Should politicians do God, and does religion still matter in politics? Matt discusses the role of faith in public life and the Israel-Gaza conflict with the broadcaster Edward Stourton. Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on whether it's right to go to a protest alongside bad actors, covid's ghost children , and why the Austrian "Beer Party", which started as a joke, has surged to third in the Viennese polls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...
Oct 16, 2023•47 min
Which election in history could 2024 most closely resemble? Will it be a 1997-style landslide? Could the Tories pull off a surprise win like John Major in 1992? Or could it be such a tight result we have to go back to the polls, like in 1974? Live at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Matt is joined by polling guru Professor John Curtice, Times Radio's Ayesha Hazarika, Red Box Editor Lara Spirit, and Times Radio's senior political correspondent Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
Oct 13, 2023•51 min
Has Keir Starmer sealed the deal with undecided voters? In the latest Times Radio Focus Group, Matt and James Johnson from JL Partners find that while Rishi Sunak's attempt to become the change candidate hasn't landed so far, Starmer is still seen as 'weak' and 'vanilla'. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Holehouse discuss disinformation and the Israel-Hamas war , what the Captain Tom donation story says about Britain, and how to get rid of bedbugs . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
Oct 12, 2023•44 min
Forget the Westminster bubble, some of history's most important political events happened not in the corridors of power but in car parks, village halls and seaside resorts. In a taster of his new book 'Planes, Trains and Toilet Doors', Matt visits the 50 places that changed British politics from John Major's dentist room to Harold Wilson's 'Scilly' season holidays. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 11, 2023•32 min
As Keir Starmer makes his final pitch to the public ahead of the next general election, Matt looks back at the pre-election conference speeches of previous Labour leaders with Tony Blair's former speechwriter Phil Collins and former Ed Miliband adviser Ayesha Hazarika. Plus: Columnists Daniel Finkelstien and Miranda Green on ministers calling pro-Palestinian protesters in London to stay at home, and who emerges victorious from this year's party conference season. Hosted on Acast. See acast...
Oct 10, 2023•51 min
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner and shadow health secretary Wes Streeting have a round of cocktails with Matt and discuss Angela's favourite drink ('venom'), what to do about children vaping, and what music Keir Starmer should walk on stage to ahead of his conference speech. Matt also takes a look at the changing perceptions of Starmer through the Times Radio Focus Group archives. Plus: Columnists Patrick Maguire and Rachel Sylvester on Labour's plans for the economy, the spread of deepfake...
Oct 09, 2023•39 min
After Labour's decisive win in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, Keir Starmer channelled Michael Caine and claimed the party had 'blown the doors off'. But does the result mean he's now on the way to Number 10? Matt talks to polling guru Sir John Curtice and Times Radio's Patrick Maguire. Plus: Help, my mum's running the country! Matt speaks to Carol Thatcher to find out what life is really like for family members living behind the famous black door. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...
Oct 06, 2023•39 min
The old War Office in Whitehall, once used by Winston Churchill as the nerve centre of Britain's war effort, has been hidden from public view for more than a century. Matt is given a guided tour of the historic building, which has been converted into a hotel, to uncover its secrets. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss the relationship between the West and Ukraine, Boris Johnson-themed pastries , and when a politician's spouse should step into the limelight. Hosted on Acast. ...
Oct 05, 2023•45 min
Rishi Sunak has made his first party conference speech as leader, but polls suggest it could be his last; so who comes next? JL Partners' Scarlett Maguire and Sam Lister from the Daily Express look at the frontrunners in the next Tory leadership race. Plus: Matt catches cabinet ministers Mel Stride and Michael Gove on their way out of the conference hall for their take on the Prime Minister's speech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 04, 2023•29 min
This year marks a century since the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers came into being. Why do the men and women in grey suits still wield so much power, and why aren't they called the 1923 committee? Matt also talks to Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove about HS2, benefits, and bendy bananas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 03, 2023•56 min
It's a special conference edition of the Times Radio Focus Group; Matt and James Johnson from JL Partners hear from a group of 2019 Conservative voters who say they no longer support the party. What can Rishi Sunak do to win them back, and would they rather snog, marry or avoid Sunak, Starmer and Davey? Plus: Columnists Iain Martin and Rachel Sylvester discuss Liz Truss's appearance at the Tory conference , whether school pupils should be banned from using mobile phones , and has multiculturalis...
Oct 02, 2023•43 min
30 years ago John Major made a speech pledging to get Britain, and his government, ‘back to basics' - but the scandals just kept coming. Matt speaks to Howell James, Major’s former political secretary, and political journalists Phil Webster and Elinor Goodman. Plus: Columnists James Marriott and India Knight discuss the 'war on motorists', whether Rishi Sunak or Suella Braverman has it right on multiculturalism , the benefits of listening to the radio , and the art of a good conversation . Hoste...
Sep 29, 2023•48 min
How often do politics and quizzing collide? There's a rich history of politicians trying and failing to answer simple questions, and the British public struggling to grapple with political trivia. Matt is joined by comedian Lucy Porter and Jenny Ryan, aka The Vixen from The Chase. Plus: Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell discuss whether Labour has flip-flopped when it comes to private schools, where GB News draws the line on freedom of speech , and modern phone etiquette. Hosted...
