These Times
UnHerd
UnHerd political editor Tom McTague and Cambridge professor Helen Thompson team up to investigate the history of today’s politics — and what it means for our future. Each week they will explore the great forces, ideas and events that led us to where we are, whether in Britain, the United States, Europe or beyond. It’s a politics podcast for those who want a deeper, historical understanding of the news, to understand what has really shaped our world and why. We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to rate, like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts — and, of course, to get in touch with all your questions and comments so we can respond in future episodes. Email us at thesetimes@unherd.com or tweet us at @thesetimespod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 26, 2023 • 56min
Cancelled by Keir: An Interview with Jamie Driscoll
Meet Jamie Driscoll, the incumbent mayor blocked from standing to be Labour's candidate for the new north-east super mayoralty, now crowdfunding to stand as an independent left-winger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 24, 2023 • 53min
Europe's Right Turn?
After the elections in Spain, and a shock announcement in Germany, Tom and Helen discuss the underlying causes of Europe’s tilt to the right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 19, 2023 • 35min
Keir's Blairite Ultra: An interview with Pat McFadden
In this episode, Tom McTague chats to Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Pat McFadden—the man tasked with making Starmer’s sums add up—on the lessons of Labour’s history, from Kinnock to Blair to Starmer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 17, 2023 • 57min
Inside NATO's Summit
In this episode, Tom and Helen discuss how last week's meeting in Vilnius revealed fault lines in the organisation which can be traced all the way back to its founding.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and leave a review. You can also find us on Twitter @TheseTimesPod, to join the conversation! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 12, 2023 • 1h 11min
Come on Arlene: An Interview with Arlene Foster
Come on Arlene: An interview with Arlene Foster. In this episode, we discuss the history of Northern Ireland through the lens of Arlene Foster's own turbulent life, covering everything from the IRA’s attempted assassination of her father to her own downfall as leader — and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 10, 2023 • 56min
France on fire
This week, Tom and Helen are joined by John Lichfield — one of Britain’s most respected journalists based in France — to talk about the history of street violence in the country and what that means for the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 3, 2023 • 45min
Chaos in Russia
After last week’s march on Moscow, Tom and Helen discuss the Wagner group and the history of wars not going to plan and destabilising the political regime at home — from Ireland to Algeria, Vietnam to Iraq. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 28, 2023 • 1h 1min
What would Thatcher do?
An interview with Charles Powell, Mrs Thatcher’s long time foreign policy adviser, covering everything from the war in Ukraine, the risks of humiliating Putin, chaos in Russia and the future of Britain in Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
14 snips
Jun 26, 2023 • 48min
The Politics of Inflation
With inflation remaining stubbornly high and interest rates at their highest in 15 years, this week’s episode looks at the causes and political repercussions of today’s crisis as well as the parallels with previous governments — from Harold Wilson to Ted Heath, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 21, 2023 • 27min
Britain's Place in the New World Order - Part 2
Tom and Helen discuss Britain's changing role overseas in the second instalment of our series on 'The New World Order'. They discuss Boris Johnson's AUKUS deal, David Cameron's involvement in the middle east and where Brexit has left Britain on the international stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
