The Times Red Box Podcast

Keir Starmer is being held back by the "fringe obsessions" of the civil service, according to his former director of strategy Paul Ovenden. So how can the Prime Minister tackle the "weirdness" of Whitehall?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been an eventful year in politics and the party leaders will be hoping to set the right tone for 2026 - so what can we expect in the new year?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day for the final time in 2025, with Sarah Ditum and Emma Duncan.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Year's Honours list has raised eyebrows, with some recipients having previously been at the centre of culture war controversies. So who should really get a gong?Ed Vaizey unpacks the news and politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prime minister has been urged to deport Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, after he apologised for social media posts apparently calling for violence against Zionists and the police.But as successive governments backed his release from an Egyptian jail, will anyone listen to critics including Liz Truss?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Jack Blackburn and Albie Amankona. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Christmas episode of the podcast, Patrick Maguire joins Ed Vaizey for a story of a prime minister visited by three Christmas spirits - one carrying a disposable vape, one looking like George V, and the last smelling of tofu. Do any of them bear glad tidings for Keir Starmer as he looks forward to elections in 2026?Politics Unpacked will be back on 29th January. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly ten million voters could see their local elections delayed until 2027, which Nigel Farage claims is to stop him winning more councils - does he have a point?Guto Harri unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome, is apparently the irrational desire to criticise the US President Donald Trump. But with his approval ratings slipping in the polls, is he in serious trouble over his handling of the economy?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final PMQs of the year, Kemi Badenoch challenges Keir Starmer on growth, taxes and claims he doesn’t have the “baubles” to stop the doctors’ strike. Starmer hits back, arguing that Badenoch’s Christmas wish list would freeze the minimum wage...Hugo Rifkind unpacks the Commons exchanges with Josh Glancy, Stefan Boscia and Ahir Shah.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has sued the BBC for $10 billion over an edit of his January 6th speech in a Panorama documentary. Could the corporation's survival be threatened if it doesn't settle with the US president?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Andy Burnham want to be PM? Reform UK has become Britain’s largest party by membership, and Jeremy Clarkson is the latest pub owner to bar Labour MPs from his pub.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Emma Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer and his fellow European leaders are engaged in another intense period of diplomacy aimed at securing a peace deal for Ukraine. Can they make any progress - and is Donald Trump's hostility to Europe only increasing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has appointed 25 new peers, despite having pledged to shrink and even abolish the House of Lords in the past - how could that affect trust in politics?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and Salma Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Panto season hits PMQs, with Badenoch calling Starmer a “caretaker PM,” Starmer accusing her of job-saving panic, and Lindsay Hoyle asking MPs to stop the pantomime auditions.Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and Andrew Hunter Murray to unpack the exchanges in the House Of Commons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Rayner has expressed "frustration" with slow progress delivering on workers' rights. Now she's on the backbenches, is she going to be creating problems for Keir Starmer, and could she end up as leader?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Megan Kenyon and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The think-tank that backed Keir Starmer's bid to be Labour leader has started canvassing members about potential successors - are preparations underway for a leadership change?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK is planning to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. But with Putin welcomed with open arms in India, how much pressure will this really put on the Kremlin?Ed Vaizey unpacks the news of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage wants a “reverse takeover” of the Tory party, but he's not interested in any Reform UK-Conservative Party pact at the next election - could he lure Robert Jenrick to join Reform? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch is on a roll at PMQs, but was she right to keep the focus on what was and wasn't said in the weeks before the Budget?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Gabriel Pogrund and Guto Harri Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer says the UK is still facing consequences of Brexit vote's 'wild promises' - why is the prime minister bringing up Brexit? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister has denied that he and the Chancellor misled the cabinet, and the country, over the state of the nation's finances - has he put the question to bed?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.