Patrick Maguire and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister’s Questions, as Rishi Sunak promises action to stop "unreasonable" union leaders and Sir Keir Starmer accuses him of wobbling like blancmange over housing targets.
Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the the Strep A outbreak, the perils of the office Christmas party, and what happens when you hold a book signing and nobody turns up.
  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs Unpacked: Strikes and Blancmange

Join Matt Chorley as he guides you through what really matters&nbsp;in British politics. Formerly the Red Box podcast, he brings together the best interviews, smartest analysis and funniest panel discussions from his Times Radio show,&nbsp;Politics Without The Boring Bits.
Listen live on DAB, smart speaker or app 10am-1pm Monday to Friday. If you like what you hear, then read more at&nbsp;http://www.thetimes.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News & Politics

News

Politics

As the 100th MP announces they are leaving the Commons at the election, Matt continues his series of interviews finding out what they've learned and why they're going.
Conservative MP Henry Smith talks about his disillusionment with the Conservative Party, abuse on social media, and why he's not going to persuade his children to follow him into politics.
Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the role Britain should play in the latest escalation in the Middle East, why employment law disputes drag on too long, and whether political adverts could be making their way onto a streaming service near you.
The Exit Interview (21:45) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Exit Interviews: Henry Smith

How much do parties spend on "big data", and how much do they still rely on old-fashioned leaflets through the door?
Matt finds out how they're planning to spend record amounts this election year, and why some past campaign expenses included 'pest control' and 'emergency chair removal'.
Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss Reform UK's woes, teenagers using social media, and supermarket orchids.
What We Learned This Week (00:58)  Columnists (03:15) How Parties Spend (21:26)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Parties Waste Money In Elections

Politicians always tell us the future looks bright, but a new YouGov survey shows that most people are wistful for the good old days. Exactly when you think that was depends on your age. Matt speaks to guests including Historian Dan Snow, who feels nostalgic for the 1990s.
Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matt Charlton discuss Rishi Sunak's five pledges, whether artists should be asked to help promote social initiatives, and whether it's ethical for journalists to wait outside politicians' homes. 
Columnists (02:05) When Were The Good Old Days? (21:56) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Were The Good Old Days?

Matt Chorley, Patrick Maguire and Andrew Gimson give the "Unpacked" treatment to a classic PMQs, with Tony Blair and David Cameron going head-to-head in December 2005 for Cameron's debut as Conservative leader. 
Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether children are being failed by gender care in the UK, if athletes should be awarded prize money at the Olympics, and pothole fishing.
Columnists: (04:24) Classic PMQs Unpacked: (23:23)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Classic PMQs Unpacked: He Was The Future Once

Is it possible to have a happy family life and be a Member of Parliament? Matt speaks to MPs and their family members to find out about the pressures of life at Westminster, and whether more needs to be done to modernise.
Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein discuss how to prepare for a TV debate. 
How To Win An Election (03:50) Why Politics Isn't A Family Affair (16:20)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs Unpacked: Strikes and Blancmange

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