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
Trump Tariff Turmoil
4/4/2025
Donald Trump says he's pleased with the effect of his tariffs so far,...despite turmoil in markets, China retaliating and the start of a global trade war.
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.
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Duration:00:34:13
Trump Stokes A Trade War
4/3/2025
Donald Trump has slapped tariffs on all imports to the US, although Britain gets off (relatively) lightly. Is this an example of a 'Brexit bonus'?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana.
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Duration:00:33:49
Carping From The Sidelines
4/2/2025
Kemi Badenoch quizzes Keir Starmer over his handling of the economy and Labour's so-called "jobs tax".
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons with Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and the comedian Stuart Laws.
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Duration:00:38:08
No Free Trade Without Free Speech?
4/1/2025
Could Britain's hopes of a free trade deal founder because of US concerns over free speech?
Plus: Why Britain is stuck in a 'normie doom spiral', and what's the problem with instagram poetry?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.
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Duration:00:33:38
Statecraft or Spineless
3/31/2025
Keir Starmer's strategy is to react calmly if Donald Trump imposes tariffs on British goods. Is it best way to handle the US president, and will it help his political opponents?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins.
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Duration:00:34:31
Trump Demands More From Ukraine
3/28/2025
As reports suggest the US is demanding access to more of Ukraine's natural resources, is there anything Kyiv can do to resist?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.
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Duration:00:24:20
The Mother Of All Rebellions
3/27/2025
Rachel Reeves' spring statement has been picked over by the experts, but could the chancellor be facing the 'mother of all rebellions' as one Labour MP claims?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Lara Spirit.
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Duration:00:32:04
PMQs: Kemi and Keir Phone It In
3/26/2025
Ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Statement, Kemi Badenoch uses prime minister's questions to ask why Keir Starmer doesn't support banning phones in schools.
Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Tim Shipman and Ria Lina.
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Duration:00:27:01
When Group Chats Go Wrong
3/25/2025
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news of the day, including the US security blunder that saw senior White House officials text war plans in a secure app that included a journalist. With Times columnists James Marriott and Libby Purves.
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Duration:00:31:06
Freebies, Austerity & Trump Tourism
3/24/2025
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins, including: Should we take the Rachel Reeves freebie story seriously? How is the chancellor rolling the pitch ahead of the Spring Statement? And is Donald Trump harming US tourism?
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Duration:00:33:51
Reeves' Unappealing Options
3/21/2025
With growth in short supply, how will Chancellor Rachel Reeves sell big spending cuts to the public and the Labour Party?
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Duration:00:28:45
Coalition Of The Not-So-Willing?
3/20/2025
As military leaders meet in London to discuss support for Ukraine, have the French blocked British manufacturers from an EU defence fund?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Lara Spirit.
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Duration:00:33:07
PMQs: Glazed Expressions And Waffle
3/19/2025
Comedian Andy Hamilton joins Hugo and Tim Shipman to unpack the exchanges at prime minister's questions. It's heavy going as Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch discuss taxes and hospices, but Reform UK's Lee Anderson lightens the mood with a question about "glazed expressions and waffle" from government ministers.
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Duration:00:42:20
The Government Shakes Up Welfare
3/18/2025
As the government lays out massive changes to the welfare system, Kemi Badenoch has a different concern: net-zero.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Tom Whipple
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Duration:00:35:18
Does Badenoch Have The Luxury Of Time?
3/17/2025
Kemi Badenoch is launching a series of new policy commissions, but how long can she afford to wait before setting out what the party believes? And how likely is it that she will promise to leave the EHRC?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with the help of Sebastian Payne and Jane Mulkerrins.
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Duration:00:32:23
Where Do Peace Talks Go From Here?
3/14/2025
Russia says there is "a lot ahead to be done" on the Ukrainian ceasefire deal; what concessions can Donald Trump realistically extract from Vladimir Putin?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Claire Fox.
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Duration:00:29:22
Is Starmer Wielding The Chainsaw?
3/13/2025
Keir Starmer has announced he is abolishing NHS England, the quango in charge of NHS standards. Is he the chainsaw-wielding disruptor the UK didn't know it had?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed.
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Duration:00:27:37
PMQs: Talking Trash At The Despatch Box
3/12/2025
Kemi Badenoch accuses Keir Starmer of talking 'trash' as she attacks Labour's record on the cost of living.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Theo Usherwood and comedian Geoff Norcott.
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Duration:00:43:20
Starmer Prepares To Cut Welfare
3/11/2025
Keir Starmer says the current benefits system "unsustainable, indefensible and unfair" - will the public, and his own party, agree?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.
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Duration:00:34:05
Elon Musk, Reform and Barbour Jackets
3/10/2025
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, including: Elon Musk's spat with a Polish minister, Reform UK descends into infighting, and what are the politics of the Barbour jacket?
With Jane Mulkerrins and Tom McTague.
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Duration:00:31:37