Politics Unpacked

Starmer Fights On

12 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer’s grip on power looks weaker than ever after the resignation of John Healey. Can the prime minister really hang on? Ed Vaizey unpa...

John Healey Resigns

11 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Defence Secretary John Healey resigned, claiming Keir Starmer's lack of funding for the military will make the UK "less safe"Hugo Rifkind spoke to...

PMQs: The Sun Sets On Starmer's Premiership?

10 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer clashes with Kemi Badenoch over defence spending, with the Tory leader accusing him of 'scrabbling around for a legacy'.Patrick Maguire a...

Is Burnham Ready To Be Disliked?

09 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rather than aiming to be liked, should modern day politicians relish the relentless, universal public and online hatred they face and use it to fuel t...

Starmer Enters The 'Legacy Era'

08 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The prime minister is reportedly entering his "legacy era", with a major defence spending plan and new restrictions on children's social media use - b...

Burnham Makes It Official

05 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Andy Burnham has officially confirmed he'll challenge Keir Starmer in a Labour leadership contest if he wins the Makerfield by-election, but Starmer s...

Starmer, Musk & The Politics Of Division

04 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of "trying to whip up division" over the murder of Henry Nowak. Why is Musk interfering in UK poli...

PMQs: Starmer v Farage

03 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nigel Farage asks the prime minister to take action against "two-tier policing", but Keir Starmer accses the Reform UK leader of exploiting the murder...

Is Starmer's Labour the Welfare Party?

02 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Pat McFadden's assessment of Labour MPs will fuel claims that the party cares more about welfare recipients than taxpayers - is Keir Starmer's Labour ...

Labour's Trade Union Problem

01 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Polling suggests that union members are just as likely to support Reform UK as they are to back Labour. Is Nigel Farage now leader of the 'party of th...

Burnham, Body Doubles & Boozy Lunches

29 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Is Labour having a policy debate in public healthy for our democracy? What's behind an online conspiracy claiming Vladimir Putin is dead? And have we ...

All's Blair In Love And War

28 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Blair is said to be "fired up" and poised to escalate his involvement in Labour's leadership race, after being criticised by both Andy Burnham an...

Blair Slams Labour

27 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Tony Blair says Labour has “no coherent plan” for the country, attacking the party’s direction under Keir Starmer and its plan to change lea...

Is Social Media The New Smoking?

26 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Medical leaders have compared social media to tobacco as pressure grows on Keir Starmer to change his mind and back a ban for under-16s. Will politica...

Will Restore Britain 'Split The Right'?

25 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nigel Farage has hit out at Elon Musk over his support for the hardline Restore Britain in the Makerfield by-election - could Rupert Lowe’s party sp...

Is Burnham Really A Man Of The People?

22 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Andy Burnham has officially launched his campaign to be Makerfield's next MP, which he hopes will propel him to Downing Street.How can a Cambridge-edu...

Falling Immigration: The Political Impact

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Net migration has fallen to its lowest level since before the pandemic - but will it have any impact on the public's view?Hugo unpacks the politics of...

PMQs: Starmer Looks Demob Happy

20 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's the first PMQs since Labour's local election hammering, but despite the leadership challengers circling Keir Starmer is surprisingly upbeat.Hugo ...

Do Political Backstories Matter?

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting are each setting out their pitch to be the next Prime Minister. But do their stories of triumphing over adversity ...

What If Burnham Loses?

18 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Under pressure over his stance on rejoining the EU, Andy Burnham could face a bruising contest against Reform if selected for the Makerfield by-electi...

Burnham Makes His Move

15 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Andy Burnham is plotting his route back to Westminster, where he intends to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. But would he make a...

Labour's Wild Wes

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Labour's leadership crisis has deepened, plunging the government into chaos - can Keir Starmer continue? And what kind of Prime Minister would Wes Str...

Gyles Brandreth: Whips, Plots & PMs

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo speaks to broadcaster, former MP and speechwriter to three prime ministers Gyles Brandreth.They unpack the latest twists in Westminster, life as ...

The Psychodrama Is Back

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer insists he's staying on in Downing Street, but an increasing number of his ministers and MPs disagree.What happened to the promise that p...

Was Starmer's Speech Enough?

