It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Matt steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters. This week it's a group who plan to vote for the Conservatives on July the 4th. Matt is joined by James Johnson from JL Partners to find out why. PLUS: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed discuss whether building houses is a credible plan for economic growth and whether Matt should follow sports stars in drinking pickle juice for his health. Columnists (...
Jun 20, 2024•47 min
In a special election edition of Disunited Kingdom where Matt hears from journalists from the four corners of the UK, we look at which seats to keep an eye ahead of polling day. Plus: Columnists Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss whether good economic news comes too late for the Conservatives, and whether constituency names are getting too long. The Columnists: (03:20) The Big Thing: (22:45) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 19, 2024•47 min
Today Matt asks the question on everyone's mind - have we got too many polls, and do they dominate too much of our political coverage? He hears from experts from the polling industry and journalism, and looks at what it's like in a country where reporting the polls is against the law. Plus: After a cabinet minister admits the Conservatives are unlikely to win, would a small Tory rump in Parliament be able to hold a Labour government to account? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
Jun 18, 2024•39 min
Matt sits down with the MPs leaving Parliament to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics. Serving Conservative minister and former leadership contender Dame Andrea Leadsom reflects on her time in Westminster, her difficult relationship with former Commons Speaker John Bercow, and explains why she would work for a potential Labour government. Plus: Columnists Sir Trevor Phillips and Rachel Sylvester discuss cross-party workin...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Every local journalist has had a member of the public pitch them a news story by turning up to the newsroom reception. Sometimes these can lead to national headlines, but often they're funny, bizarre or plain mad. Matt speaks to Alex Morrison who has collected his favourite stories in a new book, and friends of the podcast send in their most memorable experiences too. PLUS: As Conservative ministers all but give up on winning the general election, Matt asks John Major's former Political Secretar...
Jun 14, 2024•39 min
It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Matt steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters. This week it's a group who all voted for the SNP in 2019 but are now backing Labour, even though Keir Starmer reminds them of 'weak tea'. Matt is joined by Tom Lubbock of J.L. Partners to find out why. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss whether Rishi Sunak has given up, and The Sunday Times' Gabriel Pogrund explains what we learnt from Labour's manifest...
Jun 13, 2024•42 min
Public trust and confidence in government and the people who govern us is at a record low. Polling expert Sir John Curtice tells Matt what's behind the worrying decline, and a raft of big thinkers explain what can be done to fix it. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Rishi Sunak growing up without Sky TV, a young, inexperienced parliament, and whether climbing walls should be in the office. The Columnists (02:55) Why Politics Is Broken (22:59) Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
Jun 12, 2024•46 min
As dozens of politicians prepare to enter high office for the first time, Matt speaks to former top civil servants Sir Alex Allan and Alun Evans, alongside former ministers Dame Margaret Beckett and Sir Alan Duncan, to find out what pitfalls they need to avoid when they're given the keys to government. Plus: The Times' Political Editor Steve Swinford explains what we learnt from Rishi Sunak's Conservative manifesto launch. Conservative Manifesto (03:17) The Secret Life Of A Minister (...
Jun 11, 2024•33 min
Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics. Conservative Brandon Lewis reflects on his time in Parliament, explains why he thinks Rishi Sunak is 'managerial', and why he hosted a radio show with Eric Pickles. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and James Mariott discuss the march of the right in European elections, and Labour's tangle over plans for VAT on privat...
Jun 10, 2024•1 hr
Times Columnist and The Rest Is History co-host Dominic Sandbrook joins Matt to talk about how this election campaign compares to others throughout the post-war period, and how our current crop of politicians will be remembered in the history books. Plus: Former Number 10 adviser Cleo Watson tells Matt about her latest political 'bonkbuster', Cleavage, and 'Liz Truss' reads out some of the naughtiest bits. Cleo Watson: (03:30) Dominic Sandbrook: (12:30) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
Jun 07, 2024•41 min
It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Matt steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters. This month it's a group who all voted for the Conservatives in 2019 but are now thinking of backing Reform UK. They tell Matt and James Johnson of J.L. Partners that Nigel Farage is the "Donald Trump of the UK" and their advice to Rishi Sunak is to "pack your suitcase". Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Tom McTague discuss whether lying is new in politics. Columnists (...
Jun 06, 2024•47 min
Matt is joined by Tim Shipman to unpack the action from Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer's first head-to-head debate of the campaign. Starmer talks up his father's toolmaking career while Sunak accuses Labour of planning a £2,000 tax on working households. Plus: Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether there's more to the Lib Dems than meets the eye, misogyny in Young Farmers groups and whether Robert can make it as a London tour guide. Columnists (03:28) The D...
Jun 05, 2024•51 min
Would former Tory minister Rory Stewart make another foray into politics? The podcaster, author and ex-diplomat tells Matt how he'd fix Westminster, why he'd much rather be PM than host a podcast, and what keeps him up at night. Plus: Comedian Al Murray takes us back to 2015, when he ran against Nigel Farage in Thanet South. Al Murray vs Nigel Farage: (5:10) The Big Thing - Rory Stewart: (8:50) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 04, 2024•35 min
Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics. Former minister Robert Halfon tells Matt why he thinks all MPs should have round-the-clock personal security, and which Lord of the Rings character Rishi Sunak resembles. Plus: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss whether the Conservatives can benefit from the culture wars , how an international organised crime ga...
