Politics Unpacked

Politics Without The Boring Quiz 2023

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the 8th annual Politics Without The Boring Quiz, a test of who has been paying closest attention to the most extraordinary year in Westminster......

Titchmarsh on Starmer

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gardener, broadcaster and presenter of ITV’s Love Your Garden, Alan Titchmarsh, tells Matt why he dislikes fake grass, is "appalled by the very exis...

What The Voters Thought This Year

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every month former Number 10 pollster James Johnson joins Matt for the Times Radio Focus Group. They look at why the parties find focus groups so usef...

Five Essential Election Lessons

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From inaccurate polls to soundbites, from going early to biscuits being thrown on the campaign trail - what lessons can Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer l...

100 Years Of Political Spin

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The British Film Institute has compiled a collection of political broadcasts spanning more than 100 years, from polling day with the Clangers to a Con...

Is Rishi Sunak 'Tetchy'?

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is joined by Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana to discuss claims that Rishi Sunak is a bit thin-skinned, whether a Labour councillor has been black...

PMQs Unpacked: Political Tittle-Tattle

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the final Prime Minister's Questions of the year, the insults are flying: Rishi Sunak accuses Keir Starmer of engaging in "political tittle-tattle"...

Where Have Boris Johnson's Voters Gone?

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Four years on from Boris Johnson's 2019 General Election victory, Matt goes 'polling in the deep' with a panel of experts to find out how the British ...

Rishi Sunak's Nightmare Before Christmas

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While Rishi Sunak gives evidence to the Covid inquiry, at Westminster his MPs are debating whether to back his Rwanda policy. Can he find a way out of...

Ian Hislop's Wild Year

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From Rishi Sunak being fined for not wearing a seatbelt, to David Cameron's surprise return to the cabinet, to Nigel Farage's trip to the jungle, 2023...

Rishi Sunak's Worst Week

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak faces resignations and rebellions over his immigration policy, with questions being asked about his survival as prime minister. Will his e...

The Trial of Boris Johnson

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson is on oath to tell the truth at the Covid inquiry, as he explains what worked and what didn't as the British state struggled to respond ...

Local Journalism In Crisis

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As editors of regional newspapers challenge the BBC for threatening their future, Matt details why local journalism has been in such steep decline ove...

Labour's First Prime Minister

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's 100 years since the election of December 1923, which led to the formation of Britain's first Labour government under Ramsay MacDonald.How did the...

And Finally... With Trevor McDonald

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Broadcasting legend Trevor McDonald is arguably the most recognisable face (and voice) in British news broadcasting history. He talks to Matt about hi...

From Child Refugee To Top Lawyer

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The headlines are dominated by statistics about who is coming to the UK and why; but what is it like to come to Britain as a child refugee, without yo...

PMQs Unpacked: Dad Joke Delivery

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The dad jokes are flowing at Prime Minister's Questions, as Keir Starmer accuses Rishi Sunak of 'losing his marbles' after falling out with the Greek ...

The Art Of Political Sketch Writing

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is joined by parliamentary sketch writers old and new to discuss the art of the political sketch. Hear first hand from the people whose...

Is Farage A Tory Threat?

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As ministers try to plot a new path to cut record migration numbers, Reform UK - formerly the Brexit Party - hopes to win over disillusioned Conservat...

A Winter Of Political Discontent?

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As temperatures drop around the UK, Patrick Maguire and historian Phil Tinline look at how political problems can turn into a crisis during the winter...

How Conspiracies Poisoned Politics

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Conspiracy theories aren't new, bu they're becoming harder for politicians to ignore. Patrick Maguire explores how they've crept into mainstream disco...

PMQs Unpacked: All About The Money

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the day of the chancellor's Autumn Statement, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer clash in the Commons over Sunak's missing pledge and Labour's record in ...

What's Left For The Tory Right?

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak has been under pressure from MPs on the right of his party since the cabinet reshuffle, which saw Suella Braverman replaced by David ...

Are Tax Cuts The Answer?

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak says the time has come to cut taxes, but how much are we really paying? Patrick Maguire asks how much they pay in Europe and America,...

