Politics Unpacked

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...

The Exit Interviews: Steve Brine

05 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...

Barmy Barometers

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can lipstick, packed lunches and pants tell us about the health of the economy? Matt is joined by The Times' Science Editor Tom Whipple to test the th...

Europe's Turn To The Right

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A wave of upheaval is happening across Europe, with hard right or Eurosceptic parties gaining traction in countries from France, to Italy, Hungary and...

PMQs: Poor Phil

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has met a supermarket worker called Phil who is struggling with his mortgage. Rishi Sunak says Phil will pay more in taxes under Labour. ...

What Is A Conservative?

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and countless others argue over what is and isn't real conservatism, we ask what the different tribes stand for, and is that...

The Exit Interviews: Harriet Harman

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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

Take Back Control (Of Words)

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In America the Democrats are attempting to reclaim the word 'Freedom' from Republicans in the debate over abortion rights. So how do you use...

Anti-Tory Tactics

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is tactical voting about to go mainstream? Matt speaks to the organiser of an US-style primary who wants to give voters the chance to choose one candi...

PMQs: Complete S***t show

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After former cabinet minister Simon Clarke calls on Rishi Sunak to resign, Keir Starmer gets away with swearing about Tory in-fighting and Rishi Sunak...

Reasons To Be Cheerful

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From climate change to war to global poverty, the world seems like it's in a fragile state. Danish political scientist and climate contrarian Bjørn L...

The Exit Interviews: Robert Goodwill

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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

Death of a Census?

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Census provides a snapshot of the state of the nation - should it survive? Matt visits the cupboard where Emily Wilding Davison hid in Parliament ...

Happy Birthday, Schools!

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The 1944 Education Act introduced free secondary education for all pupils, but only came about thanks to a meeting with Winston Churchill leaning back...

PMQs: Al Murray Rates The Jokes

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's PMQs Unpacked, and Matt and Tim Shipman are joined by comedian Al Murray to rate the jokes as Keir Starmer calls the government's Rwanda plan a "...

Is The UK Ready For Trump The Sequel?

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump kicked off his bid for the White House with a record-breaking win in Iowa, making him the likely Republican nominee in November's US elec...

The Exit Interviews: Charles Walker

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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

Political Antiques Roadshow

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From Gladstone’s despatch box to a packet of crisps with Nick Clegg's face on it, what is your political memorabilia worth? Matt is joined by Antiqu...

Focus Group: The Guy Just Makes Me Cringe

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the first Times Radio Focus Group of 2024, we hear from 2019 Conservative voters who now say they've switched to Labour. Rishi Sunak is out of touc...

PMQs: New Year, New Nonsense

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the first PMQs of the new year, with Rishi Sunak announcing a plan to overturn wrongful convictions in the Post Office scandal and Keir Starmer a...

Did Sturgeon Kill Independence?

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's nearly a year since Nicola Sturgeon resigned, and Humza Yousaf has set out his stall for the general election - with independence looking an incr...

The Exit Interviews: Chloe Smith

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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

The TV Debates Debate

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has said 'bring it on' to TV election debates, firing the starting gun on months of arguments between parties and broadcasters. Matt goes...

Let Rishi Be Rishi

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The prime minister has left Westminster to meet 'real people' and give the voters a sense of the authentic Rishi Sunak. Will it be a success like John...

The TikTok Election?

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There may be no date set for the general election, but campaigning has already begun on our social media feeds. Matt hears what kind of adverts the pa...

The Exit Interviews: Mhairi Black

02 Jan 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 Election Year Is It?

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year.Heading into an election year in 2024, which election in his...

Lineker - Football vs Politics

29 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year.Matt spoke to Gary Lineker about exclusive polling for Times...

How To Make A Party Political Broadcast

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year.Party political broadcasts have been around for nearly 100 y...

The Museum Of Political Fiascos

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year.Welcome to the grand opening of The Museum of Political Fias...

The Art Of The Political Lunch

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year.Very few people in Westminster have had as many lunches...

Matt & Mariella's Selection Box

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is joined by Mariella Frostrup for a special Christmas day edition of the coffee break. They crack open a drink, exchange gifts and look back at ...