Politics Unpacked
Episodes
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...
Why Is Starmer Bringing Up Brexit?
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer says the UK is still facing consequences of Brexit vote's 'wild promises' - why is the prime minister bringing up Brexit? Hugo Rifki...
Did The Chancellor Lie To Cabinet?
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Prime Minister has denied that he and the Chancellor misled the cabinet, and the country, over the state of the nation's finances - has he put the...
Labour's Grown-Up Politics
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The governments' abandoned its plan to give workers day-one-rights against unfair dismissal - a policy which was in its manifesto. Will this blow up i...
Is The Budget The Chancellor's Obituary?
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Reeves has told Times Radio she is determined to remain in Number 11 Downing Street, and that she wasn't going to have her political obituary w...
PMQs: Most Chaotic Budget Yet?
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The OBR may have mistakenly released Reeves' budget too early, but it was just in time for Prime Minister's Questions. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the e...
Another 'Omnishambles' Budget?
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Reeves has told Labour MPs she'll survive Wednesday's budget, and be back for years to come. Is it set to be worse than previous budget disaste...
Is the Chancellor Still In Control?
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been a year since Rachel Reeves told the CBI she'd steer clear of extra borrowing or new tax rises. After a weekend spent defending her positio...
Ministers 'Dragging Heels' Over Single-sex Spaces
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Times today reveals the guidance on transgender people using single-sex spaces like toilets and changing rooms. It's been sitting on the governmen...
PMQs: A Labour Budget With Labour Values?
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kemi Badenoch presses Keir Starmer over whether the government would "break another promise" by freezing income tax thresholds. With Starmer deferring...
Is Labour 'Appeasing The Electorate'?
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Home Secretary's new asylum plans are facing backlash from Labour MPs, including one who told Times Radio the government is trying to "appease the...
Is Migration Labour's Next Big Rebellion?
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shabana Mahmood's sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration have already faced backlash from Labour's backbenches, how bad will it get for the Home...
Reeves U-turns On Tax... Again
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Chancellor has scrapped plans to raise income tax in the Budget because of improved economic forecasts and fears over the reaction of mu...
Labour's Blame Game Continues
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With Starmer investigating briefings against his own cabinet ministers and facing calls to sack his own Chief of Staff, can anyone explain what's goin...
PMQs: Labour's 'Civil War'
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kemi Badenoch tells the Prime Minister he's lost control of Downing Street, and his government has "descended into civil war."Hugo Rifkind unpacks the...
Trump Eyes A Billion From The BBC
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The US President has given the BBC until Friday evening to apologise and remove a Panorama episode which edited a speech to make it appear he was inci...
Heads Roll Over BBC Bias Claims
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Accusations of bias have forced Tim Davie and Deborah Turness to resign from their roles at the BBC - has the job of running the corporation...
Is There Any Way Out For Rachel Reeves?
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Rachel Reeves tells the Budget watchdog she could raise income tax for the first time in 50 years, is there any way out for the chancellor? And wil...
Have Politicians Stopped Lying?
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nigel Farage and Rachel Reeves have both sought to be more frank with the public about the economy this week - does this herald a new era of hone...
PMQs: Lammy Rattled Over Second Manhunt
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Lammy takes Deputy PMQs for the first time, and faces the same question from Conservative James Cartlidge five times in a row about a second for...
Reeves Drops A "Waffle Bomb"?
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Reeves tries to lay the ground for difficult decisions at her Budget. But did the speech say anything new, or was Kemi Badenoch right to call i...
Farage Appeals To "Alarm Clock Britain"
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reform has set out its plan for the British economy, but will the sums add up? And why has Farage recycled a Nick Clegg slogan from 2011?&nb...
Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew has been stripped of his prince title and ordered by the King to leave the Royal Lodge - but will he continue to cast a shadow over the Royals?...
Reeves' Rental Blunder
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After hinting at manifesto breaking tax rises in the budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has come under fire for breaching rental rules on her family hom...
PMQs: "Always Someone Else's Fault"
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Keir Starmer refused to rule out a U-turn on his manifesto tax pledges in the budget, while blaming the Tories for the country’s economic woes. ...
Migrants in Military Barracks
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The UK government will begin housing small boat migrants in military barracks from next month, part of a plan to move asylum seekers out of hotels and...
Where Are The Grown Ups?
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Home Office is squandering billions of pounds on asylum hotels in another damaging story for the government. Can Labour still call themselves...
Labour's Caerphilly Collapse
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Plaid Cymru have swept to victory in Caerphilly, taking a Senedd seat that has been held by Labour for a century - will it convince Keir Starmer to ch...
Why Is The Home Office Still Not Fit For Purpose?
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shabana Mahmood says her department remains “not yet fit for purpose,” after The Times uncovered a secret report calling it dysfunctional and deta...
PMQs: Grooming Gangs Inquiry In Chaos
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hugo Rifkind unpacks this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions with Gabriel Pogrund from The Sunday Times and comedian ...
What Did Andrew Witness?
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir reveals her abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and alleged encounters with Prince Andrew - claims he denies. Now, the dis...
Is China A Top-Tier Threat?
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Conservative MPs Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat have urged Keir Starmer to designate China a top-tier threat, calling his inaction a sign of weakness...
