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Politics Unpacked
SUNDAY SHOWS AT 50 Part 2: Frost
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Matt Chorley charts the rise and fall of the Sunday political TV shows with Sunday Shows at 50. Last week, we looked at the birth of Weekend World and this week, we look at how David Frost dominated the Sunday shows for over a decade. Interviewees including his son Wilfred Frost, his editor Barney Jones, Trevor Phillips, Peter Mandelson, Chris Evans, politicians including Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, and William Hague, and prominent journalists Jeremy Vine and John Humphrys.
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Do Political Backstories Matter?
31:45|Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting are each setting out their pitch to be the next Prime Minister. But do their stories of triumphing over adversity make them better politicians?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott.
What If Burnham Loses?
32:58|Under pressure over his stance on rejoining the EU, Andy Burnham could face a bruising contest against Reform if selected for the Makerfield by-election. But what happens if he loses? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Sonia Sodha and Sarah Ditum.
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.