Politics Unpacked
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- 13. Nov. 2026
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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/
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Folgen 2.070
Burnham's Brussels 'Win-Win'
Andy Burnham says Britain can strike a win-win deal with Brussels to boost economic growth. But negotiating with the EU has rarely been straightforward. Is he underestimating how difficult it will be?Lara …
Shownotes
Andy Burnham says Britain can strike a win-win deal with Brussels to boost economic growth. But negotiating with the EU has rarely been straightforward. Is he underestimating how difficult it will be?
Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon.
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Burnham's Diplomatic Dash
Andy Burnham is spending the day dashing between three countries, tackling some of the biggest issues on his agenda: climate change, the UK-EU relationship and Ukraine - is he the new ‘Never Here Keir’? Hugo …
Shownotes
Andy Burnham is spending the day dashing between three countries, tackling some of the biggest issues on his agenda: climate change, the UK-EU relationship and Ukraine - is he the new ‘Never Here Keir’?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Juliet Samuel and Matthew Syed.
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PMQs: How Burnham Has Changed It
Kemi Badenoch asked punchy questions of Andy Burnham at PMQs, challenging him on his 'ludicrous' energy policy and his 10-year plan. But with Burnham a more agile and personable performer than his predecessor …
Shownotes
Kemi Badenoch asked punchy questions of Andy Burnham at PMQs, challenging him on his 'ludicrous' energy policy and his 10-year plan. But with Burnham a more agile and personable performer than his predecessor Keir Starmer, is Badenoch struggling to adapt?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the chamber with The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire and former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Theo Bertram.
Photo credit: House of Commons
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Tories Take On Welfare
Kemi Badenoch has set out how she plans to cut £36 billion from the welfare bill including stopping children with behavioural disorders such as ADHD claiming disability benefits - but will people vote for this? …
Shownotes
Kemi Badenoch has set out how she plans to cut £36 billion from the welfare bill including stopping children with behavioural disorders such as ADHD claiming disability benefits - but will people vote for this?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Andy Silvester.
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Burnham's Climate Pragmatism
The government is expected to water down electric car targets just as world leaders gather for the latest climate summit. Is Burnham putting economic reality ahead of the push to net zero?Hugo unpacks the …
Shownotes
The government is expected to water down electric car targets just as world leaders gather for the latest climate summit. Is Burnham putting economic reality ahead of the push to net zero?
Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Libby Purves.
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Did Celebrity Culture Enable Russell Brand?
Russell Brand used his fame to prey on young women in the entertainment industry. There were rumours of his abuse for years. Was Brand enabled by the culture around him? Ed Vaizey unpacks the news of the day …
Shownotes
Russell Brand used his fame to prey on young women in the entertainment industry. There were rumours of his abuse for years. Was Brand enabled by the culture around him?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the news of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon.
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The Smoky Bacon Brexit Reset
Andy Burnham's deal with the EU could eliminate cross-border checks on food products - and spell the end for smoky bacon crisps.A cabinet minister says anyone concerned about the fate of the savoury snack …
Shownotes
Andy Burnham's deal with the EU could eliminate cross-border checks on food products - and spell the end for smoky bacon crisps.
A cabinet minister says anyone concerned about the fate of the savoury snack should "get a life". But should we be scrapping one lot of red tape for another?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Lara Spirit and Matthew Parris.
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DPMQs: Louise Haigh's Deputy Debut
Louise Haigh stands in for Andy Burnham at PMQs, where Tory MP Alex Burghart presses her on when Labour will bring down the benefits bill. But she stops short of giving him a date for cuts.Hugo unpacks the …
Shownotes
Louise Haigh stands in for Andy Burnham at PMQs, where Tory MP Alex Burghart presses her on when Labour will bring down the benefits bill. But she stops short of giving him a date for cuts.
Hugo unpacks the action from the chamber with Patrick Maguire, Ben Riley-Smith and Stefan Boscia.
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The Tories Close The Polling Gap
The Conservative party is only two points behind Labour in the latest YouGov poll for the Times. But is returning to levels of support last seen before a disastrous general election something to shout …
Shownotes
The Conservative party is only two points behind Labour in the latest YouGov poll for the Times. But is returning to levels of support last seen before a disastrous general election something to shout about?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Charlotte Ivers.
