Chopper's Politics
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The Telegraph's weekly politics podcast, presented by Christopher "Chopper" Hope. The podcast has interviews with top politicians and commentators and analysis from the Telegraph’s Westminster team.
Chopper's Politics is a must listen for those who want to understand British politics, delving into various aspects of policy, key players, and the internal movements of Westminster’s political parties. With a focus on the Conservative Party (Tories), the podcast examines the party’s policies, strategies, and ideologies. The podcast offers insights into prominent figures within the party, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson.
With a keen eye on the ever-evolving political landscape, the podcast explores the impact of the Red Wall - the traditionally Labour-supporting areas in the North of England that shifted allegiance to the Conservatives in recent elections - and the dynamics between the Conservatives and the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer.
In addition to Conservative and Labour politics, the podcast delves into the dynamics of other political parties like the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party providing analysis and discussions on their policies and strategies.
The podcast widens its scope to include discussions on the political climate in London, with a particular focus on the leadership of Mayor Sadiq Khan. It delves into the intricacies of Westminster, the seat of British political power, and examines the notion of the Westminster Bubble, where decisions and discussions can sometimes appear disconnected from the realities of the wider population.
With a strong emphasis on policy analysis, "Chopper's Politics" provides a platform for informed conversations surrounding British elections and their implications on topics such as geopolitics, foreign policy, international relations, and the evolving role of the United Kingdom in the global arena.
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103 Episodes
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In January 2021, the first Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccines made their way into people’s arms. By mid-march, 11 million people had received the jab.After successive lockdowns, it felt like a way out. But now, more than two years on, storm clouds are gathering.Today, 80 of them are preparing to sue Astrazeneca. They say that until now, no one has wanted to hear their stories. So we’re telling them.Find out more: ‘We were told the vaccine was safe - but what happened has been life-changing’Archive used in this episode from: BBC, Sky News, 10 Downing Street.Read more about the Lockdown Files here: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/lockdown-files |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk/lockdownfilespodcast |If you have any information that could help the investigation, you can email the team on lockdownfiles@telegraph.co.uk | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the face of major disasters, it is perhaps inevitable that there will be missteps. And when the dust settles, people are asked to account for their actions.How is history going to judge the government’s response to COVID?In this last episode of the Lockdown Files podcast, the investigations team at the Telegraph investigates potential mistakes at the heart of the pandemic response.Shutting schools, a lack of oversight with financial support and questions over whether lockdown would ever happen in the same way again.Finally, the team catches up with the latest news from the public inquiry and hears from a relative of someone who died as they watch the evidence unfold.Read more about the Lockdown Files here: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/lockdown-files |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk/lockdownfilespodcast |If you have any information that could help the investigation, you can email the team on lockdownfiles@telegraph.co.uk | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is it ever ok to scare the public?In this episode, the reporters dig into leaked messages which show a discussion between Matt Hancock and one of his team. They say “We frighten the pants off everyone with the new strain” and “When do we deploy the new variant”. The exchanges speak to a so-called “Project Fear”, which prompts the team to ask government ministers about whether decisions made were the right ones… We also speak to the adviser behind some of the government's messaging… And to a mum whose children are still dealing with the fall out tells her family’s story. Read more about the Lockdown Files here: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/lockdown-files |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk/lockdownfilespodcast |If you have any information that could help the investigation, you can email the team on lockdownfiles@telegraph.co.uk | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tens of thousands of care home residents died during the pandemic. Many people see it as the government’s biggest failure. Matt Hancock’s Whatsapp messages lifted the lid on conversations behind key decisions. But it wasn’t just the messages which were revealing… The team behind the Lockdown Files unearths new documents suggesting an unnerving offer made to care homes in Durham and Birmingham. Read more about the Lockdown Files here: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/lockdown-files |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk/lockdownfilespodcast |If you have any information that could help the investigation, you can email the team on lockdownfiles@telegraph.co.uk | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Investigations team looks back on the early days of the pandemic. How prepared was the government? Was lockdown inevitable? But they hit a stumbling block - they may have 100,000 