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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Politics Unpacked
Lineker - Football vs Politics
This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year. Matt spoke to Gary Lineker about exclusive polling for Times Radio…
- Politics Unpacked
How To Make A Party Political Broadcast
This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year. Party political broadcasts have been around for nearly 100 years…
- Politics Unpacked
The Museum Of Political Fiascos
This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year. Welcome to the grand opening of The Museum of Political Fiascos…
- Politics Unpacked
The Art Of The Political Lunch
This week we're bringing you the very best of the podcast you might have missed this year. Very few people in Westminster have had as many lunches as The…
- Politics Unpacked
Matt & Mariella's Selection Box
Matt is joined by Mariella Frostrup for a special Christmas day edition of the coffee break. They crack open a drink, exchange gifts and look back at their…
- Politics Unpacked
The Political Editors: Steven Swinford
The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're…
- Politics Unpacked
The Political Editors: Francis Elliott
The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're…
- Politics Unpacked
The Political Editors: Roland Watson
The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're…
- Politics Unpacked
The Political Editors: Philip Webster
The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're…
- Politics Unpacked
The Political Editors: Sir Peter Riddell
The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're…
- Politics Unpacked
The Political Editors: Julian Haviland
The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're…
- Politics Unpacked
The Political Editors: Fred Emery
The Political Editors is half a century of politics told by the people who wrote the first draft of history for the Times. Over the festive period we're…
- Politics Unpacked
Keirnocchio: When You Wish Upon A Starmer
'Tis the season and Matt has a new pantomime. This is the story of Keirnocchio, a wooden MP who desperately wants to become a real boy politician. When you…
- Politics Unpacked
Politics Without The Boring Quiz 2023
It's the 8th annual Politics Without The Boring Quiz, a test of who has been paying closest attention to the most extraordinary year in Westminster...since the…
- Politics Unpacked
Titchmarsh on Starmer
Gardener, broadcaster and presenter of ITV’s Love Your Garden, Alan Titchmarsh, tells Matt why he dislikes fake grass, is "appalled by the very existence of…
- Politics Unpacked
What The Voters Thought This Year
Every month former Number 10 pollster James Johnson joins Matt for the Times Radio Focus Group. They look at why the parties find focus groups so useful, and…
- Politics Unpacked
Five Essential Election Lessons
From inaccurate polls to soundbites, from going early to biscuits being thrown on the campaign trail - what lessons can Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer learn from…
- Politics Unpacked
100 Years Of Political Spin
The British Film Institute has compiled a collection of political broadcasts spanning more than 100 years, from polling day with the Clangers to a Conservative…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Rishi Sunak 'Tetchy'?
Matt is joined by Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana to discuss claims that Rishi Sunak is a bit thin-skinned, whether a Labour councillor has been blacklisted…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: Political Tittle-Tattle
In the final Prime Minister's Questions of the year, the insults are flying: Rishi Sunak accuses Keir Starmer of engaging in "political tittle-tattle", while…
- Politics Unpacked
Where Have Boris Johnson's Voters Gone?
Four years on from Boris Johnson's 2019 General Election victory, Matt goes 'polling in the deep' with a panel of experts to find out how the British public's…
- Politics Unpacked
Rishi Sunak's Nightmare Before Christmas
While Rishi Sunak gives evidence to the Covid inquiry, at Westminster his MPs are debating whether to back his Rwanda policy. Can he find a way out of his…
- Politics Unpacked
Ian Hislop's Wild Year
From Rishi Sunak being fined for not wearing a seatbelt, to David Cameron's surprise return to the cabinet, to Nigel Farage's trip to the jungle, 2023 has been…
- Politics Unpacked
Rishi Sunak's Worst Week
Rishi Sunak faces resignations and rebellions over his immigration policy, with questions being asked about his survival as prime minister. Will his emergency…
- Politics Unpacked
The Trial of Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson is on oath to tell the truth at the Covid inquiry, as he explains what worked and what didn't as the British state struggled to respond to the…
- Politics Unpacked
Local Journalism In Crisis
As editors of regional newspapers challenge the BBC for threatening their future, Matt details why local journalism has been in such steep decline over the…
- Politics Unpacked
Labour's First Prime Minister
It's 100 years since the election of December 1923, which led to the formation of Britain's first Labour government under Ramsay MacDonald. How did the…
- Politics Unpacked
And Finally... With Trevor McDonald
Broadcasting legend Trevor McDonald is arguably the most recognisable face (and voice) in British news broadcasting history. He talks to Matt about his 60-year…
- Politics Unpacked
From Child Refugee To Top Lawyer
The headlines are dominated by statistics about who is coming to the UK and why; but what is it like to come to Britain as a child refugee, without your…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: Dad Joke Delivery
The dad jokes are flowing at Prime Minister's Questions, as Keir Starmer accuses Rishi Sunak of 'losing his marbles' after falling out with the Greek prime…
- Politics Unpacked
The Art Of Political Sketch Writing
Matt is joined by parliamentary sketch writers old and new to discuss the art of the political sketch. Hear first hand from the people whose job is to poke fun…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Farage A Tory Threat?
As ministers try to plot a new path to cut record migration numbers, Reform UK - formerly the Brexit Party - hopes to win over disillusioned Conservative…
- Politics Unpacked
A Winter Of Political Discontent?
