The Times Red Box Podcast

Matt Chorley broadcasts live from Cardiff. He spoke to Welsh Secretary Simon Hart and he dives into the story of the Welshman who founded Donetsk in Ukraine.PLUS COLUMNISTS Will Hayward and Bronwen Weatherby talk about the Welsh response to Ukraine and policing in Wales. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley and the Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Matt Hancock finding love and the comeback of liberal democracy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise of Vladimir Putin and how he became such a fierce adversary of the West.PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss whether Britain rises to the occasion when it comes to conflict. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise of Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The former lawyer, actor and comedian who is now leading Ukraine in war with Vladimir Putin. PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss helping Ukrainian refugees and petty past convictions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of the Sunday political TV show, starting by going behind-the-scenes of the heavyweight, sometimes heavy-going, Weekend World which launched in 1972. The brainchild of John Birt, it was fronted first by Peter Jay, then later the formidable former Labour MP Brian Walden, and then finally former Conservative MP Matthew Parris. From Walden’s complex interviewing format, to a relaunch which cost Parris his wonky teeth, this is the story of a show which made political and journalistic careers.Interviewees including Peter Jay, former Times economics editor and first Weekend World presenter; Matthew Parris, Weekend World's last presenter; producers David Aaronovitch, Trevor Phillips and Peter Mandelson, politicians including Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, and William Hague, and prominent journalists Jeremy Vine and John Humphrys. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Putin mounted his invasion of Ukraine, Matt Chorley analyses the global political and economic impact. GUESTS: Melanie Podolyak, James Johnson, Mick Antoniw and Danny Finkelstien. PLUS India Knight & James Marriott See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley and Chief Political Commentator of the Sunday Times Tim Shipman pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS: Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the days news See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Emmanuel Macron is one of Europe's key figures during the Ukraine crisis, but has failed to find a diplomatic solution. Matt Chorley finds out what his ambitions are and what he's really like. PLUS: Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On the 21st of February 1972, President Nixon landed in China - Matt Chorley asks how that visit changed US/ China relations in the following 50 years. PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss the day's news. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the Bishop of Exeter about levelling up the south west and talks about politics in the area with Patrick English from YouGov and the University of Exeter's Dr Hannah Bunting. Plus Alice Thomson and Sir Michael Barber discuss the day's news. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As veteran MPs quit the Commons, a new Yougov poll for Times Radio reveals 1 in 5 want to be an MP. Matt Chorley speaks to those leaving and those looking to arrive in the Commons about what life is like on the green-benches.PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott discuss the latest scandal to hit the Royal Family and new curriculum guidelines for schools.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley speaks to journalists from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to get the news from the four corners of the UK. This week: How do attitudes towards immigration differ in each country? PLUS: James Forsyth and Rosamund Urwin discuss what the government can do about the cost of living crisis and Britain's baby shortage. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Live from Glasgow, Matt Chorley speaks to Polling guru Sir John Curtice to take the temperature of Scottish politics before Ross Greer from the Scottish Greens and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole Hamilton debate the role of the smaller parties.PLUS Helen Stewart and Kenny Farquharson discuss the days news. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley speaks to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar about problems for the party and whether they can regain Labour's lost love.PLUS Melanie Reid and Alex Massie discuss Boris Johnson's leadership and Valentine's Day. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Tony Blair, Donald Trump, Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson. Well...sort of. Five lookalikes explain what it's like impersonating British politicians.PLUS: Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss British Foreign policy towards Europe in the face of the Ukraine crisis, and whether Scotland could introduce women-only train carriages. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With all the job changes in Downing Street, Matt Chorley speaks to Jack Brown, the former Historian in residence at 10 Downing Street and author of "Number 10 and hears from former advisers and permanent secretaries on why where you sit in No 10 really matters. Plus the Times' James Marriott and Carol Lewis talk about being envious and Labour's stance on defence. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley and Chief Political Commentator of the Sunday Times Tim Shipman pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions.PLUS Alibert: Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss heshuffle, teachers and farmers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley speaks to the Times’ Crime and Security Editor Fiona Hamilton, Regional London Director of the IOPC, Sal Naseem, and he speaks to two former Met heads Dr Victor Olisa and Shabnam Chaudri. And Finkelvitch, Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on when jokes have gone too far and University Challenge. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Despite raising taxes Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak think they're Thatcherites, but some of their MPs think they're socialists. We speak to the people who knew the Iron Lady best to find out what Thatcherism is...Plus Rachel Cunliffe and Rachel Sylvester discuss the day's news See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last year, to mark 300 years since Robert Walpole became Prime Minister, Matt Chorley learnt about every PM through history each week. This year, he's learning about each Leader of the Opposition with Nigel Fletcher from the Centre for Opposition Studies.Each month you'll find a collection of episodes on the podcast. This month it's Charles James Fox, George Ponsonby, George Tierney and Henry Petty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.