Politics Unpacked

The Burnham Coronation 17.07.2026 33min

Andy Burnham has officially been elected Labour leader. In three days time, he'll become Prime Minister. He says he's got "a plan" - but can he deliver?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Theo Bertram and Alys Denby.You can hear more of Ed on Times Radio every Friday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Shabana Mahmood Burnham's Chancellor? 16.07.2026 34min

Andy Burnham is days away from announcing his cabinet, with Shabana Mahmood expected to be named as chancellor. Spare a thought for Ed Miliband...Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Matthew Parris. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs: Starmer's Journey Comes To An End 15.07.2026 53min

Keir Starmer delivers his final Prime Minister's Questions before leaving office, calling it "the end of my political journey" in an at-times emotional final appearance at the despatch box.Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit to unpack the exchanges, assess Starmer's legacy, and ask how his performances at PMQs will be remembered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Safe Are Our Politicians? 14.07.2026 34min

As counterterrorism police now lead the investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death, Reform UK MPs are raising concerns about their own safety. Is it time to rethink how Britain's politicians are protected?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott.You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burnham's Countdown, Farage's Gifts and Labour's Bros 13.07.2026 34min

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Janice Turner. Are Andy Burnham's plans for government really ready? Do voters think Nigel Farage has behaved incorrectly over undeclared  gifts? And is Labour's woman problem worse than it realises?You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burnham, Binface & Posh Boy Summer 10.07.2026 30min

Andy Burnham is being swept to power by Labour on a 'tidal wave of obsequiousness' - is he making the best use of his moment of maximum power? Why is there a backlash against Count Binface? And what is 'posh boy summer'? Ed Vaizey is joined by Alys Denby and Michael Binyon to unpack the politics of the day. You can hear more of Ed on Times Radio every Friday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Burnham Too Soft? 09.07.2026 29min

Andy Burnham has promised to make Labour MPs feel "happy and fulfilled" by easing party discipline and turning the Whips' Office into something more like an HR department. It's a very different approach to Keir Starmer's leadership - but will it work?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DPMQs: Don't Talk About Farage 08.07.2026 46min

In the penultimate PMQs before the summer recess, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly face off in the Commons - but with questions hanging over Nigel Farage's future, there's surprisingly little mention of the Reform UK leader...Ed Vaizey is joined by Lara Spirit and Matthew Syed to unpack the exchanges from the House of Commons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burnham's Gamble & Starmer's Substack 07.07.2026 30min

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers.Why is Andy Burnham taking a "one-and-done" approach to Cabinet appointments? And who is reading Keir Starmer's Substack? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Farage In Serious Trouble? 06.07.2026 34min

Nigel Farage is under pressure after The Sunday Times revealed he had not declared benefits from an ally previously convicted of fraud in the US. He denies any wrongdoing.How serious is the challenge to his leadership, and to Reform UK? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Sebastian Payne.You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pmAnd you can hear the full story of the Sunday Times revelations about Nigel Farage in a new podcast by the Insight team. It's called Posh George: The criminal behind Farage. Listen here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Takes Advice (Except From Truss) 03.07.2026 30min

Kemi Badenoch has sought advice from all her living predecessors except one - so who didn't get the call?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Will Lloyd and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Tells Labour Women To 'Stop Moaning' 02.07.2026 30min

Kemi Badenoch has accused female Labour MPs of engaging in "failed identity politics" by asking Andy Burnham to commit to making 50 per cent of his ministers women.Is she right to accuse them of "moaning"?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Matthew Parris.You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs: Starmer's Not So Lucky DIP 01.07.2026 42min

Kemi Badenoch accuses Keir Starmer of leaving defence spending in a mess for Andy Burnham, but Starmer blames the Tories for underfunding the military when they were in government. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Patrick Maguire, Stefan Boscia and comedian Alisdair Beckett-King. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starmer's Farewell Tour 30.06.2026 33min

Keir Starmer unveils the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan in one of his final acts as prime minister. But what will the incoming PM, Andy Burnham, make of it all? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott.You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burnham Addresses The Nation 29.06.2026 20min

Andy Burnham has set out his vision for spreading power across the UK, including a new "No. 10 North".Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire, Seb Payne and Joshi Herrmann to unpack the speech by the man who is almost certainly going to be prime minister within weeks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has Labour Left The Country In Stasis? 26.06.2026 33min

Andy Burnham is the de-facto prime minister - has the Labour Party left the country in stasis while we wait for him to arrive in Downing Street?And why is an immigration minister arguing in public with the home secretary, and not getting the sack? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon.You can hear more of Ed on Times Radio every Friday, 10am-1pm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burnham v Trump, Tackling Welfare and SNP Accents 25.06.2026 38min

How will Andy Burnham handle Donald Trump, does he have a genuine chance to reform welfare, and should we sympathise with the SNP MP accused of faking her Scottish accent?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQS: Kemi Gets Personal 24.06.2026 44min

Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch for the first time since announcing his resignation. The Tory leader asks if Starmer felt let down by his cabinet - but did her personal jibes go too far?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Patrick Maguire and Ryan Tubridy. You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Anyone Notice Starmer Resigned? 23.06.2026 22min

Keir Starmer's resignation was distinctly less dramatic than previous Prime Ministers' - is Britain just too used to upheaval in Downing Street?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer Resigns 22.06.2026 34min

Keir Starmer resigns, paving the way for Andy Burnham to be the next Prime Minister.What sort of leader will Burnham be, and why is the UK on its way to its seventh PM in a decade?Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves, Sebastian Payne and Theo Bertram, former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.