Politics Unpacked

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...

How To Lose An Unloseable Election

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer is firmly ahead in the polls, but nothing in politics is ever certain. So, how do you lose an election that seems unloseable? Patrick Mag...

The Art Of The Political Lunch

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Very few people in Westminster have had as many lunches as The Sunday Times' Chief political commentator Tim Shipman.So for the final day of food...

Confessions Of The Chequers Chef

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is it like to cook for world leaders, celebrities, and even the Queen? Graham Howarth is the Head Chef at Chequers - the PM's country retreat. He...

The Art of Political Drinking

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Matt for a pint in Westminster's Red Lion pub. He talks to Gordon Brown's former spin doctor Charlie Whelan about how he inadvertently killed Ton...

Shopping Under The Nanny State

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After Rishi Sunak delayed the ban on buy-one-get-one-free deals on fatty foods for two years, Matt takes stock of how much the nanny state is policing...

Cooking In The Commons

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Food week begins with the history of Bellamy's, a restaurant that's been serving politicians' portions for 250 years. Charles Walker is the MP in...

How To Start A New Political Party

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More than one hundred new political parties have already been registered this year, but what does it take to create one that goes the distance? Kate M...

Focus Group: Attack Of The Clones

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A group of people from across England who voted for the Conservatives at the 2019 election, but now say they plan to vote for Labour give their verdic...

How To Punish Politicians

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is joined by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg, the man in charge of investigating politicians behaviour. He discusse...

Are The Greens Missing Their Moment?

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the climate at the top of the news agenda, why isn't the Green Party doing better? Matt asks Siân Berry if she can hold the party's only parliam...

When Will Sunak Call An Election?

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Should Rishi Sunak go early like Boris Johnson, or cling on until the bitter end like John Major? Matt considers the merits of an early or a late gene...

What Do The By-Elections Mean?

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After the Conservatives suffered two by-election defeats but were spared the embarrassment of a whitewash, Matt explores what it means for Sunak and S...

MPs On Holiday: What Not To Do

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As MPs leave Westminster for the summer recess, Matt brings you his guide to the dos and don'ts of taking some time away from politics. He talks about...

PMQs Unpacked: The A Team Is Back

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The deputies have gone, and Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are back at PMQs for their last outing before the summer recess. Matt pauses and unpacks the ...

How Do You Fix The Met Police?

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley joins Matt to talk about his plan to overhaul Britain's largest force, warning it will be a 'bumpy jo...

Death & Taxes

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When George Osborne promised to scrap inheritance tax on the family home in 2007, it was credited with deterring Gordon Brown from holding a snap elec...

Radio, Religion And Brass Bands

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt looks at a boom in hyper-local community radio, including the station bringing you the sounds of a hedge for eight hours.Plus: Columnists James M...

Is Your Council Going Bust?

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If your town hall isn't already in trouble, it could be soon. Local authorities around the country are taking drastic action to balance the books, wit...

DPMQs Unpacked: A Teachable Moment

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's Deputy PMQs, and Matt and Tim Shipman are joined by a deputy head teacher to help them pause and unpack the action as Oliver Dowden and Angela Ra...

Finkelstein & Zeffman: Crazy Politics, Crazy Golf

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As Henry Zeffman leaves the Times, he joins Daniel Finkelstein and Matt one last time. They discuss what politics will look like in 2030, how journali...

Can The Tories Hold The Red Wall?

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been four years since the term 'Red Wall' entered the political lexicon. Matt is joined by the man who coined the phrase, analyst James...

Boris Johnson, One Year On

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a year since Boris Johnson resigned outside Downing Street, telling the nation: "Them's the breaks." Matt is joined by impressionist Jon Cul...

Could The Tories Lose Four By-Elections?

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In two weeks' time Rishi Sunak faces major by-election tests in the seats vacated by Boris Johnson, Nigel Adams and David Warburton, and the suspensio...

DPMQs Unpacked: Game, Set and Match

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Deputies Oliver Dowden and Angela Rayner stand in at PMQs and clash over mortgage rates and problems in the rental market. Matt pauses and unpacks the...

