Chopper's Politics

62


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.




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

Recent Episodes
  • The Lockdown Files: Episode 6, The Forgotten Victims
    Nov 9, 2023 – 41:50
  • The Lockdown Files: Episode 5, The Fallout
    Aug 18, 2023 – 38:17
  • The Lockdown Files: Episode 4, Project Fear
    Aug 11, 2023 – 34:33
  • The Lockdown Files: Episode 3, The Case on Care Homes
    Aug 4, 2023 – 31:26
  • The Lockdown Files: Episode 2, The Road to Lockdown
    Jul 28, 2023 – 24:44
  • The Lockdown Files: Episode 1, The Leak
    Jul 21, 2023 – 19:43
  • BONUS: Richard Sharp's Exclusive Exit Interview from the BBC
    Jul 8, 2023 – 41:29
  • Cheerio... with Gove, Rees Mogg, Forde and Cox
    Jul 7, 2023 – 51:05
  • School children identifying as Lions & Tigers & Bears, oh my!
    Jun 30, 2023 – 42:52
  • Banks, Boris and the "blob"
    Jun 22, 2023 – 43:48
  • Boris blames kangaroo court: has Johnson gone "full Trump"?
    Jun 15, 2023 – 44:22
  • "Disinformation" with David Davis
    Jun 9, 2023 – 53:35
  • Back to work, back to Boris, and the Taxing Tories
    Jun 2, 2023 – 46:50
  • Borders, bonking and Liam Byrne
    May 26, 2023 – 45:48
  • Hope, charity and "lying bastards"
    May 19, 2023 – 49:29
  • "We are slipping into authoritarianism"
    May 11, 2023 – 47:08
  • Local Elections: Tories take a battering but can Labour claim victory?
    May 5, 2023 – 28:54
  • Bring back campaigner Boris says Greg Hands
    Apr 28, 2023 – 38:34
  • Could the Conservatives claw back into the election race?
    Apr 20, 2023 – 38:39
  • A deep dive into Britain's newest trade deal - the CPTPP
    Apr 13, 2023 – 48:31
  • What can the current crop of Conservatives learn from Lawson?
    Apr 6, 2023 – 44:17
  • Peter Mandelson: ‘I’ve yet to meet a Tory who says they are going to win’
    Mar 31, 2023 – 1:00:54
  • Can Labour capitalise on SNP chaos post-Sturgeon?
    Mar 26, 2023 – 33:48
  • A brief Brexit rebellion and a bleak week for Boris
    Mar 24, 2023 – 40:11
  • The winners and losers of Jeremy Hunt's Budget
    Mar 15, 2023 – 34:39
  • Managing migration and Macron
    Mar 10, 2023 – 36:40
  • The Journalist and the Whistleblower: The inside story of the Lockdown Files
    Mar 4, 2023 – 22:30
  • Has Brexit finally been done?
    Feb 28, 2023 – 37:31
  • Will no one rid me of this troublesome former PM?
    Feb 23, 2023 – 40:35
  • Sturgeon says goodbye and what it means for Scotland
    Feb 16, 2023 – 18:37
  • Capital punishment, pitiful polling and pogo sticks
    Feb 9, 2023 – 34:04
  • Happy Birthday Brexit?
    Feb 3, 2023 – 44:23
  • Talking taxes with Jeremy Hunt
    Jan 27, 2023 – 22:29
  • Let them eat cake
    Jan 20, 2023 – 44:14
  • Cash for litter
    Jan 14, 2023 – 41:13
  • Take Back Control
    Jan 6, 2023 – 48:29
  • 2022 in Review
    Dec 31, 2022 – 49:08
  • Strikes, sexism and why MPs' second jobs are OK
    Dec 23, 2022 – 56:33
  • Small boats and the silver exodus
    Dec 16, 2022 – 44:51
  • Further strikes, fewer houses, and Farage
    Dec 8, 2022 – 40:26
  • A leap of faith
    Dec 2, 2022 – 44:59
  • Starmer meets the students
    Nov 25, 2022 – 41:07
  • Making a statement
    Nov 17, 2022 – 42:12
  • Is Reform UK coming for Conservative votes?
