Politics Unpacked

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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 political and journalistic careers.Interviewees including Peter Jay, former Times economics editor and first Weekend World presenter; Matthew Parris, Weekend World's last presenter; producers David Aaronovitch, Trevor Phillips and Peter Mandelson, politicians including Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, and William Hague, and prominent journalists Jeremy Vine and John Humphrys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.