Politics Unpacked

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Donald Trump said the US and China had "never gotten along better" as he laid on a lavish banquet for Xi Jinping at the White House. Why is he rolling out the red carpet for his biggest rival? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Blair is flexing his muscles, telling Andy Burnham that Britain should rejoin the EU within a decade - without another referendum. Could Burnham put it in Labour’s next manifesto? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Ayesha Hazarika Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has agreed to review the Chagos deal after Donald Trump called it 'terrible' at their meeting in New York. But can it be renegotiated, or is it dead in the water? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham is having his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump at the United Nations. But will Burnham’s past comments about the US president make for an awkward encounter? Plus, Danny Dyer's expletive-filled view on Andy Burnham and fashion tips for Liberal Democrats. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Carol Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Davey is trying to re-energise the Liberal Democrats at the party’s conference in Brighton - but do his speeches reveal a party struggling to find a clear national message? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Timandra Harkness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While 'Never-Here-Keir' was accused of spending too much time abroad, Andy Burnham has preferred to host foreign leaders in the UK - and often away from Downing Street. Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the public finances under pressure, the unions meet John Healey and make a series of demands ahead of the Budget. Can Andy Burnham avoid the sense that he's running a 'traditional tax and spend socialist government'? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Andy Silvester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Open AI boss Sam Altman says people are "right to be afraid" of artificial intelligence but that firms like his can be trusted to "do the right thing" - so should we rely on Silicon Valley to regulate itself? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Mulkerrins and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump dismisses warnings about AI as a “hoax” by those who want to regulate the industry. But how worried should we be - and what happens if the president doesn’t take the threat seriously? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK is confident that the £72m in donations it received from two crypto-billionaires are legal, but could the government still change the law to force them to return the money? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Sonia Sodha. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britons face an expensive winter with rising bills and the prospect of higher taxes. Can Andy Burnham still deliver on his promise to make people feel “hopeful” as the cold sets in? And on the anniversary of 9/11, is Britain safer or more dangerous than it was 25 years ago? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A successful party conference could tempt Andy Burnham to call an early general election, but will he take the risk? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At PMQs, Andy Burnham says that national security "can't come at the expense of social security". But if he won't cut benefits to fund defence, where will he find the money? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Lara Spirit, Deputy Political Editor of The Sunday Times, and Chris Ward, Labour MP and former aide to Keir Starmer. Picture: House of Commons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham's first policy move risks angering President Trump, will there be a backlash from the US? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Healey made his first major speech since becoming Chancellor, saying the economy is 'turning a corner' and promising growth. Is his optimism justified? Hugo Rikfind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK's conference is underway in Birmingham - but allegations the party breached political donation rules threaten to derail the event. Nigel Farage insists his party has broken no laws. But with two senior officials stepping aside, the questions keep coming. Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron have met in No.10, with small boats high on the agenda - but have the French done enough to stop dinghies crossing the Channel? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Lara Spirit and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham faces his first PMQs as Prime Minister - with Kemi Badenoch calling him a “yes man”, and one of his own MPs applying pressure over defence spending. Hugo unpacks the exchanges with The Times’ Patrick Maguire and The Sunday Times’ Ben Riley-Smith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham returns to the despatch box for his first appearance as Prime Minister. Can he handle the Commons - and who are his critics within the Labour Party? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch has begun a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet, with high profile names including Priti Patel and James Cleverly out. What is she trying to achieve, and does the public know who any of them are? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sebastian Payne and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chancellor says Andy Burnham is running a 'continuity government,' hinting that his economic policies won't differ much from Keir Starmer's. But can the prime minister really implement a 'fiscally disciplined' Budget without taking a hit to his poll ratings? Ryan Tubridy unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham is in Wales for his first official visit to the former Labour heartlands since taking power. He'll be hoping to spark a Welsh Labour recovery - but can the PM win back voters? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Josh Glancy and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham is set to announce tough new sanctions on West Bank settlements, but is warned they could turn into a de facto boycott of the whole country. How does he balance the competing demands within the Labour party? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has hinted at tax rises in the Budget, saying he “won’t be unrealistic” about the state of the public finances - but what do prime ministers mean when they talk about 'challenging' and 'difficult' decisions? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A visit to Ukraine is Andy Burnham's first chance to prove himself on the world stage. Will he, like other former PMs, end up over shadowing his foreign secretary? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Sebastian Payne. Picture: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his first month in office, Andy Burnham has tried to project a message of hope and optimism. But as problems pile up, will that start to look out of touch? Ryan Tubridy unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Asylum seekers are being given a pamphlet telling them that domestic abuse and sex with children is illegal. The government says it needs to teach people from different cultures about British values, but opposition parties have branded it a disgrace. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Jimmy McLoughlin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham tells the Times that the job of being prime minister is to be popular, rather than making a "fetish" of toughness. But does that mean avoiding difficult decisions? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tory defector Tim Montgomerie has been suspended from Reform UK. Was that inevitable when he talked in public about splits within the party? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Megan Kenyon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK has unveiled radical plans to cut the welfare bill, including stopping foreign nationals from claiming a range of benefits. and abolishing personal indepednent payments. But has the party made a risky strategic choice? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Phil Tinline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election but didn't attend the count. He claims to have beaten the establishment but with the parliamentary investigation into his finances reopening, what has he actually achieved? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu, Alys Denby and former Chairman of Reform UK David Bull. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham promised 'good growth in every postcode,' but does he have the vision to turn the economy around, or will he be a continuation of Keir Starmer? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Jane Mulkerrins. Has Andy Burnham come unstuck over the vexed issue of early prisoner release? Is it ever OK to call someone a traitor in politics? And what exactly is Anthony Albanese saying about melons? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the latest YouGov poll for the Times showing Labour nudging ahead of Reform UK, pollster James Johnson argues that Andy Burnham should seize his 'goldilocks moment' and call an election. He joins Ed Vaizey, Charlotte Ivers and podcaster Jimmy McLoughlin to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham is due to embark on his summer tour of the UK. Is it a good use of the prime minister's time, and is he already reheating old policy ideas? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has been advised to tone down his 'blokey' social media presence after posting a string of videos about football and the pub - but is the approach helping his image as a man of the people? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Cambridge professor's resignation has reignited the debate over diversity and standards in British universities. Has the drive for equality gone too far? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.