The Times Red Box Podcast

After the government announced it may ditch the Conservatives' law to fight cancel culture on campuses, Ed Vaizey asks whether freedom of speech at University is under threat. He hears the cases for and against - including from former universities minister Robert Halfon, who was in government when the law was passed.Plus: Columnists Miranda Green and Carolyn Quinn discuss Keir Starmer's spat with X owner Elon Musk, the state of our prisons, and heckling Liz Truss at Fringe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As rioters rampage through towns and cities across the country, Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves join Ed Vaizey to discuss what Keir Starmer should do in the courts, online and in Parliament to stop the surge in far-right violence.Plus: Vaizey's Voyage takes a tour around Europe to find out how the backlash against tourists might affect your summer holiday.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer says he's running a 'mission-led government', and this week Adam Boulton is looking at all five of his missions. Today it's his plan to 'build a NHS fit for the future'.Plus: Columnists James Mariott and Jane Merrick discuss Keir Starmer's plans to stop the summer of riots, the dangers of unregulated social media and why we should be reading more novels... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer says he's running a 'mission-led government', and this week Adam Boulton is looking at all five of his missions. Today it's his plan to break down the barriers to opportunity and smash the 'class ceiling'. Will it work, and what is oracy?Plus: Columnists James Heale and Rachel Cunliffe discuss whether the PM can risk taking a holiday, whether Mel Stride could win the Tory leadership contest, and why Parliament is crumbling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Boulton continues his analysis of Keir Starmer's five missions for the Labour government, today it's his plan to 'take back our streets'. Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Robert Crampton discuss how misinformation contributed to the Southport protests, who is to blame for misuse of social media, and why soap operas make us more tolerant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Boulton continues his analysis of Keir Starmer's five missions for the Labour government.Today it's his plan to turn Britain into a “clean energy superpower”. And after the launch of the government-owned GB Energy, we hear about the battle to host its headquarters.Plus: Columnists Tim Montgomerie and Anne McElvoy discuss the Labour-Conservative blame game over the economy, and how the Tory leadership contest is shaping up as Robert Jenrick launches his campaign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Rachel Reeves addresses the nation with a warning about a £20 billion black hole in the public coffers, Adam Boulton is checking on the progress of Keir Starmer's five missions for the country, starting with the first: getting the highest economic growth in the G7.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Matthew Syed discuss whether Labour is already too soft on the unions, the Tory leadership contest, and Team GB's chances of winning big at the Olympics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Matt's last appearance on the podcast, and he's assembled comedians Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod and Nerine Skinner to give us their best political impressions - including the Tories in the running to lead the party.Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss the Olympics, Strictly, and we find out whether Matt really has been bullying James. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The starting gun has been fired and Conservative MPs have begun entering the race to become next leader of the party. Who will make it to the finish line? Matt speaks to supporters of some of the candidates, and hears advice from two Olympians-turned-politicians on how to go the distance. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell ask how the Tories can win over the under-30s, whether the end of cash is a good thing, and why organised crime gangs are getting into sheep rustling.Columnists (02:00)The Tory Olympics (25:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs is back, and this time it's Rishi Sunak putting questions to new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.Matt unpacks the action from the new-look Commons chamber with the help of Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit, as both party leaders are unusually consensual and polite.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Starmer's ruthless streak after suspending seven rebel MPs, Kamala Harris' first presidential campaign rally, and James Cleverly's leadership video. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special advisers, known as 'SpAds', are being appointed left and right and centre by the new government. But what do they actually do? Matt is joined by former advisers Nikki da Costa, Henry Newman, Catherine MacLeod, Peter Cardwell, and Emily Walch, to discuss how to deal with your minister, the civil service, and the media.Plus: Why was Tony Blair advised not to do televised debates? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Times Red Box newsletter celebrates its 10th birthday, Matt rounds up all the previous editors to look back over a remarkable decade in politics, and finds out what it's really like to make sense of it in your pyjamas.Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Iain Martin discuss Joe Biden withdrawing from the presidential race and who will be the next Tory party leader.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As thousands of performers descend upon Edinburgh for the Fringe, those promising topical comedy are buried in hasty rewrites after the snap election. But is there less to satirise under Keir Starmer? Matt is joined by former MP Mhairi Black, who’s making her Fringe debut, Steve Richards, who’s taking his political stand-up on the road, Emma Sidi, who’s playing Sue Gray, and comedy critic Steve Bennett.Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Kirkup discuss the cult of Donald Trump, university written statements, Pret subscriptions, and who is the coolest new MP? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt takes a look at the government's new gang of four - Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves and Pat McFadden. Will they make all the big decisions before they reach cabinet, and will it stop them from falling out?Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss the ghost of Liz Truss and whether MPs should be allowed to read their speeches in the Commons chamber. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

King Charles III has set out the government's plans for the year ahead, but what happened the last time a King was on the throne unveiling the programme for an incoming Labour prime minister?We look back at 1945, when Labour's Clement Attlee had defeated Conservative Winston Churchill, and find some surprising modern-day parallels. The voice of George VI is provided by the actor Kieran Hodgson.Plus: Columnists Robert Crampton and Trevor Phillips discuss the scale of opposition to planning reform and Trevor's warning about tribal politics here and in America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has promised to "deliver from the get-go”, but what does a focus on delivery really mean? Matt is joined by US political theorist Matt Stoller, who coined the term “deliverism”, and former government advisers Claire Ainsley and Sir Michael Barber.Plus: The race to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader has been underway for 10 days - is it any clearer who could come next?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Joe Biden gaffes his way through his latest press conference, columnists James Marriott and India Knight ask if he should stand down. They also discuss whether PM Keir Starmer should smile more, the luxury of not having a smartphone, and the collective joy of watching sport..Plus: From interviewing prime ministers and presidents, to being unwitting target of a surface-to-air missile over Africa, The Sun's Trevor Kavanagh has seen - and done - it all. He tells Matt about his career, spanning nearly 50 years, and his biggest scoops.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Keir Starmer told us his children are campaigning to get a German Shepherd, we find out whether there's room for one in the flat above Downing Street. Matt is joined by 'The Dogfather' Graeme Hall, and he speaks to the new Lib Dem MP Steve Darling about his guide dog Jenny.And with big dog John Prescott retiring from the House of Lords, we look back at some of his best bits with columnists Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana.Columnists (04:05)Political pets (23:30) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer is in America for his first Nato summit as prime minister, but what kind of leader will he be on the world stage? Matt is joined by correspondents around the world to analyse the foreign policy challenges the Labour government will face in the coming years.Plus: Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss whether a younger parliament is good news for Gen Z, why we shouldn't be surprised the French election was crazy, and whether MPs should be forced to wear ties in Parliament.  Columnists (03:45)Starmer Goes Global (26:23) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Commons meets to elect the Speaker, who has made a success of the job - and who hasn't? Matt speaks to two former deputy speakers to find out how the job works, and asks why they'd like to ban mobile phones in the chamber.Plus: After Joe Biden's press secretary bats away questions about the US president's health, we compare the way journalists cover the White House and 10 Downing Street. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.