Chopper's Politics

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|

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|

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|

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|

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|

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 |

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 |

It’s been a week of reflection, and so we brought quiet contemplation to the Red Lion pub this week. With the death of Nigel Lawson earlier this week reminding Tories of a time when the Government was bold about tax cuts, Sir John Redwood MP joins Christopher Hope to talk about what the current crop of Conservatives can learn from the late former Chancellor. And as we mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, veteran Telegraph journalist Philip Johnston reflects on that seismic moment and how its ripples continue now. Plus legendary Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave tells Chopper why he's encouraging men to get their hormone levels checked, and how he believes there should be a men's health minister. 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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

It's a bumper episode for Chopper's Politics listeners this week, don't say we don't treat you.Lord Mandelson joins Christopher Hope on the week that former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was barred from standing as Labour candidate. He muses on whether Sir Keir Starmer might actually want Corbyn to run against him ("I couldn't possibly say..."), reveals how impressed he is by the upcoming crop of Labour candidates, "absolutely as good, if not better, than those we selected in the 1990s before the new Labour government", but why his party can't presume it's in the bag.Plus Henry Dimbleby on nutrition and the nanny state, and Professor Tim Bale on whether the Tories can still claim to be the party of reinvention.Ravenous: How to get ourselves and our planet into shape, by Henry Dimbleby and Jemima LewisThe Conservative Party After Brexit: Turmoil and Transformation, by Tim BaleFor 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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Note: this episode was recorded before Humza Yousaf was announced as the new leader of the SNP on Monday 27th March 2023. Ahead of the SNP leadership contest result, Christopher Hope brings you a Scotland special edition of Chopper's Politics. The Telegraph's Scottish Political Editor, Simon Johnson, and columnist and staunch unionist Alan Cochrane, head to the studio to talk about the role of the Greens in the future of Scotland and whether the unionist parties, whisper it, might be in talks about some future tactical voting.Plus the Labour's Anas Sarwar, found time to pop into the Red Lion to talk about why he thinks Sturgeon's departure makes it easier for Sir Keir Starmer to become Prime Minister, and how he would put the economy front and centre of a Labour lead Scotland, after years of focus on social policy.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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

This week two of the Conservative Party's obsessions reared their head yet again: Boris Johnson and Brexit. You may think you've everything there is to know about either subject but no, there's more, so Christopher Hope has invited a cavalcade of distinguished guests to the Red Lion pub to chew the fat on everyone's pet subjects.Conservative Home Editor Paul Goodman gives his assessment of whether we could see a Boris by-election, and why he believes the former PM is doomed to channel Bilbo Baggins (no, really).Plus former Levelling Up Secretary Simon Clarke MP gives his reasoning for rebelling against the Windsor Framework, and insists the public at large don't blame Johnson for any dubious "events" during lockdown.And Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Johnny Mercer MP, on how he thinks sunnier times are on the horizon for the Tories despite this week, and why he believes that the Sunak government will be the one to end veteran homelessness.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: www.playpodca.st/planetnormal|Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Taxes, childcare and Brexit beer boost: The Telegraph's Camilla Tominey and Gordon Rayner join Christopher Hope to give us the top lines of Jeremy Hunt's Budget. Will the Chancellor keep the promise he made to Chopper on this podcast in January that his priority will be bringing down business taxes? Listen to find out (although we suspect you can take a guess...)!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|Listen to Planet Normal: www.playpodca.st/planetnormal|

Yvette Cooper MP joins Christopher Hope on the week that Rishi Sunak unveiled his plans to tackle illegal immigration. Conservatives think that illegal migration is the one policy area where the party can beat Labour, but the Shadow Home Secretary unsurprisingly disagrees.She tells Chopper that Labour ministers will set themselves the objective to stop all small boats' crossings in the English Channel. Plus in a show of cross-party praise, she hails Theresa May's work to help victims of people trafficking as "pioneering" - and worries that this new Bill risks undoing all that work.Also on the podcast, Damian Green MP on why he is backing the Bill and why he thinks Gary Lineker isn't as erudite a political thinker as he seems to think he is, and Telegraph columnist Anne-Elisabeth Moutet on whether we're about to embark on a new Entente Cordiale between Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron.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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

