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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Times today reveals the guidance on transgender people using single-sex spaces like toilets and changing rooms. It's been sitting on the government's desk - are ministers trying to avoid a political backlash? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kemi Badenoch presses Keir Starmer over whether the government would "break another promise" by freezing income tax thresholds. With Starmer deferring to the chancellor’s plans next week, will it truly be “a Labour Budget with Labour values”? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from Prime Minister's Questions with Patrick Maguire and Luke Sullivan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Home Secretary's new asylum plans are facing backlash from Labour MPs, including one who told Times Radio the government is trying to "appease the electorate" - is that the job of politicians, or not? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Shabana Mahmood's sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration have already faced backlash from Labour's backbenches, how bad will it get for the Home Secretary? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Chancellor has scrapped plans to raise income tax in the Budget because of improved economic forecasts and fears over the reaction of mutinous Labour MPs - is she right to change course? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With Starmer investigating briefings against his own cabinet ministers and facing calls to sack his own Chief of Staff, can anyone explain what's going on in Downing Street? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Jenni Russell and Matthew Syed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kemi Badenoch tells the Prime Minister he's lost control of Downing Street, and his government has "descended into civil war." Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from Prime Minister's Questions with Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The US President has given the BBC until Friday evening to apologise and remove a Panorama episode which edited a speech to make it appear he was inciting violence - or else, he'll sue. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Accusations of bias have forced Tim Davie and Deborah Turness to resign from their roles at the BBC - has the job of running the corporation become almost impossible? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As Rachel Reeves tells the Budget watchdog she could raise income tax for the first time in 50 years, is there any way out for the chancellor? And will she make all future promises on tax worthless? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Thangam Debbonaire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nigel Farage and Rachel Reeves have both sought to be more frank with the public about the economy this week - does this herald a new era of honest politics? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
David Lammy takes Deputy PMQs for the first time, and faces the same question from Conservative James Cartlidge five times in a row about a second foreign prisoner mistakenly released. In the end it turns out that Cartlidge knew the answer all along. Hugo unpacks the action with Patrick Maguire and Stefan Boscia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Rachel Reeves tries to lay the ground for difficult decisions at her Budget. But did the speech say anything new, or was Kemi Badenoch right to call it a "waffle bomb"? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Reform has set out its plan for the British economy, but will the sums add up? And why has Farage recycled a Nick Clegg slogan from 2011? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of today with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Andrew has been stripped of his prince title and ordered by the King to leave the Royal Lodge - but will he continue to cast a shadow over the Royals? Harry Wallop unpacks the news of the day with Alys Denby and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After hinting at manifesto breaking tax rises in the budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has come under fire for breaching rental rules on her family home - can she hold on to her job? Calum MacDonald unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sir Keir Starmer refused to rule out a U-turn on his manifesto tax pledges in the budget, while blaming the Tories for the country’s economic woes. Kemi Badenoch accused him of playing the blame game. Calum Macdonald unpacks the action with Josh Glancy and Jon Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The UK government will begin housing small boat migrants in military barracks from next month, part of a plan to move asylum seekers out of hotels and cut costs. But why is Labour now supporting policies it once condemned? Calum McDonald unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Home Office is squandering billions of pounds on asylum hotels in another damaging story for the government. Can Labour still call themselves the "grown ups in the room"? Calum Macdonald unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Plaid Cymru have swept to victory in Caerphilly, taking a Senedd seat that has been held by Labour for a century - will it convince Keir Starmer to change course? Alexis Conran unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Shabana Mahmood says her department remains “not yet fit for purpose,” after The Times uncovered a secret report calling it dysfunctional and detached from reality. Should we be worried that we're still using that phrase, 20 years after John Reid first made it famous? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions with Gabriel Pogrund from The Sunday Times and comedian Gráinne Maguire. After several grooming gang victims withdrew from the inquiry process, Sir Keir Starmer vows to deliver justice — but can he restore confidence in the investigation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir reveals her abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and alleged encounters with Prince Andrew - claims he denies. Now, the disgraced royal faces pressure to disclose what he knows about Epstein’s crimes and those who may have enabled them. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Conservative MPs Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat have urged Keir Starmer to designate China a top-tier threat, calling his inaction a sign of weakness - but would such a label really change anything? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Prime Minister wants to lift the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending their game against Aston Villa next month. But could it lead to violence? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The government, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Conservatives all blame each other for the collapse of the China spy case, is everyone set to lose in the blame game? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and David Runciman live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks PMQs alongside Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. Badenoch challenges Starmer over the China spy case, but Starmer enjoys arguing over legal technicalities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Does an embarrassing moment for Sir Keir Starmer on stage at the Egypt peace summit reveal something about the UK's influence on the global stage? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Reform UK's Nigel Farage is preparing to drop his promise to deliver £90bn of tax cuts, saying his party will reduce public spending first. Is this a more credible position, and is it in response to Tory attacks? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Carol Lewis and Patrick Kidd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The ceasefire in Gaza is underway after US president Donald Trump brokered a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. But how will he feel about missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize? Alexis Conran unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
