Politics Unpacked

The papers are full of speculation on who could replace Keir Starmer if he is toppled after this week's local elections. But does anyone know what's actually going on inside the party? Guto Harri unpacks the politics of the day with Carol Lewis and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the terror threat level raised to “severe,” the Metropolitan Police is reviewing whether pro-Palestine marches can go ahead. Where should the line be drawn between public safety and the right to protest? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times Radio Focus Group is back ahead of the local elections. JL Partners brings together voters from across Britain who backed Labour, the Conservatives and Reform UK in 2024 — but who now all say they plan to vote Reform. What’s driving the shift? Is it about Nigel Farage, frustration with the main parties, or belief in Reform itself? And what, if anything, could change their minds? Hugo Rif...

After a terror attack targeting Britain’s Jewish community, politicians rush to respond — and to blame. But is anyone actually lowering the temperature?   Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Matthew Syed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final PMQs before the local elections, Kemi Badenoch moves on from questions about Peter Mandelson and targets Keir Starmer on welfare spending and the economy. Tim Shipman and Patrick Maguire join Hugo Rifkind to unpack the exchanges in the Commons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After two blockbuster sessions of the Commons committee looking into the appointment and vetting of Peter Mandelson, what did we learn from the evidence of former Foreign Office mandarin Sir Phillip Barton and former Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney? Daniel Finkelstein is joined by Tom McTague and Ollie Cole to find out where this leaves Keir Starmer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

The prime minister faces a challenging week, with MPs set to vote on whether to hold an inquiry into claims he misled MPs over the Peter Mandelson scandal, and his former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney due to be grilled by MPs. So will the coming days hasten his departure? And could a Granita-style pact between Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner be the solution to the Labour Party's problems? Hu...

The US could punish Britain over the Iran war by questioning UK sovereignty over the Falkland Islands - will that worsen US-UK relations ahead of the King's state visit next week?  Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the US President says there’s “no time frame” for ending the war with Iran, Times columnist Matthew Parris says Donald Trump is "too deranged to remain in office" - but is that a fair assessment? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times Radio Focus Group is back ahead of May's local elections. JL Partners brings together a group of wavering Tories - voters from across England who backed the Conservatives at the last General Election, and are now considering switching to Reform UK. Do they think the 'Badenoch Bounce' is a real thing, what are their remaining concerns about Nigel Farage in 10 Downing Street, and just how...

Sir Keir Starmer claims that the evidence given by Olly Robbins "puts to bed all the allegations" he was dishonest about Peter Mandelson's vetting process as Kemi Badenoch calls on him to stand down over the scandal.  Hugo Rifkind is joined by Ed Vaizey and Fraser Nelson to unpack the exchanges in the commons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins says No.10 took a “dismissive” approach to Peter Mandelson’s vetting - so where does this now leave Keir Starmer? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Ollie Cole, Charlotte Ivers and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer will blame the civil service for the vetting failures behind Peter Mandelson's appointment - but will his defence stand up to scrutiny? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Libby Purves.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer says he's 'furious' he wasn't told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before his appointment as US ambassador. Just how much trouble is the prime minister in? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A top-level crisis drill inside government - “Exercise Turnstone” - has been testing what happens if the conflict in Iran continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. So how ready is Britain for possible food shortages? Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the politics of the day with Josh Glancy and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch criticises the government for failing to publish its plan for defence spending, but Starmer says the Tories hollowed out the budget, and gets told off by the Speaker for failing to answer the question. Hugo unpacks PMQs with Patrick Maguire and the comedian Andrew Maxwell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump insists the AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure actually depicts him as a doctor. He's faced backlash from all sides, but it's not his first AI post to cause controversy. Did this one go too far? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Libby Purves.  Is the tide shifting away from the hard right in Europe? Would Nigel Farage really put Boris Johnson on trial over immigration? And why are the US President and the Pope fighting?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has stepped up his criticism of Trump, but could that put the UK in the firing line for retaliation from the US? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK and the Green Party are expected to do well at next month's elections at the expense of the established parties. But is the electorate ready for some of their more radical policies? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news and politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Sonia Sodha. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran has agreed to a ceasefire with the US after Trump promised to destroy it - but with the biggest issues still unresolved, can he really claim victory? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Trevor Phillips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rapper Ye - formerly known as Kanye West - has been blocked from headlining a festival in London this summer over anti-semitic behaviour. Can we separate the art from the artist? We also discuss the cumulative impact of doctors' strikes, and ask why politics - and society - can't get over its obsession with the nineties and noughties. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte...

Donald Trump has threatened to turn Iran into "hell" in a profanity-laden rant on social media. But with so many conflicting messages and shifting deadlines, should his threats be taken seriously? Plus, do religious leaders still have a role to play in preaching peace to the world? Guto Harri unpacks the news and politics of the day with Sebastian Payne and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See...

The US President mocks Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron at an Easter event at the White House. Does Macron's response reflect growing anger in Europe over Iran? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. They also discuss why teachers are turning to the Green Party, Reform UK's pension policy. and why a new deal with the EU could change the name of marmalade. Hos...

As Donald Trump threatens to send Iran “back to the Stone Age”, Hugo Rifkind is joined by Times columnists Josh Glancy and Sarah Ditum to unpack the history and significance of that phrase. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.