Politics Unpacked - podcast cover

Politics Unpacked

Times Radiowww.thetimes.co.uk

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.

Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Why Isn't Wikipedia Seedier?

Matt Chorley speaks to Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales for the 20th anniversary of the site, and asks him why he isn't a tech billionaire. PLUS Times columnists David Aaronovitch and Daniel Finkelstein discuss the chatty rat and No.10's refurb woes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 27, 202144 min

The Art of Protests

Do protests make a difference? Luke Jones is joined by General Secretary of CND Kate Hudson, organiser of the Women's March Dr Sholu Moss-Shogbamimu, Anna Birley from Reclaim These Streets and climate activist Noga Levy Rapaport to talk about whether protesting actually makes any political difference. PLUS Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the ongoing Number 10 leak saga. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 26, 202142 min

How happy are you?

After 10 years of the Office for National Statistics measuring the nation's life satisfaction, Matt Chorley asks the happiness tsar Lord Layard what the government should do to make us happier. PLUS: Knight at the Marriott: India Knight and James Marriott on why we are so judgy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 22, 202139 min

PMQs Unpacked 21-4-21

Times columnist Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton pick over the day's news, then Matt Chorley and Redbox Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action at Prime Minister's Questions to explain the Commons exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 21, 202144 min

Photographing Black Panthers

As two films focus on the 1960s political group, Matt Chorley speaks to the Black Panthers' photographer Stephen Shames about how the organisation was born, and how many racial injustices still exist today. PLUS: Finkelvitch - Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on the politics of sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 20, 202144 min

Politics of food

20 years since Robin Cook's "chicken tikka masala" speech, Matt Chorley is joined by food historians Dr Rachel Rich from Leeds Beckett University and Dr Lisa Smith from University of Essex for a trip down memory lane, from John Gummer’s burger and David Cameron’s pasty, to Liz Truss’s cheese and Ed Miliband’s bacon sandwich. PLUS: Libberachi - Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester give their take on the news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 19, 202139 min

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is standing down later this year, and her party, the Christian Democratic Union, are choosing her successor. Matt Chorley speaks to CDU MEP David McAllister, former Conservative Europe Minister David Lidigton and journalist Katrin Pribyl about the candidates and what it will mean for Germany's relationship with Britain. PLUS Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss lobbying and contrarianism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 15, 202139 min

PMQs Unpacked 14-4-21

Matt Chorley and Sunday Times Political Editor Tim Shipman pause the action to explain what's going on at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss lobbying and supporting women in the workplace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 14, 202144 min

How To Hold An Inquiry

An inquiry into the government's handling of Coronavirus seems inevitable; Matt Chorley is joined by the chair of the inquiry into Bloody Sunday Lord Saville and expert inquiry lawyer Peter Jones to discuss in the ins and outs of holding an inquiry, and how long the one into Covid might take. PLUS Times Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch remember Shirley Williams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 13, 202138 min

“Order order, order at the bar”

The pubs are back open in England and Matt Chorley is live from the Ship Tavern in London, where he speaks to landlords from across the country including Tim Martin from Wetherspoons, Jack Stein and [insert names of other landlords here from script]. PLUS Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the day’s news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 12, 202144 min

Duncan's Burn Book

Luke Jones speaks to Sir Alan Duncan on his new memoir In The Thick Of It about life as an MP and foreign minister. Plus our columnists India Knight and James Marriott on Astrazeneca vaccine confidence and their favourite diary entries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 08, 202147 min

It's all about the data

Luke Jones sits in for Matt Chorley and he speaks to the UK's National Statistician Professor Sir Ian Diamond on why data is key. Plus Robert Crampton and Rosamund Urwin on vaccine passports and female billionaires. And the incredible life of Dr Ike McKinnon, the former Detroit Police chief on the Chauvin trial. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 07, 202148 min

What have Mayors ever done for us?

Luke Jones speaks t Lord Heseltine and Akash Paun from the Institute Government on the power of mayors and devolution. Plus Danny Finklestein and David Aaronovitch on Boris Johnsons roadmap Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 06, 202143 min

Prison Break

Luke Jones speaks to; Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Prison Reform, former prisoner Andrew Morris and the national chairman of the Prison Officers' Association Mark Fairhurst on how prisons have been during the pandemic. PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester give their take on the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 05, 202140 min

Year of Keir - Focus Group

In the final instalment of Prime Ministers Week, Matt Chorley looks to the future, and convenes the Times Radio focus group to find out swing voters in Red Wall seats think of Keir Starmer's chances of becoming PM. PLUS: Times columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss the day's news, and the war on human nature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 01, 202145 min

How To Win At PMQs

With Parliament in recess, Matt Chorley looks at what it takes to win PMQs with former Ed Miliband advisor Ayesha Hazarika, Theresa May's former press secretary Paul Harrison, and which leaders were the best to caricature with sketch-writers Quentin Letts and Ann Treneman. PLUS: Times Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the government's Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 31, 202142 min

How Yes Minister Ruined The Country

Matt Chorley is joined by Jonathan Lynn, co-creator of "Yes Minister," who reflects on the show's unexpected legacy, suggesting it inadvertently worsened government by fostering distrust in civil servants and empowering special advisors. The episode also features columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch debating the long-term effects of Boris Johnson's personal scandals on public trust, drawing parallels with past political figures like Bill Clinton, and exploring the intense personal feuds exemplified by Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.

