

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 3, 2025 • 33min
Starmer's Coalition Of The Willing
Keir Starmer is uniting Europe's leaders around support for Ukraine, but as more and more money is given to the war effort, will the public start to wonder if it's really worth it?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Mulkerrins and Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 28, 2025 • 27min
What Did Starmer Get From Trump?
Keir Starmer returns from his trip to Washington where his meeting with Trump seemed to go pretty well - but has Starmer really secured wins for the UK? Or is it all theatrics? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Merrick and Timandra Harkness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 27, 2025 • 30min
Trump's Love/Hate Relationship With Europe
Despite European leaders, including Keir Starmer, meeting Trump at the White House this week, Trump is still planning a deal with Ukraine without a security guarantee. Does anyone in Europe know how to respond to him?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 26, 2025 • 45min
PMQs: Desperate Search For Relevance
PMQs Unpacked is back - and today Keir Starmer clashes with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch over the UK's planned increase in defence spending. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Ahir Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 25, 2025 • 34min
Starmer Gets Ready For Trump
What can Keir Starmer learn from Emmanuel Macron cosying up to Donald Trump?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Katy Balls and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 24, 2025 • 31min
Lessons From The German Election
In this engaging discussion, Patrick Maguire, a journalist from the Times and Sunday Times known for his sharp political insights, and Jane Mulkerrins, also a Times journalist with a knack for diverse commentary, explore the recent German elections. They analyze the implications of a centre-left government ousted primarily over immigration issues and draw parallels for the UK’s Labour Party. The conversation delves into the rise of far-right parties, the impact of political reputations, and the sometimes humorous intricacies of political relationships.

Feb 21, 2025 • 36min
Stuff's Got Real
Starmer is under pressure to increase defence spending ahead of his trip to Washington next week, but where will the money come from and will the public accept cuts elsewhere?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Zoe Strimpel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 20, 2025 • 33min
Starmer's "Love Actually" Moment?
Matthew Parris, a sharp columnist for The Times, and Manveen Rana, host of the Story podcast, dive deep into the current political landscape. They discuss the UK's response to Trump's influence on Ukraine, weighing public sentiment against international complexities. Anecdotes from a Conservative whip reveal the surprising contrast between public personas and private lives in politics. The guests also inject humor into serious topics, from generational wealth disparities to the quirks of rural and urban relationships, all while pondering the therapeutic benefits of comedy.

Feb 19, 2025 • 31min
President Musk
President Trump and Elon Musk put their friendship on full display in an hour long interview on Fox News. Will their bromance last? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 snips
Feb 18, 2025 • 34min
Rachel Reeves' Inflated CV
Libby Purves, a seasoned commentator, joins James Marriott, a columnist from The Times, to dissect the implications of Rachel Reeves' questionable CV claims. They discuss the shifting UK defense spending in light of the Ukraine conflict, highlighting the public's evolving stance on military involvement. The duo also tackles the ethical dilemmas in journalism, touching on corporate gift-giving. With a dash of humor, they explore societal impacts on extremism and the nostalgic charm of analogue photography versus the convenience of smartphones.


