The Times Red Box Podcast

Cleo Watson has gone from being deputy chief of staff for Boris Johnson to writing a satirical 'bonkbuster' set in and around Westminster, Downing Street and Chequers.Matt talks to her about life inside Number 10, partygate, working for Barack Obama and Dominic Cummings - and we get Mariella Frostrup to read out some of the novel's raciest moments.Plus: Columnists James Marriott and Gaby Hinsliff talk about sending more northerners to the House of Lords, Boris Johnson's new house in the country, and Britain's favourite railway station. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Undecided voters from across England make up this month's Times Radio Focus Group. They give their verdict on record levels of net migration, and their damning assessment of Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer (provided they'd even heard of the Labour leader).Matt is joined by James Johnson of J.L. Partners to analyse their answers.Plus Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell discuss Labour talking tough on immigration, the Times investigation into online fraud, and whether the Chelsea Flower Show is a festival of smugness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer battle it out over migration, inflation and apprenticeships. Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit pause and unpack the exchanges, and Tim makes a bet on Boris Johnson's name cropping up. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether students are getting a raw deal, Robert's trip to Iraq with the late author Martin Amis, and why Alice has started keeping bees.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After more than a decade of Conservative promises, targets and legislation to cut the rate of net migration, official figures are expected to show it has more than doubled from pre-Brexit levels. Matt discusses the impact of migration with guests including Madeleine Sumption, David Goodhart and James Kirkup.Plus: Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Henry Zeffman discuss whether Dominic Raab says stupid things, Rishi Sunak's headache over what to do about Suella Braverman and the latest 'anti-woke' faction in the Tory party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After years of decline north of the border, can a win for Labour in Scotland clear the path for Keir Starmer to secure a majority and get the keys to No 10?Matt talks to Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar, Times Scottish Political Editor Kieran Andrews and pollster Emily Gray from Ipsos Scotland.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss whether Labour's promises have cut through with the voters, the London theatre holding a 'black only' night and Giles Coren explains what it's like to go on a speed awareness course. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For more than a decade Andrew Parsons was the official Downing Street photographer - chronicling life at No 10 with every prime minister from David Cameron to Rishi Sunak. He talks to Matt about capturing everything from David Cameron pre-emptively writing his resignation letter in 2015, to THAT lock down breaking birthday party in the Cabinet room.Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss the changing makeup of the modern family, the surprising number of prime ministers who lost a father at an early age, and which is better - the arts or science? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Richard Dearlove began his career in the intelligence services at the height of the Cold War, and went on to become 'C' - the head of MI6. He tells Matt what he thinks will happen to Putin, Trump, and why China is the biggest threat to the West today.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss Rishi Sunak backing away from his pledge on migration, whether Nigel Farage should be in the House of Lords, and which politicians sell the most Toby Jugs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Deputy Prime Minister's questions with new DPM Oliver Dowden facing Angela Rayner for the first time. Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit pause and unpack the exchanges as Rayner accuses the Tories of being on a "conveyor belt of crisis", while Dowden compares her and Keir Starmer to This Morning's Holly and Phil.Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Keir Starmer's pledge to bring house prices down, why men are at fault for the falling birthrate, and they taste Tom Hanks' favourite drink. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exclusive YouGov polling for Times Radio shows that plenty of Labour voters - and even more Liberal Democrats - would like to see a coalition between the two parties after the next election.Matt discusses the history of Lib Dem 'equidistance' with former advisers to Paddy Ashdown and party leader Sir Ed Davey.Plus: Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Henry Zeffman discuss whether the next Tory leadership contest is underway, Keir Starmer's relationship with Labour's council leaders and votes for 16-year-olds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turks are at a historic turning point - choosing between two radically different visions for the future of their country.With the battle for the presidency almost certain to go to a second round and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan facing his biggest challenge for two decades, Matt and a panel of experts explain what it means for democracy around the world.Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on whether religion in politics can translate from the US to the UK, and Labour's plan to make working from home a legal right.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Conservative prime minister, soaring inflation, strikes bringing the country to a standstill - and Britain hosting the Eurovision Song Contest. Welcome to 1974.Matt looks at what happened when Ted Heath asked 'who governs Britain', and considers whether Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer could end up following the path of Heath and Wilson. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether Zelensky should speak at Eurovision, Keir Starmer abandoning his autobiography, and who is Millennial Millie? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob Burley has had a ringside seat at some of the biggest political TV grillings for more than a quarter of a century, working with interviewers including Andrew Neil, Jeremy Paxman and Andrew Marr.He joins Matt to discuss his book, 'Why is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me?', and the secret to getting a politician to give a straight answer.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed discuss why more young people than ever are living with their parents, whether we've reached peak coalition speculation, and how a member of the Wurzels is marking Somerset Day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The star of children's TV show Rainbow joins Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the exchanges at PMQs. As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer go head-to-head across the despatch box, does Starmer sound a bit like Zippy? Plus Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton on John Major's call for fewer prisoners, how seriously the NHS takes dementia and why the Japanese are taking training courses to learn how to smile. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt discusses exclusive YouGov polling examining the reasons why 2019 Conservative voters are switching to Labour. Are they really embracing Keir Starmer's party, or just temporarily repelled by the Tories?Plus: Columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Henry Zeffman discuss speculation about a hung parliament, how Labour should handle questions about forming a coalition, and whether the police were too heavy-handed at the Coronation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget the Coronation concert - Matt pits politicians singing and playing instruments against one another, and discusses the state of live music in the UK with guests including Wheatus frontman Brendan B. Brown.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss whether the spirit of volunteering can be revived, did the Conservatives get a free pass after their local election losses, and should you bet on Penny Mordaunt as next Tory leader? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions have had their say in elections across England, but what do the results tell us about the chances of Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer ending up in Downing Street?Matt presents the best analysis from Times journalists Henry Zeffman, Daniel Finkelstein and Lara Spirit, and interviews key figures from the poitical parties.Plus Columnists India Knight and James Mariott on whether the Tories can win without building houses, which mango chutney to put in your Coronation chicken, and whether James could be Taylor Swift's dream man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt talks to Lord President of the Privy Council Penny Mordaunt about her role in the Coronation, where she'll carry the four-foot sword of state in the King's procession. He also heads to the Tower of London to hear about the history of the Crown Jewels.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris on the future of the Commonwealth under the new King, how Turkish elections could change the face of Europe, and whether Dundee cake should be a protected food. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer trade blows over housing and the infamous 'no money left' note at the last Prime Minister's Questions before the local elections. Matt is joined by Tim Shipman and Ayesha Hazarika to pause and unpack the action from the Commons chamber.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Iain Martin discuss managing election expectations, Joanna Cherry being 'no-platformed' and policing eco-protestors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week millions of voters will go to the polls as more than 8,000 council seats in England are contested in the local elections – the most significant gauge of public opinion before Rishi Sunak faces Keir Starmer at a general election. Behind the scenes, politicians and pollsters are trying to work out exactly who they need to win over, and how they can do it without losing their core supporters.In this guest episode from the Stories of Our Times team, Manveen Rana speaks to Red Box reporter Lara Spirit and former YouGov president Peter Kellner. - Find out whether there are elections in your area: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information- New photo ID requirements to vote: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

45 years ago, tens of thousands of people marched through London for the Rock Against Racism concert featuring some of the biggest names in music at the time. Matt speaks to organiser Roger Huddle, singer-songwriter Tom Robinson, and Billy Bragg who was in the crowd.Plus: Columnists James Marriott and Jenni Russell discuss the resignation of BBC chairman Richard Sharp, gambling reforms targetted at young people and the return of Grange Hill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.