messages, but there’s a gap in March. So the team decide that if they can’t read where those key decisions were made, they’d do the next best thing: speak to people who were in the room where it happenedRead more about the Lockdown Files here: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/lockdown-files |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk/lockdownfilespodcast |If you have any information that could help the investigation, you can email the team on lockdownfiles@telegraph.co.uk | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In January 2023, reporters at the Telegraph are called into a meeting. The newspaper has got something big.Matt Hancock’s Whatsapps from when he was the Health Secretary, during the pandemic: 100,000 messages. The reporters start digging.Rate and Review the Lockdown Files podcast here: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files |Read more about the Lockdown Files here: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/lockdown-files |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk/lockdownfilespodcast |If you have any information that could help the investigation, you can email the team on lockdownfiles@telegraph.co.uk | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this bonus episode of Chopper's politics, former BBC chairman Richard Sharp joins Chris for his 'exit interview' to discuss the controversial events surrounding his departure.Over a round of black velvets they discuss his opinions on former PM Boris Johnson, why he's in favour of a charter renewal and his advice for his successor.For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Over 360 episodes, 8.2 million listens and one Red Lion Pub, welcome to the last edition of Choppers Politics Podcast.Joining the Telegraph's legendary political journalist Chris Hope in Westminster's finest drinking hole is star of Spitting Image: Idiots Assemble, comedian Matt Forde, discussing comedy in a woke world as well as bringing some of his finest political impressions.Two big beasts of the Tory party also join Chris, including Jacob Rees Mogg airing his concerns about the privileges committee and Sir Bernard Jenkin, as well as the prospect of A.I. shouldering the burden of social care. Plus, Michael Gove drops by to discuss, amongst other thing, resurrecting an old (nautical) project very close to Chris' heart.And of course, how could we finish the show without long time friend of the podcast, the velvet-voiced Sir Geoffery Cox.For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Listen to The Lockdown Files: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s been a week when the economic picture has worsened for millions of us and to discuss the government wrestling with the problem - and how Liz Truss was right - is Ranil Jayawardena, a former Tory Cabinet minister in Truss’s administration.As Labour surge ahead in the polls, MP Rosie Duffield - sidelined by the leaders of her own party - joins Chris to discuss whether the party is ready for governing the country.Plus, schools have been at the forefront of recent news with reports of students identifying as cats and wolves. To discuss this, and concerns about the number of pupils missing lessons due to the hangover from the Covid pandemic, Schools Minister Nick Gibb popped by the pub to chat to Christopher Hope.For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to The Lockdown Files: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Treasury minister Andrew Griffith MP hot-foots it across the road to the Red Lion pub to tell Christopher Hope that he thinks banks should help families who are seeing their mortgage costs spiral, and face the awkward question of how he'd deal with a business that had three CEOs in the space of a year (Conservative Party, take note).Also on the podcast, Joy Morrissey MP, one of only seven Conservative MPs who voted against the privileges committee report into Boris Johnson, and a whip no less. She tells Chopper why she put her head above the parapet and how the "crucifixion" of the former Prime Minister has cause a "crisis" in her party.Plus Tim Knox, editor of the Effective Governance Forum on the changes needed to make the Civil Service and ministers work in perfect harmony.For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to The Lockdown Files: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On the day the former PM faces having his parliamentary pass removed after being found to have “deliberately” misled MPs over partygate, Christopher Hope is joined in the Red Lion by Boris Johnson's long-time pal, legendary pollster Frank Luntz. Frank thinks comparisons to Trump are unfair on Johnson, but bemoans the fact his friend did not take the seriousness of his post more seriously.Also on the podcast, the so-called grandfather of Brexit, Bill Cash MP, on why he's retiring and whether government is 'walking the line' when it comes to delivering on Brexit.Plus Phil White of Patriotic Millionaires on why he's pushing to pay more taxes, and Investigations Editor Claire Newell on The Telegraph's new podcast series, The Lockdown Files.For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to The Lockdown Files: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Finally the Covid inquiry starts next week - and the Government is in a right old tangle over what to do about it. Veteran Conservative MP and former Cabinet Minister David Davis joins Christopher Hope in the Red Lion to voice his concerns about the shadowy Government body called the Counter Disinformation Unit, which was used to spy on lockdown critics and why he'd only give the current government a 6/10.Also on the podcast, we explore what would Labour do about the Covid Whatsapp row, if it's not resolved by the time a potential Labour govt is formed next year, with Shadow Cabinet Office minister Baroness Jenny Chapman. She admits she had misgivings about closing schools, and also