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 UnpackedDame Margaret Beckett
Matt Chorley speaks to Labour grandee Margaret Beckett who has announced she is retiring after half a century in politics, going through her career decade by…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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 -…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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'…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Who Wants to Be An MP?
As veteran MPs quit the Commons, a new Yougov poll for Times Radio reveals 1 in 5 want to be an MP. Matt Chorley speaks to those leaving and those looking to…
- Politics Unpacked
Disunited Kingdom 16-02-22
Matt Chorley speaks to journalists from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to get the news from the four corners of the UK. This week: How do…
- Politics Unpacked
Polling in the deep: Scotland edition
Live from Glasgow, Matt Chorley speaks to Polling guru Sir John Curtice to take the temperature of Scottish politics before Ross Greer from the Scottish Greens…
- Politics Unpacked
Anas Sarwar
Matt Chorley speaks to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar about problems for the party and whether they can regain Labour's lost love. PLUS Melanie Reid and…
- Politics Unpacked
Political Lookalikes
Matt Chorley is joined by Tony Blair, Donald Trump, Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson. Well...sort of. Five lookalikes explain what it's like…
- Politics Unpacked
The Power of Proximity
With all the job changes in Downing Street, Matt Chorley speaks to Jack Brown, the former Historian in residence at 10 Downing Street and author of "Number 10…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked 09-02-22
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…
- Politics Unpacked
How Do We Fix The Met?
Matt Chorley speaks to the Times’ Crime and Security Editor Fiona Hamilton, Regional London Director of the IOPC, Sal Naseem, and he speaks to two former Met…
- Politics Unpacked
What is Thatcherism?
Despite raising taxes Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak think they're Thatcherites, but some of their MPs think they're socialists. We speak to the people who knew…
- Politics Unpacked
BONUS: Leader of the Opposition - Episode 1
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…
- Politics Unpacked
The Press Gallery
What is the press gallery? Hundreds of journalists across different media organisations are now able to report from the Houses of Parliament. We take you back…
- Politics Unpacked
Michael Crick on Nigel Farage
Matt Chorley speaks to Veteran Political Journalist Michael Crick about his incredibly detailed biography of Brexit's Nigel Farage "One Party After Another"…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQS Unpacked 02-02-22
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…
- Politics Unpacked
Sue Gray Unpacked
After explosive scenes in the House of Commons, Matt Chorley unpacks what happened with the Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire. PLUS FINKELVITCH: Daniel…
- Politics Unpacked
Sue Gray, Sue Gray and Sue Gray
Matt Chorley speaks to an unofficial focus group of women called Sue Gray to find out what they think about the report and Boris Johnson. Plus Opinium pollster…
- Politics Unpacked
The Spike in Spiking
Matt dives into the real spiking threat in nightclubs with chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee Dame Diana Johnson, St John's Ambulance, nightclub…
- Politics Unpacked
Holocaust Memorial Day with Stephen Pollard
Matt Chorley speaks to the former Editor of the Jewish Chronicle about Holocaust Memorial Day and the threat of anti-Semitism in the UK today. PLUS James…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked 26-01-2022
Matt Chorley and The Sunday Times' Tim Shipman pause the action and ring the bell in yet another Prime Minister's Questions dominated by Partygate and the…
- Politics Unpacked
Is A United Ireland Inevitable?
As Liz Truss continues negotiations to fix the Northern Ireland protocol, Matt Chorley speaks to political analysts and MPs on both sides of the Assembly to…
- Politics Unpacked
What's Happening In Ukraine?
Matt Chorley speaks to Times Diplomatic Correspondent Catherine Philp, Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox, former UK Ambassador to Ukraine Leigh Turner and…
- Politics Unpacked
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Everyone is talking about letters of no confidence this week so Matt looks through letters which have shaped politics down the years, from campaigns to get…
- Politics Unpacked
The Art of Defection
What makes a politician defect and change political sides? Matt talks to four politicians who decided to jump and how they kept it a secret including; Alan…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked 19-01-22
As Boris Johnson claims 'he was not told' the Downing Street party would breach lockdown regulations, Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire pause the action between…
- Politics Unpacked
Who is Liz Truss?
Matt Chorley speaks to Times Chief Political Correspondent Henry Zeffman, former SpAd Kirsty Buchanan and head of the Institute of Economic Affairs Mark…
- Politics Unpacked
The Scientists
Matt Chorley talks to Sir Mark Walport, Professor Linda Bauld and The Science Media Centre's Fiona Fox about going from anonymous scientists in front of a…
- Politics Unpacked
How to Remove a Tory Prime Minister
Matt Chorley hears from people who were in the room with previous Conservative Prime Ministers as they were forced out from office. The Times' Political Editor…
- Politics Unpacked
Dying in a Hospice
Matt Chorley catches up with former civil servant, cancer patient and listener Clair Fisher about being moved into a hospice and why palliative care needs to…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked 21-1-22
With Boris Johnson under fire for the latest party allegations, Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire pause the action between the exchanges at the dispatch box to…
- Politics Unpacked
Times Radio Focus Group 11-1-22
Matt Chorley and former Number 10 Pollster James Johnson convene the Times Radio focus group to find out what they think about the latest Number 10 party…