Sep 28, 2023•47 min
It's the podcast everyone has been waiting for... join Matt and Patrick Maguire as they bring you Ed Davey Unpacked: pausing and analysing the action from Bournemouth and the Liberal Democrat Leader's conference speech. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss what Rishi Sunak should do about inheritance tax , their worst train story, and why Robert should give fishing another go . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 27, 2023•37 min
It’s Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth, and Matt plays crazy golf with party leader Ed Davey. How many houses does he want to build, why won’t he talk about Brexit, and who will get a hole-in-one? Plus Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Miranda Green debate whether there's any point of the Lib Dems and whether Rishi Sunak is truly a long-term thinker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 26, 2023•48 min
As party conference season kicks off, Matt speaks to those who have seen it all - from karaoke, to babysitting drunk ministers, to skinny dipping. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the ballooning costs of HS2 , Taylor Swift's political power, and ask what is the point of the Liberal Democrats? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 25, 2023•47 min
History is written by (and often about) the winners, but the lives and careers of Britain's political losers can be just as telling. Leaders of the Opposition was a long-running feature on Matt's Times Radio show, and now author and historian Nigel Fletcher has written the book explaining what they can tell us about modern politics. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott on Rishi Sunak's plans for a British baccalaureate , why we need more expertise in public debate , ...
Sep 22, 2023•49 min
The British Social Attitudes Survey has been running for 40 years, and its latest findings show that we expect the state to do more than ever before. Matt is joined by Gillian Prior from the National Centre for Social Research to chart the journey from Thatcherite Britain to post-Covid big state spending. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss whether Rishi Sunak's message on net zero will win over voters , and the King's surprisingly warm reception in France . Hosted on Acast....
Sep 21, 2023•41 min
With Parliament in recess and no PMQs, Matt is joined by Patrick Maguire and Kate McCann to answer questions from the listeners on Rishi Sunak's net zero promises, political speeches and culture wars. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the art of ageing well, taking a midlife gap year and Rishi Sunak’s love of Britney Spears... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 20, 2023•42 min
As we learn Labour's slogan for party conference season, Matt is joined by columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Jane Merrick to discuss the best and the worst - from 'build back better' to 'straight talking honest politics'. Plus: It's not just the UK dealing with the consequences of people leaving their home country for safety or economic security. How are other nations dealing with this rising tide of migration? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 19, 2023•49 min
Keir Starmer may be ahead in the polls, but nearly half of voters say they still don't think he looks like a prime minister in waiting. Matt hears advice on how to look the part from experts from the worlds of fashion and photography, and Thatcher's biographer Charles Moore explains how the Iron Lady changed her voice. Plus Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Robert Colvile on what Russell Brand is like in person , why Robert is obsessed with a Labour Party video from 1997 , and what has...
Sep 18, 2023•50 min
Matt is working from home today...a rare occasion for him but not for millions of people . Stanford economist and world leading expert in remote working Nick Bloom explains the impact changing work patterns will have on the railways, golf courses and why it could lead to a total rewiring of the state. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether the 20s are better than the 60s, if they would get in a self-driving car, and Theresa May's cookbook collection. Hosted on Aca...
Sep 15, 2023•45 min
Keir Starmer says he'll tackle the problem of small boats crossing the channel with his plan to "smash the gangs". Will the policy work, can he park his tanks on the Tory lawn, and does anyone remember Labour's migration mugs? Plus Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss back seat driving by former prime ministers, peers blocking the government's housebuilding plan , and the weirdest political world records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
Sep 14, 2023•49 min
It's the last PMQs before the party conferences, with Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer trading blows over the government's string of recent woes and Starmer dubbing Sunak 'inaction man'. Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit pause, unpack and analyse the action from Westminster. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss what to do about the rising popularity of the drug Ketamine , whether Britons want to ban too many things , and the popularity of Dorset's Tank Museum . Hosted on Acast....
Sep 13, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Are referendums the sign of a healthy democracy, or as Thatcher said a "device of dictators and demagogues"? Matt finds out about their increasing use around the world to decide everything from pension reform to using nuclear power. Plus: Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Miranda Green discuss how political narratives are built from uncertain data, and whether it's a problem that Keir Starmer is less popular than the Labour Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 12, 2023•47 min
Defence and security is one of the areas where the Conservatives are still more trusted than Labour by the public. With big questions looming over Ukraine, defence spending and the threat from China, can they overtake them? Matt speaks to Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey, former Chief of the General Staff Lord Dannatt, and Elisabeth Braw from the American Enterprise Institute. Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss whether the government will increase benefits in line wit...
Sep 11, 2023•50 min
Welcome to the grand opening of The Museum of Political Fiascos, where artefacts old and new are on display showcasing the most embarrassing moments in British politics. Matt and Patrick Maguire tour the exhibits, taking in objects like Liz Truss' jenga lectern, Boris Johnson's Brexit bus and the 'Ed Stone'. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether there's enough glamour in public service , students needing lessons in small-talk and why it's hard t...
Sep 08, 2023•47 min
The focus group is back, with swing voters from around England giving us their unvarnished view of politics. It's bad for Rishi Sunak, with even former Tory supporters sounding more negative (one calls him a 'weasel'). But they're still not sure Labour would do a better job, and think Keir Starmer is 'duplicitous'. Matt is joined by James Johnson from JL Partners to discuss the results. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell discuss Britain's role on the global stage ahead of the G20 in ...
Sep 07, 2023•45 min
It's the first PMQs clash between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer since Parliament returned from the summer break, and the exchanges are dominated by crumbling concrete in schools. Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit are back to pause, unpack and analyse the action from the Commons chamber. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss meeting politicians in real life, whether weight-loss drugs are the answer , and Keir Starmer's rural appeal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
Sep 06, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Keir Starmer has met with his brand new shadow cabinet for the first time, but does his top team now have more Blairites than Tony Blair ever did? Matt is joined by New Labour architect Lord Mandelson, former Starmer aide Chris Ward and Times Radio's Patrick Maguire. Plus: Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and John Stevens discuss the government's defence over collapsing schools, Gillian Keegan swearing and what has happened to Liz Truss' lectern. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
Sep 05, 2023•45 min
