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
Starmer's Surprise Shake-Up
Parliament is back from recess, and Keir Starmer has reshuffled his team in Downing Street - what do the prime minister's appointments tell us about his plans…
- Politics Unpacked
The Anti-Western Alliance
Xi Jinping will host Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un in Beijing next week to mark the end of the Second World War. As Western leaders largely stay away, how…
- Politics Unpacked
Flip-Flop Farage
Nigel Farage has stumbled over whether a Reform government would deport women and children as part of its border security plans. Does Reform UK need to think…
- Politics Unpacked
Trouble In Paris Threatens Small Boats Plan
A political crisis in Paris threatens to undo a key pillar of Keir Starmer's plan to 'smash the gangs'. Can cooperation with Europe help Britain tackle the…
- Politics Unpacked
Farage's Bold Asylum Seeker Plan
Reform UK has unveiled its proposal to tackle the small boat crisis - from mass deportations, to detention camps on disused airfields, to replacing the ECHR…
- Politics Unpacked
Can Starmer Solve The Asylum Crisis?
YouGov polling for The Times suggests that seven in ten voters think Keir Starmer is doing a bad job at handling the issue of asylum hotels. Does he need to…
- Politics Unpacked
Pressure Grows Over Immigration
There'll be a fresh wave of protests against asylum hotels across the country this weekend, as more councils call for illegal immigrants to be housed elsewhere…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Are There So Many Asylum Seekers In Hotels?
A record 111,000 people claimed asylum in the UK during Keir Starmer's first year in office - and the number in hotels rose by 8%. How did we get here and what…
- Politics Unpacked
Asylum Policy In Crisis
The government's asylum accommodation scheme is in turmoil - after the High Court ruled migrants must be removed from an Epping Hotel. As other councils look…
- Politics Unpacked
Oval Office Round Two
President Zelensky is returning to the White House - but this time he isn't alone. Seven European leaders, including Keir Starmer, have gone with him to help…
- Politics Unpacked
The Trump-Putin Summit
Donald Trump heads to Alaska today to meet Vladimir Putin and try to find a path to peace in Ukraine - but how likely is an end to the war? Ed Vaizey unpacks…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump's Plan For Peace
Russia and the US are understood to have agreed a "West Bank-style" occupation of Ukraine ahead of Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin - but the plan…
- Politics Unpacked
JD Vance's Unlikely BBQ
JD Vance's holiday to the cotswolds continues, where he's been meeting with Tories, breakfasting with Nigel Farage, and having a barbecue with a former…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Political Language Too Loose?
As the debate over legal and illegal migration continues, are politicians being too imprecise with the words they choose? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Labour Trying To Create A Hostile Environment?
As the government makes another announcement about deporting foreign criminals, Hugo Rifkind asks if they're pursuing tougher policies than under Theresa May's…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Goes from 'Taco to Waco'
The journalist who gave Trump the nickname Taco - Trump Always Chickens Out - for his strategy on tariffs says it should be updated to Waco - The World Always…
- Politics Unpacked
Kemi The 'Snitch'
Kemi Badenoch reveals she snitched on a fellow pupil for cheating during an exam when she was "about 14 or 15", resulting in him getting expelled - should the…
- Politics Unpacked
The Chancellor’s ‘Impossible Trilemma’
With a £50 billion gap in the public finances, it is looking increasingly difficult for Rachel Reeves to avoid raising taxes. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics…
- Politics Unpacked
Will The UK-France Migrant Deal Cut Through?
The government's 'one-in, one-out' migrant deal with France is coming into force - but can the public be persuaded by technocratic solutions? And should Neil…
- Politics Unpacked
Farage's Growing Entourage
Reform UK's new justice adviser doesn't agree with everything Nigel Farage says - does it matter? And can Farage keep tabs on his growing entourage? Hugo…
- Politics Unpacked
Not So Silly Season
August is supposed to be a quiet time for politics but the Prime Minister has an array of thorny issues to contend with - from Heathrow's expansion plan, to…
- Politics Unpacked
PM's "Knee-Jerk Reaction" On Palestine
Top lawyers are warning Starmer he'll be breaking international law if he follows through with the recognition of a Palestinian State, and Conservative leader…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Palestine Plan
Israel has criticised Keir Starmer's plan to recognise a Palestinian state if conditions do not improve in Gaza, but many of the Prime Minister's MPs will feel…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump's Advice To Starmer
On his visit to Scotland, President Trump gave Keir Starmer his unsolicited advice for how to beat Nigel Farage at the next election - but should the Prime…
- Politics Unpacked
A MAGA British Summer
Keir Starmer meets Donald Trump at his Turnberry golf course today, where the president's love of Scotland has sparked talk of a 'MAGA British summer'. But on…
- Politics Unpacked
Battle With The BMA
Keir Starmer has appealed in The Times directly to doctors not to strike - but is this falling on deaf ears? And how does this bode for Labour’s future…
- Politics Unpacked
Badenoch's Chainsaw Conservatives
Kemi Badenoch says the chainsaw-wielding president of Argentina would be “the template” for her government - could could she be Britain's answer to Javier…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Britain "Fraying"?
Keir Starmer has warned Britain is "fraying at the edges" and urgent action on immigration is needed to avoid a repeat of last summer's riots. But is this the…
- Politics Unpacked
Reshuffles, Reform & JD Vance's Holiday
Kemi Badenoch is using the last day before the Commons recess to launch a reset of her leadership of the Conservative Party, while Nigel Farage is gearing up…
- Politics Unpacked
Farage's Summer Of Crime
Reform UK's leader launches a six-week summer crime campaign, promising to deport criminals to prisons in El Salvador and halve crime overall. Could he deliver…
- Politics Unpacked
Afghan Data Leak: "Cock-up Or Conspiracy"?
