Politics Unpacked

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Alice Thomson and Libby Purves.Hugo Rifkind says it's not the fault of the NHS or the Government that a pioneering programme to create a shared database of patient information has been suspended. It's ours. Are we too shrill when it comes to personal data?Alice Thomson suggests that we need to teach girls to be more robust and to realise that A* grades don't necessarily define them. Mary Beard, Angela Merkel, Clare Balding - are these the role models we should be encouraging?Libby Purves tackles London's rising, and often unaffordable property prices, head on. Should the Government do more to discourage foreign investors using the capital as their own private 'piggy bank'? "There are sharper things they could do, but they're all flirt!" Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Follow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Juliet Samuel and Fay Schlesinger. David Aaronovitch looks at the forthcoming Scottish referendum for independence and says 'up until now, the 'Yes' people have been able to fantasise about how easily an independent Scotland will be able to dictate its own separation terms.' But has this fantasy been given a reality check?Juliet Samuel asks if the Bank of England is being overly optimistic after it revised its GDP growth forecast for this year to 3.4% when the average prediction from some City economists and academics stands at 2.4% and even lower from the OBR. Even if this figure is true, is such economic growth sustainable?Fay Schlesinger analyses the grim reality of female genital mutilation in the UK and looks at an alternative way to tackle the issue. Should we be more sensitive to the practitioners' traditional perspectives or risk driving the practice further underground? Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Oliver Kamm and Roger Boyes.Jenni Russell agrees in the principles of banning smoking in cars where children are present, after MPs voted in the law this week, however, will it end up - in practice - as yet another pointless and unenforceable law?Oliver Kamm states that 'The Swiss vote to curb EU immigration is a depressing indication of the potency of populist politics in European debate.' Are the current control of immigration within Europe far too tight? Are populist political Parties taking advantage of the untenable immigration fears?Roger Boyes argues that the 'grim' politics of Russian president Vladimir Putin is in danger of being overlooked during this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, 'The Kremlin leader is an authoritarian menace and his bullying tactics in Ukraine and beyond are making a nonsense out of the so-called Olympic spirit.'Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Collins, Matthew Parris and Rachel Sylvester. Subscribers to The Times will be familiar with the passionate divide of opinion between Philip Collins and Matthew Parris regarding the qualities of David Cameron's leadership. Philip Collins argues that David Cameron has yet to answer the question of what kind of country he wants to lead - "what would a second-term Cameron government actually want to do?"Matthew Parris draws focus towards Cameron's Conservatives principles and argues that the Prime Minister is preventing socialism and "resisting the creep of a Labour government into every corner of our lives and pockets." Rachel Sylvester suggests that "voters want more passion from the Prime Minister, but fear [the] Labour leader's zeal."Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.ukFollow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Ian King, David Aaronovitch and Libby Purves.Ian King argues that Labour, led by Ed Miliband, has abandoned any pretence that they will form a constructive working relationship with business or wealth-creators with his pledge to reintroduce the 50p additional rate of income tax.David Aaronovitch says that parties strive to emphasise their differences where there is little - to create "blue water" for the sake of it.Libby Purves states - in no uncertain terms - that we should do away with the 'role' of First Ladies. Is the term relevant in the modern age? Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.ukFollow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, Alice Thomson and Matthew Parris.Daniel Finkelstein argues the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats must spend much political energy on a divorce agreement, a protocol for the last year of office and the conduct of a General Election. Alice Thomson discusses the role of institutional care from a personal perspective. Matthew Parris sympathises with the younger generation when it comes to the lack of feedback they receive in the job market and the cruelty of the 'don't call us, we'll call you' culture. Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.ukFollow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Collins is once again in the hot seat and joined by Peter Brookes, Matthew Parris and Ann Treneman.Peter Brookes talks about forming opinions on a variety of issues using his heart over his head. Is it dangerous to form strong opinions without expert knowledge? Matthew Parris wants a crackdown on the 'anti-Europe' ring-leaders in the Conservative Party. Does there need to be more honesty from the backbenchers regarding their stance on Europe? Ann Treneman looks at the funding debate between the Labour Party and the Unions. Should there be reforms in the way political parties are funded? Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.ukFollow The Times Opinion pages on Twitter: @TimesOpinion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Collins is in the hot seat this week and is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Daniel Finkelstein and Hugo Rifkind. Rachel Sylvester assess David Cameron reverting to type on his current stance on welfare, immigration, crime, Europe and pensioners. Nigel Farage recently suggested that Enoch Powell's "basic principle" - that immigration causes tension - is still relevant today. Hugo Rifkind argues this is not the case.Daniel Finkelstein argues for a hypothecated NHS tax to ease the pressure of increasing demand on the ageing health service.Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Subscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special 2014 edition: Tim Montgomerie is joined by Ann Treneman, Roger Boyes and David Aaronovitch to discuss some potential big talking points in the year ahead.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.

Extended special enhanced edition: Tim Montgomerie is joined by cartoonist Peter Brookes, and columnists Jenni Russell and Hugo Rifkind to review the biggest talking points of 2013.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.