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
Farage, Oak Trees, And The Problem With LinkedIn
4/18/2025
Have we all lost the plot over an oak tree in North London? Will Nigel Farage force the government to rethink drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea? And is it time to give LinkedIn a rest?
Harry Wallop is joined by Carol Lewis and Robin Brant.
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Duration:00:32:30
Starmer Risks Trade Stand-Off With Trump
4/17/2025
The government insists it won't have to choose between trade with Donald Trump's America and the European Union, but can the prime minister continue the tricky balancing act?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris.
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Duration:00:31:44
Defining A Woman
4/16/2025
The contentious issue of gender identity is back in the spotlight, following the UK Supreme Court's ruling on legal definition of woman - but how will this impact politics in Britain? Could Labour lose votes by becoming too gender critical?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson.
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Duration:00:34:41
Too cosy with China?
4/15/2025
The Government's move to seize control of British Steel has highlighted the extent of Chinese involvement in the UK's critical infrastructure - is the UK too cosy with China?
Plus, our columnists reveal their favourite hymns.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd.
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Duration:00:28:28
Save British Steel
4/14/2025
The future of British Steel hangs in the balance, after Parliament was dramatically recalled over the weekend to pass emergency legislation to keep the UK's last blast furnaces open - but was it neglect or sabotage?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Emma Duncan.
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Duration:00:32:45
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.
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Duration:00:32:14
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.
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Duration:00:35:02
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.
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Duration:00:33:09
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.
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Duration:00:30:15
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.
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Duration:00:28:24
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