Mar 31, 202140 min

How To Build A Prime Minister

This week marks 300 years since Britain got its first Prime Minister. In the first instalment of a special Prime Ministers' week, Matt Chorley is joined by Times Columnist Danny Finkelstein, Historian and political biographer Anthony Seldon, author and journalist Andrew Gimson and former civil servant Jill Rutter to discuss what qualities are needed to build the perfect Prime Minister. PLUS Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves pick over the days' news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

Mar 29, 202141 min

The Only Way Is Ethics

Matt Chorley tackles the philosophical questions behind pub passports and longer lockdowns, with AC Grayling, Baroness Deech and Alberto Giubilini. PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott on editing friends out and the curse of London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 25, 202141 min

PMQs Unpacked 24-3-21

Times columnist Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton pick over the day's news, then Matt Chorley and Sunday Times Political Editor Tim Shipman pause the action at Prime Minister's Questions to explain the Commons exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 24, 202144 min

Focus Group: A year of lockdowns

To mark a year of lockdown, Matt Chorley and former Number 10 pollster James Johnson convene the Times Radio focus group to see how people's attitudes to politics and politicians have changed over the past year. PLUS Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein and Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire talk protests, Scotland and flags. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 23, 202158 min

Ten Years of Syrian Conflict with Anthony Loyd

Matt Chorley speaks to the Times' veteran war reporter Anthony Lloyd about Syria, Shamima Begum and what essential packing for life in a war-zone. PLUS Times Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss Nicola Sturgeon and the droves of people leaving cities for villages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 22, 202157 min

BONUS: Past Imperfect - Ed Balls

In this special bonus edition we are bringing you an episode from another Times podcast - Past Imperfect. Ed Balls is a broadcaster, former Labour Politician and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and the winner of Celebrity Best Home Cook 2021. He talks openly to Rachel and Alice about his time in government, how he overcame the bullying he faced as a child and why he kept his lifelong stammer a secret. Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/pastimperfect Bullies Out: www.bulliesout.com...

Mar 19, 202151 min

And the winner is ...

Matt Chorley hosts the Parliamentary Book Awards, revealing the winners of the best books by, and about, politicians. Stephen Lotinga, from the Publishers Association, dishes out the prizes, and Chris Bryant, Nicky Morgan and Dan Jarvis discuss their work. PLUS: Rosamund Irwin and James Marriott on self-esteem, and one man who doesn't lack it, Dominic Cummings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 18, 202139 min

Panic For The Disco

How will nightclubs survive the pandemic? Matt Chorley speaks to CEO of Night Time Industries Association Michael Kill, Chief executive of late night bar and club operator REKOM Peter Marks and Graeme Park who is one of the original founders of the UK rave/club scene about how the nightlife industry will bounce back after the pandemic. PLUS Times columnists Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson pick over the day’s news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 17, 202136 min

The Vaccine Vote

With a bumper crop of elections across Britain on May 6, Matt Chorley speaks to Robert Hayward, the polling analyst, Ailsa Irvine from the Electoral Commission, and Jackie Weaver on parish councils. PLUS: Daniel Finkelstein and Patrick Maguire on what is annoying them this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 16, 202145 min

From North Korea to northern England

Matt Chorley speaks to Jihyun Park who was tortured and persecuted in North Korea before coming to Britain, where she is now standing in the local elections. PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on the weird obsession with violence against women in books and films. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 15, 202139 min

BONUS Stories of our times; Failures of State: The inside story of Britain’s battle with coronavirus (Pt 1)

In this special bonus edition we are bringing you an episode from another Times podcast - Stories of our times. Last year, a Sunday Times investigation exposed failures at the top of government which may have cost thousands of lives. Now the team behind those revelations has written the first major book telling the inside story of Britain's battle with coronavirus. In the first of three episodes this week, we examine what went wrong between January and March 2020. This podcast was brought to you...

Mar 12, 202139 min

Touch of class

What class are you? As a major study reveals we are becoming more middle class, Matt Chorley speaks to the Britain Thinks' Deborah Mattinson about the focus groups into social status, and comedian Russell Kane and self-styled middle class British Battleaxe Christine Hamilton talk about what their class means to them. PLUS: Esther Webber and Robert Crampton on why refurbishing parliament is more pressing than No10's makeover Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 11, 202155 min

PMQ's Unpacked 10-3-21

Times columnist Alice Thomson and Red Box writer John Kampfner pick over the day's news, then Matt Chorley and Sunday Times Political Editor Tim Shipman pause the action at Prime Minister's Questions to explain the Commons exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 10, 202144 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android