The Times Red Box Podcast

As military leaders meet in London to discuss support for Ukraine, have the French blocked British manufacturers from an EU defence fund?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Fraser Nelson and Lara Spirit.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Andy Hamilton joins Hugo and Tim Shipman to unpack the exchanges at prime minister's questions. It's heavy going as Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch discuss taxes and hospices, but Reform UK's Lee Anderson lightens the mood with a question about "glazed expressions and waffle" from government ministers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the government lays out massive changes to the welfare system, Kemi Badenoch has a different concern: net-zero.  Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Tom Whipple  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch is launching a series of new policy commissions, but how long can she afford to wait before setting out what the party believes? And how likely is it that she will promise to leave the EHRC?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with the help of Sebastian Payne and Jane Mulkerrins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia says there is "a lot ahead to be done" on the Ukrainian ceasefire deal; what concessions can Donald Trump realistically extract from Vladimir Putin? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Claire Fox.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer is uniting Europe's leaders around support for Ukraine, but as more and more money is given to the war effort, will the public start to wonder if it's really worth it?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Mulkerrins and Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer returns from his trip to Washington where his meeting with Trump seemed to go pretty well - but has Starmer really secured wins for the UK? Or is it all theatrics? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Merrick and Timandra Harkness  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite European leaders, including Keir Starmer, meeting Trump at the White House this week, Trump is still planning a deal with Ukraine without a security guarantee. Does anyone in Europe know how to respond to him?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PMQs Unpacked is back - and today Keir Starmer clashes with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch over the UK's planned increase in defence spending. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Ahir Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can Keir Starmer learn from Emmanuel Macron cosying up to Donald Trump?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Katy Balls and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A centre-left government kicked out by the electorate, with immigration the dominant issue... Are there lessons from the German election for Keir Starmer and Labour?And what is KMT, or Kemi Mean Time? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and Jane Mulkerrins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starmer is under pressure to increase defence spending ahead of his trip to Washington next week, but where will the money come from and will the public accept cuts elsewhere?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Zoe Strimpel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.