Politics Unpacked

Matt Chorley guides you through an extraordinary moment in British politics, as Rishi Sunak leaves Downing Street for the last time and Keir Starmer becomes the UK's first Labour prime minister in 14 years.He's joined by guests including pollster John Curtice, Times Radio Political Editor Kate McCann, and Sunday Times Whitehall Editor Gabriel Pogrund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former and Current Political Editors Fred Emery, Roland Watson and Steven Swinford tell Matt about reporting on half a century of elections for The Times. They discuss how election coverage has changed and how the 2024 campaign compares to previous years.Plus: Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss whether Boris Johnson's appearance on the campaign trail could lead to a late turnaround for the Conservatives, why the next Labour cabinet should avoid engaging in "class warfare" and the children who've lived above Number 10.Columnists (03:37)The Political Editors (24:18) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tells Matt about tax, protecting his family, his favourite Elton John record, and his plan for a Downing Street downpour.Plus: In the latest Times Radio Focus Group, James Johnson of JL Partners leads a group of undecided voters who think Piers Morgan should be prime minister. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades the holy grail of election night has been swing - the method of comparing support for the parties between general elections invented back in 1955. Matt finds out what kind of swing Keir Starmer needs to get a majority in the Commons and remembers the 'sultan of swing', David Butler, with expert voices in including David Dimbleby, Jeremy Vine, Jon Snow and James Kanagasooriam.Plus: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester talk about politics on both sides of the channel after that extraordinary result in France, and asks are there similarities between Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being prime minister doesn't come with a job description - in our political system after a gruelling six-week assault course of an election campaign, a newly-elected PM is thrown straight into the job and expected to hit the ground running.Over the years Matt has spoken to the people who've been there and done it - prime ministers and advisers including Tony Blair, David Cameron, Peter Mandelson, Angie Hunter, Katie Perrior, Gabby Bertin, Stewart Wood, Sir Alex Allan and Sir Gus O'Donnell. This is his guide to make sure you're ready to become prime minister.Are You Ready To Be Pm? (04:15) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest Times Radio Focus Group, 2019 Conservative voters explain why they have switched to Labour, but have very low expectations of Keir Starmer as PM.James Johnson from JL Partners tells Matt how this could present an opportunity to an incoming government,. PLUS: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss the state of the election race so far, Labour luvvies and Rishi Sunak as the voice of self service tesco checkouts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The party leaders have been on the campaign trail day in, day out - but what seats have they been visiting, and what does it tell us about the kind of campaign they're fighting? Matt looks at whether an appearance by Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer can help swing a seat, and speaks to former Number 10 adviser Cleo Watson about the dos and don'ts of planning political events. Plus: Columnists Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss the ethics of political betting, and why Rishi Sunak should reform the rules for electing his successor. The Columnists: (04:00)The Big Thing: (25:15) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Conservative party is facing one of its biggest ever challenges, but how did they get into this mess? And what does the future of the party look like?Matt speaks to Paul Goodman, Conservative peer and former editor of Conservative Home, about what will happen if it loses the election, and hears from William Hague about what it is like being ignored in opposition. Plus: A selection of some of the best moments from How To Win An Election as it reaches 1 million downloads.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt sits down with the MPs leaving Parliament to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics.Tory MP Craig Mackinlay lost his hands and feet after suffering a life-threatening episode of sepsis, and Rishi Sunak's snap election came too soon for him to run for his seat again. He talks to Matt about how he kept working from his hospital bed, dreaming about his colleagues while he was in a coma, and adjusting to life with prosthetic limbs.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and James Marriott discuss whether Nigel Farage's call for peace talks with Putin could halt Reform UK's surge in the polls, whether political interviewers should treat politicians with more respect and what Barcelona's ban on AirBnB means for tourism.Columnists (03:20)The Exit Interviews (24:34) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Rishi Sunak calling the election in the rain to Ed Davey falling off his paddleboard, what are the images that define a general election campaign? Matt speaks to the photographers who have had a ring-side seat.Plus: Benedict Pringle and Sam Jeffers discuss the best of the week's campaign adverts (and the ones that had to be deleted).What We Learned This Week (00:47)Mad Men (02:44) The Pictures That Define The Election (11:31) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.