Politics Unpacked

After five years and something like 150 episodes, Tim Shipman is leaving the Sunday Times and the podcast. What has he learned from unpacking all those exchanges at PMQs?He hands over to Times chief political commentator Patrick Maguire, and with Hugo they unpack the exchanges between Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch - as the PM refuses to be drawn on plans to end the two child benefit cap.

Keir Starmer has promised to make Britain "battle ready" as he unveiled plans to improve the military - but will taxpayers be prepared to pay for higher defence spending?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Libby Purves.

Kemi Badenoch accuses Labour and Reform of 'fantasy economics', the day after Keir Starmer made the same charge about Nigel Farage. Is it doing any of them any good?

Sir Keir Starmer has hit back at Nigel Farage - making a speech warning that Farage's "fantasy" economics will lead to a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown. So would Reform UK's policies crash the economy? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Zoe Strimpel.

After police chiefs publicly raised their concerns about budget cuts making it harder to keep us all safe, Rachel Reeves is under renewed pressure over government spending.  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. 

Nigel Farage has branded Keir Starmer as “one of the most unpatriotic prime ministers in our history" - is there a lack of patriotism on the left? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. 

As Labour inches along its huge benefits u-turn, Nigel Farage says he would restore winter fuel payment and end the two child benefit cap. Is Reform becoming a big state, big benefits party now?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Carol Lewis and Patrick Kidd. 

Ed Vaizey is joined by Jane Merrick and Albie Amankona to discuss a week of big challenges for the government - from the EU reset to the U-turn on winter fuel to finally signing off the Chagos deal.

Mouths were agape when Donald Trump confronted South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa with false claims of white genocide.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Manveen Rana.