Politics Unpacked

Kemi Badenoch has sought advice from all her living predecessors except one - so who didn't get the call?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Will Lloyd and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch has accused female Labour MPs of engaging in "failed identity politics" by asking Andy Burnham to commit to making 50 per cent of his ministers women.Is she right to accuse them of "moaning"?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum 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.

Kemi Badenoch accuses Keir Starmer of leaving defence spending in a mess for Andy Burnham, but Starmer blames the Tories for underfunding the military when they were in government. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Patrick Maguire, Stefan Boscia and comedian Alisdair Beckett-King. 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.

Keir Starmer unveils the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan in one of his final acts as prime minister. But what will the incoming PM, Andy Burnham, make of it all? 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.

Andy Burnham has set out his vision for spreading power across the UK, including a new "No. 10 North".Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire, Seb Payne and Joshi Herrmann to unpack the speech by the man who is almost certainly going to be prime minister within weeks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham is the de-facto prime minister - has the Labour Party left the country in stasis while we wait for him to arrive in Downing Street?And why is an immigration minister arguing in public with the home secretary, and not getting the sack? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon.You can hear more of Ed on Times Radio every Friday, 10am-1pm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How will Andy Burnham handle Donald Trump, does he have a genuine chance to reform welfare, and should we sympathise with the SNP MP accused of faking her Scottish accent?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch for the first time since announcing his resignation. The Tory leader asks if Starmer felt let down by his cabinet - but did her personal jibes go too far?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Patrick Maguire and Ryan Tubridy. 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.

Keir Starmer's resignation was distinctly less dramatic than previous Prime Ministers' - is Britain just too used to upheaval in Downing Street?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer resigns, paving the way for Andy Burnham to be the next Prime Minister.What sort of leader will Burnham be, and why is the UK on its way to its seventh PM in a decade?Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves, Sebastian Payne and Theo Bertram, former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham hails it as a 'change moment' - but Keir Starmer insists he'll stand if a leadership contest is triggered. Was Makerfield the PM's goodbye election?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Will Lloyd and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump's deal to end the war with Iran has been roundly criticised in Washington - what will it do to America's reputation?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Lammy stands in at the despatch box for the last PMQs before the Makerfield by-election. The Deputy Prime Minister says he's proud to serve under Starmer, while Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho claims Labour is "a government on life support".Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and the Chancellor's former Political Director Matt Pound, to unpack the exchanges from the Commons.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.

Keir Starmer is rubbing shoulders with global leaders at the G7 summit.  But have his foreign affairs credentials been undermined by John Healey's resignation?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum 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.