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Burnham Faces Reparations Row
Andy Burnham is joining The King in the Caribbean, where their visits are being overshadowed by demands for Britain to pay reparations for slavery. But should modern day Brits pay the price for the wrongs of …
Shownotes
Andy Burnham is joining The King in the Caribbean, where their visits are being overshadowed by demands for Britain to pay reparations for slavery. But should modern day Brits pay the price for the wrongs of the past?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Sebastian Payne.
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Funding Healey’s Defence Plans
The Chancellor is looking at off-the-books ways to boost defence spending, including schemes reminiscent of Gordon Brown's controversial PFI - has the government learned the lessons of the past?Ed Vaizey …
Shownotes
The Chancellor is looking at off-the-books ways to boost defence spending, including schemes reminiscent of Gordon Brown's controversial PFI - has the government learned the lessons of the past?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.
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Healey Finds Out We're In Hock To The Bond Markets
The think-tanks have been poring over John Healey's first budget, and they find plenty of grim news in the small print.The chancellor didn't frighten the bond markets, but did he in fact sound a bit in hock to …
Shownotes
The think-tanks have been poring over John Healey's first budget, and they find plenty of grim news in the small print.
The chancellor didn't frighten the bond markets, but did he in fact sound a bit in hock to them?
Lara Spirit is joined by Juliet Samuel and Josh Glancy to unpack the politics of the day.
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PMQs: Burnham's Brexit Booby-Trap
Kemi Badenoch accuses Andy Burnham of contradicting himself on Brexit, after he said he didn’t want to reopen the debate about re-joining the EU, but wants to improve the deal struck by the Tories - has the PM …
Shownotes
Kemi Badenoch accuses Andy Burnham of contradicting himself on Brexit, after he said he didn’t want to reopen the debate about re-joining the EU, but wants to improve the deal struck by the Tories - has the PM walked into a Brexit booby-trap?
Hugo unpacks PMQs with The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire
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Chancellor Braces For 'Economic Storm'
John Healey told his cabinet colleagues they must find more savings as Britain heads into an "economic storm" caused by high borrowing costs and energy prices - can his Budget balance the books while easing the …
Shownotes
John Healey told his cabinet colleagues they must find more savings as Britain heads into an "economic storm" caused by high borrowing costs and energy prices - can his Budget balance the books while easing the cost of living?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Andy Silvester.
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Burnham Flirts With Europe
Andy Burnham says he won't push for allowing Britain to join Europe's freedom of movement scheme without a referendum, but would like to see the UK rejoin the EU in his lifetime - but is he being clear on what …
Shownotes
Andy Burnham says he won't push for allowing Britain to join Europe's freedom of movement scheme without a referendum, but would like to see the UK rejoin the EU in his lifetime - but is he being clear on what he wants the relationship to look like?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd
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Is Britain Prepared For War?
The government is urging the public to stockpile essential supplies, warning that conflict, climate disasters and cyberattacks could disrupt everyday life. But will people take the threat seriously?Ryan Tubridy …
Shownotes
The government is urging the public to stockpile essential supplies, warning that conflict, climate disasters and cyberattacks could disrupt everyday life. But will people take the threat seriously?
Ryan Tubridy unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon
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The Chancellor Gets Down to Business
The Chancellor's told The Times he wants his Budget to help what he calls “bloody-minded entrepreneurs” - but with the government having already lost the confidence of many businesses, can it win them back? …
Shownotes
The Chancellor's told The Times he wants his Budget to help what he calls “bloody-minded entrepreneurs” - but with the government having already lost the confidence of many businesses, can it win them back?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Juliet Samuel and Matthew Parris.
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PMQs: Burnham’s Borrowing Problem
Kemi Badenoch accuses Andy Burnham of failing to get borrowing under control, while Burnham insists he’s prepared to make tough decisions.Hugo unpacks PMQs with Cindy Yu, former adviser to Rachel Reeves Matt …
Shownotes
Kemi Badenoch accuses Andy Burnham of failing to get borrowing under control, while Burnham insists he’s prepared to make tough decisions.
Hugo unpacks PMQs with Cindy Yu, former adviser to Rachel Reeves Matt Pound, and Stefan Boscia.
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Andy Burnham's Small Ideas
The government wants to cap private parking fines, arguing that fixing life's small annoyances is important - but are they really just trying to distract us from the big issues facing the country? Hugo Rifkind …
Shownotes
The government wants to cap private parking fines, arguing that fixing life's small annoyances is important - but are they really just trying to distract us from the big issues facing the country?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott.
