Politics Unpacked - podcast cover

Politics Unpacked

Times Radiowww.thetimes.co.uk

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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Episodes

Budget special

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Richard Fletcher, Philip Aldrick and Janice Turner for a Budget special, plus a look at George Osborne the Chancellor and the man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 17, 201529 min

Is the political ice cap starting to break?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Matthew Parris and Hugo Rifkind. Jenni Russell:Is the icecap starting to break? For months the polls have been locked, with Labour and the Tories stuck on a third of the vote, and Labour remaining just slightly ahead. Labour has been hoping that the electorate will reject austerity; the Tories have been anxiously awaiting a reward for seeing the economy turning at last. Ashcroft's latest poll puts the Tories four points ahead; more importantly the Tori...

Mar 10, 201532 min

Immigration special

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Alice Thomson, Rachel Sylvester and Philip Webster. The panel discuss how the major parties are confronting the issue of immigration ahead of the general election in May. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 03, 201526 min

Should there be restrictions on MPs' second jobs?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Lucy Fisher, Isabel Hardman and David Aaronovitch. Lucy Fisher:Yesterday a new “cash for access” scandal exploded, after MPs Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind were caught out offering their influence and political contacts in exchange for money. The revelation looks set to erode further voters’ faith in mainstream politics, which will benefit only Ukip and the Greens at the polls in May. The scandal has also sparked a row about MPs’ second jobs, on which many are no...

Feb 24, 201527 min

Politics special: key weaknesses

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Suzy Jagger, Lech Mintowt-Czyz and Philip Webster. The panel discuss:1. Focus on the Conservative Party's key weakness - being party of the rich. Are they in danger of being too punitive on welfare? 2. Focus on Labour's key weakness - their remoteness from business. Is it too late to correct?3. Key weakness of all of the parties - a complete disinterest in foreign policy. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

Feb 17, 201529 min

Should Ukraine be armed?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Roger Boyes, Roland Watson and Anne Applebaum - the panel discuss the deteriorating situation in Eastern Ukraine. Should Ukraine be armed? Does Britain have any foreign policy at present?In addition, conservative commentator John O'Sullivan joins Tim direct from Sydney to talk about Tony Abbott's leadership in Australia. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 10, 201533 min

Davos and the state of UK politics

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Richard Fletcher, business editor, and Philip Aldrick, economics editor, as they discuss recent events in Davos and Greece. Plus, our political sketch writer, Ann Treneman, joins the president of YouGov, Peter Kellner, to discuss the state of UK politics.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 27, 201529 min

Are political promises worth it?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Sam Coates, Daniel Finkelstein and Anne Ashworth.The panel discuss David Cameron's employment manifesto pledge, the response of the Muslim Council of Britain to the letter from Eric Pickles plus the astounding response to the National Savings & Investment Pensioner Bonds. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 20, 201531 min

Is there a generational difference over the Paris massacres?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Alice Thomson, Laura Pitel and Libby Purves. Generational difference on the Paris massacres, 'weaponising' the NHS and televised political debates.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 201525 min

Is this an election to lose?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Matthew Parris and Rachel Sylvester. The panel discusses the forthcoming general election:All of the politicians say that this election matters more than any for a generation but they always do. But are they right this time?In terms of the minor parties, who has the potential to most affect the outcome of the next parliament: Ukip or the SNP?Who will be prime minister at the end of the year?Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read...

Jan 06, 201529 min

Review of 2014

Tim Montgomerie is joined by cartoonist Peter Brookes to review the biggest talking points of 2014 with his favourite drawings of the year with Anne Ashworth and Hugo Rifkind.Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-readSubscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 25, 201433 min

Looking forward to 2015

Special 2015 edition: Tim Montgomerie is joined by Roland Watson, Fay Schlesinger and Francis Elliott to discuss some potential big talking points in the year ahead. Tim also roams the newsroom to chat to various Times editors to see what is on their 'ones to watch' list. Subscribe in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-readSubscribe to The Times: www.thetimes.co.uk' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 22, 201437 min

What will Russia do next?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Fay Schlesinger and Robert Crampton. David AaronovitchYesterday the Russian rouble dropped to an all-time low rate of 63 against the dollar, and interest rates were raised by 6.5% to 17%. Part of this economic collapse is due to the oil price drop and part to sanctions following the annexation of the Crimea. Meanwhile, for the last few weeks reports have been multiplying of aggressive Russian air activity, which could itself endanger more civilian ...

Dec 16, 201428 min

How do you kill an idea?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster, Melanie Phillips and Robbie Millen. Philip Webster:The Lib Dems are flailing around trying to show they are different from the Tories they have kept in office. It won't work. They have just signed off the autumn statement whose accompanying documents contain all the cuts they now so despise. They should pull out of the coalition. That will prove they are different. It won't mean an early election.Melanie Phillips:The appeal of Islamic State lies in th...

Dec 09, 201436 min

Are proposed tax cuts an empty promise?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Giles Whittell and Libby Purves. Francis Elliott:All four political parties are promising to cut taxes after the next election despite a deficit which is stubbornly refusing to fall. Worse they pretend they are doing so to make work pay for lower-income households but that's just not true. Vote for no tax cuts!Giles Whittell:China has been watching Vladimir Putin's brinkmanship in eastern Europe. It sees what can be accomplished through bullying inde...

Dec 02, 201429 min

Are we winning the war against Isis?

