Politics Unpacked

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at the last Prime Minister's Questions of 2022, with Keir Starmer accusing Rishi Sunak of going into hibernation over the NHS and Sunak claiming the strikes were Labour's 'nightmare before Christmas'.   Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss a major incident in the channel as a migrant boat capsizes, wh...

Finding themselves on a week-long Times cruise from New York to Southampton, Matt Chorley talks to former cabinet minister Ed Balls about the chances of him returning to politics, his next big challenge and the risk of Keir Starmer becoming complacent in the same way Labour did ahead of the 1992 General Election. Plus columnists Rachel Sylvester and David Aaronovitch ask whether union leader Mick...

After giving evidence to the House of Lords, taking on David Beckham over human rights and becoming an unlikely cheerleader for Liz Truss, Joe Lycett is now a fully-fledged political comedian. He speaks to Matt Chorley about his year of political stunts, and what he has planned for 2023. Plus columnists Libby Purves and Jenni Russell on strikes, ministers in open-plan offices, whether we shou...

As Matt Hancock releases his 'Pandemic Diaries', Patrick Maguire asks what makes a great political diary? He speaks to Sir Alan Duncan, who published his recollections of the Brexit years, literary agent Martin Redfern and the political journalist Michael Crick. Plus, columnists Melanie Reid and Matthew Syed discuss the army being used to replace striking workers, the UK's coldest constituency, an...

In Summer 2021 the eyes of the world were on Afghanistan as the West's 20-year mission came to an end. This winter the situation for ordinary Afghans is dire, and the Times and Sunday Times have partnered with Afghanaid for our 2022 Christmas appeal. Patrick Maguire speaks to Times diplomatic correspondent Catherine Philp, former Afghan MP Fawzia Koofi and Afghanaid's Charles Davy. Plus columnists...

Patrick Maguire and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister’s Questions, as Rishi Sunak promises action to stop "unreasonable" union leaders and Sir Keir Starmer accuses him of wobbling like blancmange over housing targets. Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the the Strep A outbreak, the perils of the office Christmas party, and what happens...

Patrick Maguire travels back to the late 1970s and the Winter of Discontent with author Phil Tinline. What caused this prolonged period of industrial unrest, how did it end and what can today's union leaders and politicians learn from it? Plus columnist Danny Finkelstein and the Mirror's John Stevens discuss whether public support for strikes will hold, whether the government should water down its...

How much politics is taking place on the sidelines of the World Cup? Patrick Maguire looks at the wheeling and dealing in Qatar with Sunday Times special correspondent Josh Glancy, and hears examples of sporting diplomacy over the years with former Times foreign correspondent Michael Binyon and former ambassador to Russia, Sir Roderic Lyne. Plus columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss...

The UK has seven living ex-prime ministers for the first time in modern history. But how should a former leader behave when they've left the top job? Patrick Maguire speaks to journalist Steve Richards and former advisers to both John Major and Boris Johnson, while Times sketch writer Quentin Letts gives his advice on how to retain your authority on the backbenches.   Plus columnist...

Matt Chorley visits the Political Cartoon of the Year Awards and speaks to cartoon superfans Jacob Rees-Mogg and Angela Rayner. He discusses the role of the cartoon in British political life - and why they remain relevant in the digital age - with winners Ben Jennings, Nick Newman and Clive Goddard. Plus columnists James Marriott and India Knight discuss the Buckingham Palace race row, whether sec...

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, as Sir Keir Starmer calls for an end to charitable status for private schools and launches a personal attack on Rishi Sunak over his education policy. Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton on a breakthrough Alzheimer's drug, why the generation gap is threatening to sink the Conservati...

They say that if you want a friend in politics, get a dog. But with an estimated 10.3 million dogs in the UK, have we now got too many? Matt Chorley talks to Anna Webb, Alexis Conran and others about the policies needed to deal with a rise in pet ownership - from how to regulate professional dog walkers to whether to fine people for going out without a dog poo bag. Plus Finkelvitch - Daniel Finkel...

