Politics Unpacked

With James Cleverly out of the Conservative leadership contest and Boris Johnson teasing a possible return to frontline politics, does that party know what it stands for?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed.

PMQs is back, with Keir Starmer facing questions about freebies and the budget - but why is everyone afraid to say Sue Gray's name? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber, with the help of Patrick Maguire and comedian Gráinne Maguire.

Ministers are drawing up plans for political parties to have to publicly justify why they are appointing peers to the House of Lords. Will it help combat “cronyism” in the second chamber? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, and all the other stuff, with Times columnists James Marriott and Melanie Reid. 

How and why was Sue Gray ousted from Downing Street, and what does it tell us about Keir Starmer's government?Times columnists Patrick Maguire and Hadley Freeman join Hugo Rifkind to discuss the inside story of the reshuffle at No 10.

Patrick Maguire is unpacking the politics of the day with Rachel Sylvester and Timandra Harkness. They discuss Boris Johnson's new memoir 'Unleashed', the government's decision to give up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, and why businesses were asked for £30,000 for breakfast with the business secretary.

Keir Starmer's decision to repay some of the hospitality and gifts he received since entering No. 10 has reignited the discussion about freebies in political life.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Janice Turner. 

The four Conservative leadership hopefuls have been speaking to the party's conference in Birmingham, but who is pulling ahead in this contest? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Tim Montgomerie to unpack the key moments.

How is Liz Truss's fight to save western civilisation going? Why is Jonathan Gullis finding it hard to get back into teaching? And is Boris Johnson right to say you shouldn’t apologise for things you don’t believe.Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the Conservative Party conference with Libby Purves and James Marriott.  

How badly have Kemi Badenoch’s maternity pay comments damaged her campaign? And does Keir Starmer have a woman problem?Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the Conservative Party conference with Patrick Maguire and Hadley Freeman.