Sunak's 5 Pledges, 6 Months On

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Six months ago today, Rishi Sunak laid out five key pledges that he said would build a better future for the country. Matt and a panel of experts from...

The Exit Interviews: Ian Blackford

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ian Blackford joined the SNP aged 16, going on to lead the party in Westminster during a period of high political drama. In the latest episode of...

Behind The Scenes At Parliament TV

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a century since the broadcasters first asked to record what goes on in Parliament, although cameras didn't make it into the Commons cha...

Margaret McDonagh

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Baroness McDonagh, Labour's first female general secretary, was a key figure in the paty and was instrumental in Tony Blair's election victories in 19...

PMQs Unpacked: We've Got The X-Factor

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer trade blows over housing statistics, Matt pauses and unpacks the action with the help of Peter Dickson, the voice of t...

Focus Group: Martin Lewis For PM

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Swing voters from across England give their verdict on Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer and explain why they'd rather have consumer expert Martin Lewis at Nu...

The Exit Interviews: Ben Bradshaw

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Ben Bradshaw spent almost a decade as a junior minister before reaching the cabinet under Gordon Brown. In the latest episode of our series talkin...

Falklands, Robin Day and Peppa Pig

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As defence secretary when the Falklands were invaded, John Nott had to check the globe in his office and was horrified to see how far away the islands...

Keir Starmer Does The Quiz

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Labour Leader Keir Starmer joins Matt in the studio to discuss help for homeowners, travelling by helicopter, whether Tony Blair should be in the Lord...

PMQs Unpacked: Jane & Fi Take On Rishi & Keir

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer argue over whether there's a "Tory mortgage penalty", Matt is joined by special guests Jane Garvey and Fi Glover to pa...

The Johnson Defence

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Finkelstein and Henry Zeffman discuss what we we learned from the MPs defending Boris Johnson during the debate over the Privileges Committee r...

The Exit Interviews: Gary Streeter

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Gary Streeter started out in the SDP, defected to the Tories, was an aide to John Major after his general election defeat and was sacked by Iain D...

Blackadder Goes Fortieth

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week in 1983 one of the great political schemers, Edmund Blackadder hit TV screens for the first time. Matt chart's the politics of the classic s...

What Next For Boris Johnson?

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After the Privileges Committee finds that Boris Johnson misled the Commons, Matt considers his future career options with Times sketchwriter Quen...

PMQs Unpacked: Peer Pressure

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer takes aim at Rishi Sunak over Boris Johnson's resignation honours list, while Sunak attacks Labour for picking peers like Tom Watson.Matt...

Boris vs Rishi

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Finkelstein and Henry Zeffman are back to discuss the battle over Boris Johnson's honours list, why the former prime minister annoys Rishi...

The Exit Interviews: Margaret Hodge

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Labour veteran Dame Margaret Hodge sits down for The Exit Interviews, our new series featuring MPs leaving Parliament at the next election.She talks t...

Donald or Ron or Nikki or Mike or Tim or Chris or Doug vs Joe

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Former US President Donald Trump has been criminally charged for the second time in three months, but is still the favourite to secure the Republican ...

Escaping Hitler and Stalin

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Finkelstein, Times columnist and friend of the podcast, tells the story of his parents' remarkable journey from the Soviet Gulags and the Nazi ...

DPMQs Unpacked: Dire Punchlines

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With Rishi Sunak away in America, deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden faces off against Labour's number two, Angela Rayner. Matt, Patrick Maguire and ...

Mr Sunak Goes to Washington

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak is off to meet Joe Biden at the White House for the first time and will hope to make a big impression (or at least get the President ...

The Exit Interviews: George Eustice

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is back with the first episode in a new series, The Exit Interviews, sitting down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about ...

How (Not) to Write a Manifesto

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Maguire is in for Matt, looking at Labour's 1983 manifesto - 'the longest suicide note in history' - 40 years on, with historian Phil Tinline....

Down Under Take Over

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it's a love of Kylie, cricket or beer, Australia and Britain have plenty in common when it comes to popular culture - and politics, with a new...

Running The Numbers For Thatcher

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It was the leadership contest that finally ended Margaret Thatcher's premiership - even though she won in the first round. The year was 1990, whe...

