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Times Radio

The Times brings together some of the most experienced strategists in British politics to discuss what's really going on behind the big stories, and elections taking place here and around the world.

Daniel Finkelstein, Sally Morgan and Polly Mackenzie join Hugo Rifkind for an intelligent, adversarial and witty conversation every week.

Follow the podcast now to never miss an episode.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

How To Win An Election

What are the chances that the elections in May 2026 in Scotland, Wales and England will lead to a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer?

That's one of the questions answered by the political masterminds in our Christmas episode. We also find out about their favourite political memorabilia, why the parties import advisers from America and Australia, and whether we've been stuck in a political timewarp since 2019.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

How To Predict Whether Starmer Will Survive 2026

We're joined by former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg for the latest in our series looking at how the most significant elections in our lifetimes were won, and how they were lost.

He takes us inside the 2010 Liberal Democrat campaign - from the first TV leaders' debate in British history, to Cleggmania and 'bigotgate' - ending in the first hung parliament since the 1970s and the frenzied days of negotiation that led to the coalition government.

Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk.

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

How... The Elections Were Won And Lost: Nick Clegg

The prime minister has been increasingly critical of Brexit this week, and says he wants a closer relationship with the EU - without rejoining key parts of the club.

But will Labour inevitably have to go further, and if they do will they be falling into a Reform UK trap?

We also discuss the role of the Downing Street 'maverick genius' - and what that's got to do with My Little Pony.

Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

How Labour Could Reverse Brexit

Was the Budget aimed at short-term political survival, or did it form part of a coherent electoral strategy?

Sally, Polly, Danny (and Hugo) discuss Rachel Reeves' statement - does it make it more likely that she and the prime minister will stay in their jobs, but more likely to lose the next election? What could she have learned from Gordon Brown's budgets? And does Kemi Badenoch's success in the Commons chamber mean anything in the world outside?

Send your questions, comment, voicenotes and weird food suggestions for Polly to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

How To Survive A Tax-Raising Budget

The prime minister is at the G20 in South Africa, the week ahead of a tricky budget. Is it fair to criticise him for being away, and can he influence negotiations over a peace plan for Ukraine?

Guto Harri unpacks the politics of the day - including China's super embassy, and Donald Trump's insults - with Michael Binyon and Lucy White.

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

Is Keir Really Never Here?

Can Keir Starmer persuade his backbenchers to back his tough new migration reforms - and stop them openly plotting his downfall?

We discuss how prime ministers have tried to keep their MPs on side, Alex Ferguson's advice for Tony Blair, and whether Andy Burnham could be heading back to Westminster (via Norfolk).

Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

How To Make Your MPs Like You

Keir Starmer has vowed to fight any plot to oust him - but has Downing Street's briefing operation against the plotters actually made his downfall more likely?

Sally, Pollly, Danny and Hugo discuss the prime minister's survival, and look at past plots that have succeeded - and those that haven't. From the curry house conspiracy against Tony Blair to doomed attempts to bring down David Cameron and Nick Clegg, how do they compare with the civil war in the Labour Party?

Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

How To Plot Against A Prime Minister

Danny says if Rachel Reeves raises income tax she will have to resign - and will make all political promises in the future worthless. Do the other political masterminds (and Hugo) agree?

We also discuss why Zack Polanski didn't like our discussion about the Green Party, whether British politicians are learning the wrong lessons from Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York, and Polly tries Marmite for the first time, ever.

Send your questions and comments to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

How Rachel Reeves Will Have To Resign

We're joined by William Hague for the latest in our series looking at how the biggest elections in recent political history were won - and how they were lost.

We go inside the Tory campaign, in which Hague's Conservative Party tried to convince the nation it was time for a common sense revolution - and ended up resembling the protester punched in the head by John Prescott.

From foot and mouth to Sharon Storer, from Thatcher announcing 'The mummy returns' to Oliver Letwin going into hiding, the team get under the skin of the campaign and ask why it couldn't make a dent in Tony Blair's popularity.

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

How...The Elections Were Won And Lost: Hague & The Tories in 2001

Rachel Reeves is thinking about increasing taxes - perhaps even breaking Labour's manifesto commitment not to raise income tax.

The political masterminds discuss what that would mean for the government's electoral fortunes, and whether they could end up like George HW Bush - who famously said 'Read my lips: no new taxes', only to do exactly that.

We also look at the pressure on Labour from Zack Polanski's Green Party, whether the government 'grid' of daily announcements has had its day, and which prime minister played the most musical instruments?

Send your questions, comments and views on marmite to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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

How To Raise Taxes

We're answering your questions this week, including whether Prime Minister's Questions really matters, how important is it to win the support of the newspapers, and does negative campaigning work?

Matt Chorley is joined by the political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk, or WhatsApp 0333 00 323 53 with the words 'How To Win'.

And we'll be recording a special episode of the podcast in front of a live audience - find the details here.

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

How To Win PMQs And The Papers

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