makes her pitch for a Prime Minister Starmer.Plus Tory London Mayor hopeful Dan Korski on what the capital would look like if he took the reigns, and his thoughts on a certain former London Mayor with a penchant for zip-wires.For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to Planet Normal: playpodca.st/planetnormal| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With the advent of AI and concerns over 8 million 'economically inactive' people in Britain, we thought it was high time we asked Mel Stride MP, Work and Pensions Secretary, back to the Red Lion pub for a chinwag.Hot off his heels and hot off the press was Onward think-tank Director Sebastian Payne brandishing the findings from their report "Missing Millennials", which sets out the challenge facing the Tories with younger voters.And in a week where Whatsapps from Boris Johnson are dominating the headlines again and the Partygate drama drags on, who better to hear from that Lord Cruddas of Shoreditch on the stitch-up of the former PM and Rishi Sunak's lack of mandate. For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offsctipt| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Immigration. The issue which drove so many people to vote to leave the EU before the 2016 EU referendum is back in the news and rising as an issue. Alp Mehmet, Chairman of Migration Watch, popped by the Red Lion pub to discuss the newest immigration figures of 606,000 net. It’s also been a big week for Labour's plans for the economy with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves jetting off (pun intended) to America to deliver her "business model for Britain" speech. One senior Labour MP who is doing some serious thinking about inequality and what the next Labour government needs to do about it is Liam Byrne, MP for Hodge Hill and a former Treasury minister.Plus, former Boris Johnson aide-turned-novelist Cleo Watson joins Chris to talk about partygate, Cummings and her new novel, "Whips", described as a cross between 50 Shades of Grey and House of Cards. For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offsctipt| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Olympian James Cracknell joins Christopher Hope in the Red Lion to explain why he hopes become a Tory MP, appropriately in Henley on Thames, and how he would react if a certain blonde, former PM tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to step aside...Also on the podcast, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer MP, fresh from a busy few weeks with the Coronation and then Eurovision, encourages Britain to embrace its cultural soft power, and urges charities to stay out of politics.Plus former producer to Andrew Neil, Jeremy Paxman and Emily Maitlis, Rob Burley reveals which revered TV legend once wrote a speech for then Prime Minister Thatcher, putting to bed the idea that journalists now are more biased, and shares his top interviewing tips with Chopper, not that he needs them...Why is this lying bastard lying to me? by Rob BurleyFor 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offsctipt| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sir Charles Walker MP joins Christopher Hope in the Red Lion this week to express his fears that we are descending into authoritarianism, after arrests of protestors this weekend at the Coronation. Plus as the MP for Broxbourne is not seeking re-election, he gets a few more things off his chest, such as how MPs these days are just "superannuated citizens advice bureaus". Ouch.Also on the podcast, Miriam Cates MP debates the nature of conservatism and reveals why she cried when the Government announced its plans to help only working mothers with the costs of their childcare, and it may not be for the reason you think.And veteran lobby journalist Andy McSmith returns to the Red Lion to share some choice anecdotes from his 40 years reporting in Westminster, and give his verdict on the state of modern politicians.Strange people I have known, by Andy McSmithFor 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offsctipt| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sir Keir Starmer claims that Labour is on course to win a majority at the next general election, after the party made gains and the Tories suffered heavy losses at local elections across England.But is claiming a Conservative crumbling to be a Labour win correct? Electoral Calculus's Martin Baxter and the Sunday Telegraph's Tony Diver join Christopher Hope at Telegraph Towers to discuss.Plus former digital minister Matt Warman MP discuss the other hot topic of the moment - no, not the Coronation - but AI, after concerns were raised this week about whether developments in artificial intelligence could have an impact on jobs sooner than we think.For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to Being the King: https://podfollow.com/being-the-king| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Christopher Hope gets a field trip this week, leaving the Red Lion behind for Lewes in Sussex. Chopper is joined by Conservative Party Chairman, Greg Hands and mental health minister and local MP Maria Caulfield, as they went out knocking on doors ahead of next week's local elections. Hands is quick to say that Sunak plays well on the doorsteps, but do the voters we hear from agree? And which former leader would he like to see being more vocal (clue is in the title, listeners). Plus the Conservative frontrunner for next year's London mayoral election, Samuel Kasumu, tells Chris why he has the backing of senior Tories such as Priti Patel and Grant Shapps, and why he wants to focus on improving the lots of people today and in future, rather than dwelling on Britain's past.For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to Ukraine: the latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine| Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tory grandee Sir Robert Syms makes a startling prediction