As a new biography of Keir Starmer tells us more about the Labour leader's childhood, Matt takes a look at the importance of a backstory - does finding out more about a politician's past make a difference to how we view them now?

Then comedian Joe Lycett wades into the sewage scandal for his new TV documentary, and says he’d do a better job than Rishi Sunak if he was drunk.

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 win during a recession.

How To Win An Election (01:18)

Joe Lycett (05:29)

Focus Group (10:23)

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Matt Chorley sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics.

Conservative MP Dehenna Davison tells Matt why starting life in Westminster in her mid-20s was a steep learning curve, how suffering with chronic migraines affected her work and why she admires Liz Truss. 

Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss the government's move to ban mobile phones in English schools, Alexei Navalny's courage, and whether the next election could be decided in the pub.

Columnists (02:09)

The Exit Interviews (16:10)

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In the wake of the by-elections in Kingswood and Wellingborough, Patrick asks whether a Labour general election victory is nailed on, if Rishi Sunak can turn things around, and how serious a threat Reform UK poses to the Tories.

He speaks to Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party James Daly, Labour frontbencher Liz Kendall, Reform Party Leader Richard Tice, and polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice.

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It's a year since Nicola Sturgeon's surprise resignation as First Minister rocked Scottish politics and her successor Humza Yousaf has had a difficult time filling her shoes.

Joined by former First Minister Alex Salmond and the SNP's former leader in Westminster Ian Blackford, Patrick asks if Yousaf has managed to escape Sturgeon's shadow. 

Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed discuss why David Cameron has been irritating Republicans in America, whether Westminster should ban the sale of alcohol, and why John Clees is a delight on Christmas Day. 

Sturgeon's Successor (23:04)

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As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer take a break from Prime Minister's Questions during recess, Patrick asks what their weekly joust teaches us, and whether it ever truly changes the political weather.

He speaks to Tom Peck from The Times and Times Radio's Jane Garvey to both deride and defend PMQs, and two former party leaders about how to make an impact from the Chamber.

Plus: Columnists Robert Crampton and Hadley Freeman on how the war in Gaza is reigniting the left's antisemitism problems, the relationship test trending on TikTok, and the great washing-up bowl debate.

What's The Point Of PMQs (23:42)

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There's a new divide in British politics: young men are becoming more right-wing, just as young women turn left. Patrick asks what's causing this growing political gender gap, the impact it could have on the general election and how MPs should respond to it. 

Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Danny Finkelstein and Polly Mackenzie answer listener's questions.

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Patick Maguire is back looking after the podcast this week as Matt is away for half term. Today he looks at Keir Starmer's relationship with Joe Biden to ask whether it is wise for the leader of the opposition to put all of his eggs in a Democrat basket.

Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss if Rishi Sunak should be worried about the crumbling rural wall, whether state schools are failing our brightest children, and how old is too old to run a country?

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With constituents asking their MP to deal with everything from arguments about hedges to parking tickets, are politicians are struggling to focus on the other part of their job - passing better laws? Matt speaks to Charles Walker and a range of other MPs about the rising levels of casework.

Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss President Biden's memory issues, Labour's climate U-turn, and Kemi Badenoch's 'star power'. 

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On Throwback Thursdays Matt speaks to the politicians of the past to find out lessons for the present.

Estelle Morris was Education Secretary under Tony Blair but resigned in 2002 because she felt she wasn't up to the job. The former teacher describes swapping the classroom for the Commons, why it was bittersweet being elected for the first time during Labour's general election defeat in 1992, and the moment she knew she had to go.

Plus: Manveen Rana and Matthew Holehouse discuss Labour's u-turn on its £28 billion pledge and Rishi Sunak's defence of making a trans joke at PMQs.

Columnist Panel: (03:30)

Throwback Thursdays (25:05)

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Rishi Sunak attacks Keir Starmer for flip-flopping, but turns the proceedings sour with a scripted jibe about trans rights.

Matt is joined by Caroline Wheeler, Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the angry exchanges from PMQs.

Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Hadley Freeman discuss Joe Biden's latest blunders, mindfulness in schools, and what Kemi Badenoch has in commons with Taylor Swift.

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