Politics Unpacked

Donald Trump insists peace talks with Iran are going “very well” - but is also considering deploying more troops to the region. Does he have a strategy, or is he running out of options?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government has railed against "profiteering" by energy companies during the cost of living crisis, but evidence suggests there hasn't been any - are ministers guilty of needlessly kicking the private sector?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch asks Keir Starmer if he'll approve more North Sea oil and gas licences, but the Prime Minister tells her it's up to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics off the day with Patrick Maguire and Labour peer Lord Wood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte Ivers, Sunday Times TV critic known for sharp cultural takes, and Patrick Kidd, seasoned Times columnist and political analyst, join Hugo. They debate Ed Miliband's sway over energy policy and North Sea drilling. Conversations cover government messaging on panic buying and petrol, defence procurement headaches, contested community grant rules, and what makes British TV sell overseas.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Seb Payne. Is President Trump backing off Iran? Why does Britain needs a return to wartime frugality? And what is Jeremy Corbyn doing with Kneecap in Cuba?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew Syed, journalist and author on defence and strategy, and Juliet Samuel, political columnist focused on energy and culture, debate the shock to energy markets from threats to infrastructure. They explore unpredictability in foreign policy, whether democratic restraint still holds, nuclear lessons from South Korea, UK complacency, targeted support for bill-payers, and the resilience of alliances.

Kemi Badenoch repeatedly asked Keir Starmer about his decision to make Peter Mandelson US ambassador at PMQs today. But MPs were left frustrated by the Prime Minister's evasive responses.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with The Sunday Times' Deputy Political Editor Lara Spirit and the comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK launches a competition to pay one winner’s energy bills for a year - is the party attempting to out-stunt Ed Davey?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer claims he's brought financial stability back to the economy and defends his leadership during the war in Iran - but will the public be grateful?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day - from the fallout from the Mandelson files, to the US easing sanctions on Russian oil, to Nigel Farage's problem with the pollsters.With Michael Binyon and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.