Football Ban Tests Starmer
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Prime Minister wants to lift the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending their game against Aston Villa next month. But could it lead to viole...
The China Spy Blame Game
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The government, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Conservatives all blame each other for the collapse of the China spy case, is everyone set to lo...
PMQs: Lawyer, Not A Leader?
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hugo Rifkind unpacks PMQs alongside Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival.Badenoch c...
Trump Leaves Starmer Hanging
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does an embarrassing moment for Sir Keir Starmer on stage at the Egypt peace summit reveal something about the UK's influence on the global stage?Hugo...
Farage Ditches Tax Cut Plans
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reform UK's Nigel Farage is preparing to drop his promise to deliver £90bn of tax cuts, saying his party will reduce public spending first. Is t...
Trump's Peace Prize Snub
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The ceasefire in Gaza is underway after US president Donald Trump brokered a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. But how will he feel about...
Trump Takes Credit For Gaza Deal
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to phase one of his plan for peace in Gaza. Is he on track for a Nobel Peace Prize? Plus, why is Mat...
Badenoch's Tax-Cutting Promises
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hugo Rifkind unpacks Kemi Badenoch's speech to Conservative Party conference in which she pledged to scrap Labour's tax rises and abolish stamp duty. ...
Jenrick Moves Centre Stage
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Jenrick has been announcing a series of policies at Conservative conference, and defending comments he made about the lack of 'white faces' in ...
Kemi Badenoch: "Absolutely Invisible"
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with James Johnson of JL Partners.Kemi Badenoch has failed to make an impression on these 2024...
Fundamentally Un-British
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the pro-Palestine protests after the Manchester synagogue attack were "fundamentally un-British". But can the auth...
The End Of The Asylum 'Golden Ticket'?
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The government says the UK is too attractive to refugees and says it will end the 'Golden Ticket' of resettlement and family reunion rights. But ...
Playing The Ball And Not The Man?
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reform UK says Keir Starmer’s attack on Nigel Farage risks inciting violence. Has Labour been guilty of playing the man, not the ball?Hugo Rifkind u...
Keir Starmer's Survival
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Labour Party Conference began with much speculation about the Prime Minister's survival. Is he out of the danger zone - and if so - for how long?Hugo ...
The Chancellor's Hard Choices To Come
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Reeves has delivered her speech to Labour Party conference, warning of 'harsh global headwinds' and harder choices to come. Is she laying the g...
Why Have Labour Voters Lost Faith?
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with Tom Lubbock of JL Partners. What do these 2024 Labour voters think about Keir Starmer and...
Starmer Takes On Populism
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer urges liberals to take on the populist right as he confirms plans for mandatory digital ID cards. But has the prime minister worked out h...
The Burnham Show
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andy Burnham says he's been privately urged to challenge Keir Starmer. Could the so-called King of the North return to parliament and run for leader?H...
Why is Ed Davey "Obsessed" With Nigel Farage?
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After Ed Davey claimed the Lib Dems were the last block against Nigel Farage's 'forces of darkness', why does he spend so much time talking about Refo...
Trump's Dubious Claims
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, including Donald Trump's unproven claim that paracetamol in pregnancy increases the risk of autism,...
Ed Davey's Battle For Attention
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ed Davey has called Elon Musk a criminal and promised a crackdown on 'doomscrolling' - but is Nigel Farage's latest migration announcement stealing at...
Your Party Or 'No More' Party?
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After another public row between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, 'Your Party' looks like it may not get off the ground - but could a more serious lef...
Is MAGA Right About Free Speech In The UK?
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump says America owes the UK for its legacy of free speech - but why do some Republicans believe the hallmark of modern Britain is censorship...
One In, None Out
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Keir Starmer’s migrant returns deal with France is in disarray after a judge paused an Eritrean man’s deportation hours before he was due to f...
Is Religion On The Rise In Politics?
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Danny Kruger - who has called for a "revival of faith" in Britain - has been tasked with preparing Reform for government. Is religion playin...
The Tory Party Is Over, Says Kruger
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Danny Kruger becomes the first sitting Tory MP to defect to Reform UK, is he right to say the Conservative party is over? What can Kemi Badenoch do...
Starmer's Damage Control
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How bad is the fallout from the sacking of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador? With a State visit fast approaching, can Starmer recover - or is he a "de...
Peter Mandelson Sacked (Again)
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US, after growing scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.Hugo Rifki...
PMQs: Starmer's Mandelson Headache
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kemi Badenoch was quick off the mark to challenge the prime minister over allegations about Peter Mandelson, repeatedly asking if Starmer was aware of...
Will The Deputy Leader Race Split Labour?
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The field of candidates wanting to succeed Angela Rayner as deputy leader is growing, but will the contest inevitably end up as a referendum on Keir S...
Labour's 'Reforming Right'
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer's reshuffle has given key jobs to people seen as being from the "reforming right" of the party - is the government tilting towards a toug...
Angela Rayner's Resignation
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Angela Rayner has resigned as deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary after an independent report found she had broken the ministerial code for fa...
Focus Group: "Put The Great Back Into Britain"
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Hugo steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters.This week, it's a group cons...
PMQs: 'Why Is She Still In Office?'
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's the first PMQs back after the summer break and Angela Rayner is fighting for her political life. Kemi Badenoch tells the prime minister to 'grow ...