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
Focus Group: Attack Of The Clones
A group of people from across England who voted for the Conservatives at the 2019 election, but now say they plan to vote for Labour give their verdict on…
- Politics Unpacked
How To Punish Politicians
Matt is joined by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg, the man in charge of investigating politicians behaviour. He discusses whether…
- Politics Unpacked
Are The Greens Missing Their Moment?
With the climate at the top of the news agenda, why isn't the Green Party doing better? Matt asks Siân Berry if she can hold the party's only parliamentary…
- Politics Unpacked
When Will Sunak Call An Election?
Should Rishi Sunak go early like Boris Johnson, or cling on until the bitter end like John Major? Matt considers the merits of an early or a late general…
- Politics Unpacked
What Do The By-Elections Mean?
After the Conservatives suffered two by-election defeats but were spared the embarrassment of a whitewash, Matt explores what it means for Sunak and Starmer's…
- Politics Unpacked
MPs On Holiday: What Not To Do
As MPs leave Westminster for the summer recess, Matt brings you his guide to the dos and don'ts of taking some time away from politics. He talks about Harold…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: The A Team Is Back
The deputies have gone, and Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are back at PMQs for their last outing before the summer recess. Matt pauses and unpacks the action…
- Politics Unpacked
How Do You Fix The Met Police?
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley joins Matt to talk about his plan to overhaul Britain's largest force, warning it will be a 'bumpy journey'…
- Politics Unpacked
Death & Taxes
When George Osborne promised to scrap inheritance tax on the family home in 2007, it was credited with deterring Gordon Brown from holding a snap election…
- Politics Unpacked
Radio, Religion And Brass Bands
Matt looks at a boom in hyper-local community radio, including the station bringing you the sounds of a hedge for eight hours. Plus: Columnists James Marriott…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Your Council Going Bust?
If your town hall isn't already in trouble, it could be soon. Local authorities around the country are taking drastic action to balance the books, with many…
- Politics Unpacked
DPMQs Unpacked: A Teachable Moment
It's Deputy PMQs, and Matt and Tim Shipman are joined by a deputy head teacher to help them pause and unpack the action as Oliver Dowden and Angela Rayner…
- Politics Unpacked
Finkelstein & Zeffman: Crazy Politics, Crazy Golf
As Henry Zeffman leaves the Times, he joins Daniel Finkelstein and Matt one last time. They discuss what politics will look like in 2030, how journalists…
- Politics Unpacked
Can The Tories Hold The Red Wall?
It's been four years since the term 'Red Wall' entered the political lexicon. Matt is joined by the man who coined the phrase, analyst James Kanagasooriam, as…
- Politics Unpacked
Boris Johnson, One Year On
It's been a year since Boris Johnson resigned outside Downing Street, telling the nation: "Them's the breaks." Matt is joined by impressionist Jon Culshaw and…
Politics UnpackedCould The Tories Lose Four By-Elections?
In two weeks' time Rishi Sunak faces major by-election tests in the seats vacated by Boris Johnson, Nigel Adams and David Warburton, and the suspension of…
- Politics Unpacked
DPMQs Unpacked: Game, Set and Match
Deputies Oliver Dowden and Angela Rayner stand in at PMQs and clash over mortgage rates and problems in the rental market. Matt pauses and unpacks the action…
- Politics Unpacked
Sunak's 5 Pledges, 6 Months On
Six months ago today, Rishi Sunak laid out five key pledges that he said would build a better future for the country. Matt and a panel of experts from The…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Ian Blackford
Ian Blackford joined the SNP aged 16, going on to lead the party in Westminster during a period of high political drama. In the latest episode of our series…
- Politics Unpacked
Behind The Scenes At Parliament TV
It's been a century since the broadcasters first asked to record what goes on in Parliament, although cameras didn't make it into the Commons chamber until…
- Politics Unpacked
Margaret McDonagh
Baroness McDonagh, Labour's first female general secretary, was a key figure in the paty and was instrumental in Tony Blair's election victories in 1997 and…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: We've Got The X-Factor
As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer trade blows over housing statistics, Matt pauses and unpacks the action with the help of Peter Dickson, the voice of the X…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: Martin Lewis For PM
Swing voters from across England give their verdict on Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer and explain why they'd rather have consumer expert Martin Lewis at Number 10…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Ben Bradshaw
Sir Ben Bradshaw spent almost a decade as a junior minister before reaching the cabinet under Gordon Brown. In the latest episode of our series talking to MPs…
- Politics Unpacked
Falklands, Robin Day and Peppa Pig
As defence secretary when the Falklands were invaded, John Nott had to check the globe in his office and was horrified to see how far away the islands were. He…
- Politics Unpacked
Keir Starmer Does The Quiz
Labour Leader Keir Starmer joins Matt in the studio to discuss help for homeowners, travelling by helicopter, whether Tony Blair should be in the Lords - and…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: Jane & Fi Take On Rishi & Keir
As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer argue over whether there's a "Tory mortgage penalty", Matt is joined by special guests Jane Garvey and Fi Glover to pause and…
- Politics Unpacked
The Johnson Defence
Daniel Finkelstein and Henry Zeffman discuss what we we learned from the MPs defending Boris Johnson during the debate over the Privileges Committee report…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Gary Streeter
Sir Gary Streeter started out in the SDP, defected to the Tories, was an aide to John Major after his general election defeat and was sacked by Iain Duncan…
- Politics Unpacked
Blackadder Goes Fortieth
This week in 1983 one of the great political schemers, Edmund Blackadder hit TV screens for the first time. Matt chart's the politics of the classic sitcom…
- Politics Unpacked
What Next For Boris Johnson?
