Politics Unpacked

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...

Tax Rises: The Question Of The Summer

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is a "working person" and who is on a "modest income"? Government ministers are pressed to say who could face higher taxes, as expectation m...

Sick Note Britain?

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

GPs are being told to stop handing out so many sick notes as part of the government's efforts to get more people back to work. And why are women ...

"Washed-up Tories" Defecting to Reform

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Former Conservative Chairman Jake Berry is the second ex-Tory minister to defect to Reform this week, but is this working in Nigel Farage's favour?Hug...

PMQs: 'Flirting' With A Wealth Tax

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer reiterated his tax pledges at PMQs as Kemi Badenoch accused him of 'flirting' with a wealth tax. Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the...

Can Starmer and Macron Stop the Boats?

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer is hoping to use the French President's visit as a chance to talk migration, but will they reach a deal? Hugo Rifkind is joined by T...

Another Labour Rebellion Looms

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government could be facing another backbench rebellion, this time over its plans to reform special needs support. Why aren't the 'Starmtooper...

Can A New Left-Wing Party Succeed

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A year after Labour's landslide election victory, how serious is the threat to Keir Starmer from a new left-wing party led by Zarah Sultana and (possi...

Can Reeves Move On From 'Tough Day'?

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer says the Chancellor is going nowhere, but have the very public tears of Rachel Reeves left the impression of a government in crisis as it...

PMQs: "She Looks Traumatised"

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer faces MPs after his government is forced into a humiliating reversal over welfare reform. But it's the appearance of the chancellor, Rach...

Labour's Welfare Problem

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Despite last week's U-turn, Keir Starmer still faces a backbench rebellion over welfare. Is it particularly difficult for a Labour Prime Min...

Starmer Faces Fresh Welfare Rebellion

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government made big concessions to its welfare reforms to win over Labour critics - but could the rebellion be about to grow, rather than shrink?E...

Starmer's Hat-Trick Of U-Turns

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The prime minister has been forced into a climbdown after more than 120 Labour MPs threatened to block his welfare bill. Is he back in control of the ...

Welfare Bill in Crisis

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rebel MPs are not backing down over the government's welfare bill, with Keir Starmer forced to contemplate concessions - can he win them over?  H...

PMQs: Rayner's Rough Ride Over Welfare

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With Keir Starmer away at the Nato summit, it's deputy prime minister's questions (again). Angela Rayner faces questions from Mel Stride about the mou...

Why Was Starmer Out Of The Loop?

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There was little sign of British influence as the US attacked Iran and then announced a ceasefire. Does it throw Starmer's judgement into question, or...

Is The UK Internationally Irrelevant?

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump's unilateral attack on Iran exposes the limit to which Britain can influence events in the Middle East. Should we be happy with the ...

Is There A "Window" For Iran Diplomacy?

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump's given Iran a "two-week" reprieve for negotiations and David Lammy has gone to Geneva for talks with the Iranian foreign minister. But c...

How Will The UK Respond If Trump Attacks?

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump is reported to have approved a plan to attack Iran, and the world waits to see if he uses it. But how will Keir Starmer respond?Hugo Rifk...

PMQs: Keir Starmer's 'Bag Carrier' Lifts The Lid

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's deputy PMQs this week while the prime minister is away, and we're joined by a special guest. Chris Ward is Keir Starmer's close aide and parliame...

Trump The Interventionist

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has demanded "a complete give up" from Iran in its conflict with Israel. But will wading into Middle Eastern affairs irk isolationis...

Starmer's Grooming Gangs U-Turn

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Having spent months resisting calls for a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, Keir Starmer changes his mind. How can he navigate the dif...

Israel Strikes Iran

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Israel attacked Iran's nuclear programme overnight - is there anything the West can do to influence the situation? Or are Britain and the US reduced t...

Tax Speculation Haunts Reeves

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Chancellor’s been defending the Spending Review, and she’s determined not to lose hope despite gloomy GDP figures. But can she escape a summer...

PMQs: Kemi Tries Panto

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's Spending Review day, and MPs were treated to a noisy PMQs after Kemi Badenoch promised to make it less like a courtroom and more like a pantomime...

Iron Chancellor...Or Not?

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the government says the Spending Review is settled, ministers are still facing questions about the U-turn on the winter fuel allowance. Should the ...

Could Farage Open The Coal Mines?

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nigel Farage says he wants to reopen a steelworks in South Wales and even open new coal mines. Is he winning the battle for Labour's post-industrial h...

A Trump-Musk Divorce

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s friendship imploded in dramatic fashion overnight - as simmering tension between the two escalated into all-out war acr...

Will The Winter Fuel U-Turn Work?

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's the government's biggest u-turn so far - but will Rachel Reeves' new winter fuel payments policy succeed?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the...

PMQs: Shipman Bows Out

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After five years and something like 150 episodes, Tim Shipman is leaving the Sunday Times and the podcast. What has he learned from unpacking all thos...

The Cost Of Preparing For War

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has promised to make Britain "battle ready" as he unveiled plans to improve the military - but will taxpayers be prepared to pay for high...

Starmer, Badenoch And Farage Take Aim

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch accuses Labour and Reform of 'fantasy economics', the day after Keir Starmer made the same charge about Nigel Farage. Is it doing a...

Is Farage 'Liz Truss All Over Again'?

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Keir Starmer has hit back at Nigel Farage - making a speech warning that Farage's "fantasy" economics will lead to a Liz Truss-style economic melt...

