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PODCAST

Politics Unpacked

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 athttp://www.thetimes.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

news politics

All Episodes

31:35

Labour's Welfare Problem

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/07/01

Despite last week's U-turn, Keir Starmer still faces a backbench rebellion over welfare.Is it particularly difficultfor a Labour Prime Minister to cut benefits?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott andTimandra Harkness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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31:23

Starmer Faces Fresh Welfare Rebellion

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/30

The government made big concessions to its welfare reforms to win over Labour critics - but could the rebellion be about to grow, rather than shrink?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Mulkerrins and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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26:03

Starmer's Hat-Trick Of U-Turns

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/27

The prime minister has been forced into a climbdown after more than 120 Labour MPs threatened to block his welfare bill. Is he back in control of the party or is his authority permanently damaged?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jonathan Maitland and Theo Usherwood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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29:48

Welfare Bill in Crisis

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/26

Rebel MPs are not backing down over the government's welfare bill, with Keir Starmer forced to contemplate concessions - can he win them over? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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39:05

PMQs: Rayner's Rough Ride Over Welfare

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/25

With Keir Starmer away at the Nato summit, it's deputy prime minister's questions (again). Angela Rayner faces questions from Mel Stride about the mounting rebellion over welfare cuts.Ed Vaizey unpacks the action with Patrick Maguire and Gráinne Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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28:46

Why Was Starmer Out Of The Loop?

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/24

There was little sign of British influence as the US attacked Iran and then announced a ceasefire. Does it throw Starmer's judgement into question, or is the UK better off out of the loop?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politicsof the day with James Marriott and Sarah Ditum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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31:27

Is The UK Internationally Irrelevant?

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/23

Donald Trump's unilateral attack on Iran exposes the limit to which Britain can influence events in the Middle East.Should we be happy with the role of bystander?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sebastian Payne and Carol Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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30:34

Is There A "Window" For Iran Diplomacy?

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/20

Donald Trump's given Iran a "two-week" reprieve for negotiations and David Lammy has gone to Geneva for talks with the Iranian foreign minister. But can their diplomacy work?Ed Vaizey is joined by columnists Michael Binyon and Jane Merrick to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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32:33

How Will The UK Respond If Trump Attacks?

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/19

Donald Trump is reported to have approved a plan to attack Iran, and the world waits to see if he uses it. But how will Keir Starmer respond?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day withMatthew Parris and Claire Cohen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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44:49

PMQs: Keir Starmer's 'Bag Carrier' Lifts The Lid

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/18

It's deputy PMQs this week while the prime minister is away, and we're joined by a special guest. Chris Ward is Keir Starmer's close aide and parliamentary private secretary, known in Westminster as a 'bag carrier'.He explains what really goes on in the Commons chamber every Wednesday, and helps Hugo Rifkind and Patrick Maguire unpack the exchanges between Angela Rayner and Chris Philp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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33:23

Trump The Interventionist

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/17

Donald Trump has demanded "a complete give up" from Iranin its conflict with Israel. But will wading into Middle Eastern affairs irk isolationists in his own party?Hugo Rifkind unpacks thepolitics of the day with Lara Spirit and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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33:11

Starmer's Grooming Gangs U-Turn

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/16

Having spent months resisting calls for a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, Keir Starmer changes his mind. How can he navigate the difficult politics of another prime ministerial U-turn?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Jane Mulkerrins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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29:12

Israel Strikes Iran

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/13

Israel attacked Iran's nuclear programme overnight - is there anything the West can do to influence the situation? Or are Britain and the US reduced to the role of bystanders?Ed Vaizey unpacks the news and politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Emily Sheffield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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27:08

Tax Speculation Haunts Reeves

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/12

The Chancellor’s been defending the Spending Review, and she’s determined not to lose hope despite gloomy GDP figures. But can she escape a summer of speculation about tax rises to come? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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26:52

PMQs: Kemi Tries Panto

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/11

It's Spending Review day, and MPs were treated to a noisy PMQs after Kemi Badenoch promised to make it less like a courtroom and more like a pantomime.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from theCommons with The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire and the comedianGráinne Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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34:23

Iron Chancellor...Or Not?

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/10

As the government says the Spending Review is settled, ministers are still facing questions about the U-turn on the winter fuel allowance. Should the chancellor just admit she got it wrong?Plus: Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politicsof the day with Libby Purves and James Mariott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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30:48

Could Farage Open The Coal Mines?

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/09

Nigel Farage says he wants to reopen a steelworks in South Wales and even open new coal mines. Is he winning the battle for Labour's post-industrial heartlands?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Janice Turner and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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32:16

A Trump-Musk Divorce

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/06

Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s friendship imploded in dramatic fashion overnight - as simmering tension between the two escalated into all-out war across their social media platforms.Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Michael Binyon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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35:22

Will The Winter Fuel U-Turn Work?

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/05

It's the government's biggest u-turn so far - but will Rachel Reeves' new winter fuel payments policy succeed?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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43:24

PMQs: Shipman Bows Out

Politics Unpacked ·

2025/06/04

After five years and something like 150 episodes, Tim Shipman is leaving the Sunday Times and the podcast. What has he learned from unpacking all those exchanges at PMQs?He hands over to Times chief political commentator Patrick Maguire, and with Hugo they unpack the exchanges between Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch - as the PM refuses to be drawn on plans to end the two child benefit cap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1,859 results

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