Share

cover art for What's The Point Of PMQs?

Politics Unpacked

What's The Point Of PMQs?

•

As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer take a break from Prime Minister's Questions during recess, Patrick asks what their weekly joust teaches us, and whether it ever truly changes the political weather.


He speaks to Tom Peck from The Times and Times Radio's Jane Garvey to both deride and defend PMQs, and two former party leaders about how to make an impact from the Chamber.


Plus: Columnists Robert Crampton and Hadley Freeman on how the war in Gaza is reigniting the left's antisemitism problems, the relationship test trending on TikTok, and the great washing-up bowl debate.


What's The Point Of PMQs (23:42)


More episodes

View all episodes

  • Reeves U-turns On Tax... Again

    31:06|
    The Chancellor has scrapped plans to raise income tax in the Budget because of improved economic forecasts and fears over the reaction of mutinous Labour MPs - is she right to change course?

  • Labour's Blame Game Continues

    28:39|
    With Starmer investigating briefings against his own cabinet ministers and facing calls to sack his own Chief of Staff, can anyone explain what's going on in Downing Street?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Jenni Russell and Matthew Syed

  • PMQs: Labour's 'Civil War'

    40:09|
    Kemi Badenoch tells the Prime Minister he's lost control of Downing Street, and his government has "descended into civil war."Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from Prime Minister's Questions with Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund.

  • Trump Eyes A Billion From The BBC

    31:31|
    The US President has given the BBC until Friday evening to apologise and remove a Panorama episode which edited a speech to make it appear he was inciting violence - or else, he'll sue. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.

  • Heads Roll Over BBC Bias Claims

    29:48|
    Accusations of bias have forced Tim Davie and Deborah Turness to resign from their roles at the BBC - has the job of running the corporation become almost impossible?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Sebastian Payne.

  • Is There Any Way Out For Rachel Reeves?

    31:21|
    As Rachel Reeves tells the Budget watchdog she could raise income tax for the first time in 50 years, is there any way out for the chancellor? And will she make all future promises on tax worthless?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Thangam Debbonaire.

  • Have Politicians Stopped Lying?

    31:06|
    Nigel Farage and Rachel Reeves have both sought to be more frank with the public about the economy this week - does this herald a new era of honest politics?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Matthew Parris.

  • PMQs: Lammy Rattled Over Second Manhunt

    36:27|
    David Lammy takes Deputy PMQs for the first time, and faces the same question from Conservative James Cartlidge five times in a row about a second foreign prisoner mistakenly released. In the end it turns out that Cartlidge knew the answer all along.Hugo unpacks the action with Patrick Maguire and Stefan Boscia

  • Reeves Drops A "Waffle Bomb"?

    31:40|
    Rachel Reeves tries to lay the ground for difficult decisions at her Budget. But did the speech say anything new, or was Kemi Badenoch right to call it a "waffle bomb"?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott
Copyright The Times
Hosted with ❤️ by Acast