Politics Unpacked
Wireless Group
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the the politics of the day - and the stuff that's even more important - with the brightest brains from the Times and Sunday Times.
You can listen to Hugo on DAB, smart speaker or app 10am-1pm Monday to Friday. If you like what you hear, then read more at http://www.thetimes.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Location:
United Kingdom
Genres:
News & Politics Podcasts
Description:
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the the politics of the day - and the stuff that's even more important - with the brightest brains from the Times and Sunday Times. You can listen to Hugo on DAB, smart speaker or app 10am-1pm Monday to Friday. If you like what you hear, then read more at http://www.thetimes.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Language:
English
Episodes
Can Labour Be 'Ruthless' Over Spending?
1/13/2025
Rachel Reeves is looking for ways to grow the economy in the long-term, but may still have to cut spending - how will the party react?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Janice Turner and Patrick Maguire.
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Duration:00:34:40
The Chancellor Goes To China
1/10/2025
Rachel Reeves is in China for trade talks, despite the UK's economic woes. When should politicians give in to pressure and cancel a foreign trip?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Miranda Green.
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Duration:00:29:15
Has Reeves Done A Truss?
1/9/2025
The pound is falling in value and government borrowing costs are rising - are the economic walls closing in on Rachel Reeves?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Michael Binyon.
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Duration:00:32:41
PMQs Unpacked: A Leader Not A Lawyer
1/8/2025
PMQs Unpacked is back for the new year and today Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch clash over whether there should be a national inquiry into child sexual abuse by grooming gangs.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with the help of Sunday Times chief political commentator Tim Shipman and comedian Alistair Barrie.
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Duration:00:44:36
Should Starmer Investigate Grooming Gangs?
1/7/2025
Calls for a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal are being led by the Conservatives, Reform UK and Elon Musk, but would it delay the action needed to protect children from abuse?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Libby Purves
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Duration:00:34:50
Starmer Hits Back At Musk
1/6/2025
Without naming him directly, Keir Starmer has denounced Elon Musk for spreading falsehoods about the child sex abuse scandal. Has the PM changed his strategy for dealing with the billionaire?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Hadley Freeman and Lara Spirit.
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Duration:00:30:26
Is Musk Flirting With Fascism?
1/3/2025
Elon Musk has continued his attacks on the UK government, but why is he inserting himself into European politics? Does he want to be a global statesman? And what will this mean for his new friend Nigel Farage?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Gaby Hinsliff
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Duration:00:38:02
Gang Smashing & Queue Jumping
1/2/2025
The government has begun 2025 by targeting people-smuggling gangs after channel crossings rose by a quarter last year.
Plus, as Starmer is booed for queue-jumping for a toboggan ride on holiday, is it the most offensive thing a Brit can do?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed
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Duration:00:28:55
Making the Honours List
12/31/2024
The 2025 New Years Honours list has being released, with Former England football manager Gareth Southgate and actor Stephen Fry amongst those to be knighted. But how have politicians fared?
James Marriott and Libby Purves join Ed to unpack the politics of the day, and much more.
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Duration:00:33:45
Are Badenoch's Attacks On Farage Backfiring?
12/30/2024
The membership row between Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage rumbles on, but is anyone winning? And what do members of Reform UK get for their money?
David Runciman and Zoe Strimpel join Hugo to unpack the politics of the day including Badenoch v Farage, how to be an ex-leader, and where does Elon Musk find the time?
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Duration:00:30:34
Slumps, Scandals And Christmas Sweaters
12/23/2024
The economy hasn't grown since Labour came to power, can the government continue blaming the Tories?
Plus, christmas jumpers and showbiz PR scandals.
Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the politics of the day with Hadley Freeman and Matthew Syed.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:30:54
Can Mandelson Charm Donald Trump?
12/20/2024
Peter Mandelson is set to become Britain’s next ambassador to Washington, but does he have a plan to win over Donald Trump - and Elon Musk?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day, and all the other news, with Robin Brant and Timandra Harkness.
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Duration:00:21:50
Can Kemi Look Like A PM In Waiting?
12/19/2024
A new YouGov polls shows the public doesn't see Kemi Badenoch as a PM in waiting - is their verdict a suprise?
Plus, is Matthew Parris the British equivalent of a cowboy?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris.
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Duration:00:33:58
PMQs Unpacked: One-Trick Phony
12/18/2024
It's the last PMQs of 2024, and Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch trade blows over the government's decision to restrict winter fuel payments.
But some of the toughest questions come from the backbenches over the Waspi women campaign, with one MP calling the Starmer a "one-trick phony".
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Duration:00:43:58
Why Is Starmer Polling So Badly?
12/17/2024
Starmer's approval rating is the lowest of any Prime Minister after five months in Number 10 - is he a victim of circumstance, or of the fickle nature of modern politics?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd.
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Duration:00:32:00
Naming Spies
12/16/2024
Should MPs use parliamentary privilege to reveal the identity of an alleged Chinese spy? Is anti-bullying training 'woke'? And is the government's communications grid finally working?
Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day, and all the other news, with Patrick Maguire and Hadley Freeman.
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Duration:00:31:45
Streeting Goes For Miliband
12/13/2024
Keir Starmer faces a cabinet split as Wes Streeting criticises Ed Miliband's decision to oppose military action against Assad in Syria when he was the party's leader in 2013, but was Ed really to blame?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and and the I newspaper's Jane Merrick
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Duration:00:27:58
Kemi's War on Sandwiches
12/12/2024
Kemi Badenoch gives an interview in which she claims sandwiches aren't 'real food' - and says she identifies with a murderous Game of Thrones character.
Hugo Rifkind is joined by Matthew Syed and Jenni Russell to unpack the politics of the day, including the Tory leader's lunch habits.
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Duration:00:27:50
PMQs: Tip Of The Iceberg
12/11/2024
Kemi Badenoch attacks Keir Starmer for his views on immigration when he was a lawyer - but can a letter be the tip of the iceberg? And does the prime minister eventually get the better of the leader of the opposition?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the angry exchanges from the Commons with the help of Sunday Times chief political commentator Tim Shipman and comedian Ria Lina.
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Duration:00:41:23
Lammy Hams It Up Over Syria
12/10/2024
After David Lammy tells the Commons that Assad is the "rat of Damascus", does the foreign secretary have a habit of playing to the gallery?
Plus: A first hand account from the court room during the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Janice Turner.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:31:37