Should Johnson's WhatsApps Stay Secret?

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While Matt is away, Patrick Maguire is joined by columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Miranda Green to discuss whether the government should hand Boris J...

How Call of Duty Became Britain's Post-Brexit Battleground

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is away for the bank holiday, but in the meantime we have another guest episode from the team at Stories of Our Times - one remarkable story...

Sex, Lies And Boris Johnson

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cleo Watson has gone from being deputy chief of staff for Boris Johnson to writing a satirical 'bonkbuster' set in and around Westminster, Downing Str...

Focus Group: I Haven't Heard Of Him

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Undecided voters from across England make up this month's Times Radio Focus Group. They give their verdict on record levels of net migration, and thei...

PMQs Unpacked: You Owe Me Dinner

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer battle it out over migration, inflation and apprenticeships. Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit pause and unpack the ...

What Is The Point of the Points-Based System

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After more than a decade of Conservative promises, targets and legislation to cut the rate of net migration, official figures are expected to show it ...

Can Starmer Win Without Scotland?

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After years of decline north of the border, can a win for Labour in Scotland clear the path for Keir Starmer to secure a majority and get the keys to ...

Photographing Five Prime Ministers

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For more than a decade Andrew Parsons was the official Downing Street photographer - chronicling life at No 10 with every prime minister from David Ca...

The Biggest Threat to the West

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Richard Dearlove began his career in the intelligence services at the height of the Cold War, and went on to become 'C' - the head of MI6. He tell...

DPMQs Unpacked: Olive v Ange

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's Deputy Prime Minister's questions with new DPM Oliver Dowden facing Angela Rayner for the first time. Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit pause and...

Stuck In The Middle With You

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Exclusive YouGov polling for Times Radio shows that plenty of Labour voters - and even more Liberal Democrats - would like to see a coalition between ...

Turkey's Turning Point

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Turks are at a historic turning point - choosing between two radically different visions for the future of their country.With the battle for the presi...

Is It 1974 All Over Again?

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Conservative prime minister, soaring inflation, strikes bringing the country to a standstill - and Britain hosting the Eurovision Song Contest. Welc...

How To Interview A Politician

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Burley has had a ringside seat at some of the biggest political TV grillings for more than a quarter of a century, working with interviewers inclu...

PMQs Unpacked: Zippy's Rainbow Coalition

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The star of children's TV show Rainbow joins Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the exchanges at PMQs. As Rishi Sunak and Keir Star...

Why Are Tory Voters Switching To Labour?

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt discusses exclusive YouGov polling examining the reasons why 2019 Conservative voters are switching to Labour. Are they really embracing Keir Sta...

Battle Of The Political Bands

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Forget the Coronation concert - Matt pits politicians singing and playing instruments against one another, and discusses the state of live music in th...

What Do The Local Elections Mean?

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Millions have had their say in elections across England, but what do the results tell us about the chances of Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer ending up in...

Penny Mordaunt: How To Carry A Sword

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt talks to Lord President of the Privy Council Penny Mordaunt about her role in the Coronation, where she'll carry the four-foot sword of state in ...

PMQs Unpacked: They're Going To Need a Bigger Note

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer trade blows over housing and the infamous 'no money left' note at the last Prime Minister's Questions before the local el...

The Swing Voters Who’ll Decide The Next Election

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week millions of voters will go to the polls as more than 8,000 council seats in England are contested in the local elections – the most signif...

Rock Against Racism

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

45 years ago, tens of thousands of people marched through London for the Rock Against Racism concert featuring some of the biggest names in music at t...

Focus Group: He's A Snake

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Undecided voters in Scotland who previously backed the SNP give their verdict in the Times Radio Focus Group. Humza Yousaf is 'unremarkable', but whic...

PMQs Unpacked: Zippy and George

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer clash over the cost of living, Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause and unpack the exchanges - and do a passable impr...

Corbyn Won In 2017. No He Didn't.

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt talks to American academic and author Noam Chomsky about the conflict in Ukraine, the end of the world - and who won the 2017 general election.Pl...

