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Artwork for Politics Unpacked

Politics Unpacked

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

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1994Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Politics Unpacked

Latest Episodes

Drought and wildfires have hit England during the fourth heatwave of the summer. Are politicians are keeping up with a changing climate?

Carolyn Quinn unpacks the politics of the day with Juliet Samuel and Andy Silvester.

Hosted on Acast. See acast... more

Andy Burnham has become the latest Prime Minister to promise to fix England's social care system. More than 20 attempts have failed over the past 30 years - so what makes this one any different?

Carolyn Quinn unpacks the politics of the day with Ali... more

Andy Burnham wants Britain to value "the hard hat as much as the graduation cap", pushing more young people towards technical training - but is that what the economy really needs?

Carolyn Quinn unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers an... more

Andy Burnham is setting out how he plans to tackle some of Britain's biggest problems, with defence, social care and devolving income tax powers to local mayors all in his sights - but will his actions match his ambitions? 

Calum MacDonald unpacks t... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Josh Glancy
Assistant Editor of the Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
Episode: Is That It, Burnham?
Janice Turner
Times columnist
The Times
Episode: Burnham's Countdown, Farage's Gifts and Labour's Bros
Ali Chand
Green Party MP
Green Party
Episode: DPMQs: Don't Talk About Farage
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
Theo Bertram
Former advisor to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown; director at the Social Market Foundation
Social Market Foundation
Episode: Keir Starmer Resigns
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

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 Kingdom4 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
    Netherlands5 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 Kingdom6 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
#17
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#41
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#242
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#101
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#151
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#250
France/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.

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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. Political Currency

How many episodes of Politics Unpacked are there?

Politics Unpacked launched 13 years ago and published 1994 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Politics Unpacked?

Recent guests on Politics Unpacked include:

1. Josh Glancy
2. Janice Turner
3. Ali Chand
4. Noah Law
5. Ryan Tubridy
6. Theo Bertram
7. Rachel Reeves
8. Matt Pound

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.

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