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Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: Meek Sunak and Slimy Starmer
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It's bad news for both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer in the latest Times Radio Focus group, with voters taking a dim view of David Cameron's return and Suella Braverman's departure - and it's not much better news for the Labour leader. James Johnson of J.L. Partners joins Matt to discuss the results.
Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris look at the fallout from the Rwanda ruling and the Gaza ceasfire vote, and find out why a disco ball is essential in a chicken hotel.
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The Jenrick Shockwave
28:58|Robert Jenrick becomes Reform UK’s newest MP after defecting from the Conservatives. Who has come out on top, and have we really seen a reshaping of the right of British politics?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.
The Tory Psychodrama Is Back!
30:46|Kemi Badenoch sacks Robert Jenrick after claiming to have clear evidence he was planning defecting to Reform UK.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel.
PMQs: The Starmer Sutra
45:41|Kemi Badenoch mocks Keir Starmer over his latest U-turn, while he claims the Tories have had 'more positions than the 'Kama Sutra'.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Gabriel Pogrund, Stefan Boscia and Susie McCabe.
Can We Stand Up To Big Tech?
35:38|The government is to criminalise non-consensual deepfakes after concerns were raised about the capabilities of Elon Musk's Grok AI. Can the government control what happens online? And should it?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Megan Kenyon and James Marriott.
Zahawi Defects To Reform
30:55|Former Tory Chancellor (well, briefly) Nadhim Zahawi becomes Reform UK's highest profile defection yet - but does it make Nigel Farage's party look like a home for Tory has-beens? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Seb Payne.
Yet Another U-Turn
32:33|Rachel Reeves is set to announce a bailout for pubs following a backlash over plans to hike business rates. It's the 12th major U-turn since Labour entered office - are they demonstrating confidence, or chaos?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Sonia Sodha and Michael Binyon.
Do We Really Want Honest Leaders?
32:17|Donald Trump doesn't pretend his foreign interventions are part of a noble cause. Did we prefer it when US presidents hid their blunt motives with insincerity?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Sarah Ditum.
PMQs: Nigel Farage
52:40|It's the first PMQs of the year, and Hugo and Patrick Maguire are joined in the studio by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. As they unpack the exchanges from the Commons, they discuss voting for sending troops to Ukraine, Donald Trump's raid on Venezuela, and how Farage will change PMQs if he makes it into Downing Street.
With Friends Like Trump, Who Needs Enemies?
32:03|After the US raid on Venezuela, the UK government has tried not to make a splash and condemn Trump. But with Greenland in his sights, will they continue to defer to his judgement?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott