Red Box Politics Podcast The Times

Broadcasting legend Trevor McDonald is arguably the most recognisable face (and voice) in British news broadcasting history. He talks to Matt about his 60-year career including interviewing Saddam Hussein, Colonel Gaddafi, and securing the first interview with Nelson Mandela after his release from prison.
Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss Omid Scobie's penchant for publicity, whether reality really is stranger than fiction, how much is too much to spend on biscuits, and how to become a Freeman of London.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling author Kate Mosse tells Matt what she would do if she ruled the world, including making people be nicer to each other and giving a cabinet job to a medieval princess.

Plus: We look back on the life of former chancellor Alistair Darling after his death this week aged 70.

The headlines are dominated by statistics about who is coming to the UK and why; but what is it like to come to Britain as a child refugee, without your parents or the ability to speak English, and make a success of life in the UK? 
Somali born Hashi Mohamed arrived in North London aged 9. He tells Matt about his journey to becoming a top barrister and author, why people from poor backgrounds face the same obstacles he did, and why he is put off from a career in politics.
Plus: Columnists Jenni Russell and Matthew Parris discuss the legacy of Henry Kissinger, whether mental health sickness leave has led to a spike of skivers, and whether we should mourn cuts to Newsnight.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The dad jokes are flowing at Prime Minister's Questions, as Keir Starmer accuses Rishi Sunak of 'losing his marbles' after falling out with the Greek prime minister.
Matt is joined by Giles Coren, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the exchanges from the Commons chamber.
Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton talk about bringing funerals back into fashion, Robert's experience on the march against anti-semitism, and whether there really is a shortage of British ballet dancers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt is joined by parliamentary sketch writers old and new to discuss the art of the political sketch. Hear first hand from the people whose job is to poke fun at politicians, which MPs are the ones to watch, and what topics are off limit.
Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win An Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein chat about how to see off rebels within your own party.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As ministers try to plot a new path to cut record migration numbers, Reform UK - formerly the Brexit Party - hopes to win over disillusioned Conservative voters. Patrick Maguire is joined by Iain Martin and John Stevens to discuss the threat to the Tories, and whether Labour was right to mock Rishi Sunak's use of a hammer.
PLUS: In Patrick's political counter-factual series "What If", Labour's Lord Adonis and Lib Dem Baroness Featherstone remember the 2010 coalition talks and discuss what might have happened if Nick Clegg's party had rejected the Conservative offer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.