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
Will SEND be Labour's Next Rebellion?
The government hopes to tackle the sensitive and costly system for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) in England - but will Labour…
- Politics Unpacked
What Andrew's Arrest Means For The Monarchy
The royal family faces its biggest crisis in decades following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has denied wrongdoing. Does this weaken the…
- Politics Unpacked
Former Prince Andrew Arrested By Police
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct whilst in public office. He's the first senior Royal figure to be taken into custody in…
- Politics Unpacked
Reform Without Farage's Fireworks
Robert Jenrick sets out Reform’s economic case aiming to make the party credible. But without Farage on the stage, is it losing its radical edge? Hugo unpacks…
- Politics Unpacked
Reform Team, Assemble
The Reform UK 'shadow cabinet' has assembled. Nigel Farage has appointed Robert Jenrick, Suella Braverman and Zia Yusuf to key roles - but will voters be…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Stay Of Execution
Cabinet ministers believe Sir Keir Starmer may now survive beyond May because Labour's leadership contenders are too busy squabbling to unite behind a…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer Seeks Relief On The World Stage
Sir Keir Starmer has survived to the end of a torrid week - will he find solace focusing on the internatonal agenda? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day…
- Politics Unpacked
The Cabinet Chaos Continues
The trouble for Keir Starmer continues, as cabinet minister Lisa Nandy calls recent events 'unforgivable', and talks of briefings from Number 10 'dripping in…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: 'Hypocrites and Paedophile Apologists'
The PM faces questions over giving peerages to Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle, with Kemi Badenoch accusing him of 'stuffing government with hypocrites and…
- Politics Unpacked
The Drama Keir, I Love It
After a political whirlwind caused by the Mandelson scandal came close to ending Sir Keir Starmer's premiership, some of his supporters claim the media is…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Terminal Phase
Keir Starmer has lost a second senior aide, less than 24 hours after the departure of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. Are we now in the terminal phase of Keir…
- Politics Unpacked
A Matter Of When, Not If?
Keir Starmer is clinging on as Prime Minister and more details of Peter Mandelson's alleged misconduct could still emerge - so is his fate now sealed? Ed…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Starmer’s Apology Enough?
Keir Starmer says he’s sorry for believing Peter Mandelson’s lies, as anger grows over Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US - but is his apology…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Starmer Knew About Mandelson & Epstein
Keir Starmer described Peter Mandelson as a "liar" who "betrayed our country" at PMQs today. But he also admitted that he had been aware of Mandelson's ongoing…
- Politics Unpacked
The Mandelson-Epstein Scandal Explodes
After Peter Mandelson tells the Times he can't escape his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the uproar over allegations he leaked sensitive government emails…
- Politics Unpacked
Has Peter Mandelson Damaged Starmer?
Peter Mandelson is out of the Labour Party and Keir Starmer says he'd like to see him out of the House of Lords - but have the peer's links with Jeffrey…
- Politics Unpacked
Will Labour Lose The By-Election?
As well as today's Politics Unpacked, which sees Ed Vaizey discuss China, Iran and left-wing AI with Michael Binyon and Cindy Yu, we've got an in-depth look at…
- Politics Unpacked
Reheated Centrism Or One-Nation Opportunity?
Kemi Badenoch has called on centrist Conservatives hoping to influence the party to "get out of the way" - is the Tory one nation tradition dead, or an…
- Politics Unpacked
DPMQs: The Last Time He'll Get This Gig?
With the PM in China, David Lammy stands in for Keir Starmer at deputy PMQs. But can Andrew Griffith land a blow for the Tories? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Burnham 'Done and Dusted'?
As Labour backbenchers call on Starmer to reverse the ban on Andy Burnham standing as an MP, a cabinet minister says the decision is 'done and dusted'. Hugo…
- Politics Unpacked
The Burnham Backlash
The prime minister is facing a backlash from some Labour MPs after the party blocked Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham's attempt to become an MP - did Keir…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Unites All Sides (In Outrage)
Donald Trump has falsley claimed that Nato soldiers, including those from the UK, stayed "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan. And, who will win in an…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump's Bewildering Week
Donald Trump says he's bringing peace to the world - in Gaza, Ukraine and Greenland. After sending Europe into a tailspin, what's really changed? Hugo Rifkind…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Starmer’s Best Yet?
Sir Keir Starmer says he will not yield to Donald Trump over the future of Greenland, calling recent criticism of the Chagos deal an attempt to force the issue…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Turns On Starmer
Donald Trump has attacked Britain’s decision to hand over the Chagos Islands, using it to argue that the US needs Greenland. As relations with Washington grow…
- Politics Unpacked
Did Starmer Pull His Punches?
Keir Starmer has said Donald Trump is "completely wrong" to threaten tariffs against countries that oppose his plan to take control of Greenland. But the Prime…
- Politics Unpacked
The Jenrick Shockwave
Robert Jenrick becomes Reform UK’s newest MP after defecting from the Conservatives. Who has come out on top, and have we really seen a reshaping of the right…
- Politics Unpacked
The Tory Psychodrama Is Back!
Kemi Badenoch sacks Robert Jenrick after claiming to have clear evidence he was planning defecting to Reform UK. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: The Starmer Sutra
Kemi Badenoch mocks Keir Starmer over his latest U-turn, while he claims the Tories have had 'more positions than the 'Kama Sutra'. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the…
- Politics Unpacked
Can We Stand Up To Big Tech?
