As rioters rampage through towns and cities across the country, Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves join Ed Vaizey to discuss what Keir Starmer should do in the courts, online and in Parliament to stop the surge in far-right violence. Plus: Vaizey's Voyage takes a tour around Europe to find out how the backlash against tourists might affect your summer holiday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 05, 2024•49 min
Keir Starmer says he's running a 'mission-led government', and this week Adam Boulton is looking at all five of his missions. Today it's his plan to 'build a NHS fit for the future'. Plus: Columnists James Mariott and Jane Merrick discuss Keir Starmer's plans to stop the summer of riots , the dangers of unregulated social media and why we should be reading more novels ... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 02, 2024•47 min
Keir Starmer says he's running a 'mission-led government', and this week Adam Boulton is looking at all five of his missions. Today it's his plan to break down the barriers to opportunity and smash the 'class ceiling'. Will it work, and what is oracy? Plus: Columnists James Heale and Rachel Cunliffe discuss whether the PM can risk taking a holiday, whether Mel Stride could win the Tory leadership contest, and why Parliament is crumbling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...
Aug 01, 2024•48 min
Adam Boulton continues his analysis of Keir Starmer's five missions for the Labour government, today it's his plan to 'take back our streets'. Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Robert Crampton discuss how misinformation contributed to the Southport protests, who is to blame for misuse of social media, and why soap operas make us more tolerant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 31, 2024•49 min
Adam Boulton continues his analysis of Keir Starmer's five missions for the Labour government. Today it's his plan to turn Britain into a “clean energy superpower”. And after the launch of the government-owned GB Energy, we hear about the battle to host its headquarters. Plus: Columnists Tim Montgomerie and Anne McElvoy discuss the Labour-Conservative blame game over the economy, and how the Tory leadership contest is shaping up as Robert Jenrick launches his campaign. Hosted on Acast. See acast...
Jul 30, 2024•42 min
As Rachel Reeves addresses the nation with a warning about a £20 billion black hole in the public coffers, Adam Boulton is checking on the progress of Keir Starmer's five missions for the country, starting with the first: getting the highest economic growth in the G7. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Matthew Syed discuss whether Labour is already too soft on the unions, the Tory leadership contest, and Team GB's chances of winning big at the Olympics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy ...
Jul 29, 2024•49 min
It's Matt's last appearance on the podcast, and he's assembled comedians Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod and Nerine Skinner to give us their best political impressions - including the Tories in the running to lead the party. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss the Olympics, Strictly, and we find out whether Matt really has been bullying James. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 26, 2024•51 min
The starting gun has been fired and Conservative MPs have begun entering the race to become next leader of the party. Who will make it to the finish line? Matt speaks to supporters of some of the candidates, and hears advice from two Olympians-turned-politicians on how to go the distance. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell ask how the Tories can win over the under-30s , whether the end of cash is a good thing, and why organised crime gangs are getting in...
Jul 25, 2024•49 min
PMQs is back, and this time it's Rishi Sunak putting questions to new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer. Matt unpacks the action from the new-look Commons chamber with the help of Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit, as both party leaders are unusually consensual and polite. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Starmer's ruthless streak after suspending seven rebel MPs, Kamala Harris' first presidential campaign rally, and James Cleverly's leadership video. Hosted on Acast. See a...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Special advisers, known as 'SpAds', are being appointed left and right and centre by the new government. But what do they actually do? Matt is joined by former advisers Nikki da Costa, Henry Newman, Catherine MacLeod, Peter Cardwell, and Emily Walch, to discuss how to deal with your minister, the civil service, and the media. Plus: Why was Tony Blair advised not to do televised debates? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 23, 2024•37 min
As the Times Red Box newsletter celebrates its 10th birthday, Matt rounds up all the previous editors to look back over a remarkable decade in politics, and finds out what it's really like to make sense of it in your pyjamas. Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Iain Martin discuss Joe Biden withdrawing from the presidential race and who will be the next Tory party leader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 22, 2024•54 min
As thousands of performers descend upon Edinburgh for the Fringe, those promising topical comedy are buried in hasty rewrites after the snap election. But is there less to satirise under Keir Starmer? Matt is joined by former MP Mhairi Black, who’s making her Fringe debut, Steve Richards, who’s taking his political stand-up on the road, Emma Sidi, who’s playing Sue Gray, and comedy critic Steve Bennett. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Kirkup discuss the cult of Donald Trump , university ...
Jul 19, 2024•47 min
Matt takes a look at the government's new gang of four - Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves and Pat McFadden. Will they make all the big decisions before they reach cabinet, and will it stop them from falling out? Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss the ghost of Liz Truss and whether MPs should be allowed to read their speeches in the Commons chamber. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 18, 2024•47 min
King Charles III has set out the government's plans for the year ahead, but what happened the last time a King was on the throne unveiling the programme for an incoming Labour prime minister? We look back at 1945, when Labour's Clement Attlee had defeated Conservative Winston Churchill, and find some surprising modern-day parallels. The voice of George VI is provided by the actor Kieran Hodgson. Plus: Columnists Robert Crampton and Trevor Phillips discuss the scale of opposition to planning refo...
Jul 17, 2024•46 min
Keir Starmer has promised to "deliver from the get-go”, but what does a focus on delivery really mean? Matt is joined by US political theorist Matt Stoller, who coined the term “deliverism”, and former government advisers Claire Ainsley and Sir Michael Barber. Plus: The race to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader has been underway for 10 days - is it any clearer who could come next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 16, 2024•29 min
As Joe Biden gaffes his way through his latest press conference , columnists James Marriott and India Knight ask if he should stand down. They also discuss whether PM Keir Starmer should smile more, the luxury of not having a smartphone , and the collective joy of watching sport.. Plus: From interviewing prime ministers and presidents, to being unwitting target of a surface-to-air missile over Africa, The Sun's Trevor Kavanagh has seen - and done - it all. He tells Matt about his career, spannin...
