October 2021 Focus Group

Mark Menzies MP is being investigated by the Conservative party following claims he misused campaign funds, making a late-night call to a 78-year-old aide because he had been locked up by "bad people". The Fylde MP, who has lost the Tory whip, denies the claims.Matt discusses the remarkable details with Billy Kenber, the Times journalist who broke the story, Conservative MP John Hayes, and Times columnists Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time in a month, Tim Shipman joins Matt Chorley to pause and unpack the action from the Commons chamber as Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak attack each other's predecessors and tax plans.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether Rishi Sunak's good week could create some momentum for the Conservatives, meeting unfriendly politicians and whether musicians should blame the audience for a bad show.Columnists (02:47)PMQs Unpacked (25:26)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liz Truss is back with her new book '10 Years To Save The West', where she recounts her brief time in Number 10. Matt brings you the best bits courtesy of impressionist Nerine Skinner and discusses the Truss legacy with former adviser Kirsty Buchanan, biographers Harry Cole and James Heale, and Truss backer Mark Littlewood.Plus: What risk does the CRINK alliance - that's China, Russia, Iran and North Korea - pose to the world order?How To Win An Election (03:44)10 Minutes To Save Liz Truss (20:22) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the 100th MP announces they are leaving the Commons at the election, Matt continues his series of interviews finding out what they've learned and why they're going.Conservative MP Henry Smith talks about his disillusionment with the Conservative Party, abuse on social media, and why he's not going to persuade his children to follow him into politics.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the role Britain should play in the latest escalation in the Middle East, why employment law disputes drag on too long, and whether political adverts could be making their way onto a streaming service near you.The Exit Interview (21:45) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much do parties spend on "big data", and how much do they still rely on old-fashioned leaflets through the door?Matt finds out how they're planning to spend record amounts this election year, and why some past campaign expenses included 'pest control' and 'emergency chair removal'.Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss Reform UK's woes, teenagers using social media, and supermarket orchids.What We Learned This Week (00:58) Columnists (03:15)How Parties Spend (21:26) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Politicians always tell us the future looks bright, but a new YouGov survey shows that most people are wistful for the good old days. Exactly when you think that was depends on your age. Matt speaks to guests including Historian Dan Snow, who feels nostalgic for the 1990s.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matt Charlton discuss Rishi Sunak's five pledges, whether artists should be asked to help promote social initiatives, and whether it's ethical for journalists to wait outside politicians' homes. Columnists (02:05)When Were The Good Old Days? (21:56) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Chorley, Patrick Maguire and Andrew Gimson give the "Unpacked" treatment to a classic PMQs, with Tony Blair and David Cameron going head-to-head in December 2005 for Cameron's debut as Conservative leader. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether children are being failed by gender care in the UK, if athletes should be awarded prize money at the Olympics, and pothole fishing.Columnists: (04:24)Classic PMQs Unpacked: (23:23) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it possible to have a happy family life and be a Member of Parliament? Matt speaks to MPs and their family members to find out about the pressures of life at Westminster, and whether more needs to be done to modernise.Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein discuss how to prepare for a TV debate. How To Win An Election (03:50)Why Politics Isn't A Family Affair (16:20) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've learned from politics.Conservative MP and former minister Paul Scully explains why he's sick of the Westminster 'psychodrama', his proudest moment working for victims of the Post Office scandal, and discusses the impact that politics can have on family life.Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss the persistent questions over Angela Rayner's tax affairs, the Westminster 'honey trap' sexting scandal, and why Keir Starmer could end up with the same share of the vote as Jeremy Corbyn.The Columnists (03:50)The Exit Interviews (26:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire is joined by John Elledge to discuss the borders that explain world politics - from London's Ulez to the edge of space. PLUS: Columnists India Knight and James Heale discuss whether the public will appreciate the latest National Insurance cut, what happened when James went to Nigel Farage's 60th, and whether the Liz Truss story will get its own Netflix series.Columnists (00:41)The Borders That Explain World Politics (20:53) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.