Matt Chorley's Urgent Questions

40 Episodes
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By: BBC Radio 5 Live

Matt Chorley brings you the biggest interviews, latest news and best analysis from the heart of Westminster every weekday. It's politics, but not as you know it...

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Can Donald Trump surf the blue wave?
Yesterday at 4:37 PM

Can Donald Trump surf the blue wave? Are the jokes at PMQs good enough for Tony Blackburn? Can Laura Kuenssberg survive a student grilling? Who will be the MMP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Which politicians won the internet?
Last Friday at 4:25 PM

Which politicians won the internet? What were Sir Patrick Stewart's politics? Will the government do anything about student loans? Who will be the MMP for Runcorn and Helsby?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Why won't talk of an early election go away?
10/29/2026

Why won't talk of an early election go away? What happens when a vegetable becomes the story? How cool are the mosaic tiles in Parliament? Who will be the MMP for Tottenham?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Can we all breathe more easily after John Healey's first budget?
10/28/2026

Can we all breathe more easily after John Healey's first budget? What will we remember this budget for? Does it give us any clues about a possible early election?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Will the Midterms be a whitewash for the White House?
10/27/2026

Will the Midterms be a whitewash for the White House? What's Liz Truss's book really like? Should you be stockpiling gherkins? Who will be the MMP for Stockport?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Will John Healey hit the budget bullseye?
10/26/2026

Will John Healey hit the budget bullseye? Which Chancellors drank at the despatch box? How did Pete Hegseth break Eisenhower's globe? Who will be the MMP for East Wiltshire?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


What's in Andy Burnham's emergency stockpile?
10/23/2026

What's in Andy Burnham's emergency stockpile? Does Ian Hislop have a favourite Private Eye cover? Was Rik Mayall's Alan B'stard based on Michael Portillo? Who will be the MMP for Ashford?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


SPIN CYCLE: How easy is it to annoy the Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle?
10/22/2026

How easy is it to annoy the Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle? Who's job is it to make sure MPs have a poppy? Is there ANY limit to the Chancellor's obsession with HP Sauce? Who will be the MMP for Basildon and Billericay?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Has Michael Portillo got over his "moment"?
10/21/2026

Has Michael Portillo got over his "moment"? What did Ed Byrne think of PMQs? How do you make salt posh? Who will be the MMP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Does Andy Burnham talk too much?
10/20/2026

Does Andy Burnham talk too much? Are we back to budget basics? How do you stop stammering being a barrier to public life? Who will be the MMP for Blaydon and Consett?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Who are the winners from changing how we vote?
10/19/2026

Who are the winners from changing how we vote? How many pubs did MPs name in a single debate? Is Sarah Smith psychic? Who will be the MMP for Arundel and South Downs?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Should Political Editors be abolished?
10/16/2026

Should Political Editors be abolished? Do the SNP want more oil and gas drilling? What was Anneka's biggest Challenge? Who will be the MMP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Spin Cycle: how do you stop loose lips from sinking ships?
10/15/2026

Spin Cycle: how do you stop loose lips from sinking ships? Swinney v Burnham: who is winning? Did Brexit begin in 2011? Who will be the MMP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


What does the Chancellor need to aim his budget at?
10/14/2026

What does the Chancellor need to aim his budget at? How would comedy writer Andy Hamilton rewrite PMQs? What's the best way to run a political party? Who will be the MMP for North Norfolk?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


What's it like to speed date the PM?
10/13/2026

What's it like to speed date the PM? Where is UK public opinion on the EU? Are pedalos a pain? Who will be the MMP for Chester South and Eddisbury?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Is Brexit back?
10/12/2026

Is Brexit back? Who is using AI in the Lords? Could Soulja Boy run for president? Who will be the MMP for Bootle?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Spin Cycle: Is there a coup under way against Ed Davey?
10/09/2026

Spin Cycle: Is there a coup under way against Ed Davey? Will there be a coup against Zack Polanksi? Who has the longest serving household appliance? Who will be the MMP for Ossett and Denby Dale.

