The Times Red Box Podcast

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. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis about the energy price cap announcement then assembles an expert panel, Emma Munbodh from The Times Money Mentor and Citizen's Advice's Abby Jitendra, to answer listener's questions about how it will affect them. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Shabnam Khan Dawran, an Afghan TV presenter who fled after the fall of Kabul last year. After the Taliban threatened to kill her for speaking out against their regime, she escaped to the UK where she is now a refugee. She tells her story now despite threats to her family.Also the columnist duo Knight at the Marriott, India Knight and James Marriott, on remembering lockdown and learning French. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire reflect on the Times Radio leadership hustings hosted by John Pienaar.PLUS Robert Crampton and Laura Freeman discuss the Finnish Prime Minister's partying antics and Autumn in August. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley explores how inflation is crippling the world. He hears from Times Correspondents Charles Bremner, Jane Flanagan, Bernard Lagan, Oliver Moody and Alistair Dawber. He also speaks to Daniel Tidemann from the Danish newspaper Berlingske and Andrew Sentance, Former Member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee.PLUS Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss serving in a rival leadership candidate's cabinet and flying. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Michael Gove announces he's stepping back from frontline politics, Matt Chorley looks back on his life and career. He hears from former Prime Minister David Cameron, Times Policy Editor, Oliver Wright, Rachel Woolf, former Advisor to Michael Gove, and Polly Mackenzie, Former Head of Policy for the Lib Dems.PLUS Carol Lewis and Manveen Rana on bin strikes and heat pumps. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelin starred chef extraordinaire Tom Kerridge joins Matt Chorley to talk about the pressures the hospitality industry is facing due to the cost of living crisis.PLUS Melanie Reid and David Collins on an overseas hiring spree to help the care sector and wonky vegetables. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley grabs a basket and heads into Iceland to speak to their Managing Director Richard Walker, on how the cost of living crisis has changed the way we shop.Also, India Knight and James Marriott on wokeness, free speech and spicy sausages. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

After exclusive polling revealed that one in six people are regularly skipping meals, Matt Chorley looks at the demands on food banks. He hears from Josie Barlow, Manager at Bradford Central Foodbank, Brenda Fogg, who founded the Hope Restored foodbank in Llandudno, and Megan Kelly, a volunteer at Skegoneill Community Foodbank in Belfast.PLUS Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss harvesting and sewage. AND a special appearance from Stig Abell. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley asks how food fraud is affecting what we eat. He hears from Professor Chris Elliott from the Queen’s Institute for Global Food Security in Belfast, Ron McNaughton, head of the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit at Food Standards Scotland and Dr Terry McGrath the Chief Technical Operator of Bia Analytical, a company who test spices.PLUS Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss Starmer's plan and Civil Service groupthink. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley goes on a tour of Weston’s Farm in Horsham in West Sussex. He speaks to David Exwood, Vice President of the NFU and owner of the farm and an extra special guest.PLUS Libby Purves and Andrew Meredith on challenges farmers face and solar panels. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley interviews the tory leadership candidate and former Chancellor Rishi Sunak on the cost of living, GDP figures, the Northern Ireland Protocol and much more. Plus columnists Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss the day's news on Boris Johnson's legal action and Nicola Sturgeon. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley discusses the future of British space travel with Joshua Western, CEO and Co-founder of Space Forge; Melissa Thorpe, Head of Space Port Cornwall; David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects at Space Hub Sutherland; and Matthew Archer, Director of Commercial Spaceflight at the UK Space Agency.PLUS: James Marriott and India Knight discuss why charming people always come a cropper in the end. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley explores all four corners of the UK in Disunited Kingdom. He speaks to Ciaran Jones, Head of News at Wales Online, Caroline Wilson, Senior Reporter at The Herald, John Manley, Political Correspondent for Irish News, and Nicola Adam, Editor of the Lancashire Post and Blackpool Gazette.PLUS Alice Thomson and Trevor Kavanagh discuss the cost of living crisis and troubled teens. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the former Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull on why British politics is similar to down under, Boris Johnson, the monarchy and his tribute to Olivia Newton-John.Also columnists Oliver Kamm and David Aaronovitch on not having a government, amnesty international and fine wines.  Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Sunday Times Chief Foreign Correspondent Christina Lamb who has travelled back to Kabul, Afghanistan to find out how the country has changed a year since the Taliban began its march into the capital.PLUS: Rachel Cunliffe and Rachel Sylvester discuss the day’s news. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire celebrates 100 years since Philip Larkin's birth. He speaks to former Poet Laureate and biographer Sir Andrew Motion who worked with Larkin at the University of Hull, James Marriott, Times' Deputy Books Editor and Daljit Nagra, Chair of the Royal Society of Literature.PLUS James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on Truss's tax proposals and the hosepipe ban. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Both Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss plan to usher in the return of grammar schools, but do they actually help provide opportunities to working class families? Patrick Maguire traces the history of the debate with Margaret Thatcher's Education Secretary Lord Baker, and asks Tory MP Jonathan Gullis why he thinks now is the right time to bring them back.PLUS: James Marriott and Martha Gill on youthful optimism and friendship in politics. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Patrick Maguire explores all four corners of the UK in Disunited Kingdom. He speaks to Liam Thorp Political Editor at the Liverpool Echo, Liz Perkins Senior Reporter at the South Wales Evening Post, Hannah Brown, Political Reporter at The Scotsman and Caoimhe Quinn broadcast journalist at U105 in Belfast.PLUS Robert Crampton and James Kirkup discuss politicians' fears of nannying and swimming pools. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Patrick Maguire questions whether the levelling up agenda is dead under a new Prime Minister. He hears from Ben Houchen, the Conservative mayor of the Tees Valley, Tory MP for Rother Valley Alex Stafford and Adam Hawksbee, the head of levelling up at Onward.PLUS Hugo Rifkind and David Aaronovitch discuss Penny Mordaunt's leadership endorsement and smartphones not rotting your brain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.