Politics Unpacked

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 Wales. Patrick Maguire is joined by Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the action. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton play our election slogan quiz, share train horror stories, and learn why Robert is 'team Farage'. Hoste...

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 Cameron. But what options do his critics really have, and will they go as far as a leadership challenge? Patrick Maguire is joined by two seasoned Tory-watchers to explain what could happen next. Plus: Matt Chorley presents the first part of the late...

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, and what, if anything, the Chancellor can do about them in this week's Autumn Statement. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss David Cameron's introduction into the House of Lords, revelations from the Covid inquiry , and the pr...

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 prime ministers. He tells Matt about his shock at being promoted by Thatcher, his battle to draw public attention to the dangers of Aids, and why he never forgave her for talking down 'Majorism'. Plus: Columnists James Marriott and Helen Lewis discuss...

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 Suella Braverman's departure - and it's not much better news for the Labour leader. James Johnson of J.L. Partners joins Matt to discuss the results. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris look at the fallout from the Rwanda ruling an...

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 national security. Matt is joined by Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause the action and unpack the exchanges. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the progress Sunak is making on  his five pledges , whether it m...

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 Jerusalem to Brussels to Berlin. Matt is also joined by two people who came up against Cameron on opposite sides of the Brexit debate - former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and former Brexit Secretary David Davis.  Plus: A taster of the third...

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 biographer and his former deputy chief of staff. Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss the future of the Suella Braverman, the power of protest and why some in society are blind to antisemitism . Hosted on Acast. See acast....

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 all came crashing down when he was convicted of perjury and sent to prison, where he then rediscovered his religion. He talks to Matt about faith, prison reform, and why politicians lose their moral compass. Plus: Columnists James Marriott and India...

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 two decades. Matt puts those claims to the test by speaking to Patrick Maguire - who read the book cover to cover, Danny Finkelstein - an alleged member of "The Movement", and Stephen Greenhalgh - an ally of Boris Johnson.  Plus: Columnists Man...

Has the relationship between the civil service and politicians and their advisers been permanently damaged? Matt speaks to Lord McDonald, permanent secretary at the Foreign Office until 2020, former civil servant Jill Rutter, and Hugh Bennett, former special adviser to Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.  Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Rishi Sunak's lack of political ener...

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 measures King Charles could have announced. Plus: A taster of the second episode of How To Win An Election , the new podcast which sees electoral masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt to find out how to write...

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 help the industry flourish and speaks to some green-fingered politicos. Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester look at what's in and what's out of the  King's Speech , why more kids than ever are  missing from school ,...

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 Secretary Lucy Frazer about whether the interview was a good idea, and talks to a former Twitter employee who was sacked by Musk. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss a future where no one has a job , James' opinion that we all have t...

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 and infighting? Matt talks to Howell James, John Major's political secretary in the lead up to the 1997 election. PLUS: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss whether the prime minister's's AI summit can help him escape his domestic politi...

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 by the Sunday Times' George Arbuthnott and the Specator's Isabel Hardman to unpack the most important, and the most expletive-laden, exchanges. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether MPs should be selected using US-style o...

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 tensions within the ranks? Matt speaks to Times Radio senior political correspondent Patrick Maguire and a councillor who calls Starmer's speech 'tone deaf'. Plus: We introduce the first episode of How To Win An Election, as electoral masterminds Peter M...

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 technology poses for next year's campaign and elections around the world. Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss  Keir Stamer allowing his MPs to undermine his position on a ceasefire in the Middle East , the blockbuster wee...

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 the blitz. Patrick Maguire in for Matt Chorley looks at the building's history from the Great Fire of London to the present day, and speaks to the chairman of Parliament's Restoration and Renewal programme Nigel Evans. Plus: Columnists James Marriott...

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 Maguire asks why they've failed, and what can be done to improve criminal justice in the future. Plus Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell discuss  Israel's fallout with the United Nations ,  whether we should be scared of the AI future  and&n...

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 rent costs. Patrick Maguire, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit pause and unpack the action from Westminster.  Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton chat about  bankers bonuses, the division of labour in their households and why y...

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 experts from The Times track his progress and grade his homework. Plus: The Daily Mirror's John Stevens and the Spectator's Katy Balls discuss why the Tories are losing voters to both their left and right, and why Brexiteer Steve Baker regrets that...

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 to two donors about why they give money to the parties, and takes a look at how the billions of dollars being spent in the US have affected American political culture. Plus: Columnists Jenni Russell and Paul Mason discuss Labour's...

Introducing: How To Win An Election. As the next General Election approaches, Matt Chorley is joined by three of the sharpest, funniest and best-connected strategists who know a thing or two about winning (and losing). Peter Mandelson was Labour’s director of communications for Neil Kinnock in 1987 and 1992; New Labour’s architect and later cabinet minister in 1997, 2001 and 2005; and Gordon Brown...

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 they what you'd expect from a party that's been in power for 13 years facing difficult circumstances in both seats. Matt is joined by an expert panel including polling expert Professor John Curtice, Times Radio's Patrick Maguire and shadow cabine...