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer's speech was his last attempt to convince his MPs he's the right man for the job, but will it work?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day w...

A Historic Shift in British Politics

08 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Labour is losing heavily to Reform UK in areas once considered the party’s heartlands - what Nigel Farage calls a “truly historic shift” in Brit...

Can Labour Match The Tories For Plotting?

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's election day across the UK, and speculation is rife about a looming plot to oust Keir Starmer. But should the Labour Party just admit it's not as...

Polanski, Heckling, and Internet Relics

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. A Times investigation reveals Zack Polanski made f...

Focus Group: Is Andy Burnham A 'Saint'?

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Times Radio Focus Group returns for the final time ahead of the local elections.JL Partners brings together 2024 Labour voters who are now on the ...

Labour MPs "Doomscrolling Through Leaders"

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Labour backbenchers are reportedly preparing an open letter urging Keir Starmer to name a resignation date — but who would actually replace him, and...

The Endless Labour Leadership Drama

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The papers are full of speculation on who could replace Keir Starmer if he is toppled after this week's local elections. But does anyon...

Terror Threat Rises

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With the terror threat level raised to “severe,” the Metropolitan Police is reviewing whether pro-Palestine marches can go ahead. Where should the...

Focus Group: Reform Voters

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Times Radio Focus Group is back ahead of the local elections.JL Partners brings together voters from across Britain who backed Labour, the Conserv...

Have Politicians Been Weak On Antisemitism?

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After a terror attack targeting Britain’s Jewish community, politicians rush to respond — and to blame. But is anyone actually lowering the temper...

PMQs: No More Mandelson

29 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In the final PMQs before the local elections, Kemi Badenoch moves on from questions about Peter Mandelson and targets Keir Starmer on welfare spe...

McSweeney: What We Learned

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After two blockbuster sessions of the Commons committee looking into the appointment and vetting of Peter Mandelson, what did we learn from the eviden...

Keir Starmer's Week Of Peril

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The prime minister faces a challenging week, with MPs set to vote on whether to hold an inquiry into claims he misled MPs over the Peter Mandelson sca...

Trump Falklands Threat

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The US could punish Britain over the Iran war by questioning UK sovereignty over the Falkland Islands - will that worsen US-UK relations ahead of...

Is Donald Trump "Deranged"?

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As the US President says there’s “no time frame” for ending the war with Iran, Times columnist Matthew Parris says Donald Trump is "too deranged...

Focus Group: Wavering Tories

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Times Radio Focus Group is back ahead of May's local elections.JL Partners brings together a group of wavering Tories - voters from across England...

PMQs: The Robbins Files

22 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Keir Starmer claims that the evidence given by Olly Robbins "puts to bed all the allegations" he was dishonest about Peter Mandelson's vetting pro...

Olly Robbins Fires Back at Starmer

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins says No.10 took a “dismissive” approach to Peter Mandelson’s vetting - so where does this now leave...

Judgement Day For Starmer

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer will blame the civil service for the vetting failures behind Peter Mandelson's appointment - but will his defence stand up to scrutiny?Hu...

Starmer's Mandelson Crisis Deepens

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer says he's 'furious' he wasn't told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before his appointment as US ambassador. Just how muc...

Is The UK Ready For Shortages

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A top-level crisis drill inside government - “Exercise Turnstone” - has been testing what happens if the conflict in Iran continues and the Strait...

PMQs: Defending The Undefendable

15 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch criticises the government for failing to publish its plan for defence spending, but Starmer says the Tories hollowed out the budget, and...

The AI President

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump insists the AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure actually depicts him as a doctor. He's faced a backlash from all sides, ...

Hungary, The 'Boriswave', And Trump vs The Pope

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Libby Purves. Is the tide shifting away from the hard right in Europe? Would Nige...

Starmer "Fed Up" With Trump

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has stepped up his criticism of Trump, but could that put the UK in the firing line for retaliation from the US?Ed Vaizey unpacks th...

Are The Fringe Parties Still The Fringe?

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Reform UK and the Green Party are expected to do well at next month's elections at the expense of the established parties. But is the electorate ready...

Has Trump Won The War?

