The Times Red Box Podcast

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Giles Whittell and Libby Purves. Francis Elliott: All four political parties are promising to cut taxes after the next election despite a deficit which is stubbornly refusing to fall. Worse they pretend they are doing so to make work pay for lower-income households but that's just not true. Vote for no tax cuts! Giles Whittell: China has been watching Vladimir Putin's brinkmanship in eastern Europe. It sees what can be accomplished through bullying indecisive western democracies, and has decided to have a go itself. Banning British MPs from visiting Hong Kong is a case in point. It's time to get angry with Beijing. Libby Purves: We need to think more intelligently about the distressing subject of paedophilia. Some men - and indeed a few women - are unnaturally and dangerously attracted to children. Not all of them abuse - or view the terrible online films. But for those still innocent who struggle, and hate themselves for this desire, there should be... &

Philip Webster is joined by Suzy Jagger, Hugo Rifkind and Roger Alton. The panel discuss the progress against Isis, the launch of The National - a brand new newspaper in Scotland - and Labour's popularity following the Thornberry affair. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Philip Webster is joined by Patrick Kidd, Anne Ashworth and Daniel Finkelstein. Recognising the church's role in society, the housing dilemma and Lord Owen's proposal. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Roger Boyes and Alice Thomson. Labour leadership, Obama foreign policy and tackling dementia. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Ann Treneman and Rachel Sylvester. David Aaronovitch: The Age of Uncertainty. Not only do we not know the likely result of the next election, but it would be a fool who even attempted a prediction. In May we could see everyone losing and by June all three major party leaders standing down. Eek. Ann Treneman: George Osborne is on a one man mission to revitalise the north although the phrase 'northern powerhouse' may be the most patronising thing a politician has come up with for some time. But will London - or Westminster - ever allow such a thing really? In a nation that cannot even find one person to head an inquiry who isn't a member of the great and the good, is the very idea of the dispersal of power simply an anathema ? Rachel Sylvester: The internet is about to transform the way we deal with the state. The geeks in hoodies at the Government Digital Service have devised a way of verifying your identity securely that will open up the number of... &

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Philip Webster and Libby Purves. Jenni Russell This week the Defence Secretary apologised after saying that some communities in Britain felt swamped by immigrants. He used a word that he must have known had a toxic resonance in the debate. The Archbishop of Canterbury, appalled, has pleaded with politicians not to portray individual immigrants as a 'deep menace'. He is right. Politicians are behaving scandalously. The answer to the problems created by rapid immigration is to change the rules of admission, not to abuse the people who follow them. Philip Webster It is in Labour's interest that UKIP wins the Rochester by-election. Such an outcome would leave the Tories in utter disarray, fearing further defections with a question mark over the future of David Cameron. But they cannot afford to say that, which is why they are campaigning hard there. Why? Because otherwise Cameron's message Vote UKIP, Get Labour has added salience. And UKIP might come for... &

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Laura Pitel and Richard Fletcher. Hugo Rifkind: "Mansion taxes, higher council taxes and rises in stamp duty are all opposed by many affluent homeowners, and often with good reason. They should realise that property in Britain is a time bomb they cannot escape. If measures are not taken soon to make more housing available to more people, then, twenty years from now, there will be such an appetite for savage taxes on homeowners as to make them inevitable." Laura Pitel: "Nigel Farage likes to say that UKIP is no longer a one-man band. But he is still the party’s biggest draw and its key decision-maker. If he quit tomorrow it would descend into chaos. UKIP is on a roll right now, but it is hard to see it surviving in the long term." Richard Fletcher: "The hostile rhetoric surrounding immigration has spooked big business. Capping EU immigration is not the answer, warns the CBI. But will big business be heard in a post crisis environment where politicians will...

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Philip Aldrick and Giles Whittell. The panel debate the effect of Andrew Lansley's health reforms, France and Germany's role in the stability of the Eurozone, plus Obama's foreign policy is put under the microscope. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster and Daniel Finkelstein to discuss UKIP politician, Douglas Carswell's victory in the Clacton by-election. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tim Montgomerie hosts this special edition of Did You Read? from the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham. Featuring Philip Collins, Ann Treneman and Tory MP Owen Paterson, plus Phil Webster talks about the most influential people on the right today. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tim Montgomerie hosts this special edition of Did You Read? from the Labour Party Conference in Manchester. Featuring Jenni Russell, Matthew Parris, Phil Webster, plus Matthew Elliott from Taxpayers Alliance and Marcus Roberts from the Fabian Society on the fallout from the Scottish Referendum. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Philip Collins, Richard Fletcher and Melanie Reid of The Times join Tim Montgomerie for this special edition of Did You Read?, where they discuss the Scottish Referendum result, the consequences for the entire UK as well as ask which party leader has come off worst? Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The panel discuss the latest news ahead of the independence referendum in Scotland and debate the potential political ramifications. Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Jenni Russell and political commentator and pollster Peter Kellner. Plus, the paper's Scottish Political Editor, Lindsay McIntosh, joins the debate direct from Scotland. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Matthew Parris and Deborah Haynes. Francis Elliott David Cameron in Portugal, Ed Miliband in France and Nick Clegg in Spain - which of them will be most enjoying their break? Mr Cameron is famously good at "chillaxing" but with the polls not so far following the economic growth figures he - arguably - has more to worry about than Mr Miliband. It is Mr Clegg, however, who most needs a break. Matthew Parris As the situation deteriorates in LIbya, the voices keenest for the 2011 intervention (including perhaps The Times) will re-set their advice, arguing now that the problem is that we haven't intervened enough. They will advocate further intervention. But these are the voices that originally advised that intervention-lite, all done from the air with no "boots on the ground" would do the trick. We must remind ourselves that they were wrong then, that we have no reason to trust their advice now, and that a period of silence from the neocons would be... &nbs

