Politics Unpacked

It's been a year since Boris Johnson resigned outside Downing Street, telling the nation: "Them's the breaks." Matt is joined by impressionist Jon Culshaw and columnists James Marriott and Gaby Hinsliff to discuss exclusive new polling about the former prime minister and whether people want him back.Plus: Decisions, decisions, decisions. We convene a panel of experts to discuss the difficult trade-offs in politics when deciding who gets what, and who misses out. With the chair of the UK Statistics Authority Sir Robert Chote, Professor Paul Dolan from the LSE, former minister Dame Margaret Hodge and Tracey Brown from Sense About Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In two weeks' time Rishi Sunak faces major by-election tests in the seats vacated by Boris Johnson, Nigel Adams and David Warburton, and the suspension of former whip Chris Pincher means there could be at least one more on the way. Matt speaks to Times journalists on the ground to find out where the Conservatives have a chance of holding on.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell discuss oracy lessons with Keir Starmer, whether Bishops should sit in the House of Lords, and where they sit in the great hanging basket debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deputies Oliver Dowden and Angela Rayner stand in at PMQs and clash over mortgage rates and problems in the rental market. Matt pauses and unpacks the action with the help of Tim Shipman and tennis coach Mark Petchey, who joins us live from Wimbledon.Plus Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether Rishi Sunak's low attendance record at PMQs is a problem, whether Robert will be downloading Mark Zuckerberg's new Twitter alternative, and how to solve the rental crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six months ago today, Rishi Sunak laid out five key pledges that he said would build a better future for the country. Matt and a panel of experts from The Times deliver their verdict on the progress he has made so far and whether or not he is on course to achieve those promises.Plus: For the penultimate time, columnists Danny Finkelstein and Henry Zeffman discuss whether the Tory Party is struggling to renew itself under Rishi Sunak, whether the number of MPs in parliament should be halved but their salaries doubled, and whether anything interesting ever happens at the liaison committee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Blackford joined the SNP aged 16, going on to lead the party in Westminster during a period of high political drama. In the latest episode of our series reflecting on the careers of MPs leaving Parliament at the next election, he tells Matt about his regrets over negative campaigning against Charles Kennedy, what he thinks about Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond, and how he came to be known as the 'humble crofter'.Plus Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss whether there's anything to celebrate as the NHS turns 75 this week and why Labour and the Lib Dems are targeting middle aged women at the next election Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a century since the broadcasters first asked to record what goes on in Parliament, although cameras didn't make it into the Commons chamber until 1989. Matt goes behind the scenes to see how it all works, and to hear about some of the speeches and debates that have defined political history.Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether more politicians should take a long-term view, what India takes to a barbecue, and whether Britain is becoming too obsessed with America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Baroness McDonagh, Labour's first female general secretary, was a key figure in the paty and was instrumental in Tony Blair's election victories in 1997 and 2001Following her recent death, Matt revisits an interview she gave in 2017 when she talked about designing the pledge card to keep politicians on message, her trip to the cinema with John Prescott, and what happened when she realised the party had won a landslide.Plus Columnists Patrick Maguire and Matthew Parris discuss whether the government's Rwanda plan is finished, claims that Boris Johnson's allies waged war on the Privileges Committee, and whether Angela Rayner and Lisa Nandy will keep their current shadow cabinet jobs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer trade blows over housing statistics, Matt pauses and unpacks the action with the help of Peter Dickson, the voice of the X Factor and Britain's Got Talent.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the degree marking fiasco, the death of the "good chap" system and whether Elton John is brilliant or terrible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Swing voters from across England give their verdict on Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer and explain why they'd rather have consumer expert Martin Lewis at Number 10. The good news for the prime minister is they've heard of his five pledges, the bad news is they don't think he can deliver on them - and are in a mood for change. Matt is joined by James Johnson of J.L. Partners to analyse their verdict.Plus: Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Henry Zeffman discuss whether Conservatives should ever intervene to make things cheaper, why there hasn't been a Labour reshuffle, and whether the Tory path to victory is now improbably narrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Ben Bradshaw spent almost a decade as a junior minister before reaching the cabinet under Gordon Brown. In the latest episode of our series talking to MPs leaving Parliament at the next election, he tells Matt about forming a 'council of elders' to advise the current shadow cabinet on how to be in government, and the importance of doing yoga in the office.Plus columnists Jane Merrick and Matt Bell discuss public sector pay, Prince William's plan to tackle homelessness, and we see what happens when you take apart an e-cigarette. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.