Share
Politics Unpacked
The Swing Voters Who’ll Decide The Next Election
This week millions of voters will go to the polls as more than 8,000 council seats in England are contested in the local elections – the most significant gauge of public opinion before Rishi Sunak faces Keir Starmer at a general election. Behind the scenes, politicians and pollsters are trying to work out exactly who they need to win over, and how they can do it without losing their core supporters.
In this guest episode from the Stories of Our Times team, Manveen Rana speaks to Red Box reporter Lara Spirit and former YouGov president Peter Kellner.
- Find out whether there are elections in your area: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information
- New photo ID requirements to vote: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id
More episodes
View all episodes
Starmer's New Year's Resolutions
35:51|It's been an eventful year in politics and the party leaders will be hoping to set the right tone for 2026 - so what can we expect in the new year?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day for the final time in 2025, with Sarah Ditum and Emma Duncan.Who Should Get An Honour?
32:56|The New Year's Honours list has raised eyebrows, with some recipients having previously been at the centre of culture war controversies. So who should really get a gong?Ed Vaizey unpacks the news and politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd.Should Starmer Strip Activist's Citizenship?
30:03|The prime minister has been urged to deport Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, after he apologised for social media posts apparently calling for violence against Zionists and the police.But as successive governments backed his release from an Egyptian jail, will anyone listen to critics including Liz Truss?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jack Blackburn and Albie Amankona.Keir Starmer's Christmas Carol
13:13|In this special Christmas episode of the podcast, Patrick Maguire joins Ed Vaizey for a story of a prime minister visited by three Christmas spirits - one carrying a disposable vape, one looking like George V, and the last smelling of tofu. Do any of them bear glad tidings for Keir Starmer as he looks forward to elections in 2026?Politics Unpacked will be back on 29th January.Are Ministers Running Scared Of The Voters?
32:58|Nearly ten million voters could see their local elections delayed until 2027, which Nigel Farage claims is to stop him winning more councils - does he have a point?Guto Harri unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael BinyonTrump Derangement Syndrome
33:21|TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome, is apparently the irrational desire to criticise the US President Donald Trump. But with his approval ratings slipping in the polls, is he in serious trouble over his handling of the economy?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel.PMQs: Does Starmer Have the Baubles?
45:18|In the final PMQs of the year, Kemi Badenoch challenges Keir Starmer on growth, taxes and claims he doesn’t have the “baubles” to stop the doctors’ strike. Starmer hits back, arguing that Badenoch’s Christmas wish list would freeze the minimum wage...Hugo Rifkind unpacks the Commons exchanges with Josh Glancy, Stefan Boscia and Ahir Shah.Donald Trump vs The BBC
34:32|Donald Trump has sued the BBC for $10 billion over an edit of his January 6th speech in a Panorama documentary. Could the corporation's survival be threatened if it doesn't settle with the US president?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd.Burnham, Reform & Clarkson Bans MPs
32:14|Does Andy Burnham want to be PM? Reform UK has become Britain’s largest party by membership, and Jeremy Clarkson is the latest pub owner to bar Labour MPs from his pub.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Emma Duncan.