Politics Unpacked

Επεισόδια

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  Trump and the AI 'Hoax' 15.09.2026 30λ

  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.
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  Reform's Record-Breaking Donations 14.09.2026 33λ

  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.
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  Burnham's Winter of Gloom 11.09.2026 29λ

  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.
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  Burnham’s Early Election Dilemma 10.09.2026 30λ

  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.
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  PMQs: National Security vs Social Security 09.09.2026 46λ

  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.
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  Burnham Risks Trump's Anger 08.09.2026 33λ

  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.
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  Healey Promises 'Growth Britain' 07.09.2026 35λ

  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.
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  'Dodgy Money' Claims Dog Reform Conference 04.09.2026 29λ

  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.
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  Burnham, Bayeux & Boats 03.09.2026 31λ

  Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron have met in No.10, with small boats high on the agenda - but have the French done enough to stop dinghies crossing the Channel?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Lara Spirit and Sarah Ditum.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  PMQs: Vibes Aren't Enough? 02.09.2026 47λ

  Andy Burnham faces his first PMQs as Prime Minister - with Kemi Badenoch calling him a “yes man”, and one of his own MPs applying pressure over defence spending.Hugo unpacks the exchanges with The Times’ Patrick Maguire and The Sunday Times’ Ben Riley-Smith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Burnham Faces Political Reality 01.09.2026 33λ

  Andy Burnham returns to the despatch box for his first appearance as Prime Minister. Can he handle the Commons - and who are his critics within the Labour Party?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Badenoch Reshuffles Her Team 31.08.2026 26λ

  Kemi Badenoch has begun a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet, with high profile names including Priti Patel and James Cleverly out. What is she trying to achieve, and does the public know who any of them are?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sebastian Payne and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Burnham's Continuity Government? 28.08.2026 33λ

  The Chancellor says Andy Burnham is running a 'continuity government,' hinting that his economic policies won't differ much from Keir Starmer's. But can the prime minister really implement a 'fiscally disciplined' Budget without taking a hit to his poll ratings?Ryan Tubridy unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Burnham’s Welsh Challenge 27.08.2026 35λ

  Andy Burnham is in Wales for his first official visit to the former Labour heartlands since taking power. He'll be hoping to spark a Welsh Labour recovery - but can the PM win back voters?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Josh Glancy and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Burnham's Balancing Act on Israel 26.08.2026 35λ

  Andy Burnham is set to announce tough new sanctions on West Bank settlements, but is warned they could turn into a de facto boycott of the whole country. How does he balance the competing demands within the Labour party?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Long Road to the Budget 25.08.2026 33λ

  Andy Burnham has hinted at tax rises in the Budget, saying he “won’t be unrealistic” about the state of the public finances - but what do prime ministers mean when they talk about 'challenging' and 'difficult' decisions?  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Burnham On The World Stage 24.08.2026 37λ

  A visit to Ukraine is Andy Burnham's first chance to prove himself on the world stage. Will he, like other former PMs, end up over shadowing his foreign secretary?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Sebastian Payne.Picture: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Burnham Banks On Optimism 21.08.2026 32λ

  In his first month in office, Andy Burnham has tried to project a message of hope and optimism. But as problems pile up, will that start to look out of touch?Ryan Tubridy unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Problem With Labour's Asylum Leaflet 20.08.2026 31λ

  Asylum seekers are being given a pamphlet telling them that domestic abuse and sex with children is illegal.The government says it needs to teach people from different cultures about British values, but opposition parties have branded it a disgrace.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Jimmy McLoughlin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Burnham: Popular Or People-Pleaser? 19.08.2026 33λ

  Andy Burnham tells the Times that the job of being prime minister is to be popular, rather than making a "fetish" of toughness. But does that mean avoiding difficult decisions?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.