to Christopher Hope in the Red Lion this week - he thinks his party can win the next election. The MP for Poole Symes thinks that people's political views are not as fixed as they used to be, and once the ship has steadied, Sunak can give the party a vision to inspire voters. Also on the podcast, Baroness Anne Jenkin explains the impact that smartphones are having on young people's perceptions of sex: "they have porn in their pockets and we don't know what the consequences of are going to be of this in future". Plus Pam Moorhouse and Gerard Dughill give Chopper their pitch for a return to historic British counties. Online porn is warping an entire generation, by Baroness Anne JenkinA century of the most powerful club in Parliament, by Christopher HopeGet Back Our British CountiesFor 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Sign up to the Chopper's Politics newsletter: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politicsnewsletter |Read Chopper's Peterborough diary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/peterborough-diary |Listen to Ukraine: the latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Chopper is off frolicking in the sun so this week Dia Chakravarty is in the podcast hotseat for an in-depth look at a subject that saw Conservative MPs starting their Easter holidays with a spring in their step - the CPTPP, or the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Not exactly catchy, is it?Amanda Tickel, Head of Tax and Trade Policy at Deloitte UK, and Liam Halligan, Economist and Telegraph columnist break down what the CPTPP is and how it differs from the EU. Plus Philip Davies MP and Shadow Minister for Trade Nick Thomas-Symonds give their somewhat different assessments on the possible pros and cons, whether the deal represents the Brexit people voted for, and how Labour might have negotiated differently. For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |Listen to Planet Normal: www.playpodca.st/planetnormal|Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Why do you never challenge Conservative politicians on why climate change mitigation is at best no 6 on their list? Is it because the government and your paper doesn't appreciate the grave and rapid affects we are already experiencing, and instead are in hoc to the fossil fuel industry?
It is unbelievable that an interview with the party chairman has no mention of the biggest problem the country and the world is facing, which is climate change. Although it is in line with Sunak's 5 priorities, and of course with the Telegraph's position of being totally in hoc to the fossil fuel industry.
Suella Braveman sounds wonderful: sensible, realistic, an optimist, fan of the British Empire, loyal, hard-working, brave and very intelligent.
The ECJ has conflict-of-interest, political influences: we should leave it Illegal economic immigration into any country is 100% wrong and the English public is totally fed up with it. Whoever can stop it hearts my vote. Rawanda is a band aid. The root cause is the UK govt hamstring itself from simply and promptly returning them to their safe European country of origin: usually France, sometimes Belgium.
One sided guff especially around Brexit!
One sided guff especially around Brexit!
What a terrible interview of two brexiteers that completely fail to acknowledge the failings of the Brexit deal. Deluded statements were made completely unchallenged. Come on Chopper, that love-in was appalling.
3 Brexiteers decide if they like Brexit
I found the interview with Laurence Fox extremely interesting and thought provoking during these disturbing times in which we find ourselves. The linked article makes interesting reading too. I look forward to seeing how the Reclaim Party fares in forthcoming elections.
Surprisingly reasonable and common sensical on a number of issues. We need more passionate centrists!
You almost seem to be approving of Trump, which isn't surprising given the excessive exposure you gave Farage. Disappointing
I expect this type of sloppy partisan reporting from the BBC, not you Chopper.
Starkey is amazing
Worth listening to if you want to understand one side of the Brexit argument, but definitely not impartial nor unbiased. Chris (and the Telegraph more generally) has taken a side in the debate and regularly misrepresents or ignores facts and statements. Pro-Brexit guests usually given a very easy ride. Limited coverage of both sides actions that have undermined or democracy and constitution - achieving at and cost is more important. It's a good example of the decline in UK media and its ability to effectively hold our politicians to account: pick your audience and write what they want to hear. Comments on the civil service thwarting Brexit and the "deep state" were quite frankly outrageous.
phoenix of Brexit? what a load of bollox
once again, Andrew Adonis presents himself as incredibly arrogant. His astonishment at Theresa May resigning rather than calling a referendum astonished me! A second referendum with remain on the paper, but splitting the brexit options up is incredibly cynical and utterly undemocratic. But then again he sits in the House of Lords, a disgustingly undemocratic institution in great need of either reform or abolishment.
Why didn't you challenge the way that he said the Brexit campaign was completely positive, and yet he encouraged audience hatred towards Anna Soubrey and the BBC? A dangerous way for politics to go.
The Donald indeed... are they the same person?
excuse me, Mr Farage, but you are on almost EVERY programme the BBC broadcasts these days!!! Cannot say your President Trump act sat very well with me. Just as your the EU is the devil but I am drawing a nice salary and a very generous pension from it later... so ya booh sucks act does either.
Of course the European Union will let you have all the benefits without you having to pay for anything. And yes of course the French are the only problem