Politics Unpacked

Hugo Rifkind is here to unpack the politics of the day, and plenty of other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times.Today he's joined by Manveen Rana and Patrick Kidd to discuss taking benefits away from pensioners, pausing free speech protections on campus, and whether human touch can ever be replicated by a machine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the action from Prime Minister's Questions, joined by Sunday Times chief political commentator Tim Shipman and comedian Ria Lina.As Rishi Sunak surprises everyone by still being leader of the opposition, Nigel Farage gets booed and Keir Starmer seems reluctant to leave his script. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind is back to unpack the politics of the day, and all the other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times.Today he's joined by James Marriott and Libby Purves to discuss why so many people are going straight from university to long-term sickness, whether ID cards could tackle illegal immigration, and 'Judge Libby' delivers her verdict on some of the ethical dilemmas of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind is here to unpack the politics of the day, and plenty of other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times.Today he's joined by Hadley Freeman and Patrick Maguire to discuss threats from the wealthy to flee the UK, Dominic Cummings' threat to start a new political party, and what we can tell about society from the rape case that has stunned France. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the 335 new MPs elected at the last election continue to deliver their first speeches to Parliament, Ed Vaizey asks what is the secret to standing out from the crowd. He takes a look at some of the best (and worst) from the past, including Boris Johnson, Theresa May.... and Ed Vaizey. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether shutting libraries is cultural vandalism, if life’s greatest moments can be purchased, and we find out how James is getting on without a smartphone six months on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Vaizey interrogates the past, present and future of espionage, from moments that could have come from fiction to the reality of spying in the modern world. He speaks to former GCHQ director Sir David Omand and Lord Robin Renwick, former UK ambassador to the United States and author of 'The Intelligent Spy's Handbook'.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Timandra Harkness discuss how to make companies take responsibility for Grenfell, Tony Blair's call for closer links to Europe, and kicking hereditary peers out of Parliament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs is back from summer recess, with Rishi Sunak quizzing Keir Starmer - although the prime minister is still having a hard time getting used to his new job title.Ed Vaizey unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether public inquiries are too expensive, whether Robert Jenrick is right to talk about segregation, and what does (and doesn't) make them proud to be British. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer says it's all about growth, growth, growth - but why do some economists and politicians say we're looking at it the wrong way? Ed Vaizey finds out about the radical theory of 'degrowth', and asks whether happiness is a better measure of success than GDP.Plus: Columnists Melanie Reid and Robert Colvile discuss Britain's faltering national pride, the crucial role of public libraries, and why the Tories are seen as a bit weird. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MPs are back in Westminster after the summer recess, and the government has big plans for the new term - but where will it be plain sailing, and where could it all go horribly wrong? Ed Vaizey guides us through the promises and the pitfalls.Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the scrapping of Ofsted's one-word judgements, the latest Tory leadership bid launches, and whether politicians can - or should - dance in public. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the SNP gathering in Edinburgh, party conference season is well and truly upon us. Ed Vaizey is joined by a panel of political advisers to discuss what to expect this autumn, as well as looking back at some of the best (and worst) moments from conferences past.Plus: Columnists James Marriott and India Knight discuss the four-day work week, whether you should let your dog lick your face, Keir Starmer moving Margaret Thatcher's portrait, and why AI may not be as revolutionary as originally promised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Labour Party was born from the trade union movement, but is Keir Starmer's government on a collision course with the unions over public sector pay? Ed Vaizey speaks to shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake and the FBU's Matt Wrack.Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Timandra Harkness discuss whether ministers should ban smoking in pub gardens, the arrest of the boss of Telegram, and fossil fuel companies sponsoring the arts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been three years since the last British troops and diplomats left Afghanistan in the chaotic withdrawal of Western forces. Ed Vaizey finds out what's happened to the country since, with guests including Sunday Times chief foreign correspondent Christina Lamb.Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the shoplifting epidemic, a hidden note found at the National Gallery, and whether former Cameron adviser Steve Hilton could be the next governor of California. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer uses his speech in the Downing Street rose garden to warn of a turbulent time ahead, with a 'painful budget' on the way. Ed Vaizey unpacks it with former cabinet minister Jack Straw and Times Radio's Theo Usherwood. Plus: What can the Tory leadership hopefuls learn from when the party was in opposition under Hague, Duncan Smith, Howard and Cameron? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Cockerell is one of the UK’s most experienced political film-makers, and has interviewed prime ministers from Macmillan to Johnson. He joins Ed Vaizey to reflect on his career and the art of making a political documentary.Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Robin Brant discuss Keir Starmer's call for a decade of national renewal, whether Labour will change the way it elects its leader, and a new book assessing Liz Truss's (short) time in office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it ever possible to keep politics out of sport? Ed Vaizey looks at times when the two have collided, as well as how AI could change the world of athletics and whether we'll all be watching e-sport in the metaverse.Plus: Columnists James Marriott and India Knight discuss the extravagance of US politics, freedom of speech in universities, finding joy in YouTube comments, and why group holidays are terrible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.