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 Unpacked
Is English Identity Under Threat?
Ed Vaizey is unpacking the politics of the day with Timandra Harkness and Matthew Bell. Is Robert Jenrick right about English identity, could Nigel Farage end…
- Politics Unpacked
Perks, Or Part Of The Job?
Are Keir Starmer's freebies a legitimate part of his job? With Hugo away, Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana join Lara Spirit to unpack the politics of the day…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Working From Home Working?
Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton join Hugo Rifkind to discuss the divisive Scottish independence referendum, 10 years on. Plus: Do ministers want…
- Politics Unpacked
Has Britain Lost Its Regional Identity?
Hugo Rifkind is back to unpack the politics of the day, and all the other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times. Today he's joined…
- Politics Unpacked
Should The Starmers Buy Their Own Clothes?
Columnists Hadley Freeman and Patrick Maguire join Hugo Rifkind to discuss Keir Starmer's breach of parliamentary rules in failing to declare that clothes were…
- Politics Unpacked
PFI 2.0, Salmond vs Sturgeon, and Gove's Return?
It's Friday, so Ed Vaizey is back to unpack the politics of the day with Trevor Phillips and Miranda Green. Could Labour plug the financial black hole with the…
- Politics Unpacked
Does Starmer Have It In For Pensioners?
Hugo Rifkind is here to unpack the politics of the day, and plenty of other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times. Today he's…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Starmer Sticks To The Script
Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the action from Prime Minister's Questions, joined by Sunday Times chief political commentator Tim Shipman and comedian Ria Lina. As…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Britain In A Sickness Crisis?
Hugo Rifkind is back to unpack the politics of the day, and all the other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times. Today he's joined…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Labour Really Risking A Brain Drain?
Hugo Rifkind is here to unpack the politics of the day, and plenty of other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times. Today he's…
- Politics Unpacked
What Makes A Maiden Speech
As the 335 new MPs elected at the last election continue to deliver their first speeches to Parliament, Ed Vaizey asks what is the secret to standing out from…
- Politics Unpacked
Philby, Fleming and Putin: A History of Spies
Ed Vaizey interrogates the past, present and future of espionage, from moments that could have come from fiction to the reality of spying in the modern world…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: No, I'M Prime Minister
PMQs is back from summer recess, with Rishi Sunak quizzing Keir Starmer - although the prime minister is still having a hard time getting used to his new job…
- Politics Unpacked
Go For Degrowth?
Keir Starmer says it's all about growth, growth, growth - but why do some economists and politicians say we're looking at it the wrong way? Ed Vaizey finds out…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Back-To-School Plans
MPs are back in Westminster after the summer recess, and the government has big plans for the new term - but where will it be plain sailing, and where could it…
- Politics Unpacked
Conference Clangers
With the SNP gathering in Edinburgh, party conference season is well and truly upon us. Ed Vaizey is joined by a panel of political advisers to discuss what to…
- Politics Unpacked
Does Starmer Have A Union Problem?
The Labour Party was born from the trade union movement, but is Keir Starmer's government on a collision course with the unions over public sector pay? Ed…
- Politics Unpacked
The Fall of Kabul 3 Years On
It's been three years since the last British troops and diplomats left Afghanistan in the chaotic withdrawal of Western forces. Ed Vaizey finds out what's…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Woes Garden
Keir Starmer uses his speech in the Downing Street rose garden to warn of a turbulent time ahead, with a 'painful budget' on the way. Ed Vaizey unpacks it with…
- Politics Unpacked
The Making Of A Political Documentary
Michael Cockerell is one of the UK’s most experienced political film-makers, and has interviewed prime ministers from Macmillan to Johnson. He joins Ed Vaizey…
- Politics Unpacked
When Sport Gets Political
Is it ever possible to keep politics out of sport? Ed Vaizey looks at times when the two have collided, as well as how AI could change the world of athletics…
- Politics Unpacked
Politics On The Stage
It's culture week here on the podcast, and today we're looking at the theatre - does politics still have a place on the stage? Ed Vaizey hears from playwrights…
- Politics Unpacked
The Obama Effect
Was Barack Obama's speech to the Democratic Convention a reminder that great orators don't come along very often? Columnists Robert Crampton and Jane…
- Politics Unpacked
Politicians vs Social Media
Bill Clinton once said that regulating the internet would be like ‘nailing jello to a wall’, but in the UK new rules are on the way. Ed Vaizey looks at whether…
- Politics Unpacked
Vlad to Be Here
25 years ago Vladimir Putin began his Russian reign in continuous positions as president or prime minister. How did the man in Moscow build his powerbase, how…
- Politics Unpacked
The Beginning Of The End For Putin?
How do people like Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin really hold onto power? The Pulitzer-prize winning historian and author of 'Autocracy Inc', Anne Applebaum…
- Politics Unpacked
The Politics Of Your Plate
Where does the food on your plate come from? As farmers call on ministers to bolster national food security, Adam weighs up the pros and cons of buying…
- Politics Unpacked
Rebuilding After The Riots
In the wake of the riots that followed the Southport attacks, Adam Boulton asks what Keir Starmer can learn from other politicians who tried to rebuild and…
- Politics Unpacked
Stories From The Frontline
As fighting in the Russian-Ukraine war intensifies, and Israel warns of an imminent Iranian strike, what does it take to report on these deadly conflicts? Adam…
- Politics Unpacked
How Scandal Brought Down A President
Fifty Years ago Richard Nixon became the first, and so far only, sitting US President to resign. Ed looks back at how Watergate caused his demise, and asks…
- Politics Unpacked
The Deepfake Election That Wasn't
Fears that AI generated 'deepfakes' could threaten British democracy in the run up to the general election turned out to be largely unfounded. Ed Vaizey asks…
- Politics Unpacked
The Worst Vice President Of All Time
As Kamala Harris confirms she's chosen Tim Walz as her running mate, Ed Vaizey looks back on some of the best and worst vice presidential picks throughout US…
- Politics Unpacked
The Free Speech Debate
After the government announced it may ditch the Conservatives' law to fight cancel culture on campuses, Ed Vaizey asks whether freedom of speech at University…
- Politics Unpacked
Can Starmer Stop The Riots?
