The Times Red Box Podcast

Plenty of former MPs, advisers and political journalists have tried their hand at writing fiction, and they often turn to the drama and skulduggery of Westminster for inspiration. So what makes a good political novel? Matt Chorley speaks to Conservative peer and House of Cards author Michael Dobbs, who says if he wrote a sequel he would introduce new, younger characters.Plus the first installment of the Times Radio Columnists Festive Focus Group, led by former Number 10 pollster James Johnson. Matt's regular panellists look back on a dramatic year for the Conservative Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire analyse the dramatic scenes at Westminster 50 years ago, when a protest by MPs against rising unemployment caused uproar and led to the Commons being suspended.The events of the day are recreated by actor and impressionist Kieran Hodgson, before Matt speaks to a minister in Edward Heath’s government about his memories of the time. Plus Times columnist Melanie Reid and Daily Mirror political editor John Stevens talk about Conservative MPs calling for ministers to negotiate with nurses, the Scottish Government raising taxes, and why we should stop moaning about snow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times Radio focus group meets for the last time this year. Matt Chorley is joined by James Johnson from J.L. Partners to see what floating voters make of Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, and whether they've heard of Jeremy Hunt.Plus columnists Manveen Rana and James Marriott discuss how much they'd be willing to pay to hear Boris Johnson give a speech, whether farmers will vote Conservative, and James explains what happened when he went on a terrible stag do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at the last Prime Minister's Questions of 2022, with Keir Starmer accusing Rishi Sunak of going into hibernation over the NHS and Sunak claiming the strikes were Labour's 'nightmare before Christmas'. Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss a major incident in the channel as a migrant boat capsizes, whether Starmer is secretly ruthless or not, and what Andrew Bridgen has been getting up to in Parliament.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finding themselves on a week-long Times cruise from New York to Southampton, Matt Chorley talks to former cabinet minister Ed Balls about the chances of him returning to politics, his next big challenge and the risk of Keir Starmer becoming complacent in the same way Labour did ahead of the 1992 General Election.Plus columnists Rachel Sylvester and David Aaronovitch ask whether union leader Mick Lynch has gone overboard in his latest round of media interviews, the motivation behind Priti Patel's new group calling for Tory party democracy, and whether Wes Streeting is the next leader of the Labour Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After giving evidence to the House of Lords, taking on David Beckham over human rights and becoming an unlikely cheerleader for Liz Truss, Joe Lycett is now a fully-fledged political comedian. He speaks to Matt Chorley about his year of political stunts, and what he has planned for 2023.Plus columnists Libby Purves and Jenni Russell on strikes, ministers in open-plan offices, whether we should all pay more tax and JK Rowling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Matt Hancock releases his 'Pandemic Diaries', Patrick Maguire asks what makes a great political diary? He speaks to Sir Alan Duncan, who published his recollections of the Brexit years, literary agent Martin Redfern and the political journalist Michael Crick.Plus, columnists Melanie Reid and Matthew Syed discuss the army being used to replace striking workers, the UK's coldest constituency, and England playing France at the World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Summer 2021 the eyes of the world were on Afghanistan as the West's 20-year mission came to an end. This winter the situation for ordinary Afghans is dire, and the Times and Sunday Times have partnered with Afghanaid for our 2022 Christmas appeal.Patrick Maguire speaks to Times diplomatic correspondent Catherine Philp, former Afghan MP Fawzia Koofi and Afghanaid's Charles Davy.Plus columnists Manveen Rana and Kenny Farquharson discuss the politics of opening a new coal mine, SNP unity and the news that Rachel Reeves sends 3,200 Christmas cards every year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Patrick Maguire travels back to the late 1970s and the Winter of Discontent with author Phil Tinline. What caused this prolonged period of industrial unrest, how did it end and what can today's union leaders and politicians learn from it?Plus columnist Danny Finkelstein and the Mirror's John Stevens discuss whether public support for strikes will hold, whether the government should water down its house building targets, and whether it matters that Matt Hancock's pandemic diaries aren't really diaries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much politics is taking place on the sidelines of the World Cup? Patrick Maguire looks at the wheeling and dealing in Qatar with Sunday Times special correspondent Josh Glancy, and hears examples of sporting diplomacy over the years with former Times foreign correspondent Michael Binyon and former ambassador to Russia, Sir Roderic Lyne. Plus columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the Government's plan to give workers the right to request flexible working and deadline day for Conservative MPs to declare if they're standing at the next election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK has seven living ex-prime ministers for the first time in modern history. But how should a former leader behave when they've left the top job? Patrick Maguire speaks to journalist Steve Richards and former advisers to both John Major and Boris Johnson, while Times sketch writer Quentin Letts gives his advice on how to retain your authority on the backbenches. Plus columnists James Forsyth and Melanie Reid ask who the public will blame for the Christmas strikes, whether Boris Johnson will really run again at the next election and whether football matches are better without alcohol. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley visits the Political Cartoon of the Year Awards and speaks to cartoon superfans Jacob Rees-Mogg and Angela Rayner. He discusses the role of the cartoon in British political life - and why they remain relevant in the digital age - with winners Ben Jennings, Nick Newman and Clive Goddard. Plus columnists James Marriott and India Knight discuss the Buckingham Palace race row, whether second homes are good or bad, and a book dedicated to calling out untruths on the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, as Sir Keir Starmer calls for an end to charitable status for private schools and launches a personal attack on Rishi Sunak over his education policy.Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton on a breakthrough Alzheimer's drug, why the generation gap is threatening to sink the Conservatives, and what's the longest you've ever been for lunch? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say that if you want a friend in politics, get a dog. But with an estimated 10.3 million dogs in the UK, have we now got too many?Matt Chorley talks to Anna Webb, Alexis Conran and others about the policies needed to deal with a rise in pet ownership - from how to regulate professional dog walkers to whether to fine people for going out without a dog poo bag.Plus Finkelvitch - Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss whether criticism of Qatar has gone too far, and whether attacks on Keir Starmer's private school policy will damage Labour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With immigration at a record high and claims of backsliding on Brexit, are we about to see the resurgance of a party to the right of British politics? Matt Chorley analyses the threat to the Conservatives posed by Nigel Farage, and asks Reform UK's leader Richard Tice why his party isn't doing better in the polls.Plus columnists Libby Purves, Rachel Sylvester and Paul Johnson on wind farms, a museum which has closed a 'racist and sexist' display about its founder, and whether the country can afford big pay rises for public sector workers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget focus groups, watching Channel 4's Gogglebox can be a great insight into what the nation thinks about its politicians. The show's creator Stephen Lambert tells Matt how the idea came about and how it became must-see TV for prime ministers. Ex-Goggleboxers Steph and Dom talk about their time on the sofa, and Josh Tapper says it led him to want to be an MP.Plus columnists James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on Boris Johnson and Liz Truss joining a backbench rebellion, whether foreign students should be counted in the immigration figures, and why journalists - apart from James - don't dress as smartly as they used to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After more Conservative MPs announce they will stand down at the next election, Matt Chorley asks Lucy Fisher and Matthew Parris if it could turn into an exodus. He also hears from former MPs Gyles Brandreth and Edwina Currie, who talks about her later career as a novelist.Plus columnists James Marriott and Manveen Rana on immigration, energy saving, artificial intelligence and what happened when a minister sent the wrong recorded message to a conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Tim Shipman pause the action and analyse the exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, as Sir Keir Starmer compares Rishi Sunak to a bottom of the league football manager and Sunak accuses Starmer of flip-flopping.Plus columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton on whether union boss Mick Lynch is the Grinch, how to escape 'goblin mode', holidaying in Qatar and our addiction to fast fashion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has withdrawn the whip from Jeremy Corbyn, but has to decide whether he can stand for Labour at the next election. If he doesn't, could he end up running as an independent?Matt and Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire talk to Corbyn's former spokesman James Schneider and Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, and look at exclusive polling suggesting the Conservatives should stop going on about him.Plus columnists Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch talk about whether we need to hear from ministers every day, reports that Rishi Sunak is registered with a private GP and Meghan Markle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.