    Nov 14, 2022 – 39:47
  • Stop the poppy shaming says Armed Forces Minister
    Nov 11, 2022 – 36:14
  • Small boats, Brexit and climate change - it's a 2016 kind of week
    Nov 4, 2022 – 45:39
  • Rishi Sunak: the comeback kid
    Oct 27, 2022 – 37:29
  • Hasta la vista, baby - is Boris on his way back?
    Oct 21, 2022 – 34:38
  • In office, but not in power
    Oct 17, 2022 – 27:43
  • Is Truss' time up?
    Oct 13, 2022 – 43:03
Recent Reviews
  • Gshug
    Arguably, the best political podcast available today.
    I found Chopper during the height of the pandemic (when it was still called Chopper’s Brexit) and have never looked back. The level of conversation, exploration of issues, erudition of the host and guests is remarkable. Christopher Hope is a gentle, but determined, interviewer, never allowing his guest to avoid the question or issue at hand. It is a show which establishes the why and how politics can be both engaging and informative. If I could find anything like this in the US, I would be a happy man indeed. Keep up the great work! Michael Hatchett New York, New York USA
  • eLow8
    Woke!
    Yes the term is considered an insult in some circles and a compliment in others. Depends on how you choose to write history! Cheers from the USA!
  • Fonzie2K
    Great Podcast
    Listening to it since it was “Chopper’s Brexit Podcast” as a reliable source to get me up to speed with all matters Brexit. Now I follow Chopper’s Politics and it is just as relevant as before. A common sense approach to the issues of the day. Recommended
  • Posfan1253
    Insight into the Tory mind
    An interesting insight into the lunatic Tory mind. This podcast is fun, light hearted and flippant. An enjoyable listen. Of course the politics are nutty. If you want to get an insight into what the Brits are thinking when they break international treaties in the year they sign them or how anyone could think that a no deal Brexit is a good thing or how you can look at the clownshow of a Boris government and see competence then this is a fun place to go. Of course to be taken with a large piece of salt.
  • gooletownboy
    Let’s hope for a similar result usa2020
    sorry could not listen to that so called reporter who filled in for you... Having listened to his absolute garbage on hurricane crossfire I nearly stopped my telegraph subscription.. Please use another alternative you must have many..Otherwise your podcasts are brilliant David
  • BTMule
    Needs more Cox
    Geoffrey Cox is a subtle commentator with supreme delivery; if not invited for that, he could always read poems and speeches that have shaped the UK.
  • Adiraj D Gr8
    Love Chopper
    One of my favorite podcasts! Listen every Thursday
  • JJmc345
    While it try’s sometimes it’s viewpoint is from an echo chamber
    I have listened to the Brexit podcast for over a year now. As an Irish person living in Ireland I am interested in the views of mainstream Brexit supporters across the Irish sea, while I may not agree I respect their opinion and think it important to hear all viewpoints. I have never commented on a podcast however I just finished listening to your podcast on the Irish election result and I cannot hold my tongue. I am not a Sinn Fein supporter and did not vote for them, but the line of questioning and some of the answers are so far off the mark of what is actually happening on the ground it’s shocking. I know what is happening here, but I worry that some of your listeners (who in fairness would have limited exposure to Irish politics) would be left with inaccurate and honestly wrong beliefs about what could happen over here. The idea that Ireland could join a trading union with the U.K. in 10 years is frankly hilarious and it misunderstands our whole economy and the fact your expert said that it depends on tax misses the whole point. The Irish economy is a (I) pro market, (ii) English speaking, (iii) highly educated, (iv) low tax economy which (v) crucially has full access to the EU market. That is why Google, Facebook, Apple, intel etc... all put their EUROPEAN headquarters in Ireland. If the EU forces us to increase taxes we still have the other attributes and would probably suffer but still fight on and win as I would think our economy is as nimble as any other in the EU. But if we leave the EU then there is no reason for them to be here. Frankly rather than Brexit making us more likely to join a customs union with the U.K. the services side of the economy is wondering if we can handle the possible extra business coming our way as the U.K. leaving takes out our biggest competition for international investment for companies wanting EU access. I know this is a long rant but it is frustrating sometimes how our closest neighbors has such a poor understanding of us and I think it is important your listeners actually have the right facts. Next time you want to discuss Irish politics contact an expert who actually lives here. The Irish times have an amazing impartial team of journalists and would be very happy to take part in a podcast by your prestigious publication.