As temperatures drop around the UK, Patrick Maguire and historian Phil Tinline look at how political problems can turn into a crisis during the winter months -…
- Politics Unpacked
How Conspiracies Poisoned Politics
Conspiracy theories aren't new, bu they're becoming harder for politicians to ignore. Patrick Maguire explores how they've crept into mainstream discourse, and…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: All About The Money
On the day of the chancellor's Autumn Statement, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer clash in the Commons over Sunak's missing pledge and Labour's record in Wales…
- Politics Unpacked
What's Left For The Tory Right?
Rishi Sunak has been under pressure from MPs on the right of his party since the cabinet reshuffle, which saw Suella Braverman replaced by David Cameron. But…
- Politics Unpacked
Are Tax Cuts The Answer?
Rishi Sunak says the time has come to cut taxes, but how much are we really paying? Patrick Maguire asks how much they pay in Europe and America, and what, if…
- Politics Unpacked
The Best of Enemies: Thatcher & Major
As a cabinet minister under both Maragret Thatcher and John Major, Norman Fowler is perfectly placed to chronicle the rise and fall of the two prime ministers…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: Meek Sunak and Slimy Starmer
It's bad news for both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer in the latest Times Radio Focus group, with voters taking a dim view of David Cameron's return and Suella…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: Rwanda Rejected
On the day that the Supreme Court ruled the government's Rwanda plan is unlawful, Rishi Sunak goes head-to-head with Keir Starmer over immigration and national…
- Politics Unpacked
The World vs Cameron
What does the rest of the world make of David Cameron's return to frontline politics? Climb aboard Chorley Airlines for a whistle-stop tour from Jerusalem to…
- Politics Unpacked
Cameron the Comeback Kid
As David Cameron's return to government stuns Westminster, Matt asks if he's the future once again - with guests including the former prime minister's…
- Politics Unpacked
Jonathan Aitken: Ruin And Redemption
Jonathan Aitken's career in politics began 60 years ago as a speech writer for Alex Douglas-Home and saw him rise to the cabinet under John Major. It all came…
- Politics Unpacked
Has Nadine Lost The Plot?
Nadine Dorries' new book "The Plot" claims Boris Johnson was ousted by a cabal called "The Movement" that has been controlling the Tory leadership for two…
- Politics Unpacked
Spads vs Civil Servants?
Has the relationship between the civil service and politicians and their advisers been permanently damaged? Matt speaks to Lord McDonald, permanent secretary…
- Politics Unpacked
The Other King's Speech
As the government sets out its plans for the year ahead in the King's Speech, Matt is joined by impressionist Jon Culshaw to imagine some alternative measures…
- Politics Unpacked
The Politics of Vegetables
British horticulture is at a crisis point, with millions of pounds worth of crops rotting in the ground every year. Matt asks how our politicians can help the…
- Politics Unpacked
When Musk Met Sunak
Matt's been to see 'gently spoken nerd' Elon Musk meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and finds it's all a bit strange. He talks to Culture Secretary Lucy…
- Politics Unpacked
Lessons From A Dying Government
What can Rishi Sunak learn from the final days of the Major government, when the prime minister was behind in the polls with a party mired in sleaze and…
- Politics Unpacked
Covid Inquiry Unpacked
This week at the Covid inquiry we've learned a lot about the way Boris Johnson's government worked - and didn't - during the pandemic. Matt is joined by the…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer Defies Ceasefire Calls
Keir Starmer has been explaining why he has rejected calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, and claims the Labour Party is united. Will his speech settle tensions…
- Politics Unpacked
Can AI Swing The Election?
As politicians from around the globe prepare to touch down in England for Rishi Sunak's AI summit, Matt asks the experts what risks this new technology poses…
- Politics Unpacked
How To Rebuild Parliament
80 years ago, Winston Churchill announced a plan to rebuild the Palace of Westminster after the Commons chamber was hit during the last major raid of the…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Can't Politicians Fix Our Prisons?
The crisis facing prisons in England and Wales is nothing new - in fact, governments of every stripe have been trying to fix it for decades. Patrick Maguire…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: Eff Off
Fresh from Labour's recent by-election victories, Keir Starmer tells Rishi Sunak that voters want him to eff off while they clash over mortgages and rent…
- Politics Unpacked
Rishi's Report Card
Its one year since Rishi Sunak was voted into number 10 so how is he faring when it comes to the policies that really matter? Patrick and a faculty of experts…
- Politics Unpacked
More Money, More Politics
With the government set to raise the spending cap for the next general election, Patrick Maguire asks if more money leads to worse politics. He talks to two…
Politics UnpackedIntroducing: How To Win An Election
Introducing: How To Win An Election. As the next General Election approaches, Matt Chorley is joined by three of the sharpest, funniest and best-connected…
- Politics Unpacked
Rishi Sunak's By-Election Blow
Do Labour's by-election wins add up to a political earthquake, and a sure sign that the Conservatives are destined to lose the next election? Or are they what…
- Politics Unpacked
Secrets Of A Political Cartoonist
Matt is joined by Times and Sunday Times cartoonists Peter Brookes and Morten Morland at the Cheltenham Literature Festival to discuss the art of mocking…