Politics Unpacked

Party political broadcasts have been around for nearly 100 years, featuring everything from men sitting woodenly behind desks to yogic flying.How are they made, do they change anyone’s vote and why are some of them so odd? Matt is joined by Tory advertising guru Maurice Saatchi, Labour filmmaker Mark Lucas, cross-party producer Nick Frost and Times TV critic Carol Midgley.Plus columnists Katy Balls and Jimmy McLoughlin discuss whether Sunak is standing up to his party over tax cuts, why Starmer is at Davos, and why Andy Murray isn’t allowed to go to the toilet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nice to see the polls, to see the polls nice? Matt looks at exclusive polling showing that while the Conservatives are losing young voters, they have lost twice as many older voters who make up their base. He speaks to YouGov's Patrick English, Onward director Seb Payne and academic Dr Will Jennings, before a Tory council leader and peer play our version of the conveyer belt game.Plus Times Columnists James Marriott and Jenni Russell ask whether food has reached peak snobbery, the departure of New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern, and whether it's worth reporting a stolen bike. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt is joined by Tim Shipman to pause and unpack the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions. This week, Keir Starmer challenges Rishi Sunak on the 'lethal chaos' in the NHS, while Sunak says Starmer is in the pocket of the unions. Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton on the dangers of bringing cake to the office, misogyny in the Metropolitan Police and beyond, and why it's tough to be a dad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt takes to the streets to find out about Britain's litter problem. He speaks to a listener who's found everything from sex toys to a sawn-off shotgun, a plogger - a jogger who picks up litter - and the leader of The Rubbish Party.Plus Finkelvitch: Columnists David Aaronovitch and Daniel Finkelstein contemplate our changing attitude to the police, whether Rishi Sunak's latest climbdown is a sign of strength or weakness, and if adverts showing Keir Starmer in Mick Lynch's pocket are effective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Conservative Democratic Organisation is a new group calling for Tory party members to have a greater say in how the party is run, and who it elects as leader. Matt speaks to one of its key players, Lord Greenhalgh, who says Boris Johnson is "electoral gold dust" and will be back in Number 10 by the end of the year. Former MP Matthew Parris says the plan risks blowing up the party altogether.Red Box Reporter Lara Spirit has been back in the archives to learn about the general election of 1835 and the birth of the manifesto.Plus Times columnist Rachel Sylvester and IFS Director Paul Johnson discuss the launch of the Times Health Commission, and whether high street shops are making a comeback. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt talks to Gary Lineker about exclusive polling for Times Radio showing which job the public thinks is harder - being prime minister, or being a professional footballer. He also explains why he thinks politicians should be paid more, before Emmerdale actor turned farmer Kelvin Fletcher and TV chef Clodagh McKenna make the case for their professions.Plus columnists Matthew Syed and Katy Balls discuss the hardest jobs they've ever had, the risks of shutting down Andrew Bridgen, and reports that Boris Johnson is looking for a safe seat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talk about making a drama out of a political crisis. If there's one man who's turned the defining moments of our age into hits on stage and screen, it's James Graham.The writer behind This House, Brexit: The Uncivil War, Quiz and Best of Enemies talks to Matt about using drama to create a public square for opposing political views, and why he won't be writing an epic operetta about Liz Truss.Plus India Knight and James Marriott on the Americanisation of British journalism podcasts and their plans for retirement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt and Tim Shipman are back to pause and unpack the exchanges at the first PMQs of 2023, which sees Keir Starmer accuse Rishi Sunak of going from 'clapping nurses to sacking them' and MPs condemning comments by Andrew Bridgen.Plus columnists Robert Crampton and Manveen Rana discuss whether we're getting used to strikes, if it's OK to wear slippers to work, and a new technology that can create a realistic avatar of a dead person. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Ken Clarke told us better-off patients may have to start paying for GP appointments, Matt looks at the case for reforming general practice and hears about other healthcare systems around the world.Plus columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on exclusive polling for the programme showing that just eight per cent of people would be "delighted" by a Conservative victory, and why politicians are keeping silent about Prince Harry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt's back, and he's joined by political big beast Ken Clarke to discuss a career spanning more than 50 years in the Commons and some of the biggest jobs in government. The former health secretary thinks the well-off may have to start paying to see a GP. Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss whether the Duke of Sussex should be removed from the line of succession, and whether Labour can think the unthinkable on the NHS.Plus, Times Red Box Reporter Lara Spirit is counting down every election since the 1832 Great Reform Act. This week, it's Earl Grey vs the Duke of Wellington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.