Shows / Politics Unpacked
Politics Unpacked
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the the politics of the day - and the stuff that's even more important - with the brightest brains from the Times and Sunday Times.
You can listen to Hugo on DAB, smart speaker or app 10am-1pm Monday to Friday. If you like what you hear, then read more at http://www.thetimes.com/
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Episodes
Politics UnpackedHealey Finds Out We're In Hock To The Bond Markets
The think-tanks have been poring over John Healey's first budget, and they find plenty of grim news in the small print. The chancellor didn't frighten the bond…
Politics UnpackedPMQs: Burnham's Brexit Booby-Trap
Kemi Badenoch accuses Andy Burnham of contradicting himself on Brexit, after he said he didn’t want to reopen the debate about re-joining the EU, but wants to…
Politics UnpackedChancellor Braces For 'Economic Storm'
John Healey told his cabinet colleagues they must find more savings as Britain heads into an "economic storm" caused by high borrowing costs and energy prices…
Politics UnpackedBurnham Flirts With Europe
Andy Burnham says he won't push for allowing Britain to join Europe's freedom of movement scheme without a referendum, but would like to see the UK rejoin the…
Politics UnpackedIs Britain Prepared For War?
The government is urging the public to stockpile essential supplies, warning that conflict, climate disasters and cyberattacks could disrupt everyday life. But…
Politics UnpackedThe Chancellor Gets Down to Business
The Chancellor's told The Times he wants his Budget to help what he calls “bloody-minded entrepreneurs” - but with the government having already lost the…
Politics UnpackedPMQs: Burnham’s Borrowing Problem
Kemi Badenoch accuses Andy Burnham of failing to get borrowing under control, while Burnham insists he’s prepared to make tough decisions. Hugo unpacks PMQs…
Politics UnpackedAndy Burnham's Small Ideas
The government wants to cap private parking fines, arguing that fixing life's small annoyances is important - but are they really just trying to distract us…
Politics UnpackedWhat Burnham Can Really Achieve On Welfare Reform
The Prime Minister writes in the Times about the "economic catastrophe and moral failure" of one million young people not in employment, education or training…
Politics UnpackedBurnham Heads Further North
Andy Burnham parks his tank on the SNP’s lawn, challenging John swinney to work with him on devolution - but is this an offer of cooperation, or is it mostly…
Politics UnpackedZelensky Rallies His Allies
The Ukrainian President said he felt 'betrayed' by the US over the loss of access to Starlink. Andy Burnham has pledged to 'heal' the rift - but can he do so…
Politics UnpackedPMQs: Badenoch Accuses Burnham Of Putting His Foot In It
PMQs Unpacked is back after recess, as Kemi Badenoch presses Andy Burnham on Brexit and benefits - and asks whether he ever gets tired of putting his foot in…
Politics UnpackedWhy Everyone Is Talking About Brexit Again
Brexit is firmly back on the political agenda, but does anyone really mean it? And did Robert Jenrick really mean what he said about using ‘lethal force’ in…
Politics UnpackedBurnham's Brexit Claim Questioned
After Andy Burnham says said it's clear Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum, one of his ministers clarifies the Kremlin tried - but failed - to…
Politics UnpackedPolanski's Battle To Remain Green Leader
Zack Polanski failed to take Holborn & St Pancras from Labour in the by-election - as criticism of his handling of a controversial Zionism policy continues, is…
Politics UnpackedThe Two-Party Fantasy
Labour and the Tories are feeling pretty good after party conference season - but is a return to two-party politics really on the cards, or are they kidding…
Politics UnpackedKemi Badenoch’s Speech: What Did We Really Learn?
