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Politics Unpacked
The Rest is Dominic Sandbrook
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Brand new Times columnist and Rest is History star Dominic Sandbrook tells Matt why the King's first year on the throne has been a surprising success, why Tony Blair isn't in his top 10 prime ministers, and why he really doesn't like archeology.
Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss India getting Covid (again), what Rishi Sunak will be served when he goes to Balmoral, and why James hates video games.
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Yet Another U-Turn
32:33|Rachel Reeves is set to announce a bailout for pubs following a backlash over plans to hike business rates. It's the 12th major U-turn since Labour entered office - are they demonstrating confidence, or chaos?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Sonia Sodha and Michael Binyon.Do We Really Want Honest Leaders?
32:17|Donald Trump doesn't pretend his foreign interventions are part of a noble cause. Did we prefer it when US presidents hid their blunt motives with insincerity?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Sarah Ditum.PMQs: Nigel Farage
52:40|It's the first PMQs of the year, and Hugo and Patrick Maguire are joined in the studio by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. As they unpack the exchanges from the Commons, they discuss voting for sending troops to Ukraine, Donald Trump's raid on Venezuela, and how Farage will change PMQs if he makes it into Downing Street.With Friends Like Trump, Who Needs Enemies?
32:03|After the US raid on Venezuela, the UK government has tried not to make a splash and condemn Trump. But with Greenland in his sights, will they continue to defer to his judgement?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James MarriottStarmer's Survival Strategy
30:37|Keir Starmer’s turned off his out-of-office, and he’s planning a big push on the cost of living in 2026 - but will his survival strategy actually work?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers.The Weirdness Of Whitehall
31:58|Keir Starmer is being held back by the "fringe obsessions" of the civil service, according to his former director of strategy Paul Ovenden. So how can the Prime Minister tackle the "weirdness" of Whitehall?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Michael Binyon.Starmer's New Year's Resolutions
35:51|It's been an eventful year in politics and the party leaders will be hoping to set the right tone for 2026 - so what can we expect in the new year?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day for the final time in 2025, with Sarah Ditum and Emma Duncan.Who Should Get An Honour?
32:56|The New Year's Honours list has raised eyebrows, with some recipients having previously been at the centre of culture war controversies. So who should really get a gong?Ed Vaizey unpacks the news and politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd.Should Starmer Strip Activist's Citizenship?
30:03|The prime minister has been urged to deport Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, after he apologised for social media posts apparently calling for violence against Zionists and the police.But as successive governments backed his release from an Egyptian jail, will anyone listen to critics including Liz Truss?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jack Blackburn and Albie Amankona.