The Times Red Box Podcast

As Rishi Sunak hosts farmers at Number 10 to offer his support to British agriculture, the sector is struggling with ever higher costs and extreme weather. Food Minister Mark Spencer explains why the wet winter could lead to food prices going up again.Plus: Punch and Judy are cleaning up their act, but will that bring an end to "Punch and Judy politics"? The Politics Of Punch And Judy Politics (04:53)Why Is Food Still So Expensive? (13:03) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics.Conservative Edward Timpson remembers arriving in Westminster after a by-election circus where he was characterised as a Tory toff, his achievements as a minister, and he explains why he never went into the family business.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss whether other potential defectors will be put off following the example of Natalie Elphicke, the link between obesity and sick-not culture, and whether we're too quick to blame technology for our own failings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been 30 years since the sudden death of Labour leader John Smith, a man many expected would go on to be prime minister. Matt hears from some of the people who knew him best, including the recollections of Tony Blair, Margaret Beckett and Neil Kinnock.Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss Dominic Cumming's idea for a new political party, James' trip to a pro-Palestinian protest, and the ethics behind the hit show Baby Reindeer.Columnists (02:48)The Prime Minister That Never Was (23:19) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Matt steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters. This month it's a group who all voted for the Conservatives in 2019 but now want to vote for Labour or haven't made their mind up. They tell Matt and James Johnson of J.L. Partners that Rishi Sunak's trainers look "stupid" and Keir Starmer makes their "skin crawl". PLUS: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed discuss whether Keir Starmer made a mistake when he welcomed the defecting MP Natalie Elphicke, and whether Matthew's manifesto for the next government will work.Columnists (03:33)Focus Group (22:29) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire pause and unpack the action from the Commons chamber, as Tory MP for Dover Natalie Elphicke defects to Labour moments before PMQs.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss never-ending Tory plots, whether the police do enough to tackle stalking, and whether cycling can be cool.Columnists: (01:24) PMQs Unpacked: (23:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mortgage costs went up after Liz Truss' mini-budget in 2022, and are yet to come down. As new analysis of the local election results suggests that support for the Conservatives dropped more sharply in areas where there are more mortgage holders, Matt tries to get to the bottom of who is really to blame.PLUS: As the Liberal Democrats table another motion of no-confidence in the government to try and trigger an election, Matt asks The Times' Tom Peck - what's the point? No-confidence (08:31)Did Liz Truss Really Screw Your Mortgage? (14:52) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Description: Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics. Conservative MP Craig Whittaker tells Matt about being deputy chief whip in Liz Truss's government, what it's been like having stalkers, and the ‘rot’ inside the Tory party.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the return of the 'coalition of chaos' and whether student protests are effective.The Columnists: (01:50)The Big Thing: (20:22) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a difficult set of election results for the Conservatives, including a by-election defeat in Blackpool South, Matt looks at what they mean for the parties and for Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer as elections expert John Curtice says that losing is the government's "habit".Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss why neither of them voted, whether they sympathise with Boris Johnson who forgot his ID at the polling booth, and what it means for politics that young people are becoming more religious. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In half a century just three opposition leaders have become prime minister. 45 years after Margaret Thatcher arrived in Downing Street, Matt hears from the people who knew her best - including Conservative colleagues Ken Clarke, Jonathan Aitken, and David Howell, aide turned author Michael Dobbs, her biographer Charles Moore, and her daughter Carol Thatcher.Plus: Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss the SNP's leadership struggles, is noise in the Commons a good thing, and whether you should trust attractive politicians. The Columnists: (01:00)The Big Thing: (22:27) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Shipman and Kait Borsay join Matt Chorley to pause and unpack the action from the Commons chamber as Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak clash over pensions and how to fund them, and one Tory gets a ticking-off from the Speaker.