Politics Unpacked

Matt is away for the bank holiday, but in the meantime we have another guest episode from the team at Stories of Our Times - one remarkable story, told in depth, each day.Microsoft has found itself in a bitter war of words with both its gaming rival Sony and the UK authorities over a multi-billion dollar takeover bid of games developer Activision Blizzard. After the UK’s competition watchdog blocked the deal, what does it say for Britain’s post-Brexit business strategy?Jenny Kleeman speaks to Times Technology Business Editor Katie Prescott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.