Politics Unpacked

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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Does Trump's 'Madman Theory' Work?

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As President Trump reverses tariffs just days after introducing them, and claims he can get Putin to agree to a peace deal for mysterious reasons, is his unpredictability a strength or...

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Mar 6, 2025

Who's In Charge Of Our Nuclear Deterrent?

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Britain controls our nuclear deterrent, but the missiles are leased from the Americans - so what happens if the US decided not to help?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast....

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Mar 5, 2025

PMQs: JD Vance Looms Large

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Keir Starmer makes a pointed response to JD Vance after the US Vice President referred to "troops from some random country", and Kemi Badenoch offers her support over Ukraine.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons chamber...

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Mar 4, 2025

Trump Halts Aid To Ukraine

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After Donald Trump's abrupt halt to US military aid for Ukraine, how will Keir Starmer and the rest of Europe respond? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See...

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Mar 3, 2025

Starmer's Coalition Of The Willing

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Keir Starmer is uniting Europe's leaders around support for Ukraine, but as more and more money is given to the war effort, will the public start to wonder if it's really worth it?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Jane...

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Feb 28, 2025

What Did Starmer Get From Trump?

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Keir Starmer returns from his trip to Washington where his meeting with Trump seemed to go pretty well - but has Starmer really secured wins for the UK? Or is it all theatrics? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Merrick...

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Feb 27, 2025

Trump's Love/Hate Relationship With Europe

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Despite European leaders, including Keir Starmer, meeting Trump at the White House this week, Trump is still planning a deal with Ukraine without a security guarantee. Does anyone in Europe know how to respond to him?Hugo Rifkind unpacks...

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Feb 26, 2025

PMQs: Desperate Search For Relevance

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PMQs Unpacked is back - and today Keir Starmer clashes with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch over the UK's planned increase in defence spending. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit...

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Feb 25, 2025

Starmer Gets Ready For Trump

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What can Keir Starmer learn from Emmanuel Macron cosying up to Donald Trump?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Katy Balls and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 24, 2025

Lessons From The German Election

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A centre-left government kicked out by the electorate, with immigration the dominant issue... Are there lessons from the German election for Keir Starmer and Labour?And what is KMT, or Kemi Mean Time? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick...

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Feb 21, 2025

Stuff's Got Real

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Starmer is under pressure to increase defence spending ahead of his trip to Washington next week, but where will the money come from and will the public accept cuts elsewhere?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon...

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Feb 20, 2025

Starmer's "Love Actually" Moment?

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Half of voters think it is in Britain’s interest to stand up to Donald Trump over Ukraine, but would it even make a difference?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See...

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Feb 19, 2025

President Musk

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President Trump and Elon Musk put their friendship on full display in an hour long interview on Fox News. Will their bromance last? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See...

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Feb 18, 2025

Rachel Reeves' Inflated CV

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After claims she exaggerated her CV, Rachel Reeves' entry in Who's Who is found to be at fault. Will it cut through with the public?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See...

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Feb 17, 2025

Trump, The Right & Starmer's Favourite Pub

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Hugo is unpacking the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins.Should we all calm down over Trump's plans for Ukraine? What do the right-wing thinkers gathering for a conference in London really believe? And Patrick...

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Feb 14, 2025

Is Keir Starmer Just a Pawn?

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A new book by Times and Sunday Times journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund charts Keir Starmer's rise to power, his journey from promising unity to taking on the Labour left, and raises questions about whether it is him - or...

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Feb 13, 2025

Trump Accused Of Betraying Ukraine

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Trump and Putin have agreed to negotiate the end of the war in Ukraine, but where does this leave Kyiv?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

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Feb 12, 2025

PMQs: Open Borders & Lefty Lawyers

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Keir Starmer criticises Kemi Badenoch's repetitive questioning, as the Tory leader finds herself on the defensive over immigration law.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman and comedian...

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Feb 11, 2025

Can The UK Avoid A Trade War?

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Donald Trump's tariffs will have a big impact the UK steel industry, but unlike EU leaders, Starmer isn't going to retaliate - does he have a plan?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted...

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Feb 10, 2025

Is Labour The Disrupter - Or The Disrupted?

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After Keir Starmer tells his cabinet they need to be the "disrupters if you don't want to be disrupted", can they live up to the billing - and is this just a reaction to the rise of Reform UK? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day...

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