Politics Unpacked
Wireless Group
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the the politics of the day - and the stuff that's even more important - with the brightest brains from the Times and Sunday Times.
You can listen to Hugo on DAB, smart speaker or app 10am-1pm Monday to Friday. If you like what you hear, then read more at http://www.thetimes.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Location:
United Kingdom
Genres:
News & Politics Podcasts
Description:
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the the politics of the day - and the stuff that's even more important - with the brightest brains from the Times and Sunday Times. You can listen to Hugo on DAB, smart speaker or app 10am-1pm Monday to Friday. If you like what you hear, then read more at http://www.thetimes.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Language:
English
Episodes
Local Elections: Reform On The March
5/2/2025
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 good?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with John McTernan, Salma Shah and Sir John Curtice.
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Duration:00:33:45
Golf Diplomacy
5/1/2025
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.
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Duration:00:33:11
PMQs: The Last One Before The Elections
4/30/2025
Ahead of Thursday's local elections in England, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch doesn't question Keir Starmer over net zero - instead focusing on the grooming gangs scandal and claims of a cover up.
Lara Spirit unpacks all the action from the Commons with Tim Shipman and the comedian Alistair Barrie.
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Duration:00:39:21
100 Days Of Trump
4/29/2025
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-only publisher's time has come. With James Marriott and Libby Purves.
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Duration:00:31:46
Who Would Win From A Tory-Reform Pact?
4/28/2025
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 Farage's Reform?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins, including the rising risk of strikes and what happened at this year's White House Correspondents Dinner.
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Duration:00:30:51
Douglas Murray
4/26/2025
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 the Future of the West. He argues that the future of the Western world is at stake in the Israel-Gaza war, and discusses Donald Trump's plan to create a "riviera of the Middle East".
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Duration:00:24:40
Washington, War and WhatsApp Etiquette
4/25/2025
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 peace talks with Putin. And why was half of Westminster added to a WhatsApp chat?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Sarah Vine.
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Duration:00:30:35
Trump 'In Cahoots' With Putin?
4/24/2025
After Donald Trump criticises Volodymyr Zelensky's approach to peace talks, does a deal look further away than ever? Plus, why does former defence secretary Grant Shapps say Trump is "in cahoots" with Vladimir Putin?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Manveen Rana.
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Duration:00:31:50
PMQs: He Doesn't Have The Balls
4/23/2025
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 woman.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Lara Spirit, Theo Usherwood and comedian Jon Harvey.
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Duration:00:41:28
Starmer Breaks Silence On Trans Ruling
4/22/2025
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 politicians answer some difficult questions? And could former Cameron adviser Steve Hilton be the next Governor of California?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.
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Duration:00:35:16
A Modernising Pope
4/21/2025
Following the death of Pope Francis, our columnists discuss the relationship between faith and politics, and the role of modern religious leaders.
Plus, should MPs and peers allow Donald Trump to address Parliament?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Zoe Strimpel and David Runciman.
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Duration:00:27:01
Farage, Oak Trees, And The Problem With LinkedIn
4/18/2025
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 Sea? And is it time to give LinkedIn a rest?
Harry Wallop is joined by Carol Lewis and Robin Brant.
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Duration:00:32:30
Starmer Risks Trade Stand-Off With Trump
4/17/2025
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 the tricky balancing act?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris.
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Duration:00:31:44
Defining A Woman
4/16/2025
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 this impact politics in Britain? Could Labour lose votes by becoming too gender critical?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson.
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Duration:00:34:41
Too cosy with China?
4/15/2025
The Government's move to seize control of British Steel has highlighted the extent of Chinese involvement in the UK's critical infrastructure - is the UK too cosy with China?
Plus, our columnists reveal their favourite hymns.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd.
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Duration:00:28:28
Save British Steel
4/14/2025
The future of British Steel hangs in the balance, after Parliament was dramatically recalled over the weekend to pass emergency legislation to keep the UK's last blast furnaces open - but was it neglect or sabotage?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Emma Duncan.
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Duration:00:32:45
Tit-For-Tat Trade War
4/11/2025
As the US and China continue their economic tit-for-tat, the UK is told that even a trade deal may not spare it from 10% tariffs. Can anyone win Trump's trade war?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Claire Fox.
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Duration:00:32:14
Trump Dumps Tariffs
4/10/2025
About 13 hours after they came into force, President Trump announced a 90-day pause for his reciprocal tariffs everywhere - except China. Has Trump been intimidated? And will the UK ever get a trade deal?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Lara Spirit.
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Duration:00:35:02
Boys Will Be Boys
4/9/2025
While the turmoil caused by Trump's tariffs continues, two members of his administration - Elon Musk and Peter Navarro - have traded blows about free trade. And, are the wealthy leaving London?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Jenni Russell.
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Duration:00:33:09
Will Trump's Cheerleaders Lose Faith?
4/8/2025
Elon Musk has broken company with Donald Trump over tariffs - but will it make any difference, and will Trump's other billionaire supporters follow?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.
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Duration:00:30:15