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/

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Episodes

PMQs Unpacked 30-03-22

Matt Chorley and the Sunday Times Chief Political Commentator Tim Shipman pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: Manveen Rana and Robert Crampton discuss problems with the NHS and fast food job adverts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 30, 202245 min

Times Radio Focus Group 29-03-22

Matt Chorley is joined by Tom Lubbock from Kekst CNC who has convened the latest Times Radio Focus Group to assess the situation in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis and Partygate. PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and Oliver Kamm on Partygate fines and politicians discussing Will Smith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 29, 202253 min

Manchester Arena Bombing: Five Years On

Matt Chorley reflects on nearly five years since the Manchester Arena bombing with the Northern Editor of the Sunday Times David Collins and Pete Weatherby QC, who represents seven of the families. Also, Times Radio's Phil Williams and Manchester Evening News' Helena Vesty on Manchester hospital admissions and the backlog plus what happened at the Oscars between Will Smith and Chris Rock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 28, 202243 min

5. Sunday Shows at 50: Andrew Marr

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week we heard about the 21st century boom of political shows, this week we hear about how the axing of Breakfast with Frost paved the way for a new face of Sunday politics, Andrew Marr. Featuring the man himself, Barney Jones, William Hague, Peter Mandelson and more.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 25, 202222 min

Spring Statement Unpacked: Leeds Edition

Matt Chorley is in Leeds to find out how the Spring Statement will affect the local area. James Smith from the Resolution Foundation, Henri Murison, Leeds City Council Leader James Lewis and Kayleigh Hignell. PLUS Rob Parsons & Victoria Finan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 24, 202225 min

PMQs Unpacked 23-03-22

Matt Chorley and The Times' Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the vicious backlash against Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and hoarding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 23, 202239 min

Do you speak Russian?

Matt Chorley explores why the number of fluent Russian speakers in the Foreign Office fell by a quarter in the years before the invasion of Ukraine. PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and Oliver Kamm discuss President Putin getting "an easy off-ramp" and Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 22, 202243 min

Five Things To Watch

Matt Chorley speaks to Times Radio's new Chief Political Commentator Lucy Fisher about her top 5 things: an event, a trend, a person, a place and an issue - that could explain how the rest of the political year might play out. PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss P&O Ferries and the Government's Covid Inquiry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 21, 202238 min

BONUS: Leader of the Opposition - Episode 2

Last year, to mark 300 years since Robert Walpole became Prime Minister, Matt Chorley learnt about every PM through history each week. This year, he's learning about each Leader of the Opposition with Nigel Fletcher from the Centre for Opposition Studies. Each month you'll find a collection of episodes on the podcast. This month it's John Spencer, Lord George Bentinck, Charles Manners, Marquess of Granby and John Charles Herries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 19, 202225 min

4. Sunday Shows at 50: The 21st Century Boom

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week we heard about the rise of the BBC's 'On the Record', this week we hear how an explosion of new shows competed for dominance after the turn of the century. Featuring Jeremy Vine, Jonathan Dimbelby, Adam Boulton, Tony Blair, William Hague and more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 202224 min

U-Grain

Ukraine is known as the breadbasket of Europe but what happens when war with Russia means everyone is scrambling for the crumbs? Matt Chorley speaks to George Eustice, Dr John Rich and Abi Reader from the NFU. Plus: India Knight and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 17, 202236 min

PMQs Unpacked 16-03-22

Matt Chorley and the Sunday Times Chief Political Commentator Tim Shipman pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Dominic Raab and Angela Rayner at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: Alice Thomson and Tom McTague Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 16, 202238 min

DIS-United Nations

Matt Chorleys asks what is the the point of the UN ; former US ambassador to the UN under George W Bush, John Bolton, Peter Lee, Sarah Hunter and former Deputy Secretary-General at the UN Lord Malloch Brown. PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaaronovitch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 15, 202244 min

Why is the home office STILL a nightmare?

