Politics Unpacked

MPs are back in Westminster after the summer recess, and the government has big plans for the new term - but where will it be plain sailing, and where could it all go horribly wrong? Ed Vaizey guides us through the promises and the pitfalls. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the scrapping of Ofsted's one-word judgements, the latest Tory leadership bid launches, and whether...

With the SNP gathering in Edinburgh, party conference season is well and truly upon us. Ed Vaizey is joined by a panel of political advisers to discuss what to expect this autumn, as well as looking back at some of the best (and worst) moments from conferences past. Plus: Columnists James Marriott and India Knight discuss the four-day work week , whether you should let your dog lick your face, Kei...

The Labour Party was born from the trade union movement, but is Keir Starmer's government on a collision course with the unions over public sector pay? Ed Vaizey speaks to shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake and the FBU's Matt Wrack. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Timandra Harkness discuss whether ministers should ban smoking in pub gardens, the arrest of the boss of Telegram, and fossil...

It's been three years since the last British troops and diplomats left Afghanistan in the chaotic withdrawal of Western forces. Ed Vaizey finds out what's happened to the country since, with guests including Sunday Times chief foreign correspondent Christina Lamb. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the shoplifting epidemic, a hidden note found at the National Gallery, and w...

Keir Starmer uses his speech in the Downing Street rose garden to warn of a turbulent time ahead, with a 'painful budget' on the way. Ed Vaizey unpacks it with former cabinet minister Jack Straw and Times Radio's Theo Usherwood.   Plus: What can the Tory leadership hopefuls learn from when the party was in opposition under Hague, Duncan Smith, Howard and Cameron? Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

Michael Cockerell is one of the UK’s most experienced political film-makers, and has interviewed prime ministers from Macmillan to Johnson. He joins Ed Vaizey to reflect on his career and the art of making a political documentary. Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Robin Brant discuss Keir Starmer's call for a decade of national renewal, whether Labour will change the way it elects its leader, and...

Is it ever possible to keep politics out of sport? Ed Vaizey looks at times when the two have collided, as well as how AI could change the world of athletics and whether we'll all be watching e-sport in the metaverse. Plus: Columnists James Marriott and India Knight discuss the extravagance of US politics, freedom of speech in universities , finding joy in YouTube comments , and why group holidays...

It's culture week here on the podcast, and today we're looking at the theatre - does politics still have a place on the stage? Ed Vaizey hears from playwrights including David Edgar, who’s been writing for the theatre for 50 years, and discusses some of the best political drama including James Graham’s This House. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell talk about the pressure on the govern...

Was Barack Obama's speech to the Democratic Convention a reminder that great orators don't come along very often? Columnists Robert Crampton and Jane Mulkerrins discuss the speech by the former US president, the role of political spouses, and why Tories are all taking Ozempic to lose weight. Plus: We continue Ed Vaizey's culture week with a look at whether the golden age of the British TV and...

Bill Clinton once said that regulating the internet would be like ‘nailing jello to a wall’, but in the UK new rules are on the way. Ed Vaizey looks at whether they can end the Wild West on the web with a former tech minister and one of Ofcom's online safety directors. Plus Columnists: Libby Purves and Tim Montgomerie discuss the government's plans to let workers disconnect, the Tory leadership co...

25 years ago Vladimir Putin began his Russian reign in continuous positions as president or prime minister. How did the man in Moscow build his powerbase, how has he changed Russia since being there, and what should the UK look out for next? Theo speaks with those who've spent time dealing with the leader waging war on Western Europe.   Plus: Columnists Timandra Harkness and Scarlett Maguire...

How do people like Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin really hold onto power? The Pulitzer-prize winning historian and author of 'Autocracy Inc', Anne Applebaum, gives her take on how dictators like the Russian president prop themselves up, and the approaching inflection point in American politics. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Jimmy McLoughlin discuss the new deal to stave off rail strikes, the t...

Where does the food on your plate come from? As farmers call on ministers to bolster national food security, Adam weighs up the pros and cons of buying British, and asks two top chefs for their best local recipes.   Plus: Columnists Robert Crampton and Dominic Lawson discuss how to crack down on violent shoplifters, whether Adam suits his white trousers and why Prince William shouldn't have g...

In the wake of the riots that followed the Southport attacks, Adam Boulton asks what Keir Starmer can learn from other politicians who tried to rebuild and unite communities after a period of unrest. Plus: Columnists Carol Lewis and Melanie Reid discuss how we can better care for mentally ill people in the community, whether we learnt anything from Donald Trump's interview with Elon Musk and drink...

As fighting in the Russian-Ukraine war intensifies, and Israel warns of an imminent Iranian strike, what does it take to report on these deadly conflicts?  Adam Boulton is joined by three war journalists from The Times - Catherine Philp, Anthony Loyd and Manveen Rana - who have faced violence, kidnapping, and gunfire in war zones around the world.  Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and...

Fifty Years ago Richard Nixon became the first, and so far only, sitting US President to resign. Ed looks back at how Watergate caused his demise, and asks whether a scandal could ever bring down another President. Plus: Columnists James Marriott and Laura Freeman discuss why it pays to be hated, why Bansky artwork is often stolen and what makes swearing in English so popular Hosted on Acast. See...

Fears that AI generated 'deepfakes' could threaten British democracy in the run up to the general election turned out to be largely unfounded. Ed Vaizey asks why that is, and whether AI and deepfakes will have a greater impact on the upcoming US election.  Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed discuss whether King Charles should break his royal silence on the riots and debate whether...

As Kamala Harris confirms she's chosen Tim Walz as her running mate, Ed Vaizey looks back on some of the best and worst vice presidential picks throughout US history. Plus: Columnists Anne McElvoy and Tim Montgomerie discuss whether Keir Starmer is handling the riots badly, the trap of political nostalgia, and why the Olympics are a silver lining to a distressing summer.  Hosted on Acast. See...

After the government announced it may ditch the Conservatives' law to fight cancel culture on campuses, Ed Vaizey asks whether freedom of speech at University is under threat. He hears the cases for and against - including from former universities minister Robert Halfon, who was in government when the law was passed. Plus: Columnists Miranda Green and Carolyn Quinn discuss Keir Starmer's spat with...

As rioters rampage through towns and cities across the country, Times columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves join Ed Vaizey to discuss what Keir Starmer should do in the courts, online and in Parliament to stop the surge in far-right violence. Plus: Vaizey's Voyage takes a tour around Europe to find out how the backlash against tourists might affect your summer holiday.  Hosted on...

Keir Starmer says he's running a 'mission-led government', and this week Adam Boulton is looking at all five of his missions. Today it's his plan to 'build a NHS fit for the future'. Plus: Columnists James Mariott and Jane Merrick discuss Keir Starmer's plans to stop the summer of riots , the dangers of unregulated social media and why we should be reading more novels ... Hosted on Acast. See...

Keir Starmer says he's running a 'mission-led government', and this week Adam Boulton is looking at all five of his missions. Today it's his plan to break down the barriers to opportunity and smash the 'class ceiling'. Will it work, and what is oracy? Plus: Columnists James Heale and Rachel Cunliffe discuss whether the PM can risk taking a holiday, whether Mel Stride could win the Tory leader...

Adam Boulton continues his analysis of Keir Starmer's five missions for the Labour government, today it's his plan to 'take back our streets'.  Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Robert Crampton discuss how misinformation contributed to the Southport protests, who is to blame for misuse of social media, and why soap operas make us more tolerant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Adam Boulton continues his analysis of Keir Starmer's five missions for the Labour government. Today it's his plan to turn Britain into a “clean energy superpower”. And after the launch of the government-owned GB Energy, we hear about the battle to host its headquarters. Plus: Columnists Tim Montgomerie and Anne McElvoy discuss the Labour-Conservative blame game over the economy, and how the Tory...

As Rachel Reeves addresses the nation with a warning about a £20 billion black hole in the public coffers, Adam Boulton is checking on the progress of Keir Starmer's five missions for the country, starting with the first: getting the highest economic growth in the G7. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Matthew Syed discuss whether Labour is already too soft on the unions, the Tory leadership co...