The Times Red Box Podcast

After our special documentary series, the Sunday Shows at 50, charting the rise and fall of Sunday political shows, Matt Chorley interviews broadcast legend Andrew Neil ahead of the launch of a new political TV show this weekend, discussing his plans to reinvent the format and his view of today's politicians. PLUS COLUMNISTS: James Forsyth and Rachel Cunliffe break down the election results as they unfolded. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After almost five years near total silence, Big Ben is ready to bong again. Matt Chorley got exclusive access to the Elizabeth Tower to see how the restoration is going. He speaks to Keith Scobie-Youngs, from the Cumbria Clock Company who have helped to fix the clock and Matthew Hamlyn, chair of the Elizabeth Tower project board.COLUMNISTS Knight at the Marriott, The Times' India Knight and James Marriott, on the life of a celebrity, shorthand and whether politicians and business should pay to be on social media.If you want to see Matt Chorley going up the Elizabeth Tower, check out the Times Red Box YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtrKDjMo42k See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley convenes the Disunited Kingdom panel to preview the local elections from the four corners of the UK.PLUS: Alice Thomson and Patrick Kidd discuss what voters in the South West really think, and French MP expenses.BONUS: MPs and Times Radio listeners tell tales from the doorstep, telling their experiences canvassing for elections. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley dives into this potentially historic Northern Ireland Assembly election including interviews with U105's News Editor Grainne McKinney, Bill White from the polling company LucidTalk, Dr Clare Rice and Lord Peter Hain who is a former Northern Ireland Secretary.PLUS FINKELVITCH: Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on all women shortlists, beergate and Roe vs Wade. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a flurry of more accounts of sexual harassment and bullying within Parliament, Carole Walker speaks to those who've seen it first hand and people who have both tried and are continuing to try to improve political life for women.PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester consider a Liberal Democrat and Labour electoral pact and the dangers of privatisation. 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, Spencer Cavendish, Sir Stafford Northcote, Sir Michael Hicks Beach and the First Earl of Kimberley John Wodehouse.Listen live to the next Leader of the Opposition every Monday morning from 10am on Times Radio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

25 years after New Labour's landslide, Matt Chorley lifts the lid on the fears, egos and infighting among the party's grandees. He dives into the Times Red Box podcast archive so you'll hear the voices of Tony Blair, Peter Mandelson, Anji Hunter, Margaret McDonagh, Phil Webster, Alistair Campbell and James Landale.PLUS James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on misogyny in Westminster and why we shouldn't mow our lawn to save the bees.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley is joined by James Johnson from Kekst CNC who has convened the latest Times Radio Focus Group to find out what they think about partygate, the cost of living and sexism in parliament.PLUS: India Knight and James Marriot discuss the revelation that an MP watched porn in parliament and ambitious children. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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

Matt Chorley sits down for an exclusive interview with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to discuss Planes, Trains and Automobiles.....and Ferries too.PLUS: Danny Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on Elon Musk and the use of anonymous sources in political journalism. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A victory for Macron who secured a second term as French President. Matt speaks to the Times’ Charles Bremner, and Sylvie Bermann, France’s ambassador to London. PLUS Times reporters in Europe on their reaction to the result. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt puts France under a microscope and heads to the different regions of France to find out what voters are thinking and what issues really matter to them. Interviews with local reporters, exclusive polling from YouGov’s Patrick English and David Runciman on the future of France and what that means to Europe.Columnists Rachel Cunliffe and James Forsyth talk about the possible end for Boris, our obsession with the Queen and keeping your name when you get married. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley speaks to one of Boris' former High Commissioners to the country and an Indian MP to find out what will be on the agenda for the PM's trip to India, PLUS: The Times' Carol Lewis and the Spectator's Katy Balls See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley is joined by Patrick Maguire to analyse the exchanges between Sir Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson at Prime Minister's Questions.PLUS Robert Crampton and Janice Turner discuss the Prime Minister's 35 apologies and Anglophobia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As it's the first day back to Parliament after the Easter break, Matt Chorley speaks to Lucy Fisher, Times Radio's Chief Political Commentator and Professor Sir John Curtice from the University of Strathclyde to uncover what it all means for voters.PLUS David Aaronovitch and Daniel Finklestein discuss Boris Johnson's partygate fixed penalty notice and the French Elections. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How's the UK's refugee policy going? Luke speaks to 'Aziz' Afghan refugee who has been stuck in a hotel for six months, Presenter Dr. Bendor Grosvenor, Debbie Gaze and Jane Finlay Blackall about housing Ukrainian refugees in their homes in the UK.PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss Boris Johnson's leadership and going to university. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week, we heard about the rise of Andrew Marr and his decision to leave Sunday mornings. It’s the last episode of the documentary series. Matt speaks to the new kid on the Sunday politics block, Sophy Ridge on Sky News, and we hear from Trevor Phillips on confronting ministers over the death of his daughter. PLUS the future of Sunday Shows with Tony Blair, Jeremy Vine and John Humphrys and more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week we heard about the 21st century boom of political shows, this week we hear about how the axing of Breakfast with Frost paved the way for a new face of Sunday politics, Andrew Marr. Featuring the man himself, Barney Jones, William Hague, Peter Mandelson and more.. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50.Last week we heard about the rise of the BBC's 'On the Record', this week we hear how an explosion of new shows competed for dominance after the turn of the century. Featuring Jeremy Vine, Jonathan Dimbelby, Adam Boulton, Tony Blair, William Hague and more... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of Sunday political TV shows with Sunday shows at 50. Last week we heard how David Frost came to dominate Sunday breakfast time, now the tale of how Jonathan Dimbleby, John Humphrys and a crocodile had politicians for lunch. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.