Politics Unpacked

Reform UK is confident that the £72m in donations it received from two crypto-billionaires are legal, but could the government still change the law to force them to return the money?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Sonia Sodha.

Britons face an expensive winter with rising bills and the prospect of higher taxes. Can Andy Burnham still deliver on his promise to make people feel “hopeful” as the cold sets in?And on the anniversary of 9/11, is Britain safer or more dangerous than it was 25 years ago?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon.

A successful party conference could tempt Andy Burnham to call an early general election, but will he take the risk?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Cindy Yu. 

At PMQs, Andy Burnham says that national security "can't come at the expense of social security". But if he won't cut benefits to fund defence, where will he find the money?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Lara Spirit, Deputy Political Editor of The Sunday Times, and Chris Ward, Labour MP and former aide to Keir Starmer.Picture: House of Commons

Andy Burnham's first policy move risks angering President Trump, will there be a backlash from the US? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott.

John Healey made his first major speech since becoming Chancellor, saying the economy is 'turning a corner' and promising growth. Is his optimism justified? Hugo Rikfind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd.

Reform UK's conference is underway in Birmingham - but allegations the party breached political donation rules threaten to derail the event.Nigel Farage insists his party has broken no laws. But with two senior officials stepping aside, the questions keep coming.Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon.

Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron have met in No.10, with small boats high on the agenda - but have the French done enough to stop dinghies crossing the Channel?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Lara Spirit and Sarah Ditum. 

Andy Burnham faces his first PMQs as Prime Minister - with Kemi Badenoch calling him a “yes man”, and one of his own MPs applying pressure over defence spending.Hugo unpacks the exchanges with The Times’ Patrick Maguire and The Sunday Times’ Ben Riley-Smith.