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
The MPs Who Don't Exist
Our new exclusive polling shows that both Labour and the Tories have some well-known frontbench spokespeople; the bad news is that some of them don't exist…
- Politics Unpacked
It's Not Just The Economy, Stupid
Matt sits down with US political scientist Lynn Vavreck, author of 'The Message Matters', to find out whether the Clinton-era cliche - 'It's the economy…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: Geoff Norcott Rates The Jokes
It's the last PMQs before MPs head off for an Easter break, and comedian Geoff Norcott joins Matt Chorley, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the…
- Politics Unpacked
What's The One Thing Sunak Could Do?
With his party behind in the polls and some asking whether he'll survive until the autumn, what options does Rishi Sunak have to turn things around? Matt asks…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: William Wragg
Matt Chorley sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons…
- Politics Unpacked
Does The Feelgood Factor Matter?
What makes the nation feel good about itself - is it the weather, sporting success or a royal wedding? And what difference does it make to how the nation…
- Politics Unpacked
Could Cameron Join the GOATs?
Gordon Brown tried to form a "government of all the talents", giving ministerial jobs to figures from outside politics. Matt speaks to two of the original…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: A Racist’s Refund
Rishi Sunak struggles to deflect questions about a Tory donor's racist comments, and accuses of Keir Starmer of double standards. But have government…
- Politics Unpacked
Too Easy To Sack Your MP?
It's been a decade since the introduction of recall, meaning MPs who break the rules can be kicked out of the Commons. As another recall petition opens in…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Mark Drakeford
Former Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson has defected to Reform UK, giving the party its first MP. Matt discusses the significance of the move with…
- Politics Unpacked
The Secrets Of Political Advertising
In the coming months you're going to see a lot more political adverts across TV, radio, and social media. But how much do we know about what really works, and…
- Politics Unpacked
Rachel Reeves' First Budget
If the polls are right, Rachel Reeves could be the next chancellor. But after a Budget that confirmed money is tight (and stole some of her flagship ideas)…
- Politics Unpacked
The Budget: Losing A Few Pounds
Jeremy Hunt has delivered what is probably his last Budget before the general election, and as well as offering tax cuts he found time to refer to Peter…
- Politics Unpacked
The Only Poll That Counts
Politicians often tell journalists "the only poll that counts is the one on election day". Professor Jane Green from the University of Oxford tells Matt why we…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Stephen Hammond
Matt Chorley sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons…
- Politics Unpacked
Inside The Downing St Handover
What really goes on behind the famous black door after an election, as one government makes way for another? Matt hears about recently-released documents…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: Time For Reform?
Three out of 10 Tory voters now say they're leaning toward Reform UK. Is there anything Rishi Sunak can do to bring them back? Pollster James Johnson of J.L…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Tin-Foil Hat Brigade
Keir Starmer claims the Tories have become the 'political wing of the flat-earth society' for promoting conspiracies; Sunak says Starmer is just sniping from…
- Politics Unpacked
50 Years Of Labour Victories, But Mostly Defeats
This week in 1974 Britain went to the polls in an election that saw the Conservatives lose, but Labour fail to drum up enough enthusiasm to win a majority…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Nickie Aiken
Matt Chorley sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to find out about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons…
- Politics Unpacked
Your Best Political Impressions
After discovering the voice of the self-service checkouts at Tesco sounds like Rishi Sunak, Matt is joined by comedians Jon Culshaw, Debra Stephenson and Rory…
- Politics Unpacked
Can Lindsay Hoyle Survive?
Matt is joined by columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris to weigh up the Commons speaker's chances of survival as MPs continue to call for him to go. They…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: What Was The Point In That?
Keir Starmer focuses on the Post Office Horizon scandal ahead of the Commons vote on Gaza. But have the listeners come up with better questions for the prime…
- Politics Unpacked
The Neverending Backstory
As a new biography of Keir Starmer tells us more about the Labour leader's childhood, Matt takes a look at the importance of a backstory - does finding out…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Dehenna Davison
Matt Chorley sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons…
- Politics Unpacked
What Do The By-Elections Mean?
In the wake of the by-elections in Kingswood and Wellingborough, Patrick asks whether a Labour general election victory is nailed on, if Rishi Sunak can turn…
- Politics Unpacked
Sturgeon's Successor
It's a year since Nicola Sturgeon's surprise resignation as First Minister rocked Scottish politics and her successor Humza Yousaf has had a difficult time…
- Politics Unpacked
What's The Point Of PMQs?
As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer take a break from Prime Minister's Questions during recess, Patrick asks what their weekly joust teaches us, and whether it…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Are Young Men Turning Right?
There's a new divide in British politics: young men are becoming more right-wing, just as young women turn left. Patrick asks what's causing this growing…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Is Keir Starmer Love Bombing Joe Biden?
