Politics Unpacked

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 the third episode, Westminster veteran Sir Peter Riddell tells Matt about his time charting the dramatic end to the Thatcher era, underestimating John Major, Labour coming back from the wilderness, and how the jo...

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. 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 Alec Douglas-Home to Margaret Thatcher. He tells Matt about his rec...

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. First up is Fred Emery, who became political editor in 1977 after a series of foreign postings including covering the Vietnam War and Watergate. He tells Matt about getting the scoop that President Nixon was about t...

'Tis the season and Matt has a new pantomime.  This is the story of Keirnocchio, a wooden MP who desperately wants to become a real boy politician.  When you wish upon a Starmer your dreams come true, and even if it means changing your mind, your poll lead will grow faster than your nose.  Plus: Some of our favourite Times columnists join a festive focus group and debate t...

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...since the last one. Politicians Nickie Aiken and Wes Streeting go up against Times Radio presenters Hugo Rifkind and Ed Vaizey and The Times journalists Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit in front of a live audience in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast...

Gardener, broadcaster and presenter of ITV’s Love Your Garden, Alan Titchmarsh, tells Matt why he dislikes fake grass, is "appalled by the very existence of cancel culture", and why he was "heartened" interviewing Keir Starmer. Plus: Some of our favourite Times columnists join a festive focus group - today they reveal what they thought of Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer's year. Hosted on Acast. See a...

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 useful, and how the views of crucial swing voters have changed as we head into an election year. Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein discuss h...

From inaccurate polls to soundbites, from going early to biscuits being thrown on the campaign trail - what lessons can Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer learn from electoral history? Matt is joined by Lara Spirit and Jack Kessler to delve into the archives.   Plus: Some of our favourite Times columnists join a festive focus group - today they reveal their winners and losers of 2023. Hosted on Aca...

The British Film Institute has compiled a collection of political broadcasts spanning more than 100 years, from polling day with the Clangers to a Conservative film warning that votes for Labour are stepping stones to a communist state. Patrick Russell from the BFI national archive joins Matt to pick out his highlights. Plus: Columnists Gaby Hinsliff and James Marriott discuss the significance of...

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 blacklisted because of his sexy satanic novels, and what happened when Matthew jumped into the Thames to rescue a dog. Plus: Matt speaks to David Halpern, Founding Director of the Behavioural Insights Team - better known as the 'Nudge Unit' - about the ro...

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", while Starmer brands Sunak the donkey of the Tories' nativity. Matt is joined by Ayesha Hazarika, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the exchanges from the Commons chamber. Plus: Columnists Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss at...

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 public's views have changed and how they're likely to vote when they go back to the polls. PLUS: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win An Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein discus...

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 his nightmare before Christmas, and save his premiership? Matt is joined by three wise experts to look at the options. Plus: Tom McTague, Libby Purves and Calum Macdonald discuss the state of the Covid inquiry ,  David Cameron's row with Humza...

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 has been a wild ride in news and politics. Private Eye editor and Have I Got News For You team captain Ian Hislop joins Matt to sprint through the best, worst and weirdest moments of the past year. Plus: Columnists James Marriott and India Knight di...

Rishi Sunak faces resignations and rebellions over his immigration policy, with questions being asked about his survival as prime minister. Will his emergency press conference be enough to persuade his critics to back him? Matt is joined by The Times' Political Editor Steven Swinford and Politics Professor Philip Cowley to gauge the scale of unrest within the Conservative Party. Plus: Times Radio'...

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 to the deadly virus. Matt is joined by Times Radio's Calum MacDonald to break down the key moments including his disappearing Whatsapp messages, the role of Dominic Cummings, and why there was so much swearing in Number 10. Plus: It's PMQs Unpacked,...

As editors of regional newspapers challenge the BBC for threatening their future, Matt details why local journalism has been in such steep decline over the last decade. He asks culture minister Sir John Whittingdale what the government can do to help, and looks at new ways local reporters are funding their journalism.  Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win An Election, where...

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 illegitimate son of a crofter come to lead a cabinet of socialist 'wild men', and has history judged him fairly? Matt is joined by Patrick Maguire, author David Torrance and Ramsay MacDonald's granddaughter Iona Kielhorn. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sy...

Broadcasting legend Trevor McDonald is arguably the most recognisable face (and voice) in British news broadcasting history. He talks to Matt about his 60-year career including interviewing Saddam Hussein, Colonel Gaddafi, and securing the first interview with Nelson Mandela after his release from prison. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss Omid Scobie's penchant for publicity...

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 your parents or the ability to speak English, and make a success of life in the UK?  Somali born Hashi Mohamed arrived in North London aged 9. He tells Matt about his journey to becoming a top barrister and author, why people from poor backgr...

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 prime minister. Matt is joined by Giles Coren, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the exchanges from the Commons chamber. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton talk about bringing funerals back into fashion , Robert's experi...

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 job is to poke fun at politicians, which MPs are the ones to watch, and what topics are off limit. Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win An Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein ch...

As ministers try to plot a new path to cut record migration numbers, Reform UK - formerly the Brexit Party - hopes to win over disillusioned Conservative voters. Patrick Maguire is joined by Iain Martin and John Stevens to discuss the threat to the Tories, and whether Labour was right to mock Rishi Sunak's use of a hammer. PLUS: In Patrick's political counter-factual series "What If", Labour's Lor...

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 months - from the industrial action and coal shortages of the 1970s to modern-day demands to help households pay their energy bills. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss Keir Starmer's taste in classical music, whether people rea...

Conspiracy theories aren't new, bu they're becoming harder for politicians to ignore. Patrick Maguire explores how they've crept into mainstream discourse, and how they're dominating the Republican primaries in the US. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed debate how to  solve the crisis in the asylum system  and what to expect from the new "minister for common sense". Hosted on...