Politics Unpacked

Tim Montgomerie is joined by cartoonist Peter Brookes to review the biggest talking points of 2014 with his favourite drawings of the year with Anne Ashworth and Hugo Rifkind.Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-readSubscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special 2015 edition: Tim Montgomerie is joined by Roland Watson, Fay Schlesinger and Francis Elliott to discuss some potential big talking points in the year ahead. Tim also roams the newsroom to chat to various Times editors to see what is on their 'ones to watch' list. Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-readSubscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Fay Schlesinger and Robert Crampton. David AaronovitchYesterday the Russian rouble dropped to an all-time low rate of 63 against the dollar, and interest rates were raised by 6.5% to 17%. Part of this economic collapse is due to the oil price drop and part to sanctions following the annexation of the Crimea. Meanwhile, for the last few weeks reports have been multiplying of aggressive Russian air activity, which could itself endanger more civilian life. The consequences of Putinism, not the general election, will arguably be the great story of 2015. We need to wake up to it now. Fay SchlesingerFaces pressed against glass and framed by an Islamic flag, millions watched the victims of the Sydney siege go through their 16-hour ordeal. All that terror seems to have been the doing of one man. The fact is that almost anyone can be a terrorist these days, and heightened security can't be expected to protect against lone wolf attacks. The only solution is... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster, Melanie Phillips and Robbie Millen. Philip Webster:The Lib Dems are flailing around trying to show they are different from the Tories they have kept in office. It won't work. They have just signed off the autumn statement whose accompanying documents contain all the cuts they now so despise. They should pull out of the coalition. That will prove they are different. It won't mean an early election.Melanie Phillips:The appeal of Islamic State lies in the real power it has gained through territory and wealth. The only way to stop it recruiting is therefore to destroy it on the ground. The west's real problem, though, is the absence of a strategy to combat holy war.Robbie Millen:Should the Elgin Marbles be returned to Athens? The Greek Prime Minister said that their loan to the Hermitage was an “affront to the Greek people”. Such bombastic, bone-headed nationalism should be ignored. The marbles belong as much to Britain --- and all the civilised world... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Giles Whittell and Libby Purves. Francis Elliott:All four political parties are promising to cut taxes after the next election despite a deficit which is stubbornly refusing to fall. Worse they pretend they are doing so to make work pay for lower-income households but that's just not true. Vote for no tax cuts!Giles Whittell:China has been watching Vladimir Putin's brinkmanship in eastern Europe. It sees what can be accomplished through bullying indecisive western democracies, and has decided to have a go itself. Banning British MPs from visiting Hong Kong is a case in point. It's time to get angry with Beijing.Libby Purves:We need to think more intelligently about the distressing subject of paedophilia. Some men - and indeed a few women - are unnaturally and dangerously attracted to children. Not all of them abuse - or view the terrible online films. But for those still innocent who struggle, and hate themselves for this desire, there should be... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philip Webster is joined by Suzy Jagger, Hugo Rifkind and Roger Alton. The panel discuss the progress against Isis, the launch of The National - a brand new newspaper in Scotland - and Labour's popularity following the Thornberry affair.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philip Webster is joined by Patrick Kidd, Anne Ashworth and Daniel Finkelstein. Recognising the church's role in society, the housing dilemma and Lord Owen's proposal.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Roger Boyes and Alice Thomson.Labour leadership, Obama foreign policy and tackling dementia. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Ann Treneman and Rachel Sylvester. David Aaronovitch:The Age of Uncertainty. Not only do we not know the likely result of the next election, but it would be a fool who even attempted a prediction. In May we could see everyone losing and by June all three major party leaders standing down. Eek. Ann Treneman:George Osborne is on a one man mission to revitalise the north although the phrase 'northern powerhouse' may be the most patronising thing a politician has come up with for some time. But will London - or Westminster - ever allow such a thing really? In a nation that cannot even find one person to head an inquiry who isn't a member of the great and the good, is the very idea of the dispersal of power simply an anathema ?Rachel Sylvester:The internet is about to transform the way we deal with the state. The geeks in hoodies at the Government Digital Service have devised a way of verifying your identity securely that will open up the number of... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Philip Webster and Libby Purves.Jenni Russell This week the Defence Secretary apologised after saying that some communities in Britain felt swamped by immigrants. He used a word that he must have known had a toxic resonance in the debate. The Archbishop of Canterbury, appalled, has pleaded with politicians not to portray individual immigrants as a 'deep menace'. He is right. Politicians are behaving scandalously. The answer to the problems created by rapid immigration is to change the rules of admission, not to abuse the people who follow them. Philip WebsterIt is in Labour's interest that UKIP wins the Rochester by-election. Such an outcome would leave the Tories in utter disarray, fearing further defections with a question mark over the future of David Cameron. But they cannot afford to say that, which is why they are campaigning hard there. Why? Because otherwise Cameron's message Vote UKIP, Get Labour has added salience. And UKIP might come for... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.