or a royal wedding? And what difference does it make to how the nat...
Could Cameron Join the GOATs?
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gordon Brown tried to form a "government of all the talents", giving ministerial jobs to figures from outside politics. Matt speaks to two of the orig...
PMQs: A Racist’s Refund
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rishi Sunak struggles to deflect questions about a Tory donor's racist comments, and accuses of Keir Starmer of double standards. But have government ...
Too Easy To Sack Your MP?
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a decade since the introduction of recall, meaning MPs who break the rules can be kicked out of the Commons. As another recall petition open...
The Exit Interviews: Mark Drakeford
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson has defected to Reform UK, giving the party its first MP. Matt discusses the significance of the move...
The Secrets Of Political Advertising
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the coming months you're going to see a lot more political adverts across TV, radio, and social media. But how much do we know about what really wo...
Rachel Reeves' First Budget
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If the polls are right, Rachel Reeves could be the next chancellor. But after a Budget that confirmed money is tight (and stole some of her flagship i...
The Budget: Losing A Few Pounds
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy Hunt has delivered what is probably his last Budget before the general election, and as well as offering tax cuts he found time to refer to Pet...
The Only Poll That Counts
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Politicians often tell journalists "the only poll that counts is the one on election day". Professor Jane Green from the University of Oxford tells Ma...
The Exit Interviews: Stephen Hammond
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Chorley 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 l...
Inside The Downing St Handover
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What really goes on behind the famous black door after an election, as one government makes way for another? Matt hears about recently-released docume...
Focus Group: Time For Reform?
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Three out of 10 Tory voters now say they're leaning toward Reform UK. Is there anything Rishi Sunak can do to bring them back? Pollster James Johnson ...
PMQs: Tin-Foil Hat Brigade
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer claims the Tories have become the 'political wing of the flat-earth society' for promoting conspiracies; Sunak says Starmer is just ...
50 Years Of Labour Victories, But Mostly Defeats
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week in 1974 Britain went to the polls in an election that saw the Conservatives lose, but Labour fail to drum up enough enthusiasm to win a majo...
The Exit Interviews: Nickie Aiken
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Chorley 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 l...
Your Best Political Impressions
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After discovering the voice of the self-service checkouts at Tesco sounds like Rishi Sunak, Matt is joined by comedians Jon Culshaw, Debra Stephenson ...
Can Lindsay Hoyle Survive?
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is joined by columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris to weigh up the Commons speaker's chances of survival as MPs continue to call for him to ...
PMQs: What Was The Point In That?
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer focuses on the Post Office Horizon scandal ahead of the Commons vote on Gaza. But have the listeners come up with better questions for th...
The Neverending Backstory
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a new biography of Keir Starmer tells us more about the Labour leader's childhood, Matt takes a look at the importance of a backstory - does findin...
The Exit Interviews: Dehenna Davison
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Chorley sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lesso...
What Do The By-Elections Mean?
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the wake of the by-elections in Kingswood and Wellingborough, Patrick asks whether a Labour general election victory is nailed on, if Rishi Sunak c...
Sturgeon's Successor
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's a year since Nicola Sturgeon's surprise resignation as First Minister rocked Scottish politics and her successor Humza Yousaf has had a difficult...
What's The Point Of PMQs?
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer take a break from Prime Minister's Questions during recess, Patrick asks what their weekly joust teaches us, and wheth...
Why Are Young Men Turning Right?
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's a new divide in British politics: young men are becoming more right-wing, just as young women turn left. Patrick asks what's causing this...
Why Is Keir Starmer Love Bombing Joe Biden?
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Patick Maguire is back looking after the podcast this week as Matt is away for half term. Today he looks at Keir Starmer's relationship with Joe Biden...
Do We Expect Too Much Of Our MPs?
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With constituents asking their MP to deal with everything from arguments about hedges to parking tickets, are politicians are struggling to focus on t...
Quitting The Cabinet For Not Being Up To The Job
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Throwback Thursdays Matt speaks to the politicians of the past to find out lessons for the present.Estelle Morris was Education Secretary unde...
PMQs: Of All The Weeks
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rishi Sunak attacks Keir Starmer for flip-flopping, but turns the proceedings sour with a scripted jibe about trans rights. Matt is joined by Car...
Focus Group: None Of The Above
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
New polling for Times Radio shows that voters aren't enthusiastic about either Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer. We hear from ordinary voters from across E...