Kemi Badenoch has given her big speech at Tory conference, with a promise to scrap inheritance tax on family homes, and a warning that the country is running…
Politics UnpackedThe Tory Conference Bubble
The Tories are in an upbeat mood at their party conference, but the polls are flat and plenty of seats are empty. Are they insulated from political reality?…
Politics UnpackedBadenoch Channels Her Inner Thatcher
It’s the Conservative Party conference, and it’s all about what Kemi Badenoch is calling “Kemistry” - but why does the Tory obsession with Margaret Thatcher…
Politics UnpackedPolanski's Polling Problem
The Green Party has slipped in the polls since Andy Burnham became Labour leader. Is it a temporary setback, or does Zack Polanski have a bigger problem? And…
Politics UnpackedAndy Burnham Reopens Old Brexit Wounds
The prime minister has said a future Labour election manifesto could promise a new in-out referendum on the EU - but does Britain want to spend any more years…
Politics UnpackedOld Labour Is Back
Andy Burnham's conference speech was bold - but was it, as some are claiming, the most left-wing speech by a prime minister since the 1970s? And does the PM…
Politics UnpackedLabour's Harsh Winter Ahead
Andy Burnham wants to project a message of hope, but with rising costs, is the country - and the Labour Party - facing a challenging winter to come? Hugo…
Politics UnpackedBurnham's Big Cheques
The chancellor says the money simply isn't there, but Andy Burnham began party conference with a big pledge on free adult social care in England. What are the…
Politics UnpackedTrump Flip-Flops On China
Donald Trump said the US and China had "never gotten along better" as he laid on a lavish banquet for Xi Jinping at the White House. Why is he rolling out the…
Politics UnpackedBlair Urges Burnham To Reverse Brexit
Tony Blair is flexing his muscles, telling Andy Burnham that Britain should rejoin the EU within a decade - without another referendum. Could Burnham put it in…
Politics UnpackedBurnham Bows To Trump Over Chagos
Andy Burnham has agreed to review the Chagos deal after Donald Trump called it 'terrible' at their meeting in New York. But can it be renegotiated, or is it…
Politics UnpackedTrump, Danny Dyer & Dressing Like A Lib Dem
Andy Burnham is having his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump at the United Nations. But will Burnham’s past comments about the US president make for…
Politics UnpackedEd Davey Fights Accusations of Irrelevance
Ed Davey is trying to re-energise the Liberal Democrats at the party’s conference in Brighton - but do his speeches reveal a party struggling to find a clear…
Politics UnpackedStay-At-Home Burnham
While 'Never-Here-Keir' was accused of spending too much time abroad, Andy Burnham has preferred to host foreign leaders in the UK - and often away from…
Politics UnpackedNot Your Traditional Socialist Government
With the public finances under pressure, the unions meet John Healey and make a series of demands ahead of the Budget. Can Andy Burnham avoid the sense that…
Politics UnpackedTrusting The Tech Broligarchy
Open AI boss Sam Altman says people are "right to be afraid" of artificial intelligence but that firms like his can be trusted to "do the right thing" - so…
Politics UnpackedTrump and the AI 'Hoax'
Donald Trump dismisses warnings about AI as a “hoax” by those who want to regulate the industry. But how worried should we be - and what happens if the…
Politics UnpackedReform's Record-Breaking Donations
Reform UK is confident that the £72m in donations it received from two crypto-billionaires are legal, but could the government still change the law to force…
Politics UnpackedBurnham's Winter of Gloom
Britons face an expensive winter with rising bills and the prospect of higher taxes. Can Andy Burnham still deliver on his promise to make people feel…
Politics UnpackedBurnham’s Early Election Dilemma
A successful party conference could tempt Andy Burnham to call an early general election, but will he take the risk? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with…
Politics UnpackedPMQs: National Security vs Social Security
At PMQs, Andy Burnham says that national security "can't come at the expense of social security". But if he won't cut benefits to fund defence, where will he…
Politics UnpackedBurnham Risks Trump's Anger
Andy Burnham's first policy move risks angering President Trump, will there be a backlash from the US? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte…
Politics UnpackedHealey Promises 'Growth Britain'
John Healey made his first major speech since becoming Chancellor, saying the economy is 'turning a corner' and promising growth. Is his optimism justified?…
Politics Unpacked'Dodgy Money' Claims Dog Reform Conference
Reform UK's conference is underway in Birmingham - but allegations the party breached political donation rules threaten to derail the event. Nigel Farage…
Politics UnpackedBurnham, Bayeux & Boats
Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron have met in No.10, with small boats high on the agenda - but have the French done enough to stop dinghies crossing the…
Politics UnpackedPMQs: Vibes Aren't Enough?
