Politics Unpacked

Queen Elizabeth II appointed 15 Prime Ministers and witnessed 18 general elections, 13 government referendums, three minority governments, and one coalition.Each Prime Minister enormously valued her experience and wisdom in their meetings with her.From Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, Matt Chorley tells the history of the Queen and politics.PLUS: David Lidington, former Lord President of the Privy Council who will take part in the Accession Council to formally proclaim King Charles as the new monarch, explains how the Accession works.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley is joined by James Johnson from J.L. Partners who has convened the latest Times Radio Focus Group to find out what they think about the new Prime Minister Liz Truss, Sir Keir Starmer, energy bills and the windfall tax.PLUS: India Knight and Patrick Kidd discuss why what politicians wear matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the new term in Parliament begins, Matt Chorley is joined by Tim Shipman, the Sunday Times' Chief Political Commentator to analyse Liz Truss's first PMQs.PLUS Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the new cabinet, hot tubs and boiled eggs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liz Truss has been appointed the new Prime Minister and as she made her way to Balmoral to be invited by the Queen to form a new government, Matt Chorley finds out what happened when previous Prime Ministers kissed hands. Featuring historians Hugo Vickers and Sir Anthony Seldon and David Cameron's Deputy Chief of Staff, Baroness Kate Fall. Plus Finkelvitch on Boris Johnson's farewell speech and legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.