Philip Webster is joined by Suzy Jagger, Hugo Rifkind and Roger Alton. The panel discuss the progress against Isis, the launch of The National - a brand new newspaper in Scotland - and Labour's popularity following the Thornberry affair.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 25, 201427 min

Recognising the church in society

Philip Webster is joined by Patrick Kidd, Anne Ashworth and Daniel Finkelstein. Recognising the church's role in society, the housing dilemma and Lord Owen's proposal.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 18, 201429 min

Does Labour lack leadership?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Matthew Parris, Roger Boyes and Alice Thomson.Labour leadership, Obama foreign policy and tackling dementia. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 11, 201428 min

Could we all lose out come May?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Ann Treneman and Rachel Sylvester. David Aaronovitch:The Age of Uncertainty. Not only do we not know the likely result of the next election, but it would be a fool who even attempted a prediction. In May we could see everyone losing and by June all three major party leaders standing down. Eek. Ann Treneman:George Osborne is on a one man mission to revitalise the north although the phrase 'northern powerhouse' may be the most patronising thing a pol...

Nov 04, 201430 min

Has the immigration debate become toxic?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Jenni Russell, Philip Webster and Libby Purves.Jenni Russell This week the Defence Secretary apologised after saying that some communities in Britain felt swamped by immigrants. He used a word that he must have known had a toxic resonance in the debate. The Archbishop of Canterbury, appalled, has pleaded with politicians not to portray individual immigrants as a 'deep menace'. He is right. Politicians are behaving scandalously. The answer to the problems created by r...

Oct 28, 201430 min

Is property a ticking time bomb in Britain?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Laura Pitel and Richard Fletcher. Hugo Rifkind:"Mansion taxes, higher council taxes and rises in stamp duty are all opposed by many affluent homeowners, and often with good reason. They should realise that property in Britain is a time bomb they cannot escape. If measures are not taken soon to make more housing available to more people, then, twenty years from now, there will be such an appetite for savage taxes on homeowners as to make them inevitable....

Oct 21, 201429 min

Will rising waiting lists spell disaster for the Tories?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Rachel Sylvester, Philip Aldrick and Giles Whittell.The panel debate the effect of Andrew Lansley's health reforms, France and Germany's role in the stability of the Eurozone, plus Obama's foreign policy is put under the microscope. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 14, 201428 min

Special: UKIP gain first elected MP

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Philip Webster and Daniel Finkelstein to discuss UKIP politician, Douglas Carswell's victory in the Clacton by-election. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 10, 201421 min

Conservative Conference special

Tim Montgomerie hosts this special edition of Did You Read? from the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.Featuring Philip Collins, Ann Treneman and Tory MP Owen Paterson, plus Phil Webster talks about the most influential people on the right today.Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 30, 201421 min

Labour Conference special

Tim Montgomerie hosts this special edition of Did You Read? from the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.Featuring Jenni Russell, Matthew Parris, Phil Webster, plus Matthew Elliott from Taxpayers Alliance and Marcus Roberts from the Fabian Society on the fallout from the Scottish Referendum. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 23, 201424 min

Referendum Review: We Are Staying Together, But How?

Philip Collins, Richard Fletcher and Melanie Reid of The Times join Tim Montgomerie for this special edition of Did You Read?, where they discuss the Scottish Referendum result, the consequences for the entire UK as well as ask which party leader has come off worst?Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 19, 201423 min

Referendum Special: Scotland decides

The panel discuss the latest news ahead of the independence referendum in Scotland and debate the potential political ramifications. Tim Montgomerie is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Jenni Russell and political commentator and pollster Peter Kellner. Plus, the paper's Scottish Political Editor, Lindsay McIntosh, joins the debate direct from Scotland. Subscribe via iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/did-you-read Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Sep 16, 201429 min

Does Nick Clegg need a slice of luck?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Francis Elliott, Matthew Parris and Deborah Haynes. Francis Elliott David Cameron in Portugal, Ed Miliband in France and Nick Clegg in Spain - which of them will be most enjoying their break? Mr Cameron is famously good at "chillaxing" but with the polls not so far following the economic growth figures he - arguably - has more to worry about than Mr Miliband. It is Mr Clegg, however, who most needs a break.Matthew ParrisAs the situation deteriorates in LIbya, the voi...

Aug 05, 201426 min

Is UK foreign policy adequate?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by Suzy Jagger, Roger Boyes and Patrick Kidd.Suzy JaggerLibya is at risk of fracturing into three fiefdoms - tripoli in the west, Benghazi in the east, and Sabbha in the south. Libya has enjoyed no stability since the overthrow of Gaddafi and points to a sobering third chapter of the Arab spring - uprising and coup; nascent democracy; and terrifying chaos. As the Middle East burns, literally, we have a foreign secretary with no foreign policy experience and a government...

Jul 29, 201424 min

Why is the West blowing hot and cold in East Ukraine?

Tim Montgomerie is joined by David Aaronovitch, Matt Ridley and Anne Ashworth. David AaronovitchSometimes it is hard to grasp the meaning of an event. In the wake of the shooting down of the Malaysian airliner - almost certainly by pro-Russian separatists, it turns out that Vladimir Putin has been, in effect, waging war on his neighbour. The US claims that over 100 armoured vehicles have been given by Russia to the rebels in recent weeks begs the question of why we have done so little about it. ...

Jul 22, 201431 min
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