
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

Oct 25, 2024 • 31min
Musk's Talks With Putin
After the Wall Street Journal reports on secret conversations between Elon Musk and Russia's president, just how much influence does the world's richest man wield? And is facial recognition the future of your supermarket shop?Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with Robin Brant and Timandra Harkness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 24, 2024 • 34min
Starmer's Squabble In Samoa
As Commonwealth leaders press the case for slavery reparations, has the summit in Somoa gone wrong for the prime minister? And how serious are Donald Trump's claims of election interference?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 23, 2024 • 42min
PMQs: The Battle Of The Gingers
With Keir Starmer away, it's Angela Rayner v Oliver Dowden at deputy prime minister's questions - or the "battle of the gingers".Lara Spirit pauses and unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman and Geoff Norcott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 22, 2024 • 31min
Can Ministers Make Prison Work?
Will the government's sentencing review stop the prison overcrowding crisis? Are entrepreneurs scared to start their own business? And were there any sensible ideas contributed the government's big conversation on the future of the NHS?Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Juliet Samuel and Libby Purves Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 21, 2024 • 35min
Trump, Badenoch & McDonald's
Donald Trump has been serving (briefly) at a McDonald's, while Kemi Badenoch worked at one during her A-levels - does having the fast-food restaurant on your CV help connect with voters? Can the government stop the pre-Budget media frenzy, and what do Thatcher, Cameron and Starmer have in common?Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Emma Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 18, 2024 • 33min
Badenoch Broke The Clap-O-Meter
Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch took part in their first televised hustings, and if the clap-o-meter is anything to go by, Badenoch won the debate - but has she won over her party?Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with Robin Brant and Timandra Harkness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 17, 2024 • 32min
Taylor Swift, Slick Jenrick
Why is the government still being dogged by stories about Taylor Swift tickets, is Robert Jenrick's conversion from centrist to right-winger credible, and is Kemi Badnoch the heir to Keith Joseph?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 16, 2024 • 41min
PMQs: Political Point Scoring?
Rishi Sunak focuses on the threat from China as the foreign secretary heads to Beijing. But is it, as Keir Starmer says, just "political point scoring"? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action at prime minister's questions, with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Alistair Barrie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 15, 2024 • 35min
Will Labour Break Its Tax Promise?
If the chancellor increases employer national insurance contributions, will she have broken Labour's manifesto promise? And could weight-loss jabs help cut unemployment?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, and all the other news, with Libby Purves and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 14, 2024 • 29min
Was The Transport Secretary Thrown Under The Bus?
As cabinet ministers come close to jeopardising the government's investment summit, is Labour still in campaign mode? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Janice Turner and Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.