Politics Unpacked

The first Red Box debate of conference season comes from Brighton, Matt Chorley welcomes Times senior political correspondent Lucy Fisher, Times columnist Philip Collins, and journalist Rachel Shabi, to try and answer whether Corbyn can become prime minister?In an extended podcast, the panel grapple with the key issues surrounding the topic before taking questions from the audience. **NB: the start of this episode sounds a bit "wedding disco" don't worry it's only for the first thirty seconds** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Matt Chorley takes a trip to the seaside to cover the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth. He encounters former special advisors, James McGrory and Vannesa Pine, who share the tribulations of preparing a leader for a major speech.Matthew Parris and Henry Zeffman, try to work out if the Lib Dems have a message for the general public whilst on a cliff top. And Times sketch writer Patrick Kidd tells us the mood of conference and how a change in membership has upended traditional drinking habits. There's also mini golf at the end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Still armed with his "Brexit Buzzer" Matt Chorley welcomes a panel to debate anything but the B-word. Times columnist, Rachel Sylvester asks if the Tories will ever be forgiven for taking a hardline on the big issue of the day by a generation that overwhelmingly supports Remain. (01:03)Roland Watson, foreign editor of The Times, ponders solving a problem like Korea. With the United Nations divided, where does that leave the balance of power in president Trump's first test of brinkmanship? (10:48)And Grant Tucker, Times diarist, questions why politicians think it's a good idea to make big decisions in the middle of the night? (22:47) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley returns from Brussels and immediately bans any talk of Brexit until some progress is made, the podcast focuses instead on other issues facing the country. Chris Smyth, the Times health editor, explains why the NHS winter warning gets earlier every year (01:00) Jenni Russell, Times columnist on upcoming benefit cuts that are starting to bite (10:43) And fellow columnist Iain Martin asks why we're losing our religion (20:41) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Red Box returns from the summer break with an episode from Brussels. Matt Chorley and Henry Zeffman emerge from a windowless room in the Berlaymont Building to try to work out why the Brexit talks have stalled. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final Red Box of the political year, Matt Chorley welcomes back Jan Ravens, from Spitting Image and Dead Ringers. Patrick Kidd, The Times sketchwriter and diarist. And Peter Brookes, The Times cartoonist who mocks the mighty in beautiful watercolours.The panel attempt a quiz and remember their highlights of 2017 so far before recalling the political characters from the past they enjoyed parodying. Red Box will return in September Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley casts a critical eye back over the most dramatic year in British politics since last year.On the panel, Jan Ravens, the impressionist who has given voice to leaders on Spitting Image and Dead Ringers. Patrick Kidd, The Times sketchwriter and diarist who gives them a kicking in print. And Peter Brookes, The Times cartoonist who mocks the mighty in beautiful watercolours.They review the last political year and reveal their creative processes.Part 2 airs on Friday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Fay Schlesinger, The Times head of news, who wonders how to reverse the collapse of trust in the state, Red Box commentator Rachel Shabi sets out what Labour will be doing while the Tories are on their summer break, and Lucy Fisher, senior political correspondent for The Times, discusses the little local difficulty in the Tory party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week Theresa May marks a year as Prime Minister, Matt Chorley asks, what path should May now take? Two people who know her best offer their insight. Katie Perrior, May's director of communications in No10 until the election was called, explains why the PM needs to cheer up and offer some hope. And in his first interview since leaving Downing Street, Chris Brannigan, who was head of government relations, details the challenge in balancing the access given to major industrial and economic players whilst also keeping an eye on the needs of small and medium enterprises.Plus Sam Coates, deputy political editor of The Times, asks how a May government can last if it's so internally vulnerable? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second special in the run up to Pride, Matt Chorley sits down to chat with Justine Greening, Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, to discuss coming out by tweet, her view of the DUP and why her personal slogan is "keep on trucking".They also cover her attempt to extract money for schools from the treasury, whether she has any ambitions for future leadership and what battles still need to be fought for the LGBT community? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.