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 the Chancellor Still In Control?
It’s been a year since Rachel Reeves told the CBI she'd steer clear of extra borrowing or new tax rises. After a weekend spent defending her position, is the…
- Politics Unpacked
Ministers 'Dragging Heels' Over Single-sex Spaces
The Times today reveals the guidance on transgender people using single-sex spaces like toilets and changing rooms. It's been sitting on the government's desk…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: A Labour Budget With Labour Values?
Kemi Badenoch presses Keir Starmer over whether the government would "break another promise" by freezing income tax thresholds. With Starmer deferring to the…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Labour 'Appeasing The Electorate'?
The Home Secretary's new asylum plans are facing backlash from Labour MPs, including one who told Times Radio the government is trying to "appease the…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Migration Labour's Next Big Rebellion?
Shabana Mahmood's sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration have already faced backlash from Labour's backbenches, how bad will it get for the Home…
- Politics Unpacked
Reeves U-turns On Tax... Again
The Chancellor has scrapped plans to raise income tax in the Budget because of improved economic forecasts and fears over the reaction of mutinous Labour MPs -…
- Politics Unpacked
Labour's Blame Game Continues
With Starmer investigating briefings against his own cabinet ministers and facing calls to sack his own Chief of Staff, can anyone explain what's going on in…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Labour's 'Civil War'
Kemi Badenoch tells the Prime Minister he's lost control of Downing Street, and his government has "descended into civil war." Hugo Rifkind unpacks the…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Eyes A Billion From The BBC
The US President has given the BBC until Friday evening to apologise and remove a Panorama episode which edited a speech to make it appear he was inciting…
- Politics Unpacked
Heads Roll Over BBC Bias Claims
Accusations of bias have forced Tim Davie and Deborah Turness to resign from their roles at the BBC - has the job of running the corporation become almost…
- Politics Unpacked
Is There Any Way Out For Rachel Reeves?
As Rachel Reeves tells the Budget watchdog she could raise income tax for the first time in 50 years, is there any way out for the chancellor? And will she…
- Politics Unpacked
Have Politicians Stopped Lying?
Nigel Farage and Rachel Reeves have both sought to be more frank with the public about the economy this week - does this herald a new era of honest politics?…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Lammy Rattled Over Second Manhunt
David Lammy takes Deputy PMQs for the first time, and faces the same question from Conservative James Cartlidge five times in a row about a second foreign…
- Politics Unpacked
Reeves Drops A "Waffle Bomb"?
Rachel Reeves tries to lay the ground for difficult decisions at her Budget. But did the speech say anything new, or was Kemi Badenoch right to call it a…
- Politics Unpacked
Farage Appeals To "Alarm Clock Britain"
Reform has set out its plan for the British economy, but will the sums add up? And why has Farage recycled a Nick Clegg slogan from 2011? Hugo Rifkind unpacks…
- Politics Unpacked
Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Andrew has been stripped of his prince title and ordered by the King to leave the Royal Lodge - but will he continue to cast a shadow over the Royals? Harry…
- Politics Unpacked
Reeves' Rental Blunder
After hinting at manifesto breaking tax rises in the budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has come under fire for breaching rental rules on her family home - can…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: "Always Someone Else's Fault"
Sir Keir Starmer refused to rule out a U-turn on his manifesto tax pledges in the budget, while blaming the Tories for the country’s economic woes. Kemi…
- Politics Unpacked
Migrants in Military Barracks
The UK government will begin housing small boat migrants in military barracks from next month, part of a plan to move asylum seekers out of hotels and cut…
- Politics Unpacked
Where Are The Grown Ups?
The Home Office is squandering billions of pounds on asylum hotels in another damaging story for the government. Can Labour still call themselves the "grown…
- Politics Unpacked
Labour's Caerphilly Collapse
Plaid Cymru have swept to victory in Caerphilly, taking a Senedd seat that has been held by Labour for a century - will it convince Keir Starmer to change…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Is The Home Office Still Not Fit For Purpose?
Shabana Mahmood says her department remains “not yet fit for purpose,” after The Times uncovered a secret report calling it dysfunctional and detached from…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Grooming Gangs Inquiry In Chaos
Hugo Rifkind unpacks this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions with Gabriel Pogrund from The Sunday Times and comedian Gráinne Maguire. After several grooming…
- Politics Unpacked
What Did Andrew Witness?
Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir reveals her abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and alleged encounters with Prince Andrew - claims he denies. Now, the disgraced…
- Politics Unpacked
Is China A Top-Tier Threat?
