Politics Unpacked

Angela Rayner has expressed "frustration" with slow progress delivering on workers' rights. Now she's on the backbenches, is she going to be creating problems for Keir Starmer, and could she end up as leader? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Megan Kenyon and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The think-tank that backed Keir Starmer's bid to be Labour leader has started canvassing members about potential successors - are preparations underway for a leadership change? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK is planning to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. But with Putin welcomed with open arms in India, how much pressure will this really put on the Kremlin? Ed Vaizey unpacks the news of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage wants a “reverse takeover” of the Tory party, but he's not interested in any Reform UK-Conservative Party pact at the next election - could he lure Robert Jenrick to join Reform?  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch is on a roll at PMQs, but was she right to keep the focus on what was and wasn't said in the weeks before the Budget? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Gabriel Pogrund and Guto Harri Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer says the UK is still facing consequences of Brexit vote's 'wild promises' - why is the prime minister bringing up Brexit?  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 Prime Minister has denied that he and the Chancellor misled the cabinet, and the country, over the state of the nation's finances - has he put the question to bed? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The governments' abandoned its plan to give workers day-one-rights against unfair dismissal - a policy which was in its manifesto. Will this blow up into a full-scale row - or is ditching the pledge what “grown-up politics” looks like? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Thangham Debbonaire and Michael Binyon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves has told Times Radio she is determined to remain in Number 11 Downing Street, and that she wasn't going to have her political obituary written today - how might this play out with Labour’s election chances?  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Colvile and Megan Kenyon  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The OBR may have mistakenly released Reeves' budget too early, but it was just in time for Prime Minister's Questions.  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with The Times' Chief Political Correspondent Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves has told Labour MPs she'll survive Wednesday's budget, and be back for years to come. Is it set to be worse than previous budget disasters, including George Osborne's 'omnishambles' in 2012? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Ed Vaizey and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a year since Rachel Reeves told the CBI she'd steer clear of extra borrowing or new tax rises. After a weekend spent defending her position, is the Chancellor really in control? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times today reveals the guidance on transgender people using single-sex spaces like toilets and changing rooms. It's been sitting on the government's desk - are ministers trying to avoid a political backlash?  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch presses Keir Starmer over whether the government would "break another promise" by freezing income tax thresholds. With Starmer deferring to the chancellor’s plans next week, will it truly be “a Labour Budget with Labour values”? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from Prime Minister's Questions with Patrick Maguire and Luke Sullivan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

The Home Secretary's new asylum plans are facing backlash from Labour MPs, including one who told Times Radio the government is trying to "appease the electorate" - is that the job of politicians, or not? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shabana Mahmood's sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration have already faced backlash from Labour's backbenches, how bad will it get for the Home Secretary?  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 Chancellor has scrapped plans to raise income tax in the Budget because of improved economic forecasts and fears over the reaction of mutinous Labour MPs - is she right to change course? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Starmer investigating briefings against his own cabinet ministers and facing calls to sack his own Chief of Staff, can anyone explain what's going on in Downing Street? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Jenni Russell and Matthew Syed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch tells the Prime Minister he's lost control of Downing Street, and his government has "descended into civil war." Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from Prime Minister's Questions with Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US President has given the BBC until Friday evening to apologise and remove a Panorama episode which edited a speech to make it appear he was inciting violence - or else, he'll sue.  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Accusations of bias have forced Tim Davie and Deborah Turness to resign from their roles at the BBC - has the job of running the corporation become almost impossible? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Rachel Reeves tells the Budget watchdog she could raise income tax for the first time in 50 years, is there any way out for the chancellor? And will she make all future promises on tax worthless? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Thangam Debbonaire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage and Rachel Reeves have both sought to be more frank with the public about the economy this week - does this herald a new era of honest politics? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Lammy takes Deputy PMQs for the first time, and faces the same question from Conservative James Cartlidge five times in a row about a second foreign prisoner mistakenly released. In the end it turns out that Cartlidge knew the answer all along. Hugo unpacks the action with Patrick Maguire and Stefan Boscia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves tries to lay the ground for difficult decisions at her Budget. But did the speech say anything new, or was Kemi Badenoch right to call it a "waffle bomb"? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.