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
A Trump-Musk Divorce
Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s friendship imploded in dramatic fashion overnight - as simmering tension between the two escalated into all-out war across their…
- Politics Unpacked
Will The Winter Fuel U-Turn Work?
It's the government's biggest u-turn so far - but will Rachel Reeves' new winter fuel payments policy succeed? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Shipman Bows Out
After five years and something like 150 episodes, Tim Shipman is leaving the Sunday Times and the podcast. What has he learned from unpacking all those…
- Politics Unpacked
The Cost Of Preparing For War
Keir Starmer has promised to make Britain "battle ready" as he unveiled plans to improve the military - but will taxpayers be prepared to pay for higher…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer, Badenoch And Farage Take Aim
Kemi Badenoch accuses Labour and Reform of 'fantasy economics', the day after Keir Starmer made the same charge about Nigel Farage. Is it doing any of them any…
- Politics Unpacked
Is Farage 'Liz Truss All Over Again'?
Sir Keir Starmer has hit back at Nigel Farage - making a speech warning that Farage's "fantasy" economics will lead to a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown. So…
- Politics Unpacked
Reeves' Spending Squeeze
After police chiefs publicly raised their concerns about budget cuts making it harder to keep us all safe, Rachel Reeves is under renewed pressure over…
- Politics Unpacked
Farage Attacks 'Unpatriotic' Starmer
Nigel Farage has branded Keir Starmer as “one of the most unpatriotic prime ministers in our history" - is there a lack of patriotism on the left? Hugo Rifkind…
- Politics Unpacked
Labour vs Reform on Welfare
As Labour inches along its huge benefits u-turn, Nigel Farage says he would restore winter fuel payment and end the two child benefit cap. Is Reform becoming a…
- Politics Unpacked
Labour's Tricky Week
Ed Vaizey is joined by Jane Merrick and Albie Amankona to discuss a week of big challenges for the government - from the EU reset to the U-turn on winter fuel…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump's Oval Office Takedowns
Mouths were agape when Donald Trump confronted South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa with false claims of white genocide. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Starmer U-Turns On Winter Fuel
Keir Starmer said more pensioners would get the winter fuel payment at PMQs. But had Kemi Badenoch even noticed the U-turn? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action in…
- Politics Unpacked
Tories Sink In The Polls
The Tories have fallen to fourth place in the latest Times/YouGov poll - behind the Liberal Democrats for the first time in six years. Plus, Keir Starmer…
- Politics Unpacked
Has Starmer Surrendered?
Keir Starmer's deal with the European Union will allow closer co-operation on security, food standards and travel - but will all that come at the expense of…
- Politics Unpacked
The Price Of Starmer's EU Reset
As European leaders meet in Tirana, is Keir Starmer inching Britain closer to Europe - and is that progress? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with…
- Politics Unpacked
How Big Is The Space To The Left Of Starmer?
As the Prime Minister adopts increasingly tough rhetoric on immigration, can his opponents on the left offer a populist alternative? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Dead Party Walking
Kemi Badenoch dismisses Keir Starmer's “tiny tariff deal” with Donald Trump, while Keir Starmer called the Tories a “dead party walking.” Hugo Rifkind unpacks…
- Politics Unpacked
Did Starmer Echo Enoch Powell?
Sir Keir Starmer is under fire for saying the UK could become an "island of strangers" unless new curbs on migration bring the numbers down - but are…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Stark Language On Immigration
Keir Starmer claims soaring immigration has done 'incalculable' damage to the UK and risks creating an 'island of strangers'. But can he deliver on his promise…
- Politics Unpacked
The Deification Of Trump
As Keir Starmer celebrates getting a trade agreement with the US over the line, does Peter Mandelson fit into Donald Trump's circle? Plus, how has moral…
- Politics Unpacked
A 'Very Big And Exciting' Trade Deal
The UK finally has its trade deal with the US - but will it make us any richer? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Fraser…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs Unpacked: What Trade Deal?
Keir Starmer wants to be celebrating its trade deal with India, worth 5 billion pounds to the British economy...but Kemi Badenoch instead presses him over cuts…
- Politics Unpacked
The Winter Fuel Cut Backlash
With the cuts to the winter fuel allowance being blamed for Labour's problems at the ballot box, is there any chance of Number 10 changing course? Hugo Rifkind…
- Politics Unpacked
The EU Plays Hardball On Migration
Keir Starmer's hopes of a reset with the EU have taken a blow, after the bloc refused Britain access to critical crime and illegal migration databases. Hosted…
- Politics Unpacked
Local Elections: Reform On The March
With Nigel Farage's Reform UK the clear winner from the English local elections and Runcorn by-election, have they broken the two-party system for good? Ed…
- Politics Unpacked
Golf Diplomacy
Is Britain considering swapping a golf tournament for a trade deal? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hosted on…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: The Last One Before The Elections
Ahead of Thursday's local elections in England, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch doesn't question Keir Starmer over net zero - instead focusing on the grooming gangs…
- Politics Unpacked
100 Days Of Trump
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news of the day including Donald Trump's first 100 days, whether secularism is just a historical blip, and whether the male-only…
- Politics Unpacked
Who Would Win From A Tory-Reform Pact?
Senior Tories are being asked about the prospect of a pact with Reform UK ahead of local elections in England this week. But what's in it for Nigel Farage's…
- Politics Unpacked
Douglas Murray
In this bonus episode of the podcast, Douglas Murray joins Hugo Rifkind to discuss his new book - On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel, Hamas and the Future…
- Politics Unpacked
Washington, War and WhatsApp Etiquette
Rachel Reeves is in Washington attempting to get a US trade deal over the line, while Donald Trump’s special envoy has arrived in Moscow to hold peace talks…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump 'In Cahoots' With Putin?