More than 100,000 WhatsApp messages. 2.3 million words - the equivalent of three copies of the King James Bible. You’ve read the headlines about the Telegraph’s extraordinary examination of the Lockdown Files - and now you can hear from some of the journalists behind it. Christopher Hope is joined by the woman with the WhatsApps, Isabel Oakeshott, and Investigations Editor Claire Newell, in the newsroom where it happened. The pair tell Chopper how the team found the stories among the many files, whether it's all been worth it, and they consider his challenges to beat the Expenses Scandal record of 30 front pages in a row.Keep up to date with the latest stories from the Lockdown Files: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, alongside the European Union president Ursula von der Leyen, announced details of the Windsor Framework this week, a deal he's hoping will put an end to the past six and a half years of wrangling to an end. So is the Brexit hurly-burly done? Has the battle been finally won? Joining Christopher Hope in the Red Lion to chew the fat is former Brexit adviser to Theresa May, Raoul Ruparel, on how this deal differs from its forebears.Plus the DUP's Sammy Wilson returns just days after last talking to Chopper, to explain why he wanted more than "sausages, solar panels and spaniels", and why he thinks the King will regret being present. And Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker on why he thinks this is the best deal to be done - but that he isn't celebrating until the DUP are on board.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: www.playpodca.st/planetnormal |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Boris Johnson is turning into one regular headache for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. So this week Christopher Hope is looking at three spheres where the former PM is intent on sticking his oar in. First, the Brexit impasse in Northern Ireland. The DUP's Sammy Wilson joins Chopper to discuss whether Boris' interventions on a trade deal are helpful, whether a change in Westminster leadership could make a difference, and casts doubts on whether Rishi Sunak even understands the concept of the Union (ouch). Also on the podcast, the Chair of the Conservative Democratic Organisation, David Campbell Bannerman discusses why the Tory grassroots are revolting, and whether they're punishing the MPs that overthrew Johnson. Plus Chair of the Defence Select Committee, Tobias Ellwood, on whether the former PM is right to push for fighter jets for Ukraine and why he thinks the conflict will last for years. 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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Well, if there was any danger of recess getting boring, Nicola Sturgeon had other ideas. Just as Chopper was taking a well-earned holiday, the First Minister shocked Scotland and the United Kingdom by resigning after eight years in the job. So where does this leave Scotland and the future of the union, and what will be the ripple effect on Westminster?The Telegraph's Gordon Rayner and Alan Cochrane head to the studio to discuss just that, whether Sturgeon will end up backseat driving for the new leader of the SNP and if this could be the end of indyref2.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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

New deputy chair of the Conservative Party, Nickie Aiken MP joins Christopher Hope in the Red Lion this week to vigorously defend her co-chair Lee Anderson, after he got into hot water this week for his views on hanging. The MP for Cities of London and Westminster blames the coverage of her colleague on snobbery from "intelligentsia", plus she decries polling in the Telegraph this week that puts the Tories down by a whopping 23%. Former Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has a different view on those sombre numbers, and urges government to take them seriously, saying that the wipe-out of Labour in Scotland proves that parties can go from holding all the cards to virtually no seats. And Electoral Calculus' Martin Baxter breaks down his exclusive large-scale poll that spells disaster for the Tories, saying that the next election could be "worse than 1997", with the Conservatives not even being the main opposition party.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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

This week, Christopher Hope returns to his spiritual home, the Red Lion pub, to discuss, you guessed it, Brexit. Three years on from leaving the E.U., many grumblings rumble on. So joining Chris to discuss the Northern Ireland protocol, the Union and more, David Jones (Deputy Chairman of the European Research Group) & Alex Phillips (Former Brexit Party MEP & GB News Broadcaster). In fact, Alex has an announcement of her own. Plus, as the country is crippled by strikes and with another Nurses walkout on the horizon, Health Minister Helen Whately dropped by the pub to explain the government's position. 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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Christopher Hope swaps the Red Lion for Number 11 Downing Street this week, as he sits down with Jeremy Hunt. The Chancellor tells Chopper that he and the Prime Minister are committed to cutting taxes, but won't be drawn on when, and that his focus this year will be on business and taking advantage of Brexit. Plus, he tries to woo the over 50s back into work, rules out running for leader again, and (very importantly) reveals his favourite fast food.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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

The last of the Hope family's Christmas cake joins the guests in the Red Lion this week, and Wes Streeting is the first to take Christopher Hope up on the offer of having a slice. The Shadow Health Secretary insists that Labour wouldn't be the "fun police" to ban cakes in offices following comments this week from the chair of the Food Standards Agency, explains why he won't "wag his finger" at people who use private healthcare and proclaims that he's up for a debate about his proposed NHS reforms.Also on the podcast, Conservative MP Lee Anderson discusses levelling up, slimming down, and challenges campaigner Steve "Stop Brexit" Bray to a charity boxing battle (no, really).Plus Baroness Stowell, Tina Stowell, on why politicians need to take the creative industries more seriously.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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Rebecca Pow joins Christopher Hope in the Red Lion for some coffee in a china mug, as the Environment minister talks about the announcement that plastic cutlery, plates and polystyrene cups will soon be banned. She also reveals that a 'cash for trash' scheme looks set to get the green light, so get your litter pickers ready! Also on the podcast, John Baron expresses his dismay at the Foreign Office's shambolic handling of the issue of British Council's contractors stranded in Afghanistan, and John Stafford from the Campaign for Conservative Democracy talks about his concerns for his party. 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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