Patick Maguire is back looking after the podcast this week as Matt is away for half term. Today he looks at Keir Starmer's relationship with Joe Biden to ask…
- Politics Unpacked
Do We Expect Too Much Of Our MPs?
With constituents asking their MP to deal with everything from arguments about hedges to parking tickets, are politicians are struggling to focus on the other…
- Politics Unpacked
Quitting The Cabinet For Not Being Up To The Job
On Throwback Thursdays Matt speaks to the politicians of the past to find out lessons for the present. Estelle Morris was Education Secretary under Tony Blair…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Of All The Weeks
Rishi Sunak attacks Keir Starmer for flip-flopping, but turns the proceedings sour with a scripted jibe about trans rights. Matt is joined by Caroline Wheeler…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: None Of The Above
New polling for Times Radio shows that voters aren't enthusiastic about either Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer. We hear from ordinary voters from across England to…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Steve Brine
Matt Chorley sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons…
- Politics Unpacked
Barmy Barometers
Can lipstick, packed lunches and pants tell us about the health of the economy? Matt is joined by The Times' Science Editor Tom Whipple to test the theories…
- Politics Unpacked
Europe's Turn To The Right
A wave of upheaval is happening across Europe, with hard right or Eurosceptic parties gaining traction in countries from France, to Italy, Hungary and the…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Poor Phil
Keir Starmer has met a supermarket worker called Phil who is struggling with his mortgage. Rishi Sunak says Phil will pay more in taxes under Labour. But where…
- Politics Unpacked
What Is A Conservative?
As Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and countless others argue over what is and isn't real conservatism, we ask what the different tribes stand for, and is that the same…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Harriet Harman
Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've…
- Politics Unpacked
Take Back Control (Of Words)
In America the Democrats are attempting to reclaim the word 'Freedom' from Republicans in the debate over abortion rights. So how do you use language to seize…
- Politics Unpacked
Anti-Tory Tactics
Is tactical voting about to go mainstream? Matt speaks to the organiser of an US-style primary who wants to give voters the chance to choose one candidate to…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Complete S***t show
After former cabinet minister Simon Clarke calls on Rishi Sunak to resign, Keir Starmer gets away with swearing about Tory in-fighting and Rishi Sunak calls…
- Politics Unpacked
Reasons To Be Cheerful
From climate change to war to global poverty, the world seems like it's in a fragile state. Danish political scientist and climate contrarian Bjørn Lomborg…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Robert Goodwill
Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've…
- Politics Unpacked
Death of a Census?
The Census provides a snapshot of the state of the nation - should it survive? Matt visits the cupboard where Emily Wilding Davison hid in Parliament during…
- Politics Unpacked
Happy Birthday, Schools!
The 1944 Education Act introduced free secondary education for all pupils, but only came about thanks to a meeting with Winston Churchill leaning back in bed…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Al Murray Rates The Jokes
It's PMQs Unpacked, and Matt and Tim Shipman are joined by comedian Al Murray to rate the jokes as Keir Starmer calls the government's Rwanda plan a "farce"…
- Politics Unpacked
Is The UK Ready For Trump The Sequel?
Donald Trump kicked off his bid for the White House with a record-breaking win in Iowa, making him the likely Republican nominee in November's US election…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Charles Walker
Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've…
- Politics Unpacked
Political Antiques Roadshow
From Gladstone’s despatch box to a packet of crisps with Nick Clegg's face on it, what is your political memorabilia worth? Matt is joined by Antiques…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: The Guy Just Makes Me Cringe
In the first Times Radio Focus Group of 2024, we hear from 2019 Conservative voters who now say they've switched to Labour. Rishi Sunak is out of touch and…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: New Year, New Nonsense
It's the first PMQs of the new year, with Rishi Sunak announcing a plan to overturn wrongful convictions in the Post Office scandal and Keir Starmer accusing…
- Politics Unpacked
Did Sturgeon Kill Independence?
It's nearly a year since Nicola Sturgeon resigned, and Humza Yousaf has set out his stall for the general election - with independence looking an increasingly…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Chloe Smith
Matt sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons they've…
- Politics Unpacked
The TV Debates Debate
Keir Starmer has said 'bring it on' to TV election debates, firing the starting gun on months of arguments between parties and broadcasters. Matt goes behind…
- Politics Unpacked
Let Rishi Be Rishi
The prime minister has left Westminster to meet 'real people' and give the voters a sense of the authentic Rishi Sunak. Will it be a success like John Major's…
- Politics Unpacked
The TikTok Election?
There may be no date set for the general election, but campaigning has already begun on our social media feeds. Matt hears what kind of adverts the parties are…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Mhairi Black
Matt Chorley sits down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their highs and lows, their best and worst bosses, and the lessons…
- Politics Unpacked
What Election Year Is It?
This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year. Heading into an election year in 2024, which election in history…