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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

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
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Tit-For-Tat Trade War

4/11/2025
As the US and China continue their economic tit-for-tat, the UK is told that even a trade deal may not spare it from 10% tariffs. Can anyone win Trump's trade war? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Claire Fox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:32:14

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Trump Dumps Tariffs

4/10/2025
About 13 hours after they came into force, President Trump announced a 90-day pause for his reciprocal tariffs everywhere - except China. Has Trump been intimidated? And will the UK ever get a trade deal? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Lara Spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:35:02

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Boys Will Be Boys

4/9/2025
While the turmoil caused by Trump's tariffs continues, two members of his administration - Elon Musk and Peter Navarro - have traded blows about free trade. And, are the wealthy leaving London? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Jenni Russell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:33:09

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Will Trump's Cheerleaders Lose Faith?

4/8/2025
Elon Musk has broken company with Donald Trump over tariffs - but will it make any difference, and will Trump's other billionaire supporters follow? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:30:15

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Starmer's Plan To Protect The Economy

4/7/2025
Keir Starmer warns that the world has fundamentally changed, but does he have a plan to protect the British economy from Donald Trump's tariffs? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day, including the row over Labour MPs refused entry to Israel and the possible return of Jacob Rees-Mogg. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:28:24

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:34:13

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:33:49

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:38:08

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:33:38

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:34:31

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:24:20

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:32:04

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:27:01

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:31:06

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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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:33:51

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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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:28:45

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:33:07

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:42:20

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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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:35:18

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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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:32:23