On the week that the Prime Minister announced his 5 promises to voters, Science Minister George Freeman joins Christopher Hope to give his suggestions for 5 reasons to be cheerful, including getting rid of EU red tape, focusing on the "10% daft regulations" first. Also on the podcast, Shadow Cabinet Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds reacts to Sir Keir Starmer's reappropriation of the Brexit slogan "Take Back Control", and, after writing a biography of former Labour leader Wilson, what the current Labour leader could learn from his 60s equivalent. Plus former Tory MP Brooks Newmark on how he's been inspired by figures like Sir Nicholas Winton and Oskar Schindler to help transport Ukrainians to safety. Harold Wilson, by Nick Thomas-SymondsFor 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 |

2023 is almost upon us, so join Christopher Hope, Gordon Rayner and Camilla Tominey to reflect on the wacky year just gone in Westminster. We've had four Chancellors, three Prime Ministers, two different monarchs and one 'tractor' watching MP, so plenty to discuss, plus a look ahead to what might be in store in the New Year.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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Twas the strike before Christmas... on this week's festive edition of Choppers' Politics: Frances O'Grady gives her final interview as the General Secretary of the TUC, discussing strikes and the current gridlock between union leaders and the government. Robert Halfon MP, previously an outspoken and campaigning backbencher, swings by the Red Lion pub to explain how now, as a Minister of State in the Department of Education, he's taking that spirit and applying it to students affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. He's also, unusually, a member of a trade union. Plus, Sir Geoffrey Cox KC pops by to talk about a ghost of his Christmas past: second jobs for MPs. He also treats us to a tradition on the podcast, a reading from A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas.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 |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Sir Robert Buckland KC and Jonathan Gullis bring their views on how to tackle the migrant crisis to the Red Lion this week. Robert Buckland calls talk of withdrawing from the European Convention of Human Rights "a red herring" fuelled by the fact the word Europe is "catnip" for some of his Conservative colleagues. Then Jonathan Gullis talks about his failed Bill to force Rishi Sunak to ignore rulings from Strasbourg over the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda, and why he was just trying to give the Prime Minister some "space", honest. Also on the podcast, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Jonathan Ashworth on how Labour would encourage over 50s to get back to work. Plus a surprise festive ditty from one of our guests to get us into the Christmas spirit. 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/offscript |Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

James Sunderland, former Colonel in the Royal Logistics Corps, joins Christopher Hope in the Red Lion to talk about why the MP for Bracknell thinks the government needs to stop relying on the armed forces to step in over strike action and suggests that "Mr Lynch and his cronies" should perhaps try earning what soldiers earn. Strong words. Also on the podcast, UK Director of think-tank More in Common, Luke Tryl, says that if political marmite figure Nigel Farage returned it could turbocharge Reform's support, with the party posing a threat to both major parties but only with a charismatic figure-head. Plus MP for Chipping Barnet and Tory housing rebel Theresa Villiers assures Chris she isn't a NIMBY. 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|Listen to Ukraine: the latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

All of Christopher Hope's guests this week are encouraging or have taken a leap of faith. Former Levelling Up Secretary Simon Clarke, now in the freedom of the backbenches, joins Chopper in the Red Lion to urge his fellow conservatives to rethink onshore windfarms and central housing targets and not fall for a "NIMBY's charter". Also on the podcast, William Wragg, MP for Hazel Grove, discusses why he's made the leap into leaving parliament after the next election despite only being 34.Plus former leader of the Lib Dems, Tim Farron, tells Chris why he thinks Christians should dip their toes into politics, and why he thinks the Church of England is compromised by being a "part of the furniture of state".Britain is fast descending into chaos, and the Tories are powerless to stop it, by Allister HeathA Mucky Business: Why Christians Should Get Involved In Politics, by Tim FarronFor 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|Listen to Offscript: www.playpodca.st/offscript|Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Sir Keir Starmer comes to Telegraph Towers and Christopher Hope hands over the microphone, as the politics class of St George's School, Harpenden, grill the Labour Leader. Up for discussion: Unions and the Union, as Mr Starmer defends not standing on picket lines with striking works and discusses his stance on indyref2, and he talks tax and claims that Labour is the party of sound money. Plus, who does Keir Starmer fancy to win the World Cup and will he reveal which Tory he kissed? Listen to find out.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|Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Well, what a difference 7 weeks makes. The Telegraph's Camilla Tominey and Gordon Rayner join Christopher Hope to give us the top lines of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement, somewhat different in tone to his predecessors less than two months ago.Also on the podcast, David Jones, MP for Clwyd West and prominent ERG member, gives his withering assessment of Mr Hunt's tax hikes (5/10, must do better), urges the Chancellor to reconsider for the sake of the next election and balks at the use of the phrase "unearned income".Plus Economic Jim O'Neill on why he thinks Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak have made some canny choices and why as a country we need to accept that there's "no such thing as a free lunch".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|Listen to Ukraine: the latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |