Share

cover art for Has Britain Lost Its Regional Identity?

Politics Unpacked

Has Britain Lost Its Regional Identity?

Hugo Rifkind is back to unpack the politics of the day, and all the other news, with the brightest minds from the Times and the Sunday Times.


Today he's joined by James Marriott and Libby Purves to discuss the extent to which BBC should have noticed the Huw Edwards case, whether Britain has lost its respect for regional identity and the decline of Anglo-Saxon names. 


Plus, Judge Libby is back to rule on some of the biggest questions of ethics and morality in public life. 


More episodes

View all episodes

  • Burnham Makes His Move

    30:39|
    Andy Burnham is plotting his route back to Westminster, where he intends to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. But would he make a good Prime Minister? And why is he so adored by some parts of the party?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Thangam Debbonaire and Michael Binyon.
  • Labour's Wild Wes

    29:21|
    Labour's leadership crisis has deepened, plunging the government into chaos - can Keir Starmer continue? And what kind of Prime Minister would Wes Streeting be? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Jenni Russell. 
  • Gyles Brandreth: Whips, Plots & PMs

    18:43|
    Hugo speaks to broadcaster, former MP and speechwriter to three prime ministers Gyles Brandreth.They unpack the latest twists in Westminster, life as a government whip amid a Tory civil war, and which prime minister was the funniest behind closed doors.
  • The Psychodrama Is Back

    34:59|
    Keir Starmer insists he's staying on in Downing Street, but an increasing number of his ministers and MPs disagree.What happened to the promise that politics would tread more lightly on our lives? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers, James Marriott and Theo Bertram.
  • Was Starmer's Speech Enough?

    31:11|
    Keir Starmer's speech was his last attempt to convince his MPs he's the right man for the job, but will it work?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne, Libby Purves and Matt Pound, a former advisor to the prime minister
  • A Historic Shift in British Politics

    35:44|
    Labour is losing heavily to Reform UK in areas once considered the party’s heartlands - what Nigel Farage calls a “truly historic shift” in British politics.Keir Starmer says he won't leave and plunge the party into chaos - but will it be up to him?Carolyn Quinn unpacks the politics of the day with Will Lloyd and Alys Denby. Plus: Shadow Minister Victoria Atkins and Reform UK’s London Assembly leader, Alex Wilson.
  • Can Labour Match The Tories For Plotting?

    30:57|
    It's election day across the UK, and speculation is rife about a looming plot to oust Keir Starmer. But should the Labour Party just admit it's not as good at skulduggery as the Conservatives in their heyday?Hugo Rifkind is joined by Sarah Ditum and Matthew Parris, to discuss scheming politicians, the drinking culture in Parliament, and how the 24 hour news cycle changed modern politics.
  • Polanski, Heckling, and Internet Relics

    31:03|
    Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. A Times investigation reveals Zack Polanski made false claims when seeking the deputy leadership of the Green party, Kemi Badenoch's handling of hecklers, and what happened to relics of the early internet age. 
  • Focus Group: Is Andy Burnham A 'Saint'?

    23:53|
    The Times Radio Focus Group returns for the final time ahead of the local elections.JL Partners brings together 2024 Labour voters who are now on the fence — so what’s changed? Is Keir Starmer the problem, are his potential rivals any better, or are the Greens the real beneficiaries?  Hugo Rifkind is joined by JL Partners co-founder Tom Lubbock to break it all down.