Today we launch a new weekly podcast where we’ll be speaking to MPs, peers, pundits and – (of course!) – our Critics.

In the first episode we chatted to former trade minister Peter Lilley on what Boris Johnson can learn from Margaret Thatcher’s huge Commons majority and we caught up with regular Critic writers Hannah Betts and Robert Thicknesse on the enduring power of wearing black and the politics of opera.

We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast, but why not get The Critic in print? Right now we’re offering 3 months for just £5.