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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Despite last week's U-turn, Keir Starmer still faces a backbench rebellion over welfare. Is it particularly difficult for a Labour Prime Minister to cut benefits? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Timandra Harkness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The government made big concessions to its welfare reforms to win over Labour critics - but could the rebellion be about to grow, rather than shrink? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Mulkerrins and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The prime minister has been forced into a climbdown after more than 120 Labour MPs threatened to block his welfare bill. Is he back in control of the party or is his authority permanently damaged? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jonathan Maitland and Theo Usherwood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Rebel MPs are not backing down over the government's welfare bill, with Keir Starmer forced to contemplate concessions - can he win them over? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With Keir Starmer away at the Nato summit, it's deputy prime minister's questions (again). Angela Rayner faces questions from Mel Stride about the mounting rebellion over welfare cuts. Ed Vaizey unpacks the action with Patrick Maguire and Gráinne Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
There was little sign of British influence as the US attacked Iran and then announced a ceasefire. Does it throw Starmer's judgement into question, or is the UK better off out of the loop? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Sarah Ditum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Donald Trump's unilateral attack on Iran exposes the limit to which Britain can influence events in the Middle East. Should we be happy with the role of bystander? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sebastian Payne and Carol Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Donald Trump's given Iran a "two-week" reprieve for negotiations and David Lammy has gone to Geneva for talks with the Iranian foreign minister. But can their diplomacy work? Ed Vaizey is joined by columnists Michael Binyon and Jane Merrick to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Donald Trump is reported to have approved a plan to attack Iran, and the world waits to see if he uses it. But how will Keir Starmer respond? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Claire Cohen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's deputy PMQs this week while the prime minister is away, and we're joined by a special guest. Chris Ward is Keir Starmer's close aide and parliamentary private secretary, known in Westminster as a 'bag carrier'. He explains what really goes on in the Commons chamber every Wednesday, and helps Hugo Rifkind and Patrick Maguire unpack the exchanges between Angela Rayner and Chris Philp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Donald Trump has demanded "a complete give up" from Iran in its conflict with Israel. But will wading into Middle Eastern affairs irk isolationists in his own party? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Lara Spirit and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Having spent months resisting calls for a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, Keir Starmer changes his mind. How can he navigate the difficult politics of another prime ministerial U-turn? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Jane Mulkerrins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Israel attacked Iran's nuclear programme overnight - is there anything the West can do to influence the situation? Or are Britain and the US reduced to the role of bystanders? Ed Vaizey unpacks the news and politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Emily Sheffield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Chancellor’s been defending the Spending Review, and she’s determined not to lose hope despite gloomy GDP figures. But can she escape a summer of speculation about tax rises to come? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's Spending Review day, and MPs were treated to a noisy PMQs after Kemi Badenoch promised to make it less like a courtroom and more like a pantomime. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons with The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire and the comedian Gráinne Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As the government says the Spending Review is settled, ministers are still facing questions about the U-turn on the winter fuel allowance. Should the chancellor just admit she got it wrong? Plus: Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Mariott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nigel Farage says he wants to reopen a steelworks in South Wales and even open new coal mines. Is he winning the battle for Labour's post-industrial heartlands? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Janice Turner and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s friendship imploded in dramatic fashion overnight - as simmering tension between the two escalated into all-out war across their social media platforms. Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Michael Binyon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's the government's biggest u-turn so far - but will Rachel Reeves' new winter fuel payments policy succeed? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After five years and something like 150 episodes, Tim Shipman is leaving the Sunday Times and the podcast. What has he learned from unpacking all those exchanges at PMQs? He hands over to Times chief political commentator Patrick Maguire, and with Hugo they unpack the exchanges between Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch - as the PM refuses to be drawn on plans to end the two child benefit cap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Keir Starmer has promised to make Britain "battle ready" as he unveiled plans to improve the military - but will taxpayers be prepared to pay for higher defence spending? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kemi Badenoch accuses Labour and Reform of 'fantasy economics', the day after Keir Starmer made the same charge about Nigel Farage. Is it doing any of them any good? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sir Keir Starmer has hit back at Nigel Farage - making a speech warning that Farage's "fantasy" economics will lead to a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown. So would Reform UK's policies crash the economy? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Zoe Strimpel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After police chiefs publicly raised their concerns about budget cuts making it harder to keep us all safe, Rachel Reeves is under renewed pressure over government spending. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nigel Farage has branded Keir Starmer as “one of the most unpatriotic prime ministers in our history" - is there a lack of patriotism on the left? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As Labour inches along its huge benefits u-turn, Nigel Farage says he would restore winter fuel payment and end the two child benefit cap. Is Reform becoming a big state, big benefits party now? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Carol Lewis and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ed Vaizey is joined by Jane Merrick and Albie Amankona to discuss a week of big challenges for the government - from the EU reset to the U-turn on winter fuel to finally signing off the Chagos deal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mouths were agape when Donald Trump confronted South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa with false claims of white genocide. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Keir Starmer said more pensioners would get the winter fuel payment at PMQs. But had Kemi Badenoch even noticed the U-turn? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action in the Commons with The Sunday Times' Chief Political Commentator Tim Shipman and the SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Tories have fallen to fourth place in the latest Times/YouGov poll - behind the Liberal Democrats for the first time in six years. Plus, Keir Starmer might've landed his EU reset deal, but Boris Johnson has labelled him the 'orange-ball chewing gimp of Brussels'. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Janice Turner and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
