Politics Unpacked

Times Radio

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/

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20 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes20

Newest first

Friday · 33 min
Trump's Gaza Breakthrough?
President Trump is hailing a historic agreement to disarm Hamas, but some are sceptical it will work - can he deliver lasting peace in Gaza? Ryan Tubridy unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thursday · 34 min
The Politics Of Climate Change
Drought and wildfires have hit England during the fourth heatwave of the summer. Are politicians are keeping up with a changing climate? Carolyn Quinn unpacks the politics of the day with Juliet Samuel and Andy Silvester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday · 29 min
Can Andy Fix It?
Andy Burnham has become the latest Prime Minister to promise to fix England's social care system. More than 20 attempts have failed over the past 30 years - so what makes this one any different? Carolyn Quinn unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday · 34 min
Burnham Gets Practical
Andy Burnham wants Britain to value "the hard hat as much as the graduation cap", pushing more young people towards technical training - but is that what the economy really needs? Carolyn Quinn unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 27 · 29 min
Burnham's Big Week
Andy Burnham is setting out how he plans to tackle some of Britain's biggest problems, with defence, social care and devolving income tax powers to local mayors all in his sights - but will his actions match his ambitions? Calum MacDonald unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 24 · 34 min
Why Burnham Is A Comedian's Dream
Keir Starmer's reserved style didn't give impressionists much to work with. Andy Burnham is different: expressive, animated and occasionally cringey - but will being endlessly parodied help or hurt his popularity? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 23 · 35 min
Is That It, Burnham?
Andy Burnham's first week in Downing Street has been full of promises - from tax cuts, to public services - but it's left Kemi Badenoch asking, "Is that it?" as she calls on him to be more ambitious. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Josh Glancy and Sarah Ditum. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 22 · 35 min
Burnham's Reality Check
Andy Burnham has so far shown his new government knows how to spend money, but what about the harder bit - explaining where the savings will come from? Is the new PM already bumping into fiscal reality? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 21 · 31 min
Burnham's Cabinet Assembles
Andy Burnham has met with his new cabinet for the first time since becoming prime minister. It's very northern, and it definitely doesn't include allies of Keir Starmer - will the exiled Starmerites make his life difficult? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 20 · 25 min
Can Burnham Stop The Churn?
As Andy Burnham becomes the UK's seventh Prime Minister in a decade, how can he avoid the fate of his predecessors? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Janice Turner and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 17 · 33 min
The Burnham Coronation
Andy Burnham has officially been elected Labour leader. In three days time, he'll become Prime Minister. He says he's got "a plan" - but can he deliver? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Theo Bertram and Alys Denby. You can hear more of Ed on Times Radio every Friday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 16 · 34 min
Is Shabana Mahmood Burnham's Chancellor?
Andy Burnham is days away from announcing his cabinet, with Shabana Mahmood expected to be named as chancellor. Spare a thought for Ed Miliband... Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Matthew Parris. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 15 · 53 min
PMQs: Starmer's Journey Comes To An End
Keir Starmer delivers his final Prime Minister's Questions before leaving office, calling it "the end of my political journey" in an at-times emotional final appearance at the despatch box. Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit to unpack the exchanges, assess Starmer's legacy, and ask how his performances at PMQs will be remembered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 14 · 34 min
How Safe Are Our Politicians?
As counterterrorism police now lead the investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death, Reform UK MPs are raising concerns about their own safety. Is it time to rethink how Britain's politicians are protected? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 13 · 34 min
Burnham's Countdown, Farage's Gifts and Labour's Bros
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Janice Turner. Are Andy Burnham's plans for government really ready? Do voters think Nigel Farage has behaved incorrectly over undeclared gifts? And is Labour's woman problem worse than it realises? You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 10 · 30 min
Burnham, Binface & Posh Boy Summer
Andy Burnham is being swept to power by Labour on a 'tidal wave of obsequiousness' - is he making the best use of his moment of maximum power? Why is there a backlash against Count Binface? And what is 'posh boy summer'? Ed Vaizey is joined by Alys Denby and Michael Binyon to unpack the politics of the day. You can hear more of Ed on Times Radio every Friday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 9 · 29 min
Is Burnham Too Soft?
Andy Burnham has promised to make Labour MPs feel "happy and fulfilled" by easing party discipline and turning the Whips' Office into something more like an HR department. It's a very different approach to Keir Starmer's leadership - but will it work? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 8 · 46 min
DPMQs: Don't Talk About Farage
In the penultimate PMQs before the summer recess, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly face off in the Commons - but with questions hanging over Nigel Farage's future, there's surprisingly little mention of the Reform UK leader... Ed Vaizey is joined by Lara Spirit and Matthew Syed to unpack the exchanges from the House of Commons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 7 · 30 min
Burnham's Gamble & Starmer's Substack
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers. Why is Andy Burnham taking a "one-and-done" approach to Cabinet appointments? And who is reading Keir Starmer's Substack? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 6 · 34 min
Is Farage In Serious Trouble?
Nigel Farage is under pressure after The Sunday Times revealed he had not declared benefits from an ally previously convicted of fraud in the US. He denies any wrongdoing. How serious is the challenge to his leadership, and to Reform UK? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Sebastian Payne. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm And you can hear the full story of the Sunday Times revelations about Nigel Farage in a new podcast by the Insight team. It's called Posh George: The criminal behind Farage. Listen here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.