As more revelations about the Afghan data leak continue to come out, who will take the blame? And is an urgent inquiry needed to unpack the failings? Ed Vaizey…
- Politics Unpacked
Persistent Knobheadery
Keir Starmer has suspended four of his MPs over repeated breaches of party discipline, or as one party source described it to the Times, “persistent…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Don't Mention The Data Leak
Keir Starmer said Conservative ex-ministers have serious questions to answer over the Afghanistan data leak at the start of Prime Minister's Questions. But…
- Politics Unpacked
Melania, Billionaires And The Power Of Pessimism
Patrick Maguire is unpacking the politics of the day, asking James Marriott and Libby Purves whether Melania Trump changed the US president's mind over Putin…
- Politics Unpacked
Tax Rises: The Question Of The Summer
What is a "working person" and who is on a "modest income"? Government ministers are pressed to say who could face higher taxes, as expectation mounts that the…
- Politics Unpacked
Sick Note Britain?
GPs are being told to stop handing out so many sick notes as part of the government's efforts to get more people back to work. And why are women turning to…
- Politics Unpacked
"Washed-up Tories" Defecting to Reform
Former Conservative Chairman Jake Berry is the second ex-Tory minister to defect to Reform this week, but is this working in Nigel Farage's favour? Hugo…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: 'Flirting' With A Wealth Tax
Keir Starmer reiterated his tax pledges at PMQs as Kemi Badenoch accused him of 'flirting' with a wealth tax. Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the exchanges…
- Politics Unpacked
Can Starmer and Macron Stop the Boats?
Keir Starmer is hoping to use the French President's visit as a chance to talk migration, but will they reach a deal? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Times…
- Politics Unpacked
Another Labour Rebellion Looms
The government could be facing another backbench rebellion, this time over its plans to reform special needs support. Why aren't the 'Starmtoopers' as loyal as…
- Politics Unpacked
Can A New Left-Wing Party Succeed
A year after Labour's landslide election victory, how serious is the threat to Keir Starmer from a new left-wing party led by Zarah Sultana and (possibly)…
- Politics Unpacked
Can Reeves Move On From 'Tough Day'?
Keir Starmer says the Chancellor is going nowhere, but have the very public tears of Rachel Reeves left the impression of a government in crisis as it…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: "She Looks Traumatised"
Keir Starmer faces MPs after his government is forced into a humiliating reversal over welfare reform. But it's the appearance of the chancellor, Rachel…
- Politics Unpacked
Labour's Welfare Problem
Despite last week's U-turn, Keir Starmer still faces a backbench rebellion over welfare. Is it particularly difficult for a Labour Prime Minister to cut…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer Faces Fresh Welfare Rebellion
The government made big concessions to its welfare reforms to win over Labour critics - but could the rebellion be about to grow, rather than shrink? Ed Vaizey…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Hat-Trick Of U-Turns
The prime minister has been forced into a climbdown after more than 120 Labour MPs threatened to block his welfare bill. Is he back in control of the party or…
- Politics Unpacked
Welfare Bill in Crisis
Rebel MPs are not backing down over the government's welfare bill, with Keir Starmer forced to contemplate concessions - can he win them over? Hosted on Acast…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Rayner's Rough Ride Over Welfare
With Keir Starmer away at the Nato summit, it's deputy prime minister's questions (again). Angela Rayner faces questions from Mel Stride about the mounting…
- Politics Unpacked
Why Was Starmer Out Of The Loop?
There was little sign of British influence as the US attacked Iran and then announced a ceasefire. Does it throw Starmer's judgement into question, or is the…
- Politics Unpacked
Is The UK Internationally Irrelevant?
Donald Trump's unilateral attack on Iran exposes the limit to which Britain can influence events in the Middle East. Should we be happy with the role of…
- Politics Unpacked
Is There A "Window" For Iran Diplomacy?
Donald Trump's given Iran a "two-week" reprieve for negotiations and David Lammy has gone to Geneva for talks with the Iranian foreign minister. But can their…
- Politics Unpacked
How Will The UK Respond If Trump Attacks?
Donald Trump is reported to have approved a plan to attack Iran, and the world waits to see if he uses it. But how will Keir Starmer respond? Hugo Rifkind…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Keir Starmer's 'Bag Carrier' Lifts The Lid
It's deputy PMQs this week while the prime minister is away, and we're joined by a special guest. Chris Ward is Keir Starmer's close aide and parliamentary…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump The Interventionist
Donald Trump has demanded "a complete give up" from Iran in its conflict with Israel. But will wading into Middle Eastern affairs irk isolationists in his own…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Grooming Gangs U-Turn
Having spent months resisting calls for a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, Keir Starmer changes his mind. How can he navigate the difficult…
- Politics Unpacked
Israel Strikes Iran
Israel attacked Iran's nuclear programme overnight - is there anything the West can do to influence the situation? Or are Britain and the US reduced to the…
- Politics Unpacked
Tax Speculation Haunts Reeves
The Chancellor’s been defending the Spending Review, and she’s determined not to lose hope despite gloomy GDP figures. But can she escape a summer of…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Kemi Tries Panto
It's Spending Review day, and MPs were treated to a noisy PMQs after Kemi Badenoch promised to make it less like a courtroom and more like a pantomime. Hugo…
- Politics Unpacked
Iron Chancellor...Or Not?
As the government says the Spending Review is settled, ministers are still facing questions about the U-turn on the winter fuel allowance. Should the…
- Politics Unpacked
Could Farage Open The Coal Mines?
Nigel Farage says he wants to reopen a steelworks in South Wales and even open new coal mines. Is he winning the battle for Labour's post-industrial…