Shows / Politics Unpacked
Politics Unpacked
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
- Politics Unpacked
What's Next For The Tories?
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Craig Mackinlay
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Pictures That Define The Election
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: Why I'm Still Voting Tory
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Is It Time To Ban Opinion Polls?
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Dame Andrea Leadsom
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…
- Politics Unpacked
There's Someone In Reception
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: Weak Tea
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Politics Is Broken
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Secret Life Of A Minister
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Brandon Lewis
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Dominic Sandbrook's Favourite Elections
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: Donald Trump Of The UK
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Debate Unpacked: Absolute Garbage
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Rest Is Rory Stewart
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Robert Halfon
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Election First Impressions
As the election campaign kicks off in earnest, comedians Lewis Macleod, Nerine Skinner and Rory Bremner join Matt for their best political impressions, and…
- Politics Unpacked
The Farage-Free Election
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…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Second Half of the Year?
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Inside Keir Starmer's Brain
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Sir Bob Neil
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Secrets Of The Whips Office
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…
- Politics Unpacked
How To Hold The Line
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…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Goodnight Sweetheart
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Is Food Still So Expensive?
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Edward Timpson
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Prime Minister That Never Was
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: It's Like He's Evil
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…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Dover And Out
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Did Liz Truss Really Screw Your Mortgage?
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interview: Craig Whittaker
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Losing Is Becoming A Habit
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Hello From The Other Side: Thatcher's Rise To Power
In half a century just three opposition leaders have become prime minister. 45 years after Margaret Thatcher arrived in Downing Street, Matt hears from the…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Stop Banging The Furniture
Tim Shipman and Kait Borsay join Matt Chorley to pause and unpack the action from the Commons chamber as Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak clash over pensions and…
- Politics Unpacked
Inside The Plot To Bring Down Sunak
For months a group of Tory plotters have been saying that the local elections will be pivotal to their efforts to remove Rishi Sunak from office. So as the…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Caroline Lucas
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Three-Way Trump-Off
The impressionists are back - Jon Culshaw, Rory Bremner and Nerine Skinner join Matt to talk about their favourite political impressions, before engaging in a…
- Politics Unpacked
Could The Tories Disappear?
Exclusive polling for the podcast shows two in 10 voters - including one in 10 of those who voted Tory in 2019 - would like the Conservative party to disappear…
- Politics Unpacked
Deputy PMQs: Pint-Sized Loser
It's Deputy PMQs wile Rishi Sunak is in Germany, with Oliver Dowden facing questions from Angela Rayner. Tim Shipman and Calum Macdonald join Matt Chorley to…
- Politics Unpacked
Keir Starmer's Flagging
Keir Starmer has urged his Labour party colleagues to fly the flag with enthusiasm on St George's Day. But does everyone in Labour agree with him, and how much…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Mike Freer
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Brexit Interview: Tim Shipman
Brexit was the greatest conundrum visited on the British political class in the last 80 years, according to Sunday Times Chief Political Commentator Tim…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Tories Prefer Dark Chocolate
When it comes to chocolate, why are Tories pro-dark and Labour supporters pro-milk? Matt looks at exclusive YouGov polling and dives into the politics of…
- Politics Unpacked
The Tory MP, The 3am Call And The Drunk Dog
Mark Menzies MP is being investigated by the Conservative party following claims he misused campaign funds, making a late-night call to a 78-year-old aide…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Lettuce vs Lawyers
For the first time in a month, Tim Shipman joins Matt Chorley to pause and unpack the action from the Commons chamber as Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak attack…
- Politics Unpacked
10 Minutes To Save Liz Truss
Liz Truss is back with her new book '10 Years To Save The West', where she recounts her brief time in Number 10. Matt brings you the best bits courtesy of…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Henry Smith
As the 100th MP announces they are leaving the Commons at the election, Matt continues his series of interviews finding out what they've learned and why…
- Politics Unpacked
How Parties Waste Money In Elections
How much do parties spend on "big data", and how much do they still rely on old-fashioned leaflets through the door? Matt finds out how they're planning to…
- Politics Unpacked
When Were The Good Old Days?
Politicians always tell us the future looks bright, but a new YouGov survey shows that most people are wistful for the good old days. Exactly when you think…
- Politics Unpacked
Classic PMQs Unpacked: He Was The Future Once
Matt Chorley, Patrick Maguire and Andrew Gimson give the "Unpacked" treatment to a classic PMQs, with Tony Blair and David Cameron going head-to-head in…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Politics Isn't A Family Affair
Is it possible to have a happy family life and be a Member of Parliament? Matt speaks to MPs and their family members to find out about the pressures of life…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Paul Scully
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Border Politics
Patrick Maguire is joined by John Elledge to discuss the borders that explain world politics - from London's Ulez to the edge of space. PLUS: Columnists India…
- Politics Unpacked
The Handover of Power
If polls are to be believed, the UK could be governed by a new political party before the end of the year - one that hasn't been in power for 14 years. What…
- Politics Unpacked
Classic PMQs Unpacked: Just Another Relaunch
Patrick Maguire and Tim Shipman give the "Unpacked" treatment to a classic PMQs, with Tony Blair and William Hague going head-to-head in July 2000 over…
- Politics Unpacked
Should The Left Leave Labour?
As prominent Jeremy Corbyn allies and hundreds of councillors quit the Labour, Patrick Maguire asks how Keir Starmer pushed them to the fringes and whether the…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: Caretaker Of The Untruths
It's the monthly Times Radio Focus Group, and this time we head to the blue wall to find out why former Conservative voters have switched their support to the…
- Politics Unpacked
Classic PMQs Unpacked: Weak, Weak, Weak
Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire give the "Unpacked" treatment to a classic PMQs, with John Major and Tony Blair going head-to-head in January 1997…
- Politics Unpacked
Tim Martin: Brexit, Boris and Sticky Carpets
Matt's off to the pub... to meet Wetherspoons boss Sir Tim Martin and talk about Brexit, Boris Johnson and whether the lunchtime pint is alive and well. Then…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Robin Walker
Matt Chorley 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…