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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

32:36

Is Donald Trump "Deranged"?

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/23

As the US President says there’s “no time frame” for ending the war with Iran, Times columnist Matthew Parris says Donald Trump is "too deranged to remain in office" - but is that a fair assessment?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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26:25

Focus Group: Wavering Tories

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/23

The Times Radio Focus Group is back ahead of May's local elections.JL Partners brings together a group of wavering Tories - voters from across England who backed the Conservatives at the last General Election, and are now considering switching to Reform UK.Do they think the 'Badenoch Bounce' is a real thing, what are their remaining concerns about Nigel Farage in 10 Downing Street, and just how disillusioned are they with the traditional main parties?Hugo Rifkind is joined by JL Partners founding

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44:02

PMQs: The Robbins Files

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/22

Sir Keir Starmer claims that the evidence given by Olly Robbins "puts to bed all the allegations" he was dishonest about Peter Mandelson's vetting process as Kemi Badenoch calls on him to stand down over the scandal.Hugo Rifkind is joined by Ed Vaizey and Fraser Nelson to unpack the exchanges in the commons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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26:12

Olly Robbins Fires Back at Starmer

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/21

Sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins says No.10 took a “dismissive” approach to Peter Mandelson’s vetting - so where does this now leave Keir Starmer?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Ollie Cole, Charlotte Ivers and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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34:40

Judgement Day For Starmer

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/20

Keir Starmer will blame the civil service for the vetting failures behind Peter Mandelson's appointment - but will his defence stand up to scrutiny?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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29:01

Starmer's Mandelson Crisis Deepens

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/17

Keir Starmer says he's 'furious' he wasn't told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before his appointment as US ambassador. Just how much trouble is the prime minister in?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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31:00

Is The UK Ready For Shortages

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/16

A top-level crisis drill inside government - “Exercise Turnstone” - has been testing what happens if the conflict in Iran continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. So how ready is Britain for possible food shortages? Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the politics of the day with Josh Glancy and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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44:41

PMQs: Defending The Undefendable

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/15

Kemi Badenoch criticises the government for failing to publish its plan for defence spending, but Starmer says the Tories hollowed out the budget, and gets told off by the Speaker for failing to answer the question.Hugo unpacks PMQs with Patrick Maguire and the comedian Andrew Maxwell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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29:55

The AI President

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/14

Donald Trump insists the AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure actually depicts him as a doctor. He's faced backlash from all sides, but it's not his first AI post to cause controversy. Did this one go too far? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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32:50

Hungary, The 'Boriswave', And Trump vs The Pope

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/13

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Libby Purves.Is the tide shifting away from the hard right in Europe? Would Nigel Farage really put Boris Johnson on trial over immigration? And why are the US President and the Pope fighting? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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30:43

Starmer "Fed Up" With Trump

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/10

Keir Starmer has stepped up his criticismof Trump, but could that put the UK in the firing line for retaliation from the US?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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30:47

Are The Fringe Parties Still The Fringe?

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/09

Reform UK and the Green Party are expected to do well at next month's elections at the expense of the established parties. But is the electorate ready for some of their more radical policies?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news and politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Sonia Sodha. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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29:53

Has Trump Won The War?

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/08

Iran has agreed to a ceasefire with the US after Trump promised to destroy it - but with the biggest issues still unresolved, can he really claim victory?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Trevor Phillips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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34:17

Kanye West, Strikes and 90s Nostalgia

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/07

The rapper Ye - formerly known as Kanye West - has been blocked from headlining a festival in London this summer over anti-semitic behaviour. Can we separate the art from the artist? We also discuss the cumulative impact of doctors' strikes, and ask why politics - and society - can't get over its obsession with the nineties and noughties.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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33:02

Trump's Foul-Mouthed Diplomacy

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/06

Donald Trump has threatened to turn Iran into "hell" in a profanity-laden rant on social media.But with so many conflicting messages and shifting deadlines, should his threats be taken seriously?Plus, do religious leaders still have a role to play in preaching peace to the world?Guto Harri unpacks the news and politics of the day with Sebastian Payne and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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30:53

Trump Mocks Starmer (Again)

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/03

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.

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32:22

Trump's 'Stone Age' Threat

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/02

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.

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33:46

How Is Britain Handling Trump's Taunts?

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/04/01

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.

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35:05

The Battle For Big Ideas

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/03/31

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.

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34:19

Energy Shock Leaves Starmer Powerless

Politics Unpacked ·

2026/03/30

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.

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1,925 results

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