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Politics Unpacked
The Political Editors: Roland Watson
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After covering the US for the Times in the aftermath of 9/11 - and interviewing President Bush in the White House - Roland Watson returned to the "goldfish bowl" of Westminster, becoming the paper's political editor in time for the 2010 election. He tells Matt about Gordon Brown's prickly relationship with the press, making contacts in the coalition, and how David Cameron sowed the seeds of Brexit.
The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times.
Plus: Columnists India Knight and Gaby Hinsliff discuss Donald Trump's historic mugshot, who does and doesn't suffer from impostor syndrome, and Matt attempts to answer some GCSE maths questions.
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The Smoky Bacon Brexit Reset
26:45|Andy Burnham's deal with the EU could eliminate cross-border checks on food products - and spell the end for smoky bacon crisps.A cabinet minister says anyone concerned about the fate of the savoury snack should "get a life". But should we be scrapping one lot of red tape for another?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Lara Spirit and Matthew Parris.
DPMQs: Louise Haigh's Deputy Debut
43:12|Louise Haigh stands in for Andy Burnham at PMQs, where Tory MP Alex Burghart presses her on when Labour will bring down the benefits bill. But she stops short of giving him a date for cuts.Hugo unpacks the action from the chamber with Patrick Maguire, Ben Riley-Smith and Stefan Boscia.
The Tories Close The Polling Gap
33:14|The Conservative party is only two points behind Labour in the latest YouGov poll for the Times. But is returning to levels of support last seen before a disastrous general election something to shout about?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Charlotte Ivers.
Burnham Faces Reparations Row
34:32|Andy Burnham is joining The King in the Caribbean, where their visits are being overshadowed by demands for Britain to pay reparations for slavery. But should modern day Brits pay the price for the wrongs of the past?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Sebastian Payne.
Funding Healey’s Defence Plans
27:11|The Chancellor is looking at off-the-books ways to boost defence spending, including schemes reminiscent of Gordon Brown's controversial PFI - has the government learned the lessons of the past?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.
Healey Finds Out We're In Hock To The Bond Markets
34:52|The think-tanks have been poring over John Healey's first budget, and they find plenty of grim news in the small print.The chancellor didn't frighten the bond markets, but did he in fact sound a bit in hock to them?Lara Spirit is joined by Juliet Samuel and Josh Glancy to unpack the politics of the day.
PMQs: Burnham's Brexit Booby-Trap
26:10|Kemi Badenoch accuses Andy Burnham of contradicting himself on Brexit, after he said he didn’t want to reopen the debate about re-joining the EU, but wants to improve the deal struck by the Tories - has the PM walked into a Brexit booby-trap? Hugo unpacks PMQs with The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire
Chancellor Braces For 'Economic Storm'
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Burnham Flirts With Europe
29:40|Andy Burnham says he won't push for allowing Britain to join Europe's freedom of movement scheme without a referendum, but would like to see the UK rejoin the EU in his lifetime - but is he being clear on what he wants the relationship to look like?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd