Politics Unpacked

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner and shadow health secretary Wes Streeting have a round of cocktails with Matt and discuss Angela's favourite drink ('venom'), what to do about children vaping, and what music Keir Starmer should walk on stage to ahead of his conference speech.Matt also takes a look at the changing perceptions of Starmer through the Times Radio Focus Group archives.Plus: Columnists Patrick Maguire and Rachel Sylvester on Labour's plans for the economy, the spread of deepfakes, and the party's response to the terror attacks on Israel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Labour's decisive win in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, Keir Starmer channelled Michael Caine and claimed the party had 'blown the doors off'. But does the result mean he's now on the way to Number 10? Matt talks to polling guru Sir John Curtice and Times Radio's Patrick Maguire.Plus: Help, my mum's running the country! Matt speaks to Carol Thatcher to find out what life is really like for family members living behind the famous black door. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The old War Office in Whitehall, once used by Winston Churchill as the nerve centre of Britain's war effort, has been hidden from public view for more than a century. Matt is given a guided tour of the historic building, which has been converted into a hotel, to uncover its secrets.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss the relationship between the West and Ukraine, Boris Johnson-themed pastries, and when a politician's spouse should step into the limelight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak has made his first party conference speech as leader, but polls suggest it could be his last; so who comes next? JL Partners' Scarlett Maguire and Sam Lister from the Daily Express look at the frontrunners in the next Tory leadership race.Plus: Matt catches cabinet ministers Mel Stride and Michael Gove on their way out of the conference hall for their take on the Prime Minister's speech.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year marks a century since the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers came into being. Why do the men and women in grey suits still wield so much power, and why aren't they called the 1923 committee?Matt also talks to Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove about HS2, benefits, and bendy bananas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a special conference edition of the Times Radio Focus Group; Matt and James Johnson from JL Partners hear from a group of 2019 Conservative voters who say they no longer support the party. What can Rishi Sunak do to win them back, and would they rather snog, marry or avoid Sunak, Starmer and Davey?Plus: Columnists Iain Martin and Rachel Sylvester discuss Liz Truss's appearance at the Tory conference, whether school pupils should be banned from using mobile phones, and has multiculturalism failed in Britain? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 years ago John Major made a speech pledging to get Britain, and his government, ‘back to basics' - but the scandals just kept coming. Matt speaks to Howell James, Major’s former political secretary, and political journalists Phil Webster and Elinor Goodman.Plus: Columnists James Marriott and India Knight discuss the 'war on motorists', whether Rishi Sunak or Suella Braverman has it right on multiculturalism, the benefits of listening to the radio, and the art of a good conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How often do politics and quizzing collide? There's a rich history of politicians trying and failing to answer simple questions, and the British public struggling to grapple with political trivia. Matt is joined by comedian Lucy Porter and Jenny Ryan, aka The Vixen from The Chase.Plus: Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell discuss whether Labour has flip-flopped when it comes to private schools, where GB News draws the line on freedom of speech, and modern phone etiquette. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the podcast everyone has been waiting for... join Matt and Patrick Maguire as they bring you Ed Davey Unpacked: pausing and analysing the action from Bournemouth and the Liberal Democrat Leader's conference speech.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss what Rishi Sunak should do about inheritance tax, their worst train story, and why Robert should give fishing another go. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth, and Matt plays crazy golf with party leader Ed Davey. How many houses does he want to build, why won’t he talk about Brexit, and who will get a hole-in-one?Plus Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Miranda Green debate whether there's any point of the Lib Dems and whether Rishi Sunak is truly a long-term thinker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.