Politics Unpacked

Donald Trump has sued the BBC for $10 billion over an edit of his January 6th speech in a Panorama documentary. Could the corporation's survival be threatened if it doesn't settle with the US president?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Andy Burnham want to be PM? Reform UK has become Britain’s largest party by membership, and Jeremy Clarkson is the latest pub owner to bar Labour MPs from his pub.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Emma Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former diplomatic editor Michael Bingham and City A.M.'s Alice Denby dive into the urgent diplomacy surrounding Ukraine, analyzing Keir Starmer's efforts for peace. They discuss the implications of Donald Trump's position and the risk of temporary resolutions with Russia. The duo also explores NATO's readiness in the face of cyber threats and U.S. pressure on Europe. From calls to rejoin the customs union to the impact of AI on misinformation, they tackle cultural shifts and the political landscape with sharp insight.

Keir Starmer has appointed 25 new peers, despite having pledged to shrink and even abolish the House of Lords in the past - how could that affect trust in politics?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Salma Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Panto season hits PMQs, with Badenoch calling Starmer a “caretaker PM,” Starmer accusing her of job-saving panic, and Lindsay Hoyle asking MPs to stop the pantomime auditions.Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and Andrew Hunter Murray to unpack the exchanges in the House Of Commons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Rayner has expressed "frustration" with slow progress delivering on workers' rights. Now she's on the backbenches, is she going to be creating problems for Keir Starmer, and could she end up as leader?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Megan Kenyon and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte Ivers, a political journalist focused on UK dynamics, and Cindy Yu, a journalist keen on international affairs, discuss the shifting loyalty within Labour towards Keir Starmer. They analyze the implications of Labour Together surveying for potential successors and reflect on MPs' frustrations with Starmer's leadership. The duo dives into the political resilience of Nigel Farage amidst controversies and explore the ongoing debate around a national grooming gangs inquiry. They also touch on the cultural resonance of chicken wings in contemporary society.

In this insightful discussion, Alys Denby, opinion editor at City A.M., and former diplomatic editor Michael Binyon explore the UK's strategy to utilize £8 billion of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. They analyze Putin's surprising warm reception in India and its implications for global politics. The conversation also touches on the impact of social media on public accountability and the potential effects of Labour's workers' rights reforms on employment. Light-hearted anecdotes about festive celebrations provide a refreshing balance to the serious topics.

Nigel Farage wants a “reverse takeover” of the Tory party, but he's not interested in any Reform UK-Conservative Party pact at the next election - could he lure Robert Jenrick to join Reform? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political heavyweight Gabriel Pogrund, Sunday Times Whitehall editor, and Guto Harri, former Downing Street communications chief, discuss Kemi Badenoch's standout performance at PMQs. They analyze the implications of her budget-focused strategy and the tensions surrounding the OBR's resignation. Delving into cabinet infighting, the duo assesses how Badenoch's tactics may challenge Whitehall unity. The conversation also touches on Keir Starmer's credibility and policy reversals, making for a lively exploration of current political dynamics.