The Best of Enemies: Thatcher & Major

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a cabinet minister under both Maragret Thatcher and John Major, Norman Fowler is perfectly placed to chronicle the rise and fall of the two pr...

Focus Group: Meek Sunak and Slimy Starmer

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's bad news for both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer in the latest Times Radio Focus group, with voters taking a dim view of David Cameron's return and...

PMQs Unpacked: Rwanda Rejected

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the day that the Supreme Court ruled the government's Rwanda plan is unlawful, Rishi Sunak goes head-to-head with Keir Starmer over immigration and...

The World vs Cameron

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What does the rest of the world make of David Cameron's return to frontline politics? Climb aboard Chorley Airlines for a whistle-stop tour from Jerus...

Cameron the Comeback Kid

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As David Cameron's return to government stuns Westminster, Matt asks if he's the future once again - with guests including the former prime minister's...

Jonathan Aitken: Ruin And Redemption

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Aitken's career in politics began 60 years ago as a speech writer for Alex Douglas-Home and saw him rise to the cabinet under John Major. It ...

Has Nadine Lost The Plot?

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nadine Dorries' new book "The Plot" claims Boris Johnson was ousted by a cabal called "The Movement" that has been controlling the Tory leadership for...

Spads vs Civil Servants?

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Has the relationship between the civil service and politicians and their advisers been permanently damaged? Matt speaks to Lord McDonald, permanent se...

The Other King's Speech

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the government sets out its plans for the year ahead in the King's Speech, Matt is joined by impressionist Jon Culshaw to imagine some alternative ...

The Politics of Vegetables

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

British horticulture is at a crisis point, with millions of pounds worth of crops rotting in the ground every year. Matt asks how our politicians can ...

When Musk Met Sunak

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt's been to see 'gently spoken nerd' Elon Musk meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and finds it's all a bit strange. He talks to Culture Secre...

Lessons From A Dying Government

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What can Rishi Sunak learn from the final days of the Major government, when the prime minister was behind in the polls with a party mired in sleaze a...

Covid Inquiry Unpacked

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week at the Covid inquiry we've learned a lot about the way Boris Johnson's government worked - and didn't - during the pandemic. Matt is joined ...

Starmer Defies Ceasefire Calls

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has been explaining why he has rejected calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, and claims the Labour Party is united. Will his speech settle tens...

Can AI Swing The Election?

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As politicians from around the globe prepare to touch down in England for Rishi Sunak's AI summit, Matt asks the experts what risks this new tech...

How To Rebuild Parliament

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

80 years ago, Winston Churchill announced a plan to rebuild the Palace of Westminster after the Commons chamber was hit during the last major raid of ...

Why Can't Politicians Fix Our Prisons?

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The crisis facing prisons in England and Wales is nothing new - in fact, governments of every stripe have been trying to fix it for decades. Patrick M...

PMQs Unpacked: Eff Off

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh from Labour's recent by-election victories, Keir Starmer tells Rishi Sunak that voters want him to eff off while they clash over mortgages and r...

Rishi's Report Card

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Its one year since Rishi Sunak was voted into number 10 so how is he faring when it comes to the policies that really matter? Patrick and a faculty of...

More Money, More Politics

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the government set to raise the spending cap for the next general election, Patrick Maguire asks if more money leads to worse politics. He talks ...

Introducing: How To Win An Election

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing: How To Win An Election.As the next General Election approaches, Matt Chorley is joined by three of the sharpest, funniest and best-connec...

Rishi Sunak's By-Election Blow

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do Labour's by-election wins add up to a political earthquake, and a sure sign that the Conservatives are destined to lose the next election? Or are t...

Secrets Of A Political Cartoonist

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is joined by Times and Sunday Times cartoonists Peter Brookes and Morten Morland at the Cheltenham Literature Festival to discuss the art of mock...

PMQs Unpacked: Speaking With One Voice

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Against the backdrop of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the prime minister and Labour leader debate the global response and the impact on ...

The Changing Face of War

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the world faces another major conflict, Matt takes a look at the history and changing nature of warfare since 1945 with former director of the...

