Politics Unpacked
Times Radio
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
Mentioned books
Mar 28, 2025 • 24min
Trump Demands More From Ukraine
As reports suggest the US is demanding access to more of Ukraine's natural resources, is there anything Kyiv can do to resist?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 27, 2025 • 32min
The Mother Of All Rebellions
Rachel Reeves' spring statement has been picked over by the experts, but could the chancellor be facing the 'mother of all rebellions' as one Labour MP claims?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Lara Spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 26, 2025 • 27min
PMQs: Kemi and Keir Phone It In
Ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Statement, Kemi Badenoch uses prime minister's questions to ask why Keir Starmer doesn't support banning phones in schools.Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Tim Shipman and Ria Lina. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 25, 2025 • 31min
When Group Chats Go Wrong
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news of the day, including the US security blunder that saw senior White House officials text war plans in a secure app that included a journalist. With Times columnists James Marriott and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 24, 2025 • 34min
Freebies, Austerity & Trump Tourism
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins, including: Should we take the Rachel Reeves freebie story seriously? How is the chancellor rolling the pitch ahead of the Spring Statement? And is Donald Trump harming US tourism? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 21, 2025 • 29min
Reeves' Unappealing Options
With growth in short supply, how will Chancellor Rachel Reeves sell big spending cuts to the public and the Labour Party? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 20, 2025 • 33min
Coalition Of The Not-So-Willing?
As military leaders meet in London to discuss support for Ukraine, have the French blocked British manufacturers from an EU defence fund?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Lara Spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 19, 2025 • 42min
PMQs: Glazed Expressions And Waffle
Comedian Andy Hamilton joins Hugo and Tim Shipman to unpack the exchanges at prime minister's questions. It's heavy going as Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch discuss taxes and hospices, but Reform UK's Lee Anderson lightens the mood with a question about "glazed expressions and waffle" from government ministers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 18, 2025 • 35min
The Government Shakes Up Welfare
As the government lays out massive changes to the welfare system, Kemi Badenoch has a different concern: net-zero. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Tom Whipple Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 17, 2025 • 32min
Does Badenoch Have The Luxury Of Time?
Kemi Badenoch is launching a series of new policy commissions, but how long can she afford to wait before setting out what the party believes? And how likely is it that she will promise to leave the EHRC?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with the help of Sebastian Payne and Jane Mulkerrins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
