Politics Unpacked

Hugo is joined by Fraser Nelson to discuss whether the benefits system is trapping the people it's supposed to help, and unpacks the politics of the day - including Starmer's 'relaunch' - with Patrick Maguire and Emma Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is the first cabinet resignation of the Starmer government, but what don't we know about the story, and how big a set back is it for the PM? Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with Tom McTague and Rachel Sylvester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As official figures show net migration hit a record 900,000 last year, the Tories have set out a "new approach" on immigration. But is it wise for Kemi Badenoch to start making policy so far away from the next election?Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch says businesses such as biscuit-maker McVities are losing confidence in the UK economy, but will her biscuit puns make Keir Starmer crumble or will he bite back?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Alistair Barrie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has the woke movement lost confidence? Will Donald Trump bring Joe Rogan into White House press briefings? And what has Boris Johnson been saying about the obesity crisis? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the day with Sunday Times columnist Hadley Freeman and politics professor and podcast host David Runciman.They discuss the merits (or otherwise) of a petition calling for a general election, reports that Keir Starmer will add more targets to the government’s five “missions”, and Ed Davey's Gen Z speak on social media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a big shake-up of the school curriculum on the way, but how radical is the government's thinking - and could they put standards at risk?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Rachel Sylvester and Robin Brant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunday Times chief political commentator Tim Shipman joins Hugo to dig into the final book in his Brexit quartet, 'Out: How Brexit Got Done and The Tories Were Undone'.How important was Dominic Cummings in the rise and fall of Boris Johnson, and what did Dilyn the dog do to his leg? What did Liz Truss's advisers really think about her fitness to lead the nation? And why couldn't Rishi Sunak cope with failure?You can buy Tim's book here, and there's a 20% discount for Times+ members. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Keir Starmer away, his deputy Angela Rayner takes deputy prime minister's questions from Conservative MP Alex Burghart. Does he impress on his first outing at the despatch box?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Grainne Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has Elon Musk already overstayed his welcome in the court of Donald Trump? Can a government be made up entirely of mavericks? And how does the billionaire find the time?Pus: Should we be following the advice of Rishi Sunak's father-in-law and denounce the weekend? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Juliet Samuel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves is under pressure to explain her CV, after it emerged that she used a false claim to win her seat as an MP - but does it matter?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Iain Martin and Lara Spirit, including the row over assisted dying and whether Sue Gray will get a peerage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thousands of people, including children, have been questioned by police over non-crime hate speech, but is that involving police in political problems? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Timandra Harkness and Tim Montgomerie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Manveen Rana. Can Europe hold Donald Trump responsible if the US walks away from its role as the world's policeman, or are politicians this side of the Atlantic to blame?You can read Matthew's column here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In her second outing at PMQs, Kemi Badenoch attacks Keir Starmer over the government's National Insurance rise - but he says she's resorting to the "magic money tree".Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Ria Lina. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has the liberal dominance of the old entertainment industry given way to the dominance of right-wing YouTubers, podcasters, streamers and influencers?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.You can read James' column here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Paul Johnson tells us he's changed his mind about the scale of the recent Budget, is the government missing the chance to be more radical?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Keir Starmer learn anything from the Democrats' defeat in the presidential election, or are the UK and the US too different to draw comparisons?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Mulkerrins and playwright Jonathan Maitland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's victory might be a bitter pull for liberals around the world to swallow, but they can't avoid his overwhelming success at the ballot box.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Lara Spirit. You can read Hugo's column in the Times here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Kemi Badenoch's first PMQs as Tory leader, she ask whether Keir Starmer will get on with President-elect Trump and protect the "special relationship", but was her explosive style successful?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action at Prime Minister's Questions with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Andy Zaltzman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2020 Keir Starmer promised to abolish university tuition fees - so will his government suffer from the decision to increase them in line with inflation?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, and all the other news, with Libby Purves and James Marriott.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have been making their closing pitches in front of large crowds in the US, but are the differences between British and American politics exaggerated?And is Kemi Badnoch right to be frustrated about how her comments are sometimes reported?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Hadley Freeman and Patrick Maguire.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Were the markets hostile to the budget or are our jitters a hangover from Liz Truss? Should we bring back food rationing? Can you hold a grudge for as long as a crow?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Timandra Harkness and Robin Brant.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Biden makes another blunder, is the US president making the campaign impossible for Kamala Harris? And are both parties failing to diagnose the real problems in Washington D.C.? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour's first budget in nearly fifteen years will also be the biggest tax-raising budget in history. Hugo unpacks it all with Times Radio's Political Correspondent Theo Usherwood. Plus: In Rishi Sunak's last hurrah at PMQs, he talks up his record in Number 10. Hugo pauses and analyses the action with the help of Lara Spirit and comedian Jon Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do politicians have to be outrageous to get attention? Why is the nation's birth rate plummeting? Plus, a lesson in how to carve turnip lanterns. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Laura Freeman.