Jun 03, 2024•55 min
As the election campaign kicks off in earnest, comedians Lewis Macleod, Nerine Skinner and Rory Bremner join Matt for their best political impressions, and listeners send in their own. Plus: Columnists James Marriott and India Knight discuss Jeremy Corbyn running as an independent , Rishi Sunak's shelved smoking bill, and politicians using football to appear more relatable. The Columnists: (03:00) The Big Thing: (23:10) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 24, 2024•49 min
Nigel Farage's decision not to stand for Reform UK is the first major story of the election campaign. Manveen Rana and Trevor Philips from The Times discuss how that might change Conservative fortunes. Plus: What happened the last time Britain went to the polls in July? And two seasoned campaigners tell some of their worst war stories from the battle bus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 23, 2024•32 min
The last PMQs before the Whitsun recess is overshadowed by the speculation of a snap general election being called. Matt is joined by political journalists Kevin Maguire, Andrew Pierce, Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit to unpack all the action from the Commons. Plus: In the wake of Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay returning to Parliament after having his arms and legs amputated as a result of sepsis, Matt speaks to the founder and chief executive of the Sepsis Trust. PMQs: (01:00) Best of the...
May 22, 2024•47 min
Who is Morgan McSweeney and why is he so important to the Starmer team? Matt is joined by Patrick Maguire and Tom McTague discussing the role of the Labour leader's chief strategist. Plus, as Gareth Southgate reveals who makes his squad for this summer's Euros he inevitably faces a backlash for leaving out certain players. It's not an easy gig being England manager - but is it harder than being Prime Minister? Matt hears out both sides of the arguments for who has the harder job. Hosted on Acast...
May 21, 2024•38 min
Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics. Conservative Sir Bob Neil reflects on the challenges of the job by saying he wouldn't recommend it to his younger self, why he feels it was good Liz Truss' time in office was so short, and his hopes for the future of the Tory party. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Iain Martin discuss whether the neverending group of pu...
May 20, 2024•52 min
How do you maintain discipline in a government that's on the ropes after a long period in office, with a prime minister behind in the polls and beset by defections? Former Tory MP and whip Gyles Brandreth charted the downfall of the Major government in his indiscreet diaries, and joins Matt to discuss the striking similarities between then and now. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Mariott discuss whether the nation is ready for what is shaping up to be a long election campaign, if tech br...
May 17, 2024•50 min
Heading into an election campaign, politicians can be asked to explain their party's position on absolutely anything - but it's not always easy to remember exactly what that is. Matt is joined by a panel of former spin doctors to find out how MPs are given the lines to take, and what happens when they forget them. Plus: Manveen Rana and Matt Deegan discuss whether Keir Starmer's six pledges have made Labour's policy positions clear, whether the covid inquiry is worth £300...
May 16, 2024•50 min
Never mind prisons running out of space or rainbow lanyards - PMQs gets derailed by Nicholas Lyndhurst. Matt is joined by Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit to unpack all the action from the Commons. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss what Rishi Sunak should do about Nigel Farage, living next door to celebrities, and whether linen clothes, the Northern Lights, and strawberry jam are overrated . The Columnists: (02:32) PMQs: (24:22) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min
As Rishi Sunak hosts farmers at Number 10 to offer his support to British agriculture, the sector is struggling with ever higher costs and extreme weather. Food Minister Mark Spencer explains why the wet winter could lead to food prices going up again. Plus: Punch and Judy are cleaning up their act, but will that bring an end to "Punch and Judy politics"? The Politics Of Punch And Judy Politics (04:53) Why Is Food Still So Expensive? (13:03) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more ...
May 14, 2024•36 min
Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics. Conservative Edward Timpson remembers arriving in Westminster after a by-election circus where he was characterised as a Tory toff, his achievements as a minister, and he explains why he never went into the family business. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss whether other potential defectors will be p...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 3 min
It's been 30 years since the sudden death of Labour leader John Smith, a man many expected would go on to be prime minister. Matt hears from some of the people who knew him best, including the recollections of Tony Blair, Margaret Beckett and Neil Kinnock. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss Dominic Cumming's idea for a new political party , James' trip to a pro-Palestinian protest , and the ethics behind the hit show Baby Reindeer. Columnists (02:48) The Prime Minister That...
May 10, 2024•49 min
It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Matt steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters. This month it's a group who all voted for the Conservatives in 2019 but now want to vote for Labour or haven't made their mind up. They tell Matt and James Johnson of J.L. Partners that Rishi Sunak's trainers look "stupid" and Keir Starmer makes their "skin crawl". PLUS: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed discuss whether Keir Starmer made a mistake whe...
May 09, 2024•50 min
Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire pause and unpack the action from the Commons chamber, as Tory MP for Dover Natalie Elphicke defects to Labour moments before PMQs. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss never-ending Tory plots , whether the police do enough to tackle stalking , and whether cycling can be cool. Columnists: (01:24) PMQs Unpacked: (23:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 08, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Mortgage costs went up after Liz Truss' mini-budget in 2022, and are yet to come down. As new analysis of the local election results suggests that support for the Conservatives dropped more sharply in areas where there are more mortgage holders, Matt tries to get to the bottom of who is really to blame. PLUS: As the Liberal Democrats table another motion of no-confidence in the government to try and trigger an election, Matt asks The Times' Tom Peck - what's the point? No-confidence (08:31) Did ...
May 07, 2024•41 min
Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics. Conservative MP Craig Whittaker tells Matt about being deputy chief whip in Liz Truss's government, what it's been like having stalkers, and the ‘rot’ inside the Tory party. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the return of the 'coalition of chaos' and whether student protests are effective . The...
May 06, 2024•56 min
After a difficult set of election results for the Conservatives, including a by-election defeat in Blackpool South, Matt looks at what they mean for the parties and for Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer as elections expert John Curtice says that losing is the government's "habit". Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss why neither of them voted, whether they sympathise with Boris Johnson who forgot his ID at the polling booth, and what it means for politics that young people a...
May 03, 2024•37 min
