Rephonic
Artwork for Politics Unpacked

Politics Unpacked

Times Radio
Keir Starmer
Labour Party
Donald Trump
Nigel Farage
Reform UK
Andy Burnham
Kemi Badenoch
Conservative Party
Peter Mandelson
Rachel Reeves
Ukraine
Green Party
Brexit
Immigration
Prime Minister's Questions
BBC
UK Economy
Iran
Jeffrey Epstein
UK Politics

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 www.thetimes.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1978Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Politics Unpacked

Latest Episodes

In the penultimate PMQs before the summer recess, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly face off in the Commons - but with questions hanging over Nigel Farage's future, there's surprisingly little mention of th... more

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers.

Why is Andy Burnham taking a "one-and-done" approach to Cabinet appointments? And who is reading Keir Starmer's Substack?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy ... more

Nigel Farage is under pressure after The Sunday Times revealed he had not declared benefits from an ally previously convicted of fraud in the US. He denies any wrongdoing.

How serious is the challenge to his leadership, and to Reform UK? 

Hugo Rifk... more

Kemi Badenoch has sought advice from all her living predecessors except one - so who didn't get the call?

Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Will Lloyd and Alys Denby.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Coffee House Shots
Coffee House ShotsThe Spectator
Political Fix
Political FixFinancial Times
The Politics Show
The Politics ShowThe New Statesman

Recent Guests

Noah Law
Labour MP for St. Austell
Labour Party
Episode: Burnham Addresses The Nation
Ryan Tubridy
Times Radio presenter
Times Radio
Episode: PMQS: Kemi Gets Personal
Rachel Reeves
Former Political Director to the Chancellor, guest commentator
Former Political Director to the Chancellor
Episode: The DPMQs Before The Storm
Matt Pound
Political commentator, guest analyst
Episode: The DPMQs Before The Storm
Claire Coutinho
Shadow Energy Secretary and focus of some PMQ questions
Labour Party
Episode: The DPMQs Before The Storm
David Lammy
Shadow Justice Secretary, main PMQs opponent in segment
Labour Party
Episode: The DPMQs Before The Storm
Daisy Cooper
Deputy Leader of the Green Party, guest participant
Green Party
Episode: The DPMQs Before The Storm
Sarah Ditum
Columnist with The Guardian (guest on episode)
The Guardian
Episode: Starmer's Final Summit
Anna Mikhailova
Times Radio's political editor
Times
Episode: John Healey Resigns

Host

Hugo Rifkind
Host who unpacks political topics with guests; longstanding Times/Times Radio presence

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Know Your Enemy

    I listen to this to know what the entitled establishment think. Significant arrogant twattishness is prevalent here.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Rhysie Babes
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • More of Stephan/Stefan across the board pls

    He’s got a bit of edge, and an improvement on Theo and Lara who were a bit dry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    thorpe_jd
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Sometimes vacuous contributors

    Ie Alice Thomson and Trevor Phillips. So uninformed and frankly pointless. Just seemingly toeing the Times line.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Saoifre
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Varies wildly in quality

    Hugo is a good captain but sometimes he has to ferry an odious stench across the river.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ❤️Radio4Comedy
    Netherlands4 months ago
  • Wednesday’s Podcast

    Can we have the columnists section of the radio show rather than PMQ and the associated discussion. The former is much more informative. Maybe drop PMQ to a separate podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Highkick96649
    United Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show for sharp guests and insightful Labour analysis.
Critics note perceived bias and occasional balance issues depending on hosts.
Many appreciate the mix of insider knowledge with accessible storytelling.
Some listeners feel the show leans too left or too centrist, depending on the episode.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#205
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#17
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#33
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#177
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#74
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#136
Italy/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

PMQs: The Sun Sets On Starmer's Premiership?
Q: What is the potential leadership dynamic discussed for the Labour Party?
There is speculation about Andy Burnham and leadership contests, with discussions about whether cabinet resignations would trigger a leadership change and how that would impact Labour's positioning on defence and welfare.
PMQs: The Sun Sets On Starmer's Premiership?
Q: How is Badenoch perceived in PMQs and what does that imply for Labour's strategy?
Badenoch is described as having evolved from abrasive to more showmanship-like delivery, which Labour views as a rhetorical asset that could be used to frame the defence debate and impose pressure on the government economics.
PMQs: The Sun Sets On Starmer's Premiership?
Q: What is the mood around the defence investment plan and its publication timeline?
There is a sense of delay and scrutiny; critics argue the plan should be published before NATO, while supporters emphasize careful budgeting and avoiding hasty conclusions, pointing to a broader debate about how money translates into defense capability.
PMQs: Starmer Looks Demob Happy
Q: Is the government's approach to sanctions and domestic energy policy sustainable given the cost of living pressures?
The panel suggests that the government frames sanctions as a phased, protective measure for consumers, while opponents argue that the approach is muddled and risks eroding public support if not clearly connected to tangible price relief.
Gyles Brandreth: Whips, Plots & PMs
Q: The funniest prime minister?
Heavier on humor, Harold Wilson stood out as the funniest, with John Major also noted for being engaging and amusing; Thatcher was mentioned as lacking a sense of humor by Brandreth.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Politics Unpacked

What is Politics Unpacked about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show attracts listeners who want sharp political analysis delivered with wit, coverage of Westminster horse-trading, leadership dynamics, and media narratives. Episodes feature a rotating mix of pundits, former insiders, journalists, and campaign voices, offering insider context on party strategy, policy implications, and the media's role in shaping public perception. A standout aspect is the balance between brisk debate and playful banter, often anchored by a strong host who probes guests with both curiosity and candor. This mix probably appeals to politically engaged, policy-minded listeners who value thorough analysis as they track UK politics, elections, and Brexit-era legacies.

Where can I find podcast stats for Politics Unpacked?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Politics Unpacked. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Politics Unpacked and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Politics Unpacked get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Politics Unpacked, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Politics Unpacked?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Politics Unpacked, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Politics Unpacked have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Politics Unpacked has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Politics Unpacked?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Politics Unpacked:

1. How To Win An Election
2. The State of It
3. Coffee House Shots
4. Political Fix
5. The Politics Show

How many episodes of Politics Unpacked are there?

Politics Unpacked launched 13 years ago and published 1978 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Politics Unpacked?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Politics Unpacked?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Politics Unpacked from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Politics Unpacked?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Politics Unpacked. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Politics Unpacked?

Recent guests on Politics Unpacked include:

1. Noah Law
2. Ryan Tubridy
3. Rachel Reeves
4. Matt Pound
5. Claire Coutinho
6. David Lammy
7. Daisy Cooper
8. Sarah Ditum

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days