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Politics Unpacked

Ed Balls

Matt Chorley speaks to the former Labour cabinet minster Ed Balls about leaving politics, making documentaries, the Labour party and Strictly Come Dancing. To subscribe to the Times go to thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox

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  • PMQs: Rayner vs... Who?

    42:43|
    With Keir Starmer away, his deputy Angela Rayner takes deputy prime minister's questions from Conservative MP Alex Burghart. Does he impress on his first outing at the despatch box?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Grainne Maguire.
  • Where Does Musk Find The Time?

    33:26|
    Has Elon Musk already overstayed his welcome in the court of Donald Trump? Can a government be made up entirely of mavericks? And how does the billionaire find the time?Pus: Should we be following the advice of Rishi Sunak's father-in-law and denounce the weekend? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Juliet Samuel
  • Is Reeves Haunted By Her CV?

    34:51|
    Rachel Reeves is under pressure to explain her CV, after it emerged that she used a false claim to win her seat as an MP - but does it matter?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Iain Martin and Lara Spirit, including the row over assisted dying and whether Sue Gray will get a peerage.
  • Criminalising The Culture Wars

    32:48|
    Thousands of people, including children, have been questioned by police over non-crime hate speech, but is that involving police in political problems? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Timandra Harkness and Tim Montgomerie
  • Is Europe Delusional About Trump?

    32:56|
    Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Manveen Rana. Can Europe hold Donald Trump responsible if the US walks away from its role as the world's policeman, or are politicians this side of the Atlantic to blame?You can read Matthew's column here.
  • PMQs: The Magic Money Tree Is Back

    40:43|
    In her second outing at PMQs, Kemi Badenoch attacks Keir Starmer over the government's National Insurance rise - but he says she's resorting to the "magic money tree".Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Ria Lina.
  • Has Pop Culture Shifted Right?

    31:27|
    Has the liberal dominance of the old entertainment industry given way to the dominance of right-wing YouTubers, podcasters, streamers and influencers?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.You can read James' column here.
  • Why Labour Isn't More Radical

    33:40|
    After Paul Johnson tells us he's changed his mind about the scale of the recent Budget, is the government missing the chance to be more radical?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit.
  • Harris's Lessons For Labour

    29:03|
    Can Keir Starmer learn anything from the Democrats' defeat in the presidential election, or are the UK and the US too different to draw comparisons?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Mulkerrins and playwright Jonathan Maitland