Conservative MPs Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat have urged Keir Starmer to designate China a top-tier threat, calling his inaction a sign of weakness - but…
- Politics Unpacked
Football Ban Tests Starmer
The Prime Minister wants to lift the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending their game against Aston Villa next month. But could it lead to violence? Ed Vaizey…
- Politics Unpacked
The China Spy Blame Game
The government, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Conservatives all blame each other for the collapse of the China spy case, is everyone set to lose in the…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Lawyer, Not A Leader?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks PMQs alongside Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. Badenoch…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Leaves Starmer Hanging
Does an embarrassing moment for Sir Keir Starmer on stage at the Egypt peace summit reveal something about the UK's influence on the global stage? Hugo Rifkind…
- Politics Unpacked
Farage Ditches Tax Cut Plans
Reform UK's Nigel Farage is preparing to drop his promise to deliver £90bn of tax cuts, saying his party will reduce public spending first. Is this a more…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump's Peace Prize Snub
The ceasefire in Gaza is underway after US president Donald Trump brokered a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. But how will he feel about missing out on the…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Takes Credit For Gaza Deal
President Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to phase one of his plan for peace in Gaza. Is he on track for a Nobel Peace Prize? Plus, why is Matthew…
- Politics Unpacked
Badenoch's Tax-Cutting Promises
Hugo Rifkind unpacks Kemi Badenoch's speech to Conservative Party conference in which she pledged to scrap Labour's tax rises and abolish stamp duty. But has…
- Politics Unpacked
Jenrick Moves Centre Stage
Robert Jenrick has been announcing a series of policies at Conservative conference, and defending comments he made about the lack of 'white faces' in an…
- Politics Unpacked
Kemi Badenoch: "Absolutely Invisible"
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with James Johnson of JL Partners. Kemi Badenoch has failed to make an impression on these 2024…
- Politics Unpacked
Fundamentally Un-British
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the pro-Palestine protests after the Manchester synagogue attack were "fundamentally un-British". But can the authorities…
- Politics Unpacked
The End Of The Asylum 'Golden Ticket'?
The government says the UK is too attractive to refugees and says it will end the 'Golden Ticket' of resettlement and family reunion rights. But will it stop…
- Politics Unpacked
Playing The Ball And Not The Man?
Reform UK says Keir Starmer’s attack on Nigel Farage risks inciting violence. Has Labour been guilty of playing the man, not the ball? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the…
- Politics Unpacked
Keir Starmer's Survival
Labour Party Conference began with much speculation about the Prime Minister's survival. Is he out of the danger zone - and if so - for how long? Hugo Rifkind…
- Politics Unpacked
The Chancellor's Hard Choices To Come
Rachel Reeves has delivered her speech to Labour Party conference, warning of 'harsh global headwinds' and harder choices to come. Is she laying the ground for…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Have Labour Voters Lost Faith?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with Tom Lubbock of JL Partners. What do these 2024 Labour voters think about Keir Starmer and the…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer Takes On Populism
Keir Starmer urges liberals to take on the populist right as he confirms plans for mandatory digital ID cards. But has the prime minister worked out how to…
- Politics Unpacked
The Burnham Show
Andy Burnham says he's been privately urged to challenge Keir Starmer. Could the so-called King of the North return to parliament and run for leader? Hugo…
- Politics Unpacked
Why is Ed Davey "Obsessed" With Nigel Farage?
After Ed Davey claimed the Lib Dems were the last block against Nigel Farage's 'forces of darkness', why does he spend so much time talking about Reform UK and…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump's Dubious Claims
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, including Donald Trump's unproven claim that paracetamol in pregnancy increases the risk of autism, and Reform's…
- Politics Unpacked
Ed Davey's Battle For Attention
Ed Davey has called Elon Musk a criminal and promised a crackdown on 'doomscrolling' - but is Nigel Farage's latest migration announcement stealing attention…
- Politics Unpacked
Your Party Or 'No More' Party?
After another public row between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, 'Your Party' looks like it may not get off the ground - but could a more serious left-wing…
- Politics Unpacked
Is MAGA Right About Free Speech In The UK?
Donald Trump says America owes the UK for its legacy of free speech - but why do some Republicans believe the hallmark of modern Britain is censorship? Hugo…
- Politics Unpacked
One In, None Out
Sir Keir Starmer’s migrant returns deal with France is in disarray after a judge paused an Eritrean man’s deportation hours before he was due to fly - will the…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Religion On The Rise In Politics?
Danny Kruger - who has called for a "revival of faith" in Britain - has been tasked with preparing Reform for government. Is religion playing a bigger role in…
- Politics Unpacked
The Tory Party Is Over, Says Kruger
As Danny Kruger becomes the first sitting Tory MP to defect to Reform UK, is he right to say the Conservative party is over? What can Kemi Badenoch do to stem…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Damage Control
How bad is the fallout from the sacking of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador? With a State visit fast approaching, can Starmer recover - or is he a "dead man…
- Politics Unpacked
Peter Mandelson Sacked (Again)
Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US, after growing scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Hugo Rifkind…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Starmer's Mandelson Headache
Kemi Badenoch was quick off the mark to challenge the prime minister over allegations about Peter Mandelson, repeatedly asking if Starmer was aware of their…
- Politics Unpacked
Will The Deputy Leader Race Split Labour?
The field of candidates wanting to succeed Angela Rayner as deputy leader is growing, but will the contest inevitably end up as a referendum on Keir Starmer's…
- Politics Unpacked
Labour's 'Reforming Right'
Keir Starmer's reshuffle has given key jobs to people seen as being from the "reforming right" of the party - is the government tilting towards a tougher…
- Politics Unpacked
Angela Rayner's Resignation
Angela Rayner has resigned as deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary after an independent report found she had broken the ministerial code for failing to…
- Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: "Put The Great Back Into Britain"
It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Hugo steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters. This week, it's a group considering…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: 'Why Is She Still In Office?'
It's the first PMQs back after the summer break and Angela Rayner is fighting for her political life. Kemi Badenoch tells the prime minister to 'grow a…
- Politics Unpacked
Labour: Phase Two
It's Keir Starmer's birthday, and what better way to usher in his 63rd year than with a new "phase two" for his government - but did phase one go all that…