Politics Unpacked

Reform has set out its plan for the British economy, but will the sums add up?  And why has Farage recycled a Nick Clegg slogan from 2011?  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of today with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew has been stripped of his prince title and ordered by the King to leave the Royal Lodge - but will he continue to cast a shadow over the Royals? Harry Wallop unpacks the news of the day with Alys Denby and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After hinting at manifesto breaking tax rises in the budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has come under fire for breaching rental rules on her family home - can she hold on to her job? Calum MacDonald unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Manveen Rana.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer refused to rule out a U-turn on his manifesto tax pledges in the budget, while blaming the Tories for the country’s economic woes. Kemi Badenoch accused him of playing the blame game. Calum Macdonald unpacks the action with Josh Glancy and Jon Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government will begin housing small boat migrants in military barracks from next month, part of a plan to move asylum seekers out of hotels and cut costs. But why is Labour now supporting policies it once condemned?  Calum McDonald unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Home Office is squandering billions of pounds on asylum hotels in another damaging story for the government. Can Labour still call themselves the "grown ups in the room"?  Calum Macdonald unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plaid Cymru have swept to victory in Caerphilly, taking a Senedd seat that has been held by Labour for a century - will it convince Keir Starmer to change course? Alexis Conran unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shabana Mahmood says her department remains “not yet fit for purpose,” after The Times uncovered a secret report calling it dysfunctional and detached from reality. Should we be worried that we're still using that phrase, 20 years after John Reid first made it famous? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...

Hugo Rifkind unpacks this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions with Gabriel Pogrund from The Sunday Times and comedian Gráinne Maguire. After several grooming gang victims withdrew from the inquiry process, Sir Keir Starmer vows to deliver justice — but can he restore confidence in the investigation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir reveals her abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and alleged encounters with Prince Andrew - claims he denies. Now, the disgraced royal faces pressure to disclose what he knows about Epstein’s crimes and those who may have enabled them.  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

Conservative MPs Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat have urged Keir Starmer to designate China a top-tier threat, calling his inaction a sign of weakness - but would such a label really change anything? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers to unpack the politics of the day.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister wants to lift the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending their game against Aston Villa next month. But could it lead to violence? 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 government, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Conservatives all blame each other for the collapse of the China spy case, is everyone set to lose in the blame game? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and David Runciman live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks PMQs alongside Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. Badenoch challenges Starmer over the China spy case, but Starmer enjoys arguing over legal technicalities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does an embarrassing moment for Sir Keir Starmer on stage at the Egypt peace summit reveal something about the UK's influence on the global stage? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK's Nigel Farage is preparing to drop his promise to deliver £90bn of tax cuts, saying his party will reduce public spending first. Is this a more credible position, and is it in response to Tory attacks? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Carol Lewis and Patrick Kidd  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ceasefire in Gaza is underway after US president Donald Trump brokered a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. But how will he feel about missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize? Alexis Conran unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to phase one of his plan for peace in Gaza. Is he on track for a Nobel Peace Prize? Plus, why is Matthew trying to avoid calling Nigel Farage by his name?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks Kemi Badenoch's speech to Conservative Party conference in which she pledged to scrap Labour's tax rises and abolish stamp duty. But has she discovered her own magic money tree? Plus: Margaret Thatcher also struggled to make an impact in her first year, how do the two leaders compare? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Jenrick has been announcing a series of policies at Conservative conference, and defending comments he made about the lack of 'white faces' in an inner-city area of Birmingham.  Was he just making a point about integration? Is he trying to destabilise Kemi Badenoch's leadership? And, what does Badenoch's favourite author - Terry Pratchett - tell us about her? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the p...

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with James Johnson of JL Partners. Kemi Badenoch has failed to make an impression on these 2024 Conservative voters so far, but which of her potential rivals do they compare to Martin Lewis?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the pro-Palestine protests after the Manchester synagogue attack were "fundamentally un-British". But can the authorities stop them? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government says the UK is too attractive to refugees and says it will end the 'Golden Ticket' of resettlement and family reunion rights. But will it stop people crossing the channel? Plus, reaction to the attack on a Manchester synagogue.  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK says Keir Starmer’s attack on Nigel Farage risks inciting violence. Has Labour been guilty of playing the man, not the ball? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Phil Tinline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour Party Conference began with much speculation about the Prime Minister's survival. Is he out of the danger zone - and if so - for how long? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.