Sir Softy or Keir Hard-y

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer keeps talking about his record as Director of Public Prosecutions, arguing it shows he was tough on crime - but the Conservatives think i...

Are You Having a Laugh?

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Which party's supporters can take a joke, and which have a sense of humour failure? Matt looks at the league table of humourlessness with Private Eye ...

Testing The Schools Minister

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Gibb is one of Britain's longest-serving ministers, in office (almost) continuously since the Conservatives came to power in 2010. Matt quizzes h...

PMQs Unpacked: Arise, Sir Softy

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer trade personal attacks over crime at Prime Minister's Questions, as Sunak dubs Starmer 'Sir Softy'. Matt is joined by Tim...

Is Rishi Too Rich?

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is joined by Daniel Finkelstein and Henry Zeffman to discuss whether Rishi Sunak's wealth is a problem after it was revealed he's being inve...

The Reagan Question

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the 1980 presidential election, Ronald Reagan asked "Are you better off than you were four years ago?"With the economy likely to define the next ge...

The Death of TV Satire?

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With Have I Got News For You one of the last satirical comedy shows still standing, Patrick Maguire asks why satire on our screens seems to be dying a...

When to Hold a General Election

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to holding a general election, timing is everything. With Rishi Sunak reportedly hoping to pull off a surprise win late in 2024, Patrick...

Difficult Days For Humza Yousaf

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is Humza Yousaf done before he even gets started? Patrick Maguire looks at the SNP leader's chances after two weeks in office and a series of revelati...

Does Negative Campaigning Work?

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Maguire discusses political advertising - does going negative deliver, or do we all suffer when the parties get down in the gutter? He speaks ...

Good Friday Agreement 25 Years On: Inside the Negotiations

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Carole Walker, sitting in for Matt Chorley, speaks to key figures that drafted the deal including Mark Durkan, assistant to SDLP leader John Hume, and...

Focus Group: Hugh Grant vs. Desperate Dan

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is joined by James Johnson of JL Partners who leads a panel of undecided voters giving their verdict on the government, Rishi Sunak and Keir Star...

The Battle for Waterlooville

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Suella Braverman faces losing her seat in a reselection battle with Flick Drummond. Matt speaks to journalist Michael Crick and local councillors Caro...

Killing Thatcher

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt revisits the last night of the Conservative party conference in 1984 when the IRA bombed the Grand Hotel in Brighton in an attempt to kill M...

Clever Things to Say About Polling

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt shares the five things you need to know about British politics right now by looking at what's happening behind the headline polls with opinion ex...

The Day The Times Was Bombed

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From the first camera to take aerial pictures over Everest to documents from the day the paper's offices were bombed during World War Two, the Times a...

VAT's Life

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's 50 years since Value Added Tax was introduced, and it's been a political football ever since. Matt discusses Jaffa Cakes, the pasty tax and the o...

PMQs Unpacked: Thugs and Scum

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's Deputy Prime Minister's questions with Dominic Raab and Angela Rayner standing in for Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spi...

'Putin of The Labour Party'

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As Jeremy Corbyn is barred from standing as a Labour MP, Momentum founder Jon Lansman accuses Keir Starmer of behaving like 'Putin of the Labour Party...

Oh, Doctor Beeching!

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this day 60 years ago Dr Richard Beeching wielded the axe, closing thousands of miles of railway and thousands of stations. Matt talks to the music...

Secrets of the Red Box

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Chorley delves into the history of the iconic Red Box, the symbol of power given to every cabinet minister and prime minister.We find out what's ...

Focus Group: Tories Turning the Tide?

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Swing voters from across England say they prefer Rishi Sunak to Keir Starmer as prime minister in the latest Times Radio Focus Group.Matt is joined by...

PMQs Unpacked: Get Out of Westminster

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is joined by Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions. Rishi Sunak claims Labour is 'soft ...

Food Fight

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt speaks to Leon co-founder Henry Dimbleby, who has just resigned as the government's 'food tsar'. He explains why he's quit, what's wrong with our...

D-Day for Boris Johnson

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Will the inquiry into whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament over Partygate finish his political career - or open the door for his return?Matt is joi...