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
The Price Of Starmer's EU Reset
5/16/2025
As European leaders meet in Tirana, is Keir Starmer inching Britain closer to Europe - and is that progress?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Gaby Hinsliff.
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Duration:00:33:02
Has Starmer Left Space To His Left?
5/15/2025
As the Prime Minister adopts increasingly tough rhetoric on immigration, can his opponents on the left offer a populist alternative?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris
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Duration:00:32:56
PMQs: Dead Party Walking
5/14/2025
Kemi Badenoch dismisses Keir Starmer's “tiny tariff deal” with Donald Trump, while Keir Starmer called the Tories a “dead party walking.”
Hugo Rifkind unpacks all the action from the Commons with Tim Shipman and the comedian Ria Lina.
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Duration:00:44:35
Did Starmer Echo Enoch Powell?
5/13/2025
Sir Keir Starmer is under fire for saying the UK could become an "island of strangers" unless new curbs on migration bring the numbers down - but are comparisons with Enoch Powell and 'Rivers of Blood' misplaced?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.
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Duration:00:31:13
Starmer's Stark Language On Immigration
5/12/2025
Keir Starmer claims soaring immigration has done 'incalculable' damage to the UK and risks creating an 'island of strangers'. But can he deliver on his promise to drive the numbers down? Will Rachel Reeves hold the line on welfare cuts, and will the Tories send for Boris Johnson?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins.
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Duration:00:27:34
The Deification Of Trump
5/9/2025
As Keir Starmer celebrates getting a trade agreement with the US over the line, does Peter Mandelson fit into Donald Trump's circle? Plus, how has moral universalism led to the rise of Nigel Farage?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Miranda Green.
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Duration:00:29:11
A 'Very Big And Exciting' Trade Deal
5/8/2025
The UK finally has its trade deal with the US - but will it make us any richer?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Fraser Nelson.
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Duration:00:31:46
PMQs Unpacked: What Trade Deal?
5/7/2025
Keir Starmer wants to be celebrating its trade deal with India, worth 5 billion pounds to the British economy...but Kemi Badenoch instead presses him over cuts to the winter fuel allowance and energy bills.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the House of Commons with Tim Shipman and comedian Ahir Shah. Plus, we wave Lara Spirit off to Washington.
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Duration:00:40:47
The Winter Fuel Cut Backlash
5/6/2025
With the cuts to the winter fuel allowance being blamed for Labour's problems at the ballot box, is there any chance of Number 10 changing course?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Libby Purves.
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Duration:00:31:09
The EU Plays Hardball On Migration
5/5/2025
Keir Starmer's hopes of a reset with the EU have taken a blow, after the bloc refused Britain access to critical crime and illegal migration databases.
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Duration:00:31:10
Local Elections: Reform On The March
5/2/2025
With Nigel Farage's Reform UK the clear winner from the English local elections and Runcorn by-election, have they broken the two-party system for good?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with John McTernan, Salma Shah and Sir John Curtice.
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Duration:00:33:45
Golf Diplomacy
5/1/2025
Is Britain considering swapping a golf tournament for a trade deal? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris.
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Duration:00:33:11
PMQs: The Last One Before The Elections
4/30/2025
Ahead of Thursday's local elections in England, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch doesn't question Keir Starmer over net zero - instead focusing on the grooming gangs scandal and claims of a cover up.
Lara Spirit unpacks all the action from the Commons with Tim Shipman and the comedian Alistair Barrie.
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Duration:00:39:21
100 Days Of Trump
4/29/2025
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news of the day including Donald Trump's first 100 days, whether secularism is just a historical blip, and whether the male-only publisher's time has come. With James Marriott and Libby Purves.
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Duration:00:31:46
Who Would Win From A Tory-Reform Pact?
4/28/2025
Senior Tories are being asked about the prospect of a pact with Reform UK ahead of local elections in England this week. But what's in it for Nigel Farage's Reform?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins, including the rising risk of strikes and what happened at this year's White House Correspondents Dinner.
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Duration:00:30:51
Douglas Murray
4/26/2025
In this bonus episode of the podcast, Douglas Murray joins Hugo Rifkind to discuss his new book - On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel, Hamas and the Future of the West. He argues that the future of the Western world is at stake in the Israel-Gaza war, and discusses Donald Trump's plan to create a "riviera of the Middle East".
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Duration:00:24:40
Washington, War and WhatsApp Etiquette
4/25/2025
Rachel Reeves is in Washington attempting to get a US trade deal over the line, while Donald Trump’s special envoy has arrived in Moscow to hold peace talks with Putin. And why was half of Westminster added to a WhatsApp chat?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Sarah Vine.
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Duration:00:30:35
Trump 'In Cahoots' With Putin?
4/24/2025
After Donald Trump criticises Volodymyr Zelensky's approach to peace talks, does a deal look further away than ever? Plus, why does former defence secretary Grant Shapps say Trump is "in cahoots" with Vladimir Putin?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Manveen Rana.
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Duration:00:31:50
PMQs: He Doesn't Have The Balls
4/23/2025
MPs are back from recess which means the return of PMQs Unpacked. Kemi Badenoch asks Keir Starmer whether he’s changed his mind on how to define a woman.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Lara Spirit, Theo Usherwood and comedian Jon Harvey.
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Duration:00:41:28
Starmer Breaks Silence On Trans Ruling
4/22/2025
Politics is back after recess, and Keir Starmer has finally responded to the Supreme Court ruling over the definition of a woman. Has it helped politicians answer some difficult questions? And could former Cameron adviser Steve Hilton be the next Governor of California?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.
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Duration:00:35:16