Politics Unpacked

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 universalism led to the rise of Nigel Farage? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Miranda Green. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Nelson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 to the winter fuel allowance and energy bills. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the House of Commons with Tim Shipman and comedian Ahir Shah. Plus, we wave Lara Spirit off to Washington.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

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 unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with John McTernan, Salma Shah and Sir John Curtice.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 scandal and claims of a cover up. Lara Spirit unpacks all the action from the Commons with Tim Shipman and the comedian Alistair Barrie.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 publisher's time has come. With James Marriott and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Reform? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins, including the rising risk of strikes and what happened at this year's White House Correspondents Dinner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

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 of the West. He argues that the future of the Western world is at stake in the Israel-Gaza war, and discusses Donald Trump's plan to create a "riviera of the Middle East". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 with Putin. And why was half of Westminster added to a WhatsApp chat?  Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Sarah Vine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Grant Shapps say Trump is "in cahoots" with Vladimir Putin? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Lara Spirit, Theo Usherwood and comedian Jon Harvey.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 answer some difficult questions? And could former Cameron adviser Steve Hilton be the next Governor of California? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

Following the death of Pope Francis, our columnists discuss the relationship between faith and politics, and the role of modern religious leaders. Plus, should MPs and peers allow Donald Trump to address Parliament? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Zoe Strimpel and David Runciman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 it time to give LinkedIn a rest? Harry Wallop is joined by Carol Lewis and Robin Brant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 balancing act? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 impact politics in Britain? Could Labour lose votes by becoming too gender critical?  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...

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 cosy with China?  Plus, our columnists reveal their favourite hymns.  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 last blast furnaces open - but was it neglect or sabotage? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Emma Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 war? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Claire Fox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 intimidated? And will the UK ever get a trade deal?   Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Lara Spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. And, are the wealthy leaving London? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Jenni Russell.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.