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Politics Unpacked

Why Doesn't Britain Work?

From Excel spreadsheets to the Brexit negotiations, former Cabinet Office Minister under David Cameron, Lord (Francis) Maude, speaks to Matt Chorley about the machinery of government - and why it can make their big ideas fail.

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  • Gray Matter

    34:11|
    How and why was Sue Gray ousted from Downing Street, and what does it tell us about Keir Starmer's government?Times columnists Patrick Maguire and Hadley Freeman join Hugo Rifkind to discuss the inside story of the reshuffle at No 10.
  • Boris Johnson, Chagos and 'Cash For Croissants'

    28:07|
    Patrick Maguire is unpacking the politics of the day with Rachel Sylvester and Timandra Harkness. They discuss Boris Johnson's new memoir 'Unleashed', the government's decision to give up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, and why businesses were asked for £30,000 for breakfast with the business secretary.
  • Starmer's Freebie-Geebies

    34:09|
    Keir Starmer's decision to repay some of the hospitality and gifts he received since entering No. 10 has reignited the discussion about freebies in political life.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Janice Turner. 
  • Tory Leadership: Who Has The Momentum?

    29:02|
    The four Conservative leadership hopefuls have been speaking to the party's conference in Birmingham, but who is pulling ahead in this contest? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Tim Montgomerie to unpack the key moments.
  • Who Is Listening To Liz Truss?

    34:38|
    How is Liz Truss's fight to save western civilisation going? Why is Jonathan Gullis finding it hard to get back into teaching? And is Boris Johnson right to say you shouldn’t apologise for things you don’t believe.Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the Conservative Party conference with Libby Purves and James Marriott.  
  • Who Is Winning The Tory Leadership Contest

    30:23|
    How badly have Kemi Badenoch’s maternity pay comments damaged her campaign? And does Keir Starmer have a woman problem?Hugo Rifkind is unpacking the politics of the Conservative Party conference with Patrick Maguire and Hadley Freeman. 
  • Will Boris Overshadow Tory Conference?

    28:48|
    Ed Vaizey is unpacking the politics of the day with Miranda Green and Carolyn Quinn.If the government can swallow being nice to Trump, why not Elon Musk? How did Keir Starmer and Donald Trump's Washington dinner go, and will Boris Johnson's memoirs overshadow the Tory leadership contest?
  • Why Can't Starmer Shake The Donors Story?

    32:03|
    After another day of stories about Keir Starmer taking big donations - all within the rules - why is the prime minister struggling to move on?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Jenni Russell. Does the government know how to get the economy growing, and what part does Englishness play in the Tory leadership contest?
  • Is Streeting Talking Down The NHS?

    34:33|
    Wes Streeting says the NHS is letting people down, but should he be spending so much time talking the health service down?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Jane Mulkerrins.