Share
Politics Unpacked
Focus Group: Attack Of The Clones
•
A group of people from across England who voted for the Conservatives at the 2019 election, but now say they plan to vote for Labour give their verdict on Rishi Sunak, who they describe as a "clone", and Keir Starmer, who they think is "smug". Matt is joined by James Johnson of J.L. Partners to find out why they're switching, and what might bring them back.
Plus: Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss whether MPs should be banned from drinking in parliament if they behave badly, if it matters that the government's plan to move civil servants out of London isn't working, and compare their worst travel experiences to Prue Leith's on the Caledonian Sleeper.
More episodes
View all episodes
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.Keir Starmer's Christmas Carol
13:13|In this special Christmas episode of the podcast, Patrick Maguire joins Ed Vaizey for a story of a prime minister visited by three Christmas spirits - one carrying a disposable vape, one looking like George V, and the last smelling of tofu. Do any of them bear glad tidings for Keir Starmer as he looks forward to elections in 2026?Politics Unpacked will be back on 29th January.Are Ministers Running Scared Of The Voters?
32:58|Nearly ten million voters could see their local elections delayed until 2027, which Nigel Farage claims is to stop him winning more councils - does he have a point?Guto Harri unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon