Politics Unpacked

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.  

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: 32'15

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.