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What Burnham Can Really Achieve On Welfare Reform
The Prime Minister writes in the Times about the "economic catastrophe and moral failure" of one million young people not in employment, education or training.But can he succeed where Keir Starmer failed and …
Shownotes
The Prime Minister writes in the Times about the "economic catastrophe and moral failure" of one million young people not in employment, education or training.
But can he succeed where Keir Starmer failed and convince Labour MPs that welfare reform is needed?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Sebastian Payne.
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Burnham Heads Further North
Andy Burnham parks his tank on the SNP’s lawn, challenging John swinney to work with him on devolution - but is this an offer of cooperation, or is it mostly political fighting talk?Ed Vaizey unpacks the …
Shownotes
Andy Burnham parks his tank on the SNP’s lawn, challenging John swinney to work with him on devolution - but is this an offer of cooperation, or is it mostly political fighting talk?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.
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Zelensky Rallies His Allies
The Ukrainian President said he felt 'betrayed' by the US over the loss of access to Starlink. Andy Burnham has pledged to 'heal' the rift - but can he do so without American support? Hugo Rifkind is joined by …
Shownotes
The Ukrainian President said he felt 'betrayed' by the US over the loss of access to Starlink. Andy Burnham has pledged to 'heal' the rift - but can he do so without American support?
Hugo Rifkind is joined by Sarah Ditum and Andy Silvester to unpack the politics of the day.
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PMQs: Badenoch Accuses Burnham Of Putting His Foot In It
PMQs Unpacked is back after recess, as Kemi Badenoch presses Andy Burnham on Brexit and benefits - and asks whether he ever gets tired of putting his foot in his mouth.Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire …
Shownotes
PMQs Unpacked is back after recess, as Kemi Badenoch presses Andy Burnham on Brexit and benefits - and asks whether he ever gets tired of putting his foot in his mouth.
Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika to unpack the exchanges from the Commons, live at The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival.
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Why Everyone Is Talking About Brexit Again
Brexit is firmly back on the political agenda, but does anyone really mean it? And did Robert Jenrick really mean what he said about using ‘lethal force’ in the Channel?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the …
Shownotes
Brexit is firmly back on the political agenda, but does anyone really mean it? And did Robert Jenrick really mean what he said about using ‘lethal force’ in the Channel?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott.
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Burnham's Brexit Claim Questioned
After Andy Burnham says said it's clear Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum, one of his ministers clarifies the Kremlin tried - but failed - to influence the vote. Has the PM been careless?Hugo Rifkind …
Shownotes
After Andy Burnham says said it's clear Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum, one of his ministers clarifies the Kremlin tried - but failed - to influence the vote. Has the PM been careless?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Seb Payne
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Polanski's Battle To Remain Green Leader
Zack Polanski failed to take Holborn & St Pancras from Labour in the by-election - as criticism of his handling of a controversial Zionism policy continues, is he fighting for his survival?Ed Vaizey unpacks the …
Shownotes
Zack Polanski failed to take Holborn & St Pancras from Labour in the by-election - as criticism of his handling of a controversial Zionism policy continues, is he fighting for his survival?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.
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The Two-Party Fantasy
Labour and the Tories are feeling pretty good after party conference season - but is a return to two-party politics really on the cards, or are they kidding themselves?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with …
Shownotes
Labour and the Tories are feeling pretty good after party conference season - but is a return to two-party politics really on the cards, or are they kidding themselves?
Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Juliet Samuel.
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Kemi Badenoch’s Speech: What Did We Really Learn?
Kemi Badenoch has given her big speech at Tory conference, with a promise to scrap inheritance tax on family homes, and a warning that the country is running out of money.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the speech with …
Shownotes
Kemi Badenoch has given her big speech at Tory conference, with a promise to scrap inheritance tax on family homes, and a warning that the country is running out of money.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the speech with Anna Mikhailova, Lara Spirit, Josh Glancy and Robert Colville.
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The Tory Conference Bubble
The Tories are in an upbeat mood at their party conference, but the polls are flat and plenty of seats are empty. Are they insulated from political reality? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Badenoch Channels Her Inner Thatcher
It’s the Conservative Party conference, and it’s all about what Kemi Badenoch is calling “Kemistry” - but why does the Tory obsession with Margaret Thatcher continue? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the …
Shownotes
It’s the Conservative Party conference, and it’s all about what Kemi Badenoch is calling “Kemistry” - but why does the Tory obsession with Margaret Thatcher continue?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Seb Payne.
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