Andy Burnham faces his first PMQs as Prime Minister - with Kemi Badenoch calling him a “yes man”, and one of his own MPs applying pressure over defence…
Politics UnpackedBurnham Faces Political Reality
Andy Burnham returns to the despatch box for his first appearance as Prime Minister. Can he handle the Commons - and who are his critics within the Labour…
Politics UnpackedBadenoch Reshuffles Her Team
Kemi Badenoch has begun a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet, with high profile names including Priti Patel and James Cleverly out. What is she trying to achieve…
Politics UnpackedBurnham's Continuity Government?
The Chancellor says Andy Burnham is running a 'continuity government,' hinting that his economic policies won't differ much from Keir Starmer's. But can the…
Politics UnpackedBurnham’s Welsh Challenge
Andy Burnham is in Wales for his first official visit to the former Labour heartlands since taking power. He'll be hoping to spark a Welsh Labour recovery -…
Politics UnpackedBurnham's Balancing Act on Israel
Andy Burnham is set to announce tough new sanctions on West Bank settlements, but is warned they could turn into a de facto boycott of the whole country. How…
Politics UnpackedThe Long Road to the Budget
Andy Burnham has hinted at tax rises in the Budget, saying he “won’t be unrealistic” about the state of the public finances - but what do prime ministers mean…
Politics UnpackedBurnham On The World Stage
A visit to Ukraine is Andy Burnham's first chance to prove himself on the world stage. Will he, like other former PMs, end up over shadowing his foreign…
Politics UnpackedBurnham Banks On Optimism
In his first month in office, Andy Burnham has tried to project a message of hope and optimism. But as problems pile up, will that start to look out of touch?…
Politics UnpackedThe Problem With Labour's Asylum Leaflet
Asylum seekers are being given a pamphlet telling them that domestic abuse and sex with children is illegal. The government says it needs to teach people from…
- Politics Unpacked
Burnham: Popular Or People-Pleaser?
Andy Burnham tells the Times that the job of being prime minister is to be popular, rather than making a "fetish" of toughness. But does that mean avoiding…
- Politics Unpacked
Reform Suspends Tory Defector
Tory defector Tim Montgomerie has been suspended from Reform UK. Was that inevitable when he talked in public about splits within the party? Hugo Rifkind…
- Politics Unpacked
Reform's Welfare Bombshell
Reform UK has unveiled radical plans to cut the welfare bill, including stopping foreign nationals from claiming a range of benefits. and abolishing personal…
- Politics Unpacked
Farage Bins The Count
Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election but didn't attend the count. He claims to have beaten the establishment but with the parliamentary investigation…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Burnham Moving Fast Enough On Growth?
Andy Burnham promised 'good growth in every postcode,' but does he have the vision to turn the economy around, or will he be a continuation of Keir Starmer?…
- Politics Unpacked
Is This Burnham's Week Of Chaos?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Jane Mulkerrins. Has Andy Burnham come unstuck over the vexed issue of early prisoner…
- Politics Unpacked
Should Burnham Gamble On A Snap Election?
With the latest YouGov poll for the Times showing Labour nudging ahead of Reform UK, pollster James Johnson argues that Andy Burnham should seize his…
- Politics Unpacked
Burnham's Here To Hear
Andy Burnham is due to embark on his summer tour of the UK. Is it a good use of the prime minister's time, and is he already reheating old policy ideas? Ed…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Burnham Too 'Blokey'?
Andy Burnham has been advised to tone down his 'blokey' social media presence after posting a string of videos about football and the pub - but is the approach…