logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2023
42m 24s

Down Under Take Over

THE TIMES
About this episode

Whether it's a love of Kylie, cricket or beer, Australia and Britain have plenty in common when it comes to popular culture - and politics, with a new wave of strategists from down under stirring things up in Westminster.


Patrick Maguire in for Matt Chorley speaks to Senator James McGrath, who worked on Boris Johnson's mayoral campaign, John McTernan, who worked for Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and Kathy Lette, Australian-British author and comedy writer.


Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss Boris Johnson's WhatsApps, a campaign against the 'death tax', free speech tsars and why Spain doesn't want to go to the polls in the middle of the summer.


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

Up next
Today
Is the Chancellor Still In Control?
<p>It’s been a year since Rachel Reeves told the CBI she'd steer clear of extra borrowing or new tax rises. After a weekend spent defending her position, is the Chancellor really in control?</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers ... Show More
30m 31s
Nov 20
Ministers 'Dragging Heels' Over Single-sex Spaces
<p>The Times today reveals the guidance on transgender people using single-sex spaces like toilets and changing rooms. It's been sitting on the government's desk - are ministers trying to avoid a political backlash?&nbsp;</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day wit ... Show More
30m 56s
Nov 19
PMQs: A Labour Budget With Labour Values?
<p>Kemi Badenoch presses Keir Starmer over whether the government would "break another promise" by freezing income tax thresholds. With Starmer deferring to the chancellor’s plans next week, will it truly be “a Labour Budget with Labour values”?</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the ... Show More
41m 45s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2024
How Westminster fell in love with Australian politics
New host Sascha O'Sullivan explores Westminster's obsession with all things Australia — and considers the lessons British politics might learn from down under. From the U.K. Tory party's succession of Aussie campaign chiefs to the varying attempts to deploy Australian-style immig ... Show More
53m 42s
Mar 2023
Rishi Sunak tackles the small-boat crossings
<p>Even the Home Secretary Suella Braverman admitted there were questions over the legality of the tough new legislation introduced in the House of Commons this week. Others criticised it for being inhumane. We discuss the language and strategy of the policy and ask, is it workab ... Show More
25 m
Jul 2022
Boris Johnson lands back to earth
<p>We discuss whether Boris Johnson's Global Britain ambitions were achieved during his recent overseas trip and the fallout from the resignation of deputy chief whip Chris Pincher.&nbsp;</p><p>Plus, we explore Nicola Sturgeon's plans for a second Scottish independence referendum ... Show More
36m 5s
Nov 2023
A Week is a Long Time in Politics
Eight shadow ministers have resigned or were sacked from Labour’s frontbench after voting for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war. And new foreign secretary David Cameron makes his first visit to Ukraine.Adam and Chris talk over the huge political stories of the week wi ... Show More
34m 41s
Dec 2019
Another Queen’s Speech, another Brexit vote - plus Labour leadership latest
Parliament returned this week and Boris Johnson delivered on his election pledge of voting on Brexit legislation before Christmas. We discuss what lies ahead for the government’s programme, the new Bank of England governor and the mini cabinet non-reshuffle. Plus, we examine the ... Show More
35m 38s
Jun 2024
Why the Brits are fed up with the Tories
Unless there’s some sort of miracle for the Tories in the next few days, the party is about to be all but wiped out when the Brits head to the polls on July 4.UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has led a disastrous campaign, but the Conservative Party’s demise has been long in the mak ... Show More
14m 45s
Jan 2022
In conversation with Michael Cockerell
<p>Michael Cockerell has made some of the best political documentaries about UK politics, covering prime ministers from Harold Macmillan to Boris Johnson.&nbsp;</p><p>His new book, “Unmasking Our Leaders”, takes us into a career of political journalism and interviews regarding no ... Show More
27m 28s
Jan 2024
Why is trust in UK politics so low?
Today, we look at whether the voters trust political leaders. Laura, Paddy and Henry wrap up what the politicians made of the focus groups on Laura's show. Can politicians be trusted with the big issues voters believe the country faces? Who does the public think would make a good ... Show More
29m 17s
Mar 2024
Theresa Rules Out a May Election
Today we look at the announcement that Theresa May will leave the commons at the next election with two former close colleagues. Ali Donnelly, her former deputy spokesperson tells Adam what it’s like to receive a death stare from her.Former political adviser Cleo Watson says Brex ... Show More
39m 7s