Politics Unpacked

The House of Commons has long steered clear of debating the royal family - until today. MPs have been told they are free to discuss Prince Andrew, following his withdrawal from public royal duties, but what are the rules when it comes to debating a royal - and what, exactly, can they say? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Patrick Kidd  Hosted on Acast. See acas...

The government hopes to tackle the sensitive and costly system for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) in England - but will Labour MPs support the reforms, or force Starmer into yet another U-turn? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The royal family faces its biggest crisis in decades following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has denied wrongdoing. Does this weaken the monarchy, or has the King done enough to separate himself from his brother? Ed Vaizey unpacks the news and politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct whilst in public office. He's the first senior Royal figure to be taken into custody in modern history. He denies wrongdoing. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the story - plus the other politics of the day - with Megan Kenyon and Sarah Ditum.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Jenrick sets out Reform’s economic case aiming to make the party credible. But without Farage on the stage, is it losing its radical edge?  Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Janice Turner and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Reform UK 'shadow cabinet' has assembled. Nigel Farage has appointed Robert Jenrick, Suella Braverman and Zia Yusuf to key roles - but will voters be convinced that the party is truly a government-in-waiting? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cabinet ministers believe Sir Keir Starmer may now survive beyond May because Labour's leadership contenders are too busy squabbling to unite behind a successor. But can the PM get through the next few months without another self-inflicted wound? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer has survived to the end of a torrid week - will he find solace focusing on the internatonal agenda? 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 trouble for Keir Starmer continues, as cabinet minister Lisa Nandy calls recent events 'unforgivable', and talks of briefings from Number 10 'dripping in misogyny'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The PM faces questions over giving peerages to Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle, with Kemi Badenoch accusing him of 'stuffing government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists'. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a political whirlwind caused by the Mandelson scandal came close to ending Sir Keir Starmer's premiership, some of his supporters claim the media is addicted to drama - do they have a point? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has lost a second senior aide, less than 24 hours after the departure of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. Are we now in the terminal phase of Keir Starmer's premiership? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers, Sebastian Payne and Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer is clinging on as Prime Minister and more details of Peter Mandelson's alleged misconduct could still emerge - so is his fate now sealed? Ed unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer says he’s sorry for believing Peter Mandelson’s lies, as anger grows over Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US - but is his apology enough? Or could it prove fatal to Starmer’s leadership? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Sarah Ditum.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer described Peter Mandelson as a "liar" who "betrayed our country" at PMQs today. But he also admitted that he had been aware of Mandelson's ongoing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein when he appointed him as US ambassador. Can the Prime Minister survive this growing scandal? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges in the House of Commons with The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Ma...

After Peter Mandelson tells the Times he can't escape his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the uproar over allegations he leaked sensitive government emails to the late paedophile financier grows. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Libby Purves.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Mandelson is out of the Labour Party and Keir Starmer says he'd like to see him out of the House of Lords - but have the peer's links with Jeffrey Epstein damaged the prime minister? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Seb Payne.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As well as today's Politics Unpacked, which sees Ed Vaizey discuss China, Iran and left-wing AI with Michael Binyon and Cindy Yu, we've got an in-depth look at the by-election in Gorton and Denton. Times chief political commentator Patrick Maguire and political scientist Rob Ford profile the constituency, and analyse whether Labour can hold off the challenge from the Green Party and Reform UK. &nb...

Kemi Badenoch has called on centrist Conservatives hoping to influence the party to "get out of the way" - is the Tory one nation tradition dead, or an electoral opportunity? Hugo, Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel debate the future of the party and unpack the politics of the day.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the PM in China, David Lammy stands in for Keir Starmer at deputy PMQs. But can Andrew Griffith land a blow for the Tories? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges in the House of Commons with Patrick Maguire, Stefan Boscia and Chris Ward, parliamentary secretary in the Cabinet Office.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Labour backbenchers call on Starmer to reverse the ban on Andy Burnham standing as an MP, a cabinet minister says the decision is 'done and dusted'. Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prime minister is facing a backlash from some Labour MPs after the party blocked Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham's attempt to become an MP - did Keir Starmer have any other choice?  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has falsley claimed that Nato soldiers, including those from the UK, stayed "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan. And, who will win in an electoral test of strength between Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump says he's bringing peace to the world - in Gaza, Ukraine and Greenland. After sending Europe into a tailspin, what's really changed? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Alice Thomson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer says he will not yield to Donald Trump over the future of Greenland, calling recent criticism of the Chagos deal an attempt to force the issue -- did this rebuke to Trump spark his best performance yet? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Patrick Magurie, Stefan Boscia and Andy Parsons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.