

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

Nov 1, 2024 • 33min
PTSD From Truss's Mini-Budget
Were the markets hostile to the budget or are our jitters a hangover from Liz Truss? Should we bring back food rationing? Can you hold a grudge for as long as a crow?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Timandra Harkness and Robin Brant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 31, 2024 • 30min
The Real Problem With The USA
As Biden makes another blunder, is the US president making the campaign impossible for Kamala Harris? And are both parties failing to diagnose the real problems in Washington D.C.? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 30, 2024 • 37min
Reeves' Budget & Sunak's Swan Song
Labour's first budget in nearly fifteen years will also be the biggest tax-raising budget in history. Hugo unpacks it all with Times Radio's Political Correspondent Theo Usherwood. Plus: In Rishi Sunak's last hurrah at PMQs, he talks up his record in Number 10. Hugo pauses and analyses the action with the help of Lara Spirit and comedian Jon Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 29, 2024 • 31min
Is Kemi Too Outrageous?
Do politicians have to be outrageous to get attention? Why is the nation's birth rate plummeting? Plus, a lesson in how to carve turnip lanterns. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Laura Freeman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 28, 2024 • 35min
A Joke Too Far For Trump
Will racist language used at Trump's latest rally help or hinder his bid for the White House? Are we really living in unprecedentedly bad times? And are new MPs right to complain about Parliament's old customs? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Hadley Freeman and Patrick Maguire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.


