
Politics Unpacked
1,938 episodes — Page 1 of 39
Gyles Brandreth: Whips, Plots & PMs
The Psychodrama Is Back
Was Starmer's Speech Enough?
A Historic Shift in British Politics
Can Labour Match The Tories For Plotting?
Polanski, Heckling, and Internet Relics
Focus Group: Is Andy Burnham A 'Saint'?
Labour MPs "Doomscrolling Through Leaders"
The Endless Labour Leadership Drama
Terror Threat Rises
Focus Group: Reform Voters
Have Politicians Been Weak On Antisemitism?
PMQs: No More Mandelson
McSweeney: What We Learned
Keir Starmer's Week Of Peril
Trump Falklands Threat
Is Donald Trump "Deranged"?
Focus Group: Wavering Tories
PMQs: The Robbins Files
Olly Robbins Fires Back at Starmer
Judgement Day For Starmer
Starmer's Mandelson Crisis Deepens
Is The UK Ready For Shortages?
PMQs: Defending The Undefendable
The AI President
Hungary, The 'Boriswave', And Trump vs The Pope
Starmer "Fed Up" With Trump
Are The Fringe Parties Still The Fringe?
Has Trump Won The War?
Kanye West, Strikes and 90s Nostalgia
Trump's Foul-Mouthed Diplomacy

Trump Mocks Starmer (Again)
The US President mocks Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron at an Easter event at the White House. Does Macron's response reflect growing anger in Europe over Iran?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. They also discuss why teachers are turning to the Green Party, Reform UK's pension policy. and why a new deal with the EU could change the name of marmalade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump's 'Stone Age' Threat
As Donald Trump threatens to send Iran “back to the Stone Age”, Hugo Rifkind is joined by Times columnists Josh Glancy and Sarah Ditum to unpack the history and significance of that phrase. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Is Britain Handling Trump's Taunts?
Keir Starmer has largely ignored several rhetorical attacks against the UK from The White House, should King Charles' state visit be cancelled to send a message?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Battle For Big Ideas
With Labour and The Tories parties losing ground to populists - have centrist parties run out of ideas, or just politicians who can sell them? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Fraser Nelson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Energy Shock Leaves Starmer Powerless
Keir Starmer is calling energy bosses into Downing Street to discuss how to limit the economic impact of the war in Iran - but what options does he have?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has Trump Run Out Of Options?
Donald Trump insists peace talks with Iran are going “very well” - but is also considering deploying more troops to the region. Does he have a strategy, or is he running out of options?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starmer's Fuel Fiction
The government has railed against "profiteering" by energy companies during the cost of living crisis, but evidence suggests there hasn't been any - are ministers guilty of needlessly kicking the private sector?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs: It's Ed Miliband's Decision
Kemi Badenoch asks Keir Starmer if he'll approve more North Sea oil and gas licences, but the Prime Minister tells her it's up to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics off the day with Patrick Maguire and Labour peer Lord Wood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Ed Miliband In The Driving Seat?
The Tories criticise the energy secretary for his 'cult-like fanaticism' - but is he now the most important person in Keir Starmer's government?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump, The Cost Of Living And Corbyn In Cuba
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Seb Payne. Is President Trump backing off Iran? Why does Britain needs a return to wartime frugality? And what is Jeremy Corbyn doing with Kneecap in Cuba? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Global Energy Crisis
As Donald Trump threatens to 'massively blow up' the world’s biggest gas field, energy markets are feeling the pressure. Will there be pressure for the government to step in, and can the country afford it?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Juliet Samuel and Matthew Syed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs: Starmer Swerves Mandelson Questions
Kemi Badenoch repeatedly asked Keir Starmer about his decision to make Peter Mandelson US ambassador at PMQs today. But MPs were left frustrated by the Prime Minister's evasive responses.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with The Sunday Times' Deputy Political Editor Lara Spirit and the comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Farage Out-Stunt Ed Davey?
Reform UK launches a competition to pay one winner’s energy bills for a year - is the party attempting to out-stunt Ed Davey?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starmer To The Rescue?
Keir Starmer claims he's brought financial stability back to the economy and defends his leadership during the war in Iran - but will the public be grateful?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran, Mandelson, and Farage Fighting The Polls
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day - from the fallout from the Mandelson files, to the US easing sanctions on Russian oil, to Nigel Farage's problem with the pollsters.With Michael Binyon and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Starmer Mislead MPs Over Mandelson?
Kemi Badenoch claims Keir Starmer misled MPs over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. How badly damaged is the prime minister?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Jenni Russell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs: The Mother of All U-Turns
Accusations of U-turns were flying at a raucous PMQs, with Kemi Badenoch claiming Keir Starmer is changing course on fuel duty - and Starmer accusing her of shifting her position over Iran.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Lara Spirit and former Conservative Minister Steve Baker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump's Words Of War
President Trump's rhetoric towards Iran is visceral, aggressive and often confusing - but is he aiming his bombastic language at Iranians, Republicans, or his reflection in the mirror? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Ministers Have To Act On Energy Bills?
The looming domestic problem in the government's in-tray is the impact of war in the Middle East on the British economy - will the government need to intervene? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.