Politics Unpacked

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 ...

Labour: Phase Two

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's Keir Starmer's birthday, and what better way to usher in his 63rd year than with a new "phase two" for his government - but did phase one go...

Starmer's Surprise Shake-Up

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Parliament is back from recess, and Keir Starmer has reshuffled his team in Downing Street - what do the prime minister's appointments tell us ab...

The Anti-Western Alliance

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Xi Jinping will host Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un in Beijing next week to mark the end of the Second World War. As Western leaders largely stay...

Flip-Flop Farage

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nigel Farage has stumbled over whether a Reform government would deport women and children as part of its border security plans. Does Reform UK need t...

Trouble In Paris Threatens Small Boats Plan

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A political crisis in Paris threatens to undo a key pillar of Keir Starmer's plan to 'smash the gangs'. Can cooperation with Europe help Britain ...

Farage's Bold Asylum Seeker Plan

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Reform UK has unveiled its proposal to tackle the small boat crisis - from mass deportations, to detention camps on disused airfields, to replaci...

Can Starmer Solve The Asylum Crisis?

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

YouGov polling for The Times suggests that seven in ten voters think Keir Starmer is doing a bad job at handling the issue of asylum hotels. Does...

Pressure Grows Over Immigration

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There'll be a fresh wave of protests against asylum hotels across the country this weekend, as more councils call for illegal immigrants to be housed ...

Why Are There So Many Asylum Seekers In Hotels?

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A record 111,000 people claimed asylum in the UK during Keir Starmer's first year in office - and the number in hotels rose by 8%. How did we get...

Asylum Policy In Crisis

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government's asylum accommodation scheme is in turmoil - after the High Court ruled migrants must be removed from an Epping Hotel. As other counci...

Oval Office Round Two

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Zelensky is returning to the White House - but this time he isn't alone. Seven European leaders, including Keir Starmer, have gone with...

The Trump-Putin Summit

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump heads to Alaska today to meet Vladimir Putin and try to find a path to peace in Ukraine - but how likely is an end to the war?Ed Vaizey u...

Trump's Plan For Peace

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Russia and the US are understood to have agreed a "West Bank-style" occupation of Ukraine ahead of Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin - but th...

JD Vance's Unlikely BBQ

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

JD Vance's holiday to the cotswolds continues, where he's been meeting with Tories, breakfasting with Nigel Farage, and having a barbecue with a ...

Is Political Language Too Loose?

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the debate over legal and illegal migration continues, are politicians being too imprecise with the words they choose?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the poli...

Is Labour Trying To Create A Hostile Environment?

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the government makes another announcement about deporting foreign criminals, Hugo Rifkind asks if they're pursuing tougher policies than under Ther...

Trump Goes from 'Taco to Waco'

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The journalist who gave Trump the nickname Taco - Trump Always Chickens Out - for his strategy on tariffs says it should be updated to Waco - The Worl...

Kemi The 'Snitch'

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch reveals she snitched on a fellow pupil for cheating during an exam when she was "about 14 or 15", resulting in him getting expelled...

The Chancellor’s ‘Impossible Trilemma’

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With a £50 billion gap in the public finances, it is looking increasingly difficult for Rachel Reeves to avoid raising taxes.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the...

Will The UK-France Migrant Deal Cut Through?

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government's 'one-in, one-out' migrant deal with France is coming into force - but can the public be persuaded by technocratic solutions? And shou...

Farage's Growing Entourage

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Reform UK's new justice adviser doesn't agree with everything Nigel Farage says - does it matter? And can Farage keep tabs on his growing entourage?&n...

Not So Silly Season

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

August is supposed to be a quiet time for politics but the Prime Minister has an array of thorny issues to contend with - from Heathrow's expansi...

PM's "Knee-Jerk Reaction" On Palestine

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Top lawyers are warning Starmer he'll be breaking international law if he follows through with the recognition of a Palestinian State, and Conservativ...

Starmer's Palestine Plan

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Israel has criticised Keir Starmer's plan to recognise a Palestinian state if conditions do not improve in Gaza, but many of the Prime Minister's MPs ...

Trump's Advice To Starmer

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On his visit to Scotland, President Trump gave Keir Starmer his unsolicited advice for how to beat Nigel Farage at the next election - but should the ...

A MAGA British Summer

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer meets Donald Trump at his Turnberry golf course today, where the president's love of Scotland has sparked talk of a 'MAGA British summer'...

Battle With The BMA

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has appealed in The Times directly to doctors not to strike - but is this falling on deaf ears? And how does this bode for Labour’...

Badenoch's Chainsaw Conservatives

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch says the chainsaw-wielding president of Argentina would be “the template” for her government - could could she be Britain's answer t...

Is Britain "Fraying"?

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has warned Britain is "fraying at the edges" and urgent action on immigration is needed to avoid a repeat of last summer's riots. But is ...

Reshuffles, Reform & JD Vance's Holiday

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch is using the last day before the Commons recess to launch a reset of her leadership of the Conservative Party, while Nigel Farage is gea...

Farage's Summer Of Crime

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Reform UK's leader launches a six-week summer crime campaign, promising to deport criminals to prisons in El Salvador and halve crime overall. Could h...

Afghan Data Leak: "Cock-up Or Conspiracy"?

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As more revelations about the Afghan data leak continue to come out, who will take the blame? And is an urgent inquiry needed to unpack the failings?&...

Persistent Knobheadery

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has suspended four of his MPs over repeated breaches of party discipline, or as one party source described it to the Times, “persistent...

PMQs: Don't Mention The Data Leak

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer said Conservative ex-ministers have serious questions to answer over the Afghanistan data leak at the start of Prime Minister's Questions...

Melania, Billionaires And The Power Of Pessimism

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Maguire is unpacking the politics of the day, asking James Marriott and Libby Purves whether Melania Trump changed the US president's mind ove...