Faith In Politics?

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Should politicians do God, and does religion still matter in politics? Matt discusses the role of faith in public life and the Israel-Gaza conflict wi...

What Election Year Is It?

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Which election in history could 2024 most closely resemble? Will it be a 1997-style landslide? Could the Tories pull off a surprise win like John...

Focus Group: Stop Being So Weak

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Has Keir Starmer sealed the deal with undecided voters? In the latest Times Radio Focus Group, Matt and James Johnson from JL Partners find that while...

Planes, Trains and Toilet Doors

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Forget the Westminster bubble, some of history's most important political events happened not in the corridors of power but in car parks, village hall...

Can A Conference Speech Win An Election?

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As Keir Starmer makes his final pitch to the public ahead of the next general election, Matt looks back at the pre-election conference speeches of pre...

Angela Rayner's Venom

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner and shadow health secretary Wes Streeting have a round of cocktails with Matt and discuss Angela's favourite drin...

Iron Daughter: Carol Thatcher

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After Labour's decisive win in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, Keir Starmer channelled Michael Caine and claimed the party had 'blown th...

Secrets Of Churchill's Office

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The old War Office in Whitehall, once used by Winston Churchill as the nerve centre of Britain's war effort, has been hidden from public view for more...

What Comes After Sunak?

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak has made his first party conference speech as leader, but polls suggest it could be his last; so who comes next? JL Partners' Scarlett Mag...

100 Years Of Tory Turmoil

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This year marks a century since the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers came into being. Why do the men and women in grey suits still wield so...

Focus Group: Snog, Marry, Avoid

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a special conference edition of the Times Radio Focus Group; Matt and James Johnson from JL Partners hear from a group of 2019 Conservative voter...

30 Years Since Back To Basics

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

30 years ago John Major made a speech pledging to get Britain, and his government, ‘back to basics' - but the scandals just kept coming. Matt speaks...

Your Starter For Ten

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How often do politics and quizzing collide? There's a rich history of politicians trying and failing to answer simple questions, and the British ...

Take A Chance On Ed?

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the podcast everyone has been waiting for... join Matt and Patrick Maguire as they bring you Ed Davey Unpacked: pausing and analysing the&nb...

Crazy Golf, Crazy Davey

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth, and Matt plays crazy golf with party leader Ed Davey. How many houses does he want to build, why wo...

How To Party At Party Conferences

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As party conference season kicks off, Matt speaks to those who have seen it all - from karaoke, to babysitting drunk ministers, to skinny dipping.Plus...

The Not Quite Prime Ministers

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

History is written by (and often about) the winners, but the lives and careers of Britain's political losers can be just as telling. Leaders of the Op...

Why Are We In Love With The Big State?

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The British Social Attitudes Survey has been running for 40 years, and its latest findings show that we expect the state to do more than ever before. ...

Cutting The Green Crap?

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With Parliament in recess and no PMQs, Matt is joined by Patrick Maguire and Kate McCann to answer questions from the listeners on Rishi Sunak's ...

Make Slogans Great Again

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we learn Labour's slogan for party conference season, Matt is joined by columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Jane Merrick to discuss the best and...

How To Look Like A Prime Minister

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer may be ahead in the polls, but nearly half of voters say they still don't think he looks like a prime minister in waiting. Matt hears adv...

WTF did WFH do to UK?

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is working from home today...a rare occasion for him but not for millions of people . Stanford economist and world leading expert in remote worki...

Can Starmer Stop The Boats?

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer says he'll tackle the problem of small boats crossing the channel with his plan to "smash the gangs". Will the policy work, can he park h...

PMQs Unpacked: Cock Up After Cock Up

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the last PMQs before the party conferences, with Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer trading blows over the government's string of recent woes and Starm...

Would You Like A Referendum On That?

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are referendums the sign of a healthy democracy, or as Thatcher said a "device of dictators and demagogues"? Matt finds out about their increasing use...

Can Labour Beat The Tories On Defence?

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Defence and security is one of the areas where the Conservatives are still more trusted than Labour by the public. With big questions looming over Ukr...