The government is to criminalise non-consensual deepfakes after concerns were raised about the capabilities of Elon Musk's Grok AI. Can the government control…
- Politics Unpacked
Zahawi Defects To Reform
Former Tory Chancellor (well, briefly) Nadhim Zahawi becomes Reform UK's highest profile defection yet - but does it make Nigel Farage's party look like a home…
- Politics Unpacked
Yet Another U-Turn
Rachel Reeves is set to announce a bailout for pubs following a backlash over plans to hike business rates. It's the 12th major U-turn since Labour entered…
- Politics Unpacked
Do We Really Want Honest Leaders?
Donald Trump doesn't pretend his foreign interventions are part of a noble cause. Did we prefer it when US presidents hid their blunt motives with insincerity?…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Nigel Farage
It's the first PMQs of the year, and Hugo and Patrick Maguire are joined in the studio by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. As they unpack the exchanges from the…
- Politics Unpacked
With Friends Like Trump, Who Needs Enemies?
After the US raid on Venezuela, the UK government has tried not to make a splash and condemn Trump. But with Greenland in his sights, will they continue to…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Survival Strategy
Keir Starmer’s turned off his out-of-office, and he’s planning a big push on the cost of living in 2026 - but will his survival strategy actually work? Hugo…
- Politics Unpacked
The Weirdness Of Whitehall
Keir Starmer is being held back by the "fringe obsessions" of the civil service, according to his former director of strategy Paul Ovenden. So how can the…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's New Year's Resolutions
It's been an eventful year in politics and the party leaders will be hoping to set the right tone for 2026 - so what can we expect in the new year? Ed Vaizey…
- Politics Unpacked
Who Should Get An Honour?
The New Year's Honours list has raised eyebrows, with some recipients having previously been at the centre of culture war controversies. So who should really…
- Politics Unpacked
Should Starmer Strip Activist's Citizenship?
The prime minister has been urged to deport Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, after he apologised for social media posts apparently calling for violence…
- Politics Unpacked
Keir Starmer's Christmas Carol
In this special Christmas episode of the podcast, Patrick Maguire joins Ed Vaizey for a story of a prime minister visited by three Christmas spirits - one…
- Politics Unpacked
Are Ministers Running Scared Of The Voters?
Nearly ten million voters could see their local elections delayed until 2027, which Nigel Farage claims is to stop him winning more councils - does he have a…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Derangement Syndrome
TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome, is apparently the irrational desire to criticise the US President Donald Trump. But with his approval ratings slipping in…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Does Starmer Have the Baubles?
In the final PMQs of the year, Kemi Badenoch challenges Keir Starmer on growth, taxes and claims he doesn’t have the “baubles” to stop the doctors’ strike…
- Politics Unpacked
Donald Trump vs The BBC
Donald Trump has sued the BBC for $10 billion over an edit of his January 6th speech in a Panorama documentary. Could the corporation's survival be threatened…
- Politics Unpacked
Burnham, Reform & Clarkson Bans MPs
Does Andy Burnham want to be PM? Reform UK has become Britain’s largest party by membership, and Jeremy Clarkson is the latest pub owner to bar Labour MPs from…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Shuttle Diplomacy
Keir Starmer and his fellow European leaders are engaged in another intense period of diplomacy aimed at securing a peace deal for Ukraine. Can they make any…
- Politics Unpacked
Are Labour's Peerages Hypocritical?
Keir Starmer has appointed 25 new peers, despite having pledged to shrink and even abolish the House of Lords in the past - how could that affect trust in…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: A Caretaker Prime Minister
Panto season hits PMQs, with Badenoch calling Starmer a “caretaker PM,” Starmer accusing her of job-saving panic, and Lindsay Hoyle asking MPs to stop the…
- Politics Unpacked
Does Rayner Have A Plan For Power?
Angela Rayner has expressed "frustration" with slow progress delivering on workers' rights. Now she's on the backbenches, is she going to be creating problems…
- Politics Unpacked
Are Starmer Loyalists Losing Faith?
The think-tank that backed Keir Starmer's bid to be Labour leader has started canvassing members about potential successors - are preparations underway for a…
- Politics Unpacked
Britain’s Move On Frozen Russian Assets
The UK is planning to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. But with Putin welcomed with open arms in India, how much pressure will this really put on the…
- Politics Unpacked
Can Farage Lure Jenrick?
Nigel Farage wants a “reverse takeover” of the Tory party, but he's not interested in any Reform UK-Conservative Party pact at the next election - could he…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: She's Completely Losing The Plot
Kemi Badenoch is on a roll at PMQs, but was she right to keep the focus on what was and wasn't said in the weeks before the Budget? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Is Starmer Bringing Up Brexit?
Keir Starmer says the UK is still facing consequences of Brexit vote's 'wild promises' - why is the prime minister bringing up Brexit? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the…
- Politics Unpacked
Did The Chancellor Lie To Cabinet?
The Prime Minister has denied that he and the Chancellor misled the cabinet, and the country, over the state of the nation's finances - has he put the question…
- Politics Unpacked
Labour's Grown-Up Politics
The governments' abandoned its plan to give workers day-one-rights against unfair dismissal - a policy which was in its manifesto. Will this blow up into a…
- Politics Unpacked
Is The Budget The Chancellor's Obituary?
Rachel Reeves has told Times Radio she is determined to remain in Number 11 Downing Street, and that she wasn't going to have her political obituary written…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Most Chaotic Budget Yet?
The OBR may have mistakenly released Reeves' budget too early, but it was just in time for Prime Minister's Questions. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with…
- Politics Unpacked
Another 'Omnishambles' Budget?
Rachel Reeves has told Labour MPs she'll survive Wednesday's budget, and be back for years to come. Is it set to be worse than previous budget disasters…