As rioters rampage through towns and cities across the country, Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves join Ed Vaizey to discuss what Keir Starmer…
- Politics Unpacked
Mission Impossible: Save The NHS
Keir Starmer says he's running a 'mission-led government', and this week Adam Boulton is looking at all five of his missions. Today it's his plan to 'build a…
- Politics Unpacked
Mission Impossible: Smashing The Class Ceiling
Keir Starmer says he's running a 'mission-led government', and this week Adam Boulton is looking at all five of his missions. Today it's his plan to break down…
- Politics Unpacked
Mission Impossible: Keir, Crime Fighter?
Adam Boulton continues his analysis of Keir Starmer's five missions for the Labour government, today it's his plan to 'take back our streets'. Plus: Columnists…
- Politics Unpacked
Mission Impossible: Energy Superpower
Adam Boulton continues his analysis of Keir Starmer's five missions for the Labour government. Today it's his plan to turn Britain into a “clean energy…
- Politics Unpacked
Mission Impossible: Go For Growth
As Rachel Reeves addresses the nation with a warning about a £20 billion black hole in the public coffers, Adam Boulton is checking on the progress of Keir…
- Politics Unpacked
The Impressionists Are Back
It's Matt's last appearance on the podcast, and he's assembled comedians Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod and Nerine Skinner to give us their best political…
- Politics Unpacked
The Tory Olympics
The starting gun has been fired and Conservative MPs have begun entering the race to become next leader of the party. Who will make it to the finish line? Matt…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Keir's First One
PMQs is back, and this time it's Rishi Sunak putting questions to new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer. Matt unpacks the action from the new-look Commons…
- Politics Unpacked
SpAd School
Special advisers, known as 'SpAds', are being appointed left and right and centre by the new government. But what do they actually do? Matt is joined by former…
- Politics Unpacked
10 Years Of Red Box
As the Times Red Box newsletter celebrates its 10th birthday, Matt rounds up all the previous editors to look back over a remarkable decade in politics, and…
- Politics Unpacked
Has Keir Starmer Killed Comedy?
As thousands of performers descend upon Edinburgh for the Fringe, those promising topical comedy are buried in hasty rewrites after the snap election. But is…
- Politics Unpacked
Quad Goals
Matt takes a look at the government's new gang of four - Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves and Pat McFadden. Will they make all the big decisions…
- Politics Unpacked
1945 All Over Again
King Charles III has set out the government's plans for the year ahead, but what happened the last time a King was on the throne unveiling the programme for an…
- Politics Unpacked
Stand And Deliver
Keir Starmer has promised to "deliver from the get-go”, but what does a focus on delivery really mean? Matt is joined by US political theorist Matt Stoller…
- Politics Unpacked
Biden's Brain & Starmer’s Face
As Joe Biden gaffes his way through his latest press conference, columnists James Marriott and India Knight ask if he should stand down. They also discuss…
- Politics Unpacked
What Dog Should Keir Starmer Get?
After Keir Starmer told us his children are campaigning to get a German Shepherd, we find out whether there's room for one in the flat above Downing Street…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer Goes Global
Keir Starmer is in America for his first Nato summit as prime minister, but what kind of leader will he be on the world stage? Matt is joined by correspondents…
- Politics Unpacked
How To Keep Order! In The Commons
As the Commons meets to elect the Speaker, who has made a success of the job - and who hasn't? Matt speaks to two former deputy speakers to find out how the…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Our Survival Guide For New MPs
Now, as a record number of new faces arrive in Westminster, Matt pulls together a helpful guide on how to survive life as an MP - from asking for directions to…
- Politics Unpacked
Sunak Out, Starmer In
Matt Chorley guides you through an extraordinary moment in British politics, as Rishi Sunak leaves Downing Street for the last time and Keir Starmer becomes…
- Politics Unpacked
The Political Editors: The Election
Former and Current Political Editors Fred Emery, Roland Watson and Steven Swinford tell Matt about reporting on half a century of elections for The Times. They…
- Politics Unpacked
Keir Starmer's Umbrella
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tells Matt about tax, protecting his family, his favourite Elton John record, and his plan for a Downing Street downpour. Plus…
- Politics Unpacked
Kings Of Swing: Dimbleby, Vine, Snow & Kanagasooriam
For decades the holy grail of election night has been swing - the method of comparing support for the parties between general elections invented back in 1955…
- Politics Unpacked
Are You Ready To Be PM?
Being prime minister doesn't come with a job description - in our political system after a gruelling six-week assault course of an election campaign, a…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: Hate Labour, But Voting Labour
In the latest Times Radio Focus Group, 2019 Conservative voters explain why they have switched to Labour, but have very low expectations of Keir Starmer as PM…
- Politics Unpacked
Tracking The Leaders On Tour
The party leaders have been on the campaign trail day in, day out - but what seats have they been visiting, and what does it tell us about the kind of campaign…