The State of It: What ministers won't say in public

The State of It: What ministers won't say in public

Author: The Times October 2, 2025 Duration: 41:43

This week The Times is launching a new politics podcast. We're dropping the first episode here -- subscribe to The State of It for free, wherever you get your podcasts, to tune in every week.


Welcome to The State of It, coming to you from Liverpool where the Labour Party is finishing its annual conference. Keir Starmer's team seem happy after his leader's speech, but what are his MPs really saying about him? Was he wise to call Nigel Farage a racist? How will Rachel Reeves balance the books in November's budget? Oh, and which cabinet ministers excelled at last night's karaoke?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times.

Featuring:

  • Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
  • Caroline Wheeler, political editor, The Sunday Times
  • Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times
  • Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


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


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
President Trump and the virus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:39
It looks like the US will be badly hit by coronavirus. Could President Trump's approach be his downfall? Guests: Henry Zeffman, the Washington Correspondent for The Times. Host: David Aaronovitch.This podcast was brought…
Voices from New York [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:08
The United States is now at the centre of the global coronavirus crisis and New York is the worst hit city in the country. What’s it like for regular New Yorkers at the centre of the pandemic? Guests:‏Laura Pullman, The…
Brazil: a country divided [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:48
As Brazilian politicians argue over how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, we speak to three residents about their experience of the crisis. Guests: Lucinda Elliott‏, news contributor at The Times. Giuseppe Bossetti…
Keir Starmer: the man, the party, the crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:45
On Saturday Labour party members selected a new leader. Is this the end of Corbynism? And what is the role of the opposition in the time of crisis? Guest: Rachel Sylvester, political columnist for The Times.This podcast…