After Donald Trump criticises Volodymyr Zelensky's approach to peace talks, does a deal look further away than ever? Plus, why does former defence secretary…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: He Doesn't Have The Balls
MPs are back from recess which means the return of PMQs Unpacked. Kemi Badenoch asks Keir Starmer whether he’s changed his mind on how to define a woman. Hugo…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer Breaks Silence On Trans Ruling
Politics is back after recess, and Keir Starmer has finally responded to the Supreme Court ruling over the definition of a woman. Has it helped politicians…
- Politics Unpacked
A Modernising Pope
Following the death of Pope Francis, our columnists discuss the relationship between faith and politics, and the role of modern religious leaders. Plus, should…
- Politics Unpacked
Farage, Oak Trees, And The Problem With LinkedIn
Have we all lost the plot over an oak tree in North London? Will Nigel Farage force the government to rethink drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea? And is…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer Risks Trade Stand-Off With Trump
The government insists it won't have to choose between trade with Donald Trump's America and the European Union, but can the prime minister continue the tricky…
- Politics Unpacked
Defining A Woman
The contentious issue of gender identity is back in the spotlight, following the UK Supreme Court's ruling on legal definition of woman - but how will this…
- Politics Unpacked
Too Cosy With China?
The Government's move to seize control of British Steel has highlighted the extent of Chinese involvement in the UK's critical infrastructure - is the UK too…
- Politics Unpacked
Save British Steel
The future of British Steel hangs in the balance, after Parliament was dramatically recalled over the weekend to pass emergency legislation to keep the UK's…
- Politics Unpacked
Tit-For-Tat Trade War
As the US and China continue their economic tit-for-tat, the UK is told that even a trade deal may not spare it from 10% tariffs. Can anyone win Trump's trade…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Dumps Tariffs
About 13 hours after they came into force, President Trump announced a 90-day pause for his reciprocal tariffs everywhere - except China. Has Trump been…
- Politics Unpacked
Boys Will Be Boys
While the turmoil caused by Trump's tariffs continues, two members of his administration - Elon Musk and Peter Navarro - have traded blows about free trade…
- Politics Unpacked
Will Trump's Cheerleaders Lose Faith?
Elon Musk has broken company with Donald Trump over tariffs - but will it make any difference, and will Trump's other billionaire supporters follow? Ed Vaizey…
- Politics Unpacked
Starmer's Plan To Protect The Economy
Keir Starmer warns that the world has fundamentally changed, but does he have a plan to protect the British economy from Donald Trump's tariffs? Ed Vaizey…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Tariff Turmoil
Donald Trump says he's pleased with the effect of his tariffs so far,...despite turmoil in markets, China retaliating and the start of a global trade war. Ed…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Stokes A Trade War
Donald Trump has slapped tariffs on all imports to the US, although Britain gets off (relatively) lightly. Is this an example of a 'Brexit bonus'? Hugo Rifkind…
- Politics Unpacked
Carping From The Sidelines
Kemi Badenoch quizzes Keir Starmer over his handling of the economy and Labour's so-called "jobs tax". Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons with…
- Politics Unpacked
No Free Trade Without Free Speech?
Could Britain's hopes of a free trade deal founder because of US concerns over free speech? Plus: Why Britain is stuck in a 'normie doom spiral', and what's…
- Politics Unpacked
Statecraft or Spineless
Keir Starmer's strategy is to react calmly if Donald Trump imposes tariffs on British goods. Is it best way to handle the US president, and will it help his…
- Politics Unpacked
Trump Demands More From Ukraine
As reports suggest the US is demanding access to more of Ukraine's natural resources, is there anything Kyiv can do to resist? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics…
- Politics Unpacked
The Mother Of All Rebellions
Rachel Reeves' spring statement has been picked over by the experts, but could the chancellor be facing the 'mother of all rebellions' as one Labour MP claims?…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Kemi and Keir Phone It In
Ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Statement, Kemi Badenoch uses prime minister's questions to ask why Keir Starmer doesn't support banning phones in schools…
- Politics Unpacked
When Group Chats Go Wrong
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news of the day, including the US security blunder that saw senior White House officials text war plans in a secure app that included…
- Politics Unpacked
Freebies, Austerity & Trump Tourism
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins, including: Should we take the Rachel Reeves freebie story seriously? How…
- Politics Unpacked
Reeves' Unappealing Options
With growth in short supply, how will Chancellor Rachel Reeves sell big spending cuts to the public and the Labour Party? Hosted on Acast. See…
- Politics Unpacked
Coalition Of The Not-So-Willing?
As military leaders meet in London to discuss support for Ukraine, have the French blocked British manufacturers from an EU defence fund? Hugo Rifkind unpacks…
- Politics Unpacked
PMQs: Glazed Expressions And Waffle
Comedian Andy Hamilton joins Hugo and Tim Shipman to unpack the exchanges at prime minister's questions. It's heavy going as Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch…
- Politics Unpacked
The Government Shakes Up Welfare
As the government lays out massive changes to the welfare system, Kemi Badenoch has a different concern: net-zero. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day…
- Politics Unpacked
Does Badenoch Have The Luxury Of Time?
Kemi Badenoch is launching a series of new policy commissions, but how long can she afford to wait before setting out what the party believes? And how likely…