Jul 12, 2024•51 min
After Keir Starmer told us his children are campaigning to get a German Shepherd, we find out whether there's room for one in the flat above Downing Street. Matt is joined by 'The Dogfather' Graeme Hall, and he speaks to the new Lib Dem MP Steve Darling about his guide dog Jenny. And with big dog John Prescott retiring from the House of Lords, we look back at some of his best bits with columnists Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana. Columnists (04:05) Political pets (23:30) Hosted on Acast. See acas...
Jul 11, 2024•37 min
Keir Starmer is in America for his first Nato summit as prime minister, but what kind of leader will he be on the world stage? Matt is joined by correspondents around the world to analyse the foreign policy challenges the Labour government will face in the coming years. Plus: Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss whether a younger parliament is good news for Gen Z, why we shouldn't be surprised the French election was crazy, and whether MPs should be forced to wear ti...
Jul 10, 2024•49 min
As the Commons meets to elect the Speaker, who has made a success of the job - and who hasn't? Matt speaks to two former deputy speakers to find out how the job works, and asks why they'd like to ban mobile phones in the chamber. Plus: After Joe Biden's press secretary bats away questions about the US president's health, we compare the way journalists cover the White House and 10 Downing Street. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 09, 2024•37 min
Now, as a record number of new faces arrive in Westminster, Matt pulls together a helpful guide on how to survive life as an MP - from asking for directions to taking control of your own diary and staying off social media after a drink. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Patrick Maguire on Rachel Reeves' first speech as Chancellor, why the Tory leadership candidates are shy about announcing they're running, and the role Reform UK and the Greens will play in the next parliament. Columnists (03...
Jul 08, 2024•53 min
Matt Chorley guides you through an extraordinary moment in British politics, as Rishi Sunak leaves Downing Street for the last time and Keir Starmer becomes the UK's first Labour prime minister in 14 years. He's joined by guests including pollster John Curtice, Times Radio Political Editor Kate McCann, and Sunday Times Whitehall Editor Gabriel Pogrund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 05, 2024•25 min
Former and Current Political Editors Fred Emery, Roland Watson and Steven Swinford tell Matt about reporting on half a century of elections for The Times. They discuss how election coverage has changed and how the 2024 campaign compares to previous years. Plus: Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss whether Boris Johnson's appearance on the campaign trail could lead to a late turnaround for the Conservatives, why the next Labour cabinet should avoid engaging in "c...
Jul 03, 2024•50 min
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tells Matt about tax, protecting his family, his favourite Elton John record, and his plan for a Downing Street downpour. Plus: In the latest Times Radio Focus Group, James Johnson of JL Partners leads a group of undecided voters who think Piers Morgan should be prime minister. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 02, 2024•39 min
For decades the holy grail of election night has been swing - the method of comparing support for the parties between general elections invented back in 1955. Matt finds out what kind of swing Keir Starmer needs to get a majority in the Commons and remembers the 'sultan of swing', David Butler, with expert voices in including David Dimbleby, Jeremy Vine, Jon Snow and James Kanagasooriam. Plus: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester talk about politics on both sides of the channel after that extraordi...
Jul 01, 2024•52 min
Being prime minister doesn't come with a job description - in our political system after a gruelling six-week assault course of an election campaign, a newly-elected PM is thrown straight into the job and expected to hit the ground running. Over the years Matt has spoken to the people who've been there and done it - prime ministers and advisers including Tony Blair, David Cameron, Peter Mandelson, Angie Hunter, Katie Perrior, Gabby Bertin, Stewart Wood, Sir Alex Allan and Sir Gus O'Don...
Jun 28, 2024•28 min
In the latest Times Radio Focus Group, 2019 Conservative voters explain why they have switched to Labour, but have very low expectations of Keir Starmer as PM. James Johnson from JL Partners tells Matt how this could present an opportunity to an incoming government,. PLUS: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss the state of the election race so far, Labour luvvies and Rishi Sunak as the voice of self service tesco checkouts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
Jun 27, 2024•53 min
The party leaders have been on the campaign trail day in, day out - but what seats have they been visiting, and what does it tell us about the kind of campaign they're fighting? Matt looks at whether an appearance by Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer can help swing a seat, and speaks to former Number 10 adviser Cleo Watson about the dos and don'ts of planning political events. Plus: Columnists Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss the ethics of political betting, and why Rishi Sunak should ...
Jun 26, 2024•51 min
The Conservative party is facing one of its biggest ever challenges, but how did they get into this mess? And what does the future of the party look like? Matt speaks to Paul Goodman, Conservative peer and former editor of Conservative Home, about what will happen if it loses the election, and hears from William Hague about what it is like being ignored in opposition. Plus: A selection of some of the best moments from How To Win An Election as it reaches 1 million downloads. Hosted o...
Jun 25, 2024•29 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. Tory MP Craig Mackinlay lost his hands and feet after suffering a life-threatening episode of sepsis, and Rishi Sunak's snap election came too soon for him to run for his seat again. He talks to Matt about how he kept working from his hospital bed, dreaming about his colleagues while he was in a coma, and adjusting to life with prosthet...
Jun 24, 2024•50 min
From Rishi Sunak calling the election in the rain to Ed Davey falling off his paddleboard, what are the images that define a general election campaign? Matt speaks to the photographers who have had a ring-side seat. Plus: Benedict Pringle and Sam Jeffers discuss the best of the week's campaign adverts (and the ones that had to be deleted). What We Learned This Week (00:47) Mad Men (02:44) The Pictures That Define The Election (11:31) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 21, 2024•40 min