Another year passes and the home office is still a mess, this time over Ukranian refugees. Matt speaks to people who've worked as officials, ministers and advisors to ask what is going wrong with the department. PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 14, 202236 min

3. The Sunday Shows at 50: On The Record

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week we heard how David Frost came to dominate Sunday breakfast time, now the tale of how Jonathan Dimbleby, John Humphrys and a crocodile had politicians for lunch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 11, 202223 min

Democracy in Decline

Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in an interview with the Red Box Podcast in 2018 that he feared the march of democracy around the world was in retreat. Matt speaks to Jeremy again. PLUS Hugo Rifkind and Rosamund Urwin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 10, 202232 min

PMQs Unpacked 09-03-2022

Matt Chorley and the Times' Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the role of women in the conflict and future jobs for John Bercow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 09, 202246 min

Catherine Philp

Matt Chorley speaks to the Times Diplomatic Correspondent Catherine Philp, who touched down in Ukraine when the war kicked off. She explains what it's like to report on a war and describes her experiences in Ukraine. PLUS: David Aaronovitch and Daniel Finkelstein on the UK's humanitarian response. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 08, 202238 min

Follow the Russian Money

Matt Chorley explores the Economic Crime Bill designed to crack down on the flow of dirty money to the UK. PLUS: Carol Lewis and Roger Boyes discuss the situation in Ukraine and house prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 07, 202237 min

2. The Sunday Shows at 50: Breakfast With Frost

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of the Sunday political TV shows with Sunday Shows at 50. Last week, we looked at the birth of Weekend World and this week, we look at how David Frost dominated the Sunday shows for over a decade. Interviewees including his son Wilfred Frost, his editor Barney Jones, Trevor Phillips, Peter Mandelson, Chris Evans, politicians including Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, and William Hague, and prominent journalists Jeremy Vine and John Humphrys. Hosted on Acast. See ac...

Mar 04, 202226 min

A Welsh Affair

Matt Chorley broadcasts live from Cardiff. He spoke to Welsh Secretary Simon Hart and he dives into the story of the Welshman who founded Donetsk in Ukraine. PLUS COLUMNISTS Will Hayward and Bronwen Weatherby talk about the Welsh response to Ukraine and policing in Wales. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 03, 202244 min

PMQS Unpacked 02-03-2022

Matt Chorley and the Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Matt Hancock finding love and the comeback of liberal democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 02, 202248 min

The Making of a Monster

Matt Chorley charts the rise of Vladimir Putin and how he became such a fierce adversary of the West. PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss whether Britain rises to the occasion when it comes to conflict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 01, 202239 min

Zelenskyy: From Paddington to President

Matt Chorley charts the rise of Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The former lawyer, actor and comedian who is now leading Ukraine in war with Vladimir Putin. PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss helping Ukrainian refugees and petty past convictions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 28, 202234 min

1. The Sunday Shows at 50: Weekend World

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of the Sunday political TV show, starting by going behind-the-scenes of the heavyweight, sometimes heavy-going, Weekend World which launched in 1972. The brainchild of John Birt, it was fronted first by Peter Jay, then later the formidable former Labour MP Brian Walden, and then finally former Conservative MP Matthew Parris. From Walden’s complex interviewing format, to a relaunch which cost Parris his wonky teeth, this is the story of a show which made poli...

Feb 25, 202226 min

Thinking of Ukraine

As Putin mounted his invasion of Ukraine, Matt Chorley analyses the global political and economic impact. GUESTS: Melanie Podolyak, James Johnson, Mick Antoniw and Danny Finkelstien. PLUS India Knight & James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 24, 202232 min

PMQs Unpacked 23-02-22

Matt Chorley and Chief Political Commentator of the Sunday Times Tim Shipman pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the days news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 23, 202242 min

Macron’s moment

Emmanuel Macron is one of Europe's key figures during the Ukraine crisis, but has failed to find a diplomatic solution. Matt Chorley finds out what his ambitions are and what he's really like. PLUS: Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 22, 202245 min

Nixon visits China: 50 years on

On the 21st of February 1972, President Nixon landed in China - Matt Chorley asks how that visit changed US/ China relations in the following 50 years. PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 202237 min

The Bishop of Exeter

Matt Chorley speaks to the Bishop of Exeter about levelling up the south west and talks about politics in the area with Patrick English from YouGov and the University of Exeter's Dr Hannah Bunting. Plus Alice Thomson and Sir Michael Barber discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 18, 202238 min
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