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Artwork for Politics Unpacked

Politics Unpacked

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

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1935Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Politics Unpacked

Latest Episodes

Labour is losing heavily to Reform UK in areas once considered the party’s heartlands - what Nigel Farage calls a “truly historic shift” in British politics.

Keir Starmer says he won't leave and plunge the party into chaos - but will it be up to him... more

It's election day across the UK, and speculation is rife about a looming plot to oust Keir Starmer. But should the Labour Party just admit it's not as good at skulduggery as the Conservatives in their heyday?

Hugo Rifkind is joined by Sarah Ditum an... more

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. 

A Times investigation reveals Zack Polanski made false claims when seeking the deputy leadership of the Green party, Kemi Badenoch's handling of hecklers, and what... more

The Times Radio Focus Group returns for the final time ahead of the local elections.

JL Partners brings together 2024 Labour voters who are now on the fence — so what’s changed? 

Is Keir Starmer the problem, are his potential rivals any better, or ... 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

James Johnson
Co-founder of JL Partners who conducted the focus group
JL Partners
Episode: Focus Group: Reform Voters
Sarah Davy
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
Episode: PMQs: No More Mandelson
Stephen Flynn
Leader of the SNP in Westminster
Scottish National Party
Episode: PMQs: No More Mandelson
Tom McTague
Editor of the New Statesman, commentator
New Statesman
Episode: McSweeney: What We Learned
Ollie Cole
Times Newsroom Reporter
The Times
Episode: McSweeney: What We Learned
Tom Lubbock
Founding director of JL Partners, conducts Focus Groups
JL Partners
Episode: Focus Group: Wavering Tories
Stefan Bosch
Broadcast contributor providing analysis during the PMQs segment
Times
Episode: PMQs: The Robbins Files
Olly Robbins
Former head of the Foreign Office providing evidence to MPs
Foreign Office
Episode: Olly Robbins Fires Back at Starmer
Olly Cole
Times Radio newsroom reporter
Times Radio
Episode: Olly Robbins Fires Back at Starmer

Host

Hugo Rifkind
Host of Politics Unpacked, engaging in lively discussions on current political issues with guests from various backgrounds.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • 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 Kingdoma month 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
    Netherlands2 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 Kingdom3 months ago
  • Exceptional, lighthearted and informative

    This podcast is a great daily listen. I especially like how it dissects PMQs question by question and the amount of varied guests that it has on.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GregTarmstrong
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Going off it

    They have a very limited view of what people outside London know or think. We follow Westminster up North tha nose !

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Issy55
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the insightful and often humorous political analysis provided, noting the engaging discussions with a diverse range of guests.
There is frequent praise for the host's ability to tackle complex topics in an accessible manner, making it a popular choice for those interested in current events.
Some listeners express concerns over perceived biases in the discussions, feeling the content sometimes lacks balanced perspectives.
Diverse opinions on guest selection suggest that while many find the variety enriching, some listeners seek a more traditional political commentary style.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#221
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#22
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#45
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#241
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#140
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#200
Italy/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump Falklands Threat
Q: How significant is the leaked Falklands memo in practical politics?
The panel agrees it is symbolically significant and damaging to diplomacy, but unlikely to authorize a military move; its real impact lies in signaling Washington's messaging and the potential strain on the UK-US relationship.
PMQs: No More Mandelson
Q: What role does Stephen Flynn see for the SNP in the coming months?
Flynn frames the SNP as a timely alternative leader in Westminster and signals possible shifts toward Holyrood, with implications for national politics.
PMQs: No More Mandelson
Q: Did Badenoch's questioning style hurt or help the government?
Her aggressive questioning kept attention on the government's record, but commentators note Starmer's calmer, strategic posture may be more effective long-term, suggesting a mixed impact.
PMQs: No More Mandelson
Q: What is the mood in Westminster as local elections approach?
A mix of frustration with the Mandelson affair, concern about leadership signals, and a strategic push by Labour and the Tories to frame welfare and economic records ahead of elections.
The Global Energy Crisis
Q: How should the UK approach involvement in Middle East tensions without overstretching resources?
Participate in technical and limited ways while avoiding major commitments, and coordinate with allies to prevent antagonising the US or overextending finances.

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?

Discussions center primarily around the contemporary political landscape within the UK, featuring analyses of party dynamics, leadership challenges, and key elections. The content explores major issues faced by prominent political parties, primarily focusing on Labour and the Green Party, while also tackling broader topics such as immigration, educational reforms, and public sentiment towards current events. Engaging guests like political commentators and journalists provide diverse perspectives, ensuring that the discussions are not only informative but also touch on significant societal themes, engaging the audience meaningfully. Unique to this series is its combination of light-hearted banter and serious political critique, making heavy ... more

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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. Political Fix
3. Coffee House Shots
4. Politics from the New Statesman
5. Political Currency

How many episodes of Politics Unpacked are there?

Politics Unpacked launched 13 years ago and published 1935 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. James Johnson
2. Sarah Davy
3. Stephen Flynn
4. Tom McTague
5. Ollie Cole
6. Tom Lubbock
7. Stefan Bosch
8. Olly Robbins

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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