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the violence on American University campuses, whether sports stars make good politicians and the policing of domestic violence. Columnists (02:30)PMQs Unpacked (23:05) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For months a group of Tory plotters have been saying that the local elections will be pivotal to their efforts to remove Rishi Sunak from office. So as the moment of truth nears, can the plot succeed, or are the plotters themselves divided?Plus: After an MSP accidentally (and briefly) enters the race to replace Humza Yousaf, we look at the shotest ever leadership campaigns.Short Leadership Campaigns: (05:06)The Big Thing: (12:25) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics.Caroline Lucas - the only Green MP - tells Matt about her reasons for standing down and what's wrong with Westminster - including MPs cowering in the toilet to hide from their party whips.Plus: As Humza Yousaf resigns, Times Scottish Political Editor Kieran Andrews tells us where the SNP goes next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The impressionists are back - Jon Culshaw, Rory Bremner and Nerine Skinner join Matt to talk about their favourite political impressions, before engaging in a 'three-way Trump-off'.Plus: Andrew Neil gives his take on the future of Humza Yousaf and the SNP, and Gyles Brandreth discusses Keir Starmer opening up about his childhood.Andrew Neil (03:15)The Columnists (12:00)The Impressionists (30:30) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exclusive polling for the podcast shows two in 10 voters - including one in 10 of those who voted Tory in 2019 - would like the Conservative party to disappear completely, in favour of another right-wing party.How bad do things look for the Tories, and could they be facing a Canada-style electoral wipeout? Plus: Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell discuss political nicknames, whether politicians should answer more questions with "I don't know", and why Mr Bates vs The Post Office didn't make any money.The Columnists (01:57)The Big Thing (22:10) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Deputy PMQs wile Rishi Sunak is in Germany, with Oliver Dowden facing questions from Angela Rayner. Tim Shipman and Calum Macdonald join Matt Chorley to pause and unpack the action from the Commons as the deputies trade blows over council tax, the Renter's Reform Bill and second homes. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether we are seeing the end of the news anchor, AI in recruitment and why saying ‘back in your day’ in the office could be unlawful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has urged his Labour party colleagues to fly the flag with enthusiasm on St George's Day. But does everyone in Labour agree with him, and how much does patriotism matter in politics? Plus: While voters in Pennsylvania head to the polls for the state's 2024 primary election, what did Donald Trump say on the stand at the first day of the Stormy Daniels hush money trial? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from their time at Westminster.Conservative MP and minister Mike Freer talks about how threats and violence led to his decision to stand down, gossiping with the late Queen Elizabeth, and helping Boris Johnson get dressed.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves react to Rishi Sunak insisting that flights to Rwanda will take off in the summer, and the row over the policing of pro-Palestinian marches in London. Columnists (03:50)The Exit Interviews: Mike Freer (18:31) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brexit was the greatest conundrum visited on the British political class in the last 80 years, according to Sunday Times Chief Political Commentator Tim Shipman.He sits down with Matt to discuss his latest book examining the years following the EU referendum, charting Theresa May's turbulent time in office and eventual downfall - and explains why it often resembled a political version of Game of Thrones.Now Way Out is available to buy at Times Bookshop and Times+ members can enjoy a 10% discount. Plus, you can enjoy great offers and recommendations from our literary critics. Explore thousands of great reads by going to timesbookshop.co.uk now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to chocolate, why are Tories pro-dark and Labour supporters pro-milk? Matt looks at exclusive YouGov polling and dives into the politics of chocolate at a time when cocoa prices are soaring.Plus: James Marriott and Miranda Green discuss Rishi Sunak's "moral mission" to reform welfare, why young adults are being infantilised, and why Liz Truss broke with Royal protocol.Columnists: (02:45)The Big Thing: (25:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Menzies MP is being investigated by the Conservative party following claims he misused campaign funds, making a late-night call to a 78-year-old aide because he had been locked up by "bad people". The Fylde MP, who has lost the Tory whip, denies the claims.Matt discusses the remarkable details with Billy Kenber, the Times journalist who broke the story, Conservative MP John Hayes, and Times columnists Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.