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


What's the best diplomatic approach to Donald Trump?
10/08/2026

What's the best diplomatic approach to Donald Trump? When was the most boring vote in the Commons? How big is the fridge mountain? Who will be the MMP for Monmouthshire?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Can Kemi Badenoch keep her tax cut promises?
10/07/2026

Can Kemi Badenoch keep her tax cut promises? Do our A-level politics students want a written constitution? Who is the fastest political park runner? Who will be the MMP for Darlington?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


What does your supermarket say about your politics?
10/06/2026

What does your supermarket say about your politics? How will Jeffrey Archer be remembered? Are Conservatives united on the triple lock? Who will be the MMP for Brigg and Immingham?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Can the Conservatives make themselves relevant?
10/05/2026

Can the Conservatives make themselves relevant? What dividing lines have the Tories drawn up? Why is everyone talking about a tapestry? Who will be the MMP for Boston and Skegness?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Why does Zack Polanski think Labour will move his way?
10/02/2026

Why does Zack Polanski think Labour will move his way? What does Rhun ap Iorwerth want from Andy Burnham? Who cracked the politics of Castles? Who will be the MMP for Sutton Coldfield?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Spin Cycle: what's the best response to Andy Burnham's speech?
10/01/2026

Spin Cycle: what's the best response to Andy Burnham's speech? Where is blanket a banned word? What was Tony Blair's biggest rebellion? Who will be the MMP for South Down?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


How do you pass A-Level politics?
09/30/2026

How do you pass A-Level politics? Where can you find "free from" food in Kabul? Is crying contagious? Who will be the MMP for Angus and Perthshire Glens?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


What are Andy Burnham's plans for the triple lock?
09/29/2026

What are Andy Burnham's plans for the triple lock? Can the PM deliver on his policy packed speech? How many cabinet ministers can we fit on one episode?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Will John Healey stand up to the oche?
09/28/2026

Will John Healey stand up to the oche? Can you do hope on a budget? How do you describe Andy Burnham in a word? Who will be the MMP for Torridge and Tavistock?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


How do you play John Maynard Keynes?
09/25/2026

How do you play John Maynard Keynes? What will dominate Labour's conference in Liverpool? How do you pull the perfect pint? Who will be the MMP for Penrith and Solway?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Spin Cycle: Did the PM go too far on alcohol?
09/24/2026

Spin Cycle: Did the PM go too far on alcohol? What's the key to looking natural on camera? How do you pass A-level politics? Who will be the MMP for Queen's Park and Maida Vale?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Can the Chancellor Bullseye the Budget?
09/23/2026

Can the Chancellor Bullseye the Budget? What is the right way to run the country? Is political TV the future? Who will be the MMP for Bristol North West?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


What will Andy Burnham say to Donald Trump?
09/22/2026

What will Andy Burnham say to Donald Trump? How do Lib Dems describe Davey in one word? Who did I bump into on the dodgems? Who will be the MMP for Cheltenham?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


How much fight do Liberal Democats have?
09/21/2026

How much fight do Liberal Democats have? Does Sir Ed Davey need saving? What's it like to be young & yellow? Who will be the MMP for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Why will Kemi Badenoch keep the triple lock?
09/18/2026

Why will Kemi Badenoch keep the triple lock? What should parents teach their children about AI? Why are men's clothes on the first floor and above? Who will be the MMP for Dagenham and Rainham?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


What's it like to be in the White House with Donald Trump?
09/17/2026

What's it like to be in the White House with Donald Trump? Should ties be compulsory in the House of Lords? How can newts get in the way of government? Who will be the MMP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Should a PM "do God"?
09/16/2026

Should a PM "do God"? What is toffee-diplomacy? What colour is your politics? Who will be the MMP for Tamworth? Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Is A.I. going to doom us all?
09/15/2026

Is A.I. going to doom us all? Who handed Thatcher a surprise defeat in 1986? Why are men's clothes always upstairs in shops? Who will be the MMP for Amber Valley?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Can money buy you political happiness?
09/14/2026

Can money buy you political happiness? What's it like being the PM's bodyguard? What's on Donald Trump's playlist? Who will be the MMP for Warwick and Leamington?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


Why did the Assisted dying bill fail?
09/11/2026

Why did the Assisted dying bill fail? What does Jon Ronson think of 9/11 25 years on? Why does Andy Burnham speak so slowly? Who will be the MMP for Central Devon?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


What was the most important vote ever?
09/10/2026

What was the most important vote ever? How should you approach a tetchy interview? Who won Westminster's dog of the year? Who will be the MMP for Jarrow and Gateshead East?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


What is the "Thicky Thicky Dumb Dumb's" guide to PMQs?
09/09/2026

What is the "Thicky Thicky Dumb Dumb's" guide to PMQs?

Who is the biggest Bond Market villain? How do you know what class you are? Who will be the MMP for Orpington?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]


How will the Government's West Bank sanctions work?
09/08/2026

How will the Government's West Bank sanctions work?

What did the Romans ever do for British politics? How should you say 007? Who will be the MMP for Croydon West?

Matt Chorley brings you the who, what, where, why and when of British politics. If you've got urgent questions... then email [email protected]