With immigration at a record high and claims of backsliding on Brexit, are we about to see the resurgance of a party to the right of British politics? Matt Chorley analyses the threat to the Conservatives posed by Nigel Farage, and asks Reform UK's leader Richard Tice why his party isn't doing better in the polls. Plus columnists Libby Purves, Rachel Sylvester and Paul Johnson on wind farms, a mus...

Forget focus groups, watching Channel 4's Gogglebox can be a great insight into what the nation thinks about its politicians. The show's creator Stephen Lambert tells Matt how the idea came about and how it became must-see TV for prime ministers. Ex-Goggleboxers Steph and Dom talk about their time on the sofa, and Josh Tapper says it led him to want to be an MP. Plus columnists James Forsyth and M...

After more Conservative MPs announce they will stand down at the next election, Matt Chorley asks Lucy Fisher and Matthew Parris if it could turn into an exodus. He also hears from former MPs Gyles Brandreth and Edwina Currie, who talks about her later career as a novelist. Plus columnists James Marriott and Manveen Rana on immigration, energy saving, artificial intelligence and what happened when...

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, as Sir Keir Starmer compares Rishi Sunak to a bottom of the league football manager and Sunak accuses Starmer of flip-flopping. Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton on whether union boss Mick Lynch is the Grinch, how to escape 'goblin mode', holidaying in Qatar and our addiction to f...

Keir Starmer has withdrawn the whip from Jeremy Corbyn, but has to decide whether he can stand for Labour at the next election. If he doesn't, could he end up running as an independent? Matt and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire talk to Corbyn's former spokesman James Schneider and Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, and look at exclusive polling suggesting the Conservatives should stop going on about him....

TV legend Lorraine Kelly tells Matt Chorley what she would do if she ruled the world, including appointing Captain Kirk as Prime Minister and locking up litter bugs. She also discusses why politicians underestimate "fluffy" daytime shows, and says she'll never follow Matt Hancock into the 'I'm a Celebrity' jungle. And after the Chancellor announces a review into an exodus from the workforce, Work...

The Lobby is the group of journalists who have special access at Westminster and cover the daily twists and turns of British politics. Have they become hooked on political drama and bringing down ministers at the expense of covering issues of substance? Matt is joined by writer Andrew Gimson, former political editor of the Times Philip Webster, political reporter for the Sun Noa Hoffman and Sir Cr...

In this bonus episode for Red Box subscribers to mark the start of the new series of Past Imperfect, Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson talk to Sir Keir Starmer about his childhood and the experiences that helped shape him. The Labour leader talks candidly about growing up in a crowded home, where money was tight and the phone was cut off. He shares bittersweet memories of his early years ove...

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has set out his planned tax rises and spending cuts in the Autumn Statement. Matt Chorley unpacks the key announcements and discusses the winners and losers with Times Radio's Lucy Fisher and Dominic O'Connell. Also on the podcast, a special edition of Think Tank Thursday with policy experts Polly Mackenzie and Rachel Wolf explaining what happens when budgets go bad. Plus co...

While Rishi Sunak is away, the deputies are out to play. Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, with Labour's Angela Rayner asking Dominic Raab about the state of the economy and allegations of bullying. Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton ask whether Trump can make a comeback, why the trains are terrible, and where have...

Former head of the Foreign Office Simon McDonald tells Matt civil servants were scared to go into Dominic Raab's office. As well as claims about the minister's behaviour, he also discusses his long diplomatic career working with six foreign secretaries and five prime ministers, answers the charge that the civil service opposed Brexit, and talks about his part in the downfall of Boris Johnson. Plus...

As many Ukrainian refugees come to the end of their initial six-month stay in the UK, Matt looks at what lies in store for those who came here fleeing from war. He speaks to Ukrainians Svetlana and Olga, hosts Caroline and Sarah, and the former minister for refugees Lord Harrington. Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss a new deal with France to stop small boats crossing the channel...

Dick Taverne entered parliament in 1962, and rubbed shoulders with some of the political giants of the 20th century. He was a minister in Harold Wilson’s government, and worked with Roy Jenkins to legalise homosexuality and introduce decimalisation. He even campaigned for remain on a bus with Liz Truss. Plus columnists Melanie Reid and James Forsyth on Kwasi Kwarteng's non-apology over the mi...