Politics Unpacked

Keir Starmer has announced he is abolishing NHS England, the quango in charge of NHS standards. Is he the chainsaw-wielding disruptor the UK didn't know it had? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed.

Kemi Badenoch accuses Keir Starmer of talking 'trash' as she attacks Labour's record on the cost of living.  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Theo Usherwood and comedian Geoff Norcott.

Keir Starmer says the current benefits system "unsustainable, indefensible and unfair" - will the public, and his own party, agree?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, including: Elon Musk's spat with a Polish minister, Reform UK descends into infighting, and what are the politics of the Barbour jacket?With Jane Mulkerrins and Tom McTague.

As President Trump reverses tariffs just days after introducing them, and claims he can get Putin to agree to a peace deal for mysterious reasons, is his unpredictability a strength or weakness?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Timandra Harkness and Michael Binyon. 

Britain controls our nuclear deterrent, but the missiles are leased from the Americans - so what happens if the US decided not to help?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris.

Keir Starmer makes a pointed response to JD Vance after the US Vice President referred to "troops from some random country", and Kemi Badenoch offers her support over Ukraine.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Gráinne Maguire.

After Donald Trump's abrupt halt to US military aid for Ukraine, how will Keir Starmer and the rest of Europe respond? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.