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Politics Unpacked

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

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1965Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Politics Unpacked

Latest Episodes

Andy Burnham hails it as a 'change moment' - but Keir Starmer insists he'll stand if a leadership contest is triggered. Was Makerfield the PM's goodbye election?

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

Hosted on Ac... more

Trump's deal to end the war with Iran has been roundly criticised in Washington - what will it do to America's reputation?

Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel.

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

David Lammy stands in at the despatch box for the last PMQs before the Makerfield by-election. The Deputy Prime Minister says he's proud to serve under Starmer, while Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho claims Labour is "a government on life supp... more

Keir Starmer is rubbing shoulders with global leaders at the G7 summit.  But have his foreign affairs credentials been undermined by John Healey's resignation?

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and James Marriott.

You ca... 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

Anna Mikhailova
Times Radio's political editor
Times
Episode: John Healey Resigns
Richard Bergen
Labour MP
Labour Party
Episode: PMQs: The Sun Sets On Starmer's Premiership?
Richard Tice
Reform UK founder and MP candidate
Reform UK
Episode: PMQs: The Sun Sets On Starmer's Premiership?
Ed Davey
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
Episode: PMQs: The Sun Sets On Starmer's Premiership?
Palantir points mentioned by Stefanj Boscia's segment
Discussion about Palantir NHS data platform
Episode: PMQs: The Sun Sets On Starmer's Premiership?
Andy Parsons
Comedian and writer
Independent guest on episode
Episode: PMQs: Starmer v Farage
Ed Davy
Leader of the Liberal Democrats (guest)
Liberal Democrats
Episode: PMQs: Starmer v Farage
Morgan McSweeney
Advisor, Chief of Staff and architect of the last Labour victory
Keir Starmer campaign team
Episode: Blair Slams Labour
Josh Glancy
Sunday Times writer
The Times/Sunday Times
Episode: Is Social Media The New Smoking?

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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdom2 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 Kingdom2 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
#20
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#39
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#90
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#161
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#13
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#33
South Korea/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. Coffee House Shots
3. Political Fix
4. The Politics Show
5. The State of It

How many episodes of Politics Unpacked are there?

Politics Unpacked launched 13 years ago and published 1965 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?

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What guests have appeared on Politics Unpacked?

Recent guests on Politics Unpacked include:

1. Anna Mikhailova
2. Richard Bergen
3. Richard Tice
4. Ed Davey
5. Palantir points mentioned by Stefanj Boscia's segment
6. Andy Parsons
7. Ed Davy
8. Morgan McSweeney

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