Politics Unpacked

Rachel Reeves has delivered her speech to Labour Party conference, warning of 'harsh global headwinds' and harder choices to come. Is she laying the ground for a brutal autumn Budget, and did she look like a chancellor secure in her job? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the speech with Joe Mayes and Megan Kenyon. He also speaks to Bill Esterson, chair of the Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, abo...

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with Tom Lubbock of JL Partners. What do these 2024 Labour voters think about Keir Starmer and the government, and will they back him again to keep out Nigel Farage? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer urges liberals to take on the populist right as he confirms plans for mandatory digital ID cards. But has the prime minister worked out how to tackle Nigel Farage's Reform UK? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Emma Duncan.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham says he's been privately urged to challenge Keir Starmer. Could the so-called King of the North return to parliament and run for leader? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Ed Davey claimed the Lib Dems were the last block against Nigel Farage's 'forces of darkness', why does he spend so much time talking about Reform UK and Donald Trump? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton to unpack the politics of the day.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, including Donald Trump's unproven claim that paracetamol in pregnancy increases the risk of autism, and Reform's claim that its latest migration policy will save hundreds of billions of pounds. With James Marriott and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Davey has called Elon Musk a criminal and promised a crackdown on 'doomscrolling' - but is Nigel Farage's latest migration announcement stealing attention from Lib Dem conference? Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After another public row between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, 'Your Party' looks like it may not get off the ground - but could a more serious left-wing threat to Labour come from Zack Polanski's Green Party? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Giles Dilnot and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump says America owes the UK for its legacy of free speech - but why do some Republicans believe the hallmark of modern Britain is censorship? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed to unpack the politics of the day.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer’s migrant returns deal with France is in disarray after a judge paused an Eritrean man’s deportation hours before he was due to fly - will the one-in, one-out scheme ever get off the ground? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny Kruger - who has called for a "revival of faith" in Britain - has been tasked with preparing Reform for government. Is religion playing a bigger role in politics? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Danny Kruger becomes the first sitting Tory MP to defect to Reform UK, is he right to say the Conservative party is over? What can Kemi Badenoch do to stem the tide, and is Keir Starmer drinking in 'last-chance saloon'? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Carol Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How bad is the fallout from the sacking of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador? With a State visit fast approaching, can Starmer recover - or is he a "dead man walking"? Ed Vaizey is joined by Alys Denby and Michael Binyon to unpack the politics of the day.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US, after growing scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the story with reaction from from Matthew Parris, Manveen Rana, Adam Boulton and Francis Elliot.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch was quick off the mark to challenge the prime minister over allegations about Peter Mandelson, repeatedly asking if Starmer was aware of their close friendship and if he still had "confidence" in the US Ambassador  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Times' Chief Political Correspondent Patrick Maguire and comedian Ria Lina.  Hosted on Acast. See acast....

The field of candidates wanting to succeed Angela Rayner as deputy leader is growing, but will the contest inevitably end up as a referendum on Keir Starmer's leadership? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer's reshuffle has given key jobs to people seen as being from the "reforming right" of the party - is the government tilting towards a tougher, Blairite agenda? Or is it just lumbering from one set of priorities to another? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Rayner has resigned as deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary after an independent report found she had broken the ministerial code for failing to pay stamp duty on her second home. Ed Vaizey brings you the full fallout from the major political shakeup, with reaction from The Times' Political Editor Steven Swinford and Labour Peer Thangam Debbonaire. Plus additional insight from Politi...

It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Hugo steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters. This week, it's a group considering voting for Reform UK at the next election. Hugo Rifkind is joined by pollster Guy Miscampbell, of JL Partners to find out why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the first PMQs back after the summer break and Angela Rayner is fighting for her political life. Kemi Badenoch tells the prime minister to 'grow a backbone' and sack his deputy. Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Sunday Times Whitehall Editor Gabriel Pogrund and Comedian Jon Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Keir Starmer's birthday, and what better way to usher in his 63rd year than with a new "phase two" for his government - but did phase one go all that well?  Hugo Rifkind is joined by Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd to unpack the politics of the day.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parliament is back from recess, and Keir Starmer has reshuffled his team in Downing Street - what do the prime minister's appointments tell us about his plans for a reset? Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Xi Jinping will host Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un in Beijing next week to mark the end of the Second World War. As Western leaders largely stay away, how much should we worry about the dictators cosying up to each other? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage has stumbled over whether a Reform government would deport women and children as part of its border security plans. Does Reform UK need to think twice before rushing through policies?  Hugo Rifkind is joined by Manveen Rana and Fraser Nelson to unpack the politics of the day.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A political crisis in Paris threatens to undo a key pillar of Keir Starmer's plan to 'smash the gangs'. Can cooperation with Europe help Britain tackle the crisis or is a new strategy needed? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.