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Politics Unpacked

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Rating
★★★★★
4.5
from
85 reviews
This podcast has
2000 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
Times Radio
Explicit
No
Date created
2013/06/11
Latest episode
2026/10/06
Average duration
32 min.
Release period
2 days

Description

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.

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Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Politics Unpacked podcast


The Tory Conference Bubble
2026/10/06
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.
Badenoch Channels Her Inner Thatcher
2026/10/05
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.
Polanski's Polling Problem
2026/10/02
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.
Andy Burnham Reopens Old Brexit Wounds
2026/10/01
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.
Old Labour Is Back
2026/09/30
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.
Labour's Harsh Winter Ahead
2026/09/29
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.
Burnham's Big Cheques
2026/09/28
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.
Trump Flip-Flops On China
2026/09/25
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.
Blair Urges Burnham To Reverse Brexit
2026/09/24
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.
Burnham Bows To Trump Over Chagos
2026/09/23
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.
Trump, Danny Dyer & Dressing Like A Lib Dem
2026/09/22
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 Fights Accusations of Irrelevance
2026/09/21
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.
Stay-At-Home Burnham
2026/09/18
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.
Not Your Traditional Socialist Government
2026/09/17
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.
Trusting The Tech Broligarchy
2026/09/16
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.

Podcast reviews

Read Politics Unpacked podcast reviews


4.5 out of 5
85 reviews
★★★★★
Daisy Foote 2023/12/20
RED BOX POLITICS
Love this podcast matt is incisive and hilarious!!!
★★★★★
George_____111 2023/01/26
Best daily summary of British politics
Matt is outstanding and so are his columnists and guests. I love PMQs in particular. Keen listener from Uruguay
★★★★★
Vx2401 2022/11/23
British politics explained
Love the show especially the guest columnists. After Brexit I became obsessed with British politics and this show is a gem.
★★★★★
scheißgeyser 2022/10/14
First on the Kwasi sack!
Nuff said. Also, “ Yorkshire tea!”
★★★★★
AldoBermondsey 2022/01/04
Love Red Box
Love this podcast. Used to work in British politics in a previous life and then I changed field and moved to the US. Red Box is amazing
★★★☆☆
CTCNOLA 2020/12/16
I expected more
The 14 December episode (“Because they are worth it”) was awful. The anti-Brexit, anti-Boris commentators absolutely fawning over Ursula Von Der Leyen...
★★★★☆
REPay1 2020/05/03
Companionable Journalist
Matt Chorley is a cheery guy down the pub, interested and engaged. He asks sensible questions and doesn't seem to want to force his own opinions in th...
★★★★★
suzshaw 2020/02/19
Insight from Across the Pond
I’d rather keep current on UK politics than US politics these days — it’s just that little bit less painful. Matt Chorley, Esther Webber and their gue...
★★★★★
Domic57 2020/02/05
Informed and illuminating.
Matt & Co. do a great job of bringing insight to the headlines.
★★★★★
JimboT3 2019/10/08
Great source of news from the UK
The Red Box is an informed source of news covering the UK and the world. This is a pleasant respite from the daily news coming out of the news outlets...
check all reviews on apple podcasts

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