Politics Unpacked

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've learned from their time in politics. Sir Robert Goodwill, an MP for two decades, reveals the uncomfortable conversations he's had as a party whip, which Prime Minister sacked him most graciously, and how a lasagna swung his choice in the Tory...

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 during the 1911 census, talks to a genealogist about his proud family history of criminals, and hears from someone who puts 'Jedi' down as their religion.  Plus: Columnists James Marriott and Carol Lewis discuss why new build homes are so shoddy...

The 1944 Education Act introduced free secondary education for all pupils, but only came about thanks to a meeting with Winston Churchill leaning back in bed wearing a night cap. Matt looks at the impact of the reforms and how schools have changed since with Michael Barber, Joan Bakewell, Britain's oldest teacher and Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and...

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 "farce" and Rishi Sunak is told off for using props. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton compare notes on the resignation of Lee Anderson , and why does Robert think cyclists are smug ? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

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 election. Matt asks what his return might mean for the special relationship, and how Sunak and Starmer should prepare. Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Danny Finkelstein and...

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've learned from their time in politics. Today, outspoken Conservative MP Charles Walker - who famously said of his party "I've had enough of talentless people" - joins Matt to discuss nearly two decades in politics. He looks back on the Brexit wars,...

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 Antiques Roadshow's first host, Bruce Parker, Labour's Jess Philips, and an auctioneer with a gavel, to discuss the value of political mementos. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether MPs should be recalled over the conflict in the...

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 touch and makes them cringe, but Keir Starmer lacks the 'X factor' and reminds them of Marvin the Paranoid Android. James Johnson of J.L. Partners joins Matt to discuss the results. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss wheth...

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 accusing him of flip-flopping over the Rwanda policy.  Matt is joined by Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the exchanges from the Commons chamber.  Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether age matters...

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 increasingly distant prospect. Matt asks if the SNP dream is dead (for now) with polling guru Sir John Curtice and the Minister for Independence at Holyrood. Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Pete...

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've learned from their time in politics. Chloe Smith was just 27 when she was elected at a by-election triggered at the height of the expenses scandal. She looks back on a dramatic decade in politics as one of the longest-serving ministers in governme...

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 behind the scenes with a panel of experts who have worked on debates, both behind and in front of the cameras. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether the Labour leader is playing with fire by saying the public are "right to...

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 Major's soap-box, or a failure like 'Not Flash, Just Gordon'?   Matt is joined by a panel of former advisers to discuss the perils of meeting the public. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed discuss Keir Starmer's election optimism ,...

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 parties are buying, what it says about their election strategies, and how digital campaigning has changed since 2019. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether any of the parties can afford to  promise tax cuts , whet...

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 lessons they've learned from politics. Mhairi Black was elected as an SNP MP at the age of 20 and is quitting before reaching 30; she talks about the weird world of Westminster, the prospects of independence and how she feels about Nicola Sturgeon. H...

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 history will it most closely resemble? Will it be a 1997-style landslide? Could the Tories pull off a surprise win like John Major in 1992? Or could it be such a tight result we have to go back to the polls, like in 1974? Live at the Cheltenham Li...

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 Radio showing which job the public thinks is harder - being prime minister, or being a professional footballer. He also explains why he thinks politicians should be paid more, before Emmerdale actor turned farmer Kelvin Fletcher and TV chef Clodagh...

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 years, featuring everything from men sitting woodenly behind desks to yogic flying. How are they made, do they change anyone’s vote and why are some of them so odd? Matt was joined by Tory advertising guru Maurice Saatchi, Labour filmmaker Mark Lucas...

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 Fiascos, where artefacts old and new are on display showcasing the most embarrassing moments in British politics. Matt and Patrick Maguire tour the exhibits, taking in objects like Liz Truss' jenga lectern, Boris Johnson's Brexit bus and the 'Ed Stone'....

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 as The Sunday Times chief political commentator Tim Shipman. Tim sat down with Matt for three courses (and drinks) to explain how he gets the scoop over the soup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 their highlights of the year - including when they both took a DNA test which revealed Matt is more Irish than Mariella. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series. The final episode features The Times' current Political Editor Steven Swinford, who has been in the job for a turbulent three years, straddling three prime ministers and at least 42 ministerial resignations. He tell...

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series. In episode six, Francis Elliott, who became The Times' Political Editor in 2013 and covered an extraordinary period that saw the end of the coalition, the slow downfall of Theresa May, and how Boris Johnson tried to...

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series. 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 "goldfish bowl" of Westminster, becoming the paper's political editor...

The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're re-releasing the entire series. The fourth episode features, Philip Webster, political editor of the Times for 18 years and a colossus of the Blair and Brown eras who survived nine editors at the paper. He tells Matt about writing the story that k...