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
Afghan Data Leak: "Cock-up Or Conspiracy"?
7/18/2025
As more revelations about the Afghan data leak continue to come out, who will take the blame? And is an urgent inquiry needed to unpack the failings?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.
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Duration:00:32:02
Persistent Knobheadery
7/17/2025
Keir Starmer has suspended four of his MPs over repeated breaches of party discipline, or as one party source described it to the Times, “persistent knobheadery”. Was this a ruthless or desperate move from Starmer?
Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris.
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Duration:00:31:43
PMQs: Don't Mention The Data Leak
7/16/2025
Keir Starmer said Conservative ex-ministers have serious questions to answer over the Afghanistan data leak at the start of Prime Minister's Questions. But after that, no one seemed to want to mention it.
Patrick Maguire unpacks the action with Sunday Times Whitehall Editor Gabriel Pogrund and former Conservative cabinet minister Sir David Lidington.
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Duration:00:42:02
Melania, Billionaires And The Power Of Pessimism
7/15/2025
Patrick Maguire is unpacking the politics of the day, asking James Marriott and Libby Purves whether Melania Trump changed the US president's mind over Putin, whether we should mourn the departure of billionaires, and why pessimism can be a force for good.
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Duration:00:29:02
Tax Rises: The Question Of The Summer
7/14/2025
What is a "working person" and who is on a "modest income"? Government ministers are pressed to say who could face higher taxes, as expectation mounts that the chancellor will have to act in the Autumn.
Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with The Times' Seb Payne and Carol Lewis.
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Duration:00:35:33
Sick Note Britain?
7/11/2025
GPs are being told to stop handing out so many sick notes as part of the government's efforts to get more people back to work. And why are women turning to Reform?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Cindy Yu.
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Duration:00:29:30
"Washed-up Tories" Defecting to Reform
7/10/2025
Former Conservative Chairman Jake Berry is the second ex-Tory minister to defect to Reform this week, but is this working in Nigel Farage's favour?
Hugo Rifkind is joined by Tim Montgomerie and Zoe Strimpel to unpack the politics of the day.
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Duration:00:31:46
PMQs: 'Flirting' With A Wealth Tax
7/9/2025
Keir Starmer reiterated his tax pledges at PMQs as Kemi Badenoch accused him of 'flirting' with a wealth tax.
Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Patrick Maguire and Jon Harvey.
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Duration:00:39:24
Can Starmer and Macron Stop the Boats?
7/8/2025
Keir Starmer is hoping to use the French President's visit as a chance to talk migration, but will they reach a deal?
Hugo Rifkind is joined by Times Columnists James Marriot and Sarah Ditum to unpack the politics of the day.
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Duration:00:26:23
Another Labour Rebellion Looms
7/7/2025
The government could be facing another backbench rebellion, this time over its plans to reform special needs support. Why aren't the 'Starmtoopers' as loyal as the Prime Minister hoped?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers.
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Duration:00:31:23
Can A New Left-Wing Party Succeed
7/4/2025
A year after Labour's landslide election victory, how serious is the threat to Keir Starmer from a new left-wing party led by Zarah Sultana and (possibly) Jeremy Corbyn?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of day with Michael Binyon and Latika Bourke.
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Duration:00:34:43
Can Reeves Move On From 'Tough Day'?
7/3/2025
Keir Starmer says the Chancellor is going nowhere, but have the very public tears of Rachel Reeves left the impression of a government in crisis as it approaches its first birthday?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana
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Duration:00:31:24
PMQs: "She Looks Traumatised"
7/2/2025
Keir Starmer faces MPs after his government is forced into a humiliating reversal over welfare reform. But it's the appearance of the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and questions over her future, that dominate.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Times chief political commentator Patrick Maguire and Times Radio's Ayesha Hazarika.
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Duration:00:44:36
Labour's Welfare Problem
7/1/2025
Despite last week's U-turn, Keir Starmer still faces a backbench rebellion over welfare. Is it particularly difficult for a Labour Prime Minister to cut benefits?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Timandra Harkness.
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Duration:00:31:35
Starmer Faces Fresh Welfare Rebellion
6/30/2025
The government made big concessions to its welfare reforms to win over Labour critics - but could the rebellion be about to grow, rather than shrink?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Mulkerrins and Seb Payne.
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Duration:00:31:23
Starmer's Hat-Trick Of U-Turns
6/27/2025
The prime minister has been forced into a climbdown after more than 120 Labour MPs threatened to block his welfare bill. Is he back in control of the party or is his authority permanently damaged?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jonathan Maitland and Theo Usherwood.
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Duration:00:26:03
Welfare Bill in Crisis
6/26/2025
Rebel MPs are not backing down over the government's welfare bill, with Keir Starmer forced to contemplate concessions - can he win them over?
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Duration:00:29:48
PMQs: Rayner's Rough Ride Over Welfare
6/25/2025
With Keir Starmer away at the Nato summit, it's deputy prime minister's questions (again). Angela Rayner faces questions from Mel Stride about the mounting rebellion over welfare cuts.
Ed Vaizey unpacks the action with Patrick Maguire and Gráinne Maguire.
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Duration:00:39:05
Why Was Starmer Out Of The Loop?
6/24/2025
There was little sign of British influence as the US attacked Iran and then announced a ceasefire. Does it throw Starmer's judgement into question, or is the UK better off out of the loop?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Sarah Ditum
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Duration:00:28:46
Is The UK Internationally Irrelevant?
6/23/2025
Donald Trump's unilateral attack on Iran exposes the limit to which Britain can influence events in the Middle East. Should we be happy with the role of bystander?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sebastian Payne and Carol Lewis.
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Duration:00:31:27