The Times Red Box Podcast

A new YouGov polls shows the public doesn't see Kemi Badenoch as a PM in waiting - is their verdict a suprise?Plus, is Matthew Parris the British equivalent of a cowboy?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the last PMQs of 2024, and Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch trade blows over the government's decision to restrict winter fuel payments.But some of the toughest questions come from the backbenches over the Waspi women campaign, with one MP calling the Starmer a "one-trick phony". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starmer's approval rating is the lowest of any Prime Minister after five months in Number 10 - is he a victim of circumstance, or of the fickle nature of modern politics?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should MPs use parliamentary privilege to reveal the identity of an alleged Chinese spy? Is anti-bullying training 'woke'? And is the government's communications grid finally working?Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day, and all the other news, with Patrick Maguire and Hadley Freeman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer faces a cabinet split as Wes Streeting criticises Ed Miliband's decision to oppose military action against Assad in Syria when he was the party's leader in 2013, but was Ed really to blame? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and and the I newspaper's Jane Merrick Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch gives an interview in which she claims sandwiches aren't 'real food' - and says she identifies with a murderous Game of Thrones character.Hugo Rifkind is joined by Matthew Syed and Jenni Russell to unpack the politics of the day, including the Tory leader's lunch habits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch attacks Keir Starmer for his views on immigration when he was a lawyer - but can a letter be the tip of the iceberg? And does the prime minister eventually get the better of the leader of the opposition?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the angry exchanges from the Commons with the help of Sunday Times chief political commentator Tim Shipman and comedian Ria Lina. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After David Lammy tells the Commons that Assad is the "rat of Damascus", does the foreign secretary have a habit of playing to the gallery?Plus: A first hand account from the court room during the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Janice Turner.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Reform polling well and attracting more Tory defectors - including Suella Braverman's husband - who would you put your money on to dominate the right of politics by the next election?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Hadley Freeman and Patrick Maguire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch is Washington, but won't meet Donald Trump - who prefers Nigel Farage anyway. And why does Angela Rayner think Keir Starmer is like a civil servant?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Trevor Phillips and Gaby Hinsliff.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer sets out six milestones for voters to judge his premiership, but did his speech reboot his premiership?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the speech and the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch asks Keir Starmer why he appointed a "convicted fraudster" to be his transport secretary.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action at prime minister's questions with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Alex Kealy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer is planning to set six numerical targets for the government to achieve before the next election, but do targets lead to results? And should the Louise Haigh accept thousands of pounds in severance pay?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 is joined by Fraser Nelson to discuss whether the benefits system is trapping the people it's supposed to help, and unpacks the politics of the day - including Starmer's 'relaunch' - with Patrick Maguire and Emma Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is the first cabinet resignation of the Starmer government, but what don't we know about the story, and how big a set back is it for the PM? Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with Tom McTague and Rachel Sylvester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As official figures show net migration hit a record 900,000 last year, the Tories have set out a "new approach" on immigration. But is it wise for Kemi Badenoch to start making policy so far away from the next election?Lara Spirit unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch says businesses such as biscuit-maker McVities are losing confidence in the UK economy, but will her biscuit puns make Keir Starmer crumble or will he bite back?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and comedian Alistair Barrie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has the woke movement lost confidence? Will Donald Trump bring Joe Rogan into White House press briefings? And what has Boris Johnson been saying about the obesity crisis? 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 is unpacking the politics of the day with Sunday Times columnist Hadley Freeman and politics professor and podcast host David Runciman.They discuss the merits (or otherwise) of a petition calling for a general election, reports that Keir Starmer will add more targets to the government’s five “missions”, and Ed Davey's Gen Z speak on social media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a big shake-up of the school curriculum on the way, but how radical is the government's thinking - and could they put standards at risk?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Rachel Sylvester and Robin Brant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.