Times Radio
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.
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Episodes
Starmer's Plan To Protect The Economy 07.04.2025 28:24
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 unpacks the politics of the day, including the row over Labour MPs refused entry to Israel and the possible return of Jacob Rees-Mogg. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trump Tariff Turmoil 04.04.2025 34:13
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 Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trump Stokes A Trade War 03.04.2025 33:49
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 unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Carping From The Sidelines 02.04.2025 38:08
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 Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and the comedian Stuart Laws. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
No Free Trade Without Free Speech? 01.04.2025 33:38
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 the problem with instagram poetry ? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Statecraft or Spineless 31.03.2025 34:31
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 political opponents? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trump Demands More From Ukraine 28.03.2025 24:20
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 of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Mother Of All Rebellions 27.03.2025 32:04
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? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Lara Spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PMQs: Kemi and Keir Phone It In 26.03.2025 27:01
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. Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Tim Shipman and Ria Lina. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When Group Chats Go Wrong 25.03.2025 31:06
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 a journalist. With Times columnists James Marriott and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Freebies, Austerity & Trump Tourism 24.03.2025 33:51
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 is the chancellor rolling the pitch ahead of the Spring Statement? And is Donald Trump harming US tourism? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Reeves' Unappealing Options 21.03.2025 28:45
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 acast.com/privacy for more information.
Coalition Of The Not-So-Willing? 20.03.2025 33:07
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 the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Lara Spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PMQs: Glazed Expressions And Waffle 19.03.2025 42:20
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 discuss taxes and hospices, but Reform UK's Lee Anderson lightens the mood with a question about "glazed expressions and waffle" from government ministers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Government Shakes Up Welfare 18.03.2025 35:18
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 with Libby Purves and Tom Whipple Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Does Badenoch Have The Luxury Of Time? 17.03.2025 32:23
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 is it that she will promise to leave the EHRC? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with the help of Sebastian Payne and Jane Mulkerrins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Where Do Peace Talks Go From Here? 14.03.2025 29:22
Russia says there is "a lot ahead to be done" on the Ukrainian ceasefire deal; what concessions can Donald Trump realistically extract from Vladimir Putin? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Claire Fox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is Starmer Wielding The Chainsaw? 13.03.2025 27:37
Keir Starmer has announced he is abolishing NHS England, the quango in charge of NHS standards. Is he the chainsaw-wielding disruptor the UK didn't know it had? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PMQs: Talking Trash At The Despatch Box 12.03.2025 43:20
Kemi Badenoch accuses Keir Starmer of talking 'trash' as she attacks Labour's record on the cost of living. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Theo Usherwood and comedian Geoff Norcott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Starmer Prepares To Cut Welfare 11.03.2025 34:05
Keir Starmer says the current benefits system "unsustainable, indefensible and unfair" - will the public, and his own party, agree? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Elon Musk, Reform and Barbour Jackets 10.03.2025 31:37
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, including: Elon Musk's spat with a Polish minister, Reform UK descends into infighting, and what are the politics of the Barbour jacket? With Jane Mulkerrins and Tom McTague. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Does Trump's 'Madman Theory' Work? 07.03.2025 31:15
As President Trump reverses tariffs just days after introducing them, and claims he can get Putin to agree to a peace deal for mysterious reasons, is his unpredictability a strength or weakness? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Timandra Harkness and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who's In Charge Of Our Nuclear Deterrent? 06.03.2025 33:50
Britain controls our nuclear deterrent, but the missiles are leased from the Americans - so what happens if the US decided not to help? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PMQs: JD Vance Looms Large 05.03.2025 43:14
Keir Starmer makes a pointed response to JD Vance after the US Vice President referred to "troops from some random country", and Kemi Badenoch offers her support over Ukraine. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Gráinne Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trump Halts Aid To Ukraine 04.03.2025 33:52
After Donald Trump's abrupt halt to US military aid for Ukraine, how will Keir Starmer and the rest of Europe respond? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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