Politics Unpacked

What happens when you enter Downing Street? Matt Chorley speaks to the people who really know, including former prime ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron. He also speaks to former press secretaries, spinners and gatekeepers; Anji Hunter, Gus O'Donnell, Stewart Wood, Gabby Bertin, Katie Perrior and Will Walden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brexit, Covid and Partygate came to define Boris Johnson's time in Number 10, with the latter conspiring to bring about his downfall. As Johnson takes his final bow, Matt Chorley is joined by Times Radio's new Sunday politics show hosts Adam Boulton and Kate McCann to look at the Three Acts of a Premiership.PLUS James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on the festival of Brexit, energy bills, and Keir Starmer's birthday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new prime minister means a new cabinet. From great offices of state to great offices to change things, Alan Johnson, Justine Greening, David Gauke, Jill Rutter, and Simon McDonald on which cabinet roles are actually the best. Plus India Knight and Patrick Kidd on fantasy economics and fantasy films. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley gets news from all four corners of the UK. He speaks to Sarah Booker-Lewis the Local Democracy reporter for Brighton and Hove News, Ciaran Jones, Head of News at Wales Online, Rachel Watson the Scottish Political Editor of the Scottish Sun and Brendan Hughes Political Reporter for Belfast Live.PLUS Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton on hustling, Gorbachev and Emma Raducanu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Nick Thomas-Symonds to talk about his new book 'Harold Wilson: The Winner' exploring the life and times of the four-time election winning Prime Minister.PLUS Finkelvitch on jumping out of birthday cakes, earliest political memories, Liz Truss being a no show and Emily Maitlis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Conservative Party Leadership Election reaches its final days, Patrick Maguire asks what the future might hold for the losing candidate. He is joined by Phil Webster, former political editor of The Times and Katy Balls from the Spectator where they look back over six decades on politicians who missed out in their leadership contest.PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Cunliffe on Britain failing the young and Tory Party challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis about the energy price cap announcement then assembles an expert panel, Emma Munbodh from The Times Money Mentor and Citizen's Advice's Abby Jitendra, to answer listener's questions about how it will affect them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Shabnam Khan Dawran, an Afghan TV presenter who fled after the fall of Kabul last year. After the Taliban threatened to kill her for speaking out against their regime, she escaped to the UK where she is now a refugee. She tells her story now despite threats to her family.Also the columnist duo Knight at the Marriott, India Knight and James Marriott, on remembering lockdown and learning French. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire reflect on the Times Radio leadership hustings hosted by John Pienaar.PLUS Robert Crampton and Laura Freeman discuss the Finnish Prime Minister's partying antics and Autumn in August. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley explores how inflation is crippling the world. He hears from Times Correspondents Charles Bremner, Jane Flanagan, Bernard Lagan, Oliver Moody and Alistair Dawber. He also speaks to Daniel Tidemann from the Danish newspaper Berlingske and Andrew Sentance, Former Member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee.PLUS Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss serving in a rival leadership candidate's cabinet and flying. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.