Podcast · News
by Times Radio · English · News
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.
15 Oct 2026 · 34 minNew
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
14 Oct 2026 · 54 minNew
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
13 Oct 2026 · 30 minNew
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12 Oct 2026 · 36 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
9 Oct 2026 · 30 min
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
8 Oct 2026 · 33 min
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7 Oct 2026 · 15 min
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
6 Oct 2026 · 30 min
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.
5 Oct 2026 · 30 min
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2 Oct 2026 · 30 min
The Green Party has slipped in the polls since Andy Burnham became Labour leader. Is it a temporary setback, or does Zack Polanski have a bigger problem? And could a motion on Zionism risk alienating some of his supporters? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 Oct 2026 · 29 min
The prime minister has said a future Labour election manifesto could promise a new in-out referendum on the EU - but does Britain want to spend any more years debating Brexit? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Juliet Samuel and Alice Thomson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 Sep 2026 · 32 min
Andy Burnham's conference speech was bold - but was it, as some are claiming, the most left-wing speech by a prime minister since the 1970s? And does the PM mind if it is? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
29 Sep 2026 · 37 min
Andy Burnham wants to project a message of hope, but with rising costs, is the country - and the Labour Party - facing a challenging winter to come? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day at Labour Party conference with Janice Turner and Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28 Sep 2026 · 33 min
The chancellor says the money simply isn't there, but Andy Burnham began party conference with a big pledge on free adult social care in England. What are the hard choices needed to pay for it? Plus: Polling expert Sir John Curtice on how popular it would be with the public. Hugo unpacks the politics of the day live from Labour Party Conference in Liverpool with Noa Hoffman and Theo Bertram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 Sep 2026 · 29 min
Donald Trump said the US and China had "never gotten along better" as he laid on a lavish banquet for Xi Jinping at the White House. Why is he rolling out the red carpet for his biggest rival? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
24 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Tony Blair is flexing his muscles, telling Andy Burnham that Britain should rejoin the EU within a decade - without another referendum. Could Burnham put it in Labour’s next manifesto? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Ayesha Hazarika Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
23 Sep 2026 · 30 min
Andy Burnham has agreed to review the Chagos deal after Donald Trump called it 'terrible' at their meeting in New York. But can it be renegotiated, or is it dead in the water? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
22 Sep 2026 · 35 min
Andy Burnham is having his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump at the United Nations. But will Burnham’s past comments about the US president make for an awkward encounter? Plus, Danny Dyer's expletive-filled view on Andy Burnham and fashion tips for Liberal Democrats. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Carol Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Ed Davey is trying to re-energise the Liberal Democrats at the party’s conference in Brighton - but do his speeches reveal a party struggling to find a clear national message? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Timandra Harkness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
18 Sep 2026 · 31 min
While 'Never-Here-Keir' was accused of spending too much time abroad, Andy Burnham has preferred to host foreign leaders in the UK - and often away from Downing Street. Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17 Sep 2026 · 33 min
With the public finances under pressure, the unions meet John Healey and make a series of demands ahead of the Budget. Can Andy Burnham avoid the sense that he's running a 'traditional tax and spend socialist government'? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Andy Silvester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
16 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Open AI boss Sam Altman says people are "right to be afraid" of artificial intelligence but that firms like his can be trusted to "do the right thing" - so should we rely on Silicon Valley to regulate itself? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Mulkerrins and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Donald Trump dismisses warnings about AI as a “hoax” by those who want to regulate the industry. But how worried should we be - and what happens if the president doesn’t take the threat seriously? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
14 Sep 2026 · 33 min
Reform UK is confident that the £72m in donations it received from two crypto-billionaires are legal, but could the government still change the law to force them to return the money? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Sonia Sodha. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11 Sep 2026 · 29 min
Britons face an expensive winter with rising bills and the prospect of higher taxes. Can Andy Burnham still deliver on his promise to make people feel “hopeful” as the cold sets in? And on the anniversary of 9/11, is Britain safer or more dangerous than it was 25 years ago? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10 Sep 2026 · 30 min
A successful party conference could tempt Andy Burnham to call an early general election, but will he take the risk? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
9 Sep 2026 · 46 min
At PMQs, Andy Burnham says that national security "can't come at the expense of social security". But if he won't cut benefits to fund defence, where will he find the money? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Lara Spirit, Deputy Political Editor of The Sunday Times, and Chris Ward, Labour MP and former aide to Keir Starmer. Picture: House of Commons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
8 Sep 2026 · 33 min
Andy Burnham's first policy move risks angering President Trump, will there be a backlash from the US? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7 Sep 2026 · 36 min
John Healey made his first major speech since becoming Chancellor, saying the economy is 'turning a corner' and promising growth. Is his optimism justified? Hugo Rikfind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
4 Sep 2026 · 30 min
Reform UK's conference is underway in Birmingham - but allegations the party breached political donation rules threaten to derail the event. Nigel Farage insists his party has broken no laws. But with two senior officials stepping aside, the questions keep coming. Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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.
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