Politics Unpacked

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 ask whether the island of Ireland is on the path to reunification.PLUS Danny Finklestein and David Aaronovitch react to the Police announcing that they will investigate Downing Street parties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Times Diplomatic Correspondent Catherine Philp, Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox, former UK Ambassador to Ukraine Leigh Turner and others to find out what's happening in Ukraine and what it means for the UK and the rest of the world. PLUSLibby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss the latest from Westminster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 prime ministers to change their policies, to Harold Wilson's letter to Daniel Finkelstein about watching the muppets. Daniel Finklestein, Dr Kit Kowol and Professor Richard Toye speak what we can learn from political letters.PLUS FORMEL: James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on the political tv drama we're in and train announcements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Howarth, Douglas Carswell, Anna Soubry and Dr Phillip Lee.PLUS KNIGHT AT THE MARRIOTT... India Knight and James Marriott discuss taking responsibility and why rule breakers get ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the exchanges at the dispatch box to explain what's going on.PLUS Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Boris Johnson's leadership woes and swimming in the Serpentine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Times Chief Political Correspondent Henry Zeffman, former SpAd Kirsty Buchanan and head of the Institute of Economic Affairs Mark Littlewood to find out who the woman behind the photo ops really is. PLUSDaniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss fairness in politics.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 microscope to media sensations during a pandemic.PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester talk Operation Red Meat, the BBC licence fee and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Steven Swinford analyses how close Boris is to following them.PLUS: Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss the latest Number 10 Downing Street party to be revealed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 be considered in the Health and Social Care bill.PLUS COLUMNISTS: India Knight and Hugo Rifkind talk about Boris Johnson's leadership, art degrees and dogs wearing clothes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 explain what's going on. PLUSAlice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss parties and farming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.