Politics Unpacked

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

Episodes

October 14, 2025 32 mins

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


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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 


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October 10, 2025 35 mins

The ceasefire in Gaza is underway after US president Donald Trump brokered a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. But how will he feel about missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize?


Alexis Conran unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.


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October 9, 2025 33 mins

President Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to phase one of his plan for peace in Gaza. Is he on track for a Nobel Peace Prize?


Plus, why is Matthew trying to avoid calling Nigel Farage by his name? 



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October 8, 2025 16 mins

Hugo Rifkind unpacks Kemi Badenoch's speech to Conservative Party conference in which she pledged to scrap Labour's tax rises and abolish stamp duty. But has she discovered her own magic money tree?


Plus: Margaret Thatcher also struggled to make an impact in her first year, how do the two leaders compare?


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October 7, 2025 28 mins

Robert Jenrick has been announcing a series of policies at Conservative conference, and defending comments he made about the lack of 'white faces' in an inner-city area of Birmingham. 


Was he just making a point about integration? Is he trying to destabilise Kemi Badenoch's leadership? And, what does Badenoch's favourite author - Terry Pratchett - tell us about her?


Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Josh ...

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October 6, 2025 28 mins

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with James Johnson of JL Partners.


Kemi Badenoch has failed to make an impression on these 2024 Conservative voters so far, but which of her potential rivals do they compare to Martin Lewis? 


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October 3, 2025 29 mins

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the pro-Palestine protests after the Manchester synagogue attack were "fundamentally un-British". But can the authorities stop them?


Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon. 


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October 2, 2025 27 mins

The government says the UK is too attractive to refugees and says it will end the 'Golden Ticket' of resettlement and family reunion rights. But will it stop people crossing the channel?


Plus, reaction to the attack on a Manchester synagogue. 


Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Patrick Kidd.


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October 2, 2025 32 mins

Reform UK says Keir Starmer’s attack on Nigel Farage risks inciting violence. Has Labour been guilty of playing the man, not the ball?


Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Phil Tinline.



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September 30, 2025 32 mins

Labour Party Conference began with much speculation about the Prime Minister's survival. Is he out of the danger zone - and if so - for how long?


Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika


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September 29, 2025 21 mins

Rachel Reeves has delivered her speech to Labour Party conference, warning of 'harsh global headwinds' and harder choices to come. Is she laying the ground for a brutal autumn Budget, and did she look like a chancellor secure in her job?


Hugo Rifkind unpacks the speech with Joe Mayes and Megan Kenyon. He also speaks to Bill Esterson, chair of the Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, about whether the government is mak...

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September 29, 2025 23 mins

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with Tom Lubbock of JL Partners.


What do these 2024 Labour voters think about Keir Starmer and the government, and will they back him again to keep out Nigel Farage?



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September 26, 2025 25 mins

Keir Starmer urges liberals to take on the populist right as he confirms plans for mandatory digital ID cards. But has the prime minister worked out how to tackle Nigel Farage's Reform UK?


Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Emma Duncan. 


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September 25, 2025 32 mins

Andy Burnham says he's been privately urged to challenge Keir Starmer. Could the so-called King of the North return to parliament and run for leader?


Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris.


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September 24, 2025 32 mins

After Ed Davey claimed the Lib Dems were the last block against Nigel Farage's 'forces of darkness', why does he spend so much time talking about Reform UK and Donald Trump?


Hugo Rifkind is joined by Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton to unpack the politics of the day. 


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September 23, 2025 31 mins

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, including Donald Trump's unproven claim that paracetamol in pregnancy increases the risk of autism, and Reform's claim that its latest migration policy will save hundreds of billions of pounds.


With James Marriott and Sarah Ditum.


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September 22, 2025 30 mins

Ed Davey has called Elon Musk a criminal and promised a crackdown on 'doomscrolling' - but is Nigel Farage's latest migration announcement stealing attention from Lib Dem conference?


Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers 


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September 19, 2025 31 mins

After another public row between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, 'Your Party' looks like it may not get off the ground - but could a more serious left-wing threat to Labour come from Zack Polanski's Green Party?


Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Giles Dilnot and Alys Denby.


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September 18, 2025 34 mins

Donald Trump says America owes the UK for its legacy of free speech - but why do some Republicans believe the hallmark of modern Britain is censorship?


Hugo Rifkind is joined by Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed to unpack the politics of the day. 


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