
Politics Unpacked
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.
Latest episodes

Jul 16, 2025 • 42min
PMQs: Don't Mention The Data Leak
Keir Starmer said Conservative ex-ministers have serious questions to answer over the Afghanistan data leak at the start of Prime Minister's Questions. But after that, no one seemed to want to mention it.Patrick Maguire unpacks the action with Sunday Times Whitehall Editor Gabriel Pogrund and former Conservative cabinet minister Sir David Lidington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 15, 2025 • 29min
Melania, Billionaires And The Power Of Pessimism
Patrick Maguire is unpacking the politics of the day, asking James Marriott and Libby Purves whether Melania Trump changed the US president's mind over Putin, whether we should mourn the departure of billionaires, and why pessimism can be a force for good. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 14, 2025 • 36min
Tax Rises: The Question Of The Summer
What is a "working person" and who is on a "modest income"? Government ministers are pressed to say who could face higher taxes, as expectation mounts that the chancellor will have to act in the Autumn.Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with The Times' Seb Payne and Carol Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 11, 2025 • 30min
Sick Note Britain?
GPs are being told to stop handing out so many sick notes as part of the government's efforts to get more people back to work. And why are women turning to Reform?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 10, 2025 • 32min
"Washed-up Tories" Defecting to Reform
Former Conservative Chairman Jake Berry is the second ex-Tory minister to defect to Reform this week, but is this working in Nigel Farage's favour?Hugo Rifkind is joined by Tim Montgomerie and Zoe Strimpel to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 9, 2025 • 39min
PMQs: 'Flirting' With A Wealth Tax
Keir Starmer reiterated his tax pledges at PMQs as Kemi Badenoch accused him of 'flirting' with a wealth tax. Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Patrick Maguire and Jon Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 8, 2025 • 26min
Can Starmer and Macron Stop the Boats?
Keir Starmer is hoping to use the French President's visit as a chance to talk migration, but will they reach a deal? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Times Columnists James Marriot and Sarah Ditum to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 7, 2025 • 31min
Another Labour Rebellion Looms
The government could be facing another backbench rebellion, this time over its plans to reform special needs support. Why aren't the 'Starmtoopers' as loyal as the Prime Minister hoped?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 4, 2025 • 35min
Can A New Left-Wing Party Succeed
A year after Labour's landslide election victory, how serious is the threat to Keir Starmer from a new left-wing party led by Zarah Sultana and (possibly) Jeremy Corbyn?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of day with Michael Binyon and Latika Bourke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 3, 2025 • 31min
Can Reeves Move On From 'Tough Day'?
Keir Starmer says the Chancellor is going nowhere, but have the very public tears of Rachel Reeves left the impression of a government in crisis as it approaches its first birthday?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.