  • Gingerlicious
    A proper British podcast from down the pub
    Finally!!! A voice of common sense in British politics. No this isn’t a hard Brexit cheerleader’s podcast. This is the moderate and sensible voice that isn’t afraid to be proud of Britain and British heritage, or shy from the decisive outcome of the 2016 referendum. Sadly the Brexit vote has had the majority of the political and media establishment in knots and crying that the sky will fall, but most of the populace of tired of hearing all that defeatism. If you believe in Britain, this podcast is for you.
  • NJ Anglophile
    My favorite podcast
    I’m a U.S. citizen, but avidly follow British politics. There is *no* better source than this podcast for insights into British politics!
  • Fr. Chip
    Great Show
    Love this show for getting my info on British politics. This podcast is indispensable
  • Mrs King of Spain
    Well presented but not impartial
    Christopher Hope is undoubtedly a fine journalist and host, but listening to his guests from the right-leaning side of this process change their tone from triumphalism , through doubt , through to outright blame of others over the last three years has been hard to take. Nevertheless will be a great historical record for future generations!
  • ubah.oxothuk
    Been listening since the start
    The level of discussion is generally amazing. The interview with Jacob Rees-Mogg a couple weeks ago made me want to cry (that we don’t have anyone of that caliber in the US). On rare occasions Chopper has fluff we could do without (analyzing Boris Johnson’s handwriting for example).
  • Karen from Los Angeles
    Good tone
    Sometimes humorous, occasionally poking at his guests a bit, Chopper is civil and lets people have their say. Entertaining and informative.
  • Fwiw211
    Rather biased and highly selective interviewing style
    Interesting guests but hopelessly biased. Hope’s diction is not clear making his voice hard to listen to for too long.
  • Bmermanmark
    The best guests
    Attracts the best guests. Why? Does it matter? My theory is they get treated with respect in a friendly atmosphere by a quick, insightful and knowledgeable host. I’m sure the proximity of the Red Lion pub to parliament doesn’t hurt.
  • mincraft is gret
    Pro Brexit but......
    Well presented. Even though Mr. Hope's slant is pro Brexit, he questions all in a thorough fashion. The problems of Brexit are of Britian's own making. The referendum was a 'cart before the horse' exercise. The legacy of its imperial past is the cause of the 'backstop'. Perhaps Mr. Hope will challenge his guests on these facts and see if they'll take responsibility instead of blaming Europe and the Irish. When the UK leaves, it will be sorely missed as the balance of reason against French and German impractical purism.
  • Pnaspnas
    Brexit in one word: Chopper!
    Gets to the heart and soul of the discussions around Brexit and therefore the conflicted long-drawn obsessive inner debate of Mrs Britain who as Britishly as possible tries to avoid the inevitable i.e. make her peace with Europe and her place in a post-empire world with dignity and eloquence (sic!) and savage politeness - a pure joy to listen to if you’re a fan of civilisation, honest debate and brutal backstabbing, with a whiff of coffee (why not tea?) in a pub in Westminster
  • Billybankers
    The Mutt’s Nuts
    The best podcast I’ve found on Brexit. Not a pure ‘Torygraph’ view and guest line up. Great variety of views and guests. I now listen every week. I’ve found Chopper and his crew the least biased and most balanced out there - not head banging anti-EU folks, but also not religiously zealot remainiacs either. Congrats to all. PS - this has been my gateway drug to other Telegraph podcasts. Expenses is also fantastic!
  • CTCNOLA
    Well done and a good diversion from American politics
    As an American political junkie who has found the post-2016 political environment too distressing, listening to a podcast regarding the political nightmare that is Brexit might not seem to be an obvious choice, but I have not missed an episode since I discovered it in 2017. Chopper always has diverse and interesting guests. Although I haven’t been (yet) to the Red Lion Pub and I have met Chopper in person (yet) I look forward to my visit with them both every week!
  • MarcusBurgess
    Great but far too much background noise
    I like this podcast. It’s interesting listening. Intelligent and challenges my thinking. However, I find it disturbs me. There is so much unpleasant background noise. Why on Earth would it be recorded in the back room of a pub? Is it just so the team can have a drink while they are recording it. It ruins the whole experience. Ruins it!
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.