Politics Unpacked

Matt Chorley is joined by former No10 pollster James Johnson for the monthly Times Radio Focus Group in association with Kekst CNC, asking a panel of swing voters in Wolverhampton, Rother Valley and Swindon what they noticed about the conference season, the rising cost of living, and their thoughts on Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer.Plus Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on anonymity online and how the rich call politicians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the Labour frontbencher at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, just an hour after news broke of the killing of Sir David Amess. They discuss MPs' safety, honesty in politics and cross-party working.PLUS:Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on police attitudes towards threats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley looks at the link between GCHQ and Cheltenham and speaks to GCHQ's historian David Abrutat and former GCHQ director David Omand. Also Ed Balls pops in to chat about food, new labour and strictly.PLUS the Times' Carol Lewis and Jack Malvern discuss Covid in the city and eavesdropping. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley hosts a panel live at the Cheltenham Literature festival asking how important personality is to a politician's success. PLUS: An interview with Gyles Brandreth on his memoirs. AND David Sanderson from the Arts section of the Times and Manveen Rana of the Stories of Our Times Podcast dissect the days news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire take a trip down political history lane and analyse their favourite PMQs exchanges in front of a live audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.PLUS Author Tim Marshall and the Cheltenham Literature Festival's Head of Programme's Nicola Tuxworth discuss the day's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the Irish Culture Minister Catherine Martin, Irish Ambassador to the UK Adrian O’Neill and visits a new exhibition showcasing negotiating documents to commemorate 100 years since the start of negotiations of the Anglo Irish treaty.PLUSDavid Aaronovitch and Daniel Finkelstein discuss party conference and Sally Rooney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to legendary cartoonist Peter Brookes about satirising the cabinet.PLUSLibby Purves and the Atlantic’s Tom McTague discuss the energy crisis and Newcastle United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an exclusive first interview, former NATO ambassador now Parole Board member Sir Stewart Eldon, tells Matt how they decide who gets to come out of prison.PLUS columnists Knight at the Marriott, India Knight and James Marriott, go through Boris Johnson's speech and why we call people scum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley dives into some analysis and reaction after Boris Johnson addresses Conservative delegates at their party conference in Manchester. Plus James Forsyth and Nadine Batchelor-Hunt go through the day’s news.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Nick Timothy, Theresa May's Chief Advisor in the Home Office and Number 10, about policing ahead of the Home Secretary's Conference speech.PLUS: Seb Payne from the FT and The Spectator's Kate Andrews discuss Rishi Sunak's speech and Michael Gove's plans for more local mayors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.