About this podcast
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
The newest 50 of 2,070 episodes
- Burnham's Brussels 'Win-Win' · 27 minAndy Burnham says Britain can strike a win-win deal with Brussels to boost economic growth. But negotiating with the EU has rarely been straightforward. Is he underestimating how…
- Burnham's Diplomatic Dash · 33 minAndy Burnham is spending the day dashing between three countries, tackling some of the biggest issues on his agenda: climate change, the UK-EU relationship and Ukraine - is he…
- PMQs: How Burnham Has Changed It · 45 minKemi Badenoch asked punchy questions of Andy Burnham at PMQs, challenging him on his 'ludicrous' energy policy and his 10-year plan. But with Burnham a more agile and personable…
- Tories Take On Welfare · 31 minKemi Badenoch has set out how she plans to cut £36 billion from the welfare bill including stopping children with behavioural disorders such as ADHD claiming disability benefits…
- Burnham's Climate Pragmatism · 30 minThe government is expected to water down electric car targets just as world leaders gather for the latest climate summit. Is Burnham putting economic reality ahead of the push to…
- Did Celebrity Culture Enable Russell Brand? · 29 minRussell Brand used his fame to prey on young women in the entertainment industry. There were rumours of his abuse for years. Was Brand enabled by the culture around him? Ed…
- The Smoky Bacon Brexit Reset · 27 minAndy Burnham's deal with the EU could eliminate cross-border checks on food products - and spell the end for smoky bacon crisps. A cabinet minister says anyone concerned about…
- DPMQs: Louise Haigh's Deputy Debut · 43 minLouise Haigh stands in for Andy Burnham at PMQs, where Tory MP Alex Burghart presses her on when Labour will bring down the benefits bill. But she stops short of giving him a…
- The Tories Close The Polling Gap · 33 minThe Conservative party is only two points behind Labour in the latest YouGov poll for the Times. But is returning to levels of support last seen before a disastrous general…
- Burnham Faces Reparations Row · 35 minAndy Burnham is joining The King in the Caribbean, where their visits are being overshadowed by demands for Britain to pay reparations for slavery. But should modern day Brits…
- Funding Healey’s Defence Plans · 27 minThe Chancellor is looking at off-the-books ways to boost defence spending, including schemes reminiscent of Gordon Brown's controversial PFI - has the government learned the…
- Healey Finds Out We're In Hock To The Bond Markets · 35 minThe think-tanks have been poring over John Healey's first budget, and they find plenty of grim news in the small print. The chancellor didn't frighten the bond markets, but did…
- PMQs: Burnham's Brexit Booby-Trap · 26 minKemi Badenoch accuses Andy Burnham of contradicting himself on Brexit, after he said he didn’t want to reopen the debate about re-joining the EU, but wants to improve the deal…
- Chancellor Braces For 'Economic Storm' · 32 minJohn Healey told his cabinet colleagues they must find more savings as Britain heads into an "economic storm" caused by high borrowing costs and energy prices - can his Budget…
- Burnham Flirts With Europe · 30 minAndy Burnham says he won't push for allowing Britain to join Europe's freedom of movement scheme without a referendum, but would like to see the UK rejoin the EU in his lifetime…
- Is Britain Prepared For War? · 29 minThe 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 Chancellor Gets Down to Business · 31 minThe 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…
- PMQs: Burnham’s Borrowing Problem · 45 minKemi 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…
- Andy Burnham's Small Ideas · 30 minThe 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…
- What Burnham Can Really Achieve On Welfare Reform · 32 minThe 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…
- Burnham Heads Further North · 29 minAndy 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…
- Zelensky Rallies His Allies · 34 minThe 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…
- PMQs: Badenoch Accuses Burnham Of Putting His Foot In It · 54 minPMQs 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…
- Why Everyone Is Talking About Brexit Again · 30 minBrexit 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…
- Burnham's Brexit Claim Questioned · 36 minAfter 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…
- Polanski's Battle To Remain Green Leader · 30 minZack 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…
- The Two-Party Fantasy · 33 minLabour 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…
- Kemi Badenoch’s Speech: What Did We Really Learn? · 15 minKemi 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…
- The Tory Conference Bubble · 30 minThe 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…
- Badenoch Channels Her Inner Thatcher · 30 minIt’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…
- Polanski's Polling Problem · 30 minThe 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…
- Andy Burnham Reopens Old Brexit Wounds · 29 minThe 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?…
- Old Labour Is Back · 32 minAndy 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…
- Labour's Harsh Winter Ahead · 37 minAndy 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…
- Burnham's Big Cheques · 33 minThe 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…
- Trump Flip-Flops On China · 29 minDonald 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…
- Blair Urges Burnham To Reverse Brexit · 31 minTony 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…
- Burnham Bows To Trump Over Chagos · 30 minAndy 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?…
- Trump, Danny Dyer & Dressing Like A Lib Dem · 35 minAndy 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…
- Ed Davey Fights Accusations of Irrelevance · 31 minEd 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?…
- Stay-At-Home Burnham · 31 minWhile '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…
- Not Your Traditional Socialist Government · 33 minWith 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…
- Trusting The Tech Broligarchy · 31 minOpen 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…
- Trump and the AI 'Hoax' · 31 minDonald 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…
- Reform's Record-Breaking Donations · 33 minReform 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…
- Burnham's Winter of Gloom · 29 minBritons 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…
- Burnham’s Early Election Dilemma · 30 minA 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…
- PMQs: National Security vs Social Security · 46 minAt 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?…
- Burnham Risks Trump's Anger · 33 minAndy 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…
- Healey Promises 'Growth Britain' · 36 minJohn 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…
