Politics Unpacked
Episodes
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...
Is Burnham 'Done and Dusted'?
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As Labour backbenchers call on Starmer to reverse the ban on Andy Burnham standing as an MP, a cabinet minister says the decision is 'done and dusted'...
The Burnham Backlash
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The prime minister is facing a backlash from some Labour MPs after the party blocked Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham's attempt to become an MP -...
Trump Unites All Sides (In Outrage)
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump has falsley claimed that Nato soldiers, including those from the UK, stayed "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan. And, who will ...
Trump's Bewildering Week
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump says he's bringing peace to the world - in Gaza, Ukraine and Greenland. After sending Europe into a tailspin, what's really changed?...
PMQs: Starmer’s Best Yet?
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Keir Starmer says he will not yield to Donald Trump over the future of Greenland, calling recent criticism of the Chagos deal an attempt to force ...
Trump Turns On Starmer
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump has attacked Britain’s decision to hand over the Chagos Islands, using it to argue that the US needs Greenland. As relations with Washi...
Did Starmer Pull His Punches?
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer has said Donald Trump is "completely wrong" to threaten tariffs against countries that oppose his plan to take control of Greenland. ...
The Jenrick Shockwave
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Jenrick becomes Reform UK’s newest MP after defecting from the Conservatives. Who has come out on top, and have we really seen a reshaping of...
The Tory Psychodrama Is Back!
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kemi Badenoch sacks Robert Jenrick after claiming to have clear evidence he was planning defecting to Reform UK.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of t...
PMQs: The Starmer Sutra
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kemi Badenoch mocks Keir Starmer over his latest U-turn, while he claims the Tories have had 'more positions than the 'Kama Sutra'.Hugo Rifkind unpack...
Can We Stand Up To Big Tech?
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The government is to criminalise non-consensual deepfakes after concerns were raised about the capabilities of Elon Musk's Grok AI. Can the gover...
Zahawi Defects To Reform
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Tory Chancellor (well, briefly) Nadhim Zahawi becomes Reform UK's highest profile defection yet - but does it make Nigel Farage's party look li...
Yet Another U-Turn
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Reeves is set to announce a bailout for pubs following a backlash over plans to hike business rates. It's the 12th major U-turn since Labo...
Do We Really Want Honest Leaders?
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump doesn't pretend his foreign interventions are part of a noble cause. Did we prefer it when US presidents hid their blunt motives with ins...
PMQs: Nigel Farage
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's the first PMQs of the year, and Hugo and Patrick Maguire are joined in the studio by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. As they unpack the exchanges ...
With Friends Like Trump, Who Needs Enemies?
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After the US raid on Venezuela, the UK government has tried not to make a splash and condemn Trump. But with Greenland in his sights, will they contin...
Starmer's Survival Strategy
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer’s turned off his out-of-office, and he’s planning a big push on the cost of living in 2026 - but will his survival strategy actually ...
The Weirdness Of Whitehall
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer is being held back by the "fringe obsessions" of the civil service, according to his former director of strategy Paul Ovenden.&...
Starmer's New Year's Resolutions
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's been an eventful year in politics and the party leaders will be hoping to set the right tone for 2026 - so what can we expect in the new year?Ed ...
Who Should Get An Honour?
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The New Year's Honours list has raised eyebrows, with some recipients having previously been at the centre of culture war controversies.&nbs...
Should Starmer Strip Activist's Citizenship?
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The prime minister has been urged to deport Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, after he apologised for social media posts apparently calling for vi...
Keir Starmer's Christmas Carol
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special Christmas episode of the podcast, Patrick Maguire joins Ed Vaizey for a story of a prime minister visited by three Christmas spirits -...
Are Ministers Running Scared Of The Voters?
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly ten million voters could see their local elections delayed until 2027, which Nigel Farage claims is to stop him winning more councils - does he...
Trump Derangement Syndrome
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome, is apparently the irrational desire to criticise the US President Donald Trump. But with his approval ratings slip...
PMQs: Does Starmer Have the Baubles?
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the final PMQs of the year, Kemi Badenoch challenges Keir Starmer on growth, taxes and claims he doesn’t have the “baubles” to stop the docto...
Donald Trump vs The BBC
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump has sued the BBC for $10 billion over an edit of his January 6th speech in a Panorama documentary. Could the corporation's surv...
Burnham, Reform & Clarkson Bans MPs
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does Andy Burnham want to be PM? Reform UK has become Britain’s largest party by membership, and Jeremy Clarkson is the latest pub owner to bar Labo...
Starmer's Shuttle Diplomacy
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer and his fellow European leaders are engaged in another intense period of diplomacy aimed at securing a peace deal for Ukraine. Can they m...
Are Labour's Peerages Hypocritical?
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer has appointed 25 new peers, despite having pledged to shrink and even abolish the House of Lords in the past - how could that affect trus...
PMQs: A Caretaker Prime Minister
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Panto season hits PMQs, with Badenoch calling Starmer a “caretaker PM,” Starmer accusing her of job-saving panic, and Lindsay Hoyle asking MPs to ...
Does Rayner Have A Plan For Power?
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Angela Rayner has expressed "frustration" with slow progress delivering on workers' rights. Now she's on the backbenches, is she going to be crea...
Are Starmer Loyalists Losing Faith?
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The think-tank that backed Keir Starmer's bid to be Labour leader has started canvassing members about potential successors - are preparations underwa...
Britain’s Move On Frozen Russian Assets
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The UK is planning to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. But with Putin welcomed with open arms in India, how much pressure will this really p...
Can Farage Lure Jenrick?
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nigel Farage wants a “reverse takeover” of the Tory party, but he's not interested in any Reform UK-Conservative Party pact at the next election -...
PMQs: She's Completely Losing The Plot
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kemi Badenoch is on a roll at PMQs, but was she right to keep the focus on what was and wasn't said in the weeks before the Budget?Hugo Rifkind unpack...