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will racist language used at Trump's latest rally help or hinder his bid for the White House? Are we really living in unprecedentedly bad times? And are new MPs right to complain about Parliament's old customs? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Hadley Freeman and Patrick Maguire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the Wall Street Journal reports on secret conversations between Elon Musk and Russia's president, just how much influence does the world's richest man wield? And is facial recognition the future of your supermarket shop?Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with Robin Brant and Timandra Harkness.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Commonwealth leaders press the case for slavery reparations, has the summit in Somoa gone wrong for the prime minister? And how serious are Donald Trump's claims of election interference?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Keir Starmer away, it's Angela Rayner v Oliver Dowden at deputy prime minister's questions - or the "battle of the gingers".Lara Spirit pauses and unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman and Geoff Norcott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will the government's sentencing review stop the prison overcrowding crisis? Are entrepreneurs scared to start their own business? And were there any sensible ideas contributed the government's big conversation on the future of the NHS?Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Juliet Samuel and Libby Purves Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has been serving (briefly) at a McDonald's, while Kemi Badenoch worked at one during her A-levels - does having the fast-food restaurant on your CV help connect with voters? Can the government stop the pre-Budget media frenzy, and what do Thatcher, Cameron and Starmer have in common?Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Emma Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch took part in their first televised hustings, and if the clap-o-meter is anything to go by, Badenoch won the debate - but has she won over her party?Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with Robin Brant and Timandra Harkness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is the government still being dogged by stories about Taylor Swift tickets, is Robert Jenrick's conversion from centrist to right-winger credible, and is Kemi Badnoch the heir to Keith Joseph?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak focuses on the threat from China as the foreign secretary heads to Beijing. But is it, as Keir Starmer says, just "political point scoring"? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action at prime minister's questions, with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Alistair Barrie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If the chancellor increases employer national insurance contributions, will she have broken Labour's manifesto promise? And could weight-loss jabs help cut unemployment?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, and all the other news, with Libby Purves and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As cabinet ministers come close to jeopardising the government's investment summit, is Labour still in campaign mode? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Janice Turner and Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prime minister's been at the first meeting of the new Council of the Nations and Regions, but why is his new "envoy to the nations and regions", Sue Gray, missing?Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with Sir Trevor Phillips and Timandra Harkness.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With James Cleverly out of the Conservative leadership contest and Boris Johnson teasing a possible return to frontline politics, does that party know what it stands for?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs is back, with Keir Starmer facing questions about freebies and the budget - but why is everyone afraid to say Sue Gray's name? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber, with the help of Patrick Maguire and comedian Gráinne Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ministers are drawing up plans for political parties to have to publicly justify why they are appointing peers to the House of Lords. Will it help combat “cronyism” in the second chamber? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, and all the other stuff, with Times columnists James Marriott and Melanie Reid.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How and why was Sue Gray ousted from Downing Street, and what does it tell us about Keir Starmer's government?Times columnists Patrick Maguire and Hadley Freeman join Hugo Rifkind to discuss the inside story of the reshuffle at No 10. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire is unpacking the politics of the day with Rachel Sylvester and Timandra Harkness. They discuss Boris Johnson's new memoir 'Unleashed', the government's decision to give up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, and why businesses were asked for £30,000 for breakfast with the business secretary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer's decision to repay some of the hospitality and gifts he received since entering No. 10 has reignited the discussion about freebies in political life.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Janice Turner.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The four Conservative leadership hopefuls have been speaking to the party's conference in Birmingham, but who is pulling ahead in this contest? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Tim Montgomerie to unpack the key moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is Liz Truss's fight to save western civilisation going? Why is Jonathan Gullis finding it hard to get back into teaching? And is Boris Johnson right to say you shouldn’t apologise for things you don’t believe.Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the Conservative Party conference with Libby Purves and James Marriott.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How badly have Kemi Badenoch’s maternity pay comments damaged her campaign? And does Keir Starmer have a woman problem?Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the Conservative Party conference with Patrick Maguire and Hadley Freeman.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Vaizey is unpacking the politics of the day with Miranda Green and Carolyn Quinn.If the government can swallow being nice to Trump, why not Elon Musk? How did Keir Starmer and Donald Trump's Washington dinner go, and will Boris Johnson's memoirs overshadow the Tory leadership contest? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After another day of stories about Keir Starmer taking big donations - all within the rules - why is the prime minister struggling to move on?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Jenni Russell. Does the government know how to get the economy growing, and what part does Englishness play in the Tory leadership contest? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wes Streeting says the NHS is letting people down, but should he be spending so much time talking the health service down?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Jane Mulkerrins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the Labour Party conference with James Marriott and Libby Purves.Is being deputy prime minister a proper job? Is America turning its back on the great legal weed experiment? And… Judge Libby returns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.