After the Privileges Committee finds that Boris Johnson misled the Commons, Matt considers his future career options with Times sketchwriter Quentin Letts…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: Peer Pressure
Keir Starmer takes aim at Rishi Sunak over Boris Johnson's resignation honours list, while Sunak attacks Labour for picking peers like Tom Watson. Matt, Tim…
- Politics Unpacked
Boris vs Rishi
Daniel Finkelstein and Henry Zeffman are back to discuss the battle over Boris Johnson's honours list, why the former prime minister annoys Rishi Sunak so…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: Margaret Hodge
Labour veteran Dame Margaret Hodge sits down for The Exit Interviews, our new series featuring MPs leaving Parliament at the next election. She talks to Matt…
- Politics Unpacked
Donald or Ron or Nikki or Mike or Tim or Chris or Doug vs Joe
Former US President Donald Trump has been criminally charged for the second time in three months, but is still the favourite to secure the Republican…
- Politics Unpacked
Escaping Hitler and Stalin
Daniel Finkelstein, Times columnist and friend of the podcast, tells the story of his parents' remarkable journey from the Soviet Gulags and the Nazi…
- Politics Unpacked
DPMQs Unpacked: Dire Punchlines
With Rishi Sunak away in America, deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden faces off against Labour's number two, Angela Rayner. Matt, Patrick Maguire and Lara…
- Politics Unpacked
Mr Sunak Goes to Washington
Rishi Sunak is off to meet Joe Biden at the White House for the first time and will hope to make a big impression (or at least get the President to pronounce…
- Politics Unpacked
The Exit Interviews: George Eustice
Matt is back with the first episode in a new series, The Exit Interviews, sitting down with MPs leaving Parliament at the next election to talk about their…
- Politics Unpacked
How (Not) to Write a Manifesto
Patrick Maguire is in for Matt, looking at Labour's 1983 manifesto - 'the longest suicide note in history' - 40 years on, with historian Phil Tinline. He also…
- Politics Unpacked
Down Under Take Over
Whether it's a love of Kylie, cricket or beer, Australia and Britain have plenty in common when it comes to popular culture - and politics, with a new wave of…
- Politics Unpacked
Running The Numbers For Thatcher
It was the leadership contest that finally ended Margaret Thatcher's premiership - even though she won in the first round. The year was 1990, when the veteran…
- Politics Unpacked
Should Johnson's WhatsApps Stay Secret?
While Matt is away, Patrick Maguire is joined by columnists Daniel Finkelstein and Miranda Green to discuss whether the government should hand Boris Johnson's…
- Politics Unpacked
How Call of Duty Became Britain's Post-Brexit Battleground
Matt is away for the bank holiday, but in the meantime we have another guest episode from the team at Stories of Our Times - one remarkable story, told in…
- Politics Unpacked
Sex, Lies And Boris Johnson
Cleo Watson has gone from being deputy chief of staff for Boris Johnson to writing a satirical 'bonkbuster' set in and around Westminster, Downing Street and…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: I Haven't Heard Of Him
Undecided voters from across England make up this month's Times Radio Focus Group. They give their verdict on record levels of net migration, and their damning…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: You Owe Me Dinner
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer battle it out over migration, inflation and apprenticeships. Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit pause and unpack the exchanges, and…
- Politics Unpacked
What Is The Point of the Points-Based System
After more than a decade of Conservative promises, targets and legislation to cut the rate of net migration, official figures are expected to show it has more…
- Politics Unpacked
Can Starmer Win Without Scotland?
After years of decline north of the border, can a win for Labour in Scotland clear the path for Keir Starmer to secure a majority and get the keys to No 10?…
- Politics Unpacked
Photographing Five Prime Ministers
For more than a decade Andrew Parsons was the official Downing Street photographer - chronicling life at No 10 with every prime minister from David Cameron to…
- Politics Unpacked
The Biggest Threat to the West
Sir Richard Dearlove began his career in the intelligence services at the height of the Cold War, and went on to become 'C' - the head of MI6. He tells Matt…
- Politics Unpacked
DPMQs Unpacked: Olive v Ange
It's Deputy Prime Minister's questions with new DPM Oliver Dowden facing Angela Rayner for the first time. Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit pause and unpack…
- Politics Unpacked
Stuck In The Middle With You
Exclusive YouGov polling for Times Radio shows that plenty of Labour voters - and even more Liberal Democrats - would like to see a coalition between the two…
- Politics Unpacked
Turkey's Turning Point
Turks are at a historic turning point - choosing between two radically different visions for the future of their country. With the battle for the presidency…
- Politics Unpacked
Is It 1974 All Over Again?
A Conservative prime minister, soaring inflation, strikes bringing the country to a standstill - and Britain hosting the Eurovision Song Contest. Welcome to…
- Politics Unpacked
How To Interview A Politician
Rob Burley has had a ringside seat at some of the biggest political TV grillings for more than a quarter of a century, working with interviewers including…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: Zippy's Rainbow Coalition
The star of children's TV show Rainbow joins Matt, Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit to pause and unpack the exchanges at PMQs. As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer go…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Are Tory Voters Switching To Labour?
Matt discusses exclusive YouGov polling examining the reasons why 2019 Conservative voters are switching to Labour. Are they really embracing Keir Starmer's…
- Politics Unpacked
Battle Of The Political Bands
Forget the Coronation concert - Matt pits politicians singing and playing instruments against one another, and discusses the state of live music in the UK with…
- Politics Unpacked
What Do The Local Elections Mean?
Millions have had their say in elections across England, but what do the results tell us about the chances of Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer ending up in Downing…