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Politics Unpacked
Cooking In The Commons
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Food week begins with the history of Bellamy's, a restaurant that's been serving politicians' portions for 250 years. Charles Walker is the MP in charge of all the bars and restaurants in parliament and he tells Matt that Keir Starmer is wrong to criticise the salads on offer, and why a shortage of chefs has led to some eateries closing.
Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Iain Martin discuss green politics becoming the new dividing line, whether life coaches can solve the problem of long-term unemployment and which is better: tea or coffee.
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The Drama Keir, I Love It
32:34|After a political whirlwind caused by the Mandelson scandal came close to ending Sir Keir Starmer's premiership, some of his supporters claim the media is addicted to drama - do they have a point?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.Starmer's Terminal Phase
32:38|Keir Starmer has lost a second senior aide, less than 24 hours after the departure of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.Are we now in the terminal phase of Keir Starmer's premiership?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers, Sebastian Payne and Patrick Maguire.A Matter Of When, Not If?
31:38|Keir Starmer is clinging on as Prime Minister and more details of Peter Mandelson's alleged misconduct could still emerge - so is his fate now sealed?Ed unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Alys Denby.Is Starmer’s Apology Enough?
23:47|Keir Starmer says he’s sorry for believing Peter Mandelson’s lies, as anger grows over Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US - but is his apology enough? Or could it prove fatal to Starmer’s leadership?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Sarah Ditum.PMQs: Starmer Knew About Mandelson & Epstein
40:07|Keir Starmer described Peter Mandelson as a "liar" who "betrayed our country" at PMQs today.But he also admitted that he had been aware of Mandelson's ongoing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein when he appointed him as US ambassador.Can the Prime Minister survive this growing scandal?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges in the House of Commons with The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire and the comedian Marcus Brigstocke.The Mandelson-Epstein Scandal Explodes
31:18|After Peter Mandelson tells the Times he can't escape his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the uproar over allegations he leaked sensitive government emails to the late paedophile financier grows.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Libby Purves.Has Peter Mandelson Damaged Starmer?
31:14|Peter Mandelson is out of the Labour Party and Keir Starmer says he'd like to see him out of the House of Lords - but have the peer's links with Jeffrey Epstein damaged the prime minister?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Seb Payne.Will Labour Lose The By-Election?
42:22|As well as today's Politics Unpacked, which sees Ed Vaizey discuss China, Iran and left-wing AI with Michael Binyon and Cindy Yu, we've got an in-depth look at the by-election in Gorton and Denton.Times chief political commentator Patrick Maguire and political scientist Rob Ford profile the constituency, and analyse whether Labour can hold off the challenge from the Green Party and Reform UK. By-election: 32'15Reheated Centrism Or One-Nation Opportunity?
33:55|Kemi Badenoch has called on centrist Conservatives hoping to influence the party to "get out of the way" - is the Tory one nation tradition dead, or an electoral opportunity?Hugo, Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel debate the future of the party and unpack the politics of the day.