Politics Unpacked

<p>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.</p><br><p>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 <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.thetimes.com/</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Keir Starmer's Education Revolution

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.

11-22
35:08

Tim Shipman: Brexit, Boris & Bust-Ups

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.

11-21
26:44

PMQs: Rayner vs... Who?

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.

11-20
47:43

Where Does Musk Find The Time?

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.

11-19
38:26

Is Reeves Haunted By Her CV?

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.

11-18
39:51

Criminalising The Culture Wars

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.

11-15
37:14

Is Europe Delusional About Trump?

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.

11-14
37:23

PMQs: The Magic Money Tree Is Back

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.

11-13
45:10

Has Pop Culture Shifted Right?

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.

11-12
35:54

Why Labour Isn't More Radical

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.

11-11
38:09

Harris's Lessons For Labour

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.

11-08
33:30

Trump's Hard Truth For Liberals

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.

11-07
36:40

PMQs: Badenoch Plays Her Trump Card

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.

11-06
47:06

Has Starmer U-Turned on Fees?

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.

11-05
38:21

Like British Politics, But Bigger

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.

11-04
38:53

PTSD From Truss's Mini-Budget

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.

11-01
37:33

The Real Problem With The USA

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.

10-31
34:20

Reeves' Budget & Sunak's Swan Song

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.

10-30
39:45

Is Kemi Too Outrageous?

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.

10-29
35:37

A Joke Too Far For Trump

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.

10-28
38:25

Padraig Sweeney

What is the point in PM's Qs?

12-01 Reply

Padraig Sweeney

I think you'll find Churchill didn't win the war... The Russians did!

01-21 Reply

Padraig Sweeney

This is a repeat of yesterday's episode

06-10 Reply

Padraig Sweeney

Lads sort out the audio.. Fire the subs engineer.. Teach contributors about sustaining a constant distance from the mic..

05-13 Reply

Francis Glynn

is there anything more annoying than commentators talking over people....

05-08 Reply

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