Keir Starmer announces a social media ban for under-16s as Andy Burnham looks poised to trigger a leadership challenge. Is the Prime Minister shoring up his legacy or will he fight on?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Jack Blackburn and Janice Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer’s grip on power looks weaker than ever after the resignation of John Healey. Can the prime minister really hang on? 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 Defence Secretary John Healey resigned, claiming Keir Starmer's lack of funding for the military will make the UK "less safe"Hugo Rifkind spoke to The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire and Times Radio's Political Editor Anna Mikhailova about the damage the resignation has done to the Prime Minister's authority.And before the news of Healey's resignation broke, Hugo spoke to the New Statesman's Political Correspondent Megan Kenyon and the academic and podcaster David Runciman about whether social media was fanning the flames of unrest in Belfast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer clashes with Kemi Badenoch over defence spending, with the Tory leader accusing him of 'scrabbling around for a legacy'.Patrick Maguire and Stefan Boscia join Hugo Rifkind to unpack the exchanges.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rather than aiming to be liked, should modern day politicians relish the relentless, universal public and online hatred they face and use it to fuel their arguments? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Carol Lewis.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prime minister is reportedly entering his "legacy era", with a major defence spending plan and new restrictions on children's social media use - but what will Keir Starmer's legacy actually be?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has officially confirmed he'll challenge Keir Starmer in a Labour leadership contest if he wins the Makerfield by-election, but Starmer says he's not going anywhere.Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of "trying to whip up division" over the murder of Henry Nowak. Why is Musk interfering in UK politics? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage asks the prime minister to take action against "two-tier policing", but Keir Starmer accses the Reform UK leader of exploiting the murder of Henry Nowak.Plus: Kemi Badenoch seizes on the Mandelson files to accuse the government of raising taxes to fund higher welfare spending.  Hugo unpacks the exchanges at prime minister's questions with Patrick Maguire, Stefan Boscia and comedian Andy Parsons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat McFadden's assessment of Labour MPs will fuel claims that the party cares more about welfare recipients than taxpayers - is Keir Starmer's Labour becoming the Welfare Party?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polling suggests that union members are just as likely to support Reform UK as they are to back Labour. Is Nigel Farage now leader of the 'party of the working class'?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Labour having a policy debate in public healthy for our democracy? What's behind an online conspiracy claiming Vladimir Putin is dead? And have we forgotten the power of a boozy lunch?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Blair is said to be "fired up" and poised to escalate his involvement in Labour's leadership race, after being criticised by both Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting.Why can't the Labour party stop squabbling with itself?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jenni Russell and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Tony Blair says Labour has “no coherent plan” for the country, attacking the party’s direction under Keir Starmer and its plan to change leader - but does his intervention matter?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Anne McElvoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Medical leaders have compared social media to tobacco as pressure grows on Keir Starmer to change his mind and back a ban for under-16s. Will political pressure force another u-turn?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Josh Glancy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage has hit out at Elon Musk over his support for the hardline Restore Britain in the Makerfield by-election - could Rupert Lowe’s party split the right-wing vote?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Carol Lewis  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has officially launched his campaign to be Makerfield's next MP, which he hopes will propel him to Downing Street.How can a Cambridge-educated former cabinet minister make the case that he's taking on the political establishment?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Net migration has fallen to its lowest level since before the pandemic - but will it have any impact on the public's view?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the first PMQs since Labour's local election hammering, but despite the leadership challengers circling Keir Starmer is surprisingly upbeat.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges in the House of Commons with Patrick Maguire and Cleo Watson, former deputy chief of staff to Boris Johnson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting are each setting out their pitch to be the next Prime Minister. But do their stories of triumphing over adversity make them better politicians?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Under pressure over his stance on rejoining the EU, Andy Burnham could face a bruising contest against Reform if selected for the Makerfield by-election. But what happens if he loses?  Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Sonia Sodha and Sarah Ditum.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham is plotting his route back to Westminster, where he intends to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. But would he make a good Prime Minister? And why is he so adored by some parts of the party?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Thangam Debbonaire and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour's leadership crisis has deepened, plunging the government into chaos - can Keir Starmer continue? And what kind of Prime Minister would Wes Streeting be? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Jenni Russell.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo speaks to broadcaster, former MP and speechwriter to three prime ministers Gyles Brandreth.They unpack the latest twists in Westminster, life as a government whip amid a Tory civil war, and which prime minister was the funniest behind closed doors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer insists he's staying on in Downing Street, but an increasing number of his ministers and MPs disagree.What happened to the promise that politics would tread more lightly on our lives? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers, James Marriott and Theo Bertram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer's speech was his last attempt to convince his MPs he's the right man for the job, but will it work?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne, Libby Purves and Matt Pound, a former advisor to the prime minister Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour is losing heavily to Reform UK in areas once considered the party’s heartlands - what Nigel Farage calls a “truly historic shift” in British politics.Keir Starmer says he won't leave and plunge the party into chaos - but will it be up to him?Carolyn Quinn unpacks the politics of the day with Will Lloyd and Alys Denby. Plus: Shadow Minister Victoria Atkins and Reform UK’s London Assembly leader, Alex Wilson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's election day across the UK, and speculation is rife about a looming plot to oust Keir Starmer. But should the Labour Party just admit it's not as good at skulduggery as the Conservatives in their heyday?Hugo Rifkind is joined by Sarah Ditum and Matthew Parris, to discuss scheming politicians, the drinking culture in Parliament, and how the 24 hour news cycle changed modern politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. A Times investigation reveals Zack Polanski made false claims when seeking the deputy leadership of the Green party, Kemi Badenoch's handling of hecklers, and what happened to relics of the early internet age.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times Radio Focus Group returns for the final time ahead of the local elections.JL Partners brings together 2024 Labour voters who are now on the fence — so what’s changed? Is Keir Starmer the problem, are his potential rivals any better, or are the Greens the real beneficiaries?  Hugo Rifkind is joined by JL Partners co-founder Tom Lubbock to break it all down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour backbenchers are reportedly preparing an open letter urging Keir Starmer to name a resignation date — but who would actually replace him, and would voters be any happier?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The papers are full of speculation on who could replace Keir Starmer if he is toppled after this week's local elections. But does anyone know what's actually going on inside the party?Guto Harri unpacks the politics of the day with Carol Lewis and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the terror threat level raised to “severe,” the Metropolitan Police is reviewing whether pro-Palestine marches can go ahead. Where should the line be drawn between public safety and the right to protest?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times Radio Focus Group is back ahead of the local elections.JL Partners brings together voters from across Britain who backed Labour, the Conservatives and Reform UK in 2024 — but who now all say they plan to vote Reform.What’s driving the shift? Is it about Nigel Farage, frustration with the main parties, or belief in Reform itself? And what, if anything, could change their minds?Hugo Rifkind is joined by JL Partners co-founder James Johnson to break it all down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a terror attack targeting Britain’s Jewish community, politicians rush to respond — and to blame. But is anyone actually lowering the temperature?  Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Matthew Syed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final PMQs before the local elections, Kemi Badenoch moves on from questions about Peter Mandelson and targets Keir Starmer on welfare spending and the economy.Tim Shipman and Patrick Maguire join Hugo Rifkind to unpack the exchanges in the Commons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.