Politics Unpacked

Andy Burnham is being swept to power by Labour on a 'tidal wave of obsequiousness' - is he making the best use of his moment of maximum power? Why is there a backlash against Count Binface? And what is 'posh boy summer'?  Ed Vaizey is joined by Alys Denby and Michael Binyon to unpack the politics of the day.  You can hear more of Ed on Times Radio every Friday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast....

Andy Burnham has promised to make Labour MPs feel "happy and fulfilled" by easing party discipline and turning the Whips' Office into something more like an HR department. It's a very different approach to Keir Starmer's leadership - but will it work? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the penultimate PMQs before the summer recess, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly face off in the Commons - but with questions hanging over Nigel Farage's future, there's surprisingly little mention of the Reform UK leader... Ed Vaizey is joined by Lara Spirit and Matthew Syed to unpack the exchanges from the House of Commons. Hosted on Acast. See acas...

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers. Why is Andy Burnham taking a "one-and-done" approach to Cabinet appointments? And who is reading Keir Starmer's Substack? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage is under pressure after The Sunday Times revealed he had not declared benefits from an ally previously convicted of fraud in the US. He denies any wrongdoing. How serious is the challenge to his leadership, and to Reform UK?  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Sebastian Payne. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1...

Kemi Badenoch has sought advice from all her living predecessors except one - so who didn't get the call? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Will Lloyd and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch has accused female Labour MPs of engaging in "failed identity politics" by asking Andy Burnham to commit to making 50 per cent of his ministers women. Is she right to accuse them of "moaning"? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Matthew Parris. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

Kemi Badenoch accuses Keir Starmer of leaving defence spending in a mess for Andy Burnham, but Starmer blames the Tories for underfunding the military when they were in government.  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Patrick Maguire, Stefan Boscia and comedian Alisdair Beckett-King.  You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm.  Hosted on Acast. S...

Keir Starmer unveils the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan in one of his final acts as prime minister. But what will the incoming PM, Andy Burnham, make of it all? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has set out his vision for spreading power across the UK, including a new "No. 10 North". Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire, Seb Payne and Joshi Herrmann to unpack the speech by the man who is almost certainly going to be prime minister within weeks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham is the de-facto prime minister - has the Labour Party left the country in stasis while we wait for him to arrive in Downing Street? And why is an immigration minister arguing in public with the home secretary, and not getting the sack?  Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. You can hear more of Ed on Times Radio every Friday, 10am-1pm Hoste...

How will Andy Burnham handle Donald Trump, does he have a genuine chance to reform welfare, and should we sympathise with the SNP MP accused of faking her Scottish accent? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch for the first time since announcing his resignation. The Tory leader asks if Starmer felt let down by his cabinet - but did her personal jibes go too far? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Patrick Maguire and Ryan Tubridy.  You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

Keir Starmer's resignation was distinctly less dramatic than previous Prime Ministers' - is Britain just too used to upheaval in Downing Street? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer resigns, paving the way for Andy Burnham to be the next Prime Minister. What sort of leader will Burnham be, and why is the UK on its way to its seventh PM in a decade? Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves, Sebastian Payne and Theo Bertram, former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham hails it as a 'change moment' - but Keir Starmer insists he'll stand if a leadership contest is triggered. Was Makerfield the PM's goodbye election? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Will Lloyd and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump's deal to end the war with Iran has been roundly criticised in Washington - what will it do to America's reputation? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Lammy stands in at the despatch box for the last PMQs before the Makerfield by-election. The Deputy Prime Minister says he's proud to serve under Starmer, while Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho claims Labour is "a government on life support". Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and the Chancellor's former Political Director Matt Pound, to unpack the exchanges from the Commons. Y...

Keir Starmer is rubbing shoulders with global leaders at the G7 summit.  But have his foreign affairs credentials been undermined by John Healey's resignation? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and James Marriott. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer announces a social media ban for under-16s as Andy Burnham looks poised to trigger a leadership challenge. Is the Prime Minister shoring up his legacy or will he fight on? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Jack Blackburn and Janice Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer’s grip on power looks weaker than ever after the resignation of John Healey. Can the prime minister really hang on?  Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Defence Secretary John Healey resigned, claiming Keir Starmer's lack of funding for the military will make the UK "less safe" Hugo Rifkind spoke to The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire and Times Radio's Political Editor Anna Mikhailova about the damage the resignation has done to the Prime Minister's authority. And before the news of Healey's resignation broke, Hugo spoke to...

Keir Starmer clashes with Kemi Badenoch over defence spending, with the Tory leader accusing him of 'scrabbling around for a legacy'. Patrick Maguire and Stefan Boscia join Hugo Rifkind to unpack the exchanges.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rather than aiming to be liked, should modern day politicians relish the relentless, universal public and online hatred they face and use it to fuel their arguments?  Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Carol Lewis.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prime minister is reportedly entering his "legacy era", with a major defence spending plan and new restrictions on children's social media use - but what will Keir Starmer's legacy actually be? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.