Times Radio

Politics Unpacked

News EN ↓ 1980 episodes

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the the politics of the day - and the stuff that's even more important - with the brightest brains from the Times and Sunday Times. You can listen to Hugo on DAB, smart speaker or app 10am-1pm Monday to Friday. If you like what you hear, then read more at  http://www.thetimes.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author

Times Radio

Category

News

Podcast website

www.thetimes.co.uk

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

The Future of Cash 24.11.2020

Matt Chorley is joined by Times columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch to discuss the day's news; then Head of Money at consumer group Which? Gareth Shaw, Director of Strategy at Link UK, Graham Mott, CEO and Co-Founder of Tandem Bank Ricky Knox and Founder of the Young Money Blog Iona Bain join Matt to discuss whether cash is a thing of the past. Hosted on Acast. See a...

Tiers at Christmas 23.11.2020

Matt Chorley speaks to Times Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester, then its all aboard Times Radio's very own "train track and trace..." as Matt is joined by senior data journalist at the Times Tom Calver, on a tour of the country to find out what different areas want to see happen to them under new Covid restrictions. Subscribe today and get one month free at  thetimes.co.uk/timesred...

Robot Wars with David Lidington 19.11.2020

As Boris Johnson committs billions to the UK defence budget, the biggest investment since the Cold War, Matt Chorley talks national security with David Lidington. Plus, Times columnists Esther Webber and Robert Crampton This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at:  thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox Host...

PMQs Unpacked 18-11-2020 18.11.2020

On Wednesday's Matt discusses the days big news stories with Times columnists Alice Thompson and John Kampfner. Plus Tim Shipman stops by to help Matt unpack all the drama from today's Prime Minster's Questions. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at:  thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox Hosted on Ac...

Does Germany Do It Better? 17.11.2020

It's Tuesday which means Finkelvitch time, as Times columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch join Matt Chorley to discuss the democratic truth and dramatic lies. Then, Matt is joined by Peter Littger (German author and journalist), Marcel Fratzcher, (Head of the German Institute for Economic Research) and Rachel Stewart (presenter of Meet the Germans) to find out whether Germany just do...

The Leak Inquiry 16.11.2020

It's Monday which means, as always, Times columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester join Matt to discuss the big news of the day. Then for the main event, Matt talks the pros and cons of government leaking with former political editor of The Times, Phil Webster and current deputy political editor for The Times Steve Swinford, as well as former Head of Communications for Theresa May, Katie Perri...

Acting Prime Minister 12.11.2020

Matt speaks to actors Jason Watkins, Mark Dexter and Jan Ravens about what it's like to play the role of Prime Minister. Plus, Rachel Cunliffe and Robert Crampton stop by to discuss the days big news. To subscribe to The Times visit  thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs Unpacked 11-11-2020 11.11.2020

Matt is joined by Tim Shipman to unpack all the goings on from the commons in Prime Minister's Questions, and Times Columnists Alice Thomson and John Kampfner stop by to discuss the days news. To subscribe to The Times visit  thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis 10.11.2020

It's Tuesday, which means Finkelvitch time as Times columnists David Aaronovitch and Danny Finkelstein drop by to discuss the days news. And for the main event, Matt talks with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis around plans for a London Holocaust Memorial, his controversial intervention in the 2019 General Election and what he thinks social media companies should do to tackle online hate. Hosted on Acast...

George Osborne 09.11.2020

Matt is joined by former chancellor George Osborne to get his take on the government's response to COVID-19, and Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves also stop in to discuss the days news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liam Fox 05.11.2020

Carole Walker, sitting in for Matt Chorley, speaks to former International Trade Secretary Liam Fox about the US election, and journalists Robert Crampton and Andy Silvester pick over the day’s news. To subscribe to The Times visit  thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nothing but questions: The US Election and PMQs 04-11-2020 04.11.2020

Matt is joined by Times columnists Alice Thompson and John Kampfner as well as Sir Christopher Meyer, Britain's ambassador to the US from 1997 to 2003, and Lewis Lukens, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Londonfrom 2016 to 2019. Plus, Patrick Maguire stops in to take on today's PMQs as it happens. It's a very busy show. To subscribe to The Times visit  thetimes.co.uk/ti...

Idiot’s Guide to the US Election 03.11.2020

Matt Chorley is joined by Henry Zeffman to talk though his comprehensive guide to the US election for Brits (and idiots). Plus Times columnists David Aaranovitch and Danny Finkelstein to talk about the big news of the day. To subscribe to The Times visit  thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What the Tories Really Think 02.11.2020

Matt Chorley and Times Deputy Political Editor Steven Swinford reveal what Conservative MPs and Ministers really think about the new lockdown measures, off the record. To subscribe to the Times go to thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Focus Group 29.10.2020

Matt Chorley and former Number 10 pollster James Johnson convene a special Times Radio focus group with swing voters from Pennsylvania ahead of the Presidential election next week; plus: are there ghosts in Downing Street? To subscribe to the Times go to thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Balls 28.10.2020

Matt Chorley speaks to the former Labour cabinet minster Ed Balls about leaving politics, making documentaries, the Labour party and Strictly Come Dancing. To subscribe to the Times go to thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Boateng + Polling 27.10.2020

Matt Chorley sits down with the UK's first black cabinet minister Paul Boateng, plus pollsters Chris Curtis and Deborah Mattinson give us the latest low down on the polls. To subscribe to the Times go to thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Birthday House of Commons 26.10.2020

On the 70th anniversary of the House of Commons' post-war reconstruction, Matt Chorley speaks to Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, and SNP MP Kirsten Oswald makes the case for a chamber revamp in the style of European semi-circular parliaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coronavirus Updates From Around The World 22.10.2020

Is the UK dealing particularly badly with the second wave of Coronavirus? Matt Chorley speaks to Times correspondents from Europe, Asia and the US to find out how governments are dealing with new outbreaks, and whether it's damaging their leaders' support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs Unpacked 21-10-2020 21.10.2020

Matt Chorley and Sunday Times Political Editor Tim Shipman pause the action to explain the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Ministers' Questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Playing Politics 20.10.2020

Matt Chorley speaks to playwright James Graham about why he loves dramatising politics, we hear from former Home Secretary Amber Rudd and actor Justin Edwards about having your job written up for the big screen and what it's like to play a lacklustre MP; Times TV reviewer Hugo Rifkind and Deputy Books editor talk through their favourite fictional politicians; plus, the winner of the World Cup of F...

October Focus Group 19.10.2020

Matt Chorley and former Number 10 Pollster James Johnson dissect the latest Times Radio focus group, featuring voters from London, Birmingham and Liverpool talking about the new Coronavirus restrictions, and whether they'll follow the rules. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Doesn't Britain Work? 15.10.2020

From Excel spreadsheets to the Brexit negotiations, former Cabinet Office Minister under David Cameron, Lord (Francis) Maude, speaks to Matt Chorley about the machinery of government - and why it can make their big ideas fail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs Unpacked 14-10-2020 14.10.2020

Matt Chorley and Sunday Times Political Editor Tim Shipman pause the action between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer to explain what's happening at Prime Minister's Questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Dimbleby 13.10.2020

Matt Chorley speaks to veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby about his new podcast on the Iraq war, public trust, Question Time, and why he doesn't have a knighthood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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