Reeves' Spending Squeeze

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After police chiefs publicly raised their concerns about budget cuts making it harder to keep us all safe, Rachel Reeves is under renewed pressure ove...

Farage Attacks 'Unpatriotic' Starmer

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nigel Farage has branded Keir Starmer as “one of the most unpatriotic prime ministers in our history" - is there a lack of patriotism on the le...

Labour vs Reform on Welfare

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Labour inches along its huge benefits u-turn, Nigel Farage says he would restore winter fuel payment and end the two child benefit cap. Is Reform b...

Labour's Tricky Week

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Vaizey is joined by Jane Merrick and Albie Amankona to discuss a week of big challenges for the government - from the EU reset to the U-turn on win...

Trump's Oval Office Takedowns

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mouths were agape when Donald Trump confronted South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa with false claims of white genocide.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the p...

PMQs: Starmer U-Turns On Winter Fuel

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer said more pensioners would get the winter fuel payment at PMQs. But had Kemi Badenoch even noticed the U-turn?Hugo Rifkind unpacks t...

Tories Sink In The Polls

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Tories have fallen to fourth place in the latest Times/YouGov poll - behind the Liberal Democrats for the first time in six years. Plus, Keir Star...

Has Starmer Surrendered?

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer's deal with the European Union will allow closer co-operation on security, food standards and travel - but will all that come at the...

The Price Of Starmer's EU Reset

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As European leaders meet in Tirana, is Keir Starmer inching Britain closer to Europe - and is that progress?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day ...

How Big Is The Space To The Left Of Starmer?

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the Prime Minister adopts increasingly tough rhetoric on immigration, can his opponents on the left offer a populist alternative?Hugo Rifkind unpac...

PMQs: Dead Party Walking

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kemi Badenoch dismisses Keir Starmer's “tiny tariff deal” with Donald Trump, while Keir Starmer called the Tories a “dead party walking.”...

Did Starmer Echo Enoch Powell?

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Keir Starmer is under fire for saying the UK could become an "island of strangers" unless new curbs on migration bring the numbers down - but are ...

Starmer's Stark Language On Immigration

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer claims soaring immigration has done 'incalculable' damage to the UK and risks creating an 'island of strangers'. But can he deliver on hi...

The Deification Of Trump

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Keir Starmer celebrates getting a trade agreement with the US over the line, does Peter Mandelson fit into Donald Trump's circle? Plus, how has mor...

A 'Very Big And Exciting' Trade Deal

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The UK finally has its trade deal with the US - but will it make us any richer?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and...

PMQs Unpacked: What Trade Deal?

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer wants to be celebrating its trade deal with India, worth 5 billion pounds to the British economy...but Kemi Badenoch instead presses him ...

The Winter Fuel Cut Backlash

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the cuts to the winter fuel allowance being blamed for Labour's problems at the ballot box, is there any chance of Number 10 changing course?Hugo...

The EU Plays Hardball On Migration

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer's hopes of a reset with the EU have taken a blow, after the bloc refused Britain access to critical crime and illegal migration data...

Local Elections: Reform On The March

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With Nigel Farage's Reform UK the clear winner from the English local elections and Runcorn by-election, have they broken the two-party system for goo...

Golf Diplomacy

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is Britain considering swapping a golf tournament for a trade deal? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hos...

PMQs: The Last One Before The Elections

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of Thursday's local elections in England, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch doesn't question Keir Starmer over net zero - instead focusing on the groomi...

100 Days Of Trump

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the news of the day including Donald Trump's first 100 days, whether secularism is just a historical blip, and whether the male-o...

Who Would Win From A Tory-Reform Pact?

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Senior Tories are being asked about the prospect of a pact with Reform UK ahead of local elections in England this week. But what's in it for Nigel Fa...

Douglas Murray

26 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode of the podcast, Douglas Murray joins Hugo Rifkind to discuss his new book - On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel, Hamas and th...

Washington, War and WhatsApp Etiquette

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Reeves is in Washington attempting to get a US trade deal over the line, while Donald Trump’s special envoy has arrived in Moscow to hold pea...

Trump 'In Cahoots' With Putin?

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After Donald Trump criticises Volodymyr Zelensky's approach to peace talks, does a deal look further away than ever? Plus, why does former defence sec...

PMQs: He Doesn't Have The Balls

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

MPs are back from recess which means the return of PMQs Unpacked. Kemi Badenoch asks Keir Starmer whether he’s changed his mind on how to define a w...

Starmer Breaks Silence On Trans Ruling

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Politics is back after recess, and Keir Starmer has finally responded to the Supreme Court ruling over the definition of a woman. Has it helped politi...

A Modernising Pope

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Following the death of Pope Francis, our columnists discuss the relationship between faith and politics, and the role of modern religious leaders.Plus...

Farage, Oak Trees, And The Problem With LinkedIn

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have we all lost the plot over an oak tree in North London? Will Nigel Farage force the government to rethink drilling for oil and gas in the North Se...

Starmer Risks Trade Stand-Off With Trump

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government insists it won't have to choose between trade with Donald Trump's America and the European Union, but can the prime minister continue t...

Defining A Woman

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The contentious issue of gender identity is back in the spotlight, following the UK Supreme Court's ruling on legal definition of woman - but how will...

Too Cosy With China?

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Government's move to seize control of British Steel has highlighted the extent of Chinese involvement in the UK's critical infrastructure - i...