08 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Iran has agreed to a ceasefire with the US after Trump promised to destroy it - but with the biggest issues still unresolved, can he really claim vict...

Kanye West, Strikes and 90s Nostalgia

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The rapper Ye - formerly known as Kanye West - has been blocked from headlining a festival in London this summer over anti-semitic behaviour. Can we s...

Trump's Foul-Mouthed Diplomacy

06 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has threatened to turn Iran into "hell" in a profanity-laden rant on social media. But with so many conflicting messages and shiftin...

Trump Mocks Starmer (Again)

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The US President mocks Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron at an Easter event at the White House. Does Macron's response reflect growing anger in Europe ...

Trump's 'Stone Age' Threat

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As Donald Trump threatens to send Iran “back to the Stone Age”, Hugo Rifkind is joined by Times columnists Josh Glancy and Sarah Ditum to unpack t...

How Is Britain Handling Trump's Taunts?

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has largely ignored several rhetorical attacks against the UK from The White House, should King Charles' state visit be cancelled to send...

The Battle For Big Ideas

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With Labour and The Tories parties losing ground to populists - have centrist parties run out of ideas, or just politicians who can sell them? Hu...

Energy Shock Leaves Starmer Powerless

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer is calling energy bosses into Downing Street to discuss how to limit the economic impact of the war in Iran - but what options does he ha...

Has Trump Run Out Of Options?

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump insists peace talks with Iran are going “very well” - but is also considering deploying more troops to the region. Does he have a str...

Starmer's Fuel Fiction

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The government has railed against "profiteering" by energy companies during the cost of living crisis, but evidence suggests there hasn't been an...

PMQs: It's Ed Miliband's Decision

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch asks Keir Starmer if he'll approve more North Sea oil and gas licences, but the Prime Minister tells her it's up to Energy Secretary Ed ...

Is Ed Miliband In The Driving Seat?

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Tories criticise the energy secretary for his 'cult-like fanaticism' - but is he now the most important person in Keir Starmer's government?Hugo u...

Trump, The Cost Of Living And Corbyn In Cuba

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Seb Payne. Is President Trump backing off Iran? Why does Britain needs a ...

The Global Energy Crisis

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As Donald Trump threatens to 'massively blow up' the world’s biggest gas field, energy markets are feeling the pressure. Will there be pressure for ...

PMQs: Starmer Swerves Mandelson Questions

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch repeatedly asked Keir Starmer about his decision to make Peter Mandelson US ambassador at PMQs today. But MPs were left frustrated ...

Can Farage Out-Stunt Ed Davey?

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Reform UK launches a competition to pay one winner’s energy bills for a year - is the party attempting to out-stunt Ed Davey?Hugo Rifkind unpac...

Starmer To The Rescue?

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer claims he's brought financial stability back to the economy and defends his leadership during the war in Iran - but will the public be gr...

Iran, Mandelson, and Farage Fighting The Polls

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day - from the fallout from the Mandelson files, to the US easing sanctions on Russian oil, to Nigel Farage...

Did Starmer Mislead MPs Over Mandelson?

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch claims Keir Starmer misled MPs over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. How badly damaged is the prime minister?Hugo Ri...

PMQs: The Mother of All U-Turns

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Accusations of U-turns were flying at a raucous PMQs, with Kemi Badenoch claiming Keir Starmer is changing course on fuel duty - and Starmer accu...

Trump's Words Of War

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump's rhetoric towards Iran is visceral, aggressive and often confusing - but is he aiming his bombastic language at Iranians, Republicans...

Will Ministers Have To Act On Energy Bills?

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The looming domestic problem in the government's in-tray is the impact of war in the Middle East on the British economy - will the government need to ...

What Is Trump Trying To Achieve In Iran?

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has demanded the "unconditional surrender" of Iran and says he wants to choose its next leader. But does he have any idea of how to ...

Starmer Playing Catch-Up Over Iran

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Was the UK slow off the mark to respond to US-Israel attacks on Iran, are we now struggling to adjust to the speed of events? We also discuss the incr...

PMQs: "A Sea Of Orcs And Goons"

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch accuses the government of being too slow off the mark on Iran and throws out a few memorably unique phrases at Labour backbenchers. Keir...

