Politics Unpacked

In this special Christmas episode of the podcast, Patrick Maguire joins Ed Vaizey for a story of a prime minister visited by three Christmas spirits - one carrying a disposable vape, one looking like George V, and the last smelling of tofu. Do any of them bear glad tidings for Keir Starmer as he looks forward to elections in 2026?Politics Unpacked will be back on 29th January. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly ten million voters could see their local elections delayed until 2027, which Nigel Farage claims is to stop him winning more councils - does he have a point?Guto Harri unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome, is apparently the irrational desire to criticise the US President Donald Trump. But with his approval ratings slipping in the polls, is he in serious trouble over his handling of the economy?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final PMQs of the year, Kemi Badenoch challenges Keir Starmer on growth, taxes and claims he doesn’t have the “baubles” to stop the doctors’ strike. Starmer hits back, arguing that Badenoch’s Christmas wish list would freeze the minimum wage...Hugo Rifkind unpacks the Commons exchanges with Josh Glancy, Stefan Boscia and Ahir Shah.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has sued the BBC for $10 billion over an edit of his January 6th speech in a Panorama documentary. Could the corporation's survival be threatened if it doesn't settle with the US president?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Andy Burnham want to be PM? Reform UK has become Britain’s largest party by membership, and Jeremy Clarkson is the latest pub owner to bar Labour MPs from his pub.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Emma Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer and his fellow European leaders are engaged in another intense period of diplomacy aimed at securing a peace deal for Ukraine. Can they make any progress - and is Donald Trump's hostility to Europe only increasing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has appointed 25 new peers, despite having pledged to shrink and even abolish the House of Lords in the past - how could that affect trust in politics?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Salma Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Panto season hits PMQs, with Badenoch calling Starmer a “caretaker PM,” Starmer accusing her of job-saving panic, and Lindsay Hoyle asking MPs to stop the pantomime auditions.Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and Andrew Hunter Murray to unpack the exchanges in the House Of Commons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Rayner has expressed "frustration" with slow progress delivering on workers' rights. Now she's on the backbenches, is she going to be creating problems for Keir Starmer, and could she end up as leader?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Megan Kenyon and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The think-tank that backed Keir Starmer's bid to be Labour leader has started canvassing members about potential successors - are preparations underway for a leadership change?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK is planning to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. But with Putin welcomed with open arms in India, how much pressure will this really put on the Kremlin?Ed Vaizey unpacks the news of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage wants a “reverse takeover” of the Tory party, but he's not interested in any Reform UK-Conservative Party pact at the next election - could he lure Robert Jenrick to join Reform? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch is on a roll at PMQs, but was she right to keep the focus on what was and wasn't said in the weeks before the Budget?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Gabriel Pogrund and Guto Harri Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer says the UK is still facing consequences of Brexit vote's 'wild promises' - why is the prime minister bringing up Brexit? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister has denied that he and the Chancellor misled the cabinet, and the country, over the state of the nation's finances - has he put the question to bed?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The governments' abandoned its plan to give workers day-one-rights against unfair dismissal - a policy which was in its manifesto. Will this blow up into a full-scale row - or is ditching the pledge what “grown-up politics” looks like?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Thangham Debbonaire and Michael Binyon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves has told Times Radio she is determined to remain in Number 11 Downing Street, and that she wasn't going to have her political obituary written today - how might this play out with Labour’s election chances? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Colvile and Megan Kenyon  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The OBR may have mistakenly released Reeves' budget too early, but it was just in time for Prime Minister's Questions. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with The Times' Chief Political Correspondent Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves has told Labour MPs she'll survive Wednesday's budget, and be back for years to come. Is it set to be worse than previous budget disasters, including George Osborne's 'omnishambles' in 2012?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Ed Vaizey and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a year since Rachel Reeves told the CBI she'd steer clear of extra borrowing or new tax rises. After a weekend spent defending her position, is the Chancellor really in control?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times today reveals the guidance on transgender people using single-sex spaces like toilets and changing rooms. It's been sitting on the government's desk - are ministers trying to avoid a political backlash? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch presses Keir Starmer over whether the government would "break another promise" by freezing income tax thresholds. With Starmer deferring to the chancellor’s plans next week, will it truly be “a Labour Budget with Labour values”?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from Prime Minister's Questions with Patrick Maguire and Luke Sullivan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Home Secretary's new asylum plans are facing backlash from Labour MPs, including one who told Times Radio the government is trying to "appease the electorate" - is that the job of politicians, or not?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shabana Mahmood's sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration have already faced backlash from Labour's backbenches, how bad will it get for the Home Secretary? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chancellor has scrapped plans to raise income tax in the Budget because of improved economic forecasts and fears over the reaction of mutinous Labour MPs - is she right to change course? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Starmer investigating briefings against his own cabinet ministers and facing calls to sack his own Chief of Staff, can anyone explain what's going on in Downing Street?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Jenni Russell and Matthew Syed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch tells the Prime Minister he's lost control of Downing Street, and his government has "descended into civil war."Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from Prime Minister's Questions with Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US President has given the BBC until Friday evening to apologise and remove a Panorama episode which edited a speech to make it appear he was inciting violence - or else, he'll sue. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Accusations of bias have forced Tim Davie and Deborah Turness to resign from their roles at the BBC - has the job of running the corporation become almost impossible?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Rachel Reeves tells the Budget watchdog she could raise income tax for the first time in 50 years, is there any way out for the chancellor? And will she make all future promises on tax worthless?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Thangam Debbonaire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage and Rachel Reeves have both sought to be more frank with the public about the economy this week - does this herald a new era of honest politics?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Lammy takes Deputy PMQs for the first time, and faces the same question from Conservative James Cartlidge five times in a row about a second foreign prisoner mistakenly released. In the end it turns out that Cartlidge knew the answer all along.Hugo unpacks the action with Patrick Maguire and Stefan Boscia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves tries to lay the ground for difficult decisions at her Budget. But did the speech say anything new, or was Kemi Badenoch right to call it a "waffle bomb"?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform has set out its plan for the British economy, but will the sums add up? And why has Farage recycled a Nick Clegg slogan from 2011? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of today with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew has been stripped of his prince title and ordered by the King to leave the Royal Lodge - but will he continue to cast a shadow over the Royals?Harry Wallop unpacks the news of the day with Alys Denby and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After hinting at manifesto breaking tax rises in the budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has come under fire for breaching rental rules on her family home - can she hold on to her job?Calum MacDonald unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Manveen Rana.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer refused to rule out a U-turn on his manifesto tax pledges in the budget, while blaming the Tories for the country’s economic woes. Kemi Badenoch accused him of playing the blame game.Calum Macdonald unpacks the action with Josh Glancy and Jon Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government will begin housing small boat migrants in military barracks from next month, part of a plan to move asylum seekers out of hotels and cut costs. But why is Labour now supporting policies it once condemned? Calum McDonald unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Home Office is squandering billions of pounds on asylum hotels in another damaging story for the government. Can Labour still call themselves the "grown ups in the room"? Calum Macdonald unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plaid Cymru have swept to victory in Caerphilly, taking a Senedd seat that has been held by Labour for a century - will it convince Keir Starmer to change course?Alexis Conran unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shabana Mahmood says her department remains “not yet fit for purpose,” after The Times uncovered a secret report calling it dysfunctional and detached from reality. Should we be worried that we're still using that phrase, 20 years after John Reid first made it famous?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions with Gabriel Pogrund from The Sunday Times and comedian Gráinne Maguire.After several grooming gang victims withdrew from the inquiry process, Sir Keir Starmer vows to deliver justice — but can he restore confidence in the investigation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir reveals her abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and alleged encounters with Prince Andrew - claims he denies. Now, the disgraced royal faces pressure to disclose what he knows about Epstein’s crimes and those who may have enabled them. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conservative MPs Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat have urged Keir Starmer to designate China a top-tier threat, calling his inaction a sign of weakness - but would such a label really change anything?Hugo Rifkind is joined by Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers to unpack the politics of the day.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister wants to lift the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending their game against Aston Villa next month. But could it lead to violence?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Conservatives all blame each other for the collapse of the China spy case, is everyone set to lose in the blame game?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and David Runciman live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks PMQs alongside Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival.Badenoch challenges Starmer over the China spy case, but Starmer enjoys arguing over legal technicalities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does an embarrassing moment for Sir Keir Starmer on stage at the Egypt peace summit reveal something about the UK's influence on the global stage?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK's Nigel Farage is preparing to drop his promise to deliver £90bn of tax cuts, saying his party will reduce public spending first. Is this a more credible position, and is it in response to Tory attacks?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Carol Lewis and Patrick Kidd  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.