The Museum of Political Fiascos

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the grand opening of The Museum of Political Fiascos, where artefacts old and new are on display showcasing the most embarrassing moments i...

Focus Group: It Gets Worse For Sunak

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The focus group is back, with swing voters from around England giving us their unvarnished view of politics. It's bad for Rishi Sunak, with even forme...

PMQs Unpacked: Concrete Chaos

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the first PMQs clash between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer since Parliament returned from the summer break, and the exchanges are dominated by cru...

Blair To The Future

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has met with his brand new shadow cabinet for the first time, but does his top team now have more Blairites than Tony Blair ever did? Mat...

What's Worrying Rishi Sunak?

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With MPs back after the summer recess, Matt and Times Radio Political Editor Kate McCann bring you their guide to the five things Rishi Sunak should b...

The Rest is Dominic Sandbrook

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brand new Times columnist and Rest is History star Dominic Sandbrook tells Matt why the King's first year on the throne has been a surprising success,...

The Political Editors: How Reporting Changed

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From sending stories by mail to sacking ministers by tweet, 'The Political Editors' series showed how the news, and the creators of news, changed...

The Political Editors: Steven Swinford

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Times' current Political Editor Steven Swinford has been in the job for a turbulent three years, straddling three prime ministers and at least 42 ...

The Political Editors: Francis Elliott

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Francis Elliott became The Times' Political Editor in 2013, covering an extraordinary period that saw the end of the coalition, the slow downfall of T...

How To Write A Great Political Speech

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sixty years ago Martin Luther King gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which went onto shape modern America. Hugo Rifkind asks a panel of former ...

The Political Editors: Roland Watson

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After covering the US for the Times in the aftermath of 9/11 - and interviewing President Bush in the White House - Roland Watson returned to the "gol...

The Political Editors: Philip Webster

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Webster was political editor at the Times for 18 years, a colossus of the Blair and Brown eras who survived nine editors at the paper. He tells...

The Political Editors: Sir Peter Riddell

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Westminster veteran Sir Peter Riddell tells Matt about his time charting the dramatic end to the Thatcher era, underestimating John Major, Labour comi...

The Political Editors: Julian Haviland

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Julian Haviland became political editor of the Times in 1981, but his career in journalism began in the 1950s and covered every prime minister from Al...

The Political Editors: Fred Emery

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times.First up is Fred Emery, who ...

Has Political Correctness Saved Comedy?

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Has political correctness come to bury comedy, or to save it? Patrick Maguire speaks to David Stubbs, who believes 'wokeness' has been good rather tha...

How To Stage A Coup

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Military coups are "back" according to the UN, with Niger the latest African nation to have its government overthrown. Patrick asks why they're on the...

PMQs: Patrick Maguire Questions

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's Wednesday, but with the House of Commons in recess we bring you the other PMQs - Patrick Maguire Questions. Patrick is joined by Red Box Editor L...

What Does Tony Blair Want?

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's 16 years since Tony Blair walked away from frontline politics, forced to step down by a party that had fallen out of love with him. But with Keir...

How To Perfect A Political Denial

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Twenty five years after Bill Clinton infamously denied having an affair with Monica Lewinsky, Patrick speaks to Damian Whitworth, who remembers the ch...

Why So Many MPs Are Calling It Quits

12 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This Saturday we're bringing you an extra episode from another Times podcast - Stories of Our Times - one remarkable story, told in depth, each d...

Spinning Like Sunak

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do politicians keep fit? Rishi Sunak spends his holidays going to Taylor Swift-themed spin classes; Keir Starmer prefers to kick around a foo...

How To Fix Parliament

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is Parliament broken, and how can we fix it? Chair of the Committees on Standards and Privileges Chris Bryant joins Patrick Maguire to discuss hi...

Why August Isn't Silly Season

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a journalistic cliché that very little happens in politics while MPs are on holiday during the Parliamentary recess. But is it fair to describe ...

Is Britain Skint?

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A decade of low economic growth has seen Britain fall behind it's wealthy counterparts, and nations like Poland and South Korea are set to become rich...