The Not-So-Special Relationship

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump says America’s relationship with Britain has changed, warning the UK is “not such a recognisable country” anymore. What's happened ...

Starmer's Iran Response Angers Trump

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump says he is "very disappointed" that Keir Starmer didn't initially allow the US to use British airbases to attack Iran - a position the Pr...

Labour's 'Existential Crisis'

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Zack Polanski has declared an "existential crisis for the Labour Party" following a "seismic" by-election victory in Gorton and Denton. But does the r...

Immigration, Student Loans, and Reform's Blue Box

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Is there an economic cost to falling net-migration? Will there be another government U-turn on student loans? And does Andrea Jenkyns' blue box look m...

PMQs: The Last One Before The By-Election

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In a rowdy session of PMQs before the Gorton and Denton by-election, Keir Starmer attacks both the Greens and Reform - but Kemi Badenoch accuses Labou...

MPs Debate Former Prince Andrew

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The House of Commons has long steered clear of debating the royal family - until today. MPs have been told they are free to discuss Prince Andrew, fol...

Will SEND be Labour's Next Rebellion?

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The government hopes to tackle the sensitive and costly system for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) in England - but will...

What Andrew's Arrest Means For The Monarchy

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The royal family faces its biggest crisis in decades following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has denied wrongdoing. Doe...

Former Prince Andrew Arrested By Police

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct whilst in public office. He's the first senior Royal figure to be taken into c...

Reform Without Farage's Fireworks

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Jenrick sets out Reform’s economic case aiming to make the party credible. But without Farage on the stage, is it losing its radical edge?&nb...

Reform Team, Assemble

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Reform UK 'shadow cabinet' has assembled. Nigel Farage has appointed Robert Jenrick, Suella Braverman and Zia Yusuf to key roles - but will voters...

Starmer's Stay Of Execution

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Cabinet ministers believe Sir Keir Starmer may now survive beyond May because Labour's leadership contenders are too busy squabbling to unite behind a...

Starmer Seeks Relief On The World Stage

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Keir Starmer has survived to the end of a torrid week - will he find solace focusing on the internatonal agenda?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of ...

The Cabinet Chaos Continues

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The trouble for Keir Starmer continues, as cabinet minister Lisa Nandy calls recent events 'unforgivable', and talks of briefings from Number 10 'drip...

PMQs: 'Hypocrites and Paedophile Apologists'

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The PM faces questions over giving peerages to Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle, with Kemi Badenoch accusing him of 'stuffing government with hypocri...

The Drama Keir, I Love It

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After a political whirlwind caused by the Mandelson scandal came close to ending Sir Keir Starmer's premiership, some of his supporters claim the medi...

Starmer's Terminal Phase

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has lost a second senior aide, less than 24 hours after the departure of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.Are we now in the terminal ...

A Matter Of When, Not If?

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer is clinging on as Prime Minister and more details of Peter Mandelson's alleged misconduct could still emerge - so is his fate now sealed?...

Is Starmer’s Apology Enough?

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer says he’s sorry for believing Peter Mandelson’s lies, as anger grows over Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US - but is ...

PMQs: Starmer Knew About Mandelson & Epstein

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer described Peter Mandelson as a "liar" who "betrayed our country" at PMQs today.But he also admitted that he had been aware of Mandelson's...

The Mandelson-Epstein Scandal Explodes

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After Peter Mandelson tells the Times he can't escape his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the uproar over allegations he leaked sensitive government...

Has Peter Mandelson Damaged Starmer?

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Mandelson is out of the Labour Party and Keir Starmer says he'd like to see him out of the House of Lords - but have the peer's links with ...

Will Labour Lose The By-Election?

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As well as today's Politics Unpacked, which sees Ed Vaizey discuss China, Iran and left-wing AI with Michael Binyon and Cindy Yu, we've got an in-dept...

Reheated Centrism Or One-Nation Opportunity?

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch has called on centrist Conservatives hoping to influence the party to "get out of the way" - is the Tory one nation tradition dead, or a...

DPMQs: The Last Time He'll Get This Gig?

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With the PM in China, David Lammy stands in for Keir Starmer at deputy PMQs. But can Andrew Griffith land a blow for the Tories?Hugo Rifkind unpacks t...