Politics Unpacked

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.

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.

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.

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.

Join Patrick Maguire, a lively journalist known for his insightful political commentary, and Jane Mulkerrins, who offers keen analysis on international political issues. They tackle whether to be concerned about Trump’s approach to Ukraine and discuss the complex ideologies shaping today’s right-wing movements. Patrick shares amusing tales from Keir Starmer's local pub, contrasts light-hearted pub culture with serious ethical eating considerations, and humorously considers Bear Grylls as a potential political ambassador.

A new book by Times and Sunday Times journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund charts Keir Starmer's rise to power, his journey from promising unity to taking on the Labour left, and raises questions about whether it is him - or chief of staff Morgan McSweeney - who is really in charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump and Putin have agreed to negotiate the end of the war in Ukraine, but where does this leave Kyiv?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, political journalist Tim Shipman offers a sharp analysis of PMQs, while comedian Gráinne Maguire injects humor into the proceedings. Labour leader Keir Starmer finds himself on the defensive against Kemi Badenoch's probing questions about immigration law. The conversation dives deep into the complexities of recent court rulings on refugee policies and the urgent need for legislative reforms, all within a backdrop of escalating political tensions and debates about human rights. Expect insights paired with witty commentary!

Donald Trump's tariffs will have a big impact the UK steel industry, but unlike EU leaders, Starmer isn't going to retaliate - does he have a plan?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Keir Starmer tells his cabinet they need to be the "disrupters if you don't want to be disrupted", can they live up to the billing - and is this just a reaction to the rise of Reform UK? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Emma Duncan and Patrick Maguire.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.