Share
Politics Unpacked
Politics On The Stage
•
It's culture week here on the podcast, and today we're looking at the theatre - does politics still have a place on the stage?
Ed Vaizey hears from playwrights including David Edgar, who’s been writing for the theatre for 50 years, and discusses some of the best political drama including James Graham’s This House.
Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell talk about the pressure on the government to give big public sector pay deals, why there's a culture war over 20mph zones, and Keir Starmer's choice of crisps.
More episodes
View all episodes
Has Starmer Surrendered?
28:32|Keir Starmer's deal with the European Union will allow closer co-operation on security, food standards and travel - but will all that come at the expense of the British fishing industry?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins.The Price Of Starmer's EU Reset
33:02|As European leaders meet in Tirana, is Keir Starmer inching Britain closer to Europe - and is that progress?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Gaby Hinsliff.How Big Is The Space To The Left Of Starmer?
32:56|As the Prime Minister adopts increasingly tough rhetoric on immigration, can his opponents on the left offer a populist alternative?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew ParrisPMQs: Dead Party Walking
44:35|Kemi Badenoch dismisses Keir Starmer's “tiny tariff deal” with Donald Trump, while Keir Starmer called the Tories a “dead party walking.”Hugo Rifkind unpacks all the action from the Commons with Tim Shipman and the comedian Ria Lina.Did Starmer Echo Enoch Powell?
31:13|Sir Keir Starmer is under fire for saying the UK could become an "island of strangers" unless new curbs on migration bring the numbers down - but are comparisons with Enoch Powell and 'Rivers of Blood' misplaced?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.Starmer's Stark Language On Immigration
27:34|Keir Starmer claims soaring immigration has done 'incalculable' damage to the UK and risks creating an 'island of strangers'. But can he deliver on his promise to drive the numbers down? Will Rachel Reeves hold the line on welfare cuts, and will the Tories send for Boris Johnson?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins.The Deification Of Trump
29:11|As Keir Starmer celebrates getting a trade agreement with the US over the line, does Peter Mandelson fit into Donald Trump's circle? Plus, how has moral universalism led to the rise of Nigel Farage?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Miranda Green.A 'Very Big And Exciting' Trade Deal
31:46|The UK finally has its trade deal with the US - but will it make us any richer?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Fraser Nelson.PMQs Unpacked: What Trade Deal?
40:47|Keir Starmer wants to be celebrating its trade deal with India, worth 5 billion pounds to the British economy...but Kemi Badenoch instead presses him over cuts to the winter fuel allowance and energy bills.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the House of Commons with Tim Shipman and comedian Ahir Shah. Plus, we wave Lara Spirit off to Washington.