Politics Unpacked

Episodes

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  Is Britain Prepared For War? 23.10.2026 28m

  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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Chancellor Gets Down to Business 22.10.2026 31m

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  PMQs: Burnham’s Borrowing Problem 21.10.2026 45m

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Andy Burnham's Small Ideas 20.10.2026 29m

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What Burnham Can Really Achieve On Welfare Reform 19.10.2026 31m

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Burnham Heads Further North 16.10.2026 28m

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Zelensky Rallies His Allies 15.10.2026 34m

  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.
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  PMQs: Badenoch Accuses Burnham Of Putting His Foot In It 14.10.2026 53m

  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.
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  Why Everyone Is Talking About Brexit Again 13.10.2026 29m

  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.
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  Burnham's Brexit Claim Questioned 12.10.2026 35m

  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.
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  Polanski's Battle To Remain Green Leader 09.10.2026 30m

  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.
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  The Two-Party Fantasy 08.10.2026 33m

  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.
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  Kemi Badenoch’s Speech: What Did We Really Learn? 07.10.2026 14m

  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.
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  The Tory Conference Bubble 06.10.2026 29m

  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.
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  Badenoch Channels Her Inner Thatcher 05.10.2026 29m

  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.
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  Polanski's Polling Problem 02.10.2026 29m

  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.
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  Andy Burnham Reopens Old Brexit Wounds 01.10.2026 28m

  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.
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  Old Labour Is Back 30.09.2026 31m

  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.
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  Labour's Harsh Winter Ahead 29.09.2026 37m

  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.
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  Burnham's Big Cheques 28.09.2026 32m

  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.