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Suzy Jagger, Roger Boyes and Patrick Kidd. Suzy Jagger Libya is at risk of fracturing into three fiefdoms - tripoli in the west, Benghazi in the east, and Sabbha in the south. Libya has enjoyed no stability since the overthrow of Gaddafi and points to a sobering third chapter of the Arab spring - uprising and coup; nascent democracy; and terrifying chaos. As the Middle East burns, literally, we have a foreign secretary with no foreign policy experience and a government with no foreign policy. Roger Boyes It's a hot summer. Wars in Syria, Iraq, Gaza, Ukraine, Afghanistan, trouble brewing in the South China Sea, Libya in flames. It hasn't been that bad for a century. All these flare-ups seem insoluble so it's tempting to look away, do the Harold Macmillan thing and shoot some grouse on the moors. But is all this killing really so difficult to stop? Patrick Kidd Cameron's packing the latest Ben Macintyre book (sensible fellow), Miliband's sucking up to a Labour donor... &n

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Matt Ridley and Anne Ashworth. David Aaronovitch Sometimes it is hard to grasp the meaning of an event. In the wake of the shooting down of the Malaysian airliner - almost certainly by pro-Russian separatists, it turns out that Vladimir Putin has been, in effect, waging war on his neighbour. The US claims that over 100 armoured vehicles have been given by Russia to the rebels in recent weeks begs the question of why we have done so little about it. Anne Ashworth Ain’t nothing going on but the rent, so long as millions of twentysomethings are concerned. However, politicians do not seem to be aware of the explosive growth in the private rented sector - now bigger than social housing - and the need for imaginative policy in this area which would provide more affordable homes to let. No wonder younger voters are so disaffected. Matt Ridley We’ve spent years encouraging faith schools, and when a group of Birmingham schools come along and show us what real...

Special addition: Tim Montgomerie is joined by Phil Collins, Jill Sherman and Phillip Webster after an extraordinary day which has seen an extensive cabinet reshuffle. The panel attempt to answer the following: 1. Is this still a reforming govt? 2. Has the reshuffle met expectations for women? 3. Is the Eurosceptic movement for an election or to last? Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Fay Schlesinger and Matthew Syed. Rachel Sylvester David Cameron is carrying out a reshuffle for women. How patronising. The truth is the Tories are struggling to get local associations to choose female candidates, and have failed to tackle the off-putting culture of the House of Commons. All the parties need more than tokenism to woo women voters. Fay Schlesinger In 1961, a new law challenged the so-called sanctity of life and raised fears of a 'slippery slope' and the untimely death of thousands. That law legalised suicide. This week Lords will debate assisted dying, which crosses another line by giving doctors a proactive hand in death. With the right controls, it makes compassionate and practical sense. In an ageing society, governments cannot shirk responsibility for helping people to die well. Matthew Syed There is a proposal to make “honesty lessons” for new MP’s compulsory. I think this is silly. The problem with trust in politics is much...

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Daniel Finkelstein, Ann Treneman and Patrick Kidd. Daniel Finkelstein: “The recent death of Gerry Conlon and the compensation paid to the wrongly convicted youths accused of raping the Central Park jogger, should remind us of the danger of hysteria and panic to the operation of the justice system. This week as I review the child abuse debate I wonder if we have forgotten this.” Ann Treneman: “Are we seeing the return of Parliament as a power in the land? On Monday, the Home Secretary repeatedly acknowledged the "relentless" campaigns by backbench MPs on the issue of alleged child abuse. But there is also the power of the Europhobes, who have got the government on the run. I would also say that Mr Speaker himself, by simply re-discovering something called the Urgent Questions, has made the Commons much more relevant. People say Parliament isn't what it used to be. Actually, I think it's growing in importance every year.” Patrick Kidd: “The warning is stark: to meet a £30bn...

This week, Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Matthew Parris and Jenni Russell. DYR? Francis Elliott If David Cameron really wants the European Commission to be an agent for change and a place where dynamic politicians go to complete a glittering career two of his arguments from the Juncker J'accuse speech last week - then why on earth is he poised to send Andrew Lansley to Brussels? Matthew Parris Neither my time nor my capacity for enquiry and deliberation are unlimited. So I have decided to have no opinion at all on what those involved should do about the ISIS crisis. We British are not involved. I have no opinion on the future of the US Space Program, either. Jenni Russell There's been outrage over the revelation that Facebook spent a week manipulating the news its users read to discover whether giving them sad or happy stories affected what they then posted online. The anger is justified. But we are all being manipulated all the time by what we read, see and choose to follow...